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Advice on building a custom computer
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You are currently in Hardware, Internet, Networking, Comms and Security
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:03 pm Reply and quote this post
I am looking for any advice at all on building my own computer.  Below I have listed the specs of the computer I plan to build.  If you have any advice at all, I ask you to please post it.  This is not the original computer I had configured; I've had help from the IFSZ community.

Computer Specs

Motherboard($105)
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813123236

Processor/CPU($146)
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103537

RAM($89.25)
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820141423

Hard Drive($80)
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1200JS 120GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16822144414

Graphics Card($153)
eVGA 128-P2-N368-TX Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814130214


Links Updated by Predator

Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:14 pm Reply and quote this post
Before I comment, what is this computer going to be used for?
Contributed by Myrdaal, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:16 pm Reply and quote this post
Oh yes.  Seems as though I forget that comment everytime I post it.

It will be used for graphics and gaming.

Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:20 pm Reply and quote this post
None of them are really bad choices at all. The motherboard and CPU are exactly what I would choose, given your budget.

You could, however, consider getting just a single 1GB stick instead of two 512MB ones. Yes, you will get a slight performance loss by not running dual channel, but you get the benefit of being able to go 2GB without using all four slots. Also, when you do upgrade to 2GB you could run dual-channel. You could also consider getting some Crucial value RAM. I don't know how much more expensive it is over the Kingston stuff, but it overclocks well for a reasonable price. You don't really need RAM that overclocks well to overclock your CPU, but given the reasonable price of the Crucial, I think it would be a wise choice. I do not, however, think buying expensive \"performance\" RAM is a wise choice (in most cases, especially your case).

The HDD is not a bad choice at all, but I would check out StorageReview. Their site has great reviews and you can compare performance, noise levels and other things of different drives. You can also post in their forums for recommendations. Since the performance for the drives you will be looking at will be about the same anyway, though, I would just get the one that gives you the most space for your money. However, if a particular drive excels in some areas and is only a few bucks more it may be wise to get that instead. Just do your research.

Contributed by KoolDrew, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:27 pm Reply and quote this post
KoolDrew, I thank you for all of your help.  You've been a great asset to have, I am afraid if I didn't do my research(and post for help) I undoubtedly have made some unwise decisions.

I will look into the Crucial value RAM.  Does overclocking the RAM really enhance the performance as much?  Please keep in mind, I am totally new to OCing and don't even really know how to go about it.

Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:28 pm Reply and quote this post
CorkyPorky, your graphics card will not be compatible with your motherboard. The EPoX is powered by the nForce 4 Ultra chipset, which sports PCI-Express, not AGP. So, you might want to buy a PCI-Express 6600GT.
Contributed by Predator, Guest
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:34 pm Reply and quote this post
Thank you.  I cannot belive I overlooked that.

Editted original post to have my change.

Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:35 pm Reply and quote this post
Quote:
KoolDrew, I thank you for all of your help.  You've been a great asset to have, I am afraid if I didn't do my research(and post for help) I undoubtedly have made some unwise decisions.

I will look into the Crucial value RAM.  Does overclocking the RAM really enhance the performance as much?  Please keep in mind, I am totally new to OCing and don't even really know how to go about it.

After a certain point, you will have to overclock your RAM to overclock your CPU. But as KoolDrew said, you do not need performance RAM to do this. You can make use of the divider for Athlon 64's (the divider sets the ratio of HTT vs. RAM speed, such as 1:1, etc.), and this will give you very good overclocking results.

Contributed by Predator, Guest
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:39 pm Reply and quote this post
Woosh!  There that goes right over my head.

I am not ready for the technicalities yet.  I haven't even gotten half of my funds yet, lol.

You guys are gonna have to put up with this noob for a while.  ;P

Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:40 pm Reply and quote this post
We were at your stage one day as well, and in some time, you'll learn quite a
bit. :)

First, buy the components. Then, we'll worry about 'tweaking' it (i.e. overclocking, etc.).

Contributed by Predator, Guest
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:43 pm Reply and quote this post
From what  I hear, that's the fun part. ;)

As for the components I've choosen, will this provide me with an excellent(well, decent) computing experience?  Like will I be fast and smooth, and will my games have good FPS and awesome graphics?

And does a sound card make a huge difference?

Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:45 pm Reply and quote this post
Your sound card should be fine. If you really care about sound, then I'd get at least an Audigy 2 SZ by Creative. But, otherwise, yes you will be able to play the latest games at good FPS with good graphics. But, I cannot promise you excellent FPS & graphics on games like BF2.

What kind of games do you plan on playing?

Contributed by Predator, Guest
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:48 pm Reply and quote this post
I was planning on BF2 and possibly Guild Wars.  I also plan on playing SW: Jedi Academy but that should be no problem with the graphics card I chose(it was made way back).
Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:49 pm Reply and quote this post
Here are the benchmarks for Battlefield 2:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/dis...05-17gpu_8.html

A 6600GT can play at 50FPS. Not bad, I'd say. If you really want, upgrade to a 6800GT.

But all in all, just stick with the 6600GT. It's a good choice. :)

Contributed by Predator, Guest
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Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:51 pm Reply and quote this post
Yeah, a good one for my budget.  If I was rich, I'd be running two of the latest 7800s in dual setup.  Now that is graphics! :)
Contributed by PorkyCorky, iVirtua Ultimate Contributor
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