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08-14-2008, 01:26 AM
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#1 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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[SOLVED] Looking for Critique on My Build
Well, my current computer is about to kick the bucket(the onboard soundcard is starting to fail) so I figure it's time to make a new one.
Before I started buying stuff I thought I'd get some feedback from everyone here. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Here's what I can re-use:
Here's what I'll need to buy with my selections:
Total: $508.95 $478.95 (After rebate) I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible while maintaining a fairly high performance PC. Critique? Edit: I forgot to add what I'd be using this for. More than anything I'd just like to make a computer that'll last me awhile before I have can't upgrade it anymore. I don't really play games anymore but I'd like to keep the game option open. Edit_2: Also, will my 500W power supply be enough? My current PC only uses 137W(P4). Last edited by Iplop; 08-14-2008 at 01:42 AM. |
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08-14-2008, 05:42 AM
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#2 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 145
OS: Windows 7
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
That is a lot to spend on a video card when you don't play games but just want to keep the option open. Get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102755
You will still be able to play games on it rather well, and if you ever do decide that you want a better graphics card, you can easily upgrade. Also, if you are already sure that you want the ram you have listed there, it's currently on sale for $45, so you could order it now and save. |
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08-14-2008, 07:29 AM
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#3 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Posts: 400
OS: OS X 10.4.x
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
If you check the sticky topics at that top of this forum, there is a section on how to pick a power supply. It also has a link to a configuration tool that allows you to put in your specifics and it will provide you a size that will be sufficient.
This is the one I am getting and it's $60 off PLUS another $20 mail-in rebate. I'd agree with Mlabre's comment on the video card. If you don't play that much, put the extra money into the power supply if necessary and possibly look at 4GB of RAM. The other thing I would mention is the CPU. Do you have a requirement/use for the Quad core? If not, you could save a bit on a Core 2 Duo. Again, it all depends on your requirements, but, looks like you have a good handle on it. Last edited by ShosMeister; 08-14-2008 at 07:42 AM. |
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08-14-2008, 10:44 AM
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#4 (permalink) | ||
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Quote:
Your right, I think I may get that video card instead. Edit: Seems I can't edit my initial post anymore. = / I am buying 4gigs of RAM. Quote:
Thanks for the advice so far! Edit_2: Damn, the power-supply calculator says that I'll need at least 671W. Looks like I'll be buying a 700-750watt power supply as well. Last edited by Iplop; 08-14-2008 at 11:05 AM. |
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08-14-2008, 01:25 PM
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#5 (permalink) |
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Moderator, Hardware Team
Join Date: May 2008
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania
Posts: 18,459
OS: Win7
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
What does the Quad core have to do with the Motherboard's useful life the Q6600 is at the end of it's life now the E8400 will out preform it most apps other then PhotoShop and a couple of 3d animation rendering programs that actually use all 4 cores, even then it's really close.
The LGA 775 socket has been around for a while also, so don't expect to see it 2 years if your looking to upgrade to a newer cpu then, Intel sockets have a longer lifespan then AMD but this ones getting pretty old. To get the best performance from the combo look for ram timings of 4-4-4-12 over 5-5-5-15 |
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08-14-2008, 02:15 PM
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#6 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Here's the changes I've made so far based on the feedback:
Total: $549.95 $519.95 (After rebate) Changes in Red I may end up cutting back on the RAM to 2gigs. That would save me $40. Last edited by Iplop; 08-14-2008 at 02:18 PM. |
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08-14-2008, 02:54 PM
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#8 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Quote:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006 Thanks for the info! Here's my latest revision:
Total: $549.95 $489.95 (After rebate) Changes in Red |
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08-14-2008, 02:54 PM
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#9 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Quote:
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08-14-2008, 03:01 PM
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#10 (permalink) |
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Moderator, Hardware Team
Join Date: May 2008
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania
Posts: 18,459
OS: Win7
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
How about this for Ram 4-4-4-12 timings certified for the P31 board you picked $38.99 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2KIT12864AA80A http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...68B17AA5CA7304 |
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08-14-2008, 04:02 PM
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#11 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Posts: 400
OS: OS X 10.4.x
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
I completely understand on wanting to not throw the whole thing out in a couple of years as that's exactly what I based some of my decisions on.
One thing I'd suggest looking at would be a motherboard that has both DDR2 and DDR3. Why? So that in a few years when you need to upgrade and DDR3 is cheaper, you can do that without replacing the board. This is the one I'm using. As for the CPU, if you look at the one above and a lot of the 775 boards, there are quite a few that support Core 2 Duo AND Quad Core so again, that may be an upgrade path without replacing the board. The only thing to keep in mind would be the PCI slots if you plan on adding a lot of cards. The one I am getting only has 1 PCIEx16, but, since I don't plan on running dual video cards (I'm getting the ATI 3870x2), I should be good. Anyway, it does look like you're doing pretty good on your choices. Just wanted to throw a few other ideas just in case. |
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08-14-2008, 04:36 PM
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#12 (permalink) |
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Moderator, Hardware Team
Join Date: May 2008
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania
Posts: 18,459
OS: Win7
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
The only thing about that theory is the ram it supports will still be the ram it supports today and it will only be marginally faster just like it is now, to get an E8400 to overrun the PC800 you have to overclock it to at least 3.6 maybe faster, DDR3 will come into play maybe with the Intel i7 cores maybe later when the P55-58 chipset comes out we'll see.
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08-14-2008, 08:24 PM
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#13 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Sorry for my last two posts. Someone called me while I was finishing my editing. I lost track of my tabs(all 10 of 'em) so I just clicked submit.
Here's the latest:
Total: $523.95 $453.95 (After rebates) Changes in Red Thanks wrench97, for showing me the ram! (awesome deal) Quote:
I know there are ways to get around the 32-bit RAM limit but all of that seems like a pain. It'll be cheaper for me to stick with the ~$60 board and then buy another ~$60 board(DDR3) in a few years with the latest chipsets. Last edited by Iplop; 08-14-2008 at 08:53 PM. |
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08-14-2008, 09:29 PM
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#14 (permalink) |
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Hardware Specialist
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
The 8800GTS 320 and 640MB editions are way outdated. The 8800GT with the G92 processor is much better. They are also around the same price:
Single slot 8800GT: EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318 Dual slot 8800GT: EVGA 512-P3-N800-TR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130359 You could also get this for $5 more, and it comes with Crysis: Free Crysis Game included w/ purchase, while supplies last EVGA 512-P3-N801-A3 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130381 |
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08-14-2008, 11:29 PM
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#15 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 47
OS: XP-home edition
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Quote:
How much of a difference is there between the two PCI-express versions? Does a dual slot card function that much better than a single slot card? The reason I'm sort of making this a game PC as well is so that I'll be able to play spore when it comes out.  Thanks for the links = ) I'm just not sure whether I should buy a motherboard that's twice as expensive so I can use one of 'em. >.< Edit: I did manage to find a MB with 2 PCI-E 2.0 slots for $89.99. I wonder if that would be worth it. Last edited by Iplop; 08-14-2008 at 11:36 PM. |
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08-15-2008, 12:50 AM
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#17 (permalink) |
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TSF Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,213
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
PCIe 2.0 is backwards compatiable with PCIe1.1 and 1.0a. You can use the G92 chipset on that board. I would suggest the following updates:
Go back to your orignial Q6600 chip, its much better (especially if you get the G0 stepping model). Don't worry about DDR3, its not worth the price premium. Get a 9600GT as this is a very good price/performance, and a model like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121242 has all the media center connections you could possible desire. Its also cheaper and faster than the 8800GT. If you can afford more, then the 4850 is the way to go. Definately don't get the G90 GPU (640mb gts) as this is a very hot and slow and outdated GPU now.
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08-15-2008, 07:34 AM
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#18 (permalink) |
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Hardware Specialist
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
Yes, you can use PCI-E 2.0 cards in a PCI-E 1.1 motherboard. PCI-E 2.0 has double the data transfer as PCI-E 1.1. And the dual slot card is worth it, it runs very cool at 35C idle, and 50-55C load..
I have the dual slot edition, its overclocked and it still runs that cool, maybe up to 60C under load but that is fine for a graphics card. Last edited by Jtsou; 08-15-2008 at 07:36 AM. |
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08-15-2008, 05:16 PM
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#19 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 125
OS: Win7 Ultimate x64
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Re: Looking for Critique on My Build
maybe it is just me but i dont see how that config needs a 750W...I would say that a good quality 550 - 600W PSU would suffice with some room to spare. Of course if you want to eventually upgrade to a superpowerful video card or SLI setup then maybe that is a good option.
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