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The (new) Official PC building thread!
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AfterDawn Addict
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2. December 2007 @ 00:06 |
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OC'ers forum test of CM-550 Real Power Pro
abuzar I don't know much about the Thermaltake that you can't read on your own. I'm not real impressed with the reviews but you know how those can be. You might ask sammorris or maybe he'll throw in his 2 cents. ;)
The Enermax I linked you to is GOOD too. It all depends on how far you're gonna push your system. I don't think you need that much power if you're not gonna run SLi and a bunch of other components. I think that sammorris has touched on this before.
I know that you wanna get a good deal but don't go CHEAP. I haven't said this in a while and it should be said again so we all hear it again. lol. It's better to buy once than 2 or 3 times. :S
....gm
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AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 00:34 |
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You have no idea how many times I HAVE said that. I keep on telling people don't skimp on the PSU, and here I am wanting to make that same mistake.
Ok so here is what I want. I don't want to buy crap, and also don't want to spend too much. What would be the BEST PSU for me for the price. You guys already know what parts I am gonne run, and also since I havent metioned video card I'm getting a 3870 or 8800gt.
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 00:34 |
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The reason for going bigger then you need is Heat...if you are running close to the edge in power consumption...you are also running close to the edge in Heat output...
The cooler the P/S is...the more efficient it is...thats why some P/S manufacturer's...test there P/S in room temperatures that are unrealistically LOW for the real world...and get way over inflated results...
Its just like OCing your CPU...If you want to get the highest OC...you freeze the CPU...Just as Heat is the Principal Limiting Factor in OCing a CPU...it is also the Principal Limiting Factor in Power Output of a P/S...
HEAT IS THE ENEMY..:)
Quote:
You have no idea how many times I HAVE said that. I keep on telling people don't skimp on the PSU, and here I am wanting to make that same mistake.
And the Light Bulb Finally Comes On...LOL..:)...at least the P/S to your brain is still working..:) just teasing ya...
The Corsair for $75...at ZZF...
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W Active Power Supply Retail
$90.90 ($75.90 after $15 MIR)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDet...ctCode=10006757
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. December 2007 @ 02:23
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AfterDawn Addict
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2. December 2007 @ 01:42 |
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Link to the "specs" for the CM-650W Real Power Pro. Had to find a review for this. :)
abuzar I think this P/S (CM-650W Real Power Pro) blows away the Thermaltake. The Thermaltake is a good deal for a "name brand" but not the best p/s out there. ;)
Lp531 good points as usual buddy. :D
...gm
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 02:01 |
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Maybe my New Slogan should be...
HEAT IS THE ENEMY..}:)
Heat really is the #1 Enemy of Electronics...
Heat=Resistance...
Resistance Kills Efficiency...
Cool=Efficient...
That is why I Rate the PC Power & Cooling...P/S's...So High...and Why I Push them So Much here in the Forums...
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Junior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 03:22 |
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Hey everybody. I am in the process of building a new computer. You guys seem to know quite a bit about pc hardware, and I had some questions I would like to settle before making the decision to purchase anything, mostly revolving around CPU/Mobo.
I will mainly be using this computer for web design and programming, so I'm not looking for hardware that will give me killer frame rates and stuff like that. I am basically looking for stability, and excellent multi-tasking. So for this build I was thinking about using a multi-core system and go 64-bit. Does anybody have some advice about which processor and motherboard to purchase? Here is the processor I was about to buy.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
As for a motherboard, I was not really sure. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My only request is that it is an Asus or other reputable name, I've always just purchased from Asus and have had minimal problems.
Also is there anything on a processor or motherboard that I should just make sure it has when buying now?
Any comments or feedback would really help me out. I made the mistake of not asking around for my last computer, picked out some stuff that really wasn't what I needed. Thanks a lot everybody.
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Junior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 03:25 |
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I forgot to add this in my last reply, but does anybody know a good place to look for cases?
Anywhere I find seems to have nothing but gamer cases with blue leds shining everywhere. Don't get me wrong I like that look, my last computer was like this, this time I'm trying to go a more professional business-like route. A nice matte black with some nice styling maybe?
Any suggestions?
Thanks again.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 04:34 |
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Read the reviews of the Corsair PSUs in detail Lp, they don't get any hotter than the PCP&C units...
Hydro: For web design anr programming, the Q6600 is likely to be overkill for your needs. Unless you do video editing, I don't really recommend Quad cores to anyone right now.
As for the motherboard, I use one of these and am very happy with it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128048
For the case, how about something like this?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119074
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 05:13 |
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@sam
Which review?...
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 05:15 |
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SilentPCreview for one, and I think PC Perspective cover temps too.
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 05:27 |
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@sam
Which review for which P/S?..
The last reviews I read showed the Internal components of the P/S...running cooler in the PCP&C then even the Corsair...they said the Corsairs fan design created a Quieter P/S...but PCP&C air flow design was more efficient at removing heat...
Corsairs fan speed increased in a more gradual slower curve...PCP&C in a quicker more steep curve...
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 05:32 |
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The temp rise for the Corsair is 13C at maximum, which isn't bad. At full load it's only 11C due to the higher fan speed. You really can't complain about temps like those.
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 05:53 |
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The Corsairs & the PCP&C P/S both run Cool...they were both with-in like 2-3 degrees...The main reason the Corsair & PCP&C P/S are so Cool...is they are both so efficient at converting power...
The PCP&C units can fit Taller & Bigger Heat Sinks because they do not have the bottom mounted 120mm fan...hence their components are Cooler...but with the sacrifice of a little sound...
I consider the 2 P/S basically equal...which ever one is cheaper at the time...or which ever ones fan configuration is more overall beneficial to the Cooling of the particular build...is the one I am going for right now...
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 06:06 |
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As far as keeping the system running cool goes, I vote for the large bottom fan approach. It works very well for me in my current setup.
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 06:38 |
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Sometimes the Bottom Fan can Interfere with the airflow of the CPU Cooler if its placed to close to the P/S Fan...Hence...I'll take into consideration the Case Design & Fan & Vent Placement...the CPU Cooler Design...Video Card Cooling...as well as the M/B layout when Picking the proper Components for the system...I always start with the Case & M/B...then Pick the rest of the components accordingly...
There are case were the Bottom mount is beneficial...If the P/S is Mounted up top...and there is a Big top mount exhaust...it can interfere with proper air flow to the P/S...by not allowing the back mount P/S fan to pull enough air through the P/S chassis...This will cause the P/S fan to spin at full speed all the time...and be noisier then it should...
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AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 07:47 |
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This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. December 2007 @ 07:50
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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2. December 2007 @ 07:49 |
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what does it mean to have 1,2, or 4 rails? what is this for..
i DL'd the manual for the gigabyte MOBO lastnight. did some reading maybe the firs 48 pages of the 84 page manual.... seems pretty easy if ya take your time and go by the book... the one thing it kept say that tossed me a bit. was to turn the power off before installing this part... why would there be power to it if your doing the intial build? im sure that ment if you allready had it built and was adding new stuff..
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 08:35 |
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@Cincy
Quote:
Multiple rails came about because the EU mandated that the power on a single rail should not exceed 240VA (12V x 20A). Intel then stipulated in the ATX12V v2.xx standard that if the power on a 12V rail was likely to exceed 240VA, a second 12V rail needed to be engineered. For practical purposes, a limit of 18A was used, allowing for 2A headroom. Manufacturers replied by mass-producing multiple rail power supplies, using several types of engineering. Some power supplies are well engineered, and the 12V rails are truly separated with separate transformers. However, others draw power from one single transformer and the rails are only separated after transforming takes place. The issue with multiple rails is that the power per rail is relatively low, which unfortunately often results in the use of inferior parts.
Intel officially dropped the 240VA standard in spring 2005...and re-instating single 12V rail power supply units as an accepted standard...
PSU manufacturers and there Marketing Department...or the Spin Doctors...took a grim situation...and turned it 180 degrees...and tried to turn "multiple rails" into some marketing Hype about performance...Which in my opinion it is Not...
In Both cases...If you have enough Juice on the Rail...there is No Problem...However...The Multi Rail System buy its mere design...will always be more likely to Not Have the Juice on the Rail when needed...The Muti rail is fine as long as it is engineered properly...and distributed correctly...The Single Rail Concept Eliminates this potential problem...The Single Rail will always have it on the Right Rail...
There is a much longer discussion about P/S's in Loco's Compy Build...Part of it should probably be moved over here as Greenie suggested once...
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AfterDawn Addict
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2. December 2007 @ 14:31 |
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Hi guys,
I built my Phenom PC yesterday, here are a few pix:
Phenom CPU:
Rob, when installing standoffs, thread them in until they just touch, then no more than 1/4 turn tighter:
The quietest PSU I have ever not heard:
Zalmans sure are well finished:
The Gigabyte board with the CPU, heatsink and RAM installed. I do check and make sure I can get the mounting screws installed with the heatsink installed:
I have this long screwdriver that I magnetized. It makes it really easy to get the mount screws installed in the corners.
Larger cases are great for cable management. This small mid-tower Silversone is a real challenge:
About 4 hours hours to build, not counting the 45 minutes it took me to figure out the stupid floppy mount:
Loading Windows:
I ran 3DMark06 and got a 5430 score. About the same as what I get with the E6750 and the same video card.
I'm still waiting for the 3870 video cards. I borrowed a 1950Pro to finish the build.
I really like how quiet this PC is. It's the quietest one I've built so far.
I dislike this case and do not recommend them. It has a few good points but not enough to recommend it.
Things I don't like...
No BIOS beep speaker.
Rivets that interfere with PCI card installation.
Poor instructions.
Cheap plastic front panel cover for the ports.
Other than that I really enjoyed this build and have a nice quiet PC as a result. Building an AMD for the first time, I liked the ZIF mechanism for the cpu and the way the heatsink attached.
This is my seventh build and so far not one single bad part or failure to start on the first attempt. I think it's because I'm very careful with the parts, take steps to avoid static, and double check all connections before applying power.
Cheers!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. December 2007 @ 14:41
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Member
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2. December 2007 @ 14:52 |
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HP Pavilion dv9000t: vista home premium/intel core 2 duo 2.0GHz/17" WSXGA (1680x1050)/256MB nvidia geforce go 7600/2GB memory/160GB 5400rpm SATA hard drive
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Junior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 15:31 |
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Wow, nice pics fasfrank. that heatsink you got looks like a monster, how tall is that sucker? It almost looks like it would be touching your side window!
Thanks for the reply Sam. I should have been more specific about what I plan on using it for, because I actually do a decent amount of video editing. Although I'm editing at small resolutions for the web, not HD video or anything like that. But overkill is fine with me :) I think I'm gonna stick with that CPU. But does this mean I HAVE to go 64-bit now that I will have 4 cores? I have always been a little reluctant to make the jump from 32.
Are there any ASUS motherboards that are comparable to the Gigabyte one you linked me to? I never know what the small differences are between the models and really don't want to screw it up. I am more comfortable with ASUS because I have used them many times before, and actually do know a little about their specific technologies. For example, somebody told me to only get a -E model board from ASUS now because they have better power components.
I'm not exactly looking for the best value here, I am willing to spend a little $ now to save some headaches later. I just want a solid board, a lot of USB connections, no SLI or crazy video card stuff, DDR2 and 3, ATX, maybe Wi-Fi.
And that case was pretty good I actually found some other ones that look similar that I like a little more. Thanks for the link. Oh and are cases like Silverstones and Lian Li's really worth the hundreds $ more?
Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.
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AfterDawn Addict
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2. December 2007 @ 16:25 |
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It has about 2 inches of clearance from the side. That is a tight case though. I wish I'd gotten a Cosmos!
Itan, That Sonata case is one of my favorites. It's easy to work with and makes for a quick build. If you leave the top bay empty you can stuff all your excess cabling above your optical drive. The biggest fault with the Sonata are the stupid rubber feet. Get some double sided tape, like they use to put automotive trim on with and you can make them stick. The first time I slid the case a bit three of the feet fell off.
I really wish you could install an E6750 cpu.
As far as video cards go, I'd go with the DX10 8600 GT..
From Toms Hardware http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/06/best_graphics_card/
Quote:
The 8600 GT was a terrible buy at $150, but now, as it approaches the $100 price point, it's much more attractive. The 8600 GT will slightly beat the old 7600 GT and X1650 XT in raw performance in the $100 price category. In addition to speed, the 8600 GT has the added bonus of being DirectX 10 compatible, as well as being a good overclocker.
NOTE: Beware of slower DDR2 versions of the 8600 GT! The GDDR3 versions are the recommended cards - DDR2 equipped 8600 GTs will be notably slower. The cheapest GDDR3 versions of the card we could find started at $105 online.
Staying within a budget is not easy. For example, do you have an OS to use? Heat sink thermal compound? The stock Intel heatsink is OK to do a minor overclock... with the correct application of AS Ceramique' or other good quality compounds.
I was able OC an E6750 to roughly 3.1 Ghz, staying below 55C at 100% load.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. December 2007 @ 16:27
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Junior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 16:43 |
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After reading around some more, I came across an article talking about the new Intel chipset X38. The article was an early review of motherboards and said it could not give too many conclusions because there were only a few mobos that met their deadline.
Does anybody know the advantages or disadvantages of the X38 chipset vs the P35? I was about to purchase a P35 board.
Thanks for the help.
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Senior Member
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2. December 2007 @ 16:47 |
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@fasfrank i love the way you put the box and components together...it looks really...really...Good...
Well dont you think 8600GT will bottle neck your System?...that mother board is has 790FX chip...so why dont you buy a HD3800 series card...
SEX
Now Ive got your attention please read my post above
Own: Computer, PS2, PS3, PSP and Asus UX32VD i5 Ultrabook
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2. December 2007 @ 17:02 |
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what res do you game at, caus an 8600GT, IMO is poor. if you are going o seond wuite a bit of money on a system, and you game, then why skimp on the GPU.
IMO for a minimum GFX card that anyone should go for ATM, is the HS3850 (£105), or even the x1950pro(£75)
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