My Computer Hell

G

GreekIdiot

New Member
So, I've come across an online service offered by a Greek company (I'm from Greece, so don't bother worrying about the links), which let you configure and build your virtual pc, in order to estimate the prices and overall picture.

First of all, I wish my PC to be able to handle GTA IV at adequate/normal and higher settings without any problems (it's not the reason I'm buying and building a new PC, it's something to hang onto and evolve around as I know there are high requirements for the specific program - dunno If I make sense), and I also wish for my PC to become a personal home cinema on my desk, since I'll be off in a year or so, better buy something that will be worth keeping for quite a while after a leave.

Here's my list, check it out if you like:

- INTEL CORE 2 QUAD CORE Q9400 2.66 GHZ LGA775 - 1333 FSB (I've been told that most programs and like all cards don't require 4 cores to operate, and hence a quad core is not fully operation when it comes to the quantity of course. In short words, no need to use all cores by any program in existence. Is that true? And how would that affect everything else? Should I target a duo instead? Mind my preferences and the purposes of this build. How would a quad core affect a home cinema installation? Will it affect programs like WMP and make them not work properly?)

- KINGSTON KHX6400D2/2G HYPERX 2GB PC6400 800MHZ (x2)

- MSI P965 NEO-F V2 (It has some great specs around it, figured it would be a good choice at a really good price. I'd really like some input on this please with regards to compatibility and how the rest of the chosen components would work with this...Frankly, I don't know which questions to ask, so I would appreciate if someone could point some questions to me and in general.)

- WESTERN DIGITAL WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA2 (Not quite sure about this, I would like some input as to what would be most appropriate for the final configuration)

I understand the on board sound card supports a 8-channel (I sincerely hope that's good for a home cinema) so no need to pick a sound card separately. I have this screen in mind (15 Pin D-Sub analog, DVI-D,HDMI) - LG W2361V-PF 23'' TFT, and I understand that the connectors are specified for the video card, yes? Correct me if I'm wrong though. I've picked Vista (64bit will work here?) and the rest things, mouse, keyboard and the like, separate speakers and everything, no need to worry about.

No box as well, Micro ATX-ATX of course, I'll keep in mind the dimensions and stuff required, no worries for that. I'm worried about power. How many Watts and which kind of brand would you suggest? (Thermaltake perhaps?)

I haven't included a graphics card on that still because I'm not sure which one will operate fully as specified and designed (according to the purposes of this build) with the above components. I'm more inclined for nVidia, rather than ATI, meaning no ATI for me. :P Preferably from the 9 series, as I've seen reviews stating the 9600GT for example is very good for a home cinema and will help the screen produce maximum results. Although I know a 8600GT is very good for gaming. Anyone thinking SLI or is it out of the question for this kind of component selections?

edit; I've chosen a simple floppy and SONY CARD READER MRW620A2121, as well as a simple DVD-RW. I assume there is no need to worry about those much.

Well, I hope I haven't bored you all. Hopefully I'll learn quite a few things if discussion rolls here and I will be able to help in the future around the forum. Feel free to ask me anything you please.

(You're going to be shocked but the list above costs 512 euros - screen included)
 
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The q9400 cost $190 you can get a i5 for $200 or a phenom II 955 for $190. No only that but socket 775 CPU are dated + they are why over priced.

Here is what you want to look for

Intel i5 or Phenom II

Good Motherboard such as ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Foxconn, etc

for graphics card look in a ATI 4850,4870,4890,5850,5870 or a Nvidia GTS 250, GTX 260/275/280/285/295

For hard drive anything western digital or seagate(7200.10 or 7200.12 models) I would probably go for a 500GB or maybe 2 250GB drives in raid 0.

That RAM you picked is pretty good but if you go with and i5 or Phenom II build you will need DDR3.
 
So if I'm going to get Intel i5 I have to change everything and incorporate it into DDR3 indeed. But what's the difference between the quad core and i5?

GTX cards? I've thought about 'em, but not quite sure still. I'm simply curious about the build I have presented. I'm not looking anything different actually, I just would like some input so I can change things myself and (if) move forward to a different build afterwards.
 
GreekIdiot said:
So if I'm going to get Intel i5 I have to change everything and incorporate it into DDR3 indeed. But what's the difference between the quad core and i5?

GTX cards? I've thought about 'em, but not quite sure still. I'm simply curious about the build I have presented. I'm not looking anything different actually, I just would like some input so I can change things myself and (if) move forward to a different build afterwards.
Click to expand...

All you have to change is the CPU then get a Socket 1156 motherboard and DDR3 RAM. The build is going to cost about the same. The difference between the core 2 quads and the i5 is that the i5 is made of a newer architect that makes it faster then the core 2 quads. Plus like a said the core 2 quads are out dated and being phased out. The point here is there is no reason buying a core 2 quad when you can get and i5 build for the same or little more. Why would you want to invest in old technology when you can have the new stuff for the same price.
 
Quadcores are not outdated. They are on 775 which has been a bit of a flop for intel but if you go with a 775/ddr2 rig you'll still get nice performance. But, if it will cost you the same then always go with newer parts.
 
linkin93 said:
Quadcores are not outdated. They are on 775 which has been a bit of a flop for intel but if you go with a 775/ddr2 rig you'll still get nice performance. But, if it will cost you the same then always go with newer parts.
Click to expand...

Like linkin said said no point in spending you money on the old quad cores when you can have the new one for a little more.

Quad cores have been around for a while now. I quad core is necessary not so much at the moment but in the next year or two your probably going to need one just to play a game. Just so you know they already have CPU's that have 6 cores so 4 isn't the best anymore.


If you would be kind enough to tell me how much a core 2 quad Q9400 cost where you live. Then tell me how much an i5 750 cost and a Phenom II 945 and 955 cost. I know prices might not be the same where you are and that's why I need to know the prices. That way I can make sure you get the best for your money.
 
Fatback said:
If you would be kind enough to tell me how much a core 2 quad Q9400 cost where you live. Then tell me how much an i5 750 cost and a Phenom II 945 and 955 cost. I know prices might not be the same where you are and that's why I need to know the prices. That way I can make sure you get the best for your money.
Click to expand...

A Q9400, 2.6 Ghz costs (around) 171.9 Euros. An i5-750, 2.6Ghz costs (around) 178.89 Euros. A Phenom II 955 (X4 3.2Ghz) costs around 194 Euros. I can't locate any information on the 945 though...

The most important thing for me, or rather the two pylons and bases of this build are to allow me to play games at high settings (preferably like GTA IV, for example) and let me experience an enhanced home cinema setup, along with the screen and speakers and everything that goes in separately. I assume the specific processor and the ddr3 will help me with the specific goals?
 
GreekIdiot said:
A Q9400, 2.6 Ghz costs (around) 171.9 Euros. An i5-750, 2.6Ghz costs (around) 178.89 Euros. A Phenom II 955 (X4 3.2Ghz) costs around 194 Euros. I can't locate any information on the 945 though...

The most important thing for me, or rather the two pylons and bases of this build are to allow me to play games at high settings (preferably like GTA IV, for example) and let me experience an enhanced home cinema setup, along with the screen and speakers and everything that goes in separately. I assume the specific processor and the ddr3 will help me with the specific goals?
Click to expand...

The i5 is only about 7euros more then the Q9400 so I see no reason not to get it. The motherboard for the i5 is going to cost about the same as the socket 775. It should be 85-100euros somewhere in that range for the cheapest one. The DDR3 is probably going to cost you around 75-85euros. Really the i5 setup is only going to cost a little more. The i5 is faster then the q9400 I would say 20% faster maybe more. For a game like GTA4 the you want the best quad core you can get. GTA4 pretty much relies on you have a quad core if you want to play because it is a very CPU demanding game.
 
How about this?

ASUS P5P43TD PRO

INTEL CORE 2 QUAD CORE Q9400 2.66 GHZ LGA775 - 1333 FSB BOX

KINGSTON KVR1333D3N9/2G DDR3 2GB PC10666 1333MHZ VALUE RAM (x2)

ASUS EN9600GT/DI/1GD3 CUDA 1GB PCI-E RETAIL

WESTERN DIGITAL WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA2

LG W2361V-PF 23'' TFT

How many Watts would a power supplier must have for this, or at least approximately? Anyway...what do you think of this build? (Mouse, keyboards, printer, speakers go separately)
 
GreekIdiot said:
How about this?

ASUS P5P43TD PRO

INTEL CORE 2 QUAD CORE Q9400 2.66 GHZ LGA775 - 1333 FSB BOX

KINGSTON KVR1333D3N9/2G DDR3 2GB PC10666 1333MHZ VALUE RAM (x2)

ASUS EN9600GT/DI/1GD3 CUDA 1GB PCI-E RETAIL

WESTERN DIGITAL WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA2

LG W2361V-PF 23'' TFT

How many Watts would a power supplier must have for this, or at least approximately? Anyway...what do you think of this build? (Mouse, keyboards, printer, speakers go separately)
Click to expand...

It's not bad but that 9600GT isn't going to play GTA4. Look at a GTS 250 or GTX 260 or a 4850 best bet is a 4870.
 
Fatback said:
It's not bad but that 9600GT isn't going to play GTA4. Look at a GTS 250 or GTX 260 or a 4850 best bet is a 4870.
Click to expand...

Hm...if you have the time and mood, could you explain to me why it won't do that? I mean it's a good card no?

I'll look for GTX 260/250 in the meantime.
 
Sorry for the double post, but a GTX 250/260 or the 4850/70 are over my budget capabilities.

I wonder, what about the 8600GT? Which card of the GT series will play GTA IV as wanted?
 
GreekIdiot said:
Hm...if you have the time and mood, could you explain to me why it won't do that? I mean it's a good card no?

I'll look for GTX 260/250 in the meantime.
Click to expand...

GreekIdiot said:
Sorry for the double post, but a GTX 250/260 or the 4850/70 are over my budget capabilities.

I wonder, what about the 8600GT? Which card of the GT series will play GTA IV as wanted?
Click to expand...

The 9600GT is a pretty old card about 3 years old I think. So it wasn't designed to play modern games. Although it will work for GTA4 you wont be able to put the graphics on high or anything probably low setting you might get buy with medium. I would at least shoot for a 9800GT if you could. The 8600GT isn't as good as the 9600GT so that wont help you any.


If you over budget you should consider going with a AMD build look at a Phenom II 720 it is a triple core CPU. It will still play GTA4 nicely and is hopefully cheap enough so you can get a better graphics card.
 
Nevermind that, here's the new idea:

Does the 1600FSB mobo with the 1333FSB cpu have any...problems?

- INTEL CORE 2 QUAD CORE Q9400 2.66 GHZ LGA775 - 1333 FSB - BOX

- KINGSTON KHX6400D2/2G HYPERX 2GB PC6400 800MHZ (x2)

- ASUS P5QL/EPU

- WESTERN DIGITAL WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA2

- LG W2361V-PF 23'' TFT

Take in mind the specs in this video's description: LINK
I will probably buy me a 9600GT (Found an MSI locally, only...) since I don't have any more money for something higher...:(
 
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GreekIdiot said:
Nevermind that, here's the new idea:

Does the 1600FSB mobo with the 1333FSB cpu have any...problems?

- INTEL CORE 2 QUAD CORE Q9400 2.66 GHZ LGA775 - 1333 FSB - BOX

- KINGSTON KHX6400D2/2G HYPERX 2GB PC6400 800MHZ (x2)

- ASUS P5QL/EPU

- WESTERN DIGITAL WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA2

- LG W2361V-PF 23'' TFT

Take in mind the specs in this video's description: LINK
I will probably buy me a 9600GT (Found an MSI locally, only...) since I don't have any more money for something higher...:(
Click to expand...

Very thing looks ok

Now about the video those settings are not maxed out they are only on medium. I think that guy is confused in the title he says he is playing at 720P but in the description he says his res is at 1680x1050. Also notice that he never shows his fps probably because they aren't very good.

The 9600GT is going to play the game fine but it's not going to be great like you think it is. I would get a cheaper CPU and maybe a cheaper monitor and get a better graphics card. That's just me you probably don't care about how good the games looks you just wont to play it right.

All in all your setup should run the game just fine. By the way what power supply are you using don't get something cheap. Make sure it is from a reliable manufacture.
 
Yeah, from the comment section on that video I realized the settings were not at high, they were only medium. And as you said, I want simply to play the game, no crazy fancy too realistic stuff, just at normal levels.

Besides, this computer is not meant for gaming in the end, it's a home cinema set up, hence me wondering around the 9600gt since I've read great reviews about it and with respect to a home cinema setting. Actually there isn't much of a difference in the cpu prices around here, and if I were to buy a better graphics card I would end up with a ddr3 set up most likely, which would rip my pocket apart, since I would have to change the motherboard and etc. Is the 9800gt any different?

I can't thank you enough my friend for your time, you've been of a great help. Invaluable actually. Oh, for power I'm definitely going to buy a Thermaltake at around 550-600W.
 
GreekIdiot said:
Yeah, from the comment section on that video I realized the settings were not at high, they were only medium. And as you said, I want simply to play the game, no crazy fancy too realistic stuff, just at normal levels.

Besides, this computer is not meant for gaming in the end, it's a home cinema set up, hence me wondering around the 9600gt since I've read great reviews about it and with respect to a home cinema setting. Actually there isn't much of a difference in the cpu prices around here, and if I were to buy a better graphics card I would end up with a ddr3 set up most likely, which would rip my pocket apart, since I would have to change the motherboard and etc. Is the 9800gt any different?

I can't thank you enough my friend for your time, you've been of a great help. Invaluable actually. Oh, for power I'm definitely going to buy a Thermaltake at around 550-600W.
Click to expand...

I have a 9600GT in my other computer which I just use for basic internet and stuff. It works great I haven't played many games on it besides Flight Simulator X but it performed well. The 9800GT is a great card if you can squeeze it into your budget then go for it. Thermaltake makes a pretty good power supply and I have never really had trouble out of them a few duds here and there but there is always a bad one in the bunch. Good idea getting a bigger PSU then what you need. When you decide to upgrade your graphics card then you will have a PSU that wont limit your choices so much.
 
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