Well gang, I think I'm going to be building a new PC soon. It's time. Been researching more and trying to pick my set of parts. This is the idea so far:
ASUS motherboard - trying to settle on model
Intel Wolfdale 3 Mhz proc.
4 gigs RAM
WD SATA drives
Video 8800 GTS or maybe 8800 GT
etc...
Video card is one of the big questions right now. Lots of choices. I'm also trying to decide on Win XP or Vista. I plan on using this machine for a few years and expect I might need Vista at some point. Anyway, advice or suggestions?
I've begun thinking the same thing myself. As for the video card, I'd highly recommend the 8800GT. Overall it slightly outperforms the GTS. However as one of my earlier threads mentions, a lot of people have been having some issues with the 8800GT and WoW. Being that you play WoW and will likely continue to do so for awhile, this is a consideration.
The 9000-series (9600/9800) Nvidia cards have recently come out, so prices on the higher end 8800GTX's may come down shortly.
Two of my big question marks when it comes to a new build are the mobo (I like ASUS as well but deciding on a specific model is damn hard, a lot of them are so similar) and the case. I really don't know much about cases and considering it's the part of the machine you see the most i find people don't think that much about it.
Any ideas on the case front?
This is the case I am thinking of from Cooler Master. It's a monster, has great spots for drives, kind of pricey, but I really like it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138
P.S. Have you heard of any specifics with the 8800 GT's and WOW?
Nice looking case for sure. If you google "world of warcraft 8800gt" you'll see some threads on the issue. I don't think it can be attributed completely to the video card but I had some issues myself when i first upgraded, with tweaked settings my frames aren't so bad now.
We have to keep in mind I'm running a Pentium D 3Ghz and WoW tends to be a more processor intensive game.
GAHH - I'm getting more confused as I look at more and more parts and choices. Maybe I should just buy a Mac? ;)
Well, I take it this machine will be used primarily for multimedia work and also some gaming? Maybe keeping the purpose of the machine in mind will focus you a bit better.
Then again, a mac isn't a horrible idea either. However in all honesty I much prefer the mac laptops to their desktops.
EDIT: 1000th post!
Cool. David just build one for himself for editing video and playing video games. It was his first build and I think he won't ever go back to factory made again. He installed Vista, though I warned him not to. It seems to be working OK... though we haven't tried to play any games on it yet. I heard that can be a problem sometimes.
Yeah, once you build your own machine it's pretty impossible to go back. This will be my main machine for everything. I really want more horsepower for video work, gaming, etc. I'll get there eventually, just have to make some decisions.
Perhaps something to do as well is poke around some of the high end manufacutrers (Alienware and the like) and see what parts they're using. Generally not a bad place to start. I also like Extremetech.com and tomshardware.com
Good luck Rico, I am sure what you choose will be correct. I agree there does seem to be a lot of choices. For me, I usually go with an ASUS board, as I have always had good luck with them, though I guess you have to decide what model . I also like Intel processor over AMD. Never had any issues with AMD, just have a preference for Intel. I am like you in that I am planning on getting a new PC as well, and deciding what I want, my main question mark is with Video cards, and which one, as there seems to be a lot of different ones, ranging in price. I guess maybe to many choices ;) . Building PC's are a lot of fun, all my primary PC's I have used for myself have been built.
A machine to keep for a few years would have to be built on a 64-bit architecture. Unless software is an issue or you're planning on downsizing your efforts in the near future, it just makes sense.
I have to plan what I need – then double it just so I don't get into trouble later.
Besides – they are wicked fast!! :ohbaby
just blew my motherboard and had to buy new. looked at cloning a machine but price was a major issue and i figured i didn't know enough to cover all the possible compatibility issues. so i bought new. . . i hate vista.
now i have software compatibility issues and little details like it dropping my serial number to my games and not being able to play online, not remembering settings and generally being a nuisance. sorry widgets didn't seem to be worth it. so today I'm going to be trying to get my system working . . bad point if i mess up there is no reinstall disk or recovery disk to start over but i got this erecovery thing that pops up but of course no details as to what it actually DOES. I've got alot of running programs now where i don't actally know what they do or if they are more extraneous adware junk. this may take awhile.
Rico, any more ideas over here? I really seriously started getting into speccing out a new rig this weekend. Having the same issues over motherboards. Have you thought about RAM? The top end motherboards are supporting DDR3 now but I was figuring DDR2 would be sufficient.
I'm getting closer. I think this will be the motherboard.... (X38 type)....
ASUS MB:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131219
This memory (DDR2 1066):
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231166
This processor (Wolfdale):
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115037
Still deciding a bit more on the video card but probably will be an 8800 GT.
Looks like good choices to me. I hope you don't mind if I use this thread to build my machine as well!
The new 9600 Nividi cards are out, you can get two of them for the cost of one 8800 GTS. Then connect them via SLI, and you will really rock on video games and graphic intensive programs.
I just had to rebuild my computer, that is why I was gone so long. I was able to upgrade to a quad core processor for the cost of a dual core, thanks to a sale at Fry's electronics. I never order anything over the internet, every time I build a PC something goes wrong and I need to do an exchange.
And there is no good way to do that through the mail, I always perfer a real building to go to. And Fry's has never hassled me over an exchange, and they have always had an extensive inventory to chose from, and plenty of great geeks hanging around so I can pick their brains.
Question regarding the motherboard you selected...do you know if it has ports for front panel audio?
Quote from: billybob476 on April 30, 2008, 07:43:19 AM
Question regarding the motherboard you selected...do you know if it has ports for front panel audio?
I don't know that positively, but most do have ways to connect audio up like that these days.
Ha ha, I'm being really annoying in this thread. How about a power supply? Are you sticking with Coolermaster for that too? I guess at this point you'll probably want 600-650W minimum.
The power supper I think I liked was an OCZ, 700 watt. Lots and lots of good reviews for it.
this guy?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2235424&CatId=106
Yes - but much cheaper ($60 or so less) at New Egg after rebates....
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817341002
With all your guys talk about upgrading PC's, that is what I plan to do as well, just waiting for my Tax return cheque to come in. I might take some ideas from you guys as well. I am still leaning toward going with a shuttle system, but do realize that I would be giving up a lot in performance, over going with a regular sized PC. I still have a few more weeks to debate that in my mind. What sort of fans or cooling are you guys planning on? My biggest complaint with my existing PC is that the fans are so loud.
Quote from: Rico on May 01, 2008, 10:42:12 AM
Yes - but much cheaper ($60 or so less) at New Egg after rebates....
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817341002
LOL. Welcome to Canada.
Quote from: jedijeff on May 01, 2008, 10:50:04 AM
With all your guys talk about upgrading PC's, that is what I plan to do as well, just waiting for my Tax return cheque to come in. I might take some ideas from you guys as well. I am still leaning toward going with a shuttle system, but do realize that I would be giving up a lot in performance, over going with a regular sized PC. I still have a few more weeks to debate that in my mind. What sort of fans or cooling are you guys planning on? My biggest complaint with my existing PC is that the fans are so loud.
I find fans tend to be really hit or miss. I'm going to try out the stock cooler that comes with the Intel CPU, they are a lot better then the super loud AMD ones (at least they used to be). As for PSUs, you just have to research which ones are quiet. With that OCZ one I linked, some people say they are loud and some say they are not. I guess it depends on your definition of loud.
Case fans, again don't go for el-cheapo ones and you'll generally have better luck. Bigger fans (120mm +) tend to be quieter because they spin slower. I remember at work we had a Sun server with about 10 40mm fans it in and wehn you started it up it sounded like a jet was taking off.
Quote from: billybob476 on May 01, 2008, 10:52:40 AM
Quote from: Rico on May 01, 2008, 10:42:12 AM
Yes - but much cheaper ($60 or so less) at New Egg after rebates....
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817341002
LOL. Welcome to Canada.
Quote from: jedijeff on May 01, 2008, 10:50:04 AM
With all your guys talk about upgrading PC's, that is what I plan to do as well, just waiting for my Tax return cheque to come in. I might take some ideas from you guys as well. I am still leaning toward going with a shuttle system, but do realize that I would be giving up a lot in performance, over going with a regular sized PC. I still have a few more weeks to debate that in my mind. What sort of fans or cooling are you guys planning on? My biggest complaint with my existing PC is that the fans are so loud.
I find fans tend to be really hit or miss. I'm going to try out the stock cooler that comes with the Intel CPU, they are a lot better then the super loud AMD ones (at least they used to be). As for PSUs, you just have to research which ones are quiet. With that OCZ one I linked, some people say they are loud and some say they are not. I guess it depends on your definition of loud.
Case fans, again don't go for el-cheapo ones and you'll generally have better luck. Bigger fans (120mm +) tend to be quieter because they spin slower. I remember at work we had a Sun server with about 10 40mm fans it in and wehn you started it up it sounded like a jet was taking off.
Thanks for the suggestions on the Fans, I will keep that in mind, never really thought about the size and spin speed. I know one of my previous computers, it sounded like a jet. A friend of mine had setup a water cooling system, but just to much stuff and to expensive for me to ever consider. I always disliked going to our server rooms at work, as they were noisy as could be, and if I had a long change, I could not get the noise of the fans out of my head for a day or so LOL. Fortunately they moved the server room to another city :).
yeah bigger fans have bigger blades so there's more surface area to push air. So it takes less rotation to push the same amount of air as a smaller fan.
Well, I finally did it! This has probably been one of the hardest times I have had to put together a list of components for a new PC. In the end, I decided to go with pretty top of the line items - to a degree. It will be nice to have a much more modern system. Ordered it all from Newegg. Hopefully it will all be here by the weekend. :)
Good times. If you don't mind my asking, what are the specs of the system you are replacing?
Good for you Rico, looking forward to hearing about it
Quote from: billybob476 on May 06, 2008, 08:35:55 AM
Good times. If you don't mind my asking, what are the specs of the system you are replacing?
My main PC is about 3-4 years old. Pentium 4 2 Ghz, 1 gig memory, 7600 AGP video card, a few hard drives, DVD burner, etc. So pretty outdated by today's standards.
Ah, makes the pentium D 3Ghz I want to replace looks pretty good. I guess my reasons are this is my main work/play machine. I literally spend 8-12 hours a day on it.
This new PC will be my new home machine. My at work machine is a very low end Dell (doesn't even have a DVD drive in it).
P.S. Currently I'm being tempted by some nice big Dell monitors too!
Yeah those Dell monitors are nice. I've got a 20" widescreen in front of me.
Since I work from home, I use the same machine for everything. It's running SQL Server 2005 dev edition, coldfusion server and a bunch of other stuff (not to mention playing some warcraft).
For anyone looking at Dell's, check out www.edealinfo.com. Sometimes you can get about $100 off the sale price.
Well the new baby is built. My computer area is a mess, but overall it went well. I took some pics of the process and will post them soon. So far Vista is behaving. Lots to still load and move over but I'm pretty happy. Only a couple of small nicks and cuts on my fingers. But building a new PC isn't quite right without that. I named the new machine "GALACTICA."