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New Comp. Performance tweaking

Hello, I've finally ordered everything and it arrives in a few days (woohoo)

This is the first computer I'll be putting together since 98. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to assemble everything I'm a little computer savy. Right now I'm looking into OC'ing I want to take it to atleast 3.0ghz and I want to do raid 0. I was looking for some advice as to problems I might encounter, or tips that would make it faster (the computer). I'll be installing a fresh version of winxp, and I allready have zone alarm ready to install before I hook it up to the network. When I start installing the OS and games/programs etc. should I partition the hard drive and keep one drive for just the OS? And install everything else on the second partition? Any advice is welcome, I'll be hooking it up from scratch, so any OS tips would help :) I want to cut the fat and make it as powerful/fast as I can given the items I bought. I'm really excited to finally build my beast computer been saving along time to buy everything at once. I'll list what I bought, maybe someone has purchased the same things and can relate. Thanks for all your input and time, and hopefully save me some heart ache. ^_^



        Thermaltake Armor Series Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan

        Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775

        ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX

        GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16

     S.Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s x2

        Thermaltake  Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W

        G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

        ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink

        Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack



-Defy

Comments

  • n25phillyn25philly Member Posts: 1,317

    Nice build this is what I do, with any new computer I build to optimize performance.

    1) When installing the OS create a second partition that is about 5 gigs in size.  After installing Windows, format this partition, go in to the advanced system settings, and move your virtual memory to this partition.  Set it for about 2 gig on the low side and 4 gig on the high side.  The virtual memory is always most efficient on a seperate partition.

    2) I also use a memory manager called free ram XP pro.  I've noticed a notable performance boost with ever computer I've used it on.

    3) clean up!  After installing everything it's a good idea to clean up your computer.  Do the following:

    run the disk cleanup

    then use ccleaner

    fix registry issues using ccleaner

    the defrag the hard drive. 

    This way you are running with a clean efficient HD right from the start.

    member of imminst.org

  • WolfenprideWolfenpride Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 3,988

    Overclock.

    nuff said ;p

  • xxthecorexxxxthecorexx Member Posts: 1,078

    cutting the fat but using zonealarm..

    that right there, is like a tub-o-lard.

     

    get startup control panel or learn how to turn off useless background programs. and by all means if you install printers, scanners, sound cards... whatever, always do the lite install selecting just the minimum drivers/apps. i CAN NOT freakin' stand the bloat-ware these companies shove down your throat in their packaged installations

     

    good luck. keep it lean and fast

    ____________________________
    TheCore

  • noaknoak Member Posts: 44

    Zone alarm yuck ...command is far better...vary low memory usage

  • tvalentinetvalentine Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 4,216

    you shouldnt need to overclock, that thing will run any game out now. Although if you wanna show off your overclocking system that will run about 1/2 of its expected life span with OCing then go ahead.

    image

    Playing: EVE Online
    Favorite MMOs: WoW, SWG Pre-cu, Lineage 2, UO, EQ, EVE online
    Looking forward to: Archeage, Kingdom Under Fire 2
    KUF2's Official Website - http://www.kufii.com/ENG/ -

  • defylogikdefylogik Member Posts: 17

    Thanks a ton guys!. Ok I just downloaded FreeRam Xp Pro, I allready had CCleaner (love it), I'm looking for a new firewall I looked up command on google and it just said tons of Command lines* lol. I wrote down how to change the system file. The reason I use zone alarm is because its free :)

        I wont be using any scanners/printers just maybe hooking up my digital camera down the road. I want to overclock it down the road because that was one of the reasons I was torn between the 2.4quad core and the 3.0duo, and I bought a killer fan to do it. When setting up Raid0 do I do that when installing or after install? Also thanks for all the wonderful help really appreciate it :)

     

    Defy

  • tvalentinetvalentine Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 4,216
    Originally posted by defylogik



    Thanks a ton guys!. Ok I just downloaded FreeRam Xp Pro, I allready had CCleaner (love it), I'm looking for a new firewall I looked up command on google and it just said tons of Command lines* lol. I wrote down how to change the system file. The reason I use zone alarm is because its free :)
        I wont be using any scanners/printers just maybe hooking up my digital camera down the road. I want to overclock it down the road because that was one of the reasons I was torn between the 2.4quad core and the 3.0duo, and I bought a killer fan to do it. When setting up Raid0 do I do that when installing or after install? Also thanks for all the wonderful help really appreciate it :)
     
    Defy



    almost forgot, your gonna need a heatsink that can fit on that motherboard, i have looked and have found no heatsinks that fits on it (i have the same mobo). If i were you i would do some research. Unless you alrdy have one.

    image

    Playing: EVE Online
    Favorite MMOs: WoW, SWG Pre-cu, Lineage 2, UO, EQ, EVE online
    Looking forward to: Archeage, Kingdom Under Fire 2
    KUF2's Official Website - http://www.kufii.com/ENG/ -

  • defylogikdefylogik Member Posts: 17

    I have the ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink

    I think it will fit, if not Someone told me I could lapp it. I'll find out in a few days when everything arrives in the mail :)

  • xpyrofuryxxpyrofuryx Member CommonPosts: 1,587

    Enjoy that sucker. I recently built me a new one.

     

    Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 @ 2.6Ghz

    2GB DDR2 667mhz RAM

    Gigabyte 650i SLI DS4 board

    EVGA nVidia GeForce 8800GTS

     

    I think thats it, been a while since I put it together, anyway really enjoy that rig, i know I would!

     

    image

  • xxthecorexxxxthecorexx Member Posts: 1,078

    Originally posted by defylogik



    Thanks a ton guys!. Ok I just downloaded FreeRam Xp Pro, I allready had CCleaner (love it), I'm looking for a new firewall I looked up command on google and it just said tons of Command lines* lol. I wrote down how to change the system file. The reason I use zone alarm is because its free :)
        I wont be using any scanners/printers just maybe hooking up my digital camera down the road. I want to overclock it down the road because that was one of the reasons I was torn between the 2.4quad core and the 3.0duo, and I bought a killer fan to do it. When setting up Raid0 do I do that when installing or after install? Also thanks for all the wonderful help really appreciate it :)
     
    Defy

    zone alarm free is one of the WORST firewalls even for a free one.

    see the chart..

    http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.php

    i use and actually like comodo.

    ____________________________
    TheCore

  • defylogikdefylogik Member Posts: 17

    Downloaded Jetico gonna try it out, if I like it I'll buy it :). Thanks for all the help everyone ;)

  • n25phillyn25philly Member Posts: 1,317
    Originally posted by Wolfenpride


    Overclock.
    nuff said ;p

    your optimization plan is overclocking?  *rolls eyes*  I'm not even touching this one.

    member of imminst.org

  • defylogikdefylogik Member Posts: 17

    Thanks for all the constructive and helpful feedback. I wish the mail would come so I can put it all together :)

  • defylogikdefylogik Member Posts: 17

    Ok here's the list I have so far.

    Comodo - liking it alot better then jetico.

    Free Ram XP Pro - Really enjoying it, very helpful and useful.

    AVG - Just got it haven't really had any problems with it.

    Firefox - absolutely love it.

    ccleaner - completely awesome temp file cleaner

    Sbypot S&D Nice immunization features.

     

    Once I find a fan temp app  I think I'll be good to go so I can monitor temps when messing around with overclocking.

  • BrianshoBriansho Member UncommonPosts: 3,586

    START, Run, msconfig, uncheck all unwanted programs in the startup.

    Don't be terrorized! You're more likely to die of a car accident, drowning, fire, or murder! More people die every year from prescription drugs than terrorism LOL!

  • xxthecorexxxxthecorexx Member Posts: 1,078
    Originally posted by defylogik


    Ok here's the list I have so far.
    Comodo - liking it alot better then jetico.
    Free Ram XP Pro - Really enjoying it, very helpful and useful.
    AVG - Just got it haven't really had any problems with it.
    Firefox - absolutely love it.
    ccleaner - completely awesome temp file cleaner
    Sbypot S&D Nice immunization features.
     
    Once I find a fan temp app  I think I'll be good to go so I can monitor temps when messing around with overclocking.

    most new motherboards come with a monitoring application if not motherboard monitor should do what you're looking for.

    ____________________________
    TheCore

  • OrcaOrca Member UncommonPosts: 629

    Get the moust out of Windows XP, check out this guys articles

    http://www.tweakhound.com/

    Futilez - Mature MMORPG Community

    Correcting people since birth.

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