E@zyVG’s Vichar::World Connected

Yesssss ……. no, this is not April’s fool day joke

I was actually planning to upgrade my aging computer for some time now, and only now managed to sum up budget for new rig. Thanks to a project I’ll be working on, I got some advance payments, with which I am getting myself a new computer. You’ll notice that I ended up going with Intel Core 2 platform, rather than AMD Phenom that I was actually wanting, reason being that even with the latest Phenom X4 B3 stepping it doesn’t come close to what Core 2 has to offer, especially in the overclocking department. Also, this time it is nVidia video card, as ATI really does ruin mood when it comes to Linux desktops, ’cause of driver issues (do you know that in Vista’s case it is the other way around). So, here is what I ended up ordering, which should be delivered in next 2-4 days:

1. Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (Kentsfield 65nm) 2.40Ghz 8MB cache 1066Mhz [SLACR -> G0 Stepping]

The options were Q6600, E8400 and the latest Q9450. Went with Q6600 as I really wanted to make a jump straight to quad core, though of course the dual core E8400 would have overclocked better and would have ran cooler. Unfortunately the Q9450 is still not available, and those that have charge premium..

2. Scythe SCINF-1000 Mugen (Infinity)

I was always quite picky about cooling, hence went with one of the best the market has to offer.

3. ASUS P5K-E/WiFi AP (Intel P35+ICH9R chipsets)

4. OCZ Platinum XTC 2×2048MB DDR2 PC2-8000 OCZ2P10004GK 1000Mhz @5-5-5-18

Before I saw these sticks, I was going for Corsair Dominator TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF … boy I saved some $$.

5. MSI NX8800GT-T2D512E-OC 8800GT 512MB

In this case I had 2 options, the latest 9600GT and the older 8800GT. Simply speaking, the 9600GT has nothing much new to offer and 8800GT is definitely faster, as well as, at least here in Moscow, the price on both the cards are similar. Aah, Linux + nVidia card, I am gonna enjoy it.

6. 2xWestern Digital 500GB WD5000AAKS 16MB SATA-II

You somehow always manage to run out of space … this drive comes to the rescue.

7. NEC/Optiarc DVD-RW AD-7203S Labelflash SATA

My first SATA based DVD-RW …. yups, it is too early for Blue Ray ReWriter.

8. Microsonic CR09 USB 2.0 57-in-1 3.5″ int. USB 2.0 Card Reader

Needed SDHC support, as my older one didn’t support it.

9. TRENDnet TBW-105UB USB 2.0, Class II Bluetooth v2.0 with EDR

10. Thermaltake PurePower RX 600W ATX 2.2 (W0142)

Initially I was going for 500W, but then the price difference was not big, and decided to get 600W. I’ll need it to run my overclocked computer stable 24/7.

11. Thermaltake M9 Mid-Tower ATX Case

At first I was going for Thermaltake Armor Jr., but then found this case, which though not as sexy as previous one, seems to be better when it comes to cooling factor … and saved some $$.

That’s about it. I already have descent monitor (though already dreaming of 24-27″), keyboard/mouse combo and a webcam. If you wanna know which ones I got, you can check’em up here.

Now it is time to assemble and then start doing tests and benchmarks to reach the highest possible overclock with processor, motherboard and memory and as well with video card. Once completed I’ll post my results.

I am gonna enjoy this weekend like I haven’t for some time …. knock wood :-p Expect my next post once this computer has been assembled and thoroughly tested.

BTW, it came out to US$1310 in total.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 8:14 am and is filed under Hardware, Personal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.