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After having attempted to save up on several occasions, I finally got enough money to build a new Core 2 Duo gaming machine. It's replacing my Athlon 64 X2 system, which is bogged down with Server 2003 and all of my various network software.
My new system consists of the following:
Newegg:
2x1GB G.Skill DDR2 800
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
Gigabyte GA-965P-S3
AMS CF-7639BK Mid Tower
Anandtech forums:
XFX 8800GTS
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB
Enermax Liberty 620W
Yate Loon 120mm Fan x 2
Jab-Tech:
Thermalright SI-128
Panaflo 120mm L1A (on backorder to replace one Yate Loon)
I got the Enermax Liberty months ago for the X2 system. It actually failed a while back, and I RMAd it. This was not enough to convince me to not use it (and who know if there weren't other factors in its demise?), so it's in the new system due its modular nature (modular PSUs = awesome). I actually purchased a 700W OCZ on Anandtech for an extremely low price, but it went in the X2 while the Enermax was RMAs, and I haven't any inclination to remove it.
The RAM was a simple choice of what is cheap that will handle the overclock I need. It fits well and is working great.
The board was a tough choice. I was on a budget and wanted a high-end, overclocking board. I finally convinced myself that I'd never be dumb enough to get SLI, so I forgot about all NV 680 boards. I decided I didn't need high-def audio since I'll eventually get an add-in card anyway, so the Gigabyte DS3 was out. The board I get is widely considered to be a reliable overclocker, and it was just over $100 from Newegg.
The case was actually a brand recognition thing for me. After some searching, I figured out what brand my X2's case is, because I love that case. I found another case from the same manufacturer, and I liked the looks and features. It's more than I usually spend on a case, but its working great. It's a pleasure to work with and a pleasure to look at. It's also very easy to get good airflow going.
The 6300 was pretty much a no-brainer as I was on a tight budget. I guess I could have lived with a 4300, though.
I initially was going to use the stock HSF, but because of mounting issues (due partially to operator error, and partially to Intel's poor mounting mechanism for LGA 775), I managed to get some pretty bad temperatures. I looked around, and determined the SI-128 would meet my needs. This thing is a ****ing monstrosity. It took me half an hour to install it and I had to take everything off the motherboard and the PSU out of the case. I've never bled as much in a computer. Due to my negligence, I failed to notice my Yate Loon has screws tubes that extend the entire height, which prevents the SI-128 fans clips from working well. I'll be replacing the Yate Loon with a Panaflo L1A once it gets off backorder at Jab-Tech. In any case, temps dropped by around 30C, so the trouble is worth it.
The 8800, Barracuda, as well as a TV tuner and 700W OCZ PSU all came in one deal at Anandtech for $610. All were NIB except for the five-year warranty HDD. This ended up being around $100 less than what retail price for the same or comparable items would have been. Great deal IMO.
Getting to the good stuff, I managed to get to 2.8GHz almost immediately, with loads under 50c. I'm Prime stable for 12 hours at 2.8GHz. I currently am testing 3GHz, but I needed to bump some voltages for that to work, so I can't declare it stable. I'm at about 30 minutes Prime stable.
Supreme Commander Demo, Company of Heroes, Medieval 2 Total War and Battlefield 2 currently all run maxed at 1600x1200 @ 75Hz on my 19'' NEC CRT with no problems. My Folding@Home points per day has increased by at least 300 due to this machine. I'm very pleased right now. :D
My new system consists of the following:
Newegg:
2x1GB G.Skill DDR2 800
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
Gigabyte GA-965P-S3
AMS CF-7639BK Mid Tower
Anandtech forums:
XFX 8800GTS
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB
Enermax Liberty 620W
Yate Loon 120mm Fan x 2
Jab-Tech:
Thermalright SI-128
Panaflo 120mm L1A (on backorder to replace one Yate Loon)
I got the Enermax Liberty months ago for the X2 system. It actually failed a while back, and I RMAd it. This was not enough to convince me to not use it (and who know if there weren't other factors in its demise?), so it's in the new system due its modular nature (modular PSUs = awesome). I actually purchased a 700W OCZ on Anandtech for an extremely low price, but it went in the X2 while the Enermax was RMAs, and I haven't any inclination to remove it.
The RAM was a simple choice of what is cheap that will handle the overclock I need. It fits well and is working great.
The board was a tough choice. I was on a budget and wanted a high-end, overclocking board. I finally convinced myself that I'd never be dumb enough to get SLI, so I forgot about all NV 680 boards. I decided I didn't need high-def audio since I'll eventually get an add-in card anyway, so the Gigabyte DS3 was out. The board I get is widely considered to be a reliable overclocker, and it was just over $100 from Newegg.
The case was actually a brand recognition thing for me. After some searching, I figured out what brand my X2's case is, because I love that case. I found another case from the same manufacturer, and I liked the looks and features. It's more than I usually spend on a case, but its working great. It's a pleasure to work with and a pleasure to look at. It's also very easy to get good airflow going.
The 6300 was pretty much a no-brainer as I was on a tight budget. I guess I could have lived with a 4300, though.
I initially was going to use the stock HSF, but because of mounting issues (due partially to operator error, and partially to Intel's poor mounting mechanism for LGA 775), I managed to get some pretty bad temperatures. I looked around, and determined the SI-128 would meet my needs. This thing is a ****ing monstrosity. It took me half an hour to install it and I had to take everything off the motherboard and the PSU out of the case. I've never bled as much in a computer. Due to my negligence, I failed to notice my Yate Loon has screws tubes that extend the entire height, which prevents the SI-128 fans clips from working well. I'll be replacing the Yate Loon with a Panaflo L1A once it gets off backorder at Jab-Tech. In any case, temps dropped by around 30C, so the trouble is worth it.
The 8800, Barracuda, as well as a TV tuner and 700W OCZ PSU all came in one deal at Anandtech for $610. All were NIB except for the five-year warranty HDD. This ended up being around $100 less than what retail price for the same or comparable items would have been. Great deal IMO.
Getting to the good stuff, I managed to get to 2.8GHz almost immediately, with loads under 50c. I'm Prime stable for 12 hours at 2.8GHz. I currently am testing 3GHz, but I needed to bump some voltages for that to work, so I can't declare it stable. I'm at about 30 minutes Prime stable.
Supreme Commander Demo, Company of Heroes, Medieval 2 Total War and Battlefield 2 currently all run maxed at 1600x1200 @ 75Hz on my 19'' NEC CRT with no problems. My Folding@Home points per day has increased by at least 300 due to this machine. I'm very pleased right now. :D
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