Thread: upgrade for college...thoughts?

Originally Posted by Potemkine

any suggestions for a pretty good internal (in the tower) sound card?

I love my X-Fi, but some Vista users (especially in 64 bit land) have had problems; big ones. Wile (who seems to know more than his share of shit about these topics) makes some Vista compatible recommendations over creative here: http://www.texasteamplayers.com/inde...7220#msg437220

I say get one of the X-Fis and if it doesnt work (how you want it to) send it back and get an alternative! Syrringe has mastered this technique...

Someone else recommended one of the Asus ones recently in this forum but I am not sure where...

Thanks a bunch soy, you have no idea how helpful you have been.

I am probably going to go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16829132006R
for the sound card. One FINAL question...I know been asking a lot of those....power supplies. I know absolutely nothing about them. For what I am running...thoughts?

Bump.

Hmm.. looks like no one uses a Xonar eh?

I have heard good things about 'em and they are by Asus; one of my most trusted brands.

Good luck.


Dont forget to post your 3dmark score when you build this bad boy.

Thanks soy, but what about a power supply? I dont know jack about them

I trust Antec and I have had great experiences with CoolMax (even if they are a little cheap). I know PC Power and Cooling, ThermalTake and CoolerMaster get decent reviews.

For your system look for 450 to 650 watts. Maybe a 550.

And dont get the 20 dollar variety; if you get a trusted brand in the 50 to 150 range you should be good. Really the question is how much to spend? If you can, throw 100 to 150 at one. If you are scraping, look for an 80 to 100 dolar one on sale for 50ish.

Antec 550 with SLI support and PCI-E connectors (yes, the new video cards want a big 'ol 6 pin power feed!) 60 bucks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

Here is a solid coolermaster (rated at 550w continuous with 650w peak) 79.99 after 10.00 MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171025




If you want to go SLI later, consider taking this sort of thing up to 650 or 750.



Basically, I try to spend at least 50 bucks on a gaming PS. Your whole system is riding on it; a bad PS can cook ALL of your components (although I have never cooked more than a couple components by having PS blow out on me).

If you can, fork out 100+.

Here is what I am using in my gaming rig.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817159058


These CoolerMasters both have rock solid reviews:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023

The variations are endless...
CoolMax 700w. 119 bucks on sale for 90.

THANK YOU SO MUCH SOY!!!!!!

I think I am going to go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171025

You have been so helpful to me. You have no idea how thankful I am!!!!

TTP hardware FTW :9 :9 :9

For the small amount of people who actually check this website I would like to link everyone to CONFOGL League

mkj gets these l4d2 tournaments set up that people play for prizes in so if you ever wanted to compete you should check out the site. There is a thread in the general discussion section (the only section) for the Cold Stream Tourny. Even if you are not interested you can still check out the site, you may find some good competition or people to play with