Opinions on this system?

[mike45450]

I'm buying a new system, though it's my first time building it from scratch with components. Could you guys just give some insight into whether or not everything is compatible, and if I need to make any adjustments?

• Gigabyte GA P35C DS3R
• Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
• Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C5 TwinX (2x1GB)
• Leadtek GeForce 8600 GT Extreme 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
• Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3200AAKS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
• 530w Tagan EasyCon TG530-U15 2Force Silent Modular
• Lian-Li PC-7 PLUS Aluminium Midi-Tower Case
• Pioneer DVR-112D 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter
• About £20 for some fans

Altogether comes to about £606. I'm probably gonna need to downgrade some stuff like the CPU and GPU since I may need a monitor to go with it too. It's gonna mainly be used for things like graphics (Photoshop and maybe some 3D stuff), gaming (though not too hardcore) and other basic crap.

But yeah, any major issues with compatibility or any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[LaPistola]

If thats all your using it for i definitely suggest downgrading to a core 2 duo, as a quad core is far from necessary for what you are doing, also maybe another faster hard drive for the os and some big programs or games? Just a thought...

[AmpeD]

ya you dont need quad core, go core 2 extreme or somethin
and downgrade ur gfx card a bit, maybe a 7800gtx

[snap3r]

thats alot of power for graphics and a little gaming
you should replace the quad core with a 3 ghz core 2 duo > its better and i think it has a lower cost than quad core

[mike45450]

Ok, i've updated my list now. How's it looking this time?

• Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
• Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4ghz
• Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C5 TwinX (2x1GB)
• Asus ATI Radeon X1950 Pro HTDP 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
• 320 Gb Samsung HD321KJ
• Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)
• Lian-Li PC-7 PLUS Aluminium Midi-Tower Case
• Pioneer DVR-112D 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter

This list adds up to about £560, which is a lot better. I may add another HD so that I have one for files and stuff, and one just for Windows and maybe programs. One thing i'm not sure is the ATX 2.0 and 2.2 stuff, will the things I chose be ok?

Thanks again

[Peerzy]

I like to have a relatively small hard drive for Windows then a larger one for files and data, meaning if Windows goes up in smoke I only lose the Windows install. Even an old drive lying around will do, my Windows is currently running off a 20GB HDD and then I have a 500GB for games, programs, downloads and other stuff.

Im sure you can pick up a cheap 80GB HDD that will do the job.

What about operating system, printer, mouse, keyboard, floppy drive/card reader?

[tesco]

I like to have a relatively small hard drive for Windows then a larger one for files and data, meaning if Windows goes up in smoke I only lose the Windows install. Even an old drive lying around will do, my Windows is currently running off a 20GB HDD and then I have a 500GB for games, programs, downloads and other stuff.

Why not just partition?

[peat moss]

I like to have a relatively small hard drive for Windows then a larger one for files and data, meaning if Windows goes up in smoke I only lose the Windows install. Even an old drive lying around will do, my Windows is currently running off a 20GB HDD and then I have a 500GB for games, programs, downloads and other stuff.

Why not just partition?

Thats how I have mine too Ross , but a 80 and a 250 gb hhd.

[Smith]

Dont downgrade your video, why would you do that. Go back to the DX10 card, its always good to have that extra capability.

[Peerzy]

I like to have a relatively small hard drive for Windows then a larger one for files and data, meaning if Windows goes up in smoke I only lose the Windows install. Even an old drive lying around will do, my Windows is currently running off a 20GB HDD and then I have a 500GB for games, programs, downloads and other stuff.

Why not just partition?

If I partition and the HDD goes in some way or another (I've had 2 go in the past) I lose everything. If I have two drives one may go but the chances of the second going at the exact same time are quite slim.

I know it's possible but I've only ever had 1 go at a time before.

If HDD1 goes then I just need to buy a small drive and reinstall Windows and I will still have all my data. If HDD2 goes at least I still have Windows to use a computer and can do any work/emergence stuff and just save onto HDD1 until I get a replacement HDD2.

Plus in future builds I can purchase an uber fast 80GB HDD for my Windows and then a standard HDD for my data, meaning all programs and Windows can go on the uber fast drive, speeding up loading times and all data and whatnot going on the second drive.