New computer - Need comments

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:38 am

It's time to upgrade my old PC (3 GHz PIV on a Asus P4P800 board). Here is what I have come up with. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Intel BOXDG965RYCK LGA 775 Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard -Retail Model #: BOXDG965RYCK
Item=N82E16813121048 $104.99

EVGA 512-P2-N637-AR GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP KO Superclocked Video Card - Retail Model #: 512-P2-N637-AR
Item=N82E16814130066 Mail in Rebate $269.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail Model #: BX80557E6600
Item=N82E16819115003 $313.00

Mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail Model #: 996527
Item=N82E16820146118 Mail-in Rebate $209.99

Update Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #: ST3250620AS
Item=N82E16822148144 $79.99

Update LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S OEM BK - OEM Model #: LH-20A1S OEM BK
Item=N82E16827106070 $34.99

Subtotal: $1,012.95

I already have a 500 watt PS and will recycle my Antec LanBoy case. I'm maybe considering a 74GB Rapter drive, but I don't know. That drive would be for the OS and games. The other for data. I usually buy Crucial memory, but Mushkin is the only one I can find from Newegg that meets the very specific 1.8v 5-5-5 timings for the 965 chipset.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:49 am

See no reason not to step up to a 8800GTS, only like 35 bucks more and you get DX10 support.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:51 am

Hadn't noticed the price on those Yard. Good input, thanks! Do you have any experence with the 965 chipsets and intel motherboards?

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:57 am

Intel boards are very stable and stong, havent used them myself, they dont allow much if any OCing.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:34 am

865 chipsets are fantastic!

The Intel boards are strong......I have the Asus P5B Deluxe ...Asus has always been my brand of choice, this board is no less...absolutely rock solid and stable. I have the e6700 on her with 2 gigs of Crucial ram...stock cooling, Seasonic power supply, runnin approx 3.5GHz.

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:26 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:865 chipsets are fantastic!

The Intel boards are strong......I have the Asus P5B Deluxe ...Asus has always been my brand of choice, this board is no less...absolutely rock solid and stable. I have the e6700 on her with 2 gigs of Crucial ram...stock cooling, Seasonic power supply, runnin approx 3.5GHz.

was using Mushkin ram and thought i'm super duper

then I tryed Corsair and Crucial and I have to say from my own xp I like Corsair and Crucial more.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:48 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:See no reason not to step up to a 8800GTS, only like 35 bucks more and you get DX10 support.

The 320MB 8800GTS are only about $34-$40 more. The 640MB ones, though are still about $100 more.

I'm not sure about the difference from 320 MB to 640MB is on the 8800GTS's. The 7950 I've speced is 512MB.

EvilAjax · Post by **EvilAjax** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:56 pm

I might just buy everything you have.. came out cheap! But I'd go with a better graphics card myself.. Need my baby to handle any game thrown at it with no frame rate issues.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:04 pm

the 320MB gts will be faster. the difference in ram improves performance (between the two gts models) when you hit 1680x1050 resolution or higher w/ AA enabled. stick w/ the GTS, even tho it has less ram than the 7950GT..there's a HUGE performance difference (8800gts beats it out big time)

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:13 pm

Amro wrote:the 320MB gts will be faster. the difference in ram improves performance (between the two gts models) when you hit 1680x1050 resolution or higher w/ AA enabled. stick w/ the GTS, even tho it has less ram than the 7950GT..there's a HUGE performance difference (8800gts beats it out big time)

Thank you very much for the info Amro. I was wondering about that.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:18 am

I found a very good article on the 7950GT (512MB version) vs the 8800GTS (320MB version). The 8800GTS smokes the 7950. See the article...
HERE

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:07 pm

Yup, anandtech has some good ones too

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:00 pm

Okay, so I am going to change to the 8800GTS. If I drop to 667 MHz memory (PC5400) will that cause a bottleneck in my system (verses using the 800 MHz memory PC6400)?? There are just more options using the PC5400 memory. That is why I ask.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:32 pm

It depends really. Core 2 Duo's aren't as memory bandwidth starved as the old netburst-based processors (P4 series) so if there is a drop in performance, it'll be negligible. Having said that, try to spring for ddr800 in case you want to overclock later. If it isn't much more, there's no reason to go slower on the ram. Here's a great deal -- $130 for 2GB of PC800.

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/481580 ... mory:Spot6

You can grab a $30 rebate form here.

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/spechr/rebates/BA22953a.pdf

Found this deal at the hardforums -- I'd suggest snapping it up quickly before the price goes up. I don't think this kit is listed on the ddr2 ramlist, but I DO THINK it is Micron D9 based stuff -- get it quickly

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:58 pm

OCZ2P8002GK is either D9 or ProMOS
OCZ2A8002GK is branded Crossfire, I assume best for crossfire chipsets, no idea what chips.
OCZ2P800R22GK could be Micron D9, ProMOS, or Aeneon
OCZ2G8002GK might be powerchip

Hard to determin most of those, most have pretty decent voltage so theres a chance they could be D9s.

EDITED for corrections.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:27 pm

Yea, this kit is OCZ2P8002GK. Methinks he'd be happy w/ them regardless, instead of spending the same cash on ddr667.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:34 pm

Amro wrote:Yea, this kit is OCZ2P8002GK. Methinks he'd be happy w/ them regardless, instead of spending the same cash on ddr667.

Agreed.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:35 pm

Sorry for my complete ignorance here, but what you are showing me isn't 1.8V 5-5-5 timings. How can I use that? The OCZ is 2.1 v with 4-5-4 timings.

Do I have to manually change these settings in the BIOS?

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:56 pm

Dunster wrote:Sorry for my complete ignorance here, but what you are showing me isn't 1.8V 5-5-5 timings. How can I use that? The OCZ is 2.1 v with 4-5-4 timings.

Do I have to manually change these settings in the BIOS?

****, its good you brought that up again, with that motherboard you can only run 1.8V memory.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:57 pm

yes...but it'll run on "auto" settings at slower speeds. you would go into the bios, set the timings up properly (auto will usually use spd settings -- USUALLY setting the proper timings, but it depends on what's in spd on the ram) and the voltage.

edit: oh boy. up to looking at another board or is this a fixed deal?

Unholy · Post by **Unholy** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:59 pm

The older Intel boards don't seem to like memory requiring more than 1.8v. Are you dead set on getting an Intel board?

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:59 pm

http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/ry ... tation.htm

In the PDF it says 1.8V only.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:16 pm

what about this board (if you're flexible)? i have it and love it (not the best OCer but it's not bad either -- running at 3.3GHz w/ my C2D, currenlt -- I think my proc is holding me back) -- it's about 20 bucks more than the one you pointed out. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131142

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:40 pm

Thanks you VERY much Amro, Yard, and all for answering and helping me with this build. I appreciate it.

No, I am not deadset on the Intel motherboard. I have owned two Asus P4P800 motherboards and had bad luck with them. I also had a bad RMA experience with Asus. It's kinda left me with a bad taste for Asus products (even though I do know they are good boards which is why I bought them in the first place.)

I might consider another Asus product. I just wanted to try an Intel motherboard.

I don't OC my processors, so OCing isn't my thing when it comes to a motherboard.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:50 pm

Sure, no problem. It's up to you. Another good board is the Asus Commando, but it's a bit more Expensive. You could also give the Gigabyte DS3 a go -- it's also a good one. If you just want to plug it in and have everything work without a bit of fiddling, I'd go for that Intel board and some ddr2 that'll run at 1.8v (even if it is the 667 stuff) as it'll save you some headache. Let me know if you need anything else.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:16 pm

Could also try this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813138039

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128012 - Stonecat will have some negative things to say here on this one lol

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:30 pm

Good options there Yard. I've owned a BioStar before and it was a good MB. I've also always wondered about GigaByte.

I guess in the end, if I stay with the Intel MB, I've found a set of Mushkin that will work. I've always been a Crucial guy, but anyone have anything negative to say about Mushkin?

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:41 pm

nah, they make good ram

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:03 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:See no reason not to step up to a 8800GTS, only like 35 bucks more and you get DX10 support.

+1 x (13001/3.3) x 4319

What about the 650i chipset boards? Not too far off in price from what you are looking at now. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131142

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:52 pm

Update - I did make the purchase. I stayed with the Intel motherboard. I purchased the RAM direct from Mushkin. So, if I have any problems with the voltage and timings, I can get direct service from them. They garanteed it to meet the exact 1.8 volt 5-5-5-12 timings.

I did go with the 8800GTS also.

Again, thank you EVERYONE for the help and all the responses.

Jess (aka Dunster)

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:16 pm

Your model helps me too, need to build a friend a PC for about 1k

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:08 pm

great pc

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:45 am

If I may ask how much did you pay for the mushkin ?