Component sanity check

S

speedrat

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
324
This a list a components that I intend on putting in an existing system. Please verify compatibility for SLI and DX10. My primary use is gaming.

Thermaltake Purepower ATX12 600w PS
Corsair XMS2 2GB DDR2 800
Core Duo E6600
ASUS GeForce 8800GTS PCI Express
ASUS PW5 DH Deluxe WIFI LGA 775 975X MB

I really don't need the WIFI, but it is a combo deal w/video @Newegg. Thoughts please?
 
Stay away from non-Toughpower Thermaltake PSUs. Go for the 520W Corsair instead. It will be more than enough for your system. If you plan to go SLI, get the 620W Corsair instead. FYI, that board will only do SLI with hacked drivers. Thats an Intel 975X board, which supports crossfire. If you want SLI, you'll need either the P5N-E SLI or P5N32-E SLI. The non-E versions can't overclock at all.
 
Well, I guess I have to show my ignorance. I wasn't aware the ram speed could be changed. I would greatly appreciate any tips or links that might enlighten me. :)
 
Well, for starters, the default speed would be DDR2-533, since the stock base FSB is 266Mhz. Most people overclock these core2duos, because it doesnt take much effort, and these things are rock solid (very stable, even when overclocked). So here's some math for you:

E6600 at stock speeds:
9 (cpu max multiplier) * 266Mhz (base fsb) = 2.4Ghz (cpu clock speed)
4 (quad pumped intel platform) * 266Mhz (base fsb) = 1066Mhz (effective fsb speed)
2 (dual channel ddr2) * 266Mhz (base fsb) = DDR2-533 (dram speed)

overclock that to 400Mhz base fsb (since your ram is ddr2-800):
9 * 400 = 3.6Ghz

if you only want ddr2-667, that would be a base fsb of 333mhz for a 1:1 ratio:
9 * 333 = 3.0Ghz

now, most boards have a dram multiplier, so you can OC the ram without touching the base fsb. this allows you to simply OC the ram only. If you don't plan on running any faster than 3.6Ghz @ DDR2-800, then theres no need for expensive ram.

enginurd said:
...
If you don't plan to OC the ram too high:
$144 - Kingston 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 KVR667D2K2/2GR ($164 - $20MIR)
$185 - G.Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
$181 - Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 TWIN2X2048-6400 ($221 - $40MIR)

If you want to OC the ram:
$205 - Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 PDC22G6400LLK ($255 - $50MIR)
$240 - Buffalo Firestix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 FSX800D2C-K2G
$290 - G.Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
$274 - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 BL2KIT12864AA804
$312 - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-1000 BL2KIT12864AA1005
Click to expand...
 
Update: I went with your suggestions and now I have a sweet little machine humming along as I explore the world of Vanguard! Much obliged!
 
I haven't yet. I am building a file server right now and then I will return to this machine. I want to do some more reading so that I fully understand what I am doing.
 
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