The (new) Official PC building thread!

It all depends what you consider 'high end' to be. I consider high end something that is positioned in the upper sector o the market, but not the best you can buy - that in my mind fit the HD3870 perfectly until the latest gen stuff came out. No matter what card you bought (ignoring dual setups) you wouldn't see performance more than 50% above it, and these cards used anything from 130 to 190W in the case of the 8800 Ultra. To have something 'high end' you didn't need absurd power consumption. Let's look at things now - the 'high end' consists of the HD4850 (130W), HD4870 (160W) and GTX260 (190W). I declare the latter all but pointless because the HD4870 typically beats it, and not only does it use far less power, it also costs less to start with. This leaves the GTX280 in its 'top end' situation, again with a relatively minor performance boost over the 'high end' cards - to the extent that any of them in a dual config will handily beat it. So what then if it uses 250W? Given the fact that the technology doesn't exist to cool a card that has a power consumption much higher than that in one slot, it will never have a dual card counterpart until its power consumption islowered, so to all intents and purposes (power consumption, lack of a dual-based card, prohibitive cost) it might as well be a dual card, but without the compatibility issues.

You raise the argument of the Quad core CPU as if it's such a huge boost - being 95W stock. Given that X2s ran at 90W, and people still overclocked those just as frequently (if not with quite the same gain) as they do with quads now, what's changed?

I don't for a moment think I can or should divert what you buy if you don't agree, it's your money, your choice. Simple fact is though, I understand entirely why you'd go with a 650W PSU for future upgrade reasons, but a 750 just seems a bit nuts. Whilst it is true that with smaller die size technology, the relative power consumption of components has risen, with the exception of cards like the GTX280, nothing much has changed since a couple of years ago with regard to how much power components use based on what sort position they have in the market. The top performing CPU uses around 100W, the top performing graphics card around 150 (again with the exception of the GTX280). Anyone remember the Pentium D?

Adding yet another line to Soph, I've known him for a few years now I think, since back when he was originally posting at aD, and I have learnt a great many things from him. If I remember, it was typically me, Theone and Soph along with other migrants Brobear and Donald who were posting here on a regular basis. Anyone else I've forgotten?

Xevlys: It all depends what sort of games you think you're likely to be playing on the PC. Some games barely need any decent graphics card, whereas others can be quite demanding, and they may just be the one game you play on the PC for a significant time. HD4850s can be had for a little under 200 now. Perhaps consider an HD3870 for a cheaper solution, I think the HIS versions of those are about 130 now.

Icemen: Has your PC been modified at all, or did this happen all of a sudden? If you have made any modifications Check the CPU power connector is securely attached (the small 2x2 one with yellow and black wires). You might also try reseating your RAM.

Loco: Out of pure curiosity, why would you have preferred to use a DFI board?

 

sammorris : No my PC has had no modifications, it just happened all of a sudden, When i put it on it's like the computer is booting up but the screen stays blank & nothing happens

 

Try reseating the memory or only using one stick.

 

All right, heres what i think im gonna end up going with, I chose a graphics card that i think will be sufficient for what i need, but still leave my options open should i take PC gaming more seriously in the furtue. As for the RAM, i need some extra for once, too sick of not having enough >.< i also decided what the hack, for $4 more might as well get the extra burner.

$200 CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad 6600

$120 Mobo- Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R

$136 RAM- Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) 1066 (Ive always had issues with not enough RAM for my entire life so for once, i want some extra lol...)

$150 GPU- Sapphire 100225L Radeon HD3870

$80 HDD- Western Digital 500GB (same)

$70 Case- Cooler Master 590

$120 PSU- Corsair 520W HX

$31 ODD- Pioneer 215DBK (BK=black i think and everything else is black so....)

$24 ODD- NEC 7200S (i guess itd be good to have just incase and it is only $4 more...)

~200$ Monitor- Gonna try and buy in person so i can see the screen and such first.

~1131 final cost - about $90-100 in rebates i believe, of course some of that will go to cover shipping.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone, i really appreciate all of it. Before i go and set my self to buying all these parts, any final thoughts/things that jump out that could potentially cause issues? Is it a decent overall build for the price? I guess im just looking for some final assurance before i go and spend all of this money lol....

 

Don't get the Sapphire HD3870, the cooler on it's hideous. Most Sapphire stuff is good, but not their 3870. Having owned one I can say. Go with the HIS instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218

The rest of it looks good...

 

i don't know how to reset the memory but i'll pull one of the sicks out & try that, it's only a 512 memory in there anyway, but why will this give me a black screen?

 

Reseat only means to pull out and put back....
You probably have a black screen because your PC isn't actually booting - the fans would still run regardless even if the system wasn't doing anything.

 

Reading through the Newegg reviews it seems like HIS is a hit and miss brand as far as quality goes. A lot of people seem to be having issues with DOA cards and cards that dont work as specifified or die shortly after... with that in mind how about the Asus?
www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814121217

Also, just out of curiosity, whats the difference between these 2 cards, other than the fact that the CHEAPER one has a HDMI output? Its slightly confusing me... ok... more than slightly...

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814121217
and
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814121233

 

You'll always find bad reviews of products on newegg, most people don't review a product unless it went wrong, and those who do are usually idiots anyway. HIS are a high quality brand as long as you avoid their pre-overclocked cards, which goes for any manufacturer really.

Of the Asus cards, TOP means overclocked, so avoid it. I have the exact card in the first link, and it's excellent - very quiet, and a reliable performer.

 

lol ok, sounds good to me, that also makes more sense with the Asus,

When you say first link, do you mean the HIS or the first Asus link i gave?

 

The first Asus, the one that's not overclocked.

 

I think ill go with the Asus then since it sounds like its doin great for you

ok, once again slightly revised >_>

$200 CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad 6600

$120 Mobo- Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R

$136 RAM- Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) 1066

$145 GPU- Asus EAH3870/G/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 3870

$80 HDD- Western Digital 500GB

$70 Case- Cooler Master 590

$120 PSU- Corsair 520W HX

$31 ODD- Pioneer 215DBK

$24 ODD- NEC 7200S

~200$ Monitor- Gonna try and buy in person so i can see the screen and such first.

~1126 final cost - about $90-100 in rebates i believe, of course some of that will go to cover shipping.

Once again thanks for all the help , lookin forward to any feedback regarding it, i think ive got it to just about what i need, its looking very nice in my eyes, but it is a lot of money for me to spend x.x so lemme know if you see any issues. i dont think ill need to cut the price anymore, just wanna make sure everything is of at least decent quality before i buy it. Afterdawn continues to be awesome

edit: fixed typo

 

IMO pre OCed cards are perfectly fine, its just as if you were to OC your self, and normally its a few MHz, it wont make much of a difference, but every little helps in crymark2007 (also known as crysis)

actually, IICR the 4870 has quiet a high idle and laod power consumption, comes close to the GTX280.

the GTX2800 is a single GPU card. you cant jsut call it a dual card just becuase of cooling, that has nothing to do with it. im sure with the 55nm refresh, it probably will be allowed to do a dual card configuration.

i do rasie the Qcores, but i didnt not say they were a huge boost. but its obvious as more and more cores are added, even with a smaller proccess, more and more power will be needed. so it takes 5W over the dual, btu its procces is smaller, and the Q is not clocked high. but to most of us gamer, 2.4GHz aint enough, atleast 3GHz is needed so the CPU is not a bottleneck, and then we OC it. which increaces to power consumption alot.

one cannot deny that the powerconsumption for compontents (esp for gamers/ocers) is increacing. therefore, instead of spending more money on a PSU every build, or if i want to expand into multiple gfx card offerings (which is most likely with the xfire 4 series scaling), id rather spend an extra now and knwo that i wont need to upgrade.

and ok as you say, so a system only need 400W so oen goes and buys a 500W PSU, thats not how it works. you need to look at amperage onthe rails, (esp 12V) efficiency, stability, ETC. just becuase the ultra and a Qcore uses 300W does not mean we can go and buy the next 350W PSU and expect it to run.

 

I've no idea where you're getting those figures from, the TDP of the HD4870 is a good 100W below that of the GTX280. It's idle power consumption, is however much higher than the GTX280 which is disappointing, but doesn't change anything with regard to what sort of PSU you need.
I'm well aware the GTX280 is a single GPU, but given its still vast cost, it occupies the same position in the market as the dual cards do.

20%? I wouldn't consider that vast in the grand scheme of things, that's all that was needed to take my 1.8Ghz duo to 3.15Ghz, and given that you rarely seem to need to up the vcore to get a quad to 3Ghz, the same or less should apply there.

Very true, but there's a difference between running a 300W PC on a 350W system and running a 400W system on a 750W PSU, because that's all a CF4870 system will use. Remember what goes into a power supply is more than what comes out.

 

iceman


When you turn on your PC do you hear any beeping noises?

Actually they're even better because the manufacturer usually improves its cooling and will warranty them if they failed.

Sam

Are you two still harping on the power supply debate and graphics card debate. LOL

A favorite line of mine is that everyone is right in their own minds so neither of you are likely to convince the other of anything.

I get the point that you're trying to make but it apparently doesn't apply to shaffaaf. He is past looking for advice and he is probably right when one considers the things that he might be doing with his system down the road.

shaffaaf

Get yourself a highly efficient monster power supply and never look back.

 

what does that mean then? how can i fix this?

 

icemen

Do you hear any beeping noises or any other sounds when you try to boot up?

 

Soph: I think a guy at my LAN summed it up, when I asked him why he had a 750W PSU for a Q9450 and a single 8800GTS G92, his response was "because I could". I used a 750W PSU for over a year, so I'm as guilty as anyone, but after using it for all that time and never drawing more than 350W off it, I realised what a terrible waste of money it was and sold it.
I realise shaffaaf is convinced all gaming PCs will be drawing 600+ watts in a couple of years time and that I'm not going to change his mind. I should learn really from last time, me going on and on about how I was convinced you could run two 3870s off a 520W PSU with no repercussions. People thought I was mad - that was a laugh...

Loco: It's a fair point, they're getting pretty common around here, not without good reason though. Does your house have a sky digibox (or similar that can be hooked to the phone line) or a Burglar Alarm? Those also need filtering to prevent DSL dropouts, and if you're having dropouts, I think it's a bit premature to blame poor connection on your network card.