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Fenuxx's New Desktop Setup and Build

post #1 of 144
1/11/08 at 5:57am
Thread Starter 
I posted several months ago about my ORIGINAL plans for a new desktop, but they've changed. I'm now going with the Core 2 Duo instead of the Athlon 64 FX-62. Below, I've got the parts that I'll be buying, and all input is appreciated. Also, below that, are the parts I currently have.

----Going to buy...----

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz, 1333MHz FSB CPU - $189.99
ASUS P5K-E Intel P35 Motherboard - $139.99
Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR2-800 RAM -$119.00-$40 MIR
eVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB Videocard - $289.99
Western Digital WD7500AAKS 750GB Hard Drive - $154.99
ANTEC NeoPowerHE 650w Power Supply - $139.99

----Already have...----

Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS soundcard
NEC ND-3500AG + ND-3550A DVD-RW drives
DELL UltraSharp 1907FP 19" LCD
Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speakers
Logitech G15 keyboard + G7 Wireless laser mouse


Those are the things I'm currently SURE on, except the motherboard, which is highlighted in red. I'm willing to take suggestions on it, as I can't find a straight opinion on any P35/X38 motherboard right now. I'll also eventually be going Quad-Core (Penryn) so that's a concern with me as well.

Also, I'd appreciate some help on a case to choose. I'm looking to spend no more than $100-150 on a case, and I've been out of the case-buying market for some time now, so all help would be appreciated.

I know I'm not going to be getting use out of all 4GB of RAM, but I'm hoping that Vista-SP1 will be good enough for me to switch to Vista-SP1 x64 (going to be using Windows XP Pro 32-bit in the meantime).

Like I said, all suggestions/feedback/input is appreciated!!
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post #2 of 144
1/11/08 at 8:29am
Good brother Tony -

Motherboard - how much do you want to spend and how soon? Regardless, I will suggest a board w/PCIe 2.0.

Cases - do you want quiet or super cooling? Mid ATX case or larger? There are sevaral to choose from in your price range.

I know you said you were going with the single GT. For $30-$40 more, you can go with the G92-based GTS. (I think the Egg has the EVGA G92 GTS for $319 after MIR). The G92 GTS performance is almost identical to the current GTX. Again, just a suggestion.

Glad to see you posting in the dungeon!
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post #3 of 144
1/11/08 at 2:02pm
I heavily suggest the purchase of a X38 motherboard such as the P5E, people seem to like them pretty much. It supports all of the newest technology other than SLi.

Also, although the GTS is better, if you're going eVGA which you are, I think making the choice to go for a 8800GT may be smarter right now. That way you can just get all that money reinvested in a 9 series card
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post #4 of 144
1/11/08 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck47 View Post
Good brother Tony -

Motherboard - how much do you want to spend and how soon? Regardless, I will suggest a board w/PCIe 2.0.

Cases - do you want quiet or super cooling? Mid ATX case or larger? There are sevaral to choose from in your price range.

I know you said you were going with the single GT. For $30-$40 more, you can go with the G92-based GTS. (I think the Egg has the EVGA G92 GTS for $319 after MIR). The G92 GTS performance is almost identical to the current GTX. Again, just a suggestion.

Glad to see you posting in the dungeon!
For the motherboard, I kinda agree with pdonket there. I've been looking into the X38 boards, but they all seem ridiculously expensive (last time I did this was 3 years ago, with my nForce3 Ultra top-o-the-line mobo for $150) and like I said, I can't seem to find a straight opinion on any one board. One site I trust will say a particular board is awesome, and the next will say it has issues, and/or is beaten by a different board, and another site will say that different board is horrible. Etc and so forth.

The case, well, it really doesn't matter to me. I prefer full-tower, just because they're easier to work with when you're a monster like me, lol. I was actually looking at the Antec P182 Gun-Metal Black which is only $99 after rebate, shipped. Other suggestions welcome as well.

And the videocard, pdonket hit spot-on. Right now, the difference between the 8800 GT and the GTS aren't really worth it for me when, 1.) the 9800's are around the corner, which I'll use eVGA's Step-Up program for. 2.) I only have a 1280x1024 LCD screen, so it's not going to make that huge of a difference, if at all, by going with the GTS over the GT.

I'll also likely be getting a 22"-24" LCD in the same time frame as I'll be upgrading to the 9-Series, so there will be reason for me to. Just right now, the GT is more valuable in terms of price/performance ratio than the GTS.


Thanks again for the input!!
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post #5 of 144
1/11/08 at 4:17pm
The BIOS on the X38 Maximus Formlua is finally at it's "stable" maturity level - there were issues originally with huge FSB gaps in overclocking (quads) and other memory stability issues. Things are working quite well with this board now. Just keep in mind more BIOS tweaks are coming as the additional Penryn chips are released.

Cases - I have the P182 for my new build. It's heavy as hell with all of the sound attenuation stuff going on, but it's well made, and is supposed to be quiet. The upper hard drive cage will have to come out for installation of larger video cards (GTX/ULTRA). With it removed, there are still 4 mounting locations for hard drives in the lower cage. The power supply will have to go in inverted to place the cables on the board-side of the case. This provides additional cable length for the mb connection...you'll need it. So far, it has been very easy to work with. I went with the P182 for 2 reasons: 1- quiet 2 - dimensions were what I needed.

If you want a kickass case that does just about everything but give you a reach-around, CM Cosmos. It's huge, ton of room to work, and customizable. Of course this is my opinion...

Absolutely stick with the GT if upgrading.
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post #6 of 144
1/11/08 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck47 View Post
The BIOS on the X38 Maximus Formlua is finally at it's "stable" maturity level - there were issues originally with huge FSB gaps in overclocking (quads) and other memory stability issues. Things are working quite well with this board now. Just keep in mind more BIOS tweaks are coming as the additional Penryn chips are released.

Cases - I have the P182 for my new build. It's heavy as hell with all of the sound attenuation stuff going on, but it's well made, and is supposed to be quiet. The upper hard drive cage will have to come out for installation of larger video cards (GTX/ULTRA). With it removed, there are still 4 mounting locations for hard drives in the lower cage. The power supply will have to go in inverted to place the cables on the board-side of the case. This provides additional cable length for the mb connection...you'll need it. So far, it has been very easy to work with. I went with the P182 for 2 reasons: 1- quiet 2 - dimensions were what I needed.

If you want a kickass case that does just about everything but give you a reach-around, CM Cosmos. It's huge, ton of room to work, and customizable. Of course this is my opinion...

Absolutely stick with the GT if upgrading.
Yeah the P182 is a good case, seems sturdy from my inspection on someone else
s PC and I'm thinking about buying one myself for my future build.
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post #7 of 144
1/11/08 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
Hmm... If I do end up going with the X38, which I might, I'd probably go with the P5E over the Maximus Formula. $30 cheaper, and the extra stuff on the Maximus Formula, I really don't need (extra RAID capabilities and a second LAN port). Other than that, they look virtually identical.
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post #8 of 144
1/11/08 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenuxx View Post
Hmm... If I do end up going with the X38, which I might, I'd probably go with the P5E over the Maximus Formula. $30 cheaper, and the extra stuff on the Maximus Formula, I really don't need (extra RAID capabilities and a second LAN port). Other than that, they look virtually identical.
other than that, they are virtually identical. The P5E is just a maximus minus a few minor features. You can even peel the P5E sticker on the mobo off to reveal a maximus fomula PCB
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post #9 of 144
1/11/08 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdonket View Post
other than that, they are virtually identical. The P5E is just a maximus minus a few minor features. You can even peel the P5E sticker on the mobo off to reveal a maximus fomula PCB
True dat.
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post #10 of 144
1/11/08 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
I'm gonna be running down to Fry's Electronics here soon, to see if there are any deals they've got on any of the parts I'm looking at, and probably pick up a new tube of Arctic Silver Ceramique.

They've been running deals quite often on the Antec P182, so I'll see how that is, and probably pick up my power supply there too. If they've got any other deals on any of the hardware I want, I'm gonna snag it.

I just feel so empty without my old Spiffybox. I hope Spiffybox 2 will be just as good.
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post #11 of 144
1/11/08 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenuxx View Post
I'm gonna be running down to Fry's Electronics here soon, to see if there are any deals they've got on any of the parts I'm looking at, and probably pick up a new tube of Arctic Silver Ceramique.

They've been running deals quite often on the Antec P182, so I'll see how that is, and probably pick up my power supply there too. If they've got any other deals on any of the hardware I want, I'm gonna snag it.

I just feel so empty without my old Spiffybox. I hope Spiffybox 2 will be just as good.
have you checked there weekend flyer?
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post #12 of 144
1/12/08 at 5:20am
Thread Starter 
Well Fry's didn't have jack squat.

The case I want (Antec P182) was $60 more than I can get it for online, the motherboard (both the Maximus Formula and P5E) were $40 more than online. They had no videocards, and memory was absolutely ridiculous at $219 for the SAME 4GB of Corsair RAM that I'll get for $119-$40 MIR. Finally, the hard drive was $30 more, and the power supply was $70 more.

Sad part is, Fry's used to have good in-store deals. At least mostly competitive for what I could get online, maybe a few $$$ more than online, but not as much as that.

I guess it's Newegg for me then.
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post #13 of 144
1/12/08 at 6:04am
Thread Starter 
OK, I just can't decide on a motherboard.

Why? From the looks of it, with either the P5E or Maximus Formula, I'll have issues with the bottom PCI slot, which is where my Audigy 2 will go. Not putting it over the videocard... It would be just... Weird.

I was looking at the P5E-WS Professional, but I can't find a single damn review of it.

This is ALWAYS the hardest part... Unless you're looking back to 3 years ago, when I had the motherboard picked first, as it was hands-down number 1 for its time... Why can't it just be that easy this time around.
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post #14 of 144
1/12/08 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenuxx View Post

This is ALWAYS the hardest part... Unless you're looking back to 3 years ago, when I had the motherboard picked first, as it was hands-down number 1 for its time... Why can't it just be that easy this time around.
Everything is in a state of flux. There are 3 new chipsets coming out in the next 2-3 months along with different builds using current "new" chipsets. It's a mess.

I am in the middle of a system build and still haven't picked a motherboard and video card. I have evertything else....

I am waiting to see what some of the 780 boards do for stable clocking - but will most likely go with an X38 or X48 chipset.

The ASUS X38 boards are on top right now with the 680/780i reference boards running a close second in the enthusiast gaming market.

You said you'd have issues with the lower pci slots on the forumla and p5e...do you have more than 1 pci device?
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post #15 of 144
1/12/08 at 10:12am
Since you haven't picked a main board yet, what memory did you purchase Buck47?



Zoid
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post #16 of 144
1/12/08 at 10:19am
OCZ Reaper DDR2 1150 PC9200 - 2x1gb
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post #17 of 144
1/12/08 at 10:20am
I'm an OCZ fanboy.

Edit: *notices proper term utilization*
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post #18 of 144
1/12/08 at 10:33am
I know that's rite. Loves me some OCZ...hell their PSUs ain't half bad either.

Is that RAM a QVL member for the P5E or Maximus?



Zoid
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post #19 of 144
1/12/08 at 10:39am
nope - still too new for ASUS. OCZ Techs have it running nicely on both OTOH
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post #20 of 144
1/12/08 at 10:46am
Seems 'most' problems on the Asus X38 is people jamming some RAM...and then crying. What's the BIOS up to now for the P5E Buck47?



Zoid
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