The (new) Official PC building thread!

Dude you me tell this thing got all that stuff in it..That's crazy that's 6 or more computers in 1..that's 2 much..
http://h20435.www2.hp.com/#/tech-specs/

 

Thanks Lp. link to 2600XT So you like this one? I would take any suggestions on a similar card but please try to keep it at the $80 or less after MIR. I would like to stay with ATi because my mobo supports CROSS-FIRE and that may happen someday even tho I don't need it.

...gm

 

The XT is good at HD/Blueray DVD playback...I have the MSI 2600XT 256mb version in my HTPC build...

 

The 2600XT's a good card. it's not stormingly fast, but if you're not a hardcore gamer, it's a pretty respectable performer, and is supposed to be very good at HDMI etc.

 

Rejoice!!!!!!

I got all my parts!!!!!!!!

I had to go with a WD 320GB drive(gets 5.9 on Vista) and OCZ 800Mhz ram but it's all good in the hood.

Final price was about £689

It's safe to say that you could bargain hunt more and config a similar system for under £650.

 

You could probably swing a 8600GT for the same price. They tend to be faster.

 

I am looking to build a PC. I have a few questions I'm hoping you could answer for me.
Here is the list of items.

Dabs Value Gaming Case 520W - Black
In stock now
€78.44

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz 6M Cache S775 1333MHZ
None in stock
€182.27

Samsung 20x dvd writer SATA BLACK LIGHTSCRIBE
In stock now
€28.24

Samsung SpinPoint 320GB 7200RPM S300 16MB
In stock now
€68.95

OCZ Technology 2x2GB 240DIMM PC2-6400 Gold
In stock now
€89.99

Gigabyte S775 Intel P35 ATX Audio Lan DDRII FSB1333
In stock now
€85.64

Microsoft Win XP Home SP2B OEM
In stock now
€74.92

XFX GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3 PCIE Dual DVI XT ED
In stock now
€249.44


delivery
(11.622kg) €22.09


total (inc VAT) €879.68

I tried to make sure all of these items are compatible with each other, but I'm not 100% sure, I was wondering if you can see any reason why I should not be able to assemble these items without any hardware issues or otherwise?

 

The power supply with the case will be awful, you'll want to get a proper one like this
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...lectedId=11259&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11259
The rest is good apart from the CPU and graphics card.
I'd recommend
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

 

VERY NICE. its the first person i have seen with a peryin chip. VERY GOOD. just make sure the mother board supports 45nm chips, give that exact make of the board, and as sam says, the psu will suck. id say go for a Hx50 Corsair PSU, and the GPU and CPU are fine.

Sam, the peryin cpu will do much better than the one you get.

 

Here's the specs of the board, looks like the the E8400 is supported.


The GA-P35-DS3L is GIGABYTE high performance platform based on the killer combination of the new Intel P35 chipset plus support for the latest multi-core processors up to FSB 1333MHz, including the upcoming 45nm platform.
Specifications
Audio Output

Audio Codec
Realtek ALC888

Compliant Standards
High Definition Audio

Sound Output Mode
7.1 channel surround

Type
Sound card

Cache Memory

Type
None

Header

Compatibility
PC

Model
GA-P35-DS3L

Product Line
Gigabyte

Key Information

Audio
High Definition Audio (8-channel)

Network
Gigabit Ethernet

Storage
ATA-133
Serial ATA-300

Storage Ports Configuration
1 x ATA, 4 x SATA

USB Ports Configuration
12 x USB

Mainboard

64-bit Processors Compatibility
Built-in

BIOS Type
Award

Chipset Type
Intel P35 Express

Compatible Processors
Celeron 400 sequence
Core 2 Duo
Core 2 Extreme
Core 2 Quad
Pentium 4
Pentium 4 Extreme Edition
Pentium D
Pentium Dual Core
Pentium Extreme Edition

Data Bus Speed
1333 MHz

Form Factor
ATX

I/O Controller
Intel ICH9

Multi-Core Support
Dual-Core / Quad-core

Power Connectors
24-pin main power connector
4-pin ATX12V connector

Processor Socket
LGA775 Socket

Supported RAM Speed
PC2-5300
PC2-6400
PC2-8500

Supported RAM Technology
DDR II SDRAM

Mainboard Features

Additional Connectors (Optional)
8 x Hi-Speed USB

BIOS Features
ACPI 1.0b support
DMI 2.0 support
SMBIOS 2.3 support

Hardware Features
All-Solid Capacitor motherboard Design
C.O.M. (Corporate Online Management)
Chassis intrusion detection
DualBIOS
Q-Flash
Ultra Durable 2

Hardware Monitoring
Chassis fan tachometer
Chassis temperature
CPU core temperature
CPU fan tachometer
CPU overheating protection
Power supply fan tachometer
System voltage

Manual Settings
Chipset voltage
CPU frequency
Memory bus frequency
Memory voltage
PCI Express x16 slot frequency
Processor core voltage

Miscellaneous

Compliant Standards
RoHS

Modem

Type
None

Networking

Data Link Protocol
Ethernet
Fast Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet

Network Controller
Realtek RTL8111B

Type
Network adapter

Processor

Installed Qty
0

Max Supported Qty
1

RAM

Features
Two DDR channels

Installed Size
0 MB

Max Supported Size
8 GB

Storage Controller

Controller Interface Type
Serial ATA II/DMA/ATA-133/ATA-100(Ultra)

Video Output

Type
None

Windows Vista

Readiness
Certified for Windows Vista



I've taken your advice and changed the case and gotten a Dabs Value 650W PSU Black 12cm SATA. Should do the trick. I've also changed the GPU to the one suggested by sam, seems a lot cheaper and almost as fast.

 

Nope, a 650W Dabs value may even be worse than the one you chose before. it's not the watts you need, your average gaming PC only needs 250W, it's the brand. Any "value" PSU just means it's soldered by chimpanzees and will burst into flames when you play games. I'm not evene exagerrating either. Well, maybe I am about the chimpanzees, but you get the idea.
Shaffaaf: I'm sure the Penryn CPU will be better, but it's not out yet is it?

 

Random5,

What you have picked seems pretty good but you could make some changes and save some money plus create a more "compatible" system.

I'm not a fan of cases with P/S but to each his own. Can you provide a link to the case you're looking at? tia....

The memory you picked is good but unless you're running a 64-bit OS it WILL NOT see the FULL 4GB of RAM you're looking at. Try to find a 2GB matched set.

Actually it's difficult to see what you're looking at without links. A few links would be nice.

good luck to you...

...gm

 

100% agreed.

i say get this:

http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0


and yeah sam they are out (well the E8200 is, and these Should be out tomorow)

 

@sam,
Nice pick on the VX-550. I have it and it's great. Of course I've had it less than a month but with Corsair quality I expect it'll be fine for years. ;D

@ALL,
I've had a re-evaluation of my GPU choices. I know just like a woman but I don't want to buy anything again for a while. SO I want reliability and longevity in a video card!!

Here's the new list, I figured one less trip to McDonald's would save me that extra $20. link to list.... I like them all but would the most expensive really be better than the least and I'm NOT familiar with these brands as well. Are there any preferences in the TWO?? tia peeps......

....gm

 

Dude holy Shit. Now I don't want to get a quad core that much. People are taking these E8400s to 4.5 ghz on air!

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9075/spi8ex2.jpg

 

Most of you may know I've been waiting for these so I can complete my build but havent found them on US vendors (Newegg, tigerDirect, etc) websites yet. Any ideas?

EDIT--I see the E8400 on the Egg, Im waiting for the quads tho.

 

Right, so after some revisions, and some advice from some of your PMs I've splashed out a whole 15 euro extra on the Mainboard, upgraded to the DS3R model. The PSU to a better brand, extra 10 euro.
With regards to the 4gigs of ram, I was told that although XP won't recognise over 3gigs, it will still be used. Is this not true? Should I go get vista?

Deaddrum, the chip should be out in the next few days, www.dabs.ie said they expect it in the next 1-2 working days.

Greensman, the rig is something I'm putting together from the dabs.ie, website. I've changed the case to one without the PSU.

This is the rig I'm looking at right now.


Gigabyte S775 Intel P35 Express ATX Audio Lan (DS3R model) €103.73

Sapphire Technology Radeon HD 3870 512MB GDDR4 PCIE Dual DVI €196.10

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz 6M Cache S775 1333MHZ €181.97

CoolerMaster 500W EXTREME POWER PSU €58.04

CoolerMaster Elite 330 ATX No PSU Black €36.45

Samsung 20x dvd writer SATA BLACK LIGHTSCRIBE €28.24

Samsung SpinPoint 320GB 7200RPM S300 16MB €68.95

OCZ Technology 2x2GB 240DIMM PC2-6400 Gold €89.99

Microsoft Win XP Home SP2B OEM €74.92

delivery €23.18

total (inc VAT) €862.69

 

Random5,
I like the case. I have that one and it's simple yet very functional. If you decide on an after market cooler you may have to remove the fan shroud from the side panel.

Give a look at this P/S. OCZ StealthXstream 600W €60.91 (i did the conversion.... ) It's only a couple more Euros and will be more OC friendly.

OK I guess I'm lost on the memory deal. Someone explain why/how the FULL 4GB will be used in a 32bit OS. I'm a little "fresh" in this area so some teaching would be good at this point. NOW if the 4GB isn't used but 3GB is, how can it be effective in the real world. Sorry but I have my doubts. I little hard headed might be a better choice of words. lol.

....gm

ADD:
@Random5,
I missed the dabs.ie in the post, sorry. They have different components available. That 600W OCZ is still a good deal. Anyway you might look at another P/S if you're gonna do any serious OC'ing or running a demanding graphics card, and it looks like you might. The Corsair VX-550 would get you there with ease but it's about €18 more. :-( sorry.....

@boozer.........post as a link please.... your pic is screwing with the space time continuum again...lol

 

@greenie
I suggested the 2600XT series just for possible HD/Blueray video playback...which this series will do quite well...The 1900 series can not handle it at all...

If you are ever thinking about a HTPC build in the future...the 2600XT is the way to go...It is much more future proof...The 1900 will be good for games...and games only...

Frankly...Isn't the HD3400 series due out today...they are the replacement for the 2600 series...and they are expected to be sub $100 cards...That is what I would go with...

Read this...If you want to know about the 3GB addressable memory limitation with Windows...its rather complicated to explain...
http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm

 

Thanks Lp. I'm glad you guys keep up with that stuff. I almost pulled the trigger but no one responded so I held on for hope. lol.

I'll give those NEW cards a look see and go from there. If not I'll prolly just go with the one you recommended for the HD/Blueray playback. You guys know I"m no gamer....

....gm