what do you think?

[GripS]

Hello to all. First time poster.... long time reader.

With RAM prices at incredible lows and chip prices not being too bad either i have decided it is time for a new build. Yes I am aware that new chipsets, processors and RAM are right around the corner but that seems to be the case no matter when you decide. Here is what i have planned. Opinions are welcome:

CPU: E6600 (Are the recent steppings any good? I'm hoping for 3.0-3.2)
MOBO: evga 680i SE (I know these are quad core crippled. But they should be good for dual core yes?)
RAM: g.Skill pc2 6400 HZ's (It is my understanding these use D9 IC's which are ideal from what i understand)
Video Card: PNY 8800gts 320mb (using a 19inch LCD with 1280x1024 native)

I will be recycling my case, hard drives and power supply. The PSU is a 520watt OCZ Powerstream.

Main concerns are the steppings from newegg and if they are any good for some moderate clocking. Also will the OCZ 520watt be enough. I'm thinking it will be until i decide to go SLI.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Kaze06]

As I tell everyone, even at 1280x1024, the 320MB is a foolish choice. If you aren't on any kind of budget, the 640 will be much more forgiving when you run 1280x1024, max settings with max AA and AF.

[GripS]

You hate those 320mb GTS's don't you:)

At 1280x1024 i can't see a reason to go too big in the video card dept. I just was using a x1950xt (a friends video card) and was pretty impressed with it's performance. Surely if a 256mb card of inferior architecture can handle 1280x1024 with AA and AF cranked up a bit then a 320mb 8800GTS should do me just fine. However, i will take the 640mb card into consideration.

Anybody got any comments on the processor and how the latest steppings do overclocking wise? PSU up to the task?

Edit: The cheapest 640mb version i could find runs almost 100 bucks more then the 320mb. Think i'm gonna stick with the 320. I can SLI it down the road or plunk down the dough for a next gen card when the time comes. If I were running a wide screen 21 or 22inch i can see your point.

[perkam]

Get the 640MB GTS, an E6420 and one of the newer 680i mobos.

Perkam

[GripS]

which one of the 'newer' 680i boards are you referring to?

[perkam]

which one of the 'newer' 680i boards are you referring to?The 680i LT boards.

Perkam

[Solarfall]

personally if i were in your shoes i would get my self a nice p35 board. maybe the asus p5k deluxe, i've seen a lot of people having insane FSB with this mobo, in some cases +600, witch is nuts. also it costs a lot less that most 680i sli/LT boards, performs better with quad core chips and top that it supports ddr3 memory sticks. it's more future proof choice imo.

[mcflurry4321]

personally if i were in your shoes i would get my self a nice p35 board. maybe the asus p5k deluxe, i've seen a lot of people having insane FSB with this mobo, in some cases +600, witch is nuts. also it costs a lot less that most 680i sli/LT boards, performs better with quad core chips and top that it supports ddr3 memory sticks. it's more future proof choice imo.

These are already for sale? Where do you get them?

Sorry for the threadjack.

[Solarfall]

mcflurry4321 i suspect that you live in the US :

http://www.pricerunner.com/pl/35-919835/Motherboards/Asus-P5K-Compare-Prices

[GripS]

Just checked out the specs on that board. I don't see anywhere where it states it will support DDR3 RAM. It is also god awful ugly(case has a window). Performance matters the most but my god. Whoever came up with that color scheme should be fired. I like the evga so much because with recent bios updates it appears to have worked out many of the kinks the 680i had and the board looks pretty damn sweet.

The LT appears to be the same board with active chipset cooling and green pcb. I am not concerned with quad core's right now. When i upgrade to quad cores i will be getting a new motherboard along with it(probably one that will also be supporting DDR3 since at that time it will be the norm).

I don't build machines trying to keep them future proof. I have found that it is simply impossible. Go with what is the best you can afford at any given time is the motto i go by.

I appreciate all of your input guys. Believe me that i am taking this ALL into consideration. I plan on dropping the hammer either in a couple more days or next monday. Keep the idea's rolling in. With my current layout i am looking at spending about 800 bucks. I would like to keep it around that amount.

[Solarfall]

Just checked out the specs on that board. I don't see anywhere where it states it will support DDR3 RAM.

check the vid it's quite clearly said in there that this board does support ddr3

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3109406&Sku=A455-2370&SRCCODE=PRUNNER&CMP=OTC-PRICERUNNER

oh and btw the deluxe has a black PCB ...but i do agree with you that the regular asus p5k mobo does look pretty horrible.

[GripS]

Yes. The deluxe i would buy. Too bad it's a 200+ dollar motherboard.

[bloodbanger]

The Asus p5k deluxe does NOT support ddr3...It's the Asus P5K3 deluxe who does...

[Kaze06]

You hate those 320mb GTS's don't you:)

At 1280x1024 i can't see a reason to go too big in the video card dept. I just was using a x1950xt (a friends video card) and was pretty impressed with it's performance. Surely if a 256mb card of inferior architecture can handle 1280x1024 with AA and AF cranked up a bit then a 320mb 8800GTS should do me just fine. However, i will take the 640mb card into consideration.

Anybody got any comments on the processor and how the latest steppings do overclocking wise? PSU up to the task?

Edit: The cheapest 640mb version i could find runs almost 100 bucks more then the 320mb. Think i'm gonna stick with the 320. I can SLI it down the road or plunk down the dough for a next gen card when the time comes. If I were running a wide screen 21 or 22inch i can see your point.

Again, let me re-iterate.

DX10. 320MB. No worky worky. DX10 textures can and will be larger due to the allowing for a larger load on your system. With 8xAA/AF on, max settings, you'll see some pretty poor framerates in DX10 games. If you're going to buy the 320MB, save yourself the money and just buy a 7900GS, or X1950XT.

Like Solarfall said, buy the P5K Vanilla board with an E6420. You'll easily hit 3.0GHz+ on good air, plus you have 2 x16 PCIE slots for SLI capabilities down the road. The 680i boards don't clock nearly as well as the P35 will.

Also, if you're going to even THINK about basing your decision even slightly on how the motherboard looks, I will personally walk the distance to your residence and shoot you.

[GripS]

LOL I know man! Trust me it's not all looks. But you have to agree that motherboard is fugly. So am i to understand that an evga 680i with a 6600 will not hit 3ghz? I may go ahead with the 640mb version of the 8800.

[Kaze06]

Oh, it may hit 3GHz, but it won't be nearly as efficient or easy. Plus, you won't have much more room afterwards. You'll be able to get 3.6 or higher on air with the P5K.

[bluep3ace]

would the 320mb version handle 1680x1050 well at high settings?
or should i opt for the 640mb version?

[Kaze06]

It would have a snowballs chance in hell at doing that.

Go 640. Do us all a favor.

[GripS]

By the way i have also planned on the sythe infinity(or ninja) for cooling. I know they are a pain in the arse to mount. I have been looking at a couple of guides here for mounting it with springs and screws.

Now with the processor. It is my understanding that the 6420's are relatively new. Are there enough results out there already that you are confident it will do better then the 6600? I know the steppings are important to know what to expect and can find nothing on L7 steppings that my friend just got a week ago from newegg.

Just checked out your sig. I can't believe you have used a XP3200 for this long. That's making it last!

[Kaze06]

The E6420 will clock just as well, if not in some cases better, than an E6600. It's basically an E6600 with 2.87 GHz knocked off.

[GripS]

Ok. I just dropped the hammer. I already ordered the chip and received it today which was an e6600 (L707A625) packed on 5/03/07 :eek: Now thats a fresh freakin CPU! Well... Being smart this time i didn't EVEN crack it open(no other parts yet anyway) and checked online to see if anyone has recently gotten the exact same batch. Found a couple that said max was 3.2-3.3 on 1.5 volts so not very good it looks like. I am returning the chip to hopefully get a good 6420. I'm gonna check the batch code before opening again and I may end up scouring local computer shops and paying the higher price just to get a known good batch if this one doesn't cut it either. Here is what i went with

E6420 (please please be a good one)
DFI p965-S (The Asus P5K Vanilla was not available on newegg)
2gb g.skill pc2 6400 HZ's
evga 640mb 8800GTS (not a bad deal after the rebate and it's the 640mb OK Kaze!!?? :) )

Using my existing hard drives and power supply. Cooling it with the sythe infinity.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll be sure to post back my final result(hopefully with smiles)

[Kaze06]

I still don't see why the P5K not being from NewEgg is stopping you. You know NewEgg isn't the almighty god of PC parts, right? They can have some pretty gouged prices.

Oh well. Have fun with your rig and make sure to post us up some results.

[GripS]

Unless the other places will take my newegg credit card it really wasn't an option. I see many people using it here as well and lots of recommendations for it so i went with it.

Had the Asus p5k been available on the egg i would have picked it up. The DFI board will have to do. If the egg has em in stock before i put the setup together i will exchange the motherboard for p5k.