Please check the components for my new box

InToGraphics · #1 03-08-2008, 23:35

Because my AGP graphics card went belly up on 21-07-2008 (after only one year) I decided it was time to step into the PCI-e world.
The 2 Raptors and 2 of the Hitachi's are already sold.
(See my current system specs.)
The plan is to eventually recycle the remaining parts (and OS'es) of my old box in a rack mount enclosure to create a small local render farm. And to expand the farm with some cheap/secondhand boards and Core 2 Quads over time. (After mainstream Nehalems are in the market.)

Please check the specs below and tell me if you see any stuff that will hinder overclocking.

Of my current box I will re-use only the :
Cooler Master case, FDD, 2x Hitachi 160GB harddisks, and DVD-writers in my new box.

The following parts will be added to this :
1x Corsair HX1000W (CMPSU-1000HXEU)
1x DFI Lanparty UT X48-T3RS
1x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450
1x Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound
1x Cooler Master Hyper Z600
3x SilenX IXP-74-14 Ixtrema Pro Fan, 120mm (2x for the Hyper Z600, 1x replacing the original fan at the back of the case)
1x OCZ OCZ3P20004GK 2x2GB DDR3 PC3-16000 (2000 MHz)
1x Asus EAH4870/HTDI/512MB (or the 1GB version, see link below)
2x Cooler Master SPB-3T4-E1 4 in 3 Device Module (4x 3.5" in 3x 5.25") (includes 120mm fan)
2x Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ, 1TB
1x SilenX IXP-54-14 Ixtrema Pro Fan, 80mm (replacing the original fan in the top of the case)
1x Scythe YD Series 18-in-1 Cardreader (3.5" Bay, USB, Zwart)
1x Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit (OEM)

When mainstream Nehalem (so not server and workstation) are in the market I only want to replace motherboard and CPU. And move both to the render farm.

The box will be mainly used for CS3, Strata 3D CX 5, some other graphics tools.
Will start trialling Zbrush and Modo (when the box is built) to replace Strata.
None of my software requires a hefty graphics card. (So the 4870 is probably overkill.)

The 1Gb version of the HD 4870 is on pre-order for GBP 234.99 but I'm not based in the UK, so I'll wait a bit more.
Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Kelainefes · #2 04-08-2008, 00:26

The CPU will be probably limited to 3400 MHz, maybe 3600.
It's a lot of power, but if you want to see big numbers you are better off with a dual (just for the numbers, the quad will be faster in most things except games, where they will be tied).
The Cooler master is not a great performer, any particular reason you want to get the Z600?

InToGraphics · #3 04-08-2008, 10:35

Thanks for your comments.
3400 will do fine. 3600 will be great. It's my first venture into overclocking.

No particular reason for the Z600. Selected it after reading a review : Cooler Master Hyper Z600 review (untranslated) Cooler Master Hyper Z600 (translated to English)
Any recommendations ? Bring it on.
(The case is big enough and the memory modules have normal height. Theb M/B is well layed out.)

Replying from work. (First working day after my holiday.) Not much time.

SHARK69 · #4 04-08-2008, 10:50

OCz Vendetta2 rules...

affiliate13 · #5 04-08-2008, 11:00

Ill second the Vendetta and if you cant find it the Xigmatek s1283/s1284 or the Sunbeam Tech Core Contact are very similar and all well under £30each.

I cant remember which mobo it was that some OCZ sticks werent always working properly on, maybe someone else will confirm if they are OK. i might be confusing this with another board.

One other thing some of the guys on here have flagged up reliabililty issues with the Samsung drives so maybe it might be worth reading more on them too.

InToGraphics · #6 04-08-2008, 17:22

Chaps,
Thanks for your comments.

I can get my mits on all those CPU coolers mentioned. No problem.
I'll substitute the Vendetta 2 (EUR 35.--) for the Z600 then. First choice, is first choice.

Going home in half an hour. Will check in again after dinner.

Robert

EDIT: The memory modules are on DFI's Qualified Vendor List.