Does this list of parts physically fit together ? CPU cooler recommendations ?
 

Hey,

I'm putting together a list of parts for a new system for a friend.

A list of guidelines I'm using while putting together this list :
* he wants the Q9450 (or better)
* using DDR 2 memory
* easy to build
* not taking any risks (not voiding the warranty,no modification of parts,no water cooling)
* no risk of damaging the CPU while moving the system so the CPU cooler shouldn't be too heavy
* the CPU cooler should blow the air directly out of the case
* no overclocking
* not too much noise
* fast enough to play ut3 and half life 2 at 1680x1050 at nice quality settings.
* no SLI/crossfire (extra noise, extra heat, extra power,increased risk of driver problems)

Here's the list of parts :

1 Antec Performance One P182 (black)
2 Asus P5Q-E
3 Corsair HX620
4 Intel Core 2 Duo Q9550
5 Lite-On LH-20A1S (black)
6 Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse (USB)
7 Saphire AMD/ATI HD4870
8 Samsung Syncmaster 226BW
9 Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD7500AYYS
10 OCZ Vendetta 2 (was Zalman CNPS9500 AT)
11 Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX

I have the following questions :
* Should we expect any problems physically putting the system together ? Is there enough room for all parts to fit nicely ?
* Is the zalman CNPS 9500 compatible with this motherboard ?
* does the zalman CNPS 9500 provide adequate cooling ?
* can you recommend a different cpu cooler which is about the same weight but cools better ?

Thank you very much in advance!

Zalman is noisy; go for a bolt-through tower cooler available to you. Where are you shopping?

all other components seem swell, P182 is a quiet case, all fans can be speed-controlled at the back, low level is really silent; dust filters in the front.
VGA is good choice, at 1680x1050 he'll be able to play all current games at high detail, even Crysis.

I'm searching for a cpu cooler which blows air directly out through the case fan. The cpu cooler should be light because I don't want my friend to damage his cpu and/or motherboard while moving his computer (for example to a lan party). So I'm not interested in coolers which are heavier than the CNPS 9500.

The CNPS performs better than the boxed cooler right ? Or is it that bad ?

I live in the netherlands. I think most common coolers are available. Do you have any suggestions ?

Great. Thanks.

post a link to shops you have access to (or your favorite shop) and I'll sort through their list:)

I'm helping another friend who wants a nice system with a different budget (500-800 euro without peripherals) with a parts list. He wants to be able to play current games reasonably well. Here's the current list :

1 Antec Performance One P182 Black
2 Asus P5Q-E
3 Corsair HX620
4 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
5 Lite-On LH-20A1S black
6 Saphire AMD/ATI HD4850
7 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS, 500GB
8 OCZ Vendetta 2 (was Zalman CNPS9500 AT)
9 Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX

I have the same questions for this system. With the following additional question :

Why is the TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX not mentioned on the QVL of the P5Q while it is mentioned on the QVL for the P5Q-E and P5Q Deluxe ? Should I investigate other memory or recommend the P5Q-E over the P5Q? (I know the P5Q has a different PCB design than the P5Q-E and P5Q Deluxe but I assume they are very similar regarding BIOS and chipsets)

Thank you in advance!

According to tweakers pricewatch all components of both systems can be bought at www.azerty.nl

Here's the list of cpu coolers they have available :
http://www.azerty.nl/producten/zoek/...r-koelers.html
in list view :
http://tinyurl.com/5evbuv

I'm not interested in cpu coolers which are heavier than the CNPS 9500. I would prefer a cpu cooler which has a good review on a reputable site such as :
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article30-page1.html

Thank you very much in advance!

you can send Corsair support a quick note here , they"ll know the answer for sure!

Here's the thread :
http://www.asktheramguy.com/v3/showthread.php?t=71641

I'm going to recommend the P5Q-E to my friend.

Did you make any progress regarding the CPU coolers or should I just go for the CNPS 9500 AT ?

Thank you very much.

I didn't see your post from yesterday as you did right at the same time, oops!

OY! I tested more CPU coolers !
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=articles#1

now coolers which are better than CNPS9500 price/performance/noise:

- Cooler Master Hyper TX 2
- Scythe Katana 2
- OCZ Vendetta CPU Cooler (2)
- Scythe Mine

those are all much cheaper, are all small and compact and offer good performance/noise for their size. Hook them up to the mainboard CPU fan header and let the smartFAN BIOS control fan speed to keep CPU cool & quiet

no problem :)

Sorry I didn't know :) Thank you very much for all your help.

In which order (regarding cooling performance and noise) would you rank the fans including the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro ? Do they all fit on the motherboard (P5Q-E) as far as you know ?

I ranked them in price (from your shop) their performance is basically on par:)

The OCZ Vendetta 2 seems to be slightly better than the other coolers you suggested.

the Vendetta 2 is indeed the best of the bunch, it is also bigger, using 120mm fan. so taller and heavier.

the Ninja Mini should only be considered for a desktop HTPC where height is an issue; performance vs the full Ninja is considerably worse, ~10°C hotter for same noise level.

But the full ninja is too heavy. The Ninja mini has a fan size of 80 mm so lets drop that one too.

I'm interested in a review which compares the following cpu coolers :

OCZ Vendetta 2
Scythe Mine
(Zalman CNPS9500)

I can give you CNPS9700 / Mine / Vendetta 2
don't have the Mini though :(

will provide you with numbers later today, working on introducing all my HSF results into a searchable database ;)

Thank you very much. You are a great guy!

I think I should I go for "Arctic Silver 5 Premium Silver Compound" or is the thermal paste which comes with the cooler good enough ?

http://azerty.nl/producten/product_d...ound-3-5g.html

difference in pastes is very small, get a quality one and you're ok. The AS5 will certainly do well.

haven't forgotten about your request; but a HD4870X2 fell into my lap and just begged to be tested:)
working on getting you that comparison chart now!

Cool! I'm interested in the performance,heat,noise and power usage of the HD4870X2 compared to the HD4870 because maybe it's suitable for my gamer friend. It's about 75% more expensive so it should be at least 75% faster and the noise,heat and power usage shouldn't increase too much.

I will probably recommend the OCZ Vendetta 2 but a comparison chart to back this up would certainly be nice.

update: I don't like the power usage,heat and noise so I won't recommend the HD4870X2 and stick with the HD4870 and Samsung 226BW (1680x1050).

if your friend has 30" TFT the HD4870X2 will pay off; otherwise you're better of the HD4870 price/performance or if you have 24" 1920x1200 the GTX 280 strikes the best balance at this resolution

Thanks.

I don't like the power usage,heat and noise so I won't recommend the HD4870X2 and stick with the HD4870 and Samsung 226BW (1680x1050).

HD4870 runs nicely at that resolution, AA enabled in almost all games

Thought so. Thanks :)

We have contacted a local shop which is famous for it's quality service. They don't want to sell the 226BW. They sell IIyama monitors. Is the E2202WS-B suitable for gaming (reaction time of 5 ms) ?

Thanks

did you correctly say that they did not want to sell you the 226BW? :)

LCD monitor buying guide: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=689

comparo of the E2202WS-B(2) vs 226BW here: http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.p...4&p2=2104&ph=8

Yeah. This local shop doesn't want to sell stuff they can't stand behind which is a good thing. I'm assuming it's because the same model (226BW) can have different panels. Whether they are right regarding not wanting to sell the 226BW I don't know.

Thanks.

update : they only want to sell iiyama because they say iiyama delivers the best quality