Need help making new computer!

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Need help making new computer!

Microcenter is a B&M computer store, you can order online but have to pick it up yourself. Here's their store locations: http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html

Spark, just look at the spec section on Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550vx

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx

No idea if he's right or not, just saying.

I'd also get a higher rated PSU. 300W will hold you back when you upgrade, a strong PSU now means you won't have to buy another later.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Need help making new computer!

The VX has 490W output ont he 12v but on a single rail wheras the HX has 480 n multiple rails... swings and round abouts tbh.

A few good value PSUs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151033

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341012 (OCZ are usually a reliable company... anyone had experience?)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256037

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

All the above are under $70 and i reckon wud work fine. My preference would be between the antec and the corsair

(on an unrelated note i cant believe they still sell my PSU, the XClio greatpower i thought it had dissapeared:))

On motherboards, you could condsider the cheaper G series chipset (G31 and 33) or the P31/33s. They can be smaller uATX motherboards and offer less functionality, mostly in respect to overclocking and bios tweaking but also less sata and lack of firewire etc. You basically have to weigh up what you need and how much you are prepared to pay for it.

EDIT: a 300W psu is pushing it slightly if you stick the a HD4850 (which i would advise you do) add it up, the HD4850 uses around 200W under full load then u got around 100 or so for the CPU + chipset under full load... thats the max of the PSU topped under load without even looking at the other componants and the fact that the 12V wont be anywhere near the max of the PSU. (maybe exaggerating values a touch but you dont wanna end up underestiating a system)

EDIT2: is it just me or are UK PC componant websites miles better than US ones?

[TheSpark29]

Re: Need help making new computer!

Microcenter is a B&M computer store, you can order online but have to pick it up yourself. Here's their store locations: http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html

Spark, just look at the spec section on Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550vx

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx

No idea if he's right or not, just saying.

I'd also get a higher rated PSU. 300W will hold you back when you upgrade, a strong PSU now means you won't have to buy another later.

There are no good B&M stores here in NC. :cry: My first time in a Fry's, I nearly died because there were modern computer parts on the shelf.

I'm not recommending a 300W PSU, just sayin its possible. And there's more to a PSU than its output specs....

The VX has 490W output ont he 12v but on a single rail wheras the HX has 480 n multiple rails... swings and round abouts tbh.

A few good value PSUs

<snip>

All the above are under $70 and i reckon wud work fine. My preference would be between the antec and the corsair

(on an unrelated note i cant believe they still sell my PSU, the XClio greatpower i thought it had dissapeared:))

On motherboards, you could condsider the cheaper G series chipset (G31 and 33) or the P31/33s. They can be smaller uATX motherboards and offer less functionality, mostly in respect to overclocking and bios tweaking but also less sata and lack of firewire etc. You basically have to weigh up what you need and how much you are prepared to pay for it.

EDIT: a 300W psu is pushing it slightly if you stick the a HD4850 (which i would advise you do) add it up, the HD4850 uses around 200W under full load then u got around 100 or so for the CPU + chipset under full load... thats the max of the PSU topped under load without even looking at the other componants and the fact that the 12V wont be anywhere near the max of the PSU. (maybe exaggerating values a touch but you dont wanna end up underestiating a system)

EDIT2: is it just me or are UK PC componant websites miles better than US ones?

I still say EP35-DS3. Its $80. P35. TDP of the 4850 is 110W, according to what I read. There's no way that CPU draws 65W, and the rest of the system can't be more than 30W. 110+65+20+10+10=225W. And that's using the TDP, which isn't reached under stress conditions. The other values are also overestimated. 300W is possible. Not recommended because of limited upgrade path, but still possible.

I've actually found UK sites to be more cumbersome than US sites. Newegg's Power Search is the best I've ever seen.

[[BFECoD]Killuaxc']

Re: Need help making new computer!

after some creative negotiating, i've got a lil more cash to spend...

haven't had time to switch out any of the items i had in mind, but this is what i was thinking of before this fortunate happening.

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM - $24.99

Rosewill Conqueror WSL Triple 120mm Fans Steel ATX Mid tower Computer Case with Side Panel - Retail - $79.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $59.99

Hanns·G HX-191DPB Black 19" 5ms LCD Monitor - Retail - $149.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail - $114.99

Rosewill RK-7300 Black USB Super Slim Unique Curved Design Multimedia Full-size Keyboard - Retail - $14.99

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8004GK - Retail - $79.99

ASUS P5QL PRO LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $94.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail - $119.99

ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail + ASUS Gift - ASUS graphic card bundle - Retail - $182.99


Total: $989.81
There's $75 in rebates that I haven't included in the prices.

This is also before the last few posts, so I haven't really taken that into account yet either. A few things that I'm thinking that I can switch out:
-Monitor (to get a larger screen to take advantage of the vid card)
-Mobo (I'm never sure about this...)
-Case (seems like rosewill isn't that great. I chose that one based on free shipping and decent reviews at the Egg.)
-Keyboard (Chose this one based on free shipping and price.)

About the hard drive... Should I get 2? I've heard that keeping your OS and other frequently used programs while storing all your other stuff on a separate larger HD is better for performance...

The Sapphire vid card that I was looking at before is now sold out, so I had to switch that out for the ASUS. What do you guys think?

P.S. Thanks for all the help so far!

[=98=]

Re: Need help making new computer!

-Case (seems like rosewill isn't that great. I chose that one based on free shipping and decent reviews at the Egg.)!

Rosewill isn't a well known company. If you want a simple case with good cooling, buy an Antec 300 with some extra fans.

About the hard drive... Should I get 2? I've heard that keeping your OS and other frequently used programs while storing all your other stuff on a separate larger HD is better for performance...

It doesn't necessarily give better performance, apart from the fact that fragmentation won't occur as quickly. But, if the Windows disk crashed and became corrupted, then you could risk losing your data.

If you have your stuff on a second disk, you can simply stick in a second computer and recover it all

The Sapphire vid card that I was looking at before is now sold out, so I had to switch that out for the ASUS. What do you guys think?

Asus is good, but for ultimate cheapness, check out the Powercolour (or Powercolor to you) cards.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Need help making new computer!

I've actually found UK sites to be more cumbersome than US sites. Newegg's Power Search is the best I've ever seen.

Scan.co.uk owns them all

[Kallum765]

Re: Need help making new computer!

That E5200 CPU is a good one, and I am also looking at it for my new rig. However, as it is such a new CPU, there's a chance that the motherboard you buy won't support it without a BIOS update first, so you'll need an older CPU handy.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Need help making new computer!

its basically a wolfdale (45nm) with an 800Mhz FSB so if the bios currently supports 45nm it should be fine

[TheSpark29]

Re: Need help making new computer!

If you want a simple case with good cooling, buy an Antec 300 with some extra fans.

The Antec 300 is on sale for $48 with free shipping when you use the promo code EMCAKAECG. Pair that with a Corsair 450VX which is $55 after rebate and you're good to go. Awesome case and awesome PSU for $105. Miles better than Sonata III. But the 300 is only on sale TODAY!! (9-4-08) There's free shipping, so go ahead and order the 300!

Scan.co.uk owns them all

:shakehead: Scan is the same as Newegg's Guided Search. Newegg's Power Search gives you exactly what you want in like 5 clicks.

-Monitor (to get a larger screen to take advantage of the vid card)
-Mobo (I'm never sure about this...)
-Case (seems like rosewill isn't that great. I chose that one based on free shipping and decent reviews at the Egg.)
-Keyboard (Chose this one based on free shipping and price.)

Monitor. I would suggest you consider moving up to a 22in LCD. It would definately better utilize the 4850's power. You can get a 22in LCD from Acer for $200. With over 1700 reviews and a 5 star rating, it has to be a good product.

Mobo. I highly recommend Gigabyte's EP35-DS3L. It is based on the highly popular and successful chipset, the P35. At $85 it's a good deal for a good motherboard. The P43 is just a slightly less featured "update" to P35.

Keyboard. Stuff like keyboard and mouse are highly up to preference. I can personally recommend Logitech products as being of high quality. But to a certain extent, they're all (basically) the same.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Need help making new computer!

Recommended PSU list from OCN: http://www.overclock.net/power-suppl...-supplies.html

The Gigabyte G31 OCes well from what I've heard, but the EP35 is cheap enough.

What about the Centurion series from Coolermaster? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068
(with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126017)
You can get a free mouse/keyboard until the 7th.

[[BFECoD]Killuaxc']

Re: Need help making new computer!

The Antec 300 is on sale for $48 with free shipping when you use the promo code EMCAKAECG. Pair that with a Corsair 450VX which is $55 after rebate and you're good to go. Awesome case and awesome PSU for $105. Miles better than Sonata III. But the 300 is only on sale TODAY!! (9-4-08) There's free shipping, so go ahead and order the 300!

Thanks so much for the promo code Ordered the case for now. Still contemplating the rest.

[[BFECoD]Killuaxc']

Re: Need help making new computer!

Mobo. I highly recommend Gigabyte's EP35-DS3L. It is based on the highly popular and successful chipset, the P35. At $85 it's a good deal for a good motherboard. The P43 is just a slightly less featured "update" to P35.

The thing that concerns me about the gigabyte mobo is some reviews saying that it doesn't recognize OCZ 800mhz and also needs to be flashed to the f5 bios.

CPU:
What's the difference between the E7200 and the E5200? What would you recommend if money wasn't an issue?

PSU:
I'm kind of set on the HX520W now. Any last words before I order it?

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Need help making new computer!

:shakehead: Scan is the same as Newegg's Guided Search. Newegg's Power Search gives you exactly what you want in like 5 clicks.

I can find exactly what i want on scan in 4 clicks MAX

7200 has a higher FSB and is also officially a C2D rather than the 5200 being a pentium dual core which is a cut down C2D. If you are overclocking above 3GHz i doubt u wud notice the differences but i wud stick stick with the E7200 regardless.

Logitech have suberb customer relations which is why i would never buy anything else!

[[BFECoD]Killuaxc']

Re: Need help making new computer!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

is it worth the extra money to get these? vs the ocz's that i was thinking about...

[=98=]

Re: Need help making new computer!

They are not really worth anymore, PC6400 is PC6400, they don't differ greatly. Some DIMM's overclock better than others, but if you want those, you'll be going on a hunt for those memory modules with Micron D9 chips.

So, not really. As for the HX520W. Buy it, buy it, buy it!!!!

The motherboard will recognise 800mhz RAM. The likelyhood is that some people ordered them as soon as the board was released and thus they had an early BIOS revision. This may have had an 800mhz RAM bug.

However, update the BIOS (if it's not already updated when you get it) and it should be fine. I always recommend flashing the BIOS to the latest revision before installing new hardware.