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Post by Evilduck on Jan 17, 2007 1:01:16 GMT -5
I am going to put together a computer from store bought parts, and I was wondering if anyone here has done something similar and can give some advice.
If you have shopped around for computer parts and know where to get good deals that would also be helpful.
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Post by Archagon on Jan 17, 2007 2:31:00 GMT -5
Newegg is excellent for new parts. Most people would agree with me on this. Amazon is also quite good (free shipping for the win!), as long as you avoid (or at least carefully sift through) its "marketplace sellers". Key points: - If you're starting from scratch, you'll need a CPU, a motherboard, a PSU (power supply), a video card, a hard drive, an optical drive, a case, and possibly a sound card and floppy drive. A Windows XP installation disk wouldn't hurt either. ;D
- Pick your CPU first. You'll need to know the socket number and manufacturer (AMD or Intel, I'd personally go with AMD) to purchase your motherboard. This web-app should prove useful for research.
- CPU and video card benchmarks are very important, motherboard benchmarks less so. Budget motherboards, in general, perform only slightly slower than more expensive ones.
- There are two types of video cards: AGP 8x and PCI-Express. AGP cards are generally cheaper than PCI-E cards, but many new motherboards only support PCI-E. Make sure that your motherboard supports your card's interface!
- When purchasing your motherboard, choose one with a) the correct socket number/manufacturer (ex: "939, AMD 3800+ compatible"), and b) the correct form factor (probably "ATX", but this depends on your computer case).
- Always search Google for "[component name] review" before purchasing a core component. Most reputable tech review sites have 10+ page reviews for CPUs, video cards, and mobos -- you'll know 'em when you see 'em.
How much are you willing to spend? Oh, and don't listen to JP if he starts ranting about my advice.
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Post by Arachis on Jan 17, 2007 2:49:42 GMT -5
Yeah, Actually I just heard about newegg today for the first time, and word has it they are the best for getting new computer parts online.
Id like to see how this computer turns out, so keep posting stuff here and post pics when the comp is finished. Work in progress pics would be cool too.
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Post by Evilduck on Jan 18, 2007 23:42:12 GMT -5
Thank you for all the advice, Alexei. Could you elaborate more on why you recommend AMD CPU's over Intel? The book I have on computer building diplomatically says that they are pretty much the same, but they choose to use AMD for the sample computer. I also heard that AMD's are also easier to overclock.
I do not know exactly how much I will spend, ~ $800 is my current estimate (but it is likely to change)
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Post by Archagon on Jan 19, 2007 1:31:43 GMT -5
AMD CPUs... - ...generally run cooler.
- ...might be less expensive than Intel CPUs of the same caliber, especially in your price range.
- ...are (or at least used to be) more efficient. (On a related note, don't compare Intel and AMD CPUs by gigahertz! A 1.8Ghz AMD CPU is ~as powerful as a 2.8Ghz Intel CPU. Or something like that -- I don't remember the exact numbers. [Peruse the chart linked above for more info.] This is no longer the case with newer CPUs, but you probably won't be looking at those. [Another bit of info: the (4 DIGIT NUMBER)+ used to identify AMD CPUs isn't the processor speed. I've heard that it corresponds to the megahertz of the equivalent Intel CPU (ex: a 2800+ AMD CPU w/1.8Ghz is supposedly equivalent to a 2.8Ghz Intel P4), but I'm not sure if that's true.])
- Also, and quite possibly for reasons not mentioned here, a good majority of computer geeks swear by AMD.
So why not?
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Post by Evilduck on Jan 20, 2007 0:25:03 GMT -5
I just saw:
Intel Celeron D 347 3.06GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail
* 533MHz FSB * 65 nm Cedar Mill * 512KB L2 Cache
for $55!!!
Is this a good deal? It seems suspicious that a processor is sold for so cheap.
Is it possible to get a good 3.0 GHz processor for around $350?
I'm thinking of getting an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2.6GHz for $270 (and don't tell me that one actually preforms like a 5.2 GHz...) but if there are good 3.0 CPUs out there for not too much more money I might go for that.
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Post by Archagon on Jan 20, 2007 1:25:15 GMT -5
No! Celeron = crap!
With the advent of dual-core processors/better processor engineering, gigahertz aren't as vital as they used to be. Don't get a processor just because it has "3.0GHz" over "2.6GHz" -- benchmarking is the only real way to compare the performance of two CPUs! (Case in point: my 1.83Ghz dual-core laptop can run almost any game @ medium or high settings -- even Oblivion!)
I'm afraid I don't know much about the X2 line, save for the fact that it's dual-core, fairly new, and apparently quite fucking fast. (Though I'm not entirely certain. Again, check the charts!)
Prices... you'll have to figure those out on your own, I'm afraid.
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Post by Archagon on Jan 20, 2007 16:57:09 GMT -5
Also, I didn't realize that your CPU budget was so high, so don't hesitate to consider some of the current top-of-the-line Intel processors (in particular, the Core 2 Duos). If I were you, I'd take several charts from the app listed above (3DMark06 CPU, FEAR Benchmark, maybe some other CPU tests), write down 10-15 names starting from the top, and then check their prices on Newegg.
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Post by Arachis on Apr 21, 2007 23:30:29 GMT -5
So lev.. has this gone anywhere?
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Post by Archagon on Apr 27, 2007 17:45:23 GMT -5
Er, how on earth did you fit that video card into a MicroATX case?!
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Post by Evilduck on May 2, 2007 0:47:40 GMT -5
My comp is done... I am happy with everything but the case (and that is not so bad) and CPU heatsink.
Specs CPU: AMD Athlon 64 dual core +5200 2.6 Ghz MoBo: Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe Graphix: GeForce 7600 GT (XFX)
The story with the case is hilarious. It is a marvel of shitty design. First of all the front was falling off because it was connected to the rest of the metal case with wimpy plastic tabs that did not survive "shipping and handling". Drilled new holes, replaced with metal screws: done.
Then... the graphics card did not fit because the geniuses who designed the case decided to make a random plastic bar stick out from the side halfway into the case. This served absolutely no purpose whatsoever. My dad sawed it off and now everything works.
Except my CPU runs at 40 Celcius when all I am doing is checking BIOS... :/ damn heatsink.
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Post by Archagon on May 2, 2007 1:05:02 GMT -5
40C isn't so bad... I think my laptop runs ~50C when idle.
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Post by Evilduck on May 4, 2007 1:00:47 GMT -5
I thought it was ok too, because my motherboard manual showed an example with around 43 C... But people at my school were saying it was too high and I needed around 30
Those snooty, high-falootin' techies.. what do they know?
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Post by Archagon on May 4, 2007 1:13:34 GMT -5
It really depends on your CPU. Every CPU has a different "normal" idle range.
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Post by Arachis on May 7, 2007 3:12:52 GMT -5
you need to get rid of some of the dust in there.
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