Computer Building Advice

Yes, I still haven't built it.

Parts I plan on getting:

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227210

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103546
^note: I do not plan on overclocking it, I have no experience in doing so, and really just don't want to

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16814130238
^note: It comes with a free motherboard

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16813188002


I have my case, and it came with a 420watt power supply.
I am using the drives from my current DELL computer.
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Questions:

1. What is the difference between the following 3 video cards?
http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16814130238
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130256
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130249

2. Do you think my power supply will be able to handle the load, + some case lights?

3. I plan on using the OS Install cd from my DELL, will it work?

4. Do the parts seem good? I heard doing an SLI setup of 2 6800's can be better than one 7800GT. Also, is the motherboard going to give me problems?

5. Is it possible to run an SLI setup with 2 7800GT's? Just wondering for future refference.

I am coming from a computer with:
256mb of ram
1.7ghz P4
ATI Radeon 9550

5. WIll I see major improvments?

6. Really, I want a gaming computer, but also one that will stay somewhat up to date for a little bit (hence the X2 processor), will this run BF2?

7. http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRa...gesize=&Page=3
compared to the 7800gt?

I know it is a lot, sorry, maybe you could type the number of the question then your answer? Thanks

RAM: Excellent choice. I haven't heard anything but joy about OCZ's customer service if something goes wrong.

CPU: Very nice, if not a bit overkill.

GPU: I would go for the 517 model. It is a bit cheaper and clocked lower, but the copper heatsink makes up for it in gol... err... copper :P. The one you have selected would be perfectly fine too.

MOBO: I haven't heard anything wrong with the board. Personally, I wouldn't put that processor into the board. I am just thinking in terms of "It's free.. I wonder why?" Really, you'd probably be fine, but I would look into another, expecially if you are putting nearly $500 into a processor, you really don't want to find something out the hard way.

PSU: It all depends on your case. If you could give details on the make/model of the case and psu, it would make it a lot easier to determine.

1. The difference is the clock speed (higher is better... usually). One of them (I believe the 517 model) has a copper heatsink. This is going to be your best bet as far as stability.

2. It all depends on the make. Some 420's are rated constant, and some are peak. more details are needed.

3. It depends... if it has a cd-key then more than likely it would work. If there isn't you may have to "acquire" a copy of XP. Post if there is a key and any other details that you can.

4. Parts seem excelent. Only change IMO would be the mobo. You could go for dual 6800's, but it would mean you need two cards for an upgrade instead of a single identical card. The mobo won't give you problems, but it looks to be the weak link.

5. Yes. As long as they are the same chip revision (I would go for identical model numbers just to be safe)

5+1/2. YEEESSSSS. It will be night and day.

6. Yes, will run bf2 more than fine.

7. www.anandtech.com I don't remember the exact order of supremacy, but 7800 should mow over the x800. Not even a contest IMO.

If you need any mroe help, feel free to post here, hit me on AIM, or PM me.

This thing is going to be beautiful! In regards to BF2, you won't have to worry about meeting any game requirements for quite awhile. The only possible thing that I'd think about upgrading is the 420 W power supply, but I think you should be ok.

One more thing an OEM Dell XP cd will not work in your new PC. It is tied to your Dell machine as Dell has their own set of OEM keys..

Funny thing is Cannon I used my fiance's cd key from her laptop to my computer (her's is a HP Laptop) and it worked fine. But I ended up having a new boot CD just in case in the future.

Alias I think your computer will be perfect it beats mine I think. And maybe my threads are still around, maybe, so you know you can check those out.

IMO this compy will do WONDERS. Personally go for the 7800GT with SLI and get a second one later in the future. Trust me a single 7800GT is all you need to have any game at it's max graphics. And adding on another 7800GT will only make it better where as getting two 6800s right now would mean you will have to change sooner or later to upgrade.

The games I play,
Guildwars, Counter Strike Source, Half-Life 2, FEAR, COD2 (got it for free with my g-card), The movies, Knights of the Old republic, Quake 4, Black and White 2, all of those games at their max graphic setting.

Liquid answered most of your questions so I won't repeat entirely.

RAM: 2gb is perfect right now, I used the Value Deal from Corsair but I was on a budget yet no problems so far. =)

CPU: Mine is a 3200+ Venice Athlon 64. and it works perfectly fine with all my games. Yours...well unless on a benchmark test I don't think there would be a difference in gaming. Unless you're a multi-tasking person who plays games, defrags, and burn cds at the same time =P Which I don't think a lot of people do that many things at once. XD. Anyway you're set and good for a goood while.

Mobo: Now I use a A8N Deluxe mobo from ASUS. It's working great and has the SLI stuff and so on and so on.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131517
The only con I found with mine was the sound drives, I did some trouble shooting and downloaded some drives from the site and it worked fine.

Other then that I think you're pretty set once you figure out your v-cards

Ya, so I am pretty set now, except for that motherboard. Believe it or not, my budget is $1100, and this stuff came out to total $1086 or something. I am going to try it all on my power supply, just because I really can't afford a new one atm. As for windows XP, I am going to try it with the dell disk, and if that doesn't work, I probably will be forced to scramble for money and buy XP. If I don't have an OS, is there any way to download a Beta of Vista?


As for my case, it is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156135

After you get through the first page of reviews where some are bad, some are good, they are pretty much all good.

This is very true. There was "Once upon a time..." Dell and other companies would just send you a true Windows disk that could be used on any system....ahh...alas...they said no way...and made these stinkin' recovery disks instead. You will have to get a OS disk that will work for you.

You might want to look at PSU's too...yup...more cash. However, that is money well spent.

Aye, My PSU is a 540watt I believe.

I spent about 1300+ on my comp after having to buy two optical drives, norton antivirus 2006 and other stuff like the XP disc.

Oh yeah the whole recovery disk is lame. But it worked on my comp I just put it in and used my fiance's laptop.

So I believe when you make a new comp and you have a recovery disk and the cd key it will work.

Not sure about the cd key, but the disk came packaged like in the following image
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102059

But the disk didn't look like that.

The disk is brownish-red, and it looks like someone dipped the top in white paint, then wrote on it Operating system.
Below that is says Reinstallation CD
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Then in tiny print on the left it says Only use this CD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell Computer. This cd is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.

On the manual that comes with it it says For Distribution only with a New PC.

It didnt say Will Not Work on any computer other than ur Dell, just not to use it on any other computer.

I will see, if not , 99 dollars to newegg.

I will try it all with the psu, and if it seems wierd, I will buy this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817148019

You can try Alias, I hope it does work, it would save you a bit cash. One thing in your favour is that it is an OEM copy, in theory you could put it on any PC you wanted, One thing i'm not sure about is the CD key, or wether there is any coding within the disk that looks for DELL hardware fingerprints..

Ya, it is worth a try. In any case, heh, get it, like tower case...

I am only just a tad worried about that motherboard. From some reviews on websites, it seems like it gets the job done, so I am going with it.

The only thing is, newegg's RMA policy. I want to get the parts, and set up the computer over the weekends. If I find a dead part, it will probably be around a month from now. Does anyone know from experience if you can still get an RMA?

I am no expert what's so ever...but isn't the Dell recovery disk set up for an Intel Motherboard? With Intel type drivers and such? Can you just install the WinXP? I thought you are forced to run most of Dell's installation set up.

well although your possibly more of an expert on DEll's than myself Old Dood, here in the UK you get an OEM version of XP, and seperate driver disk(s). But as I said in my previous post the disk may look for dell hardware footprints. So it's touch and go wether it'll work. Personally I dont think it will.

ahh..ok. Cannonfodder. That makes sense. I rather have your set-up of disks then what we get here in the Colonies. I can't stand all that crap on one disk.

BTW: There is a cannonfodder on the www.avsforum.com website (A Audio-Visual-HD site). Is that you?

I have just the os disk, then seperate disks with dell programs, sound card drivers, vid card drivers, etc.

Does this look like a good power supply?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=373009

I have no idea. Looking at the price for $44.00 and getting a 600w PSU makes me wonder though. You get what you pay for... They have to be cutting corners on "something" to get the price down to that. To me that is a Red Flag. Did you take that model number and Google it with the word REVIEW after it? That is what I do for most anything I am looking at to purchase.

It does not look like a good P/S. My Antec 450W Smartpower 2.0 is 4-1/2 lbs, the one in the link is only 3 lbs, meaning its most likely not as good(weight is a good way to judge power supplies http://www.directron.com/psu.html , more transitors, better/bigger heatsinks, ect)

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1000883

I'd look for something around 500watt, but that's just me. With as much money as you are putting into the system, you really don't want to risk it all by getting a dodgy PSU.

Mine is a aspire 540w but it came out to be freaking huge! But had more than enough power cords for very kind of hardware I was installing into my new compy. It happened to get in the way of one of the chasis' roof fans so I had to poorman rig it so only half of the fan is seen through the hole and the other half you can see this huge black thing that belongs to a PSU.

Find a brand name company, Aspire Is the only one I can think off the top of my head and my PSU is working wonders. The other guys here would know trustworthy companies to buy a 500+w psu. I agree with Liquid here, seeing what you have there I think it will be safe to have a 500+ PSU so everything has enough power.

Hehe, No my friend that is not me.

Bummer...I could use a friendly face over there. Talk about Elitest Additude...that site takes the cake. It is a very informative site on all aspecs of HDTV and the like...but it is full of arrogant Old Doods. Not nice Old Dood's like me. They laugh at my HDTV and surround sound set up. If you want to view some serious Theatre Rooms (Media Rooms is the Elitest Term) go and check it out. Some of those rooms cost way more then my whole darn house.

Old Dood, I will check out the forum, Home entertainment is one of my passions, and the fact that annoying elitist people is one my hobbies(oh I love proving them wrong). Although the link didn't work when I tried it earlier.



EDIT - Dood I have registered on the forum user name as is here. Look forward to more intelligent conflab

Yeah, I used to post on the AVS forums under a different handle, but I gave up due to the nasty attitudes. I'm a HTPC enthusiast, and I've built 2 systems at home that are used strictly for home theater/multimedia applications. I mostly use them for music and recording TV shows (MUCH better than a TiVo), but they come in handy for other multimedia projects as well.

In my experience

AVS Forums = Uppity Snobs Who Think They Know Everything

If it's an actual Windows XP installation CD it will probably work. I have friends that have used them before on non-Dell machines with no problems. Dell does have their own sequencing for the OEM CD keys, though, so you'll need a Dell OEM XP Home CD-key to install it. If what you have is a recovery disc it might be more trouble than it's worth if it works at all.

I wouldn't even think about trying that. Most Microsoft OS's aren't even 100% stable in the first build of final realease, much less in beta. I wouldn't try that unless you're just looking for a bit of extra challenge.

Ok Cannonfodder I will look for you. I am Workindood there. Lately I have been posting in the HDTV Programing section on the Battlestar Galatica Season 2.5.

It is a very well informed site...probably the apex of home theaters. Just that a good portion of the members are so snobby. There are a few "gems" that post there. I personally like learning about which DVDs that come out are worth buying (PQ wise and sound wise).

Dex...you should come back...if just for the entertainment value.

That's my favorite TV show (with 24 and various animated shows coming in after). Sci-fi or no, it's one of the best shows made for TV in a while. By the way, for those who don't know, I'm talking about the new BSG on the Sci-Fi channel...not the old late '70s show.

Hehe. I'll think about it...

You got that right. Mrs Dood loves this show too. She has good taste when it comes to Good Sci-Fi Drama. She was a Babylon5 fan with me as well.

We both get all excited come Friday night. I like to record first with the DVR and then watch it at 11pm...so to skip the commercials.

I tell people about this show and they stick their nose in the air...thinking it is like the 1970's version. Once they actually watch it they are hooked too.

EDIT: BTW I started a BattleStar Galatica thread in the Off topic...didn't get many responses...