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The Official PC building thread!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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9. January 2006 @ 03:36 |
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Right, the basic rules about getting value from cheap graphics cards:
If it uses Turbocache or Hypermemory, avoid it
if it's an X1300, avoid it
If you're using a 6600, you can't game at aything above 1280x1024 75% of the time
Since that card is 512MB, and barely midrange it will likely use hypermemory. If you can stretch to an X700 pro, or failing that a normal 6600GT (128MB) you'll do better, but the latter is still bounded by the 1280x1024 issue.Oh and HDTVs don't do 2048x1536, or 1920x1440, or for that matter 1920x1200, 1800x1440 or 1792x1344. My point is that that amazingly high resolution is designed purely for 19" CRTs.
The ONLY high definition image a TV will do is 1920x1080, and that's NOT available in most games, not that you'd be gaming at that res anyway with a budget card.
Hate to stem your enthusiasm, but you can forget about ultra high definition gaming unless you have a bigger budget.
Sorry!
To 4thmebcob, I think you've got everything.
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Reasons?
Suspended permanently
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9. January 2006 @ 05:35 |
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Try an Xbox 360 or PS3 if you want bang for your buck. The Xbox 360 has hands down the best CPU and the only CPU like it you can get these days, three core. And the ATI GPU contends with all of the latest $500-$600 cards.
In a few motnhs PS3 will top top that, and is really worth waiting for if you like Linux or in the rare case you migh tbe a UNIX programmer.
Fanboy is a term used to describe someone who is utterly devoted to a single subject. This generally is followed by the devotion and support even when proved wrong.
Anecdotal, by my definition, it's the way too many people here think. It's also all the evidence you have.
Xbox 360 GT: NEGATIVE 273K
My advice: Wait for PS3.
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9. January 2006 @ 11:20 |
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? I thought we were on about building PC's in this thread?
I can get an xbox360 if i want, or a PS3 when it comes out. Basically, what i want is a PC. So i can actually play games, use a word proccessor, multi task.
Im on a tight budget. I havent reached my £500 that i want to spend yet. I suppose i will get a different graphics card, like the one of the ones you mentioned.
I can get my hands on a nice CRT 19" for under £50 and with specs around Max. 90Hz and max res of 1600x1200. That will be a defo buy.
I looked at the X700, its the ATI X700 PRO GDDR3 256MB right?
Seems like a very decent card, but is as expensive at around £80. Is it right that its DDR3? I will only have a DDR2 compatible Mobo?
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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9. January 2006 @ 12:39 |
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I found this CPU
Intel Pentium® 4 640 3.2GHz 800FSB LGA 775 CPU EM64T +2MB
But in the description i found on a website it said "Needs Intel 915 chipset or newer".
I dont have a clue what that means... but will it work with this Mobo..
Gigabyte GA-8I945PG, i945P FSB1066 s775, DDR2, PCI-E, SATA, Gbit LAN, 8ch. Audio, ATX
Please tell me, i would like to order these because they are looking quite good for there price.
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. January 2006 @ 12:50
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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9. January 2006 @ 22:59 |
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Well, the motherboard may be DDr2 compatible, but with graphics cards, the memory will be GDDR3. The supported memory types statistic for the motherboard is for system RAM, not grapics memory. The circuitry on the graphics board is what deals with the memory type of the card. All that is required is the appropriate port (i.e. PCI Express 16x). The card may seem expensive at £80 but will perform admirably compared to top end cards, and it's a quarter of the price. The X700 is capable of running a few games at the aforementioned 1600x1200 ratio, and will certainly impress on a low budget.
That CPU will work with that motherboard as i945 stands for intel chipset 945, which is later than 915, and will therefore work. The monitor sounds fantastic, go for it.
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10. January 2006 @ 00:36 |
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Cheers for the help. I will be getting that motherboard and the graphics card.
Im going to a computer fair at the weekend and will hopefully get some good deals on the HDD and Case and PSU.
Another thing that i need to ask.
Is when you have set up the PC, what do you do for the first stitch on?
How do you suggest to build it?
I know that they will all fit together, but font i need to do stuff like install the driver before fitting the GPU?
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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10. January 2006 @ 01:26 |
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graphics cards run in a basic adapter mode that will see you through installing windows. All you need to do is install the driver before you play big games, or performance is reduced. Once everything's been plugged in, check it powers on okay without any nasty POST errors (i.e. beeping and/or messages on the screen). If all is good, then open the CD tray, bung windows in and reset. Off you go.
Assuming you're not using RAID, install windows and enter in your details and you're in. Install the graphics drivers, and any other software (mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.) and then you should be good to go.
But please, make sure your Power supply is set to the correct voltage before you turn it on. ;-)
if you want a build order, then:
get the case, prepare it (remove packaging, and take out slots that you'll be putting drives in, and untape any attached screws etc.
If your setup is like mine, you'll have risers to attach to the bottom of the motherboard, small metal things that are basically screw holes that you put the screws for the motherboard into, that allow the board to sit above the back panel of the case (when its on its side, obviously it pushes it to the left when it's upright)
Then you want to screw the board in. Bung the CPU in its socket (gently of course), and attach the heatsink if that hasn't been done for you. After you've done that, work on the other devices, ensuring everything fits nicely. Then add the power supply and connect everything up. Don't forget the front connector panels!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. January 2006 @ 01:32
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10. January 2006 @ 04:54 |
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Ok, cheers.
I will be getting the Motherbaord, RAM and HDD first. Hopefully i can pick them up at the week end. Hopefully i get enough cash flow to support the rest of the purchases.
Thanks for all your help, i will let you know how i got on with it when its all done and running!
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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Member
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11. January 2006 @ 06:12 |
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Hay people. I have found this card at a deal!
I just want to make sure its good before i buy it, thats why im asking your guys!
512MB Radeon X700 SUPER PCI-Express for under £80. New!
Does it sound good to you?
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. January 2006 @ 06:12
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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11. January 2006 @ 06:29 |
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Where's this from, ebay?
Well an X700 for under £80 can't be argued with, but I suspect the Super edition is an SI-only card, meaning it was only ever shipeed to PC builders rather than for retail separately. These cards usually underperform their full-scale counterparts, as they're main purpose is actually to mislead customers. Call me cynica\l, but many cards have done it. A new PC offering 512MB Radeon X700 Graphics sounds awesome, but the card may only perform as well as a normal 128MB X600XT. For a start, 512MB of graphics memory is totally unnecessary at that performance level and does indeed raise eyebrows. I couldn't help but notice it used DDR2 memory as well, inferior to GDDR3.
This is probably a better buy I would think:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=15048086731...
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Member
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11. January 2006 @ 06:39 |
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Well, yes its from ebay, but its in its retail box. It hasnt been open or used either. I was looking for a PCI-E X700 256mb, but found the X700 PCI-E Super 512mb instead.
I dont no, my Mobo is DDr2 compatible, so sounds good, and i know that the DDr3 is backwards compatable. I'm not sure which card to go for.
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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11. January 2006 @ 06:42 |
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No no no, let me get this straight.
The graphics memory (DDR2 or DDR3) is irrelevant and totally unrelated to system RAM. It doesn't need to support DDR2 or 3 to have a DDR2/3 Graphics card. The card itself and PCI express bus deals with that, not the motherboard. Second, the best X700s to go for are the Pro and XT versions. Super sounds like a cut down one to me, despite the name. More expensive cards are more expensove for a reason.
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11. January 2006 @ 06:50 |
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Ohh, ok.
I get you know.
Im looking at the X700 Pro 256mb cards now.
Cheers
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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11. January 2006 @ 06:57 |
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No problem. Although the Pro 256 may have less memory, the clock speed is higher (and so will the memory speed probably), and you'll probably find that with a card in the sub £100 range, the speed ratings are what cap performance, not memory size.
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14. January 2006 @ 06:48 |
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Ok. I think i have have everything.
But, i need to know, before i buy my RAM...
Does my motherboard need 2x 512mb, or just a 1024mb ?
Does it need both RAM spaces filled? Or can it use just the one?
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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14. January 2006 @ 08:06 |
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You can use as many or as few slots as you like, but if you use an even number with the same type of RAM in both/all then you can use dual channel memory which will operate faster. A few boards support dual channel mode for three slots but not many.
Overall, single sticks are better since you have room to add more, but keep dual channel in mind, especially if dealing with any Athlon64, as they can really use the extra memory speed.
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14. January 2006 @ 08:28 |
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Cheers. just bought DDR2 Samsung 1GB 533Mhz (i no i can get 667mhz, but this was cheaper!).
Do you know where i can get a X700 Pro 256mb PCI-E for cheap?
I have been to my local computer fair, they mainly sold 6600's (which had that hyper thingy) so i avoided them.
I dont need it right now, but i would like the price to be £80 or under.
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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14. January 2006 @ 13:01 |
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Does anyone know where to pick up a X700 Pro 256mb PCI-E for under £80?
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. January 2006 @ 04:28 |
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To others: Under the presumption that this is the same user I was speaking to in another thread, this question's been answered.
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15. January 2006 @ 07:59 |
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The answer to the question, which sammorris gave was basically:
Generally the X700 Pro 256mb PCI-E goes for around $105.
Exception to kustompcs, where it was £70.50 (no stock left-not getting anymore!) and microdirect for £78.38 (they have no stock left for this card on their online store - awaiting in-stock email).
Basically, under £80 and your pushing it, a lot!
Be prepared to spend about £105 from a good source. You can try eBay, but only if you really know what your doing + buying!
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. January 2006 @ 08:05 |
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dollars?
$105 would be cheap!
But yeah, for the 256MB pro version, £100 minimum, nearer 110 delivered. For a 128MB standard one, under £80 is possible, but not this one.
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15. January 2006 @ 08:32 |
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Woops. sorry hit the Dollars sign instead of Pound sign... (well, they are nect to each other!)
So £105, just to clear that up, and GBP not Cypriot Pounds either!(Currency of Cypress)
3.2Ghz P4 775, ATi X700 Pro 256mb, 1GB DDR2,Asrock 775Twins-HDTV S/L, Maxtor 10 160GB SATA, NEC 4571 DVD±RW DL/RAM, Pioneer 110 DL/RAM, Hiper Type R 480W.
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Satin Silver Ltd. Ed. PS2, 200GB Maxtor HDD, Swap Magic 3.3, Slide Card, HD Advance 3
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. January 2006 @ 09:07 |
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Lol, i'll try to sound friendly here, I'm trying, but it's Cyprus not Cypress, and yes the cypriot pound is even stronger than the UK one. $1000 = ?829 = £566 = CY£476
That's just given me an interesting thought, an FX-60 would be about CY£620, which is twice what you can buy an entire PC for in US dollars!!!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. January 2006 @ 09:08
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jonni3
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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16. January 2006 @ 09:36 |
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BootMe , for that money you could get a 6600GT http://www.novatech.co.uk:80/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-66GTE which would be a better bet than the X700, i use a 6600GT at the moment with a 20.1" widescreen monitor which has a native rez of 1680*1050 & gaming & watching movies are a joy on it.
But @ the end of the day the choice is yours to make ;)
Edit: BootMe steer clear of Q tec psu's they have a tendance to go bang, put a few more ££ towards a decent psu :)
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16. January 2006 @ 09:39
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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16. January 2006 @ 10:14 |
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Yes and no. I wouldn't say the 6600GT is any better than the X700, no worse but no better. But definitely agree with you on the qtec psus. I had one and didn't manage to get rid of it in time. I'm now short 1 200GB disk drive (and my data on it), a stick of RAM and a floppy disk drive. Plus of course the £90 in repairs and replacement PSU.
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