help with building new system

ds-cowboy · 07-11-2008, 12:25 AM

first time poster. saw this forum and thought it was a god-sent gift.

i've been reading up and trying to gather as much info as possible.

so ah.. heres the deal. im going to college, for computer science - the programming track.
i already do graphics, web design, programming and all that shenanigans very fluently. but yet, this is actually only my second build (kinda odd i don't know current mobo's an such i know). my first one was two years ago so.
but yeah, im leaving he here in august. not to far off. So i kinda need to do this pretty fast.
& i just decided to build myself a new PC this week.

im trying like crazy to stock pile cash so my budgets semi-tight.
not squeaking when i walk tight, just kinda tight =)

anywho, i have absolutely no real preference over components or brand if thats any help.

Note: its basically a MUST to be able to run photoshop cs3, VB, C++ apps without shooting myself trying to get it all to load.

and here without delay is what i have so far.

-RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black (tower(must keep, need to live))
i'll write you some c++ to example this:

Code:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main ()
{
  cout << "me";
  cout << "+";
  cout << "shiny green lights in tower";
  cout << "=";
  cout << "extremely happy me";
  return 0;
}

-Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 mATX Motherboard. (can change i just thought this one was versicle enough to use)

-AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor.(can also be changed in accordance with the mobo.)

-Maxtor DiamondMax 10 200GB SATA/300 7200RPM 8MB hard drive.

- 2x OCZ Gold XTC 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory

-LOGISYS Computer PS480D-BK 480W ATX12V PSU(can be changed for sure went with a el-chepo)

- no idea about graphics card.
i love gaming, but then again, i do like to eat too so i could live my freshmen year munching ramen noodles happily playing diablo 3.

so far, everything i have is compatible yes? and i can probably clock it no problem with that case right?

-help
-constructive criticism
-pointers
-suggestions
are all welcome, and by welcome i mean "please fricken help me im lost"
ha thanks,
-Chuck

patriothntr · 07-11-2008, 06:11 AM

Okay...couple things I'm thinking...first...if you are going to be doing any hardcore photoshop/compiling/rendering, etc you probably want a quad core.

As far as your PSU, you should be looking at a name brand...Seasonic, FSP, PC Power and Cooling, Corsair, Thermaltake toughpower. I would not recommend the one you have picked out.

Graphics: for your needs and budget, I wouldn't be tied to a single card...I would set a budget for your graphics, and check slickdeals.net and dealnews.com for the components for the next week, and see if anything pops. From looking at what you have picked out, I would say you should be looking at 8800gs/9600gso (same card, different name), 9600gt, or 8800gt. Remember the prices vary widely, so you need to decide on your budget...

dai · 07-11-2008, 09:46 AM

you cannot pick your psu until you know what cpu and video you are running and it will be in the 80-100 range

ds-cowboy · 07-11-2008, 03:40 PM

can anyone suggest a decently priced mobo along side a decently priced cpu? is the one i have picked out okay for the apps i'll be running? i might end up sticking with on board graphics for awhile so.
EDIT:
i just notcied i had a GF fx 5500 256 sitting around. might possibly take care of video card problems for awhile?

any help is appreciated

patriothntr · 07-11-2008, 04:30 PM

It's possible the card might work...If you can, go through the stikey at the top of this section, and post back your answers...that will help folks have an idea of what your budget is, and what you want to do with your system.

ds-cowboy · 07-11-2008, 05:37 PM

i can't edit my post O.o

a) what do you want to do with this new system / if you game how serious a gamer are you ?
Answer:
photoshop cs3 work, c++ /c/java writing/compiling.
Yes i game. at the moment its been cs/diablo.
soon to be the new diablo 3.

b) which level do you "want" your system to be mid-level / performance / ultra performance
Answer:
as best as possible for the price range.

c) anticipated budget >>>>
6,7,800 usd?

d) what are the specs of the system you are using now ?
Answer:
OC'd L7VMM3 w/ AMD Athlon CPU
GF 5500 256 MB video card
400W power supply.
4x fans.
512 MB ram..
no laughing eh?
im running photoshop cs3 on this klunker, feel my pain.

07-11-2008, 12:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
ds-cowboy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: windows crystal 2008	help with building new system first time poster. saw this forum and thought it was a god-sent gift. i've been reading up and trying to gather as much info as possible. so ah.. heres the deal. im going to college, for computer science - the programming track. i already do graphics, web design, programming and all that shenanigans very fluently. but yet, this is actually only my second build (kinda odd i don't know current mobo's an such i know). my first one was two years ago so. but yeah, im leaving he here in august. not to far off. So i kinda need to do this pretty fast. & i just decided to build myself a new PC this week. im trying like crazy to stock pile cash so my budgets semi-tight. not squeaking when i walk tight, just kinda tight =) anywho, i have absolutely no real preference over components or brand if thats any help. Note: its basically a MUST to be able to run photoshop cs3, VB, C++ apps without shooting myself trying to get it all to load. and here without delay is what i have so far. -RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black (tower(must keep, need to live)) i'll write you some c++ to example this: Code: #include <iostream> using namespace std; int main () { cout << "me"; cout << "+"; cout << "shiny green lights in tower"; cout << "="; cout << "extremely happy me"; return 0; } -Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 mATX Motherboard. (can change i just thought this one was versicle enough to use) -AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor.(can also be changed in accordance with the mobo.) -Maxtor DiamondMax 10 200GB SATA/300 7200RPM 8MB hard drive. - 2x OCZ Gold XTC 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory -LOGISYS Computer PS480D-BK 480W ATX12V PSU(can be changed for sure went with a el-chepo) - no idea about graphics card. i love gaming, but then again, i do like to eat too so i could live my freshmen year munching ramen noodles happily playing diablo 3. so far, everything i have is compatible yes? and i can probably clock it no problem with that case right? -help -constructive criticism -pointers -suggestions are all welcome, and by welcome i mean "please fricken help me im lost" ha thanks, -Chuck Last edited by ds-cowboy : 07-11-2008 at 12:40 AM.

07-11-2008, 06:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: help with building new system Okay...couple things I'm thinking...first...if you are going to be doing any hardcore photoshop/compiling/rendering, etc you probably want a quad core. As far as your PSU, you should be looking at a name brand...Seasonic, FSP, PC Power and Cooling, Corsair, Thermaltake toughpower. I would not recommend the one you have picked out. Graphics: for your needs and budget, I wouldn't be tied to a single card...I would set a budget for your graphics, and check slickdeals.net and dealnews.com for the components for the next week, and see if anything pops. From looking at what you have picked out, I would say you should be looking at 8800gs/9600gso (same card, different name), 9600gt, or 8800gt. Remember the prices vary widely, so you need to decide on your budget...

07-11-2008, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 42,007 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: help with building new system you cannot pick your psu until you know what cpu and video you are running and it will be in the 80-100 range __________________

07-11-2008, 03:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
ds-cowboy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: windows crystal 2008	Re: help with building new system can anyone suggest a decently priced mobo along side a decently priced cpu? is the one i have picked out okay for the apps i'll be running? i might end up sticking with on board graphics for awhile so. EDIT: i just notcied i had a GF fx 5500 256 sitting around. might possibly take care of video card problems for awhile? any help is appreciated Last edited by ds-cowboy : 07-11-2008 at 03:48 PM.

07-11-2008, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: help with building new system It's possible the card might work...If you can, go through the stikey at the top of this section, and post back your answers...that will help folks have an idea of what your budget is, and what you want to do with your system.

07-11-2008, 05:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
ds-cowboy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: windows crystal 2008	Re: help with building new system i can't edit my post O.o a) what do you want to do with this new system / if you game how serious a gamer are you ? Answer: photoshop cs3 work, c++ /c/java writing/compiling. Yes i game. at the moment its been cs/diablo. soon to be the new diablo 3. b) which level do you "want" your system to be mid-level / performance / ultra performance Answer: as best as possible for the price range. c) anticipated budget >>>> 6,7,800 usd? d) what are the specs of the system you are using now ? Answer: OC'd L7VMM3 w/ AMD Athlon CPU GF 5500 256 MB video card 400W power supply. 4x fans. 512 MB ram.. no laughing eh? im running photoshop cs3 on this klunker, feel my pain.