Help With My Build

T

The Duke

New Member
So this is the system I've more or less been looking to put together. I've been putting myself on a bit of a crash course of computer building over the past couple of days, being that this will be my first custom computer. As far as I know everything should be compatible, but, if you guys could have a look and let me know if I've missed something, I'd appreciate it.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600

Motherboard: MSI P965 Neo F w/Dual DDR2 800

Memory: Either 1 GB Kingston PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM, 1 GB Kingston PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, or 1 GB MUSHKIN EM2-6400 Enhanced DDR2 SDRAM

Case: Antec SLK3000B Black Super Mid Tower

Power Supply: Either OCZ 600W GameXtreme w/ Quad +12V or Enermax 535W EG565AX-VE FMA II

Hard Drive: Seagate 300GB Barracuda 7200.9 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB cache

Optical Drive: LiteOn SHM-165H6S 16x16 +/-RW Dual Layer Drive w/ Lightscribe

Video Card: eVGA e-GeForce 7600 GTS 256MB PCI-E or Sapphire Radeon X1600XT 256MB PCI-E

Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 4 SE, 7.1

Operating System: Windows XP

Now, there are a few things I'm not sure about, which is why there are some categories with more than one option. Just to clarify some things, I don't plan on using multiple video cards, or overclocking anything. As far as gaming goes, I want a system that will be able to handle new games, but I don't necessarily need the top of the line most expensive parts. (I don't need to be able to count the nose hairs of the zombie before he gets done in by my Boomstick.;) )

Here are the issues I'm concerned with:

1. Is the motherboard sufficient for what I want? It only has 1 PCI 16x slot, which as far as I know is only needed for the video card. Is that correct, or do I need a motherboard with more than one?

2. The motherboard can take 8G of RAM, but only 2G of DDR2 800. Does the configuration matter ie. 4 sticks of 512M or 2 sticks of 1G? (Even though I'm only putting in 1G now, I will probably upgrade to 2G within a year.)

3. I'd rather go with the eVGA card, because while the both of them are the about the same price, the eVGA is slightly better. However, does the fact that an MSI motherboard supports Crossfire and not SLI raise any problems with the fact that I want to go with an nVidia card, keeping in mind I am only putting in 1. (On a bit of a side note, when Dx10 cards come out, will the Neo-F motherboard be compatible?)

4. The monitor I plan on getting is a BenQ FP93GX 19in Digital LCD (contrast ratio: 700:1 resolution: 1280x1024 SXGA response time: 2ms GTG.) Would either video card have a problem working with this choice?

5. While I am prepared to spend the extra money on the Mushkin EM2-6400 RAM, I was hoping to get away with either of the Kingston RAM. Is the difference between 800Mz and 667Mz/533Mz something that would be felt in real applications, or is it just a difference that only shows up in benchmarks? (Something strange regarding the specs for the Mushkin. In the product info. it states that it is an "unbuffered 240-Pin module," which is good, but in the specs. section it says "pins: 184 Pin DIMM Unbuffered." Anyone know what this means?)

6. Also, regarding memory, the specs for the Mushkin RAM put the voltage at 1.8V to 2.0V, (newegg had it at 1.9V I believe) while the P965 motherboard only supports 1.8V. Is that a problem?

7. For the power supply, the OCZ is definitely better, as well as more expensive, but do I really need it for my system? Or should I just go with the OCZ and make sure my bases are covered?


So, those are things I have questions about. Does anyone see any other problems with this setup that I have missed?

Any help and opinions would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,
 
wow, dam this is long. to answer a few of your questions. Yes the motherboard will handle the extra gig memory. second, yes your video card is able to handle the monitor. your motherboard is fine with one pci-e slot.

The rest i am not sure. wait for another reply:D
 
"5. While I am prepared to spend the extra money on the Mushkin EM2-6400 RAM, I was hoping to get away with either of the Kingston RAM. Is the difference between 800Mz and 667Mz/533Mz something that would be felt in real applications, or is it just a difference that only shows up in benchmarks? (Something strange regarding the specs for the Mushkin. In the product info. it states that it is an "unbuffered 240-Pin module," which is good, but in the specs. section it says "pins: 184 Pin DIMM Unbuffered." Anyone know what this means?) "

depends on how extreme a gamer you are? if you want to run the slower ram, go for it, once you get up over a gig, you would only notice it in benchmarks between 667 and 800, BUT, with your processor, I would keep it between 667 and 800, IMO you are risking creating a bottleneck with the 533. being able to go over 2 gigs will probably not pay off for you for a good while, as far as gaming goes, but it may interest you if you are into editing large files (CAD or Movies/etc) being able to keep the info off the swap on HDD will keeping it flying along.


as far as 4x512 or 2x1gig, 2x1 gig IMO would make the most sense if you are interested in going OVER 2 gig/room for growth.
 
Thanks for the replies.

depends on how extreme a gamer you are? if you want to run the slower ram, go for it, once you get up over a gig, you would only notice it in benchmarks between 667 and 800, BUT, with your processor, I would keep it between 667 and 800, IMO you are risking creating a bottleneck with the 533. being able to go over 2 gigs will probably not pay off for you for a good while, as far as gaming goes, but it may interest you if you are into editing large files (CAD or Movies/etc) being able to keep the info off the swap on HDD will keeping it flying along.
Click to expand...

I'll probably go with the Mushkin 800 then, however, does the fact that the RAM is 1.8V - 2.0V mean that I can't use it on the Neo-F motherboard which only supports 1.8V?

And, if someone could answer this question:

3. I'd rather go with the eVGA card, because while the both of them are the about the same price, the eVGA is slightly better. However, does the fact that an MSI motherboard supports Crossfire and not SLI raise any problems with the fact that I want to go with an nVidia card, keeping in mind I am only putting in 1.
Click to expand...

Also, if I want to upgrade my video card in the future to something more high end (e-GeForce 7900 GTX 512Mb or a card with DX10,) as long as the card interface is PCI-E x16 will it work on the Neo-F? (And as long as I have an adequate PSU of course)


Thanks,
 
The Duke said:
1. Is the motherboard sufficient for what I want? It only has 1 PCI 16x slot, which as far as I know is only needed for the video card. Is that correct, or do I need a motherboard with more than one?
Click to expand...
That's fine. There's no need for a second PCI-E slot unless you want to use SLI/CF.

2. The motherboard can take 8G of RAM, but only 2G of DDR2 800. Does the configuration matter ie. 4 sticks of 512M or 2 sticks of 1G? (Even though I'm only putting in 1G now, I will probably upgrade to 2G within a year.)
Click to expand...
Either way will be fine.

3. I'd rather go with the eVGA card, because while the both of them are the about the same price, the eVGA is slightly better. However, does the fact that an MSI motherboard supports Crossfire and not SLI raise any problems with the fact that I want to go with an nVidia card, keeping in mind I am only putting in 1. (On a bit of a side note, when Dx10 cards come out, will the Neo-F motherboard be compatible?)
Click to expand...
Again, no problems. You can use a single nVidia card in that board without any problems. You'll also be fine with a DX10 GPU.

4. The monitor I plan on getting is a BenQ FP93GX 19in Digital LCD (contrast ratio: 700:1 resolution: 1280x1024 SXGA response time: 2ms GTG.) Would either video card have a problem working with this choice?
Click to expand...
By now i'm probably sounding repetive...but... you'll be fine :)

5. While I am prepared to spend the extra money on the Mushkin EM2-6400 RAM, I was hoping to get away with either of the Kingston RAM. Is the difference between 800Mz and 667Mz/533Mz something that would be felt in real applications, or is it just a difference that only shows up in benchmarks?
Click to expand...
There is a difference, but not an enormous one. Many decent 667 kits can be OC'd to 800Mhz as well.
(Something strange regarding the specs for the Mushkin. In the product info. it states that it is an "unbuffered 240-Pin module," which is good, but in the specs. section it says "pins: 184 Pin DIMM Unbuffered." Anyone know what this means?)
Click to expand...
link?

6. Also, regarding memory, the specs for the Mushkin RAM put the voltage at 1.8V to 2.0V, (newegg had it at 1.9V I believe) while the P965 motherboard only supports 1.8V. Is that a problem?
Click to expand...
No, you'll at least be able to post with 1.8V. If you need to go into the BIOS from there and increase VDimm, that should be easy.

7. For the power supply, the OCZ is definitely better, as well as more expensive, but do I really need it for my system? Or should I just go with the OCZ and make sure my bases are covered?
Click to expand...
The Enermax will be fine for your system.
 
ceewi1:

(Something strange regarding the specs for the Mushkin. In the product info. it states that it is an "unbuffered 240-Pin module," which is good, but in the specs. section it says "pins: 184 Pin DIMM Unbuffered." Anyone know what this means?)

link?
Click to expand...

http://www.memoryexpress.com/ProductDetail1.php?DisplayProductID=8426

Second paragraph under "Product Info." and under "Specifications."

By now i'm probably sounding repetive...but... you'll be fine
Click to expand...

Being repetive with "you'll be fine" is much better than "ain't gonna work, try again" or something like that.

I really appreciate you getting to all of my questions...it's been a great help.


Thanks,
 
Sorry about the off topic, but I was wandering (cuz i m getting the same motherboard) is it good? as in MSI P965 Neo-F
 
6. Also, regarding memory, the specs for the Mushkin RAM put the voltage at 1.8V to 2.0V, (newegg had it at 1.9V I believe) while the P965 motherboard only supports 1.8V. Is that a problem?
Click to expand...
No, you'll at least be able to post with 1.8V. If you need to go into the BIOS from there and increase VDimm, that should be easy.
Click to expand...

After doing a bit more browsing I noticed this RAM, OCZ 1GB PC2-6400 Gold Gamer eXtreme XTC Edition Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 512MB) for only a few dollars more than the Mushkin. However, the voltage of this RAM is 2.0V. Will I still be able to just increase the VDimm in the BIOS, or is 2.0V too much of an increase for the P965 Neo-F board?


Thanks,
 
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