A little advice and checkover needed for a computer build

[G.T]

Yeah sounds cool. I will probably only upgrade when I get something 1920x1080 capable anyway since it would be kind of overkill right now. Crysis seems to be the only thing I can noticably see less frames on. The only PC game I seem to be playing right now too!

I noticed the 5850 only seems to be reaching 68-70C during Crysis too, which is pretty good. 👍

 

[Danoff]

Can I tack on a build to this thread and get some comments? It seems like the previous build is wrapping up. Here's what I have:

Antech MicroATX Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129041
Zalmann Power Supply -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=power_supply_zalmann-_-17-379-008-_-Product
Asus MicroATX MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=micro_atx_motherboard-_-13-131-602-_-Product
Intel Quad Core CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207
Zalmann CPU Fan - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=Zalman_cpu_cooler_775-_-35-118-046-_-Product
WD 640 gig HDD -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136298
2xDDR3 Ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0148149&cm_re=DDR3_Ram-_-20-148-149-_-Product

If anyone has a nice way of making sure that the fan will work with the spacing on the MB and case, that would be helpful. Another hiccup is that I'm seriously considering running Win2k on this machine. Anyone know if that's possible?

Thanks guys.

 

[Gabkicks]

Only way I know of is to look at measurements and compare parts to make sure nothing is too long or tall. You can also check online and look for people w/ similar builds on overclocking websites or youtube. .
My xigmatek dark knight costed less than that zalman. I dont know for sure if the Xiggy is better, but i am happy with it. keeps my i7 920 cool @ 3.8ghz.

Dirt 2 is gonna be released soon . came free w/ sapphire 5xxx series.

 

[GT3mich]

Can I tack on a build to this thread and get some comments? It seems like the previous build is wrapping up. Here's what I have:

Antech MicroATX Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129041
Zalmann Power Supply -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=power_supply_zalmann-_-17-379-008-_-Product
Asus MicroATX MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=micro_atx_motherboard-_-13-131-602-_-Product
Intel Quad Core CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207
Zalmann CPU Fan - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=Zalman_cpu_cooler_775-_-35-118-046-_-Product
WD 640 gig HDD -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136298
2xDDR3 Ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0148149&cm_re=DDR3_Ram-_-20-148-149-_-Product

If anyone has a nice way of making sure that the fan will work with the spacing on the MB and case, that would be helpful. Another hiccup is that I'm seriously considering running Win2k on this machine. Anyone know if that's possible?

Thanks guys.

What are you planning on doing with the new computer? Why Win2k?
As for the Zalman CPU cooler, it will work fine but there are better coolers that are cheaper.
Like this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
As for the case I would look at this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
I've built 3 computers with this case and it very nice. Lots of room to hide extra psu cables

 

[Gabkicks]

yeah, i got the dark knight instead of the regular xiggy cus it comes w/ backplate... it also is black and has leds on the fan

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

The Dark Knight should work in the p180 case. Plus I think with 775 CPUs you can orient it either up or to the back, which should be handy if there is a conflict with the motherboard.

 

[Danoff]

What are you planning on doing with the new computer? Why Win2k?

I'm planning on giving it to my wife so that she can use it for work. Not particularly heavy usage, and perhaps overkill, but she could use a step up. I'm planning on using Win2k because it's a perfectly good OS that I have a copy of - I'm out of WinXP copies and never bought vista or 7. I haven't researched how much ram or how many processors Win2K can support.

As for the Zalman CPU cooler, it will work fine but there are better coolers that are cheaper.
Like this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Specs are louder.

As for the case I would look at this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
I've built 3 computers with this case and it very nice. Lots of room to hide extra psu cables

Kinda wanted to go with a microATX case.

 

[GT3mich]

Specs are louder.

Zalman = Noise Level 19.5dBA - 38.0dBA ± 10%

XIGMATEK = Noise Level 20 - 32 dBA

Not even close.
I'm sitting 2 feet away from my case. Can even see the HSF and all I hear are the front case fans and the 2 video card fans. I would buy the Xigmatek every time.

The cases are almost the same size.
300 Dimensions(L x W x H) 18.30" x 8.10" x 18.00"

P180 Dimensions(L x W x H) 17.20" x 8.30" x 17.10"
and weighs 5 lbs more.

Good luck!

 

[Danoff]

Thanks for the info GT3, I'll look at it more carefully.

I haven't researched how much ram or how many processors Win2K can support.

Looks like 2000 supports 2 cores and up to 4 GB ram. So I'm gonna have to downgrade the CPU. There's a chance I can co-opt my XP license from my laptop and use it for this build - and then put ubuntu or win2k on the laptop. We'll see.

 

[Omnis]

Why Win2K? Ugh!

Do you have a .edu email address handy? I can hook you up with a link for a $30 product key for Win7 Pro.

 

[Danoff]

Why Win2K? Ugh!

Do you have a .edu email address handy? I can hook you up with a link for a $30 product key for Win7 Pro.

Yea, I did this. But I couldn't get a full product key for Win7 - only an upgrade. So I think one of my XP licenses gets gobbled up. I'm working on getting an XP upgrade on the cheap so that I can use my Win2K license.

 

[Omnis]

Yea, I did this. But I couldn't get a full product key for Win7 - only an upgrade. So I think one of my XP licenses gets gobbled up. I'm working on getting an XP upgrade on the cheap so that I can use my Win2K license.

That's weird. I did a full install of Win7 Pro. I think the product key is separate from the installation. It's just there to provide validation. Perhaps that website only links to upgrade software instead of the real deal.