SRL Archive - News and General

So I am interested in building a custom computer. I am using NewEgg to purchase all of the parts, and being a semi-newbie at self-building I am looking for some help. What should I change? Add? Remove? Upgrade? Thanks! :)

CD/DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
Monitor x2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254035
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128391
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125238
SFX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118105
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182030
Speakers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006
RAM x2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

** Update: I updated the GPU, Mobo, CPU and RAM. New price is roughly 1400.

Currently it's roughly 1,100, looking to spend no more than 1400-1500 or so.
I'm a bit in the dark when it comes to things like motherboards and processors and graphics cards so I could use a bit of help! :)

Thanks a ton,
Abyssal

I like the second case better. Love the quad core :). Sorry I can't help on video card as I don't know a whole lot about them either. Looks like it's going great. Although I would suggest that if you have to go windows then do the new Windows 7 RC for free. Otherwise I have no qualms.

I love how you pop in completely randomly :). How have you been?

Haha, I know, :D gotta be spontaneous it makes life more fun.

Yeah, the quad core looks hot :). What is the Windows 7 RC? What does that mean, haha?

What do you plan to do with this computer?

Few things..

-That graphics card doesn't look too good. If you're planning on gaming on highest or close to highest settings on newer games, I'd suggest either a 4770 (if you don't want to spend too much money, but still get a pretty good card), or a 4870 (which is a better card, but probably not as good of a price:performance ratio). If you're not planning on gaming a lot though, it's fine.
-8gb of RAM seems like major overkill. Will you be doing anything where you'll come close to using it all? I have 4gb (32 bit OS though, so only ~3gb is seen), and I never come close to using it all.
-Will you be doing anything that uses all four cores of your processor? If not, you'd get a better deal on a dual core.
-I'd suggest the antec 900. It's one of the most popular cases out there, and has great ratings.

Windows 7 RC is a release candidate* of Microsoft's new OS, Windows 7.

*The term release candidate (RC) refers to a version with potential to be a final product, ready to release unless fatal bugs emerge. In this stage of product stabilization (read QA cycle), all product features have been designed, coded and tested through one or more Beta cycles with no known showstopper-class bug. - Wikipedia

i can recomend the second case, my dad's used it for two of his custom computers; it looks and performs great :)

I'm looking to build a computer to be able to do nearly whatever I want it to do to an extent.

I am also looking for that much RAM, CPU power, etc, due to me being able to find want to 'future-proof' it for a while. Hopefully 1-2 years, at least.

I have changed the CPU, RAM, GPU, Mobo and PSU.

I wish I had the 8 gigs. I do all kinds of crazy crap with my Pc.

I like the 2nd case. Yes get windows 7.

Yes, second case is for sure.

Is there a comparison of Windows Vista to Windows 7 from someone who has used both? The bits I've used of Vista scared me.

If you, for some reason, need anywhere near 8gb of RAM in the future, the prices would have gone down a lot by then. Even 4gb is more than enough now. After a point, you're just paying for something you'll never use.

EDIT: I think win7 RC1 only works for a year..

I would change your GPU to either a 4670 or a 4850. A 4350 probably won't perform what you want especially if you plan on doing any gaming.

Edit: And to be honest, Intel has had AMD beat for a while now, but if you want to stay AMD thats your choice. Also buy this sound card if you are going to purchase one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

Windows 7 is faster than vista! I actually plan on buying it when it comes out :O (yes, I have used it; it's pretty amazing!)

For RAM, I definitely recommend going with the 8gb. It's cheap, why not! Seriously, when you can get that 4 extra gb for like 30 bucks, it's well worth it, especially if you plan to do any video editing or like to multitask. I routinely fill my 6gb - to the point where I'm really considering ditching 2x 1gb sticks and replacing them with 2gb sticks.

I'm not too keen on the motherboard, maybe its just me, but I prefer 'name brand' mobos: evga, xfx, asus, and some gigabyte (some - because i've no experience with gigabyte and have heard both good and bad about them). I find they are better designed, and carry more features with far better enthusiast support. If it's got what you're looking for though, the price is right!

For power supplies, I always buy Ultra. They're more expensive, but they carry a lifetime warranty!

@Cap: AMD is cheaper and almost as good, if not on par or above.
@Smartz: Yeah, no kidding most of it is just so inexpensive.

dont even bother with that gpu.

I recommend getting a geforce 8 series or a 2XX.

and for the cpu, get a core 2 duo or a i7 quad.

Many people use the Nvidia 8800 GT if I'm not mistaken. I don't know about the performance, just seen many people using it.

Sorry to be toatally of topic but…
I grave dug one of your threads likea year ago, and it got me my first infraction :p

Haha, sorry about that! :P

Will check into other GPU's.

Por que Intel vs. AMD?

Intel > AMD for me. It just runs so much faster (IMO).

ditch that video card, also ditch the OS.

you arent supposed to be buying OS's lol.

edit ~ i've got the same speakers lol

nvidia EVGA > ati
intel > amd
asus > any other mother board or case

I recommend the GeForce GTX 275 FTW.

Mainly because FTW is in the name.

From: caustic
nvidia EVGA > ati

Yaright. My 4870 was a much better deal than anything nVidia has.

serously dude, spending $1,100 then ruining it all w/ vista -.- get ubuntu/linux/mac for gods sake

btw, ubuntu is linux.

If you get MAC then get OSX2. I'd rather have Ubu of all these choices, dualbooted with Vista or 7.

Looks good. I personally don't like your motherboard, this is my choice, but looks like you're getting a good deal.

~Camo

I have the exact same PSU as you're looking to buy. I bought it a few months ago and have had no problems with it. Just make sure the case isn't to small b/c they include plenty of connectors & the cables are covered in a thick protection+ thin mesh lining. 10/10 for this PSU IMHO. The blue LED lights also look nice & match w/ the blue LED from my external HDD

1 vouch for EVGA 8800 GTS (the second revision that comes in 512mb and 1gb). One heckuva piece :)

Wow thanks for all the input guys, haha!
As for OS's, I might opt out of Vista completely and get 7, need to check into it a little more.

As for Intel, I did look at the i7/mobo/RAM price (DDR3) and it came up to about 100-150 more.

If possible, I'll go for that, but otherwise it'll be AMD.

I will recheck video cards again, haha. I am so clueless about those… and about motherboards, I think I'll be fine, but I can always CHECK for a namebrand one.

You could get two 4770's and crossfire them together, and according to some benchmarks I read two 4770's run as good or better then a GTX285. But that requires having a crossfire mobo, the up side is two 4770s will run you only 200$. But you never mentioned what you planned to do with your PC. If you aren't planning on playing Crysis(at max) theres no reason to buy any of the higher end GPU's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102835

From: Smartzkid
1 vouch for EVGA 8800 GTS (the second revision that comes in 512mb and 1gb). One heckuva piece :)

I can't seem to find any of the 8800 cards on newegg. Are you sure they're still being sold?

How about this video card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

I have a 4870, and it's great. Judging by the benchmarks I'm finding, comparing the 4870 and the 4850, it seems that the 4850 is noticeably slower, but definitely not ~$90 slower, so it's a pretty good deal. I'd say that's a good card for you.
If you want a little extra speed though, you should probably go with this.

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What do you plan on doing with your computer, and if you plan on gaming, what games do you plan on playing.

I'll see if that fits in my budget. It's tough to find a good one :)

I plan on playing a few graphics intensive games, as well as doing some programming. I haven't had a windows in a few years so it's tough to pinpoint exactly everything. Sorry.

Well then you have to make a choice, you can go with crossfired 4770s, or go with the 4870. The pros to the 4770 way is that it will beat out the 4870, and even a 4890 and nvidias 280, until you turn on AA. When you turn on AA the 4770s memory of only 512mb means all single card solutions with 1gb vram will out perform two 4770s in higher resolution. Here are some benchmarks.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-4770-crossfire,2288-6.html
http://en.expreview.com/2009/04/28/first-look-at-radeon-hd-4770-crossfire-benchmark.html/4

Crossfired 4770s would also mean that he'd have to get a different mobo, with two PCI-E slots. And why buy two 4770s for a total of ~$215 when he could get a 4890 for $20 more? He may even be saving $20 or more by keeping the mobo he has now.

EDIT: Getting the 4890 will also "futureproof" his computer by leaving him the ability to crossfire two 4890s if he ever wants to.

If he buys a new mobo as well..

Yes he'd be spending money then, but I think it would be smarter to get a single card now that can be bought for cheap in a couple years, when mobos will be cheaper too.
Did that make any sense at all? I can't get out what I'm thinking :<

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Decided on that video card :cool:
Now, with Windows 7 (saves 100$), is it having any compatibility issues with some software? Besides that, and Linux, there's not really another choice except… vista…

Windows 7 has an "XP mode", so if you have any problems with any software you can just run it in XP mode. But when I have used it, I haven't had any problems with any software.