building a computer

[VooDoo-]

well, to start, my computer is coming to that point in it's life where it's needing a replacement. I would upgrade it, but it wouldn't even be worth it, because I would have to replace so many things anyways.

but to get to the point, since I know barley anything about the newer computer hardware available, I was wondering on your idea of a good build. I've been looking up things myself, but I want some reassurance with someone with a little bit more knowledge then me.

I'm basically looking to spend no more than $1,500 dollars, but I still want it to be nice. Preferences would be like an Intel CPU (quad core if possible) and a Nvidea video card. Another preference would be like four gigs of ram, but I know that can get pricey lol.

anything that you can come up with or let me know would be much appreciated

[atholon]

Oh you could get a freaking awesome system from newegg.com for under $1,300


I'd go with a:

2.4 gHz Core2Quad
I'd get an ASUS or Gigabyte motherboard
4 gigs of ram is ok (Vista Premium 32bit only supports 3 gigs, for more support you need Vista 64bit version) want the low latency like 4-4-4-12 or lower.
7200 RPM HDD SATA
Whatever case with a 600W powersupplyX
FX PVT98FYDDU GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

[Scott]

Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017)

nVidia 8800GTS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130337)

Gigabyte MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128086)

G.Skill 4GB Memory DDR 1066 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166)

SATA DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106070)

WD Raptor 74GB (For OS, will speed everything up considerably) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136033)

WD 500GB Storage (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073)

Antec Case with 650W PS (Click "View all combos")(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129018)

And there you have it.. One very powerful system for only $1,100 plus shipping. With the extra you could buy a BluRay Burner ($299) or a new 22"/24" Widescreen monitor (Well worth it).

[Steve]

only thing with the above is that the new nvidea and the newer but lower spec ati card is out with the better version out very soon.

the nv 280 is the new nvidea flagship card with is retailing at about £470 - £550 ($900 or so direct conversion) but it not really performing like something u would pay an arm and a leg for.

the 8800 gts is a decent card and cheap, will run ok at a high resolution, but is not future proof at all. but hey if u have a 19" monitor then u have no probs.

[Scott]

I'm not that familar with nVidia cards so I picked on based on Toms Hardware's GPU charts. Personally, I would wait on the graphics card until the next gen comes out then buy the previous gen. Oh and I would definately go with ATi

[VooDoo-]

that helps alot .. thanks

yea i don't know anything about videocards anymore. i still got my 9800XT lol .. i love that card ..

i just thought nvidea was better now than ati .. even though i like ati more .. same deal with AMD

and one more thing ... vista .. yay or nay .. i have xp pro on this computer and like it .. but i do want to upgrade. i heard both the 64 bit edition of xp AND vista sucked big ones ..

AND another thing. lets say i wanted to go nuts, and get two of these guys http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130348

a. what mobo do you need
b. how the hell do you hook two cards up together

i was looking at this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131232

[atholon]

ATi has some sucky drivers right now from what I hear. I wasn`t too impressed with the ATi card that I got so I swapped it for the 7900GS and it runs well. Too bad it is bottlenecked by my CPU.

[Scott]

I've NEVER had a problem with an ATi driver. I don't know why people say the drivers suck. The only problem I’ve ever had with a graphics driver was nVidia, and that was trying to install it on my old Asus laptop. It would not let me used the official nVidia driver but forced me to use the outdated Asus one from a year ago. And that's not even really a problem with the driver itself but rather policy. I don't really think the driver debate is as relevant as it once was. If you are really conserned look for the current ATi/nVidia bug list to see if any current bugs affect you.

nVidia has some more powerful cards right now but they cost a lot more. I think it's always best (if you like to save money but love performance) to buy second gen stuff, the stuff right below top end.

For SLI you will need an SLI capable motherboard. Here is a capable SLI MB: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128339)

As for vista, I love Vista. It grows on you, I know a lot of people who hated it the first time around but learned to love it the second time around. Stay away from 64Bit for awhile. If you like to mess with things it's ok but it's really not primetime yet. I managed to get XP x64 to work a little over two years ago but there are still some driver manufactures that a slow or no longer make drivers. As for program support in Vista I’ve had no real issues. Sometimes you will come across an issue with an old game but that's usually just downloading a dll file off the internet and placing it in the main game folder. If a dll error comes up during runtime just search Google for it, download it and put it in the game folder and it should work no problem. I've had to do this with a few games but they all work.

If you can live with XP for another 1.5 years I would say wait because Windows Vienna is expected Q4 of 2009.

[Steve]

not really heard of any ATi driver probs either especially in the last year or so. the biggest prob is ppl downloading beta drivers. many ppl at the moment are going Ati simply because the drivers are better even if the card is not as powerful as the new NV's

fyi voodoo, the 9800's are basically re badged 8800's with an extra sli connector, but the majority are not as fast as the 8800's, and they cost more because they are 'newer'.

the release of the ati 4870 is imminent and will be cheaper (about $300) than nV's top model, the performance.... well noone is allowed to release benchmarks yet so will see very soon.


i formatted 2 weeks ago and went with 32 bit xp pro again. if i was buying a brand new system with all new components i would be really tempted to go with Vista 64bit. big benefit would be i could use a lot more ram. i'm pretty happy with xp anyway, system is rock solid stable.

regarding connecting sli cards, it come with a little bridge/connector:



the drivers do the rest. as for picking a mobo for them, afaik you need a nvidea chipset - nforce 6 and 7 are the newest.

[VooDoo-]

you guys are brilliant. massive help to me. thanks so much.

and i agree with you scott about buying the step down. because why not? like steve said, those two cards are not that different, just ones "newer" and more expensive, making the step down cheaper.

[Hellfighter]

now thats is something scott
Windows Vienna
link: http://www.windows-vista-update.com/...ws-Vienna.html

i may go for that and not Windows Vista do to there only going tobe basic three vesions 32bit, 64bit clint and server version of it.

will not support 16bit on it way i understand about it. DF1/2 dead then lol

don't care much for the look a like thing with Mac & Newer windows, not my taste. like the feel of Windows Xp or Windows Xp pro throu

[Steve]

Originally posted by Steve

i formatted 2 weeks ago and went with 32 bit xp pro again. if i was buying a brand new system with all new components i would be really tempted to go with Vista 64bit. big benefit would be i could use a lot more ram. i'm pretty happy with xp anyway, system is rock solid stable.

update
just installed 64-bit vista today
no probs so far

[Scott]

Originally posted by Steve
update
just installed 64-bit vista today
no probs so far

do you like it?

[Steve]

nothing to comment on really :/
it's ok but i can take it or leave it i guess