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Thread: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
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12-23-07, 01:58 PM #1
Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
I have the money saved up and now I am trying to avoid making a big mistake. I have a budget around 2,000.
After a lot of reading - it appears that attempting to go the quad-core route is going to be too expensive. I could afford one, but dont know that it will be worth it.
I am looking to build a dual-core, Intel system. I honestly am getting very confused when reading articles, and I am looking for some guidance from those of you who are smart about these things.
My readings have lead me to believe that AMD hasn't owned the market for several years, and that the best thing I can get for my money is a top end Intel dual core. My father in law fights me on this one.
I am looking for opinions and specific suggestions within the following framework.
- Top of the line Intel Dual core processor (should be dropping in price now that the quad cores are moving in. I want to exist in the zone where prices are reasonable because the product has been superceded by newer technology.)
- Motherboard - I have no idea. Is there any way to choose a MoBo that will allow a migration to a quad core once the prices drop in the future?
- Nvidia GEforce 8800GT (I dont know the model, but have read several times that the GT outperforms the
GTS on 19 inch monitors) (DDR3 and lots of it).
- 4 GB DDR2? (I guess 3GB if I were to choose XP)
- Vista 64 ? (I want to play new games and even though I love XP, suspect it is legacy and I should move on. Does BF2 run on Vista 64bit? I am highly addicted to BF2, and probably will continue to be)
-Couldn't care less about sound (USMC machine gunner, I can't hear too well, so you can see why I am so concerned about how it looks.)
Can you all rally around and help me out here? Your knowledge and time is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Clint
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12-23-07, 02:38 PM #2Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
everything you listed and a quad core chip for less than 1400 dollars.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13660/6
Processor - Core 2 Quad Q6600 $279.99
Motherboard - Abit IP35 Pro $179.99
Memory - Mushkin Enhanced 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2-800 $139.99
Graphics - XFX GeForce 8800 GT 512MB $289.99
Storage - Western Digital Caviar SE16 750GB $149.99
Samsung - SH-S203B $33.99
Audio - Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer $79.99
Power supply - Antec NeoHE 550W $99.99
Enclosure - Antec P182 $139.99
Total Buy this complete system at Newegg $1393.91
You need to add in an OS, take you pick, XP is still going to run everything the simplest and with the least compatibility issues, but vista is starting to come around.
Get 4 gig if you want, 64 bit os or not.
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12-23-07, 02:47 PM #3
Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
Nuff said, Almost the same as my recommendations dead on except I like eVGA GPUs and Asus Mobos, but that is just personal preference and familiarity; the prices are roughly similar.
Originally Posted by Mcstrange
I can vouch for Vista 64 now too. I use it and have no problems; although my roomate is a network/infrastructure guru by trade and some of his very specialized applications dont like Vista. But for gamers, and to be ready for the DX10 goodies coming up, I like Vista a bunch now that the drivers are getting dialed in.
but if you dont plan on playing DX10 games yet (and there arent any DX10 exclusive games yet) XP will work just fine if you already own a copy.
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12-23-07, 03:34 PM #5
Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
GPU
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
269.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318
Mobo
ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131153
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029
RAM
OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8002GK - Retail (2 sets)
45.99 x 2 = 91.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227089
HDD
Seagate SV35.2 ST3750640SV 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148272
DVD combo drive
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM
29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151154
Power Supply
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 550 RS-550-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 550W Power Supply - Retail
99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171025
Case
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
139.99 -50.00 mail in rebate = 89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025
and if you really don’t care about Audio, use the onboard audio.
1191.91, 1141.91 after mail in rebate
leaves a lot of room for adding stuff to hit 2k.
What monitor are you planning on using? Need peripherals?
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12-23-07, 03:43 PM #7
Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
That was quick. Thank you. May I fine tune without irritating you?
1.) The chip was significantly less than I thought it would be. The Core 2 Quad Q6700 looks like it is roughly $250 more, and is 2.66Ghz vs 2.40 Ghz. Do you think the performance increase would be worth my money? I am concerned about legacy apps (bf2) that aren't written for multi-core processors. I have read that you can OC the Q6600 and get close to the Q6700, but unfortunately the only thing I understand about OC is dont mess with it if you dont know what you are doing.
2.) I am boxed in with my current power supply because (you're getting a dell) it tops out at 300w. Should I up the wattage?
3.) Cooling. Do I need additional components to cool the RAM, GPU, Chip, anything?
Break;
Soy, I haven't spent much time thinking about a monitor. I have a free dell flat screen right now, and will probably want something 19". Thats all I know about it.
I have a DVD-Rw and CDR in my dell. I will probably leave the Dell up and running for my wife to work on,.
I sincerely appreciate you helping me.
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12-23-07, 03:58 PM #8
Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
The quad core will give you way more 3dmarks but in terms of actual performance you will notice a difference when you are running a whole bunch of applications at once. Most games are not multi-core optimized and those that are currently take advantage of multi core are few and are dual, not quad core optimized. I believe the new unreal is quad core optimized however. I dont think any one *needs* quad core yet. Originally Posted by Muqtar SGT_Clintok
Are you planning on using that power supply for the new computer, or are you asking about bumping it up for the computer you are using now? We both have recommended new PS for the systems given. Originally Posted by Muqtar SGT_Clintok
If you wanna overclock. The stock coolers will work fine if not. Of course, if you wanna make it nice and quiet you can fork out some dough. Originally Posted by Muqtar SGT_Clintok
The motherboard and Power Supply I recommended are SLI compatible, that is why I asked what monitor you are using. If you have a huge ass monitor, or plan to get one, SLI can help. but, if you dont, I may change the recommendations to non-SLI parts. You have enough money left over for a second video card...but like I said, the criteria for *needing* SLI is a huge ass high resolution monitor.
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12-23-07, 04:06 PM #9
Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
Would it not be better to get 2 of the 320gb ones and raid them together. Raid is faster than one HD. Originally Posted by SoySoldier
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140
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12-23-07, 04:14 PM #10
Re: Preparing to build a PC - need YOUR help.
You mean a RAID0 stripe? Originally Posted by SI42
Would it not be better to get 2 of the 320gb ones and raid them together. Raid is faster than one HD. Originally Posted by SoySoldier
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140
RAID0 increases the chance for data loss. If one disk breaks, both drive's data is lost. So in this case you have twice the chance of data loss.
There are other RAID types requiring more than 2 disks that increase performance have redundancy to protect data. But for RAID5 you need at least 3 disks.
I have a RAID0 strip myself and it is super fast. But I have third disk for safe storage. I was trying to save Clintok some dough. Also, configuring RAID can be challenging and I did not want to make assumptions about the level of hardware skill.
If you would like to go RAID the mobos listed support it; you will just need to buy more disks.
RAID0 strip[ing, and RAID5 will make maps load considerably faster in BF2/2142.
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