yoongkc

Hey guys,

I am a newbie in this forum and I intend to assemble a PC soon. Hope to get everyone's advices too!

I would like to assemble a PC which is capable and efficient enough to last me for long, and below is the few parts I have in mind. Please feedback accordingly if possible. Would really appreciate your help!

ATX Casing
CM Centurion 5 with side window (Silver)

Processor + MBoard
XFX nVidia 780i SLi 3-Way SLi + Quad 9300

RAM
Kingston PC26400 HyperX CL4(2 X 2GB)

Graphic Card
XFX 9800GX2 1GB HDMI (600M)

Hard Disk
Seagate 500GB 32MB (5 Yrs)
Western D Raptor 150GB 10Krpm 16MB

DVD Drive
Samsung S203B 20x DvD+-RW(DL/RAM) SATA

Power Supply
Antec TruePower Trio 550W 5 Yrs


The few alternatives I have in mind is changing the motherboard to X48-DQ6 so I read its spec and a few reviews and realised that the board is more power efficient.

3 more queries in mind, 1 related to motherboard, 1 related to graphic card and 1 more regarding power usage.

1) Motherboard
Is nVidia's board better than Gigabyte's? They both offer slightly different but good boards. Have been using Gigabyte's. Feel comfortable, but then it doesn't include nVidia's motherboard. So thinking of trying XFX, which offers nVidia motherboard.

2) Graphic card
Does it matter which brand of graphic card I choose for performance and reliability? Coz most of the cards have the GF9800 or GX9800 code on it and I presume they all uses the GeForce graphic card.

3) Power supply
How is the calculation for power usage done? If I buy a 550W power supply, does it mean that my power usage will always be 550W or only if I fully load my PC and used up all the power supply cables? This query has been very headache as I checked with many sales person, but answers are not consistent.

Seriously, hope to hear some advices and answers. Thanks a lot in advance!

oscaryu1

1) nVidia is just the CHIPSET. Gigabyte is just the MANUFACTURER that USES nVidia's chipset. The manufacturer of that motherboard is XFX.

2) Go with XFX of EVGA for best warranty/customer support...

3) The PSU can supply how many number of amps/watts it can. Overload = restart or crash. Get a bigger PSU. OCZ 700W.

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yoongkc

Sorry, what I meant in Question 1 was that I hoping to use a motherboard with nVidia chipset, and some of the boards that offers that are MSI and XFX and Asus. So considering whether to change to XFX for a try or not.

Anyway, thanks for your reply. But on my query for power supply, I think I am still pretty unclear. Let's say I were to get a 750W PSU and I didn't fully load my PC. Will the power usage/consumption be at 750W or this value refers to the maximum power usage/consumption I can go?

oscaryu1

I'd go for XFX out of them. MSI is ok too, and Asus is great, but they have their share of problems. (MSI... not really. Asus = ram compatibility)

It referes to the maximum you can withdraw from it.

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cohen

easiest way of doing it is posting what you think would be best for him...

a few questions:
1. - Main use of computer??
2. - What OS???

*going to bed* read post in morning

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formerly vk3fcll

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oscaryu1

Morning?! It's 7:32AM here

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yoongkc

Thanks for all the advices so far.

Anyway, my usage is more for daily usage plus some good gaming performance. Had been using computer which doesn't support good graphics and resolution, so thinking of getting a real good one this time round. Will be doing video and photo editing too.

OS is Vista (Home premium).

Will different motherboards differ in performance for different areas? And also, I have been hearing good reviews about XFX's, but not so much about Gigabyte's. Anyone has any good comparisons of the 2 boards?

Just to share with everyone, what I read from Gigabyte's site on its board, I realised they are more practical in terms of what they provide and in terms of power consumption. Tests results have shown that their board save about 15% to 20% more power than others. And also, their board provides more ready-installed USB slots (8 i think). But the thing it doesn't have is nVidia chipset, which I presumed is good and reliable. Correct me if I'm wrong on any facts.

Thanks a million!

Timo

XFX makes good motherboards, perhaps the FSB wall is a bit lower but really; a 475 wall (probably higher then that anyways somehwere around 490 if you try enough) is high enough... 7.5*475 = 3.55Ghz

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Ordered and in the making (the current one isn't worthy to be mentioned): Clicky here
Mobo: XFX 680i LT Sli
CPU: Q6600
Vcard: 2x 8800GT Sli
RAM: DDR2 800Mhz CL4 (OCZ)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Infinity (with added 120mm 110CFM fan pulling, and the standard one pushing)
Vcard Cooler(s): Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 Rev2

wizle

Here you are; http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp

For calculating PSU

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Cooler Master Centurion
Gigabyte DS3 rev3.3
E6400
G.Skill 2 Gigs
Radeon X1300
Xclio 450W
19" Princeton CRT


I am no longer responsible for my actions or deeds...I'm retired

oscaryu1

You can use that AFTER you build your computer

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