Buying new system - bump for recommendations.

**Consultant** · 07-17-09, 07:18 AM

This morning I tried to fire up the ol' PC real quick before work and it would not post.

I hear the *BEEP* at the right time, then the memory test starts but it stops part way through...its like it doesnt even really start.

It normally says "Memory Test X,XXX,XXX OK" but now it just says "Memo" and stops. Hung there for over a minute, so I rebooted - same thing, rebooted 3 more times - same thing.

I am thinking that checking the RAM is the first obvious thing to try messing with, but what else could it be?

I may use this opportunity to order some new parts I've had my eye on if I can get clearance from the tower.

**~~Syrringe~~** · 07-17-09, 07:32 AM

Im guessing you have either dead ram sticks, or dead ram slots in your mobo. Did you recently fiddle with any hardware? If so, make sure and double check that those ram sticks are inserted all the way 100%. Uhhhhmmmmmmmm..........Either that or it could even possibly be a power issue.

PC's are like old cars. When something goes wrong, its always a number of things that could be wrong with it. Hopefully someone can shed more light on the topic besides me who JUST woke up and can barely make out the text on the screen

**Consultant** · 07-17-09, 07:43 AM

Yeah, no recent messing with hardware - so I doubt anything is "loose".

The sound card has been acting up - just ask anybody on the TF2 server who's been complaining that my voice sounds like a tornado is on top of me.

**Consultant** · 07-17-09, 01:44 PM

Well, looks like its the motherboard and the authorities have authorized me to upgrade.

If I wanted to stay around $600-$650 - what can I get for a new:

CPU
MOBO
RAM
Video Card

I will dig around in my current box and get the numbers on my Power Supply but I think its either 550 or 600 watts.

I am not married to any one brand - I'm typically not a fanboy but I would like to see about one of the new i7 CPUs and an ATI video card (Source Game junkie) but I am open to other options as well if a better bang exists for my bucks!

**yayupp** · 07-17-09, 01:52 PM

Well if you want bang for the buck, go with AMD.

**PBS_SRB** · 07-17-09, 03:23 PM

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
and
ASUS P6T SE LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Combo Deal: $449.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.213702

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
$94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231225

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
$149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801

Total: $694.96

It's fifty bucks over your budget but then again its i7...

You could probably shop around and find the motherboard and processor for cheaper, and thus meeting your budget nicely. i7 all the way!

**Consultant** · 07-17-09, 03:43 PM

WOOF! That's a hell of a motherboard. I've never spent $200 on a MOBO before!

**FireAtWill** · 07-17-09, 03:58 PM

I just built my i7 last week. I went for the Gigabyte MOBO but to each his own. I also went with the Patriot 6MB DDR3 1600. Make sure that you budget in $30 for one of these...

Everything booted up without a hitch. You will freak at the speed of the i7!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103057

Best Bang for the busk that I have found. Mine should be here by Wed of next week.

Will

**Veovis** · 07-17-09, 04:58 PM

I can beat investigater's deal.

The cheapest i7 mobo is the MSI X58M and it gets GREAT reviews. The M is for micro but I don't see that being a problem. In a test somewhere (either Anand or Xbit) they had an i7 at 4.6GHz on it which is more than I can get on my $300 eVGA mobo. And, you think $200 or even $300 is expensive... eVGA's higher models go for $450 and up, I think there is one for $600 with GOLD on the CPU contacts LOL.

So that MSI mobo is $170.

You missed the $199 i7 @ Microcenter, but there are plenty of good eBay deals on unopened 920's for under $250. No probs buying a CPU on eBay... as far as I know the warranty is from intel based on D.O.M.... doesn't matter where you bought it, plus when have you ever had a CPU fail?

So that is $420... or you can pay $450 for the combo investigater mentioned.

You can also get good RAM for $80, especially if you wait a week or so for a MIR to pop up on Newegg, they come and go all the time. I got OCZ 6GB platinum 7-7-7-24 kit for $80 after MIR which is a good deal. So $500 total now, if you went with the MSI mobo.

Now get the $150 4870 or find a really slick deal on a 260 or 4890 for $160-$170... and you'll still be within budget.

550W is probably more than enough for all that.

**Veovis** · 07-17-09, 05:01 PM

And get a new sound card!!!

Or a USB mic headset which I just got so I never have to worry about the damn mic input on my card being too low anymore, since I basically don't even need a soundcard as far as I understand, with the USB setup.

And SSD's are still badass... but they will break your budget!