Hardware: The PC Build Thread

[Pinoy]

Originally Posted by kamspy

Where?

Here.

[kamspy]

Even better!

(I guess I did kinda half ass my CPU search there when I found the 5800 for $55)

[railven]

I'd advise against the Brisbane. Anything X2 under 6000+ at this point is a wash. While an X2 will give you a tad push in gaming (larger cache) it will be outperformed by any Intel on the market (including those $60 Intel Pentium Dual Cores) on any other bench.

If you truly want an X2, go with the Phenom II based 7850.

It will be very competetive in gaming due to its large cache versus its Intel counterparts, but will out perform that Brisbane and any other X2 K7 architecture and remain competetive with Intel counterparts. A good read here:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3554&p=1

That GPU Kams linked is great. Any 4870 under $150 is a steal in my opinion.

As for the RAM, don't cut yourself short. It is cheaper to buy 2x2GB sticks now, than having to upgrade later. With PC's now, you need to keep them in dual channel (equal parts) so it would be more cost effective to buy 2x2GB now, than 2x1GB now and 2x1GB later.

You're also giving yourself room for x64 versions of Windows, which will give you full access to that extra odd ~1GB of RAM.

...Haha, just noticed Pinoy linked to the 7850, good catch Pinoy.

[eck979]

Originally Posted by Mase

ok I no longer can find my cd key and all that good stuff, but there is a number I can call because my copy is legit and all but I lose stuff all the time..

Hmmmm, thanks guys.. I think im gonna pull the trigger tonight. I am a little nervous about building it and I am sure I will fry something but I guess thats part of the fun..

If you can't find your cd key, but actually have it installed on a PC I think there's a way to do it through windows but I can't remember. Anyways, you can use this utility to do it:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...0.beta.2.5.zip

Whoops. Here's info on the app if you wanna read it first:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/beta/

[Mase]

You guys are awesome, I am gonna pull the trigger either today or tomorrow and am anxious to start building.. However my roommate is now jealous and wants to buils his own PC. He doesnt want to spend more than $400 so I put this list togther for him, tell me what you guys think

APEX PC-390-35 Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811154082
$46.99

1EVGA GeForce GTS 250 512-P3-1150-TR Video Card
Item #:N82E16814130468
-$5.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$134.99
$129.99

1Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136098
$49.99

1CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820145184
$46.99

1GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128357
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy


Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819116072
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy-$10.00 Combo
$122.98
$112.98

Grand Total:$386.94

With shipping it comes out to like $399 and some change, would you guys tweak anything or would this be a good bargain performer. He uses his PC like me for the most part, he doesnt PC game much except for RTS and the occasional shooter..

Thanks Eck for the link I am gonna read up on it now

[Razor05]

How's this card?

ATI Delivers the World's First 1 GHz Graphics Processor

[railven]

Originally Posted by Razor05

How's this card?

ATI Delivers the World's First 1 GHz Graphics Processor

The HD4890 is ATI's baby, its this gens 9700/9800 architecture. Glad they'll see it a OC'ed version, but this isn't new or anything.

I've OC'ed my 4870x2 to 1GH Core and 1033mhz Memory, runs fabulous but requires good heating.

Anandtech covered this when the 4890 launched. You'll never see this in a console, heat, power, and cost would make the PS3's $600 launch price acceptable.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3555&p=1

Note: Also, keep in mind that headline is really misleading. It isn't a stock 1ghz Core, they'll probably get that ready for the new Radeon (HD 5xseries) its just an OC of the 4850/70/90 Core. You can reac this speeds with proper cooling on any of those versions.

Disclaimer Edit: I wouldn't recommend anyone OC'ing to 1GHZ core though. It will seriously put a strain on your GPU and cause artifacting almost instantly. Reading up on the new OC'ed card, it comes socketed with a Vapor-X HSF, that's like top tier VGA HSF when compared to stock. A good VGA cooling kit can run you $50 beans!

Also, loved this disclaimer on the article:

Note: Damage caused by overclocking AMD’s GPUs above factory-set overclocking is not covered by AMD’s product warranty, even when such overclocking is enabled via AMD software.

Haha, makes me wonder if it will be covered by ATI warranty and not only third party.

[Pinoy]

Originally Posted by Mase

You guys are awesome, I am gonna pull the trigger either today or tomorrow and am anxious to start building.. However my roommate is now jealous and wants to buils his own PC. He doesnt want to spend more than $400 so I put this list togther for him, tell me what you guys think

The PSU that comes with that case is too weak, and the RAM is also underrated (yeah.. I know I did that earlier too on both accounts)

I know you want an intel solution but it comes at a price, and *typically* the motherboard costs more for an Intel as well. Considering you're on a limited budget here and don't do anything more strenuous than games (like video encoding for example) and aren't likely to overclock I'd really say an AMD solution is the way to go. If you simply *must* go Intel then it will be very hard to stay at budget without skimping on the video card (no... skimping on the PSU is NOT an option)

How about this list:
(I switched up to AMD on this one since I had to drop cost to make room for a beefier PSU+add a case and a few more dollars on the ram. And yes the ATI 4850 is a match for the GTS250)

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119115
$44.99-$5.00 Instant
$39.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139003
$79.99-$6.00 Instant
$73.99
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate


Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Item #: N82E16822136098
$49.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPQ
Item #: N82E16820231241
$49.99

Foxconn A78AX-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813186147
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
$64.99
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814150337
$134.99-$10.00 Instant
$124.99
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate


AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core Processor Model AD785ZWCGHBOX
Item #: N82E16819103678
$74.00-$5.00 Instant
$69.00


$472.94 before tax/shipping and has got $55 in MIR. End cost before shipping: $417.94

All the parts in the list should be well matched to each other and be able to do everything you want. The PSU is just above enough wattage but is pretty solid on amperage (I'm awake this time around ) Once again I did not include OS or an optical drive in the list.

You should be able to find this one under the Public Wish Lists on Newegg.com. It will be listed as "Mase#2" (the first one is listed as "Mase" BTW)

Honestly you should probably also consider this sort of build, I probably went a bit overboard on the first one I listed. If websurfing, email, and games is all you really want to do a system like this should be more than enough. Plus you'll save almost $200, that's a lot of por...err... games.


EDIT: oh yeah that magicaljellybean program works, I used to use it to wander through Best Buy and steal their display model keys.

[Mase]

Nice Pinoy I think thats something both myself and Roommate can afford and it looks like it would do everything we would need it to do.. Man i cant wait to have this up and running so we can frag some zombies..

I already signed up on Steam, Legnd_Killer is my name on steam

[Pinoy]

Originally Posted by Mase

Nice Pinoy I think thats something both myself and Roommate can afford and it looks like it would do everything we would need it to do.. Man i cant wait to have this up and running so we can frag some zombies..

I already signed up on Steam, Legnd_Killer is my name on steam

It should be a nice rig, plus the case/PSU/video card/ram should more than likely carry over when you decide to upgrade in a few years (Maybe even the motherboard might be able to stay, though I doubt it) Don't forget to add an optical drive, that motherboard has extra SATA slots available so don't be afraid to get a SATA dvd burner.

As per usual I'd say have the resident that's not right PC guru, I mean Railven, take a look at the specs and make sure I'm not screwing it up.

And I'll add you up on Steam

EDIT: oh yeah, make sure you print and read the MIR's for all those items. You can't lolligag when it comes to those things (that's what they're counting on)

[railven]

Hey Pinoy, I can't find Mase#2 at newegg's public wish lists. Was skimming Mase1, good build, anyone with the cash should jump on it. One last change I'd make, skimp ~$10 off the PSU (should be easy) and tack that onto the GPU funds plus another ~$10 and get a 4870-512MB, should be plenty of beef for any game this gen and all the games I've been seeing in the pipeline.

[kamspy]

I just ordered a GTX 295...

Someone hold me...




@ me. Already have a 4870....but I need more powa!!!!!!!1

[kamspy]

I sent you an invite Mase.

Great choice with either the Nvidia or the Ati.

The Nvidia has better driver support, and native PhysX on the chip.

Either way, you'll be WOW'ED compared to what you've seen on console.

You will want to play Fallout 3 again. It's made for PC. The console version looks like it's been through 2 apocalypses instead of one.


Just imagine the COD 60fps smoothness on EVERY game. And much higher res textures.

O Mass Effect as well. Whole different game (HUD-wise), and the image quality stomps the console version.

[railven]

Originally Posted by kamspy

I just ordered a GTX 295...

Someone hold me...




@ me. Already have a 4870....but I need more powa!!!!!!!1

I'm holding out, I know the 4890x2 is on the horizon. I predict a summer announcement. If they go the same route as the 4870x2 I can see it topping the GTX 295 since it will have two 4890 cores versus a 285+260 of the 295.

And if it falls on its ass...fight temptation and wait for the HD 5x00 series haha.

[railven]

Originally Posted by kamspy

I sent you an invite Mase.

Great choice with either the Nvidia or the Ati.

The Nvidia has better driver support, and native PhysX on the chip.

Either way, you'll be WOW'ED compared to what you've seen on console.

You will want to play Fallout 3 again. It's made for PC. The console version looks like it's been through 2 apocalypses instead of one.


Just imagine the COD 60fps smoothness on EVERY game. And much higher res textures.

O Mass Effect as well. Whole different game (HUD-wise), and the image quality stomps the console version.

Don't forget the loading. That issue is helped out alot. Stupid elevators. They could have done something better. Capcom pulled it off with the doors in Resident Evil.