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Thanks for the build advice. Update: Finished!

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ketchup79 said:
WTH Gigabyte? Been looking at two boards on different machines apparently.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128662

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128667

Don't need HDMI, but it could come up, and I like the look of the HD3 better, with the PCI connections and more USB ports.

piasabird, the monitor is a fairly new Dell. Not sure the exact model, so I am pretty sure it has vga and dvi.
Click to expand...

The HD3 is just a straight up better value. More USB 3.0 ports, more video output options, better audio codec, and less expensive AR.
 
mfenn said:
The HD3 is just a straight up better value. More USB 3.0 ports, more video output options, better audio codec, and less expensive AR.
Click to expand...

Agree, it just seems odd that they even offer the DS2V, when even at regular price the HD3 is going for just $8 more, with all you listed above.
 
Updating the OP to what I ordering due to out-of-stock, sales starting, ending, etc. The Zalman case came in today and looks great. The other parts got stuck in Dallas all weekend, but should be here in a day or two. I went ahead and paid extra for three-day shipping. I have tried Newegg's latest iteration of free shipping and it.... sucks.

BTW, just finished my order with Discount Mountain, and it went perfectly. I placed the order at 6:35 PM EST and by 6:42 I had the product key and some very nice instructions for various install scenarios. For a full Microsoft OS for $72, they get an A in my book.
 
The setup looks great - this system will provide great performance for years to come.

Quick question - what's the IDE to SATA converter for? It looks like you picked up a new SATA burner, but are you also reusing the old IDE burner?

I've built up the Zalman ZM-T2 (twice, actually), so if you have questions, just post them here. First thing you may find is that it doesn't have enough motherboard offsets...unless they've actually addressed that problem. Also, I'd consider taping the SSD to the floor of the case rather than using the bulky removable drive panel just for that one drive.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Termie.

To answer your question, the converter serves two roles:
1. Planning on using this to plug his old hard drive into the new box just to make the data transfer quick and painless.
2. I am pretty sure that down the road, I'll find a use for this guy (I know my in-laws have an old HP still running IDE).

I like your idea about the SSD too! Should be a fun install.
 
Everything went together without hiccup and Windows 7 installed beautifully. The SSD is doing a great job. I really like the latest software and BIOS layout Gigabyte is using. Will be delivered next week.

After assembly, I was wondering if I would have to do anything extra about cooling. As I am sure some of you know, the case only ships with one small fan in the rear. After running temp monitoring with a few 3DMark tests, this i3 seems to be doing fine, even while running the integrated GPU. I can't remember the exact number, but I think the max core temp I saw was in the high 40's.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am pretty sure he will be pleased (Well, I would be).
 
ketchup79 said:
Everything went together without hiccup and Windows 7 installed beautifully. The SSD is doing a great job. I really like the latest software and BIOS layout Gigabyte is using. Will be delivered next week.

After assembly, I was wondering if I would have to do anything extra about cooling. As I am sure some of you know, the case only ships with one small fan in the rear. After running temp monitoring with a few 3DMark tests, this i3 seems to be doing fine, even while running the integrated GPU. I can't remember the exact number, but I think the max core temp I saw was in the high 40's.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am pretty sure he will be pleased (Well, I would be).
Click to expand...

That's great news!

I installed a front 120mm fan in my ZM-T2, and honestly, due to the front fascia, the fan really can't pull in a lot of air. I wouldn't bother with it on your system anyway.

One question - are you running a hard drive in this system? Based on my experience, that's the only component that could potentially be stuck in a dead zone circulation-wise. I might install a top 120mm fan in that case. The CPU will be fine on its own - it's ultra-efficient and just won't get that hot no matter what you do with it.
 
Termie said:
....One question - are you running a hard drive in this system? Based on my experience, that's the only component that could potentially be stuck in a dead zone circulation-wise. I might install a top 120mm fan in that case. The CPU will be fine on its own - it's ultra-efficient and just won't get that hot no matter what you do with it.
Click to expand...

No hard drive. Blissful silence, or thereabouts.
 
Termie said:
You're good then. Just set the rear 92mm fan to be controlled by the motherboard. No reason to have it buzzing away at full speed.
Click to expand...

Yes, this motherboard has some nice cooling options. The one in my rig isn't bad, but it is good to see Gigabyte is adding more options here.
 
ketchup79 said:
Everything went together without hiccup and Windows 7 installed beautifully. The SSD is doing a great job. I really like the latest software and BIOS layout Gigabyte is using. Will be delivered next week.

After assembly, I was wondering if I would have to do anything extra about cooling. As I am sure some of you know, the case only ships with one small fan in the rear. After running temp monitoring with a few 3DMark tests, this i3 seems to be doing fine, even while running the integrated GPU. I can't remember the exact number, but I think the max core temp I saw was in the high 40's.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am pretty sure he will be pleased (Well, I would be).
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that it went well!

High 40's C is icy cold for a CPU, sounds like you have nothing to worry about from a cooling perspective since. No HDD cooling to worry about as Termie mentioned.
 
Been busy with work, but thought I would put in a little update. No issues to really mention since delivery. Got all of his programs and data installed and copied over with only some little hitches.

Every week or two I get an email from him about how fast it is, which always makes a computer building happy, doesn't it?
 
ketchup79 said:
Been busy with work, but thought I would put in a little update. No issues to really mention since delivery. Got all of his programs and data installed and copied over with only some little hitches.

Every week or two I get an email from him about how fast it is, which always makes a computer building happy, doesn't it?
Click to expand...

What makes me happy is when I DON'T get calls... :whiste: ...but good feedback is always nice. :biggrin:
 
ketchup79 said:
Been busy with work, but thought I would put in a little update. No issues to really mention since delivery. Got all of his programs and data installed and copied over with only some little hitches.

Every week or two I get an email from him about how fast it is, which always makes a computer building happy, doesn't it?
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Well played!
 
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