System Spec Advice for a newbie!

[Runebeard]

Due to relatively low power drainage on the 5870, I'd like to think that HX850W would handle two of them. And according to Corsair's power supply finder (which only gives a rough guide) you'd want one of their 850W or 1000W supplies.

I think the noise from the HAF 932 could come largely from the massive grille on the side which will let loads of noise out, but I'll let you know as I'm modding the side panel of mine in place of a larger window instead.

As for the P193, from reviews I've read online it seems a decent buy, but for the price I'd personally expect a little more stuff included.

 

[killablade]

Hi, what do you think of the Antec 193? I heard they have problems with large CPU coolers though as they dont fit.

About the triple and dual. I thought I would just get two duals and then add more if I need to. I would then have space for another dual if I want to (only 6 slots on the gigabyte). From research found that there is no significant perfomance difference between dual and triple - do u agree?

The P193 isn't bad, but there are better cases out there. I'd pick a CoolerMaster ATCS 840 over the P193 any day.

As for the P193, from reviews I've read online it seems a decent buy, but for the price I'd personally expect a little more stuff included.

Exactly

 

[Leo0123]

Another question re: Hard Drives the mobo has SATA 3.0 are there any hard drives out there which are compatiable and are they worth it?

 

[killablade]

Another question re: Hard Drives the mobo has SATA 3.0 are there any hard drives out there which are compatiable and are they worth it?

At the moment there aren't really any hard drives out there that benefit from SATA3.

 

[Leo0123]

The P193 isn't bad, but there are better cases out there. I'd pick a CoolerMaster ATCS 840 over the P193 any day.

Exactly

Which other ones would you go for if you wanted a quiet case but with good cooling? The ATCS 840 seems to be quiet from the reviews I just browsed now which looks like a good option.

PS: I am looking to buy today, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Runebeard]

At the moment there aren't really any hard drives out there that benefit from SATA3.

Nail on the head there. If you want extra speed on top of your storage get an SSD as a boot disk and in a dreamworld replace your storage with them as well, but that would cost LOOOOOOADS.

My mobo is Sata 6Gb/s as well, but I'm personally gonna wait, as new recent research into flash memory should make it more viable as a storage medium at a hopefully lower price as well. But that might be a while off yet.

 

[killablade]

Which other ones would you go for if you wanted a quiet case but with good cooling? The ATCS 840 seems to be quiet from the reviews I just browsed now which looks like a good option.

PS: I am looking to buy today, so any help would be appreciated.

I'd go for the ATCS 840. IMO it looks very sleek and has excellent features, and thanks to the big fans it can move a lot of air while not making a lot of noise.

 

[Runebeard]

I'd go for the ATCS 840. IMO it looks very sleek and has excellent features, and thanks to the big fans it can move a lot of air while not making a lot of noise.

+1

It's also really good value for money. Other cases that provide good cooling and functionality are Lian Li and Silverstone, but when you get into their large cases, the price escalates significantly.

 

[Leo0123]

Thanks for your help. Just reading some reviews on the ATCS 840.

Regarding the memory do you think it is worth going triple channel - is there an advantage from your opion.

FYI a link - http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Mem...l-Channel-vs.-Triple-Channel-Memory-Mode.html

 

[Leo0123]

Hi,

Thanks for all your help. I have changed my spec in response to recommendations

Spec:

Processer: Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - £166

Motherboard: GA-X58A-UD5 (rev 2.0) - £215

RAM: 2 sets of the following, so 8GB of RAM - Kingston 4GB, 1600MHz, DDR3, Non-ECC, CL9 (9-9-9-27), DIMM, (Kit of 2) (KHX1600C9D3K2/4G) - £194

Video Card: Sapphire 2048Mb ATi Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 PCI-E Card - £410

Power Supply: TX950W - Corsair 950W TX Series PSU - 78A 12V Rail - £126.66

Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840 ATX Case - RC-840-KKN1-GP - 160

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 (EcoGreen) 2TB Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 32MB Cache - OEM

Remaining Questions:

- Any recommendations for a Blu Ray Player (internal), DVD Recorder, CPU Cooler?

- Any further comments on tripple or dual channel memory? Any difference?

Thanks,

Leo

 

[kobus71]

I dont think you get dual-channel with your chosen RAM kits.

The x58 core i7 has a triple channel controller.

So i think you would be better of with a set of triple channel memory.

Why the 2TB HDD, its @ 5200RPM.

There are other brands with 2TB HDD@ 7200RPM, a little faster.

 

[Leo0123]

Thanks for your help. I think I will go for triple now but i can with kingston get triple.

I messed up on the HDD! I should have picked at 7200!

Any ideas on a CPU Cooler?

 

[kobus71]

Mugen2 RevB is always a good choice. It is silend with the fan that comes with it, and it is one of the best coolers there is. Only it is a huge cooler.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thanks for your help. I think I will go for triple now but i can with kingston get triple.

I messed up on the HDD! I should have picked at 7200!

Any ideas on a CPU Cooler?

Just get a noctua that fits your budget fella. Its well worth finding the money for an NH-D14 if you can

 

[Leo0123]

Hey all, I have placed an order!

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366)

GA-X58A-UD5 (rev 2.0)

Kingston HyperX 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz Non-ECC 240pin DIMM Memory Module Kit

Sapphire 2048Mb ATi Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 PCI-E Card

HX850W

Cooler Master ATCS 840 ATX Case - RC-840-KKN1-GP

Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s 32MB

Cooler for CPU, Blu Ray DVD Player, DVD Recorder left...any advice?

 

[Leo0123]

Thanks chaps for your advice on the CPU Cooler will look into them

 

[killablade]

Hi,

Thanks for all your help. I have changed my spec in response to recommendations

Spec:

Processer: Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - £166

Motherboard: GA-X58A-UD5 (rev 2.0) - £215

RAM: 2 sets of the following, so 8GB of RAM - Kingston 4GB, 1600MHz, DDR3, Non-ECC, CL9 (9-9-9-27), DIMM, (Kit of 2) (KHX1600C9D3K2/4G) - £194

Video Card: Sapphire 2048Mb ATi Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 PCI-E Card - £410

Power Supply: TX950W - Corsair 950W TX Series PSU - 78A 12V Rail - £126.66

Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840 ATX Case - RC-840-KKN1-GP - 160

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 (EcoGreen) 2TB Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 32MB Cache - OEM

Remaining Questions:

- Any recommendations for a Blu Ray Player (internal), DVD Recorder, CPU Cooler?

- Any further comments on tripple or dual channel memory? Any difference?

Thanks,

Leo

I wouldn't go for that hard drive. That's the 2TB Spinpoint F3 ECOGREEN. Go for the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB HD103SJ. That one has much better performance. Put two of those in RAID0 and your system will fly.

Now, as for the optical drive, that's really up to you. Do you plan on watching blu-ray films on your system? If so, you're going to need a blu-ray drive. If not, a DVD RW drive will do just fine.

I would go triple channel. My reasons for this are clear.

1. It allows you to use all 6 slots, allowing you to put in 24GB max (6x4GB) instead of the 16GB you can put in with dual-channel. (4x4GB)

2. It gives you better performance. It might not be much, but there's still a performance difference.

What I would do is this: Get yourself a decent DDR3 1600MHZ (or faster) triple channel 6GB (3x2GB) kit, allowing you to put in another 6GB if/when you need more memory., while having optimal performance. Putting in a dual channel kit on an X58 motherboard just makes no sense to me.

Edit: I see the go to last post button has failed me again -.- Oh well xD

As far as the CPU cooler goes: It really depends on the budget.

If you are looking for the best air cooling unit, go with the Noctua NH-D14.

If you are looking for great performance at a low price, go with the Scythe Mugen 2.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Runebeard]

As TTL says, without doubt get your hands on a Noctua NH-D14 if you want cool AND quiet - it won 'best in class' on here not too long ago.

Blu-Ray / DVD-RW wise, I personally went for a Samsung SH-B083L/RSBP as it plays blu-rays and records on all other media at a very reasonable price ~£65. Doesn't look too shabby either.

 

[Leo0123]

Hi Chaps, just read a review and NH-D14 is big will it fit in the ATCS 840

 

[killablade]

Hi Chaps, just read a review and NH-D14 is big will it fit in the ATCS 840

yes