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Okay, got half the parts for my new computer, and $550... Advice please..
Here is what I have so far:
- MGE Dragon Case (no power supply) http://www.xoxide.com/xg-dragon-case-black.html?productid=xg-dragon-case-black&channelid=FROOG
- BFG 8800 GTS 640MB Video Card
- ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030
- OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
- OCZ Gold 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227199
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So, now all I need is a CPU chip, a hard drive, a DVD Burner, some speakers, and a Operating system..
The two biggest things I need advice on are the CPU and the Operating system.
I am thinking of going with the 8400 Wolfdale 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
I like Windows XP fine and don't know if I should go for the flashier Vista yet. I see I can also buy this version of Vista for only $99, but what if I ever have a motherboard replacement or something? Would I be out the $99 and have to buy a whole new version of Vista?? And is DirectX 10.0 worth the jump to Vista all by itself?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202
Also, speakers are not extremely important right this moment, as I plan on running my computer through my Samsung 30" Widescreen HDTV which ofcourse has built in speakers. Somebody was telling me that games and movies from my computer will look great, but browsing the internet and stuff will look fuzzy and not nearly as good as even a cheap monitor. Is this true and can anyone give me some advice on this?
Thanks in advance
- Zaxx
Comments
The $99 one is an OEM, so you would have to replace it. Also you have to remember Vista Home is crap. No point in using it over XP. If you are going to go Vista, go atleast Vista Ultimate. You also might wanna think about using 64-bit OS just for the memory. Max for 32bit is around 4GB including videocard.
Tigersdirect has the e8400 in stock but for $30 more.
Tigersdirect Wolfdale
You are looking at $350 with the processor and OS. For system stability I recommend getting multiple HD. 1 small one for an OS, something like 20~40GB. If you install your OS on a seperate drive you will have less fragmentation. Another one for applications, or 2 in RAID for fast speed. This one you probably wanna get around 80~100GB. Then a third set for data storage or backup. Probably in the 250+GB range. But since your budget won't allow it, I recommend 2. 1-40GB one for the OS, and 1 higher storage one for everything else.
If you get speakers, I recommend a good set of headphones instead. I bought a really sweet 5.1 surround sound system. Its actually a little to inconvinient to setup and use. I usually end up using my headphones anyway. Until they make Surround Sound use Wireless signals, I can't really recommend it. Also you usually pickup more sounds with headphones. I actually bought a $100 professional headphone. It has some really nice sound, and I know if I ever get Pro-Tools I can just plug it right in with the adapter.
simple things i would advice.. as i got my new rig just few weeks ago , it works great.. and it wasnt expensive.. first.. get e8400 without a doubt, there is no other gaming cpu with decent price
second you probably from usa, as you even consider abit, thats something ppl from europe wouldnt even look at while geting motherboard
second.. 640 gts .. mate mate mate.. thats old gts.. i mean DONT, if you want good single gpu.. 9800 gtx is already out. and im sure its even cheaper than 640 gts. .as its same price as 512 gts.. and faster ,im sure 512 gts is faster than 640 gts..
if you want best performance for your money,
motherboard : P5N-D ASUS S775 NF750ISLI DDR2 SATA2 ATX
gpu : 2x in sli PV-T94P-YDD XFX 9600 GT PCIE 512MB GDDR3 XXX-EDITION
hard : ST3500320AS SEAGATE 500GB 7200rpm 32MB cache SATA Barracuda 7200.11
power suply CFT-750-14C CHIEFTEC PSU ATX 750W PFC,80+,CABL.MANAG
case GX-01B-OP CHIEFTEC MIDI ATX NO PSU 8CM 12CM FAN BL ( cheap , comes with 2 fans. big ( good ) good looking and quiet )
pcu : e8400
dvd rom doesnt rly matter but if you want good , there are 2 options from lg and nec/sony
my one is GSA-H55LRB LG DVDRW 20X BLACK RET. LS
i took sound card too, but you dont have to 70SB073A02007 Creative Sound card X-Fi XtremeGamer
took 2x2 kingstom rams, . you got better spectrum there.. so choose on ur own..
took l226wtq as my monitor. inexpensive fast. good ,
my speakers http://lt.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=789&product=15774
runing vista ultimate 64 bit
so if you still can change ur offer, and you want high end gaming system for good price.. take my offer you wont regret it.. trust me it took few months to figure out what is best
Okay, so that sounds like a good idea. So should I get something like this for the operating system?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136054
..and just maybe just a standard 320 or 500 GB harddrive for about the same price as the smaller, faster one for the OS?
Would that be a big advantage over a much cheaper $40 40GB hard drive for the OS?
Also, I am thinking that I'll stick with Windows XP for now. XP will recognize my 4GB of ram and take advantage of it, right?
- Zaxx
May I ask WHY?
I've built 4 computers now, 3 with Abit motherboards, and one for my sister with a Gigabyte Motherboard. I have had good luck with Abit motherboards myself. Might I ask why you act like anyone from Europe would never consider such a brand name?
- Zaxx
I would go with standard 7200 RPM HDD. Many benchmarks find the price increase of the 10000RPM drive doesn't match the equivalent 7200 RPM HDDs in RAID 0. I would get a small 40 gig $40 one for your OS, even a 5000 RPM one. The reason why is that its not necessary to have it run so fast since it will only be for the OS. Here is what I mean.
[40 gig 5000RPM HDD] - C: - For Operating System
2 x [120 gig 7200RPM HDD] - RAID 0 F: - For Applications/Games
[500 gig 5000RPM HDD]- S: - For Data Storage/Music
The reason for the additional Storage Drive is because in RAID 0, there is a greater chance of a HDD Failure.
Splitting the OS from the Applications has the benefit of less fragmentation happening to the operating system that can result in some bad stuff, also there is a slight boost in performance.
i do strongly disagree with this overhyped raid0 shit..
tbh only use it have is file transfer from one to another.. get big one.. and its even instant..
secondly 1tb new hardrivers beats raptor in gaming..
third.. getting 3-4 hard drives will take more work to set up.. use more power.. work louder .. and in result it wont be any faster. it wont be any better.. get one i said.. its fast its cheap.. 5 years warranty .. what else can you need.. if you want bigger.. get samsung f1 750 or hamachi 1tb.. from reviews those 2 are good too
about abit.. well it isnt the brand you see each day, and it doesnt have anything special to it to make it exlusive.. it have 2 years warranty here , instead of 3 years for all rest..
go with asus. as its seems to be only one who support full 16x16x sli with 750i chipset.. since 780 cost abour 2-3 times more..
well im just trying to help, but choose on ur own.
and i strongly suggest geting 2x 9600 in sli.. or atleast 9800 gtx.. just dont buy 8800gts 640. if you didnt already
Well the E8400 is rock solid thats a sure fire chip that has excellent OC ability.
the Abit Pro is also a very good Overclocking board with a solid history of stability.
I personally feel that if you go with any sort of vista your best bet is to go with Vista 64.
One thing that you should consider is getting a real Heatsink don't make the mistake of not going with proper cooling.
The intel stock coolers blow goat balls.
for a DVD player you can get one off the egg cheap.
The HDD is a choice you will have to decide on. Raid can be a real headache sometimes.
but in all honesty you Don't need to go raid.
Just get a drive that you feel is solid enough for your everyday needs.
About the TV part you might experience grainy pictures but it all depends on the TVs native res. and if you use vga or dvi/hdmi.
Speakers you can get some decent Logitech ones cheap.
Don't forget to get some Artic Silver 5 and that new heatsink.
Get the new G92 8800gt, 8800gts or 9800gtx. The 8800gts 640mb uses the slower G80 gpu.
Okay, so that sounds like a good idea. So should I get something like this for the operating system?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136054
..and just maybe just a standard 320 or 500 GB harddrive for about the same price as the smaller, faster one for the OS?
Would that be a big advantage over a much cheaper $40 40GB hard drive for the OS?
Also, I am thinking that I'll stick with Windows XP for now. XP will recognize my 4GB of ram and take advantage of it, right?
- Zaxx
Hey there. Windows XP will recognize 3.5GB or your RAM, not the whole 4. If you want that to happen, then you would have to move to a 64-bit OS. But, if you do that, then sometimes you run into driver errors, bla bla, etc. I am perfectly happy with my 32-bit OS, reading my 3.5GB ram, instead of the 4. So it will take advantage of the ram, minus 512MB of it... so it's not really that big of a deal. To me anyway.
Also wanted to say, I bought a 500gb SATA drive for my OS, and games and such. If you are worried about the system running slow due to defragmentation of files and such, just defrag the HD. I agree with one of the earlier posters that raid sometimes can be a big pain to setup and maintain, but has it's advantages. I still prefer non-raid... just a preference.