EggXpert

Hi folks,

Here's my new system idea. Could you give me your opinions on it - if you think there'll be any compatibility issues, or there are cheaper/better alternatives to what I've posted?

I'm looking at doing multimedia work, particularly graphic design, editing music (but not in a huge way, just some basic stuff in Audacity), games, and basically having a system which lasts.

I was told I may want to consider extra cooling on the CPU for more intensive applications, what do you think?

Also, does anyone know if this board is eSATA capable? I've seen that it comes with an eSATA bracket but it doesn't explicitly state that it is eSATA ready.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 8500
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 4870/VisionTek Radeon 4870 (still deciding)
O/S: Windows Vista Premium 64-bit (OEM)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy (OEM)
HDD: Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB 10000 rpm
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P
RAM: 4 GB DDR2 RAM - Corsair Dominator TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF w/fan, 1066mhz
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-2014L1T DVD Writer
Power Supply: Corsair TX750
Case: NZXT Alpha

On the longevity front I'm looking at possibly adding the following parts to the system later on. Do you think the power supply will cope?

- A 1TB external (eSATA) HDD - there's a Western Digital model I had my eye on...
- another Sapphire 4870 in Crossfire
- 4 GB more RAM

Thanks a lot!

Just a few things I would change, go with the OCZ Reaper memory at the same speed, nothing against corsair but that little fan is annoying I think, ditch the velociraptor and grab a 640 gig western digital it's just barely slower and a huge difference in price.

couldn't find the exact motherboard in your list, but the esata deal is just a little optional port that you put in it takes about 30 seconds to do and they give you the bracket and everything.

Thanks for that. I think I'll follow your advice, though the OCZ claims to be be designed for GeForce SLI, will it work okay with the Radeon card?

From what I understand the SLI certified ram is just a setting in the bios that helps distribute the workload when SLI in enabled,but I could be completely wrong, that can be flipped on, so it will not affect your video card.

also forgot to recommend a aftermarket CPU heatsink and fan I've seen this one, Xigmatek 92mm get alot of good press along with it's bigger brother the 120mm

(Enhanced Performance Profiles)

Explained here..http://www.legitreviews.com/article/345/1/

Thanks for all the info MrFox. Is there an equivalent Crossfire certified ram, should I decide to add another 4870?

 You're the second person to recommend an additional cooling system for my CPU. Thanks for the recommendation - are you suggesting that the stock cooling on the 8500 is insufficient?

 I'm not looking at overclocking, just a bit of gaming and having multiple apps open. I prefer having parts with good base performance and leaving it at that. I have nowhere near the tech expertise to get into o/cing - this is my first build after all...

I have seen ATI equivalent of that and it's OCZ but i haven't seen it on any 2gig sticks.

Stock cooling just does the job quickly, noisy, and cheaply. spending $20-$30 on a entry level isn't a bad idea at all. I noticed a huge difference in temps on my AMD 5400x2 on stock cooling compared to my cheap aftermarket fan, of about 20 degrees Celsius.

ignarukih:

Thanks for all the info MrFox. Is there an equivalent Crossfire certified ram, should I decide to add another 4870?

 You're the second person to recommend an additional cooling system for my CPU. Thanks for the recommendation - are you suggesting that the stock cooling on the 8500 is insufficient?

 I'm not looking at overclocking, just a bit of gaming and having multiple apps open. I prefer having parts with good base performance and leaving it at that. I have nowhere near the tech expertise to get into o/cing - this is my first build after all...

 

RAM, is RAM.. if it performs to JEDEC Specs, it will be fine like it is, If you are not going to overclock, there is no real reason for overclocking RAM, most PC2 8500 is simply overvolted PC2 6400 Dram.. If you are not overclocking, buy PC2 6400 that hit JEDEC Spec at 1.8v, and you will be just fine, and if you do chose to overclock, you will still be able to, and not shorten component life.

You could set yor CPU Fsb to 400 Mhz, and OC to 3.8 Ghz. with a slightly better MoBo, and not have to raise CPU voltage too much, and your RAM would be 1:1 with FSB..

Almost all 2 x 2 Gig sets use Superchips Dram, and it will typically OC to about PC2 8000 speeds with Vram at 2.0 v. PC2 8500 they  are overvolting to 2.2 v +,

Personally I would look at Mushkin, or G Skill, they seem to have the best 2 x 2 sets right now.

SLI Cert. of RAM is like having an SLI certification of a mouse pad. it is all marketing FUD...

Hi folks,

After some serious wrangling and investigating what I can actually buy in New Zealand, this is what I have.

Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz, 1333MHz FSB, Socket 775, Retail pack with fan
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS HDD, 640GB, 7200rpm, 16MB Cache SATA-2
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-2014L1T DVD Writer, Internal, SATA, Black, Lightscribe
Memory: Corsair XMS2 DHX, TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX, 2x2GB, DDR2-800, PC2-6400, CL4, DIMM
Video Card: Sapphire HD Radeon 4870, 512MB
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE, 7.1, PCI, OEM
Power Supply: Corsair TX750 ATX PSU
OS: Windows Vista Premium 64-bit, DVD, OEM.
Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 (for LGA 775)

What are your thoughts? With this config I managed to pare down the price quite a lot.

Thanks!

looks like it'll be a solid build for ya hope it turns out well

So, quick change, I'm going for an Asus P5Q-E motherboard instead... Any thoughts?

[edit] and! a new case. Here's the configuration:

Case: Lian Li PC-A05B
Motherboard: Asus P5Q-E
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz, 1333MHz FSB, Socket 775, Retail pack with fan
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS HDD, 640GB, 7200rpm, 16MB Cache SATA-2
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-2014L1T DVD Writer, Internal, SATA, Black, Lightscribe
Memory: Corsair XMS2 DHX, TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX, 2x2GB, DDR2-800, PC2-6400, CL4, DIMM
Video Card: Sapphire HD Radeon 4870, 512MB
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE, 7.1, PCI, OEM
Power Supply: Corsair TX750 ATX PSU
OS: Windows Vista Premium 64-bit, DVD, OEM.
Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 (for LGA 775)

I actually think that Asus has better boards, but that's just me. but everything still looks good