bgwinkel
06-19-2007, 11:00 PM
So I built a new computer for my family, and I wanted to do a quick review on the components.
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB.
I own 2 of these already, so grabbing one for $75 was a no brainer.
Pros: Performance is unbeatable, price is right. Get Perpendicular!
Cons: It runs a little bit hot and isn't as quiet (though it's barely noticible) as its WD cousins.
Processor: Intel C2D E6420. 2.13 Ghz, 4M cache
Intel is still the top dog as far as processors go, and for ~$180 bucks, this guy is a steal.
Pros: It's almost as fast as the E6600 out of the box and the CPU heatsink is actually cool to the touch when running basic office apps. This is the probably the best chip/buck out there right now. The higher FSB for the E6650 isn't really worth it and actually, hurts overclocking without a decently configurable board.
It easily overclocked to 2.4 GHz with a 1 degree celsius temp increase. It's like getting an E6600 at $50 off.
Cons: Uh...*shrugs*
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 rev. 3.3
This is quite possibly the best motherboard sub-150 that I've ever seen. I own the 1.1 revision for my personal computer, and it was a good enough experience that I bought this new one.
Pros: The 3.3 revision removes ALL of the quirks and complaints I had with the 1.1 board, and now even supports the future quad-cores and 1333 FSB. Bios is very well done and updated frequently. Built to last with solid state caps and a few other manufacturering improvements Includes JMicron ACHI RAID controller. No active cooling on the board (no whiny fans \o/)
Also, for anyone that would want to overclock, it comes with a program where you can set a target CPU overclock and it adjusts everything for you. For the more knowledgeable overclockers, all the options are there and (importantly) the BIOS has a "ZOMG FIX!!!" mode where if you render the computer too unstable to start up, it'll reset to a safe setup so your computer will correctly work without resetting CMOS.
Cons: Lacks Firewire, but that's usually standard on a board like this. (still some others have it.) CMOS Reset is behind the video card. Thanks to the backup BIOS it isn't so bad.
Biggest flaw? With this board, they screwed up at the factory and didn't get it out of diagnostic mode. The Motherboard is supposed to restart upon first power up to clear CMOS. It didn't. And I figured this out after installing the graphics card. (And it was also very frustrating diagnosing this)
Also, out of spec DDR2 will not work on this board out of the box (usually OCZ), in that case you would have to boot up using an in spec chip, raise the voltage, and then install your DDR2.
Position of the CD-in cable is terrible too, but meh.
Video Card: EVGA 8800 GTS 320MB
Pros: VERY quiet for a card of its size, even when it spins up. Also, cooler than the X1900 series to begin with (though that's not saying much, as the X1900 die is huge). Great capabilities for a sub-300 card. DX10. Nvidia (finally) has painless drivers in Vista. Performance for the price is astounding.
Cons: Long PCB, but that's to be expected.
Disc: LITE-ON DVD/CD/Lightscribe SATA burner.
Pros: Uses SATA! It's more than an inch shorter than IDE.
Cons: Slightly louder than my NEC drive.
RAM: Corsair XMS2 PC6400 2GB kit.
Pros: Good packaging, great price, overclocking ability amazing for the price.
Cons: None.
Case: Thermaltake Soprano w/430 Watt Thermaltake Power Supply included
Newegg had a deal on the white windowed version coming with the free power supply.
Pros: I thought I would hate the white, but it actually looks good. Installation was a breeze and mostly toolless. 2 120mm fans (front and back) and a 80mm on the side. Good airflow and ease of install were big plusses. It's a mostly steel case, but suprisingly light because of their use of aluminum on the external pieces. Even has someplace to stash unused cable without getting in the way of airflow.
Cons: While I say mostly toolless, there was some very annoying unscrewing that had to be done. It was like Thermaltake didn't actually put parts in their final design to see what would happen, so you had to unscrew 2 parts that you shouldn't have to to install the video card and the DVD drive. Luckily, you only have to do it for the top 5.25" bay. The expansion card holder they have doesn't like double-thick cards that "connect". (instead of two seperate metal backing pieces, they're one large one). In order to install/remove, you have to remove the whole thing via 4 screws. Very annoying. I took a dremel to it and fixed it.
The 8800 just barely makes it with ~1" of clearance. I wouldn't put anything bigger in there. The 80mm fan on the side is the noisiest part of the computer (which is a testament to the quiet computer). I think I'm going to feed it half the voltage to quiet it down. Also, the PSU runs hot.
All parts recommended - except the PSU. Unless its free (like this one), get a modular one. For the price, the Soprano is a good deal, but if you're willing to spend between $100-$150 on a better case, do it. For sub-$100 the Soprano is a great choice.
Coming soon: Pictures! and a Review of Home Server RC1 on a PIII :O (in a different thread >_>)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB.
I own 2 of these already, so grabbing one for $75 was a no brainer.
Pros: Performance is unbeatable, price is right. Get Perpendicular!
Cons: It runs a little bit hot and isn't as quiet (though it's barely noticible) as its WD cousins.
Processor: Intel C2D E6420. 2.13 Ghz, 4M cache
Intel is still the top dog as far as processors go, and for ~$180 bucks, this guy is a steal.
Pros: It's almost as fast as the E6600 out of the box and the CPU heatsink is actually cool to the touch when running basic office apps. This is the probably the best chip/buck out there right now. The higher FSB for the E6650 isn't really worth it and actually, hurts overclocking without a decently configurable board.
It easily overclocked to 2.4 GHz with a 1 degree celsius temp increase. It's like getting an E6600 at $50 off.
Cons: Uh...*shrugs*
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 rev. 3.3
This is quite possibly the best motherboard sub-150 that I've ever seen. I own the 1.1 revision for my personal computer, and it was a good enough experience that I bought this new one.
Pros: The 3.3 revision removes ALL of the quirks and complaints I had with the 1.1 board, and now even supports the future quad-cores and 1333 FSB. Bios is very well done and updated frequently. Built to last with solid state caps and a few other manufacturering improvements Includes JMicron ACHI RAID controller. No active cooling on the board (no whiny fans \o/)
Also, for anyone that would want to overclock, it comes with a program where you can set a target CPU overclock and it adjusts everything for you. For the more knowledgeable overclockers, all the options are there and (importantly) the BIOS has a "ZOMG FIX!!!" mode where if you render the computer too unstable to start up, it'll reset to a safe setup so your computer will correctly work without resetting CMOS.
Cons: Lacks Firewire, but that's usually standard on a board like this. (still some others have it.) CMOS Reset is behind the video card. Thanks to the backup BIOS it isn't so bad.
Biggest flaw? With this board, they screwed up at the factory and didn't get it out of diagnostic mode. The Motherboard is supposed to restart upon first power up to clear CMOS. It didn't. And I figured this out after installing the graphics card. (And it was also very frustrating diagnosing this)
Also, out of spec DDR2 will not work on this board out of the box (usually OCZ), in that case you would have to boot up using an in spec chip, raise the voltage, and then install your DDR2.
Position of the CD-in cable is terrible too, but meh.
Video Card: EVGA 8800 GTS 320MB
Pros: VERY quiet for a card of its size, even when it spins up. Also, cooler than the X1900 series to begin with (though that's not saying much, as the X1900 die is huge). Great capabilities for a sub-300 card. DX10. Nvidia (finally) has painless drivers in Vista. Performance for the price is astounding.
Cons: Long PCB, but that's to be expected.
Disc: LITE-ON DVD/CD/Lightscribe SATA burner.
Pros: Uses SATA! It's more than an inch shorter than IDE.
Cons: Slightly louder than my NEC drive.
RAM: Corsair XMS2 PC6400 2GB kit.
Pros: Good packaging, great price, overclocking ability amazing for the price.
Cons: None.
Case: Thermaltake Soprano w/430 Watt Thermaltake Power Supply included
Newegg had a deal on the white windowed version coming with the free power supply.
Pros: I thought I would hate the white, but it actually looks good. Installation was a breeze and mostly toolless. 2 120mm fans (front and back) and a 80mm on the side. Good airflow and ease of install were big plusses. It's a mostly steel case, but suprisingly light because of their use of aluminum on the external pieces. Even has someplace to stash unused cable without getting in the way of airflow.
Cons: While I say mostly toolless, there was some very annoying unscrewing that had to be done. It was like Thermaltake didn't actually put parts in their final design to see what would happen, so you had to unscrew 2 parts that you shouldn't have to to install the video card and the DVD drive. Luckily, you only have to do it for the top 5.25" bay. The expansion card holder they have doesn't like double-thick cards that "connect". (instead of two seperate metal backing pieces, they're one large one). In order to install/remove, you have to remove the whole thing via 4 screws. Very annoying. I took a dremel to it and fixed it.
The 8800 just barely makes it with ~1" of clearance. I wouldn't put anything bigger in there. The 80mm fan on the side is the noisiest part of the computer (which is a testament to the quiet computer). I think I'm going to feed it half the voltage to quiet it down. Also, the PSU runs hot.
All parts recommended - except the PSU. Unless its free (like this one), get a modular one. For the price, the Soprano is a good deal, but if you're willing to spend between $100-$150 on a better case, do it. For sub-$100 the Soprano is a great choice.
Coming soon: Pictures! and a Review of Home Server RC1 on a PIII :O (in a different thread >_>)