Quad Core workstation build with pics

[996GT2]

Here's a recent build I did for my dad since his P4 computer was getting owned by heavy database and virtualization work:

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0($160 on BF after selling the ECS mobo)...Plan to OC lightly to 3 GHz
RAM: 4x2GB (8 GB Total) G.Skill DDR2-800 ($160)
MB: Gigabyte P35-DS3R ($130)
HDD: WD 500GB SATA ($95)
GPU: XFX 7600GT ($65 AR)
PSU: Corsair VX450 ($60 AR)
Case: Cooler Master RC690 ($30AR), free Rosewill card reader in combo deal
HS: Scythe Ninja Rev. B ($35)
4 Yate Loon DSL-SL12 fans and Spire Soundpad: $20 from SVC

Total: ~$755 plus ~$20 shipping

Opticals and 2 120GB WD SATA HDDs carried over from P4 build (haven't been installed yet)

Pics:

Top/Side


Front


Back


Interior


Close-up of Interior


All fans replaced with YL DSL-SL12s


In progress

How's it look? Optical drives aren't in yet but they will be installed when the Vista Ultimate X64 gets here. The comp is not intended for gaming so I focused on the CPU/RAM rather than the graphics.

 

[arnav]

Great Work man
looks amazing and good specs.
it would be even better if u were planning on using it as a gaming machine, but its ok. It is still a hell of a machine.

I had a quick question. I have never seen those G.Skill Ram's. What r they covered with. Is it just some sort of casing or does it have some actual purpose. i am newbie at all this, so most Ram's that i come across are those bare naked one's with the transistors on the side.
Just Curious.

 

[996GT2]

The blue metal things are heatsinks that dissipate heat away from the RAM...most non-value DIMMs have these. IMO they are more for style than actual cooling, and tend to work better when there is good airflow around the RAM.

 

[vailr]

Nice system. However, I think I would have picked WinXP x64 instead of Vista x64.
And replaced any IDE drives with SATA drives.
Are you going to include a dual-boot install? In case of system malfunction, just go
into bios setup and switch to the 2nd bootable drive.
Probably would have chosen a DX10 video card, instead of the DX9 7600GT card.

 

[Snooper]

Originally posted by: vailr

Probably would have chosen a DX10 video card, instead of the DX9 7600GT card.

Keep in mind that he said this is a computer for his dad's work (databases and virtualization) and NOT a gaming machine. DX9/DX10 makes NO difference for this build.

 

[arnav]

I forgot to mention b4, but I also got the quad core Q6600 and will be trying to OC it up to around 3 ghz or lower because i am not going to add additional cooling.
I actually bought the PC. Its a Lenovo 3000 K100 for $800 on black friday (love it). My machine is alrite, but dude yours rocks for only $775. gr8

 

[vailr]

Originally posted by: Snooper

Originally posted by: vailr

Probably would have chosen a DX10 video card, instead of the DX9 7600GT card.

Keep in mind that he said this is a computer for his dad's work (databases and virtualization) and NOT a gaming machine. DX9/DX10 makes NO difference for this build.

Then why not go with a DX10 GeForce 8400GS? It's only about $27, after $20 MIR.

 

[996GT2]

The 7600GT offers better performance at a lower price than comparable 8500GT units. Though this machine is not intended for gaming, the very small cost difference of $30 over a weaker 8400GS card is worth it IMO, especially since this computer will be kept for 3 or 4 years. I didn't see a point trying to save maybe $40 to get a very low-end graphics card, especially since 8400GS cards do not have dual DVI outputs (which means that running two Dell 1905FPs under DVI is not possible with a GS). Also, from what I've read on places like Hardforum, the 8400GS cards tend to have some heat issues despite the fact that they are relatively weak GPUs. The 7600 also has a more oomph for post-processing on HD Video (which is something this computer will be used for down the road).

Besides, dad asked for a graphics card that can handle the occassional game with some eye-candy on in case he ever plays something. I asked him to choose between an 8400GS, 8500GT, and 7600GT, and to him the extra performance of the 7600 was worth not having nonessential DX10 support.