New Build ( Finally )

railfrog · January 7th, 2009, 06:48 PM

New build as follows

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L iP45 Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard - Ebuyer

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Socket 775 (3.0GHz) 1333FSB 6MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed Processor - Ebuyer

Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro Socket 775 Processor Cooler - Ebuyer

Corsair 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5 Lifetime Warranty - Ebuyer

Sapphire HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 Dual DVI Dual slot cooler HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card - Ebuyer

Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM - Ebuyer

Add on to this a DVD RW drive, case, keyboard and mouse.

Have gone with a single PCIe MOBO, as i think this will be enough for my needs and i ( hopefully ) will be able to buy a HD4870 or HD4870x2 in maybe a years time to upgrade.

I will have a little dabble at overclocking but wont go mad.

The only piece missing from above is the PSU.
Was looking at the TX650 Welcome to Corsair :: TX Power Supply Product Information but feel that it might be a bit of overkill.

Will i be able to get away with one of these Welcome to Corsair :: VX Power Supply Product Information.
I read a review on the VX450 and it says when it gets close to 300W the fan noise starts to climb sharply.
Would i be using that sort of power with the components listed above, bearing in mind that i might upgrade the GFX card later on, or would i be better off with the VX550.

KarmaKiller · January 7th, 2009, 07:15 PM

If noise is gonna bother you, then go for the 550. It shouldn't be as loud.
But I think there are better bangs for the buck out there.
Antec Basiq Power 500W PSU - 20+4pin 2x SATA 1x PCI-E 5x Molex - Ebuyer
or you could even get away with this:
Antec EarthWatts 430W 80%+ Efficiency PSU - 80mm Fan 4x SATA PCI-E - Ebuyer

As far as the other hardware, looks pretty solid.

railfrog · January 7th, 2009, 08:01 PM

Thanks KK

Would that 430W be enough, even if i upgrade the GFX to a 4870?

KarmaKiller · January 7th, 2009, 09:53 PM

4870 probably not.
I would think you would want a quality 550w on up.

pullmyfoot · January 7th, 2009, 10:24 PM

Just FYI, an E7300 paired with a HD4830 uses about 300W of power. Your is basically a similar configuration, just with slightly higher powered components.

EXreaction · January 7th, 2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarmaKiller

4870 probably not.
I would think you would want a quality 550w on up.

The power usage between a 4850 and 4870 is not very much, 30W with full load.
ATI's 4800 Series: HD 4850, 4870 reviewed: Page 7

A 550w Corsair would be great.

KarmaKiller · January 7th, 2009, 11:02 PM

edited: I should be in bed. I need to quit posting. lol

railfrog · January 8th, 2009, 02:44 AM

Thanks for all the answers guys.

How much more wattage does the HD4870x2 have over the 4870? Would i still be ok with the VX550?

How do i find out the total wattage the above system will need?

pullmyfoot · January 8th, 2009, 10:56 AM

Maybe a hundred watts? To be safe you could pick up a 600W PSU. That should handle about almost anything short of multiple cards.

EXreaction · January 8th, 2009, 04:25 PM

Well, a single 4870 uses 233w at full load, so if you have two (4870 X2) that should be 466w at full load for just the graphics cards.