Hows This?

[B1Gtime]

1. Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
2.Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
3. CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel
4. Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
5. NZXT Zero Black/Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
6. ASUS P5M2/SAS Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 3000 ATX Server Motherboard
7. Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W
8. nVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX, Dell gave it to me for free, long story. I have it in my Dell right now, but it requires a bigger power supply. Ill put my GeForce 7300 in the Dell. Dell gave me 3 cards for free FX 5200(sold it for $50), 7300(still have), 7900 GTX(in use)

What am i missing? i know im missing a cd-rom and dvd burner, but what else?

Computers mostly for Gaming, Internet, School Work.

[sirkillalot617]

ASUS P5M2/SAS Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 3000 ATX Server Motherboard

Why do you want a server mobo?

[B1Gtime]

hmm, ur right didnt see that , lol, know any good ones for the same price or lower?

Is this good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121060

[B1Gtime]

I would buy the closed box:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131074
Same thing only alittle more cash.

Instead of buying open box.

Reviews arent that great tho, but thats really there opinon.

Alot of people are getting this CPU INIT problem, thats what it says in its reviews.
But it looks good from there.

Ok if i get that, how is the computer overall?

[B1Gtime]

That motherboard comes with a sound card, any one know if its good?
Cause if its good i wont need to buy another one.

[intergalacticman]

soundcard-WASTE OF MONEY
if your just using headphones/standard speakers don't buy a sound card
the integrated one is just fine and it wont affect your performance at all

[B1Gtime]

ok i wont buy the one i was getting, ill use the one that comes with the Motherboard.

I got some nice Altec Speakers, i use, if u wanted to know.

[Airbozo]

I have one of the Striker Boards sitting right next to my desk (dorked the BIOS and had to ship a system with the EVGA 680i mobo instead)(Be careful with the bios flasher that lets you change the boot image!), I am impressed with the detail of that mobo and all that comes with it. If you do not need the fancy lights and stuff you could go with the Strikers little brother; P5N32-E SLI 680i. it is the same mobe minus the lights, and some of the heat pipes, otherwise it is the same.

Once upon a time I would say get a sound card, but in todays dual core cpu world that is not necessary anymore. The sound card on that board will be fine for just about everything you need, unless you are doing mixing and stuff...

[B1Gtime]

ill look into it, ya i heard something about those BIOS

that board has horrible reviews too(P5N32-E SLI 680i)

What the hell ill keep looking.................

[Redundant]

3. CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel
4. Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive


Go with the Corsair DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034), it's faster and not much more $

I read those HDDs are not much faster than 7200 RPM ones (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140). Do you think it's price is worth the minuscule speed increase?

You're missing fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&SubCategory=573&N=2010110573) and your processor heatsink (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223) (<-link to a good one)from your list.

[B1Gtime]

Missing Fans the case has 8 fans lol, but i see what u mean, thx

I might go with this case tho:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133021

So i might need to get some fans.

[CanaBalistic]

With such an expencive setup, why go with value ram?


Also, i think you'd be better off with the ASUS P5B Premium Vista Edition LGA775 P965 Express mobo. Its got hella OC features. And the Screen Duo aswell.

Team that up with 2x1Gb G.Skill DDR800 ram (worlds lowest CAS4 latencies) 4-4-3-5 for $169 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231114

Thats my sugestion. Future proof and cheaper than what you've selected.

[B1Gtime]

I dont know about that motherboard but ill take that advice with the ram.

i found these 2 Mother Boards, what would u choose?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131142
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012

I think there both good, but what one would you get?

[CanaBalistic]

I would choose the ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX

It supports 1333fsb quad cores if you wish to upgrade later. SLI for the same reason. I'll bet cha a buck that it overclocks better than the intel board aswell. It does lack in the sound department. Most new mobo's come equiped with HD audio. This one doesnt.

However, if i were you, i'd be looking for an AI LifeStyle board from asus.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131153
This is a better mobo. Better audio, LifeStyle, Full SLI x16, PCI-E for physics, ect, ect. For about $60 more than the other board.

[B1Gtime]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131149
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121060

Which one out of those 4?
the Forth one got best reviews out all of them,

Whats your opinion?

Hofefully this will be my final desicion

Thanks for the help
CanaBalistic, MintyMadness, Redundant, AirBozo, and intergalacticman

[CanaBalistic]

I would choose either the Intel BLKD975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX or the ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI

I would rather have the nvidia board over the intel board although it has the latest chipset.

[B1Gtime]

thanks for your help, im going with the INTEL, Dude great help.

[CanaBalistic]

Im pretty sure intel is adding a few features for overclocking in thier new chipsets. Thats where the industry is leading us anyway. It might not be the best overclocking board but it should let you change up some basic paramiters that might speed things up a bit.

I remember when i bought my computer, i got the package with the Asus ATI ATX mobo. When i opened it up (and voided thoes ****ty stickers they like to put on new systems) they had give'n me an intel mobo with the ****tiest chipset in M-ATX. No options to do anything, just the very very basic stuff. I promptly returned the damn thing and demanded they give me the mobo that i was supposed to get. One with some sort of OC features. The ATI mobo has served me well for about 3 years. However, i am going to select all the parts for my next comp myself to avoid ****ty parts hidden behind a "waranty void if removed" sticker.

Dang... /EndRant?

[B1Gtime]

Ok heres the Final Gaming Rig:

SONY 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model AW-Q170A-B2 - OEM

Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan - Retail

nVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Maxtor DiamondMax 20 STM3160811AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound
Card - Retail

Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W Power Supply - Retail

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-2GBHK - Retail


ASUS P5B Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600

*11 Item(s) ($1,239.91)*

Bartvandonberg: want to tell me how many 3 pin slots there is on this motherboard ASUS P5B Deluxe, u found them pretty good with the Intel one(and you said u like using MsPaint) i only see 1-2, i think.

How is it?

[azminisk8r]

back to the mobo if you want the best in technology and the best in overclocking look at this, im running a 6600 at 3.5 easy with this thing

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127020

its like the asus striker but waaaay better

[B1Gtime]

Sounds Good, im gettin it.
Any problems with it?bios?
Hows the on board audio on that?
And how many 3 pin slots? i need to add more light with some LED Fans to my case.(ill still get it if theres not many)

thats enough power right?700WATT

This will be my first time overclocking. have any GOOD guides to overclock my stuff.

-thx

[azminisk8r]

uhm the original bios isnt bad, you can get up to 3 ghz with tat but if you want to go jurther by using the MB bootstrap 1333 you need a different bios, ill email you the file if you pm me the emal adress
as for fans
1 cpu 4 pin
1 sysfan 3 pin
and 4 3 pin aux fans

and it either needs a 4 pin or 8 pin separate from the 24 pin mobo plug in

[azminisk8r]

btw onboard audio 7.1 HD realtek, its nice and im only using it through a headset and a crappy one at that

edit: i dont even think you'll need that extra sound card, but if you really want crystal clear sound get the x fi card thats on your list

[B1Gtime]

Ill just post it:
xps400steven@gmail.com

Hey , any good over clocking guides?

+rep for fast reply

[azminisk8r]

uh i just googled ooverclock 6600, its basically this, make ram unlinked, raise fsb, test if stable, up voltage as needed, and dont go over 1.5 for safety, ive run 1.55 before and i got maxs temps of 65

[B1Gtime]

ah, -thx alot

[Bucko]

, im running a 6600 at 3.5 easy with this thing

It's not realy easy if it's crashing every half hour or so like you say in your other thread, is it now?

[azminisk8r]

lol i can get it to run 3.5 w/o crashing if i go up to like 1.55 v, but my comps getting a lil warm and i have no games to OC for, but getting up till 3.3 is easy, the main overclocking walls are at 3.0 3.4 and 3.8 other than that its smooth sailing

[B1Gtime]

Hey i don't want the thing crashing every half an hour, lol

What spead were you stable on without crashing?

[Bucko]

I don't think he knows yet...

However Maleficus has a e6600 overclocked at 3.1Ghz and it is stable and doesn't go over 40 degrees C.

The key things to remember with overclocking is:
1. It voids your warranty.
2. Work your way up in small steps and stress test along the way (Prime95 is ideal for this) so you know how far you can go and maintain a stable system that isn't too hot. If it starts crashing on the stress test, wind it back to the last stable settings.

Either way, don't even think about overclocking until the system is built and you have it all set up and running stable on stock settings. Even then ask yourself if the performance is really lacking enough to need to overclock.

[B1Gtime]

I know what you mean, by waiting until the system is built.

Do i have a chance going that far with this board: ASUS P5B Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

Because that other board brought my price up like $150.

[Bucko]

I'm not really sure with that board. I'll have to have a look at some info I have at home (I'm at work at the moment).

Maleficus is using a Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Motherboard though.

As for the extra $150, to me I'd rather put that towards a better chipset. That would have to come close to getting you an e6700 over an e6600.

[B1Gtime]

Oh jeez, lol my mom just said she found a job for me(im not kidding she just said it) so i might do a little up grading in parts.

Hey i see what you mean by go for a better CPU. E6700 $509!
I might just stick with the ABIT IN9 32X-MAX(if the job works out for me)

Im looking up that Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Motherboard

[Bucko]

I'll be home in about 4 hours, so I'll put up a couple of options for motherboards then. I have been looking into it as I am planning on building a games machine using a Core 2 Duo processor within the next few months. I'm just saving up some more cash first.
My current system is a fairly cheap set up using a Foxconn MoBo and a 3.06Ghz Celeron D chipset. Works fine for most things, but once I start having a couple of programs running (like watching TV or a DVD on the second monitor) it starts to get a little flustered.

Just be aware the prices I'll quote will be in Australian dollars, so they will seem a little expensive.

[Bucko]

Ok I'm home and here are the boards I'm considering.

The best board I've read about for overclocking at a semi reasonable price is the ASUS Commando. It's around the $400 here, but it is a great board for overclocking. It has a heat pipe for the northbridge, power/reset/clear CMOS buttons and is able to deliver a high FSB speed. It's maximum DDR voltage is 3.375 and maximum CPU voltage is 1.85.

The Gigabyte boards I'm looking at are the GA-965P-DS3P rev2.0 and the GA-965P-DS4 rev2.0.
The DS3P differs from the DS3 by having 2 extra SATA ports, FireWire, the ICH8-R southbridge allowing RAID 0, 1, 1+0 and 5; and a second PCIe x16 slot for Crossfire. It has the same high overclockability of the DS3 too.

The DS4 is basically the DS3P except with Gigabyte's "SilentPipe" heatpiping wrapped around the CPU area.
The DS3P is around $230 and the DS4 is around the $270 mark. Both have a maximum DDR voltage of 2.575 and Max CPU voltage of 2.375

The one I will probably go for myself will be the ASUS P5N32-E SLi Plus.
It has a max DDR voltage of 3.425 and a max. CPU voltage of 1.6.
It has good overclocking ability, but the northbridge gets very hot and the heat pipes can't quite cut it. It's fine normally, but when overclocking an extra fan will need to be placed to cool it down for a stable overclock.
My main reason for choosing this board is that I want SLi availability. Otherwise I would probably go with one of the others from a pure overclocking stand point. And at around $350 it isn't too expensive.

While I haven't read up on that specific ABIT motherboard you are looking at, I have heard that ABITs tend to have a bad layout as far as cable management goes with ports put in bad places. I have also heard and read that they aren't the best for overclocking either.

But like anything, you have to try and choose what is right for you and your budget.

[azminisk8r]

in9 suggested over asus, google reviews of both and how they over clock, then decide, i'd read at least 2 each

[progbuddy]

That thing is beautiful. Love the setup.

-Prog

[azminisk8r]

yeah and the 6 fan slots should keep you occupiedfor a while, even thogh i already used up all of them and have 5 molex fans

[B1Gtime]

I like that board: ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard, and its only $186, so i can have alittle more extra money for some other things.

[azminisk8r]

yeah behind the 300$ ones thats the best OCer

[Bucko]

Just make sure you have some extra cooling for the northbrisge if you do overclock. Juts a fan mounted in the case to give some air flow over it will suffice.

[azminisk8r]

if you use a pcix16 video card, put it in the first slot then you can wedge a 50mm between that and the NB. then use the included fan mounts to put a 40mm on top of it. Also put a 50mm between you're cpu cooler and the PWM's, a 50mm, otherwise they hit 60C on stock settings, after OC, just no

[Bucko]

Or just mount a 120mm fan in the case above it.

[azminisk8r]

sadly, unless you direct the airflow from that 120 straight to the nb it does little. i have all 3 of said fans on mine

[Bucko]

But you aren't running that Asus MoBo...

As for the 120mm fan, I did sat mount it in the case above it, so that generally means to aim the air at it. I'm talking about a window fan or side case fan so it's right above the northbridge.

The way I'm setting up my computer is having a 220mm fan at the end of the case blowing over the motherboard.

[azminisk8r]

which end? cases have ends? lol, yeah i gues if the 120 was close enough

[Bucko]

My case has ends. Mind you miy case is a custom case and will have a different layout to most. It will go on the end without the drive bays or expansion slots. Click my sig and see what I mean.

[B1Gtime]

Ya im going to use some more fans, how many 3 pin slots you see on that Mobo

[Bucko]

I can see 6 on the pic in a magazine I have.

[B1Gtime]

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-153-04.jpg

Ya i see 4-5.

Hey thanks for taking your time to find some good motherboards.

Hey can you explain to me how this SLI works, first time having this feature.

[Bucko]

Here's where I see the six:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4734/mobowz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[B1Gtime]

Hey thanks,
Bucko Great Help Man
I would +rep but it says i have to spread around

Hey and this Mobo comes with Sound Card so i save some money there.

[Bucko]

No probs!

Now any spare cash can go towards a better chipset, or other goodies.

[B1Gtime]

I like the idea, i just got $105 for Easter.

But that E6700 is $509!!!!

[azminisk8r]

lol suggestion dont get the 6700, go for the 6600 its great got a 4mb cache and only 300

[azminisk8r]

hey bucko you missed one up by the cpu on the left side

[Bucko]

If you mean the one at the top left by the RAM slots, it is a 4 pin connector.
The picture I have in the magazine is better than that picture that was posted and it is easier to see.

[azminisk8r]

oh i though you were just counting fans not 3 pins

[B1Gtime]

So far, i posted it before but heres a couple changes.

Intel C2D E6600
Thermaltake 700WATT
G.Skill 2GB
80GIG Western Digital HDD
160GIG Maxtor HDD
ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus
NZXT Zero (case)
ALTEC LANSING FX5051 89 Watts 5.1 Music & Gaming Speakers
SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels
Sony DVD Burner
nVIDIA GeForce 7900GTX(already have)

Hows it look?
I just got to wait until my dad buys my Dell from me then i can start building.

[NuKS]

Looks good from what I can see. Are the HDD's you are getting SATA? Would be nice to take advantage of that if you don't already have the HDD's.

[Bucko]

I have merged you two threads together. Please keep it all together next time when it is exactly the same subject rather than multiple threads.

[B1Gtime]

Srry Bucko, Congrats on the Mod Postion

There SATA HDD