Building Computer

**Hexis** · 07-14-2007, 08:00 PM

Monitor?

**personman** · 07-14-2007, 09:16 PM

The 8600GT is a NO-GO.
It's absolutely worthless for DirectX 10, and has bad performance when compared to similar video cards in the price range.
Check out a Radeon X1950Pro, which will give you better performance for a lower price. Or if you want, you could definitely get by with a Nvidia 7600GT, which I believe the EVGA version of which is about 60-70 dollars after rebate. That would let you play all recent games in pretty high settings.

Intel has the performance crown right now, but AMD is DIRT cheap. The E4400 has a good rep, but you have to take in to account that not only do AMD processors cost less, their motherboards do as well.

But dont get me wrong, Intel is great too. If you're pinching pennies AMD might be the better option.

Motherboards depend on your processor, and the features you'd want.

I'm not sure about settling for 80gb.. for about $10 more you could probably get a 120gb... which I'd recommend. Oh, and get a SATA hard drive, not IDE. It's faster.

2GB of ram is definitely a good idea. I just upgraded my laptop w/ vista from 1 to 2 gb and there was a HUGE difference. Highly recommended.

Cases are personal preference for the most part. Just make sure you get one with good airflow.

Power supply, it depends on your final components. You will probably at least need 400 watts.

So I think I covered everything. I wouldnt get the 8600GT because it's had awful reviews, and
I think I'd take a look into AMD for better price/performance ratios. Other than that... you look good

**AirAssault** · 07-14-2007, 09:24 PM

I would do a newegg or tiger direct bare bones and build it from there. You can get a pretty good setup going and still have some money in your wallet. Good luck.

**Sudz** · 07-14-2007, 09:42 PM

Thanks Personman, that helps a lot. I'll look into the AMD line. The only reason I haven't yet, is because i heard the Core 2 Duo's are a lot faster. I think it was back on 'Call for help' where Leo said they showed a 50% increase in performance, which is huge in processor speed.

But I am going to look into things to get best bang for my buck. Keep the tips coming, your already helping!

**personman** · 07-15-2007, 12:41 AM

The C2Ds are definitely better (but not 50%), and still hold the performance crown. However, some AMD setups end up being a much better deal. AMD has been really lowering their prices lately in order to compete with Intel. But FYI, if you wait for about a week, Intel prices are going to drop dramatically. (July 22nd is the date, IIRC)

You gotta love price wars

**Sudz** · 07-15-2007, 07:00 AM

Thanks, I will be waiting, as I am just getting this list together to see if it's more beneficial for me to build it and have it shipped to Canada, then go through a retailer up here.

I've got an updated list here, with help from another Forum, might want to have a look?

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=7489507&WishListTitle=Ramrod

**punkncat** · 07-15-2007, 07:48 AM

I am not by any means an expert when it comes to building a computer, but my own experiance pricing everything I needed from newegg, compatability issues, waiting on parts, etc. I cannot see how its better than just ordering a build from Dell. Watch closely they run some nice deals. Easy to find something near what you want cheap and them throw a few upgrades.

**Hexis** · 07-15-2007, 09:46 AM

Doing it on your own allows you to choose high quality parts for all components. Dell uses decent parts, but not all high quality.

**y0da900** · 07-15-2007, 01:13 PM

You will need a floppy drive if you are going to have an SATA drive as your main hard drive. Windows lacks the drivers for the controllers from the beginning, and you need both a floppy drive for the drivers, and most likely, a working computer with working floppy drive to create said driver disk. Many manufacturers don't give them to you on a floppy.

I would also think more about using an AMD X2 series processor and appropriate board. Substantially cheaper than what you have listed for the same performance. Yes, the Core 2 Duos are faster, but only at the same clock speed.
you can get an AMD dual core at a substantially higher speed for substantially less money.

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103780

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130071

Decent choice on the RAM, Corsair makes pretty decent stuff.

It's good to see that event hough the case you have listed comes with a power supply, you have a beefier one listed too. The only suggestion with that is spend the most you can on a good power supply. It is one of the most often skimped on components, and one of the worst things you could skimp on. A good PSU will give you stability and throw off less heat, both things that are good for college (do you really want to dump more heat into a dorm than necessary?).

Video is another one of those toss up things depending on preference. Both ATI and nVidia make good chips, I've used both. ATI has historically had a reputation for superior image quality. The X1950 series of cards is a hell of a buy for performance right now at about the same price as the one you have listed. Most benchmarks seem to favor the ATI card as well by quite a wide margin.

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

If you have the budget room, which it looks like you do, I would also suggest more hard drive space. sure, you might not fill it for a while, but in the bang for the buck category, 500GB drives are king right now. For twice the price, you get 4 times the storage as what you have listed. Partitions are your friend when you set up the computer, more space makes this easier. You partition the drive, when or if Windows eats it, you can reinstall without losing all of the other data you have saved as long as it's on the other partition.

Don't forget to throw in an operating system on that list unless you have alterior methods for that one.

Go to a computer or office shop (Staples, best Buy, Circuit City, etc...) to look at monitors. They are an incredibly personal decision when it comes to computers, and you may love what every one else hates for image on a screen, or visa versa.

**personman** · 07-15-2007, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by Sudz

Thanks, I will be waiting, as I am just getting this list together to see if it's more beneficial for me to build it and have it shipped to Canada, then go through a retailer up here.

I've got an updated list here, with help from another Forum, might want to have a look?

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...stTitle=Ramrod

Why would you buy that 7600? When you can get this one?

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

It's way cheaper. If you just HAVE to spend 130 on a video card, check out a 1950Pro. That's what I'm putting in my new computer and its SWEET.

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

Oh, and you might save some money by buying a case that doesnt have a power supply included... why buy a case with a power supply and then buy another power supply?

Other than that, it looks like a decent build. I've heard LITE ON dvd-rs are pretty loud though. I'm putting a sony (SATA) in my new computer... my parts will be arriving tomorrow

**BTAutoMag** · 07-15-2007, 01:28 PM

if you want to laugh go to google and type in "computer vegitable oil"

**Sudz** · 07-15-2007, 03:12 PM

Alright, I've made some changes to what I may get. You have a good point and I've switched to the processor you recommended. Now, is this the motherboard you would recommend? Motherboards are where i have the least knowledge and need the most help.

Thanks, and I'm looking into the other video cards now too.

**personman** · 07-15-2007, 05:09 PM

That's a pretty sweet processor. The mobo he posted looks good as well. You can get AMD motherboards for as low as $50. It depends on the type of features you want. That motherboard looks to be pretty nice, it has SLI (you can hook up two NVIDIA video cards to improve performance) but if you dont need that feature you might be able to shave a little bit more off the price of it. Also if you end up with a 1950Pro, a crossfire motherboard would be preferable (crossfire is ATI's version of SLI)

**tribalman** · 07-16-2007, 03:26 AM

Originally posted by y0da900

You will need a floppy drive if you are going to have an SATA drive as your main hard drive. Windows lacks the drivers for the controllers from the beginning, and you need both a floppy drive for the drivers, and most likely, a working computer with working floppy drive to create said driver disk. Many manufacturers don't give them to you on a floppy.

not true. i don't have a floppy in my computer and the hdd that i'm using is a 300 GB seagate sata. and yes windows xp does have drivers for it. after windows installs then you install the better one that your mobo needs. and yes i know this is true i just rebuilt this computer. running an asus an8 32 sli-deluxe.

Originally posted by y0da900

I would also think more about using an AMD X2 series processor and appropriate board. Substantially cheaper than what you have listed for the same performance. Yes, the Core 2 Duos are faster, but only at the same clock speed.
you can get an AMD dual core at a substantially higher speed for substantially less money.

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103780

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130071

Decent choice on the RAM, Corsair makes pretty decent stuff.

It's good to see that event hough the case you have listed comes with a power supply, you have a beefier one listed too. The only suggestion with that is spend the most you can on a good power supply. It is one of the most often skimped on components, and one of the worst things you could skimp on. A good PSU will give you stability and throw off less heat, both things that are good for college (do you really want to dump more heat into a dorm than necessary?).

Video is another one of those toss up things depending on preference. Both ATI and nVidia make good chips, I've used both. ATI has historically had a reputation for superior image quality. The X1950 series of cards is a hell of a buy for performance right now at about the same price as the one you have listed. Most benchmarks seem to favor the ATI card as well by quite a wide margin.

Are you a human?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

If you have the budget room, which it looks like you do, I would also suggest more hard drive space. sure, you might not fill it for a while, but in the bang for the buck category, 500GB drives are king right now. For twice the price, you get 4 times the storage as what you have listed. Partitions are your friend when you set up the computer, more space makes this easier. You partition the drive, when or if Windows eats it, you can reinstall without losing all of the other data you have saved as long as it's on the other partition.

Don't forget to throw in an operating system on that list unless you have alterior methods for that one.

Go to a computer or office shop (Staples, best Buy, Circuit City, etc...) to look at monitors. They are an incredibly personal decision when it comes to computers, and you may love what every one else hates for image on a screen, or visa versa.

drive. 500. no way. as i just stated, 300gb, 279 formatted. before i was running just sata i was using this drive for games, and another 50gb on 2 other IDE drives for windows and windows apps, and data on the other, didn't fill any of them. had i put them all onto the IDE's it would have filled them, but only about 1/3 of the 300. for a psu, 500 watts is more than enough. and partitions. haha. only works for data. if you need to reinstall windows you need to reinstall any other programs.

i am running mobo, amd 64x2 4200 OC, and 2 7900gt ko's OCed and it is working like a champ. hehe, i forgot, i'm modding that psu, i'm running all that on a 450. monitors, dell is amazing. honestly, their monitors are a great deal and a decent price. os, get xp. vista is still shakey, plus there are 47 apps in there that report what you are doing, and 20 of them report back to microsoft.

and here is a big question i didn't see either asked or stated, what programs do you plan on running? honestly, it is a big factor. if you are doing heavy graphic processing for art stuff. go with an intel cpu. if you are going to be running word, excel, internets, chat. go for the midrange performance and price wise, then go one or 2 steps up. intel or amd don't matter. if games, amd.

and case. if this wasn't your first build i would say get the LANBOYs. seeing as how you are in a dorm (i'm assuming you are leaving for school, correct?) you won't be able to store the case i am (http://www.thermaltake.com/product/C.../va8004bws.asp) so you need a smaller one. honestly, go into a bestbuy, circuit city, whathaveyou and lift the cases. get a lightweight mid size case that looks good. something you won't mind having around.

one more thing. fans!! you need fans. a major thing you forgot to factor in. they mostly depend on the case but most cases use 80mm fans. they are fine. don't need anything special, don't need lighted (Yet) or U.V. just the standard black will do. and i really reccomend upgrading the CPU fan from the start, the stock ones suck. i would say one of the ones zalman makes. i have 2 of the CNPS9700 LED and the cpu temp never reaches over 90*F

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