building almost done but what motherboard

[unibomber51]

It's been over 6 years since i've built my last comp and i am about build a new computer but am confused about the choices of mother boards

so far i have the following:
Conroe E6600
antec p150
WD HD (not sure what size yet)
120 nexus exaust
2x 92 nexus intake
evga 7900gt ko
sycthe ninja
1gb ocz PC2-4200 Kit

What do you think of the current specs?

I also need some advice on:
-replacement VGA cooler
-fan for ninja
-is ram good enough
-what motherboard? (i think asus would be best)

[McBanjo]

You don't need a fan for the ninja. I just read a post about one who runned it passivly on a E6600.
Besides, just the ninja is discontinued so you'll have to go with Ninja plus and recive Scythe S-flex 1200rpm fan. Mount that fan in the back, it'll save the money for the nexus.

The ram is a bit on the slow side but faster ram doesn't give that much extra in performance. I would recommend you to get 2Gb with 2x1Gb modules.

You can use Zalman ZM-80D-HP for that graphic, I have the reference-speed card with that cooler. Otherwise Zalman VF900 is silent and it does the trick as well

Can't help you with the motherboard but search the forum for other with simular builds and see their recommendations

[nici]

Skip the second intake fan, your PSU and exhaust fan will move more air than the front fans will push in so they would only be in the way. It's a good idea to leave one fan in the front for cooling the HDD though

Unless you are perverted and enjoy fiddling with a bazillion tiny screws and aligning stuff don't bother with the heatpipe coolers. I have built dozens of plastic models, assembling the heatpipe monsters is almost as frustrating as the damn transfer decals The VF900 is nice, easy to install and you should be able to run it at 4V without a huge drop in performane, at those levels it's very quiet.

And as Mr. Banjo suggested, using the fan included with the Ninja as an exhaust is a good idea, you'll need to undervolt it though. Most likely possible with software included with your mobo. That is if you get a mobo where the heatsink will be close to the exhaust fan so the exhaust fan provides wnough airflow over the heatsink.

[cmthomson]

I also need some advice on:
-replacement VGA cooler
-fan for ninja
-is ram good enough
-what motherboard? (i think asus would be best)

2 GB results in a much faster system than 1 GB. For instance, Acrobat Pro loads in 2-3 seconds instead of 30.

The best Asus motherboard for C2D is the P5W DH Deluxe. It's scarce and pricey because there's a big backlog. Second best and nearly as good is the P5B Deluxe.

[bolek]

Besides, just the ninja is discontinued so you'll have to go with Ninja plus and recive Scythe S-flex 1200rpm fan.

The fan that came with my Ninja Plus was not an S-Flex. It was the DF series (also 1200rpm). I bought it less than a month ago from jab-tech.

[unibomber51]

motherboard and fans have been done
now about the ram

i've been reading articles about how faster ddr2-800 ram is only 6% better than than dd2-400 ram

what kinda 2 gig ram should i get?

[cmthomson]

i've been reading articles about how faster ddr2-800 ram is only 6% better than than dd2-400 ram

what kinda 2 gig ram should i get?

Depends whether you plan to overclock the CPU/FSB. If so, get two 1GB sticks of 800, preferably something that can do 4-4-4 or even 3-3-3 timing (there's about $100 difference between fastest and cheapest).

The reason is that you want to run the FSB and DRAM with 1:1 synchronous timing, and 800 memory gives you that headroom.

I'm running with 345 FSB and 690 DRAM at 3-3-3 which wouldn't be possible with budget memory.

[unibomber51]

i'll prob just experiment with it but don't think i'll leave it coverclocked
i just want it fast as is

would G.Skill Extreme F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 Kit do fine for this?

it's quite inexpensive from anitec so i thought tish would do fine

[cmthomson]

would G.Skill Extreme F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 Kit do fine for this?

That memory is fine. It will run 4-4-4 at any reasonable clock speed.

For another $50 (based on Newegg prices) you can get the HZ version, which will do 3-3-3. Reduces latency almost 1%, but think of the bragging rights!

[unibomber51]

would G.Skill Extreme F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 Kit do fine for this?

That memory is fine. It will run 4-4-4 at any reasonable clock speed.

For another $50 (based on Newegg prices) you can get the HZ version, which will do 3-3-3. Reduces latency almost 1%, but think of the bragging rights!

HAHAHA... Almost 1%
Alright thanks

[McBanjo]

Besides, just the ninja is discontinued so you'll have to go with Ninja plus and recive Scythe S-flex 1200rpm fan.

The fan that came with my Ninja Plus was not an S-Flex. It was the DF series (also 1200rpm). I bought it less than a month ago from jab-tech.

Ah oki, my bad. I thought those fans where discontinued. Still a good fan I assume

[wowimsocute]

i've been waiting for a new build too. it would be similar to yours. what mobo did you pick? i would love to hear how your build worked out and see pictures.

i want a c2d, p150, and a ninja (+fan?) also, and want to know if it would work well together.

could you share your experience with mounting the ninja, specifically how difficult it is? i wouldnt want to break expensive components.

(i'm planning on using passive gigabyte 7600gt for no noise.)

[cmthomson]

could you share your experience with mounting the ninja, specifically how difficult it is? i wouldnt want to break expensive components.

I posted detailed Ninja mounting instructions in this thread.

[wowimsocute]

could you share your experience with mounting the ninja, specifically how difficult it is?

I posted detailed Ninja mounting instructions in this thread.

i read and i admit that it is a tad daunting. i remember 5? years ago, i thought the stock amd xp cooler was hard to put on. that was the first and last cooler i've installed, though the system is still running strong. hence my apprehension with the ninja.

the article mention a drop of AS5 2/3 the size of a small grain of rice. i don't have C2D to look at, but i assume it looks like:
a small drop will spread/squish across the whole surface?

cmthomson, if you reinstall your ninja again, do you think you could do a visual guide? it would be most appreciated. i understand if you don't have time.

thanks! and i would still love to hear about unibomber51's experiences if he's done.

[unibomber51]

lol i am waiting for my experience too
my asus p5w dh deluxe board is back ordered at the comp store where i am ordering most of the parts.

I did go out and buy the scythe ninja though and i must say the thing is huge! 2x the size of my brother's aerocool gt-1000 and a lot bigger than my artic cooling copper lite

when installing the heatsink isn't it better to spread a nice thin layer of as5 on instead of using a dab in the middle? I've heard everyone complain about how hard the stuff is to spread and i have no problem with it. it's easier to spread than the mx-1 compound by arctic cooling and it's quite smooth.

[cmthomson]

wowimsocute
The first time you do it, mounting a Ninja is fairly difficult. However, it's a lot easier if you hold it down with one hand on top while attaching the clips with the other hand. And it's way easier to mount than an XP-120, which needs about three times as much force.

Yes, that little dab spreads an amazing amount. Here's a photo of a dab applied just prior to mounting the heat sink.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/ima ... talled.JPG

unibomber51
It is possible to pre-spread AS5 like you would other TIMs, but the blob method works best, since it prevents voids, and results in a very thin layer. With AS5, thinner is better as long as its not none.