My new build - advice please

[mccann]

I built my current system 3 years ago, its done me proud and only ever replaced the GFX card in it. I think its time to move so this is my planned build, if anyone could offer some advice on my choice (good or bad points) even perhaps somewhere I can save money by changing a few things. The only thing I would prefer not changed is the zalman case as I really like it. I don't really have a budget though I was aiming more around the £800 mark, the total as it stands is £861, not a big difference :mrgreen:

Many thanks!

Intel Core 2 Quad - Q6600 - 95W - OEM (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Intel+Core+2+Quad+-+Q6600++-+95W+-+OEM+?productId=28805)#28805 £ 102.95 £ 102.95 [/URL]
Asus P5Q-E iP45 Socket 775 Motherboard (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=32296&priceBand=A)#32296 £ 86.95 £ 86.95
Zalman CNPS9700 LED silent CPU fan (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Socket+A%2C+478%2C+939%2C+754%2C+940/Zalman+CNPS9700+LED+silent+CPU+fan+?productId=3295 9)#32959 £ 31.95 £ 31.95
Zalman GS1000 Full Tower Enclosure Black & Silver (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=33215&priceBand=A)#33215 £ 89.59 £ 89.59
Patriot 4GB PC2-8000 C5 Viper Extreme Performance (2x2GB) (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR2/DDR2+1000+%28PC8000%29/Patriot+4GB+PC2-8000+C5+Viper+Extreme+Performance+%282x2GB%29+?pro ductId=33596)#33596 £ 59.95 £ 59.95
OCZ 780W ModXStream Modular PSU (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=29097&priceBand=A)#29097 £ 65.95 £ 65.95
LiteOn LH-20A1L-14C 20x DVDRW LightScribe SATA Retail Kit inc Nero, 3 bezels (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=30634&priceBand=A) #30634 £ 14.99 £ 14.99
750GB Seagate Barracuda - SATA - 32MB (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=31406&priceBand=A)#31406 £ 62.95 £ 62.95
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64 OEM (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=25906&priceBand=A)#25906 £ 67.95 £ 67.95
[URL="https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/ATI+Radeon+4000+Series/ATi+Radeon+HD+4870+512MB+PCI-E+2.0+RET+?productId=33638"]ATi Radeon HD 4870 512MB PCI-E 2.0 RET (https://www.aria.co.uk/myAria/ShoppingCart?operation=shoppingCartDelete&productId=33638&priceBand=A)

[Monkey]

All looks good except for the cpu cooler, i and most people here would recommend the arctic cooler 7

[mccann]

Cool, thanks for the reply, will have a look at that cpu cooler.

[marsey99]

i would say swap the barracuda for a samsung f1 drive as they are faster.

i would also advise looking on the asus forums before getting that board to see if it has any issues with 2x2gb sticks of ram as some p45 do have issues with it.

monkey if right, the zalman is over priced for the cooling it provides, when you think it is only just better than a freezer 7 pro but it costs twice as much. having said that you could get http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Socket+754%2C+939%2C+775/OCZ+Vendetta+2+CPU+Cooler+(All+sockets)+?productId =31337 which is also cheaper than the zalman and it cools even more so....

[mccann]

Cheers, I'll try and get the manual online and have a look thru the forums.

Would you recommend lowering the ram? or changing the board ?

[marsey99]

tbh i would just look for ram that works with the board or a board that has no issues and the features you need, could be a bios revision has fixxed that issue and its fine now....

[mccann]

Had a look at the manual and it seems this is on the QVL list that asus have.

Will 2gig be enough though?

Corsair 2GB PC2-8500 C5 XMS2 Dominator (2x1GB)

[mayes1968]

I hope that windows vista is ok for you i had windows vista home prem. I have had so many problems with it like very slow at start up i was using 8 gig of ddr ram and had a lot of blue screen crashes i have just purchased window xp pro 64 bit from aria and it now works fine

[marsey99]

sounds silly but vista likes faster ram, ddr400 isnt that fast :(

2gb will be fine but if you want smoother gaming add 2gig more when you can afford it :)

[mccann]

Thanks for all the replies, placed my order last night so hoping it will be despatched today for Tuesday delivery.

If i get any problems with vista I have a XP Pro so I will just install it, just fancied going to vista as I've heard good things from people about it.

Will post pics etc once I start building.