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The Official PC building thread!
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Senior Member
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21. May 2006 @ 00:21 |
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___aabbccdd___you asked about prices and newegg has a weekend sale going on Windows Media Center OEM for $110 and thats the cheapest I found after much searching for a legit copy. I looked at upgrades but thats for different OS than XP and nearly the same price.
I shouldnt have to wait long to put that Opteron in!!!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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21. May 2006 @ 03:08 |
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Unless you're a dedicated fan of SLi, you may be better saving a few dollars and going for an A8N-SLi Premium instead. Cheaper, puts out less heat, and still much the same. I'd say Hiper Type R, Enermax Liberty and Seasonic S12 are the better PSUs out there, along with maybe Antec TruePower and of course Turbocool.
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aabbccdd
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21. May 2006 @ 07:48 |
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great Deadrum33 newegg comes though again there hard to beat
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Red_Maw
Senior Member
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21. May 2006 @ 15:37 |
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What is the advantage of having a North and South bridge?
Thanks
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redZoneOS
Member
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21. May 2006 @ 19:44 |
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hi guys,
I have this really old school Gateway computer that I wanna get rid of and maybe build my own comp (first time)... How much do you think I need to spend on building? I'll be using it for alot of downloading (i have a 250GB HD), and mostly to play counterstrike, surf the web and do homework haha... I have a monitor, HD, dvdRW DL, DVDROM, 128MB vid card (ati 9600XT AGP)... what else? I'm thinking...:
CPU: I'm gonna try AMD for the first time and dont know how their speed ratings or anything... AMD A64 3200+ 939 ::: $99.99
MOBO: MSI RD480 Neo2-FI ::: $101.99
RAM: 2x 1GB PC3200 RAM :::64.99 each
Vid Card: ATI All-In-Wonder 2006 Edition 256MB DDR3 VIVO PCI
Express x16 Video Card ::: 129.99
Power supply: Ultra X-finity 500W ::: 29.99
Case: Xion II Silver ATX Mid-tower ::: 54.99
GRAND TOTAL: 546.93 plus shipping/handling/taxes
is there anything else I need? Any way to improve this setup without sacrificing too much $$$??? Will this setup be okay for online gaming? I hate lag! :D
thanks alot guyz!
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aabbccdd
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21. May 2006 @ 20:25 |
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i would go with a better CPU at least the 3700+ or the 4000+ if you can swing it and a better power supply Antec ,True Power. and probably better ram the CORSAIR XMS is really good stuff , sammorris is really good at piecing a system together
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redZoneOS
Member
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21. May 2006 @ 21:45 |
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ok how about this:
RAM: Corsair TWINX Dual Channel 2048MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory
(2 x 1024MB) ::: 138.99
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ ::: 139.99
PSU: Antec truepower II 480W ::: 77.00
and my previous stuff (unchanged):
MOBO: MSI RD480 Neo2-FI ::: $101.99
Vid Card: ATI All-In-Wonder 2006 Edition 256MB DDR3 VIVO PCI
Express x16 Video Card ::: 129.99
Case: Xion II Silver ATX Mid-tower ::: 54.99
NEW GRAND TOTAL: 642.95 plus shipping/handling/taxes
I'm trying to spend as little money as possible so I think this is about as much I wanna change? Thanks for the advise tho, I did change my brand of PSU, and upped my CPU a little bit :D and changed my ram to corsair... I couldnt go with the 3700+ or higher cuz it was too expensive... Does anyone know if this setup will be successful as far as compatibility and all that??? Any other changes i should make in terms of MOBO, CPU, RAM, PSU etc without ridiculously upping the cost?
Thanks again!
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aabbccdd
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21. May 2006 @ 22:39 |
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redZoneOS , wait till sammorris post his really good at pricing out a nice system for what you want to spend. i dont think thats your best choice for a mobo Asus would be my pic
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. May 2006 @ 02:03 |
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eparker89: All having a northbridge and a southbridge does is split some of the work from one chipset to another, but other than in the case of 32x SLi boards (where it's compulsary anyway) there isn't much load shed, on my board, the southbridge doesn't even have a heatsink.
redzoneOS: As far as performance/price goes, the 3500+ is the best one to go with. XMS RAM is great but will you be overclocking? I ask as XMS is premier performance memory, and for general usage, normal stuff will do
(not cheap unheard of brands like Elixir, they're bad, as soon as I exceed my page file limit, I experience double the slowdown I should with this RAM, and dumping after playing a big game takes forever, it shouldn't)
like Corsair Value Select or GelL Value. As long as you don't OC (and even if you do to an extent) you won't experience a performance hit from scaling back a notch. I assume you're definitely after the All-In-Wonder functionality? Because underneath that card's just an X800GT I think, it ain't fast. If you are set on that, that's fine, but if you can deal with just VIVO then http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131297R is a good deal, cheaper too and almost twice as fast.
Other than that, you should be all good. I assume you already have a hard disk and optical drive?
aabbccdd: I'm flattered! Lol. considering I don't even come from the US.
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redZoneOS
Member
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22. May 2006 @ 11:14 |
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Sammorris: I dont think I'll be overclocking because I dont even know how to LOL so I think the Corsair value ram will be plenty good for me... As far as the Vid card (all in wonder) do you think it will be better for me to buy the one u suggested (X850) and then buy a TV tuner separately? I didnt want to spend too much money but I guess if it makes a big difference, I might as well! Also aabbccdd says u're the master mechanic in here so I was also curious about the MOBO I selected... is it any good or do you have better recommendations for similar price range??
Thank you both so very much, I want to get started with my first build this weekend so I appreciate all your input!
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redZoneOS
Member
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22. May 2006 @ 11:18 |
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oh btw sorry i forgot to mention, yes I already have a 250GB seagate HDD, 16X sony DVD-RW DL, 16X DVDROM, 19 inch monitor, floppy, etc. etc. so I think I'm all good there... I just need advise on the other stuff I selected... thanks again!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. May 2006 @ 14:12 |
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redzoneOS: As I thought, stick to Value Select and save a few. A separate TV tuner doesn't mean any better TV reception, but using that with an X850XT gets you far better game performance (up to 60% faster). You can get a good Leadtek TV Tuner for not much more than you save by going with the X850 instead of the AIW2006. Master mechanic lol, I started here as a very junior inquisitive young boy who was about to embark on his first custom build. I'd gladly do it again but I don't have the money to waste on bitty components that UK sellers mess me about with, I need the job done properly. Anyhoo, the RD480 Neo2 is a good mobo, but the best manufacturer of motherboards is Asus, in particular the A8N-SLi series, albeit somewhat expensive for the upper models. I would recommend the nVidia nForce 4 chipset over the ATi RD480, it's a bit faster, not that there's much difference. But in all honesty for value sake, I'd stick with that one. Sorry if that confuzzles you a bit.
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Senior Member
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22. May 2006 @ 14:51 |
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@Praetor
I am building a new machine and noticed your Mobo, I too have a A8n32-sli deluxe... My PCU is a AMD 4200+ Dual-core and I am running dual XFX Geforce 6600 512 MB Ved cards. for memory I have just ordered 2 GIGs of Crusail XMS 400 unbuff. sticks- Hard drive is 320 WD. My qustion is what size Power supply should i use? I was thinking 600 W any brands and mod. you can sujest? not sure what optics either "Lightscrib for sure
Win. 7/Case- Thermaltake Armor11 bays "full case"-with side fan panel... removed stock fans replaced with SCYTHE 92mm 2ea. and SCYTHE/s-flex sff21f 120mm 2ea./ sunbeam 4 fan controller/Processor-Intel Core2Duo E6850 3.0 w/ Zalman CNPS7700-CU cooler/motherboard-Asus P5N32-E SLI p680I/PSU-Cooler Master RS 850 watt real power pro sli/Sound Card-Creative Sound Blaster X-FI FATAL1ty/Cables-Thermaltake Rounded IDE ATA & ATA2/Memory- 4 Gig Corsair XMS 800 MH/HDD-1ea. WD 300GB 10K VelociRaptor Sata-1ea.WD 320GB 7200rpm Sata/Drives- 2ea. Benq 1655 [Rev.BCDB]2ea.LG GH24NS70[rev.GN00]/52in1 card reader&Writer&USB/ Video cards- 1ea. EVGA Gforce Nvida GTX 550Ti /Monitors- 2ea. ACER AL2017 LCD 20 in. ea/Printer-
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. May 2006 @ 15:25 |
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PSU: Seasonic S12 or Enermax Liberty or Hiper Type-R (600,620,580).
Optical: NEC, LG GSA-4166 or Plextor.
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aabbccdd
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22. May 2006 @ 23:12 |
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Asus/True Power are good PS also
drives: Plextor ,Lite-On ,BenQ ,NEC and LG in that order iam a Plextor guy all the way!!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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23. May 2006 @ 01:20 |
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Yeah, I agree about Plextor (although they are a bit overpriced) but I disagree about BenQ. My experience tells me NEC and LG are a lot better. I've had two drives from the Daxon Group (one Acer, it's warranty replacement BenQ - ain't that a clue?) burn a few CDs, a few more coasters and then fail within 2 months. After the second failure, I gave up and couldn't be bothered to return it, I just settled for my four year old Toshiba DVD-ROM. I've since had a Matshita SW-9581 (Panasonic) DVD-RAM and LG GSA-4163B Supermulti and both have been rock solid.
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Moderator
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23. May 2006 @ 14:54 |
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I'd have to say that BenQ makes some of the best drives on the market right now. I've been a lifelong Plextor user but the BenQ DW 1655 I recently purchased has been turning out burns that are superior to those of my PX-708A using the exact same software/settings and the same media from the same lot.
This thread is very good reading,
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/330512
Many folks are getting 95% quality and above when using CD/DVD Speed so even if Plextor matches that quality I personally can't see getting one over the $39 1655 and this is coming from a guy that before owning a BenQ would've laughed in your face if you told me $39 drive could equal the quality of a Plextor. And it's not just burn quality I'm taking about because I was very surprised at how solid the drive is built.
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33 This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. May 2006 @ 14:55
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shuboy00
Junior Member
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23. May 2006 @ 16:53 |
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Hey everyone... I've been reading this thread for a while and i am getting a better understanding of what i want. I currently am looking to build myself a beast and am looking to spend about $1500-1700. I was going to just do a BTO alienware PC, but my co-worker told me to just build one (seeing as though i am an IT guy). I trust u guy's judgement, so i was wondering if you guys can give me a breakdown of what u recommend to buy (with my budget)...im talking from case to mobo to everything. I will be using my maching for online gaming and also web-development (i would like to run 3 monitors or more)
Thanks in advance, you guys who post are true life-savers!
--The test of a man is the fight that he makes...
Kreative Klick
HEAVY HITTERS...SUCKAS!!!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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24. May 2006 @ 02:04 |
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Hmmm, Benq have obviously come a long way in that department.
shuboy, you could get an alienware PC, or you could build it yourself for 60% of the price. No joke. This of course means you get a better PC for your money. It's not difficult. Online gaming's a bit loose, is this Online gaming as in minesweeper flags, or online gaming as in latest modern fps, or a little of both?
Generally for that sort of money us folks recommend dual cores now. Let me price something up for you.
X2 3800 $297
X1800GTO $200
2GB XMS $139 (rebate 50)
A8N-SLi Premium $168
Barracuda 250GB $95
Allow $40 for optical drive
allow $100 for case (you may as well choose your own)
Hiper 580W PSU $112
1161
This leaves $300-$400 to get a monitor and peripherals.
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shuboy00
Junior Member
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24. May 2006 @ 06:05 |
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LOL. I meant the latest fps. Thanks for the re-assurance on the ease of building your own pc. Like i mentioned before, i am very computer savy, but i have never actually built a box from scratch.
I will do a search on everything you listed on newegg and see if i can find them. My co-worker also told me to go with liquid cooling. Recommend any specific one? Also is there any step-by-step guides on here you guys rec to 1st time pc builders?
--The test of a man is the fight that he makes...
Kreative Klick
HEAVY HITTERS...SUCKAS!!!
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shuboy00
Junior Member
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24. May 2006 @ 06:31 |
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Also that budget did not include monitors and peripherals. All of that was strictly for the inside hardware, so with the money sammorris had left over for me, where could i apply it to get something better? (i.e. vid card or mobo)
--The test of a man is the fight that he makes...
Kreative Klick
HEAVY HITTERS...SUCKAS!!!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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24. May 2006 @ 06:50 |
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As a co-worker, I'd disrecommend liquid cooling. It's asking for trouble. One drip and you're $1000+ less well off. Trust me, I've seen people write "I used liquid cooling, and my system's no more. I should have stuck with fans" An endless number of times.
If you get reasonable air cooling, your system won't run any worse than with liquid cooling, and in many cases it'll be just as quiet.
Use the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro heatsink, it's compact but very effective, and also quite cheap. That mobo is top of the line, so go ups on Video card and/or the processor (assuming you're not overclocking much) I didn't actually include the links last time, so I'll do that now. I "allowed" an amount for an optical drive and a case since optical drives mostly cost the same and you may have a favoured brand, and someone will no doubt criticse my choice, we all have our own opinions. I'd vote LG, Pioneer or NEC but others may suggest BenQ. Above all though, Avoid Plextor. They're twice as expensive as the others and often bring about no increase in quality. Some of their drives are even quite poorly made.
For cases, there are hundreds out there. Pick one you like. My favourites are the NZXT Lexa (high budget), Thermaltake Soprano (low-mid budget) and the Antec Sonata (mid budget).
X2 3800: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562 $297
or
X2 4200: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103547 $358
A8N-SLi Premium:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131540 $168
For non-SLI (and who uses that, anyway?) there is pretty much no better board.
250GB barracuda http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148111 $90.
Good quiet drive. If you're after fast windows loading, I'd also recommend one of these in addition to that:
36.7GB Raptor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144200 $107
You'll also need S-ATA cables, but what's the poitn of me giving URLs for those eh?
X1900XT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131006 $435 VERY GOOD graphics card.
X1800XT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102697 $296 - a cheaper option if that's too much.
Freezer 64 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185125 $33 - Very good heatsink.
2GB XMS RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575 $139 after $50 rebate.
Hiper 580W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128001 $112 - Top class power supply.
I believe this lot comes to $1303 if you use the 4200 and the X1800XT, with the raptor. This of course doesn't include S-ATA & IDE cables, an optical drive and case. (they should total $100). If that's too much, then take out the raptor (and one S-ATA cable!) and it comes to $1196 plus the rest.
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shuboy00
Junior Member
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24. May 2006 @ 07:12 |
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Thanks sammorris! You have really laid it out for me and im going to order all of these things at once today. I really appreciate it. Oh, and i think im going to go with an NVIDIA chipset cause im more partial to them. Would you rec the 256 MB 7800GTX?
--The test of a man is the fight that he makes...
Kreative Klick
HEAVY HITTERS...SUCKAS!!!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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24. May 2006 @ 07:24 |
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An nvidia chipset? That'd be an nForce 4 Ultra then. Do you mean nvidia graphics card? The 7800GTX isn't bad, but the X1800XT listed will beat it. However, the 7800GTX does use an ungainly amount of power. If it has to be nVidia, then go with the 7900GT. Don't be fooled by the lack of an X, it's the best thing nVidia have made so far.
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shuboy00
Junior Member
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24. May 2006 @ 13:10 |
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Ok thanks. Got everything down on a list and priced and im pretty much just ready to order. Is there anything else I am going to need on the inside (besides cables)?
sammorris: is it ok if I PM you if i have any other more detailed questions with my setup and BIOS config?
Thanks.
--The test of a man is the fight that he makes...
Kreative Klick
HEAVY HITTERS...SUCKAS!!!
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