Hi, My current pc (1st build, 6 yrs old) is fine for what i use it for.. except that it resets a lot and has trouble starting up (i tried a new power supply and different wall socket, switching ram). So i'm building a new one as sort of an upgrade that will hold me off until windows 7 or even further depending on how good it is. Budget: -I'm going into this looking to spend less than $800, but i can spend more if recommended.. towards $1300, even, if you think it will last a long time (future-proof) I need: -Mobo, CPU, Ram, video card. -New PSU and case if needed -Might also like to try a solid state drive for my OS if recommended I have: -antec psu 400w atx12v(i think), 2 SATA hdd's 1TB, dvd rom/writer, pci tv tuner card -case: plusview 1000 amg antec[/url](will replace if recommended) plusview 1000 amg antec Using it for: -watching, recording videos, ripping dvd's to hdd for viewing -illustration -2d animation, 3d animation -music listening, editing -2 displays: 1)monitor DVI 2)sony bravia 32inch (hdmi or vga input) -gaming.. looking forward to diablo 3, starcraft 2 (i mostly game on my consoles, so i don't really need top stuff in this area) Most Important: -Stability and ease of use. I'd just like to avoid products with known problems. -I'd like a 'good'future-proof pc. -spending wisely. I'm not looking for luxury and don't want to spend a lot now when i might upgrade in the near future. -I'm not overclocking -Waiting for Windows 7, skipping Vista. -I guess I'm going for at least an Intel core 2 duo CPU. -I don't think i need a power hungry video card I appreciate any guidance, thanks. My current pc - built in January 2003 mobo- Intel D845PEBT2 cpu- P4 2.53GHz, 533MHz FSB gpu- Radeon 9800 pro ram- 2x Crucial 512MB DDR333 PC2700 psu- 400w atx 12v
Here is a good build that comes to a bit over $900 after rebates that will give excellent gaming performance, and be as futureproof as you can get with regard to processing performance. Core 2 Quad Q9400 CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 EP45-UD3R Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359 4GB Corsair XMS2 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145214 OCZ 30GB SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227372 WD 1000GB HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 HIS Radeon HD4870 GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236 Corsair HX 520W PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001 Antec Three Hundred Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 1009(85)
Gaming PC? I see no reason of going to use a LGA775 setup. Why, unless you're strapped on money, the 1366's clock to clock performance is higher, and more futureproof too! If you are going to spend $1000 on a new computer, why not get a new one, rather than an old one. What I'd get if I were you? Search in Newegg or TD (assuming in USA) - You should be delighted to be able to use stores like Newegg. Last year, I built my first PC, and my parents didn't let me use Newegg because its online, and I wasn't sure if they had any in Canada =S. Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375 Any old 1366 mobo would do fine - I don't know which is the best to buy, as I haven't done any research in this... CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 -I920, should last you a bit. You'll need to learn the overclocking ways, but shouldn't be too hard =S RAM: Dunno, random shit =D http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148244 1.5V, ought to work with your CPU =D GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810 They cost so little (Compared to where I come from =D) -Throw a few of these if you want great performance =D HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296 WDR 10K should last you. Save money, go for the 74GB variation. I guess you'd get better performance if you installed you OS partition on this HD, and everything else elsewhere? (Someone help me here ?) Since you've got a 1TB, use that as your 'Other's HD, like Music, movies, gaming, etc). You're not going to be using it on ur other PC anyways, if you get what I post here =D) Why not SSD? They decrease in performance, like Flash Drives (are they, i'm not sure =D). While the WDR less, if not doesnt. Ehhh, 160GB should do enough as you have a 1TB HD on other hand. I'm running Vista x64 with loads of music, ISOs etc, on 160 GB SG, with only 120GB enabled on 5 partitions. 40GB maybve for Linux use later on =D. PSU: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2235424&CatId=2533 Should be able to power the 4870 and the i7 with other peripherals just fine. Might even do another 4870 if need be. It'd be really tight though =D Case: Keep with the old one, should do more than fine. Looks great =D Fans: Go and buy a few 120mm fans, 3 would be fine. 4 or 5 may be better, if you don't have any already. 1 Intake, 2 Exhaust, (3), 1 Intake, 1 Side, 2 Exhaust, or 1 Intake, 2 Side, 2 Exhaust. Drill a hole at the top, and install one there =DD. Just make sure that air can travel through the front/side through the Ram Sinks, NB/SB sinks, and CPU fans somewhat. You can really just use the DVD drive you have now, and maybe opt for a Bluray, or whatever later on.
GenesisX - Newegg now operate in Canada as http://www.newegg.ca , but this is a recent development. You have recommended an i7 for a gaming system. Go do some more reading Gaming is the one thing i7 has absolutely no benefit for. Also, throw a few of these in? If there is any reason to use crossfire at all with 4870s, at least use the 1GB version of the card. The PSU is OK-ish, but GameXStream units are far from ideal for running large amounts of power. If you are going for a crossfire gaming system, use something like a Corsair TX 750W or Zalman ZM850-HP.
Lol, Sorry Sammoris. Haha... I was always looking @ 3DMark Scores... Yes, they get us all =D. But for all sense, I don't really see much in getting a quad core, just right now, as some games just don't get all the performance out of them. Instead go for 2 really strong cores, rather than the 4 weaker ones. Just a thought. As a really stereotypical setup, E8400 + 4870 + 22" monitor =DD If you've got the money, use the GTX295 =DDDD EDIT: To clarify, for many of you. Q6600 @ 2.4 ghz = 4 cores, each core running @ 600 mhz (600 x 4 = 2400) rather than 4 cores each running @ 2.4 ghz = 9.6 ghz.
Lol? No, it's four cores operating at 2.4Ghz. They do not stack to 9.6Ghz, but they don't run at 600mhz either. You are right though, for most games, as long as you use a single graphics card, a dual core suffices. However, a lot of people do things other than gaming, such as DVD rips and so on, and if they do, a Quad core is pretty much mandatory, as even the Q6600 beats the E8600 at that.
Thank you.. late response due to pc not cooperating, (sometimes plugging in the ethernet cable, among other things, turns it off). I might try your setup sammorris, though i don't need the new case or hdd's yet, if at all. Just the CPU, MOBO, RAM, GPU and PSU. Is that graphics card okay though? A lot of people say it runs hot in their Newegg reviews. Oh and yes GenesisX, i built my last pc from Newegg, (and ZipZoomFly) and usually buy from them, unless my MicroCenter is running a sale.
TYhe HD4870 is meant to run hot, that's just how it works. It's not a problem, just people who write newegg reviews don't seem to be able to understand that. I recommend you do buy a new case, one that came with a prebuilt PC 7 years ago will not be up to the job of cooling stuff like this.
