silentfox618

This computer will be used for gaming, video/image editing, 3D design, and such. It does not have to be top of the line, but I would like to end up with a fairly decent set-up for the time being. I am really looking to spend about $1,000 max, but I can spend more. It doesn't have to be top-of-the-line either, but I would like to leave room to upgrade it to a fairly powerful machine in another year or 2. As far as RAM, I was thinking about either one 1GB stick of ram in the machine (then get another later), or one 2GB stick of RAM (then possibly get another later). I was also thinking of getting this HD...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148148
I am basically taking apart 3 of my old computers lying around my house and will use what I can too. I figured out a couple of the parts I would like to use, but I would like a few suggestions of parts, not sure about a few things. Here's a list of (specifically) what parts I have already.

Hard Drives

WD Caviar
Model: WD400BB-00DKA0
40 GB Hard Drive

Seagate U Series 5
Model: ST340823A
40 GB Hard Drive

Seagate
Model: ST34311A
4.3 GB Hard Drive

CD Drives

Samsung CD-Master 32E
Model: SCR-3232

LITE-ON IT CORP. CD-ROM Drive
Model: LTN-526S

Compaq CD-ROM Drive
Model LTN-4868

Magicspin
Model: BCE 5224IM


I also have 3 floppy dives, but I doubt I'll need all 3... Just 1... maybe 2 just because.

The best graphics card I have is the GeForce FX 5200 (128MB)

I also have a FOXCONN Motherboard. I just copied this off of it, hopefully so you can tell which one...
US4041201943 PC 400M01-G-GL

I'm not sure which of those parts to use, and what to replace... suggestions?


-----------------------------------

OK, so now for a couple of questions...

1. If you can tell what kind of Motherboard ^that^ is, should I stick with that or just get something better? (If you think I should stick with it, then I'll just use the same case too)

2. Can only a certain amount of RAM be used on certain motherboards? (like can 2GB sticks not be used on some older or not a as powerful motherboards?)

3. No idea which processor to get, (and don't know what is in my old computer either, any way to tell?) any suggestions?

4. Is there anything really that important about which tower case I get? I'm guessing just how many bays and stuff there are, but I don't know squat about what fans/ventalation to use for my computer...

It's so hard deciding what to put in my computer! so confusing!

I'll leave it at that for now, then dicuss more after hearing some input... (and I know I need a good power supply, so don't worry )

Rashiki

I'll make a few suggestions.

First, on the RAM, most motherboards nowadays are dual channel, meaning they use two memory piplines to the CPU, helping to speed performance and ease the bottleneck caused by the comparatively slow system bus. Usually two sticks of identical ram are used, and most manufacturers produce 'kits' containing matched sticks. This is far faster and would benefit you in your gaming and 3D editing tasks.

On salvaging components, I would salvage the WD Hard drive, but only use it as storage. The hard drive you're looking at is faster than anything you have now, and wouldn't bring out the potential of your new components. The old seagate is up to you, it's even slower than your WD drive, as it works at 5,400 RPM. The 'standard' nowadays is 7,200 RPM or higher. The 4.3gb seagate i'd leave out. Also, if it works out to be in your budget, i'd consider getting a HDD with a 16mb cache. This will help in your 3D editing as well, as recent/frequently accessed data will be in the cache, instead of your computer having to get it back off the spindles, and cache is much faster.


For optical drives, you should be ok with the components you have, unless you plan on watching or using DVD's. The Lite-On and Magicspin are what i would put in out of the choices. The lite on will read, and the magicspin will write all your CDs. Having two drives makes it easy for CD to CD copy. If you're planning on using DVD's, NEC makes a nice all in in one unit for about 30 bucks. 'tis a little noisy, but it does everything but litescribe and blu-ray.

To answer your questions:

1: I have no idea what model/any specs on that board. Good motherboards are pretty cheap these days and for getting all the performance out of your machine, i'd suggest a new board. Make, model and features will depend on how much you want to spend and what you want to do. Most boards nowadays will be able to do what you want without much trouble, it'll be a question of how fast.

2: There is a max amount of RAM on any motherboard. It will vary with chipsets, but most board you can at least cram 8gb, with some as much as 32gb. There are other factors that go into it, but i wouldn't worry about maxing your RAM capacity anytime soon.

3: As for processors, it's a tight battle. Intel chips are usually better for day to day operations, whereas AMD are better for graphics. The intel Core 2 Duo chips are probably the best you can do right now, but that's a matter of opinion. If you're going to game more, go intel. If you're going to do your 3d modeling more, head to the AMD camp.

4: Basic requirements for a good case IMHO are nice rounded edges, a good thickness in the metal making up the case ( some are pretty thin and flimsy, bleh ) plenty of open bays for expansion, a bay for an intake fan at the bottom front of the case, and an exhaust port, ideally for a 120mm fan. The bigger the fan, the more air they move with less noise. Other than that, it's up to you.

*whew*

Your turn!!

milehile

Honestly, if you have $1000 to spend, I would just get brand new parts all around. My signature shows you my system specs and all of that was bought off of Newegg for under $600 back in March. Now, you can get all of what I got for under $300 (sadly enough).

Right now, $1000 can get you a lot of super high quality equipment. If I had a grand burning a hole in my pocket (HA), I would have a ball upgrading my comp cause there is so much I could get.

TheMatt

You could get a decent gaming computer, and I agree that you would be best off getting new parts. Here is my recomendation:

ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $151
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131070

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - $221
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - $104
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220068

Western Digital Caviar 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $63
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062

NEC Black CD/DVD±R/RW/RAM 2M Cache E-IDE / ATAPI DVD Burner - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152076

XFX GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150209

Antec True Power Trio ATX12V 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371001

The total here without a case is about $909. I verified that the RAM will be compatible with the motherboard I listed.

My Favorite Cases:

Thermaltake Armor jr Silver Chassis Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133016

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Antec Performance One P180B Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129017

These cases will give you excellent airflow to keep your components cool.

milehile

That second one is insane. 3 120mm fans and a 200mm fan on the top. Might as well just put one giant industrial fan next to it and turn on to full blast, set only a foot away. lol

silentfox618

wow ... that right there was more help than I expected . Thanks alot for that! Seriously a big help! I actually thought a computer like that would be more expensive, but apparently not. Thanks again , later!

TheMatt

You're welcome. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

silentfox618

Sorry, just got around to finally going to buy the parts (been busy... and lazy I guess...) and I guess I took too long. One of the parts is no longer there^^^. But actually I was kinda thinking of putting my budget up to closer to $1,500 or possibly higher anyways, and probably want at least 2GB RAM. So basically what I was wondering what I should get as far as RAM (cause I don't know how to tell if it's "compatable" with the motherboard). And other than deciding the RAM, what other changes would you recommend to my set up? And would it be a good idea to get maybe get 2 of the HD's you recommended already? And I dunno if I mentioned it, but I would eventually be using this for Maya as well (when I can eventually front the cash for that expensive stuff... started taking a class for Maya... I think it's awesome...) I think that's everything...

TheMatt

Well, now we are talking. With $1500, this is what you can get:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - $316
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003

ASUS P5N32-SLI Premium/WiFi-AP LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131071

Patriot Signature 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - $207
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220071

Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136054

Western Digital Caviar 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136003

NEC Black CD/DVD±R/RW/RAM 2M Cache E-IDE / ATAPI DVD Burner - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152076

SAPPHIRE Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - $246
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067

FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W SLi Power Supply - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104023

I have again verified that the memory is compatible with the motherboard. The total without a case is about $1340. BTW, this is an insane rig, so if you can afford it, you will enjoy it.

To tell whether RAM is compatible, to to the manufacturers web site and check if they have the motherboard listed, and check for compatible modules.
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...uy-memory.html

silentfox618

OK, I have all of these parts now (except for the WD Caviar 320GB HD, hasn't arrived yet, hasn't even shipped yet). Now I just need a little help assembling everything. Not sure EXACTLY how everything goes together, what steps to do everything in, which pins go where, stuff like that. And since I'm using the same Windows XP CD I used on my old Computer, will I have to talk to someone at Microsoft? Step by Step stuff would help so I don't screw something up thanks!

Edit: The CD I used before was "XP Pro w/ SP2". I DO have an "XP pro x64 Edition" CD that came with the other CD and it has a different CD Key. So do you think it would be better to use the x64 Edition or SP2?

TheMatt

Here are some guides.
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...-w-photos.html

With that computer, you won't even need a 64 bit OS for it to be really fast.