Just looking before I leap...new PC final thoughts.

I've ordered the monitor (NEC EA232WMi) which is scheduled to arrive today & think I have selected a good case, MB, RAM, power supply & CPU. I thought I'd ask those with more experience for their commits as I've never built a PC before.

· Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
· Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3
· Corsair 8Gb (2x4Gb) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 Cas Latency:8
· Antec Sonata Elite Black Case
· Antec TruePower Supply TP-650 650W
The HDDs & Graphic card are carried over from the old PC. I don't know if I need overclock hardware but at least I could if I wanted to. As for RAM, I'm not sure what Cas Latency:8 means. I did want only 2 for now so I could expand to 16GB later if needed. Antec Sonata Elite case is said to be quieter than most cases.

Please post your thoughts; especially dos & don'ts.

Hi GARoss

Here is one of the best discriptions for Cas latency:

Column Address Strobe (CAS) latency, or CL, is the delay time between the moment a memory controller tells the memory module to access a particular memory column on a RAM memory module, and the moment the data from given array location is available on the module's output pins. In general, the lower the CAS latency, the better.

As for the RAM you might just take a look at the G-Skill RipJawsX RAM; these sticks were developed primarily for the Sandy Bridge.

Kipper said:

Hi GARoss

Here is one of the best discriptions for Cas latency:

Column Address Strobe (CAS) latency, or CL, is the delay time between the moment a memory controller tells the memory module to access a particular memory column on a RAM memory module, and the moment the data from given array location is available on the module's output pins. In general, the lower the CAS latency, the better.

As for the RAM you might just take a look at the G-Skill RipJawsX RAM; these sticks were developed primarily for the Sandy Bridge.

Thanks Kipper,

Corsair is described as "Only qualified 1.5V XMP RAM on Intel Core i3/i5/i7", whatever that means. G-Skill RipJawsX RAM says "Designed for Intel P67 motherboard". G-Skill it is.

Updated:

· Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
· Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3
· G-Skill RipJawsX 8Gb (2x4Gb) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 Cas Latency:8
· Antec Sonata Elite Black Case
· Antec TruePower Supply TP-650 650W

I recently built an i-2500 with the H67A Gigabyte board that is a first cousin to yours.

The Gigabyte BIOS will probably ask you if you want to use AHCI controllers early in the installation. Opinions are mixed on it, but most say to choose AHCI. I did and have no issues.

I'd advise you to avoid all the Gigabyte software on the supplied disc. It's mostly for overclocking and said to be buggy.

Get all of the latest drivers from Gigabyte website direct. They are likely newer than on any disc you will get with the board.

Install the Intel Chipset INF file immediately after Windows and before any other drivers.

Your setup will be pretty easy on power, depending on your graphics card. I use only 80 watts at idle and 165 at full load. I don't use a graphics card at all.

Not sure what the standard fan setup is on the Sonata case. You might end up replacing some fans? Did you reject the Antec Solo for any particular reason? It's the quietest Antec case out there.

You may or may not be satisfied with the standard Intel cooler. It's fine for stock clocks or mild overclocking. It has a particular high pitched noise that might bother you. I just ordered a Scythe Big Shuriken heatsink to replace it and will swap when I get my replacement motherboard (due to the chipset recall issue) in a week or two. The Shuriken has a big slow fan that is effectively inaudible.

You probably won't notice the speed advantage of the new system under most circumstances if your prior PC is only a few years old.

Unless you have an unusual situation, you may not use more than 4 GB of RAM. I considered 8, but chose 4 and don't regret it.

ignatzatsonic said:

I recently built an i-2500 with the H67A Gigabyte board that is a first cousin to yours.

The Gigabyte BIOS will probably ask you if you want to use AHCI controllers early in the installation. Opinions are mixed on it, but most say to choose AHCI. I did and have no issues.

I'd advise you to avoid all the Gigabyte software on the supplied disc. It's mostly for overclocking and said to be buggy.

Get all of the latest drivers from Gigabyte website direct. They are likely newer than on any disc you will get with the board.

Install the Intel Chipset INF file immediately after Windows and before any other drivers.

Your setup will be pretty easy on power, depending on your graphics card. I use only 80 watts at idle and 165 at full load. I don't use a graphics card at all.

Not sure what the standard fan setup is on the Sonata case. You might end up replacing some fans? Did you reject the Antec Solo for any particular reason? It's the quietest Antec case out there.

You may or may not be satisfied with the standard Intel cooler. It's fine for stock clocks or mild overclocking. It has a particular high pitched noise that might bother you. I just ordered a Scythe Big Shuriken heatsink to replace it and will swap when I get my replacement motherboard (due to the chipset recall issue) in a week or two. The Shuriken has a big slow fan that is effectively inaudible.

You probably won't notice the speed advantage of the new system under most circumstances if your prior PC is only a few years old.

Unless you have an unusual situation, you may not use more than 4 GB of RAM. I considered 8, but chose 4 and don't regret it.

My system specs are similar to your old PC.

CPU 2.4 Ghz Intel Core2
Motherboard Intel DG965RY
Memory 4Gb

I could go with the Intel i5-2500 instaed of the "K" & save $20.

I though 8Gb of RAM @ $100-130 wasn't bad & I do video editing which could us it.

I have an ATI-GIGABYTE GV-R567OC-1GI graphic card.

I do want quiet & Antec specs both as quiet http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTk= with Solo as better. I'll check out the Solo & Scythe Big Shuriken. I like quiet PCs.

Commodore Pet said:

Looks like you have a pretty good system in the works! The only issue would be the old hard drive. It will be the weakest link.

A SSD would work great with a system like this, but of course it will cost you. Depending on what you do with your machine 8 GB is a bit extreme, perhaps cut it down to 4 GB and use the money towards a SSD?

Hey! I owned an Amiga computer!

I asked lots of questions, PC refresh possible?, about transfering Win 7 to a new MB, etc. If this could be done without needing the old C: I'll take a look but SSDs are lots of $$$ for the GB.

Mike Connor said:

ignatzatsonic said:

I'd advise you to avoid all the Gigabyte software on the supplied disc. It's mostly for overclocking and said to be buggy.

Agreed most emphatically! That stuff will cause you problems. Don't even try it!

If you do a lot of video etc. go for the 8GB.

The "silent pipe" is pretty good;

--- GIGABYTE --- Silent-Pipe II web ---

Regards....Mike Connor

OK. No need to OC anyway!

GARoss said:

OK. No need to OC anyway!

If you get a K CPU and a K board, you can still overclock your brains out---you just would do it directly through the BIOS rather than through the Gigabyte software.

New Egg price on the Solo is 110 shipped. The Sonata is 105 shipped. I'd go Solo no question unless there is a particular feature on the Sonata you just have to have.

I assume the Sonata is sold without a PSU. I know the Solo has no PSU.