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Geek Culture / It will soon be time to upgrade my PC...

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Agent Dink
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 09:32 Edited at: 5th Oct 2007 18:34
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Well, the time has come again to dump a few paychecks into my computer. Seems it comes all too often these days with all the technology advances, though I suppose this should be looked at as a good thing.

Anyhow, I'm not as familiar with current generation hardware as I'd like to be, so I'm posting up my possible upgrade here. If anyone has any input, links to cheaper and or better, more stable gear post 'em up. I'd appreciate it.

Here she is:

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&Tpk=COOLER%2bMASTER%2bRC-690
debating the price difference/value I'm leaning towards the 2nd now (link won't work, what the heck...)

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171014
One of my main concerns, is it sufficient for the following system?
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159058
(If I go with the 2nd Motherboard below, it requires an 8 pin adapter for the cpu instead of 4)

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131024
OR (very possible)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186098

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103771

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150173

I already have memory, hard drives, and other peripherals so no, I didn't forget anything.

The grand total before rebates is $686.40. $616.40 after rebates. I think that's pretty reasonable.

Thanks for any help guys

EDITED

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Plystire
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 09:42
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I like the GPU and CPU, and I could argue about the motherboard.

So far I think it would be a good rig, I just think that the case you chose is absolutely ghastly. It's ginormous! It's square! It's black! Okay, maybe black isn't a complete turn-off, but yeah... IMHO the black box has been way over-done.

It's probably just me, but I think the bigger a case is, the uglier it becomes. I fit everything you're planning to have, and thensome, into a mini-tower. Raid-0, SLI'd GPUs, SoundBlaster card, Better-than-default cooling, the works.

Only problem with my set-up was that I decided to go with Windows Vista HP as an OS.

I say, if you love it, stop reading what I have to say and go for it! A home-built computer is a reflection of the person who made it, and nobody but you should have a say in what goes into it (or what case you use, lol).


The one and only,
~PlystirE~

In Soviet Russia, road forks you!

Mom: I may not be the alpha and omega, but I can sure as hell be yours!
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 09:50 Edited at: 5th Oct 2007 09:51
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Ahhh! The bigger the better when it comes to cases! Some of my worst compuer repair experiences are in mini cases. There is no room to work as I have big hands, there's alot less airflow and dust buildup seems alot worse as there is less places for it to accumulate. I can't stand tiny cases.

Also, aside from my scanner, my computer case is the last remaining white/beige component on my desk, and it's an old ugly Gateway case to boot. A black case will complete the look. This seems to be a nice case for it's price, some little LEDs on the front, toolless installation, extra side fans and all. Best I could find in the cheap price range.

In your opinion what do you see wrong with the motherboard. I will give you reasons why I chose it.

1. I don't need nor do I plan to SLI
2. I want at least 2 IDE cable plugs because my 2 cddvd drives use them as well as 1 of my hard drives and I don't want to upgrade those.
3. I need a good few PCI slots for other components I have, I don't need an abundance of PCI-E 4x or 8x
4. I don't need many SATA plugs at the moment, I only use 1 SATA hard drive, so it's kinda pointless and I don't plan to get any more anytime soon.

The mobo is just fine for me as far as hookups goes. If you see anything else wrong with it, please let me know though.

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GatorHex
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 16:56 Edited at: 5th Oct 2007 17:02
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I would like to recommend the Acase Blockbuster Storm.

The top and side panels slide out and the mother board tray slides out (takes care of the big hands problem) and there is a big jucy fan on the top that blows air in as well as one on the back that blows air out again (takes care of the air movement problem). To top it all off there is an electronic themometer on the front to tell you the temprature of everything and the fan speeds can be altered.



of course for AMD you will probably want a fan this size



DinoHunter (still no nVidia compo voucher!), CPU/GPU Benchmark, DarkFish Encryption DLL, War MMOG (WIP), 3D Model Viewer
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 17:04 Edited at: 5th Oct 2007 17:05
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Lol, that's interesting looking. I've only seen a few cases like that. Not sure I'd like it. They're too small. It looks like an efficient case, but IMO its ugly and clunky. I'd rather just have a tower with more room for expansion, plus the only site I could find it on was in Dutch or something and I can't read any of the info, lol.

Hehe. I speaking of big juicy fans (though at least the last generation AMDs solved alot of their heat issues), if I ever have a problem with that all I need to do is attatch this giant 6 inch fan with all metal blades to my case. I have it wired with a damping switch for speed adjustment. If it were left to run full speed it sounds like an airplane turbine ^_^ Now, hopefully I don't have to use that, but I always have the option I've used it on another computer as a solution to heat, it drops the temperature by like 15C.

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Samoz83
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 19:06 Edited at: 5th Oct 2007 19:55
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i would of gone for a core 2 duo

www.firelightstudio.co.uk
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bitJericho
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 19:14
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I would have too, a c2d would outperform that in the same price range.


The greatest multiplayer text adventure ever...
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 20:03
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Well, I just took a peak over at the Core2Duos and they seem significantly more expensive in most cases, though I am reading they perform better. Can someone point out an equivalent or better Core2Duo to my above posted CPU choice? I'd like to compare prices as money is a big thing I need to consider when buying, lol.

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UnderLord
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 20:17
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Read benchmarks before you go off and buy a C2D or a AMD Dual core...Just don't read one or two benchmarks read like 5 or 6 and then see what the consensus is.

I need to upgrade myself since i don't have the monies for a new mobo and CPU im just gonna have to settle for a amd dual core. Then a new GPU as my 7950GT is starting to show its age after 2 years.

"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 5th Oct 2007 22:05
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I decided on the AMD, as the Intel chips are a good bit more expensive and this will already be a significant upgrade from what I have.

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GatorHex
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Posted: 6th Oct 2007 00:52
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If you don't mind the noise from a fan running at hyperspeed the AMD will give you more processing power per buck (not counting how far the C2D will overclock)

DinoHunter (still no nVidia compo voucher!), CPU/GPU Benchmark, DarkFish Encryption DLL, War MMOG (WIP), 3D Model Viewer
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UnderLord
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Posted: 6th Oct 2007 21:02
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My AMD runs quiet and cool. Its the 2 120's and the 140 i have in my case that make poop loads of noise =(

"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."
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Keo C
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Posted: 7th Oct 2007 05:57
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I like that first case. Cheap and good looking.

Uhhhhhhh.... I forgot
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Satchmo
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Posted: 7th Oct 2007 15:58
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Get a quad core, there the future.

Your about to get pwned.
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Mr Makealotofsmoke
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Posted: 7th Oct 2007 17:46
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or get a quad Xeon


http://www.myspace.com/pictureperfecttheband
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gamebird
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Posted: 7th Oct 2007 20:09
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I would rather have an Intel processor, they can over-clock better and last longer, but when on a budget AMD will save you money. Just don't be dissapointed if a 2.8GHZ dual core AMD is equal to a 2.6GHZ Intel.
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Phaelax
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Posted: 7th Oct 2007 22:49
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I was kinda hoping my Intel 2.6 would out-perform the 2.8 amd. Keep in mind, not everybody wants to overclock their computers.

Don't neglect the power of overclocking an AMD cpu, some have an unlocked crystal, letting you push the power as far as you're capable of handling the temperature.


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UnderLord
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Posted: 9th Oct 2007 00:44
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My AMD on stock cooling will go upto 2.8ghz from 2ghz. But i only have it at 2.6 I have heard of it going all the way upto 3GHZ. At the most on stock but after that it takes after market or water cooling.

"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 9th Oct 2007 01:12
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Well, I went with the AMD 5600+. I'm sure I won't be disappointed. This system is a significant upgrade. I went with the more expensive case, and the FoxConn motherboard as well. Only need to wait 1 more day for half my order to ship! 2 more days for the other box. Newegg shipped the parts from 2 different warehouses, one in New Jersey and one in California. I'm in Ohio, so of course the New Jersey shipment gets here before the California shipment. Grrrr. Wish they'd come the same day, lol.

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UnderLord
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Posted: 9th Oct 2007 01:23
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well GG then? My computer needs to be upgraded too. But i have no monies with the new car i bought so....=(

"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."
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Phaelax
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Posted: 9th Oct 2007 02:25
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Quote: "Newegg shipped the parts from 2 different warehouses, one in New Jersey and one in California. I'm in Ohio"


I'm in Ohio too, and Newegg just shipped my junk from Memphis.


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Agent Dink
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Posted: 10th Oct 2007 18:21
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Yay, all my stuff came today! Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it where speed is concerned) I realized last night that my ram wasn't compatible with my new build. So I ordered 4 gigs of a compatible type. That's also a nice upgrade over the 1.5 I had before. Dang can't wait to get this beast assembled!

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gamebird
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Posted: 10th Oct 2007 23:30
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Wait wait wait! Hold on a second. Don't order 4 gigs unless you have 64-bit windows. Otherwise windows will only recognize about 2.5-3.5GB of the ram, depending on your motherboard, your operatinng system, various settings in the Bios, and whether you have SLI.

64-bit windows will not run 32-bit programs. Which is almost certainly all of the programs/games you have. Another thing- there are almost no programs that will use more than 2GB. So honestly anything more than about 2.5GB is a waste because by the time programs start using that extra space they will require faster ram speeds.

A final point- make sure you don't sacrafice quality for quantity. 1.5GB of 800mhz ram is better than 4GB of 600mhz.
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 10th Oct 2007 23:41
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Its 4 gigs of 800 mhz ram. I'm aware XP won't read more than 3.25 gigs (roughly). It was just a good deal so I picked it up for later once I get Vista or whatever.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 11th Oct 2007 09:38 Edited at: 11th Oct 2007 09:39
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Quote: "64-bit windows will not run 32-bit programs."


Completely not true. I'm on vista ultimate 64 and I can run any software, including dbp, like normal. DBP doesn't run in 64 bit mode, but it certainly runs just the same

I actually haven't found much software yet that I can't use, and what doesn't run is due to mainly vista compatibility, not 64bit compatibility.


The greatest multiplayer text adventure ever...
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Benjamin
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Posted: 11th Oct 2007 12:34
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Quote: "64-bit windows will not run 32-bit programs."

Wow64 makes it so you can.

Tempest (DBP/DBCe)
Multisync V1 (DBP/DBCe)
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gamebird
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Posted: 12th Oct 2007 00:00
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Quote: "Quote: "64-bit windows will not run 32-bit programs."

Completely not true. I'm on vista ultimate 64 and I can run any software, including dbp, like normal. DBP doesn't run in 64 bit mode, but it certainly runs just the same

I actually haven't found much software yet that I can't use, and what doesn't run is due to mainly vista compatibility, not 64bit compatibility.
"


Quote: "Quote: "64-bit windows will not run 32-bit programs."
Wow64 makes it so you can."


Okay I guess I could have said that better. I just wanted to make sure he knew that 64-bit is not the same as 32-bit. I do know that some software does run on it and that there are emulators.

@agent- its not the operating system that is different, its how it uses the memory. So vista will still recognize the same amount as XP. That is unless you get Vista 64-bit, which I advise against because unless Jerico can prove me wrong, there isn't much of a performance gain. And again, there isn't a cpu that can multitask enough programs to use all 4GB of ram. Or at least not running them effectivly.
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Keo C
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Posted: 12th Oct 2007 05:41
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My CPU has full compatibly for 32-bit programs...

Uhhhhhhh.... I forgot
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bitJericho
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Posted: 12th Oct 2007 19:33 Edited at: 12th Oct 2007 19:35
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Quote: "That is unless you get Vista 64-bit, which I advise against because unless Jerico can prove me wrong, there isn't much of a performance gain."


I don't know if there's any performance gain. However, I haven't noticed any compatibility loss between 32bit and 64bit. I assume that there is a performance gain on any 64bit programs (including vista itself), but I can assure you I have not seen many of those programs. HL2 runs in 64bit though.

My recommendation is to get vista and dual boot xp as needed, eventually you'll find yourself needing xp less and less as programs get compatible, and as you get partial to vista. I wouldn't recommend vista unless you have a fairly powerful pc, on lower end systems the speed loss in games you'll find significant, they are not so significant on a higher end system.


The greatest multiplayer text adventure ever...
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hessiess
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Posted: 12th Oct 2007 20:41 Edited at: 12th Oct 2007 20:42
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Quote: "there isn't a cpu that can multitask enough programs to use all 4GB of ram. Or at least not running them effectivly."


rendering hd images with large shadow buffers, ray tracing, massive textures, and high res meshes can easely use 4 gig of ram

learn blender, you will never regret it.

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Agent Dink
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Posted: 13th Oct 2007 01:34
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Yay. My new PC is all together and working great! I haven't tried Stalker yet, but HL2 EP2 runs perfectly smooth with graphics maxed out 16x AA, max Anisotropic filtering settings at 1680x1050. My most taxing DBP projects increased their FPS rates by twofold. This is awesome!

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 13th Oct 2007 01:37
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Nice. Wish my PC could run anything at a smooth framerate.


Since the other one was scaring you guys so much...
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