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Building a New PC - 7/6/2005 8:43:32 PM   
anthrosub


Posts: 843
Joined: 6/2/2004
Status: offline 		Just want to give everyone a heads up I'll be going off the air for a few days sometime next week. I'm replacing my 4 year old computer and this time I'm going to build it myself by getting only the parts I need and using existing parts that make no difference in performance (like the hard drive, monitor, or keyboard). So, I'll be taking the old one apart while building the new one. I can get much more bang for the buck going this route and have spent the past few months learning what I need to know to do it. I have demystified the almighty PC.

anthrosub

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/6/2005 8:49:24 PM   
imtempting


Posts: 1280
Joined: 2/11/2005
Status: offline 		Building your own pc is fun. Its not as hard as it sounds.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/6/2005 9:12:29 PM   
GreyStorm


Posts: 423
Joined: 1/26/2005
From: Cheeseheadland
Status: offline 		A peice of cake, have fun!!

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/6/2005 9:16:29 PM   
anthrosub


Posts: 843
Joined: 6/2/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks guys. I've replaced components in the past and have lots of experience with software, so I think I'll be okay. Just want to be sure about the parts and not fry anything in the process!

anthrosub

_____________________________

"It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled." - Mark Twain

"I am not young enough to know everything." - Oscar Wilde

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/6/2005 9:42:59 PM   
imtempting


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Joined: 2/11/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: anthrosub

Just want to be sure about the parts and not fry anything in the process!

anthrosub


Lol you mainly only fry if you over clock things. I personally run only the fan that came with the processor and the graphics card and it still stays pretty cool. If you do over clock and have no experience then run cooling fans just for safety.


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RE: Building a New PC - 7/6/2005 9:52:56 PM   
GreyStorm


Posts: 423
Joined: 1/26/2005
From: Cheeseheadland
Status: offline 		The next system I build is gonna be water cooled. Is that difficult to do?

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 12:56:30 AM   
imtempting


Posts: 1280
Joined: 2/11/2005
Status: offline 		Honestly not too sure but I dont want water going though my system. Cooling fans work pretty good if set up properly. Ive done some research for you though.

Here are some sites that I hope will help.

http://www.thermaltake.com/watercooling/cl-w0005bigwater/cl-w0005.htm
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=144&type=expert

The next link gives a diagram
http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=63&code=021

One thing to keep in mind with watercooling is that it's not exactly a pick up and go to anywhere sort of thing.

As for it being hard as Ive have never done it I cant say but reading the information it appears easy.



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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 4:29:47 AM   
kisshou


Posts: 2425
Joined: 2/11/2005
Status: offline 		what are the specs on the new system?

why a few days, at most it should take a few hours.....(we don't want you gone that long ) :)


are you changing operating systems also?

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 7:31:13 AM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline 		Well you can buy a new Dell for 299.00 now, monitor and all. With a warranty.

Can't build a new pc cheaper than that. I know I build them. At least not the type I happen to like.

Good luck it is simple enough.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 8:44:48 AM   
imtempting


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Status: offline 		Dell sucks. You cant up-grade unless its the dell approved parts. Well not in Australia anyway.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 10:15:53 AM   
kisshou


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quote:

ORIGINAL: imtempting

Dell sucks.


come on now imtempting , that is just a flame. There are obviously enough people here interested in computers if you wanted to have a debate.

While I would not purchase a Dell for myself , I would certainly recommend one for a person who wanted an off the shelf pc.

btw, what os are you running? :P


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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 12:07:36 PM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
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Status: offline 		I know people who say HP sucks. Compaq sucks. Dell sucks..and remember E-machines the ones where the parts were soldiered in so you could'nt interchange anything.

It is all personal preference. I don't own a Dell myself but at the cheap price tag I have entertained the notion to purchase one for the kids to use.

Hey what about Gateway, isn't that the black and white cow commercials? Didn't they just almost go out of business because their machines sucked so badly?

Personal preference.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 2:33:11 PM   
SirKenin


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From: Barrie, ON Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: sub4hire

Well you can buy a new Dell for 299.00 now, monitor and all. With a warranty.

Can't build a new pc cheaper than that. I know I build them. At least not the type I happen to like.

Good luck it is simple enough.


A Dell computer worth $299 is not worth a pot to piss in. I know, I own a computer business and have built and serviced hundreds and hundreds of computers.

When you compare what you can get by building it yourself as opposed to pre-built with the same specs, it is ALWAYS cheaper to build it yourself providing you have quality in mind as opposed to quantity. The first thing you always consider is the labor that is factored into the price of a boxed computer. I will not even get into all the corners that are cut.

If you know what you are doing it is always best to build your own.

< Message edited by SirKenin -- 7/7/2005 2:35:41 PM >

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 2:40:41 PM   
SirKenin


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From: Barrie, ON Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: imtempting

Dell sucks. You cant up-grade unless its the dell approved parts. Well not in Australia anyway.


This is a very misinformed opinion lacking any basis in fact. Dell has several lines of computers including top-of-the-line servers, managed and unmanaged switches, routers and much more. Dell also offers some of the best computer monitors in the business.

Dell's low end computers suck. The $299 jobs are nothing but garbage. However, it would help if you brought yourself into this year. Dell has not required their own brand of parts for years. You can put whatever you want in them, but you void the warranty when you do.

Dell's top end computers are excellent. Their top end servers are also excellent, but you have to pay a hefty premium for both. Dell also makes a fantastic laptop.

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Wicca: Pretending to be an ancient religion since 1956

Catholic Church: Serving up guilt since 107 AD.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 3:05:27 PM   
SirKenin


Posts: 2994
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From: Barrie, ON Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: anthrosub

Thanks guys. I've replaced components in the past and have lots of experience with software, so I think I'll be okay. Just want to be sure about the parts and not fry anything in the process!

anthrosub


A couple of quick pointers on how not to be stupid:

Touch the case before you touch a component

Make sure the components are firmly seated

Make certain the notches in the RAM are lined up with the dimples on the mainboard BEFORE trying to force them in or powering up the system. Otherwise you will either fry the RAM or send a feedback signal through the board, blowing up the memory controller or worse.

The red stripe on the harddrive ribbon goes towards the power plug and lines up with the arrow or "1" on the mainboard. The stripe on the floppy ribbon can go either way depending on the floppy drive.\

Put the optical drives on a separate controller from your harddrives.

Do not force power connectors in. They are fairly easy to plug in. If not, chances are they are upside down.

Make absolutely certain the protective cover is taken off the heatsink/fan combo before you attempt to apply it to the CPU. Better yet, scrape all that crap off and put a VERY thin layer of thermal paste on the CPU. Make sure the HSF is firmly seated.

Do not buy an AMD unless it is an Athlon XP. Do not buy ANY AMD if one of the major tasks is multitasking. AMD can not multitask worth a damn. That is where they are infamous for puking. They can play a few more FPS in games, but who gives a damn? You can not notice the increased FPS while playing anyways.

Make sure you have adequate ventalation. This means two exhaust fans on the back and at least one intake on the front.

Harddrives can make a HUGE difference in your computer's performance. You would be wise to investigate your options before assuming that it will not affect your performance.

Make sure you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and all the updates.

Do not buy ANY of the FX series of nVIDIA cards. They are all garbage. They have to ramp back in DirectX 9 games because of a fatal design flaw. nVIDIA has admitted they blew it big time and have made the appropriate changes in their 6xxx series cards.

Video card memory is NOT the be all end all. More memory does not automatically equate to a better card. I have two ATi 128MB video cards (one in My server, one in one of My workstations) that will blow away the entire FX series of video cards and several of the ATi 256MB cards. The thing to look for is a strong GPU, and a good place to start is the number of pipelines, pixel shaders, vertex shaders, etc.

Look for dual channel DDR or DDR 2 for much higher bandwith than regular DDR.

Stay the hell away from VIA or SiS chipsets. They are absolute crap and a serious dog when it comes to performance. Look for either nFORCE or Intel chipsets. There are a couple of doggy and buggy Intel chipsets as well, so be careful. Some nFORCE 4 boards can be a little quirky as well.



That should get you started anyways.

< Message edited by SirKenin -- 7/7/2005 3:06:25 PM >

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Wicca: Pretending to be an ancient religion since 1956

Catholic Church: Serving up guilt since 107 AD.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 3:33:51 PM   
anthrosub


Posts: 843
Joined: 6/2/2004
Status: offline 		SirKenin,
Thanks for the pointers. Many of them I'm aware of but it's always good to review the basics. I'm a gamer and have been since PONG (actually pinball but that's stretching it).

My system:
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D
CPU: AMD FX-55
RAM: OCZ EL Gold Dual Channel PC4000 (2 x 512MB)
Graphics: GeForce 7800 GTX

I also bought a good heatsink, 120mm heatsink fan, thermal compound, round cables, and roomy case for airflow (another two 120mm fans for the case, front and back).

I know I'm spending some money on a couple of these items and the whole thing is a bit of overkill but decided what the hell. I reviewed these items on many websites (including Tom's Hardware) and asked a lot of questions on their boards before making my choices. I also know I could overclock to save money but don't want to get into that much detail.

anthrosub

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"It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled." - Mark Twain

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 4:24:25 PM   
SirKenin


Posts: 2994
Joined: 10/31/2004
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Status: offline 		Yeah, the FX is an OK chip for gaming. I prefer a P4 for it's multipurpose capabilities. It is simply a more rounded chip than the AMD offerings. That nVIDIA card is supposed to be dynamite. The RAM is killer (I use pretty much the same stuff)

Ummm. I did not mean Athlon XP.. That is the one that I absolutely hate. I rushed through that post and made a boo boo... oops. What I meant was A64. *sigh*

I am glad you already knew all that stuff, but I guess a recap never hurt A/anybody. I guess it could also help O/others looking to build T/their own computers as well.

Good luck with it, eh?

_____________________________

Hi. I don't care. Thanks.

Wicca: Pretending to be an ancient religion since 1956

Catholic Church: Serving up guilt since 107 AD.

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 4:50:19 PM   
kisshou


Posts: 2425
Joined: 2/11/2005
Status: offline 		I love AMD , they have always been rock solid for me.


Are you changing operating systems along with the hardware?

do any of you have an opinion on the alienware pc's?

Have any of you tried the XP media center edition?

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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 5:04:19 PM   
sub4hire


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Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline
quote:

Are you changing operating systems along with the hardware?


Hehe, I've seen you ask this question multiple times in this thread only to be ignored each time. My dom is a computer nerd. He works for the city.
We use XP pro...XP home is supposed to be pure rubbish.


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RE: Building a New PC - 7/7/2005 5:59:18 PM   
anthrosub


Posts: 843
Joined: 6/2/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks SirKenin, it's a tough time right now to make choices with CPU's. Seems they are all maxing out with the single core approach and I'm curious how the dual cores will perform in the next few years. There's an article on Tom's about how manufacturers are looking at water cooling for future graphics cards. I wonder if sometime soon, water cooling will be integrated in mainstream PC's for all cooling needs.

I have WinXP Pro SP2 and will be sticking with it probably for at least a year after Longhorn is released to let it shake out the bugs. I heard they will be selling it at a discount for people with XP as an upgrade but we'll see.

anthrosub

_____________________________

"It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled." - Mark Twain

"I am not young enough to know everything." - Oscar Wilde

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