Asus P5N32-E SLI or Asus P5K Deluxe?

[apollo2005x]

Hello I want to start off by saying that I am going to be building my own pc for the first time so I am a bit of a noob. I have built a few for a couple of friends but I have never messed with oc'ing but I do want to get into it.

I would like to build my system by 5/19. I have two builds that I am trying to decide between. I would like some overall advice on expected performance, ease of overclocking, and expected stability.

My initial setup is as follows:

Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI
CPU: Intel Core Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Ram: 2x (2x1GB) CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR DDR2 800 6400C4D
VGA: EVGA Nvidia 8800GTS 640mb
HD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
PSU: Thermaltake W0106RU ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W
CPU cooling: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball
Case: LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII

My other build is as follows:

Motherboard: Asus P5K Deluxe
CPU: Intel Core Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Ram: 2x (2x1GB) CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR DDR2 800 6400C4D
VGA: SAPPHIRE 100201SR Radeon HD 2900 XT 512MB
HD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
PSU: Thermaltake W0106RU ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W
CPU cooling: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball
Case: LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII

So basically the only two differences are the Asus P5N32-E or Asus P5K Deluxe. And a EVGA Nvidia 800GTS 640mb or a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 2900 XT 512 mb.

I haven't heard good things about the ATI card but it seems to have better long term features over the Nvidia card. As for the motherboards I would like to buy the one that is coming out now rather then the one that came out a year ago. Also I would like to run Windows vista 64-bit Ultimate.

So there any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry for the noobish questions but I am spending alot of money and it makes me feel good when I can get the opinions of intelligent people like you.

[irev210]

If you dont plan to go SLI, then P5k Deluxe without question

For power supply, you might want to consider-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817163108

The zeus even includes 4 PCI-E 12V 6 pin power cables for dual 8800GTX

or


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

The corsair unit is A LOT quieter compared to the Zeus. This corsair unit can handle two 8800GTS 640's no problem with an overclocked E6600


If you really want to go all out, consider an 850W zeus.


Of course, my personal favorite are ZIPPY PSU's.

http://store.myaopen.com/gsm6600p.html

http://store.myaopen.com/zipps70brpow.html
this unit needs to be fan modded because it has a sanyo denki san ace server grade fan. Throwing in an AMD 80MM boxed processor fan with thermo sensor does the trick. I love this PSU!


Ram, I would recommend ballistix 8500, they cost less and overclock LIKE NONE OTHER. Without question this is the ram you should be buying. It will overclock better than dominator 8888

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

you can get the tracers that look a little nicer (IMO)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148070

http://www.importjdm.com/shipped/tracer.JPG

[apollo2005x]

Thanks for the info irev210. I do not have the resources to be able to buy 2 $400+ video cards. I do agree that the crucial ballistix 8500 are faster the only reason I had DDR2 800 was the already lowered latency.

Not to be a bother but would you have any advice in the video card department if I did go with the P5K Deluxe would you go with the new Radeon HD 2900 XT?

Again I really appreciate the advice.

[irev210]

Thanks for the info irev210. I do not have the resources to be able to buy 2 $400+ video cards. I do agree that the crucial ballistix 8500 are faster the only reason I had DDR2 800 was the already lowered latency.

Not to be a bother but would you have any advice in the video card department if I did go with the P5K Deluxe would you go with the new Radeon HD 2900 XT?

Again I really appreciate the advice.

I would go with the nvidia geforce 8800GTS.


Remember, since the Ballistix are faster, you can run them at 800-950 CAS 3.

Thats MUCH better than the dominators.

[orion23]

Get the Ballistix Tracer

http://www.buy.com/prod/Crucial_Ballistix_Tracer_2GB_2_X_1GB_PC2_8000_1000 MHz_240_pin_DDR2/q/loc/101/204538864.html

And stay away from Corsair.

Also, you can get either the 8800GTX or the new ATI card. I would get the 8800GTS though, those overclock very easily.

And if you are not doing SLI, get the P5K Deluxe.

For the power supply, I really like my OCZ 700W SLI unit!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

[irev210]

For the power supply, I really like my OCZ 700W SLI unit!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

The OCZ is a FSP unit, not really the best, or really even that good.

I highly suggest you do NOT get that unit. There are much better values out there.

[StealthyFish]

Hello I want to start off by saying that I am going to be building my own pc for the first time so I am a bit of a noob. I have built a few for a couple of friends but I have never messed with oc'ing but I do want to get into it.

I would like to build my system by 5/19. I have two builds that I am trying to decide between. I would like some overall advice on expected performance, ease of overclocking, and expected stability.

My initial setup is as follows:

Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI
CPU: Intel Core Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Ram: 2x (2x1GB) CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR DDR2 800 6400C4D
VGA: EVGA Nvidia 8800GTS 640mb
HD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
PSU: Thermaltake W0106RU ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W
CPU cooling: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball
Case: LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII

My other build is as follows:

Motherboard: Asus P5K Deluxe
CPU: Intel Core Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Ram: 2x (2x1GB) CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR DDR2 800 6400C4D
VGA: SAPPHIRE 100201SR Radeon HD 2900 XT 512MB
HD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
PSU: Thermaltake W0106RU ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W
CPU cooling: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball
Case: LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII

So basically the only two differences are the Asus P5N32-E or Asus P5K Deluxe. And a EVGA Nvidia 800GTS 640mb or a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 2900 XT 512 mb.

I haven't heard good things about the ATI card but it seems to have better long term features over the Nvidia card. As for the motherboards I would like to buy the one that is coming out now rather then the one that came out a year ago. Also I would like to run Windows vista 64-bit Ultimate.

So there any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry for the noobish questions but I am spending alot of money and it makes me feel good when I can get the opinions of intelligent people like you.

Get the second system. The P5K will have future CPU support, as well as cross-fire support (I believe P35 has official CF support? or is that x38?). Anyway, the second system looks good.

though.. i'd recommend you change your RAM selection to what everyone has been suggesting you. I stay away from corsair becuase it's too much of a bother to figure out which revision certain ram sticks are to determine what IC's you'll be expecting. go to their site, and you'll find tons upon tons of revisions. Don't be worried about latencies for higher end RAM. Higher end ram will almost guarantee to run tighter than listed latencies. Don't fret :) . You usually get what you pay for.

I would also recommend you get a ThermalTake big Typhoon heatsink. It cools better than the CNPS 9500. May not be as sexy, but it's got good functionality, one of the best air-cooling heatsinks on the market.

also, I believe the X2900XT is faster than the 8800GTS, but that's just hearsay.

for power supplies, I'd recommend an Antec Trueblue 480W. my friend has one and he is completely satisified with his buy. If you want a higher wattage power supply, go from one of these manufacturers: Antec, Silverstone, Kingwin, and maybe Mushkin.

[orion23]

The OCZ is a FSP unit, not really the best, or really even that good.

I highly suggest you do NOT get that unit. There are much better values out there.

You are the 1st person I've heard saying anything negative about the OCZ Power supplies. I mean, Newegg's 307 reviews and they are all great, and remember, a lot of times the people that bother to post a review are those with a negative experience.

And about the Cooler, get a tuniq tower 120 or even better (more expensive), get the Thermalright Ultra 120 (or Xtreme)

[apollo2005x]

First off I want to thank you for the responses. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out. So from your guy's feedback my suspected system is looking something like this.

Motherboard: Asus P5K Deluxe
CPU: Intel Core Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Ram:2x Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
VGA: EVGA Nvidia 880GTS 640mb
Hard Drive: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
PSU: SILVERSTONE ST75F ATX12V / EPS12V 750W
CPU cooling: Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler
Case: LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII

These are the components you have suggested that I have incorporated into my build so far:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817256009

Again I am sorry for the inconvenience but I do have a few more questions related to this build.

Will the Tuniq be compatible with the Asus P5K Deluxe and will it fit into the case listed above?

Is it worth getting the Radeon HD 2900 XT board in the hope that the drivers will enable it to match the Nividia 8800 GTXs or is that too big of a leap?

My budget is $2500 including Vista Ultimate, and peripherals such as my G-5 mouse, keyboard, and monitor. So if you have any tips to cut corners or whatever that would be appreciated. Because the above system is pushing my budget into another paycheck if I go with the R600 Card.

[Leeghoofd]

go for the 640 GTS mate , less heat less driver probs ahead of you , I loved ATI before but the green team has the better cards for now...

For the ram I would recommend the 4 gig kit from Gskill for example, they are only PC6400 with 5-5-5-15 timings but cost around 300 euro's now and they work well on most systems. I have no clue how the P5K overclocks with 4 gigs of ram but the Gskills work fine on the 680i chipset and since lower timings aren't so much of an influence on performance for Core2 I wouldn't sell out on the ram. I see on newegg the tracers they still cost 239 dollars (different kit you choose) per 2 gig kit while the 4 gig Gskill kit costs 10 dollars more

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Only thing is the P5K deluxe available in big numbers already , might be that you won't get it before th e19th

[experttech2007]

The OCZ is a FSP unit, not really the best, or really even that good.

I highly suggest you do NOT get that unit. There are much better values out there.

The FSP PSUs were rated very high (Tier 2) in the PSU roundup thread (I think it was on XS but cant find the thread). May I know why you think it doesn't provide good value? At $119 AR I think its one of the best PSUs one can get.

My FSP 700W SLI version has behaved very well till now.