Best Core 2 Series Desktops-Results and Specs

[farside]

Originally Posted by keithl

Hello,

I am going to be putting together a new machine for PT 8.0 and had two questions

Is this 4gb memory ok to use with ASUS P5K PRO LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard and Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 GHZ Processor?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145214

I ask because there are two versions, this being way more expensive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145197

and the only difference is the more expensive ram has timing of Timing: 5-5-5-15, instead of 5-5-5-15-2T

Not sure if that would be a bad thing...

and also, reading up on the ASUS P5K PRO LGA 775, it seems like it's an older board and people had a heck of a time updating/flashing bios and all the cds supplied were older. Is there a newer version out or will I be ok with this?

Thanks!
Keith

I have the same question, and I'm looking at the same RAM. It looks like the more expensive one comes with a fan, maybe someone else can shed some insight. I also dont really understand what the 5-5-5-15-2T timing is. Is that really different than 5-5-5-15?

[mano111]

Originally Posted by farside

I'm about to build my first quad machine.

Going with the Asus P5K Deluxe WIFI and Q6600

My question is about power supplies and video cards. I'm leaning towards
the Antec Sonata III 500 case, with a built in 500w power supply. Is anyone using this case, or have any advice on using (or not using) built in power supplies?

Also if someone can recommend a quiet and cheap video card. I'm not using this for anything other than recording.

Sonata is a good case. the PSU is Antec Earth watts and is fairly quiet and around 80% efficiency, defiantly enough for the system you described.
I like Sonata Designer/Solo better, but its a matter of personal preference. I don't like doors .

With regard to the RAM, they seem like the same only with the noisy fan unit... but don't take my word for it. I'd go with the cheaper model.

[keithl]

Alrighty....I read through EVERY page of this thread....and took notes.
Here is my "shopping" list for my new PC that will house Pro Tools 8.0
Could some of the gentle kind souls that happen to be masters in helping people build their machines take a look and see if anything sticks out like a bad thumb?

The only things I really was not sure of were
1) graphic card (I know I need a PCI 256mb, and did not want to spend a lot) ...anything out there that does the job for less?
2) is there a need for a firewire card (mobo's work with 002's?)
3) any parts I missed? (!)

Thanks again guys!

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Quad-Core-Processor-1333MHz-LGA775/dp/B0012WDMNC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1231120308&sr=8-2

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145214

ASUS Wifi Deluxe
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-P5K-Deluxe-2xPCI-Ex16-Motherboard/dp/B000QEBWQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231120143&sr =8-1

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118003

Diamond X1650AGP256TSB ATI Radeon Viper X1650 Pro 256MB AGP GDDR2 Dual
DVI Video Card
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-X1650AGP256TSB-Radeon-Viper-X1650/dp/B001M0MNVG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231122382&sr =1-8

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Western Digital WD 3200AAKS Caviar SE16 320GB SATA II 7200 Rpm 16MB Cache SATA Hard Drive
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-3200AAKS-Caviar-320GB/dp/B000RT3GHI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231126313&sr =8-3

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131

Firewire card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815255014

[mano111]

Originally Posted by keithl

Alrighty....I read through EVERY page of this thread....and took notes.
Here is my "shopping" list for my new PC that will house Pro Tools 8.0
Could some of the gentle kind souls that happen to be masters in helping people build their machines take a look and see if anything sticks out like a bad thumb?

The only things I really was not sure of were
1) graphic card (I know I need a PCI 256mb, and did not want to spend a lot) ...anything out there that does the job for less?
2) is there a need for a firewire card (mobo's work with 002's?)
3) any parts I missed? (!)

Thanks again guys!

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Quad-Core-Processor-1333MHz-LGA775/dp/B0012WDMNC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1231120308&sr=8-2

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145214

ASUS Wifi Deluxe
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-P5K-Deluxe-2xPCI-Ex16-Motherboard/dp/B000QEBWQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231120143&sr =8-1

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118003

Diamond X1650AGP256TSB ATI Radeon Viper X1650 Pro 256MB AGP GDDR2 Dual
DVI Video Card
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-X1650AGP256TSB-Radeon-Viper-X1650/dp/B001M0MNVG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231122382&sr =1-8

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Western Digital WD 3200AAKS Caviar SE16 320GB SATA II 7200 Rpm 16MB Cache SATA Hard Drive
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-3200AAKS-Caviar-320GB/dp/B000RT3GHI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231126313&sr =8-3

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131

Firewire card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815255014

1. The graphics card is AGP!! and will not fit your motherboard. You need PCIE . Try a more current model like the ATI 4350 and up.
2. The Zalman 9500 cooller is not as good as it seem from my experiance. I woul go for AC freezer 7 pro as a low priced yet efficient and quiet cooler.
3. Some of the newer HDs are 32MB cache, though its not a deal breaker.

all the rest seems fine. good luck

[keithl]

Originally Posted by mano111

1. The graphics card is AGP!! and will not fit your motherboard. You need PCIE . Try a more current model like the ATI 4350 and up.
2. The Zalman 9500 cooller is not as good as it seem from my experiance. I woul go for AC freezer 7 pro as a low priced yet efficient and quiet cooler.
3. Some of the newer HDs are 32MB cache, though its not a deal breaker.

Thank you for your input. I have selected these two for the graphics card and hard drive. Any better? (and for the graphics card, if there is something better/cheaper, can you supply a link...not sure if I am getting a good brand)

Again, I really appreciate it!

Nvidia Geforce 7300GS, Low Profile Support / 256MB DDR2 / Pci-express /support D
http://www.amazon.com/Geforce-Profil...1158589&sr=1-3

Western Digital RE3 WD7502ABYS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136316

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

[mano111]

try this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121287

[keithl]

Perfect!
Thanks so much, Mano111 and everyone else..Looks like I am ready to roll!! I'll keep y'all posted!

Forgot to ask, do users find they need a separate firewire card with their ASUS Wifi Deluxe boards?

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by keithl

Perfect!
Thanks so much, Mano111 and everyone else..Looks like I am ready to roll!! I'll keep y'all posted!

Forgot to ask, do users find they need a separate firewire card with their ASUS Wifi Deluxe boards?

i actually use the onboard AGERE F/W with no problems with PTLE. but others have gone with the an approved card. i actually have both and use both. i use the card for one of my backup external hdd's. can't go wrong either way. good luck with your build. i hope AMAZON can put their hands on the mobo as advertised. the 2 -4 week delivery would have me lookin' for a backup....just in case...since the mobo is fairly dated at this point. happy toolin'!! quad power...you're gonna luv it!!!

[keithl]

Wow Mykhal...never even saw the 2-4 week delay!

So....

will this MOBO work for my other components, or will it throw a wrench it things! LOL

ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-13131296

Sorry to be a pain!

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by keithl

Wow Mykhal...never even saw the 2-4 week delay!

So....

will this MOBO work for my other components, or will it throw a wrench it things! LOL

ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-13131296

Sorry to be a pain!

no worries man. i actually like this mobo specs even better!! FSB is native 1333 with OC of 1600. the Q9550 has a FSB of 1333 plus it has the 12mb cache. so what you'll end up with is a screamin' rig!!!!! with this mobo you'll be usin' the more current configs too. P45 chipset on the NB and ICH10R on the SB. you should look at DDR2 1200 ram tho to match the specs on the new mobo.

do a search in this thread to see if any builds with this mobo have been posted. if so, then FULL SPEED AHEAD!!! from the specs i really like where your build is headed!!! i luv my P5K Deluxe but it wouldn't necessarily be my choice 'today'!!!

EDIT: this was a build from page 1 usin' a different version of the mobo you listed. not exact but close. and the P45 chipset shows that it's compatible. here ya go....Paulreed - 334 D-verbs on a Q9650, Asus P5Q Deluxe P45, 4 gigs 1066 corsair dominator RAM, Scythe Ninja2 cooler, two Asus EAH 3450 ATI fanless video cards for 3 monitors, Istar 400 series Quiet case, Three W.D. 3200KSRTL sata drives, sony DRU-865S lightscribe sata DVD drive, 2 noctua NF-R8 80mm fans in the back and one noctua NF-S12 120 mm pulling from the ninja heatsink. Pro Tools 7.4 C.S.8, Waves Platnium, Auto Tune 5 and Evo, Reason 4, Sony's Acid 6.