New Build Questions

[Kent10]

Hi:

I have built one computer myself but it was quite some time ago. Since finding this wonderful web site, I have been inspired to do it again. I have picked most of my components from the enthusiast recommendations on this site with the exception of the graphics card because I am not a gamer. So I assume that these components will all work together with no problems.

I have never done any over clocking before but after reading this board, it sounds as though it is easy to overclock the Q6600 to 3.0. I would like to set it and forget it though without worries. Is an overclock of 3.0 generally worry free with the cooling option I have chosen or can I go even a little higher.

Will this system be fairly quiet? I know the raptor can be a little on the loud side.

Do you know if the Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 750GB version is as fast/good as the 1TB version? Is the platter density different? Is the OEM version OK for the hard drives. Do cables come with the motherboard or should I go for the retail version of the hard drives.

I noticed there were only 4 USB ports on the motherboard so I will need a USB hub.

Do I need any thermal paste? Should I get an OEM processor if I am not using the stock fan? Is the fan the only difference with the OEM version?

Under the specs for this motherboard EVGA 122-CK-NF67-A1 nForce 680i Motherboard
it says FSB 1066/800MHz. Would I be better off going with EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard or GIGABYTE GA-P35-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard which have FSB 1333/1066MHz (for future proofing)

Any recommendations on the DVD burners. I would like 2. I used to buy Plextors but I see many recommend the Liteon here.

I think that is all the questions I can think of now. I truly appreciate any suggestions and help you offer. Thanks, Kent

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
EVGA 122-CK-NF67-A1 nForce 680i Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 1066 Memory Kit
GIGABYTE 3D Aurora 570 GZ-FA1CA-ASB ATX Full Tower Case
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Cooler Master RR-CCH-ANU2-GP GeminII CPU Cooler
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS Video Card
Creative X-FI XtremeGamer Sound Card
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB
Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000
2 DVD drives—to be determined
D-Link DUB-H7 7-Port USB Hub
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

[Stormcrow]

Not a bad setup, but no overclock is guaranteed. It's fairly easy to hit 3.0GHz and higher with the Q6600, but it all depends on the thermals, stepping, and even the individual chips themselves. You can expect to reach 3.0, possibly higher, especially if you get a G0 stepping. The GeminII is a good cooler, but remember it doesnt come with any fans of it's own, a couple of low noise/decent CFM 120mms will keep things nice and cool. Everyone here has their own recommendation for fans, so just ask around and you'll find some you like.

Fairly quiet? Depends mostly on the fans you choose, and how high of setting you keep them at. The noise from the Raptors is normally vibration caused from them spinning at such a high rate. You can dampen that noise by sticking a bit of foam around where the drive slides into the bay. The Aurora I would expect to be on the quieter side while still offering good cooling, but again it's mainly with the fans you choose.

Both of the Hitachi's have the massive 32mb cache, so really their performance is only limited by the amount of storage. With the 750GB at $200, and the 1TB at $330, thats a 130 dollar difference for only 250 more gigs. I'd add 70 more dollars and get two 750GB drives for an extra 500GB of storage unless you want to stay with 1TB per drive. If you don't mind paying a bit extra, go for the retail version so as to get all the included cables, software on disc and extras. If there's a huge difference in price, like 50 dollars between OEM and Retail, grab the OEM and spend about 3 bucks for a SATA cable. Normally you get a nice set of SATA cables with the mobo, but you may want to pick up a few more depending on what you finally set with.

You always need thermal paste, but I see you already have AS5 listed. Thats basically the pilot's choice there, and a tube of it lasts quite a bit. The difference between OEM and Retail processors is a box, stock heatsink with preapplied thermal gunk, and a sheet of paper outlining installation, warranty, and what Intel is not responsible for covering. If your not using the stock heatsink anyway, go with OEM and save some bucks. I dont see a OEM Q6600 listed on Newegg, however.

Since your not a gamer, and therefore SLi won't be a concern, I have to say go with the Gigabyte P35 if you don't mind paying extra. The 680i is a stable, good chipset but you'll get more versatility/future proofing out of the P35. Nvidia also likes to add lots of garbage to their chipset drivers, my device manager is practically run by them. That Gigabyte board also has an awesome rep for being rock stable and an excellent overclocker. If you do get the Gigabyte, you'll have to remove the Crazy Cool back plating to install the GeminII if I remember correctly.

DVD burners, basically it's whatever name brand is offering the most for the price at the time. LiteOn is normally the champ there with good performance, nice features and usually the lowest price. Another good one I've been hearing about is the Optiarc line from Sony and NEC. Plextors are really just selling their name, for about half the price you can get a LiteOn that preforms just as good if not better. I use a Philips in this rig which has served me exceptionally well, and plan to pick up one of the Optiarcs to see if their as good as I've heard. Essentially, whichever brand you choose you can get a SATA version for about the same price which keeps tiding up the cables much easier.

You mentioned your not a gamer, but picking up an 8800GTS? Unless you want the power for video editing/folding/graphics design, you can get a decent card for much cheaper.

[JazzyJake]

also, i'd like to mention raptors simply aren't worth it.
when you compare the benchmarks to a realworld test, the difference isn't big enough to justify the cost.
get big fast drives, spend the same amount, get oodles more storage.

other than that, killer rig

[Kent10]

Thanks very much for all your advice, Stormcrow.

I think I will order the Q6600 from ClubIT so I am guaranteed a G0 stepping. The OEM version is only a little cheaper here but I guess I can go OEM anyway since I won't be using the stock heatsink. That way I won't have to clean the Intel thermal paste and can use my own. I have never done my own cooling before so I didn't realize I needed fans in addition to the GeminII. I'll look into it.

Thanks I will look at the Gigabyte P35.

It looks like I could save some money on the graphics card since I am not a gamer. I use photoshop for photo editing but that is about the limit of my graphics needs. I'll look for an alternate card.

Thanks again! Kent

[Kent10]

Hi Jazzyjake.

I really like my 74 gig Raptor but in researching for this build I see that the Hitachi is very close and beats it in some areas. I see what you mean. Kent

[Yellowhello]

Looks like a solid build! I thing I'd like to mention... In my experience, the mounting system for the GeminII is really finicky. I used to have one, but I stripped a screw while taking it off, hence the water cooling system I got to replace it. It's not a bad cooler, far from it, but just beware the bad mount...

[Kent10]

I would like to try a little over clocking but I need to do my work and I don't want to get hung up on it. If I OC the Q6600 to 3.0 with the Cooler Master RR-CCH-ANU2-GP GeminII CPU Cooler would you still recommend 2 120mm fans. How about these SILVERSTONE FM121 120mm Case Fan Would one do or is that too risky? With these it seems I have the option to run them slower so it might be quieter overall. I am concerned about noise so would running 2 of these at their 800 RPM setting be sufficient for cooling and low noise.

I have read that some have problems fitting this cooler in their case and on the motherboard. I assume the case I have chosen will be fine since it is a full tower.

I understand if I get the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard I'll have to remove the Crazy Cool. One person on Newegg said they had to cut the washers on their GeminII cooler to get it to fit on this motherboard. Does anyone have experience with this or would you recommend another cooling system so I wouldn't have to do this. How about Thermaltake CL-P0401 110mm Full-Range Fan CPU Cooler It looks like this one already comes with a fan.


What is the best graphics card for someone who is not a gamer but is a photo editor.

Thanks, Kent

[RA1D]

the Zalman CNPS 9700NT works awesome for me and is very quiet. I highly recommend it.

[Kent10]

I read Rich's review of the GeminII and it looks as though it will fit on Gigabyte's GA-P965-DQ6 and he recommends these "light" fans because the cooler is already very heavy (Arctic Cooling Fan 12). Kent

[Stormcrow]

For less then the 8800GTS, you can pick up a pretty good Matrox thats basically designed for photo editing and other multimedia work in mind.
Matrox Graphics - Media Creation and Editing - Products

These are the cards you normally find in professional editing, CAD, and production computers. Nvidia and ATi are gaming cards, while now they're starting to get into the multimedia market. Matrox is designed for 2D applications and gives better image quality for photos as well as more display options. You can pick up the card I listed for $250, get better results out of it for photo editing then the 8800, and still save some cash.