Computer build thoughts

[Tim Burton]

My brother has wanted to purchase my computer for about 6 months now.

I just picked up a Q9660 for $305 which is a killer price. I was going to get a Q9450 or Q9330, but when I saw that for an extra $20 from newegg's price I snatched it up. Heck, newegg has the Q9660 for $380.

So I have some questions about parts that I still need:

GPU:

Is the 9800 about to come out? Is it worth getting or should I just get an 8800GTS 512MB (G92)?

PSU:

I know that the CPU is 95W, and I want to run 5 HDs and 1 DVD drive. How many watts should I get? I have a 550W in my present system and my electric bill is $200, which is about $50 more than my brother and his whole family's bill, and they leave the lights on all the time. Is there any that are fairly power efficient?

MB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813127030

I am thinking this, since the price is right and even better has a MiR.

I don't need SLI, but I do want the RAID array.

Soundcard:

I need something reasonably priced, and don't really care if it is Creative. I'm open to anything.

RAM:

I have 2x2GB A-Data 800Mhz sticks. Is that ok, or is there really that huge of a difference by going to 1066?

I don't think I missed anything.

Edit:

I need a HSF. Any suggestions?

[ibleet]

GPU: I would have to recommend the 8800GTS 512 since the newly introduced 9800 GTS is still a G92.

PSU: Im gonna field that one to other members who are more knowledgeable.

MB: Thats a beefy MIR on the motherboard. P35 should suit your build well.

Soundcard: I have no preference here. I use the onboard sound on my P35 board and its not too shabby.

RAM: Your ram should be great and I would definitely put it to use since you already have it.

Enjoy the build and don't forget to post lots of pics.

[Tim Burton]

Also, any suggestions on a HSF?

[ibleet]

If you're not planning to overclock the CPU, then the stock HSF is fine. If you mildly overclock, say 20% or less, then an Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 pro is more than adequate. For extreme overclocking you would have to ask one of the other people here.

[Tim Burton]

If you're not planning to overclock the CPU, then the stock HSF is fine. If you mildly overclock, say 20% or less, then an Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 pro is more than adequate. For extreme overclocking you would have to ask one of the other people here.

Ok, the CPU is OEM so no HSF. I'll look into that one.

[Methious]

The Zalman 9700 LED is a pretty good cooler, ThermalRight Ultra 120 though huge is a good cooler but need to buy a fan for it. If you go ThermalRight Ultra make sure it'll fit the case. It was a little more expensive but I got almost water cooled temps from it. It's also AM2 and 775 compatible so it can move to a couple of builds to offset cost. It also avoids later on wondering if you can get more with a better cooler because it's about the best.

[DMB2000uk]

PSU = Corsair 620HX.

Sorted

Dan

[martini161]

the coarsiar should be good, but i have a personal preference to high end thermaltakes how many harddrives are going to be in the pc? as for the HSF if hes not going to be doing anything extreme the artic cooling freezer 7 pro is a great choice, only around 35 bucks or so.

[ibleet]

I agree with Dan on the Corsair HX620 PSU.

If you go with the Arctic Cooler HSF, it does get in the way of ram with oversized HS for the first slot.

[Tim Burton]

I would like to have 5 HDs running.

[martini161]

I would like to have 5 HDs running.

your gonna need something like at least 800watts for that

[hnzw_rui]

I would like to have 5 HDs running.

your gonna need something like at least 800watts for that

No you don't...

Corsair 550VX
Gigabyte P35-DS3R
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2160 @ 2.4, 1.275V BIOS, 1.25V CPU-Z
Wintec AMPX CL5 2x2GB
Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 256MB
Western Digital WD7500AAKS x4
Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7190A x2
ATI HDTV Wonder


Power Consumption as measured by Kill-A-Watt
idle (1.6GHz, 6x266) - 100W
load orthos (2.4GHz, 9x266) - 130W or 140W, can't recall which
boot - 180W, I think, can't remember what exactly but definitely less than 200W

[DMB2000uk]

I would like to have 5 HDs running.

your gonna need something like at least 800watts for that

I stand by the Corsair 620HX suggestion still. Outervision's PSU calc puts the needed wattage at most 600w (and that is with me using 100% peak system load values). The 620HX can handle even that.

Actually though, efficiency wise, the Thermaltake Toughpower 750W is a slight bit better than the Corsair, so if PSU efficiency is key, then that could be the route to go.

Dan

[martini161]

I would like to have 5 HDs running.

your gonna need something like at least 800watts for that

No you don't...

Corsair 550VX
Gigabyte P35-DS3R
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2160 @ 2.4, 1.275V BIOS, 1.25V CPU-Z
Wintec AMPX CL5 2x2GB
Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 256MB
Western Digital WD7500AAKS x4
Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7190A x2
ATI HDTV Wonder


Power Consumption as measured by Kill-A-Watt
idle (1.6GHz, 6x266) - 100W
load orthos (2.4GHz, 9x266) - 130W or 140W, can't recall which
boot - 180W, I think, can't remember what exactly but definitely less than 200W

well, you dont have a quad core, or 5 harddrives, or a high end graphics card, so that is a completly meaningless number

[Tim Burton]

I stand by the Corsair 620HX suggestion still. Outervision's PSU calc puts the needed wattage at most 600w (and that is with me using 100% peak system load values). The 620HX can handle even that.

Actually though, efficiency wise, the Thermaltake Toughpower 750W is a slight bit better than the Corsair, so if PSU efficiency is key, then that could be the route to go.

Dan

So are you meaning the Thermaltake is more efficient per-a-watt, but will cost more since it is 130 watts more or do you mean it is more efficient over all and has more power?

[DMB2000uk]

It costs more to buy initially, but it is more efficient running than the Corsair.



At the same load (running apps etc), the Thermaltake pulls around 9W less from the wall (and hence saves you 9W from the running costs of your pc in this example).

However, the amount of time it would take for it to pay off the difference in cost between it and the corsair (via saved electric) would be measurable in years! So it is a mute point as the Corsair is pretty efficient anyways.

So having thought through it, I'd still probably go with the Corsair. You have to not get too hung up on the wattage ratings of the PSUs, the amps on the rails is what really counts. Also Corsairs 620HX has a combined max of 600W on the 12v rails, the Thermaltake PSU doesn't say on it, but I'd be willing to bet it was around that much (maybe even less!). So the Corsair is really a solid PSU. Nate was running quad 9800 GX2 and the usual kick ass test rig and it was able to power it all fine.

Dan

[Tim Burton]

Alrighty then. It is decided.


Thank you for the PSU suggestion. Now, I just need a Sound Card recommendation.

[DMB2000uk]

Well if you are boycotting creative, then Asus' D2X Xonar card is pretty good (I think they are less gimped under vista too).

Dan

[Tim Burton]

Well if you are boycotting creative, then Asus' D2X Xonar card is pretty good (I think they are less gimped under vista too).

Dan

Yea, it isn't really that. I just am not happy with how my Audigy 2 is with Vista. I would love that Asus card, but I don't have $200. I was hoping for something around 60-80 dollars.

[stopthekilling77]

could just buy everything else and go with onboard audio until you find that perfect sound card

onboard isn't going to completely ruin a new pc is it? i doubt it especially since you seem pretty set on finding the right one soon