bomberboysk
Active Member
Depends on the cpu/budget your looking at. What kind of budget are you looking at and i could get you a rough list...
ibuypowerpc--good???
- Thread starter priestmer
- Start date
Depends on the cpu/budget your looking at. What kind of budget are you looking at and i could get you a rough list...
You pick a processor or CPU first. Depending on the Processor you choose - there are said motherboards that work with em. i.e. If you want a Phenom II - it's an AM3 Socket. They are compatable with AM3 socket Motherboards - and AM2+ of many manufacturers.
* If you chose an i7 platform - you have the 1366 x58 motherboards to choose from
* If you choose a dual core intel - you'll most likely have the 775 socket. You can get more compatability details at either the Intel's or AMD's website.
i.e.
AMD's recommended Motherboards per CPU
http://products.amd.com/en-us/RecommendedMBFilter.aspx
I chose a MOBO based on number of reviews - what was said in reviews on Newegg.com / Brand / price and features. ASUS & Gigabyte are pretty much mainstream - reliable motherboards as a starting point. I chose Gigabyte - b/c they were noted as better customer service - and for my first build there was a chance I may call upon that C/S. Ultimately - I didn't need to as everything went together smoothely out of the box.
What he said. What could also help you is the chipset. The x58 chipset is an Intel chipset, and with it you can use an i7 CPU. It also allows you to use four PCI-E slots - 2 at 16x speed and 2 at 8x speed (right?). They chipset also lets you use a certain kind of RAM, like DDR3. But the CPU also has to be compatible with the RAM type, which shouldn't be a problem since the chipset limits the type of CPU used, right?
Btw, PCI-E is the interface for add-on cards, like graphics cards or audio cards. It's basically a slot where you put the card in. Certain slots run at certain speeds. For example, for PCI-E there's 16x speed (fastest), 8x speed, and 1x speed. PCI-E cards run at 16x. Before buying a card, be sure the slot runs at the speed specified by the card specs.
Also, there are two main sizes for an average motherboard: an ATX and mini ATX. An ATX is 12x9 inches, and the mini atx is 9x9 inches I think. There isn't a difference in speed, but you do lose add-on slots.
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Okay--well I am definately on a budget...I am looking at..
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor $109
or
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor
I need to spend $800 tops--not including monitor, keyboard or mouse.
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor $109
or
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor
I need to spend $800 tops--not including monitor, keyboard or mouse.
bomberboysk
Active Member
Could build a decent rig for that, operating system included?
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103648&Tpk=710
Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103025
GPU:- use the coupon code listed on the page
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102837
ODD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
If you dont need an OS and already have one or plan on using windows 7 RC, go with this cpu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650
It's probably an overkill if you aren't planning to use two graphics cards, but it's always nice having a strong PSU if you ever plan on upgrading pieces that demands more power.
Btw, if you want a flashy computer, you should really get a case with a window. I like bombers list, but I don't know much about ATI cards, so I can't offer any advice on that. Also, the CPUs he posted are special, because you can OC them really easily. By OCing, you make the CPU faster. If you plan to OC, get an aftermarket heatsink, since the heatsinks that come along with the CPU aren't very good. They're good enough to cool to CPU as it as, but OCing increases heat.
Btw, if you want a flashy computer, you should really get a case with a window. I like bombers list, but I don't know much about ATI cards, so I can't offer any advice on that. Also, the CPUs he posted are special, because you can OC them really easily. By OCing, you make the CPU faster. If you plan to OC, get an aftermarket heatsink, since the heatsinks that come along with the CPU aren't very good. They're good enough to cool to CPU as it as, but OCing increases heat.
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Could someone explain what the specifications mean on an internal hard drive?
Example--What is the difference?
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives
Western Digital RE3 WD5002ABYS-01B1B0 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Example--What is the difference?
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives
Western Digital RE3 WD5002ABYS-01B1B0 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
trapar
Member
Priestmer, I would also recommend for you to build it yourself. I built my own first PC about a month ago and I didn't have any experience at all. But I managed to do it all, including the cable managemt, in 4-5 hours. If it helps, you can even try looking for some "How To..." videos on Youtube.
Western Digital is the brand, and Caviar is the name of those HDD's. WD1001FALS is the product code. 1TB means it has 1 terra bytes of space, meaning 1,000,000,000,000 bytes of space. 7200RPM is how fast the disk inside the hard drive is spinning (RPM = revolution per minute). The faster the RPM, the faster it access information. 5000RPM is average. 16MB cache is basically the same thing I explained earlier about the CPU level 1, level 2, and level 3 cache. It temporarily holds information to speed up processing.
I'll just give a quick explanation. It might be a little outdated (I was reading about older technology that's based on todays stuff), but it should still be the same thing. Basically, when the computer processes information, it grabs more than it needs to save loading time. It stores those extra things in cache, so when the user does try to access the information, it's ready. Not a whole lot of people talk about cache on a hard drive, so I can't say anything else though.
There's two types of SATA: SATA I that runs at 1.5Gb/s and SATA II that runs at 3.0Gb/s. SATA II has more bandwidth, so it "doubles the speed". But I've read that if what's in the hard drive doesn't exceed, or touch, the maximum bandwidth, then SATA II is pretty pointless. Well that's what I've read, I'm not sure if it's true or not, but it does make sense.
Take a look at latency times. They tell you how long hard drives take to access information in milliseconds.
I think the second HDD you posted is a Raptor. They're the faster hard drives Western Digital produces.
Bodaggit23
Active Member
This poor guy has been bullied into building his own pc, even when he's stated several times that he doesn't have the time to do it, or the confidence.
Why couldn't someone just answer his question?
This pc would do anything you need it to.
Why couldn't someone just answer his question?
This pc would do anything you need it to.
Good point Bodaggit,
I built my PC - b/c I wanted to build it myself. If this guy is inclined to do so - he should. If he's not - he shouldn't. Totally a personal decisoin.
Here is what I have come up with. It would cost around $700-$800. What do you think. Did I over or underdo anything or make any newbie mistakes???
The computer will be used for work internet and mid level games--sims 3 fable etc...
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor $109http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $124.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102837
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Support AM3 Socket Phenom II DDR3 CPU Only $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $59.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply $79.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010
Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $59.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Tower: XION AXP 100 Gaming Series AXP100-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $45.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208027
DVD RW (2): SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP > $100
The computer will be used for work internet and mid level games--sims 3 fable etc...
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor $109http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $124.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102837
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Support AM3 Socket Phenom II DDR3 CPU Only $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $59.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply $79.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010
Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $59.99http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Tower: XION AXP 100 Gaming Series AXP100-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $45.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208027
DVD RW (2): SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP > $100
bomberboysk
Active Member
Well, not sure if you like this case, but with free shipping its cheaper than that one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147106
Bigger psu same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019
Triple Core can be had for $10 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103648&Tpk=710 AMD
other than that... looks good:good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147106
Bigger psu same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019
Triple Core can be had for $10 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103648&Tpk=710 AMD
other than that... looks good:good:
bomberboysk
Active Member
The airflow in that case should be sufficient. Although adding two 80mm fans in the front where there are free ports would help it along:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200045
I got the Antec 300 as a budget case - and am very happy with the air flow. Comes with 2 fans ( manual 3 speed adjustable ) and has room to add 3 more - side vent / 2 front vents.
Not as " cool looking " as the one you posted - but great air flow. And it's solidly built.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowI...ec Three Hundred Black Computer Case - Retail
If you're not in any hurry - you should be able to pick it up for free shipping at some point in the not too distant future.
YOutube is a good resource to see how the features of any given case actually work too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX_nXwX_EzU
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bomberboysk
Active Member
Yeah, the antec three hundred is a great budget case, but a killer when you cant get it for free shipping
Yeah, the antec three hundred is a great budget case, but a killer when you cant get it for free shipping
No doubt. I was about to get a Coolmaster b/c it was free shipping at the time i was lookin. I have a store about 30 min from me - and got to see a bunch up front in person. Decided I wanted the 300 - and it went up for Free shipping the following week.