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I might actually have the money this time!!!

Franklinwallbrown

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Okay guys, here's the skinny. My sister wants a new computer, right? Well, I told her that I could give her my old one for cheap because I was wanting to build a new one. So, I figure I have $200 (how much I have left on my credit card)+ whatever she gives me, which will be however much else it is for the rest of the components I need. What I need you guys' help on is your opinions.

I'm having a real hard time with the MB, becuase the BioStar Tpower is the WR holder of the fastest FSB, but the ASUS P5Q Pro is cheaper. I've heard that Express Gate and the EPU on the ASUS are giving people problems & I've also heard that the BioStar doesn't do as well on air.

Of course, I want to get the E8400, so...

The RAM is a bit ifier. I was planning on the OCZ FLEX XLCs, but they are out of stock until the beginning of next month. So, I figured that the OCZ Reapers would be just as good. What do you guys think?

She doesn't need much of a video card, so, I was going to give her my old friends 5200 and use the 3850 until I can get my college loan and get 2x4870s or 2x4870X2s (for the 24" westinghouse that will be showing off Crysis and HD movies).

I also need your opinion on a PSU. I was thinking a SeaSonic 650w, but I was thinking that a modular PSU would be nicer. What do you guys think. I'm going to be doing some serious research will I talk to you guys about it...
 
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All sounds gr8 , especially e8400. What`s wrong with express gate
 
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I would say go with the asus,the biostar is a good board,but the asus is the better choice imho.The cpu and ram choices seem fine.
 

Franklinwallbrown

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All sounds gr8 , especially e8400. What`s wrong with express gate

I just heard (on newegg reviews) that people where having problems with it.

Depending where you are

newegg has a Corsair TX750W for $89.99 after mail in rebate plus free shipping with promo code :toast:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=68964

Okay, I read about it. It looks good.

I would say go with the asus,the biostar is a good board,but the asus is the better choice imho.The cpu and ram choices seem fine.

Thanks Tig. Anyone else have any input?

No one has anything to say about the RAM?
 
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I'd suggest the Asus board, and consider a Xeon E3110 CPU!

What will you be doing for storage?

The reaper should do well for you.

For a PSU I highly recommend an Enermax MODU82 625w. Very efficient, quiet, and powerful.
 

Franklinwallbrown

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Thats 2 for the ASUS.

You think that Xeon will OC $20 better?

2x36.7GB Raptors in RAID0

YAY!

Enermax, got it. I'll check it. How many watts do you guys think I'll need with the OC and crossfire and such?
 
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ShadowFold

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ASUS P5Q Pro FOR SURE
 

Franklinwallbrown

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You guys think I need 1200 RAM? I read on Tom's that they don't notice much difference in the mainstream models (800 and 1066) to grant the prices for the others.

That Enermax sounds awesome & those prices make it a winner in my book. Anyone else like the Enermax?
 

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I vote for Asus too. Express Gate is great! use it every day, only thing I wish it had (which I'm gonna request) is a PDF viewer.
And as for the EPU, I have never used it, havent installed half the software this mobo comes with as i have no use for it. EPU is a software controlled energy management thing, so if you dont install the software, it cant give you ny issues.
 

Franklinwallbrown

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Well, 3 for an ASUS. Yet, no one has commented on the E3110 vs E8400. Is the Xeon worth the extra $20?
 

ShadowFold

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Get a E8500 its only like 5$ more
 
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Honestly, on the memory ... I wouldn't bother with 1200. My opinion on it is subjective and not substantiated by any of my own personal serious testing ... nonetheless I'd have to agree with what you read at THG.
 
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I think you could save yourself some more money by going with an e7200 or e7300. Not sure if you really need the extra cache or not.
 

Franklinwallbrown

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Actually the e3110 & e8500 are the same price. I would assume that a Xeon would OC better, but would it be worth $20 more?

What RAM would you guys go with?

What do the E7200 and E7300 OC to?
 
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The main reason I like the E3110 is it'll run good overclocks on lower volts. You do need to be careful with the voltage with the Xeon, but I chose it for my own system, which is a P5QL-E with the E3110 at 4.1GHz. I clocked it up to 4.7 (and do have a screenshot from CPU-Z if you'd like to see), but clock it down for safety and because I don't need that speed anyway! THe E8500 is a good suggestion from Shadow. :)

Edit to add: I'm using a Zalman 9500 CPU cooler.
 
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Actually the e3110 & e8500 are the same price. I would assume that a Xeon would OC better, but would it be worth $20 more?

What RAM would you guys go with?

What do the E7200 and E7300 OC to?

I've had my E7200 M0 stepping at 4ghz 1.36v's stable so far. It clocks way better than my E8400 did, however it's all up to the chip itself.
 

Franklinwallbrown

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& I would assume that it would do well on the p5q pro.
 

ShadowFold

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My e7200 does 4ghz 1.4v with my P5Q Pro
 

Franklinwallbrown

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The E7200 sounds like a winner. Now what about the RAM?

Anyone heard of A-power.com?
 

ShadowFold

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Franklinwallbrown

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NVM on the apower. THey only ship to canada.

So, now I don't think that that enermax is worth $70 more.
 

Franklinwallbrown

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