Finally going to build

[Dvorak]

Okay, so after months of deliberation, I'm finally moving forward with my first build. Here's the list:

Cooler Master 690 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137) (already have)
Asus P5Q Pro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299&Tpk=asus%2bp5q%2bpro) (already have)
Intel E8400 3.0GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037) ($169.99 @newegg)
Asus 9800GTX+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121265) (On sale for 169.99 after rebate)
Corsair 520HX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx) ($94.99 after rebate. I'm was a little concerned about this one. Based on a post The Wise Monkey made in another thread, he made it seem as though this didn't have an 8 pin connector for the 9800GTX+, but the specs list one. Is this a good power supply for this setup?)
WD 640GB Hard Disk (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218) ($84.99)
Asus DRW-2014L1T DVD burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156) ($36.99 or $111.98 combo with Corsair 520HX)

I'll also pick up 4GB of ram, whichever brand (G.skill, corsair, etc. are offering the best deal this coming week), and yes I will be using a 64bit OS.

How does all this look, my biggest concern is the graphics card/PSU combination. Also, I've heard people talk about the 4850 as being a good card instead of the GTX+, but I've also read that the 4850 runs REALLY hot and, for the price, I figured the GTX+ is a good buy.

Also, I've seen sort of a back-and-forth debate recently as to whether an aftermarket cooler is necessary. What is the latest opinion?

Thanks.

[Damlite]

Looks good. The power supply is good, should suffice for the setup of the graphics card. 4850 vs 9800GTX+, benchmarks say their about equal, with both cards scoring points in certain games over the other (although the 4850 clearly cleans up the standard 9800GTX).

Intel cpus generally come with a stock heatsink and fan. In my opinion, if your not overclocking, the stock cooling system that comes with the cpu is enough. If your overclocking, start monitoring your temperatures to determine if you need a more efficient cooler.

[RickyTick]

That psu has the 8 pin connector and will work great.

I've recently changed my opinion on aftermarket cpu coolers. While the stock Intel cooler works ok, a much better cooler can be installed during the initial build for an additional 30 to 50 dollars. Its a small price for a product that could reduce your cpu temperature by more than 20% under load. Since heat is a big contributor to component failure, it just seems like a logical choice to me. But thats just my opinion.

Also go here for more info http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=1804

[Damlite]

Generally you'd want to keep your CPU as cool as possible, and there really is no "ideal" range that is healthy for your processor. The cooler the better, so if you have a few dollars lying around go and purchase a seperate cooler and install it, otherwise the stock intel heatsink and fan does fine. E.g. I own a Q9450 processor running at stock speed with its stock cooling, it idles at 34-37C and moves up to 45-50C under load. Most intel processors have a suggested max temp of 70-72C where it becomes unhealthy for the processor, so as long as you can achieve well below that you'll be fine.

[RickyTick]

Generally you'd want to keep your CPU as cool as possible, and there really is no "ideal" range that is healthy for your processor. The cooler the better, so if you have a few dollars lying around go and purchase a seperate cooler and install it, otherwise the stock intel heatsink and fan does fine. E.g. I own a Q9450 processor running at stock speed with its stock cooling, it idles at 34-37C and moves up to 45-50C under load. Most intel processors have a suggested max temp of 70-72C where it becomes unhealthy for the processor, so as long as you can achieve well below that you'll be fine.

You are correct. :)

[Dvorak]

Alright, thanks a lot. I'm going to go ahead and start purchasing.

[The Wise Monkey]

Hmm, they must have changed that PSU then - it didn't use to have the 8-pin connector. XD

I have a 4850, and it did run very hot on stock cooling - 78C when idle. But I installed a Zalman VF1000 aftermarket fan, and now it doesn't get higher than 60C even overclocked to 700/1200. :)

But that is a great price for the 9800GTX+, so a good idea to go for it.

[RickyTick]

These are the specs listed for the 520HX.
1 x 20+4-pin ATX
1 x 4-pin +12V
1 x 8-pin EPS12V
2 x PCI-Express
8 x 4-pin peripheral
2 x 4-pin floppy
4 x SATA

Did I miss something? :confused:

[The Wise Monkey]

The newer, more heavy duty cards e.g. 9800GTX, GTX280, require an 8-pin PCI-e adapter.

If you check this 750TX, it says that it has 4x6+2 pin PCI-e adapters - check the pictures as well for more details:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

[RickyTick]

Well crap, that's 2 strikes against me today. I better hang on to my day job. :)

[medchemistMA]

As for the CPU cooler, the OCZ Vendetta2, which has scored very well in recent evaluations, is available at MicroCenter for $35 ($20 after rebate).

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0285949

At that price, it is difficult to pass up, even though I have had very good success with the stock Intel cooler on my E8400 (CS Monloize case, 25cm side, 12cm exhaust, 12cm intake, Arctic Silver Ceramique). It is 86 degrees here in Boston today (30 degrees Celsius) and the idle temp is 34 degrees. I have been running my E8400 at 100% on both CPU's for about 5 hours now under Debian Linux and the max temperature so far is 50 degrees. I do plan to go with the OCZVend2 on my new Q9550 box.

(Damlite, thanks for ringing in on my other post)

MedchemistMA

[mrfran]

hi i have a since about video cards and PSUs since u guys talked about it earlier

i want to inquire if the PSU i chose was appropriate for the 9800 gtx+ i ordered

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153051


i wasn't aware that there's different connectors required for those cards?

[The Wise Monkey]

hi i have a since about video cards and PSUs since u guys talked about it earlier

i want to inquire if the PSU i chose was appropriate for the 9800 gtx+ i ordered

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153051


i wasn't aware that there's different connectors required for those cards?

That PSU should be fine, as your card will probably come with a standard molex-PCI converter, so you don't need the PCI-e 6+2 pin adapter on your PSU. Its just nice to have, is all. :)

Btw Ricky, I'm not going to have to keep correcting you am I? :p

[RickyTick]

Btw Ricky, I'm not going to have to keep correcting you am I? :p

As a matter of fact, yes you are. :o

Did you see my post on page 1 of this thread?

[Dvorak]

So, looks like I can't get the 520HX then. Wise Monkey, you've mentioned to 750TX several times as an alternative, but I was kind of hoping for something modular, which the 750TX isn't. What would be a good alternative?

[The Wise Monkey]

There is no problem with getting a 520HX, just make sure that your GFX card comes with a converter.

If you do want to go for one with a built in connector, then this Antec NeoPower PSU is very good:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371011

If you want something a bit more powerful, or if you plan on using SLI at any point, then this Zalman is also good:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817379007

[Dvorak]

So I went back to the Asus 9800GTX+ site and looked at the specs, and it has listed

"Power Connector 2 x 6 Pin"

so are you sure that I need a PCIe 6+2 power source? Obviously you know much more than I do, but the specs seem to indicate that I just need 2 6pin connectors.

[Damlite]

Just a note to the builders, I wouldn't be messing around with the price of powersupplies, get a powerful quality supply with lots of leads and cables, preferably modular with at least 85% efficiency and active power factor correction, regardless of what the price is. Very important component of the computer.

-Dvorak
Most 9800GTX series cards generally require two 6pin PCI express connector leads. Your one does as well, and the powersupplies recommended thus far all have at least 2 6pin connectors, so as long as there's enough there shouldnt be any problem in cabling. With regards to 6+2 pins, I think that just means its an 8pin thats split up into 6 and 2, so you can still use 6 if you dont require it for an 8pin peripheral, but im not sure on that, might have to get the others to verify.

[The Wise Monkey]

You are right Dvorak - its the GTX280 that requires the 6+2 pin adapter, not the 9800GTX+. I could have sworn that the 9800GTX+ requires an 8-pin adapter, but I guess not.

Ricky isn't the only one getting things wrong at the moment. XD

[Dvorak]

Alright, thanks everyone, glad to have that figured out. I'll just go ahead with the 520HX.

[RickyTick]

The newer, more heavy duty cards e.g. 9800GTX, GTX280, require an 8-pin PCI-e adapter.

If you check this 750TX, it says that it has 4x6+2 pin PCI-e adapters - check the pictures as well for more details:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


Hold on one second.

That 9800GTX+ requires 2 6-pin connectors, not an 8-pin. :p

From EVGA.com

Requirements
Minimum of a 450 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 550 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 28 Amp Amps.)
Two available 6 pin PCI-E power connector (hard drive power dongle to PCI-E 6 pin adapter included with card)

[The Wise Monkey]

Read the bottom of the previous page Ricky, Dvorak beat you to the punch. :P

[RickyTick]

Read the bottom of the previous page Ricky, Dvorak beat you to the punch. :P


Hey, I guess I missed that post. :)