Help with new PC build
By
Doomlord,
Posted on: 2009-05-08 09:26 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
First thing: skip the E8200. You're much better off performance-wise with an equivalently priced dual-core. If you want to go quad, you really have to bite the bullet and get something with a little more kick. I would also look for a better brand in Power Supply. Antec, PC Power and Cooling, and Thermaltake are good ones (there are others, but that's a start). Western Digital "Caviar Black" series hard drives are a good bet for better performance and reliability, although they have a higher pricetag. For the pricetag of that terrabyte drive though, you could set up a couple of smaller WD drives in RAID 0 if your motherboard supports it - that would be a major jump.
As far as your other questions:
Find a motherboard that's SLI-ready and stick with the NVIDIA-based cards if you want to play City of Heroes/Villains and actually be able to turn all the high-end eye candy on. If you like Asus, here's the approximate equivalent: the P5N-D. Personally I skipped out on SLI or Crossfire for this generation of build and just got the regular P5Q - I'll probably upgrade my processor at least once before multi-GPU setups are worth the entry price in terms of real-time performance.
As far as RAM is concerned, 32 bit operating systems can only address 4GB total of "stuff" (2^32 bytes = 4GB), including system memory, video memory, and some other miscellaneous things. If you have 4GB or more of RAM in your system, a 32-bit version of Windows will given what's left of that addressing space to system memory after you take out video memory and the rest of it. In your case, you'd actually have a bit more than 3 GB to use. I would strongly recommend getting a 64-bit OS. XP Pro x64 is workable but a bit lacking in driver support, so double check for all applicable hardware. Vista x64 is quickly becoming the default for those that want to use a large amount of memory (it's what I use, actually - works fine for City of Heroes for me, and that annoying driver issue is fixed in Service Pack 2 for good).
I would go with an E 8500 CPU, a Gigabyte Mobo, the 4 GB of memory and use the Windows 7 RC.
Whichever CPU you decide to go with, verify that it has Intel virtualization first as that is necessary to utilize the "virtual XP" inside of Win 7. Stay with NVidia and pick up a GTX 260. NVidia plays "nicer" with COH than ATI.
You might want to go with 2 Drives, One fast one for the OS (like a WD Raptor) and the other for Programs and Data. Just keep in mind that within 5 years you will be upgrading your hard drive to a SSD when the price points become reasonable.
Sir Zane (Lvl 50, Inv/SS/Nrg Tank);Atomic Jake (Lvl 50, Kin/Rad/Elec Defender)
Nikolai (Lvl 50, DM/EA/GW Brute);Raging Stallion (Lvl 50 MA/SR/Weap Scrapper)
Archmage Tristam (Lvl 50 Ill/Son/Psi Controller)
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-g=C800:5
Not a fan of Rosewill PSUs.
The Q8200 is an OK quad core but for the same price you can get an E8400 that is roughly 40% faster. Of course with top end graphically intensive games, it's the video card that is the limiting factor.
If you are seriously considering the 9800GTX+ then you shouldn't overlook the GTS250 which is the same card, different name which may be going for less. If you were considering an SLi setup with two of those cards then I would suggest a single GTX260/216 or a GTX275 for about the same price as two 9800GTX+/GTS250.
I concur with the 1GB WD Black Caviar drive.
As for the memory situation. A 32-bit OS like XP Home can at most see 4GB and with all the memory mapped devices and a video card with lots of memory, likely only see around 3GB of it. It's OK to go with 4 but forget about 8 unless you are planning to install Vista 64-bit or wait for Windows 7 64-bit. In all honesty, I can't recommend a RC of an OS unless you realize up front that when it actually comes out you will need to buy it for real and the safest route would be a full reinstall.
Just my 2 cents.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
PSU: Rosewill RX750-D-B 750W
Oh, I wouldn't go with Rosewill. I'd buy a fan or a case from them, but I would never buy a PSU from them. Stick with major name brands that have a reputation for dependability built over years and dozens of independent reviews. The PSU is the one component that can easily fry everything else if it fails badly. My last 3 builds used Antec PSU's. Not the only good brand, but my personal favorite.
I am on a fixed income so I will have to be buying these parts at one to two parts a month. CPU, GPU, Case is first to be bought as they are most expensive.
ooo, bad plan. Very bad. Instead, set the money aside and save it until you can guy the stuff all at once. If you buy one piece at a time, your earlier purchases may be outdated (i.e. you could have gotten something better for less money) by the time you're ready to build.
This does not apply to all the parts. A case is a case. You're not going to get the 'same capacity for 70% of the cost' like you might with a hard drive.
Also, RAM is wonky and I'll explain why. Memory prices fluctuate STUPIDLY. Once you've started saving, watch the RAM prices. If they take a ridiculous dip, buy it immediately. Seriously, RAM prices can be halved or doubled in way under a year for no apparent reason. (To the consumer, that is. Anyone who follows the industry could probably tell you what's going on.)
Also since I am on a fixed income I will not OC. if I screw up I can't just buy new parts ya know!
All the more reason not to skimp on the power supply.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
[ QUOTE ]
You might want to go with 2 Drives, One fast one for the OS (like a WD Raptor) and the other for Programs and Data. Just keep in mind that within 5 years you will be upgrading your hard drive to a SSD when the price points become reasonable.
[/ QUOTE ]
I have two drives also. I have a big drive with the OS, all software and all data. Then I have a second, smaller drive where I back up all my data once a day. If you work with computers a lot, you'll overwrite or edit something you wanted to keep and you'll do it on a regular basis. If you're only going to be gaming and websurfing, then ignore me. 
As for an SSD in five years? Not likely. Not for the average user. Not even the average 'power user'. And even when they do start to become common, they won't replace hard drives. Like the set-up you described, they'll replace ONE hard drive. You'll still have a massive (multiple terabytes) drive to store all ur stuffz.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
DDR2 memory is going to start to creep up in price as fabs are ramping up DDR3 production as more Phenom II and Core i7s are sold not to mention Core 2 MBs that use DDR3.
CPU and video card prices tend to jump downward in spurts as they release newer, faster product at the top end, everything else gets bumped down a price point. This means either the CPU or video card you are looking at is cheaper or that you could buy more for the same price.
As for the Rosewill PSU, I'm having second thoughts based on it's review over at JonnyGURU. JonnyGURU was one of the first sites on the web that actually did extensive load testing on PSUs and not just stuck it in a box and looked at what the BIOS said the voltages were. They also tear down the PSU and look at the quality of parts inside.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
[ QUOTE ]
As for the Rosewill PSU, I'm having second thoughts based on it's review over at JonnyGURU. JonnyGURU was one of the first sites on the web that actually did extensive load testing on PSUs and not just stuck it in a box and looked at what the BIOS said the voltages were. They also tear down the PSU and look at the quality of parts inside.
[/ QUOTE ]
Rosewill is Newegg's house brand and, like most rebranded merchandise, quality will vary greatly from individual product to individual product. If that review was for the specific PSU the OP is considering buying, all well and good, but otherwise, I'd still be wary of Rosewill.
Okay guys Thanks for all the great advice.
Along with what you all said plus the articles I have been reading
all over (Toms Hardware, Tech Spot ect) I have tweaked my build.
The verdict:
I am going quad. Why?
Well I am a gamer and that's what I do with my free time.
But I also record my own music. That was the biggest factor influencing my choice.
Granted I might not see a big improvement in gaming but I will make up for it when it comes to recording. so the money isn't wasted. As for the OS I will keep my 32 bit for now. I will get a 64 bit after I build my PC. I am also just going to go with a singe GPU.
So here is my updated parts list.
CPU: Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz
Mobo: ASUS P5N-D
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX
Ram: 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (X2 2GB for 4GB)
GPU: EVGA GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB
HDD: HITACHI 0A38016 1TB 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb
Case: XCLIO A380PLUS-BK
Grand total is $916.93 Not too bad.
Also I am going to buy the CPU and the MOBO at the same time
as mentioned above by Ironblade I need to at least get my CPU and Mobo at the same time.
Next month I will get my PSU and Ram. My Case and HDD will be bought last.
Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate you pointing stuff out to me! this is my #2 build for myself,
but I have built as least 14 in total. Although this is my first build involving either Dual or Quad CPU. Hence the thread.
Again Thanks!!
Xendoshi
[ QUOTE ]
Okay guys Thanks for all the great advice.
Along with what you all said plus the articles I have been reading
all over (Toms Hardware, Tech Spot ect) I have tweaked my build.
The verdict:
I am going quad. Why?
Well I am a gamer and that's what I do with my free time.
But I also record my own music. That was the biggest factor influencing my choice.
Granted I might not see a big improvement in gaming but I will make up for it when it comes to recording. so the money isn't wasted. As for the OS I will keep my 32 bit for now. I will get a 64 bit after I build my PC. I am also just going to go with a singe GPU.
So here is my updated parts list.
CPU: Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz
Mobo: ASUS P5N-D
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX
Ram: 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (X2 2GB for 4GB)
GPU: EVGA GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB
HDD: HITACHI 0A38016 1TB 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb
Case: XCLIO A380PLUS-BK
Grand total is $916.93 Not too bad.
Also I am going to buy the CPU and the MOBO at the same time
as mentioned above by Ironblade I need to at least get my CPU and Mobo at the same time.
Next month I will get my PSU and Ram. My Case and HDD will be bought last.
Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate you pointing stuff out to me! this is my #2 build for myself,
but I have built as least 14 in total. Although this is my first build involving either Dual or Quad CPU. Hence the thread.
Again Thanks!!
Xendoshi
[/ QUOTE ]
Going to a WD Caviar Black is another, what, $30? Seriously, do it.
Looks good other than that.
I am going to be building a new pc as my old P4
is not good enough, has been a great 5 year (6 or how ever long) run.
I want to stay Intel. I have my reasons.
Now these are the parts I have put onto my wish list.
Mobo: Asus P5Q Pro
CPU: Core 2 Quad Q8200
RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (x2 for 8GB)
HDD: HITACHI 0A38016 1TB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA
PSU: Rosewill RX750-D-B 750W
Case: XCLIO A380BK (firm on this too)
Now for the GPU I had the EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
in the list, but I read on the mobo specs it is X-fire ready.
I have been an avid Nvidia user and I am really apprehensive about using
ATI since I would be a new user to them. but I always try things twice!
Games building for:
FS 9/X
X-Plane
City of Heroes
Silent hunter series
Sims 2 (Sims 3 pre-ordered)
Looking forward to Star Trek Online (watched movie last night (may 7th) and I recommend it to any Trekkie out there )
As well as Jumpgate Evolution.
all prioritized in the order I play most.
About the Ram.
I will be running Win XP Home.
Can XP even use 8GB effectively or should I stick to just 4 GB?
I know 4GB doesn't register. Is this even a valid concern?
OR
Should I upgrade to Win Vista or even Win 7 RTC?
Biggest question is this: Is all this compatible? will it work well? I probably wont be able to build for another 3 years min so I hope this is what I call "future ready". I am on a fixed income so I will have to be buying these parts at one to two parts a month. CPU, GPU, Case is first to be bought as they are most expensive. the rest are cheap. Also since I am on a fixed income I will not OC. if I screw up I can't just buy new parts ya know!
As soon as I get my stimulus money this month I am going to buy the CPU. So this is kind of a timely topic! :0)
Xendoshi