The Official PC building thread!

It isnt really, hence why the 3800 has a higher number, but the 3700 is better if you're going to overclock it, as they will both end up at similar speeds, but the 3700 has more cache.

 

Might you be able to suggest a mobo with some decent onboard video so i can skip that purchase for now???

 

Also looking for a cheap video card recommendation. This is probably one of the most unimportant aspects so just trying to be cost effective. I plan on putting together the same system Sammorris assembled for me up top jus with a cheaper video card. What do you guys think about it and any other suggestions or small changes?

 

Also why do I need an extra power supply if the case comes with one?

 

Because the case power WILL be rubbish, without fail, they always are, and you don't want a cheap PSU blowing up your system like I've had. Always get an expensive PSU, regardless of how cheap the hardware is. If you really don't need to game or do things like that, onboard video will be fine, or you can just buy a cheap X300se Graphics card.

 

The PSU is a 'Orion XP400'. I think you should stick to buing a new PSU. Better safe than Sorry. Has anyone even herd of Orion.

Dave

 

Nope. I normally recommend PSUs even more expensive than that Tagan, but for a budget PC, it dominates most of the other components cost-wise.

 

What is the difference between socket 939, 940 and AM2?

I want a new AMD dual core, does it matter which socket I get?

 

939 is the cheaper, older but better established platform. Good if you won't be upgrading for a year or so, since it's cheaper and you can get more stuff for it.
AM2 is the later platform, less experience and products for it, but it's the newest design and supports DDR2, not that that's anything to shout about.
940 is the server-specific opteron-only platform, very specialised for a new build and not really recommended.

 

So guys after utilizing advice from this forum and computerforum I was able to put together a system I feel pleased with that came in about about 20 under my 550 budget. Take a look and tell me what you think.

AMD 3800+ X2 AM2 Socket
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103735

Gigabyte GA-M51GM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128009

Corsair XMS2 1GB(2x512mb) DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145566

Samsung 16X DVDRW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151118

Samsung SpinPoint 250GB SATA 3.0 HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152025

RaidMax xB ATX Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156053

XClio 450BL 450W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

I really happy I was able to get a dual core but the only two things I'm skeptical about are the 450W PSU because I will add two more RW drives to it and the cheap RaidMax case but my current comp went out and kinda forced me to order something so here it is. I wanted the 500W XClio Goodpower(Out of Stock) or a Rosewill 500W but decided to with the 450BL because of all the good reviews. Do you guys thinks this will be able to hold up to an additional 2 or 3 drives are do I need more power?

 

you should be fine with that one you might consider the Antec-True Power 480 watt but its more money but a better PS

 

Any thoughts on the system folks?

 

Yeah I still don't recommend lower cost PSUs but that's just because I'm a bit biased after having one destroy half my PC. Also don't forget you need a Graphics card. The rest is fine.

 

hiya guys. this is my first build. ive got some links for parts and would like to know what you guys think of them.
Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103747
Mother board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131024
Hard drives
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131024
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148103


if you know of any other parts that i could use to improve this give me a list. thanks in advance guys

 

Yeah, the M2V's interesting. Good CPU, good drives, like it.

 

Does a good sound card improve performace in games worth noting? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1618859&CatId=107... please exsplain how??? and why???

 

you wont notice that big of a difference between a 30 dollar sound card and a 300 dollar sound card . so if it were me i wont spend that much on one 75 bucks at the most will get you a great sound card

 

Creative Make the Best Sound Cards so I would stick to there’s. Maybe the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS. Still a lot better than integrated sound. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2164702&CatId=0

Dave

 

Hi i am getting rdy to build my second computer... i was wondering on some parts if neone has ne info on them or better for my budget ($700) plz let me know....

Mobo- <b>$175
Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 Nvidia NForce SPP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

Cpu- <b>$150
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2000 Mhz Hyper Threading Dual Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

Video Card- <b>$135
XFX PVT42EUDE3 6800 XTREME 256MB 256-Bit GDDR3 PCI EXPRESS X16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150130

Memory- <b>$121
CORSAIR XMS 1GB 184-PIN DDR SDRAM UNBUFFERED DDR 400 (PC 3200)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145576

Case- <b>$95
ASPIRE MX-PLEASURE-NW-BK Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case ATX 500W dual fan w/ automatic fan speed control.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144135

I Alreday have a hard drive and a dvd burner and a cd burner....

If you have ne thought plz comment

 

herrick: The difference is quite marginal really, my Audigy 4SE for £17 does me fine.
burksdb: Looks fine to me mate, you know where it's at with parts! However, you must get a different power supply. The one that comes with the case will be rubbish.