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Jackel585's Posts

1st Draft build of new computer

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Comments: 21

Jackel585 said...

I should know Monday if I can finally get around to building my new computer. Bouncing around NewEgg, since even if you don't buy from them it still makes a great site to scout out your parts, I've come up with this first (and hopefully) final draft for my new computer. Going to have a standard DVD burning drive, eventually get a blu-ray burner. Screens are already taken care of, and I use a normal keyboard and a trackball mouse.... and any serious computer gamer knows a trackball mouse is the only choice. I've decided to post the new link along with the part name so you can look up specific tech details. Oh, I wouldn't even bother trying to convince me to go AMD over Intel because I will not be overclocking and need faster stock speed. 64-bit Windows 7 of course. Since the CPU is of a new series, I'd appreciate double checking to make sure I got compatibility right. Also any hints of equal quality but cheaper would help.

Oh... piece of advice that most people don't realize even after building computers for years. The listed wattage on a Power Supply is NEVER the actual Wattage of the power supply. You should always subtract 50-75 watts to get the actual wattage of the power supply, sometimes as much as 100watts!!! ALWAYS buy at least 100 watts over what you need, or you may find your video card or HD not working....

Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

CPU: Intel Core i7-950 3.06ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

Ram: Crucial - 3 x 2gb DDR3 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148246

HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 1TB SATA 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Video: Radeon HD 5870 1GB XXX edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150456

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

PSU: Corsair 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Heatsink: With CPU, will eventually replace
Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 (already own)

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

When up and running, StarTrek Online, Torchlight, possibly back to Sacred 2, MW 2, Mass Effect playthru and Mass Effect 2, and... not sure what else at the moment right away.

Star Trek Online (PC)

Genre/Style: Role-playing/Persistent World Online RPG

Release Date: 02/FEB/10

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (PC)

Genre/Style: Role-playing/Third-Person 3D Action RPG

Release Date: 11/NOV/08

Mass Effect (PC)

Genre/Style: Role-playing/Third-Person 3D Action RPG

Release Date: 27/MAY/08

Mass Effect 2 (PC)

Genre/Style: Role-playing/Third-Person 3D Action RPG

Release Date: 26/JAN/10

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PC)

Genre/Style: Shooter/First-Person Shooter

Release Date: 10/NOV/09

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KatrinaTheLamia said over 3 years ago

Heh--considering I have what my friends call "the touch of death"--I generally buy my computer prefabricated.

But then, these were the same friends that saw me go in for a stress test at the Church of Scientology and well...

The machine they do is a form of current reader. The wire is a somewhat high gauge of wire (I would haphazard about 16 or 18). Though, the issue is a lot of current it lost by the alligator clips they use to attach it to the two large metal tubes that they ask people to put their hands on.

Long story short: I pretty much touched the two metal tubes and completely shorted out their e-metre. In that they got a reading so damn high, that no matter what they did to adjust it, the needle stayed buried.

So...

Yeah...

I really do not bother to build my own computers.

Touch of death and all.

enzer said over 3 years ago

Everything looks good but the memory. Right now it's not for sale, and it's possible it won't be (some go out of stock permanently but stay on newegg as autonotify for a while). I'm also wondering why you don't go with a DDR3 2000 like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227424 since your mobo can handle it. Also is there a reason why you're not getting a higher Ghz processor? Also I didn't realize Intel CPUs were so expensive, I guess that's one reason I never work with them lol.

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer What is wrong with the RAM? I was going to go with a higher DDR3 series, but for some reason at http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37150 it says the memory type for the CPU is DDR3 800/1066 If nobody here knows why the CPU limits it to that i'm gonna call my buddy and ask if he has an idea.

As for the CPU speed. There are very very few quad cores over 3ghz. Most are in the high 2ghz range. There are only 3 top-end quad cores over 3ghz. The one I listed. One at 3.2ghz (which I may get at $20 more) and one at 3.33 that is almost 1,000$. You won't see a majority of Quad cores over 3ghz for over another year. Same thing happened when Dual core came around, you were lucky to see into the 2ghz when the single cores where into the 4ghz. Right now for 99% of the gamers out here, it is more efficient to run a high speed dual core, and will get better performance. However, almost all games coming out from now on in are gonna optimize quad core finally. In terms of price though, you can shop around but you are getting what you pay for in terms of stock power.

Also interesting notes for the processor. The AMD counterpart to Intel's i7 series isn't as flexible and isn't as powerful even though it list higher speed processors. Also, you can dual a Nvidia and ATI card TOGETHER with the i7, can't with any of the AMD chips.... that means with some fiddling I can throw in my 8800 Ultra I already have for a boost if I want!! Though I'm not sure how that works since in such a case it wouldn't utilize Crossfire or SLi capabilities of the card....

Since I use the computer for more than just gaming (I know, shame on me!!!) it is also more beneficial to go with the intel since it benchmarks higher in non-gaming software almost across the board. Also, if I crossfire/sli later on, the AMD takes a huge hit in increased performance amount in gaming compared to the intel.

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 Nothing is really wrong with the RAM, it's just not available from newegg, that and I was wondering why you went with a different model. I see that if it says that then it may not function properly with the RAM I suggested, I do wonder if it really will take DDR2000, maybe you should ask your buddy anyway, just to make sure. Also using invisible hand JR has the same memory in stock and available for $154.99 http://www.jr.com/crucial/pe/CRT_6G25664BA10/

When I built my gaming computer about a year ago I used a Phenom II x4 955 BE at 3.2GHz, and the whole computer runs without complaints, no matter what I throw at it, I just like to go as high as I can to be "futureproof" (okay I can't be future proof here but I like my computer to last several years before I need to actually upgrade). Yeah I saw that $1K one and it's just crazy.

I don't believe I've heard that you could cross brands like that, it seems like a gamble to me on whether or not the speed would improve or decrease, would be interesting to see it in action and if it says you can do it I don't see why not at least give it a shot and try to get all that you can out of what's at hand.

Besides the weird memory thing, everything appears to look like it's shaping up to be a nice machine (not saying the DDR3 1066 isn't still good memory, I'm running DDR2 800 in my school computer and I can still run games pretty well, according to windows, my limiting factors are my HDD and my CPU at 5.9 while the rest is at 7.1, probably due to the fact that the other two are slowing them down lol). Your mobo has new standards like USB 3.0 so it should be good for a while with everything else you plan on putting in it.

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer Yeah I LOVE that motherboard. Can last me a couple years if they don't make a major shift in video cards or hard drive connections.

When you say limiting factor, you mean how much RAM is able to be utilized? If so, how is your RAM limited so high on your school computer? You must be running 64-bit Windows 7 to get it that high. 32-bit Windows XP/Vista caps out at 3.8gb about and 64-bit XP capped out pretty low too.

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

So an update.... Right now it looks like the only thing I will be changing is the PSU. I'm probably gonna save money and go with a 750w

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 It's just the rating system on Vista and Windows 7 (from 1.0 to 7.9). It rates your various equipment on probably something nonsensical (never really looked into it, but from what I understand they put it in to help people find compatible games) and my lowest two are my limiting factors because the number stays at the lowest one. But yes, I do have windows 7 64bit and 6GB of RAM at school and 8GB at home. I know some might say it's overkill, but I don't want to have to turn firefox off when I want to play a game lol.

If you're going with the 750W PSU, make sure you stay with a high quality brand name like what you've got on the list already. The ones who've worked to build up their brand name didn't get this far because they make bad equipment and they won't stay there if they start now.

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer Actually 6gb is pretty much standard for new builds now. It is the new 2gb build. I'm getting 6 to start, eventually gonna up it to 12 when I build fiance`'s new computer. Just gonna give her my 6 and order 12 for my computer at the same time.

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 I guess that's good to hear, seeing as this computer is at least 3 years old, probably older. It's good to see that you won't let your old parts go to waste when you upgrade, I know some people who would just throw them out (not even recycle). My parents used to own a computer store and I want to say half a decade ago it shut down, maybe even longer. We kept almost everything and people around here still need the old stuff once in a while. A friend of mine is still rocking DDR1 PC3200 so I had a few sticks sent to him to upgrade his.

On a side note: when you do go shopping finally for parts, I suggest you use this if you have firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11377 . It compares the price of the item on the site your on with other sites (Sadly it can't work for every site on the internet). It could help you save a few bucks.

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer I have to use Firefox on this computer due to limited RAM (1g). However when my computer is built I'll be back on Google Chrome for almost everything.

As for not letting my parts to go waste... Well my case is pretty much shot, I'll hold onto the PSU since I know my buddy Mike's will break down again eventually. My RAM is pretty much out of date, mobo is fried. After I transfer stuff off my HD, gonna wipe it clean and maybe use it to backup stuff or as a 2nd drive. My video card.... great video card (8800 Ultra) but I think it may have a bit of heat damage so not sure how much life it has left to give... I may actually try running it alongside the radeon to see how much boost I can get.

I was just recently looking at mini-fridges to use as a case instead and solve my quiet cooling issue. They way a bit too much though; about 60-70 lbs without the parts in it.

snipergirl said over 3 years ago

pretty aewsome!

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 Sorry about the long time to reply, I'm not sure how I missed what you said when I get emails for this stuff.

First off, here's the google chrome extension for Invisible Hand: https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/lghjfnfolmcikomdjmoiemllfnlmmoko

See there you go, keeping everything salvageable. There might even be places in your area who will recycle your old defunct equipment if you're lucky. What is also nice is if you are into tinkering with electronic systems you can get a boatload of capacitors and such right off of the board to play with, then maybe recycle it (there might even be online options that will do it for free or maybe even pay you).

I'm not sure how well the two cards would get together(not just because they're made by different companies), I feel like it would lower the clock and memory speed so they're equal if they're running together, unless the technology is smart enough to know how to manage different speed cards without a decrease in performance. It's definitely something to look into though, especially if it works and works well.

The issue for mini-fridges is that they condensation may form (especially if you have a freezer and then you have a melting ice problem if your power goes out), but if you can find one made for this kind of stuff that would be awesome. The weight of computer cases never is an issue with me, since I don't bring mine anywhere. My case is 29lbs dry weight and a bit over 50 loaded (the first one was on the shipping label and I'm assuming the second one from the rest of the shipping labels, but I have not actually weighed mine). Of course mine Weighs less then a bag of cement at the end of the day, you could always use a dolly or install wheels if you plan on moving it around often enough for weight to matter.

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer I'm not worried about the weight too much. When I get back into shape it wouldn't be a problem, besides it isn't like there are LAN parties out here to go to :(

We had the design set up a couple years ago to build a computer into the bottom half of a beer keg. We had the tools we needed, the keg, what we needed to mount the mobo inside, just never got around to ordering the parts for the computer. We were gonna uses it as a media server. We even talked to the guys that refilled kegs and they said they were able to get it filled the proper amount, but we had to measure right the space left open.

Eventually when things settle down, money isn't an issue anymore, and all the good stuff... I wanna build a suitcase PC. Gonna build it in one of those silver suitcases that you see handcuffed to people in the movies. Cut and Mount in a keyboard and trackball mouse, a smaller-sized keyboard to fit, put in about a 15" screen or so. The biggest problem is the PSU for such a case. Have to find a small enough one, even though I wouldn't need much wattage. As long as I had a place to plug in, I basically have a portable desktop and briefcase combo then.

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 It would be cool to just put it in the keg then fill it with a nonconducting coolant.

I've always wanted to build something like your suitcase into walls in a house. Push the panel in and a screen and keyboard and mouse come out, and have it set to control things in your house. Maybe you could incorporate an uninterruptable power supply of some kind into it so it's like a laptop, but UPS systems tend to not have a long charge life...

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer My future brother in law bought a 10,000 watt UPS for 50$. Fucking lucky bastard.

Anyways, it is quite easy to build a full PC into a desk. If you google it you'll see many examples. When I get a house I'm actually gonna build a one into my kitchen counter so I can keep recipes, timers, TV and more there (I cook all the time).

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 Lucky indeed...

I saw a really cool PC in desk on gizmodo a while back, they look like they'd be something to have, but I'm fine with my desk the way it is. That's actually a very good idea, it'd be cool to make it a touch screen too, but those are so damn expensive!

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer Well with Windows Seven being designed to be a touch-screen based OS, there should be an increase in production of them and therefore drop the prices. I get about a 20-30% discount on a selection of touchscreens right now, I have to see if there any good quality ones because then it'll wind up being my new monitor.

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 You have an interesting point there. I haven't looked at prices on touch screen monitors but the last I checked it was $2K for a 12 incher... but it would be nice to have at least a 17 inch for maybe $300-$400

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer I give it about 1 1/2 to 2yrs before touchscreens penetrate the computer monitor market, and about 3yrs till' they are the standard. Given some of the recent advances in touchscreen technology in the last 2yrs alone, and the fact that the major OS is touch-screen friendly from the ground up though... It could be even sooner. A 19" touchscreen right now runs you about 5-600$

Also notable is the increase in production of tablet PCs. Between the technology now being free to produce by any company that desires, and again the inclusion of Windows 7 as a standard.... Tablet PCs are going to start being consumer-friendly within another year or so.

enzer said over 3 years ago

@Jackel585 That's a good point, barring any resource shortage you're probably right. I'm not sure, but do touch screens offer the same fidelity as current display technology or is there some design element that makes them slightly inferior?

While tablet PCs would be cool and all, until I get some sort of project together, it's not likely I'll get one. It would be nice to have a touch screen media center PC though.... maybe I could use the tablet as a remote!

Jackel585 said over 3 years ago

@enzer Well you could use the tablet as the computer that manages everything. Tells what media to send to TV, what files to transfer between computers, and more.

As for touch screen inferiority... there isn't that much, especially the way the technology behind it has evolved. I'd imagine the biggest difference would be in black levels.