Building a new PC soon

Omra · April 28, 2008, 05:12:00 PM

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.

billybob476 · April 30, 2008, 07:43:19 AM

Question regarding the motherboard you selected...do you know if it has ports for front panel audio?

Rico · April 30, 2008, 03:14:03 PM

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.

billybob476 · May 01, 2008, 06:31:00 AM

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.

Rico · May 01, 2008, 07:06:41 AM

The power supper I think I liked was an OCZ, 700 watt. Lots and lots of good reviews for it.

billybob476 · May 01, 2008, 10:20:25 AM

this guy?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2235424&CatId=106

Rico · 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

jedijeff · 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.

billybob476 · 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.

jedijeff · May 01, 2008, 11:08:40 AM

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 :).

billybob476 · May 01, 2008, 11:32:13 AM

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.

Rico · May 06, 2008, 08:33:10 AM

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. :)

billybob476 · 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?

jedijeff · May 06, 2008, 08:36:56 AM

Good for you Rico, looking forward to hearing about it

Rico · May 06, 2008, 10:00:23 AM

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.