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

[GARoss]

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.

 

[Kipper]

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.

 

[Commodore Pet]

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?

 

[GARoss]

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

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[GARoss]

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.

 

[Mike Connor]

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;

http://vietnam.test.giga-byte.com/F...motherboard_newtech/article_01_silentpipe.htm

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[GARoss]

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, http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/149106-pc-refresh-possible.html, 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.

 

[GARoss]

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!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[GARoss]

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.

My take is they are basically the same; inside at least. Sonata Elite is described as "Two layer, steel with polycarbonate, side and top panels to deaden noise" & Antec Solo as "Dual-layer steel & plastic sound-deadening panels". They are both in the same family of cases listed here http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTk= with SOLO listed 1st & Sonata Elite mid-way down the list. Neither comes with an PSU.

 

[GeneO]

Here is the case I have, Fractal Design R3. I really like it. You used to only be able to get them trough a Canadian company. It is a very nice, soundproofed case with plenty of options for 120mm and 140mm fans (side, 2 top, 2 bottom, two front, 1 rear (with a front and r provided and soundproof covers on the others.

There is plenty of support for cable routing including behind the motherboard.

Newegg.com - Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case

Here is the manufacturers site.

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=48

 

[ignatzatsonic]

My take is they are basically the same; inside at least. Sonata Elite is described as "Two layer, steel with polycarbonate, side and top panels to deaden noise" & Antec Solo as "Dual-layer steel & plastic sound-deadening panels". They are both in the same family of cases listed here http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTk= with SOLO listed 1st & Sonata Elite mid-way down the list. Neither comes with an PSU.

They are quite similar. I think the only significant difference is that the Solo gives you the option of mounting the hard drives in a "bungee cord" arrangement that keeps the drive vibrations from being transferred to the case. I don't think the Sonata has that feature.

The drive cages in the Sonata are sideways and can impede air flow.

I think the Antec P150 is a Solo with a different paint scheme.

The Fractal cases are well thought of from a silence perspective also.

You would most likely be happy with any of these choices.

Here is a Sonata review:

Antec Sonata Elite ATX Mid-Tower Case | silentpcreview.com


Here is a thread on how to make the Sonata better than the Solo:

SPCR • View topic - How to make the Antec Sonata better than the Solo! [Guide!]

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The power supply you have chosen, the Antec True Power TP-650, is on sale for 69.99 at New Egg. Regular price 129.99.

Free shipping.

Newegg.com - Newegg All-Stars Series: MEMORY! Seriously -- 8GB of DDR3 RAM for $75 and much more

Promo code EMCKFKJ27

Some G Skill RAM is also on sale in the same ad.

And a Fractal R3 case.

It's unclear how long the sale prices are valid.

 

[GeneO]

One thing about that TP new 650 power supply - I have it - is that even though it is modular, there are a lot of non-modular cables coming out of it and the cable shrouds are very stiff and hard to manage, especially the SATA data and power cables. You can't use the successive connectors on the cable to got to neighboring drives (or even every other drive without forcing it) because the length between the connectors on the cable is too long and the cable is too stiff. While this power supply performs great, I wouldn't recommend it because of the cable management.

 

[GARoss]

They are quite similar. I think the only significant difference is that the Solo gives you the option of mounting the hard drives in a "bungee cord" arrangement that keeps the drive vibrations from being transferred to the case. I don't think the Sonata has that feature.

After reading the reviews the Solo seems to be the better of the 2 cases.

 

[GARoss]

OK, almost ready! I've attached my order in from New Egg but have pushed the button yet. I'd like to get some final thoughts. As ignatzatsonic pointed out, there's some good deals going on until 4/7/2011. I could sub a 650w PSU & save $20. Also, Corsair RAM is on sale & would save $25. Both are listed @ Gigabyte's site for tested RAM http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-p67a-ud3-b3.pdf , at least G.Skills is but a lesser Gb version of Corsair's is listed which I would assume is the same.

Also, Commodore Pet made a suggestion to channel savings into an SSD drive. This would go good with silent PC goal in mind. The question is can I do this with an Win 7 upgrade disc as I have posted these concerns before http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/149106-pc-refresh-possible.html . I think the answer is yes because HDDs & other hardware do go bad & there is a need to transfer product keys. My current C: is 75Gb so I wouldn't need a large one; 80-120Gb. SSDs of that size range $100-200.

I'll order on 4/4 or 4/5 so please post your final thoughts. Thanks.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Looks pretty good.

I'd definitely downgrade to the $70 TP-650 power supply. Even that will be overkill, but it's a great price.

The toolkit is an OK idea, but all you really need is a small Phillips head screwdriver.

I'd order a set of thumbscrews for the case if the Solo doesn't already employ them. Makes it much quicker and easier to get inside the case.

You might order some Arctic Silver 5. The CPU will include one batch of thermal paste, but you would need more if you ever had to remount or change the heatsink.

It appears you are going with the stock Intel heatsink to start with. That's fine as long as you understand you may not like its noise profile and you will have to upgrade if you do more than mild overclocking.

The wrist strap is a good idea. As I understand it, static discharges have a cumulative negative effect, even if they are so small as to not be felt.

Go to Gigabyte and get all the downloads.

You won't have any issues with an SSD if you choose to go that route.

 

[GeneO]

Looks good. Just tell me what you think of the TP once you get it LOL

 

[GARoss]

Looks good. Just tell me what you think of the TP once you get it LOL

Both 750 & 650 are that way? What PSU would you recommend?

BTW - Love your nature photos. We have a Red Tail Hawk near us but I haven't been quick enough to get good photos of him. Awesome bird!