New computer build advice needed.........

[jady]

Hey all, tax time is here and a new computer is on my list of stuff to build. I have been out of the hardware scene for a year or two and have a few questions for those of you more in touch with the latest components.

1. AMD used to be a better bang for your buck processor. Are they still? if so would a quad core phenom or athlon be better?

2. This will be primarily a gaming/internet computer (I do all my music stuff on my laptop) I already have a Radeon 4650 in my current computer, is crossfire worth looking into with a second card or will a single top end card be able to max out graphics settings?

3. Is DDR3 RAM worth it or will DDR2 be sufficient with 4G installed?

Any other thoughts would be appreciated

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

AMD are still good bang for the buck processors.

As per ram, DDR3 is worth it due to throughput, and heat factors. It's not THAT expensive.

In most cases a single higher end radeon should do the trick, a second card just lightens the burden on the gpu.

You will want to decide whether to go 64-bit or 32-bit. I would recommend 64-bit if you want to get the most out of the new hardware's capabilities. With 32-bit you can't take full advantage of a 64-bit capable cpu, or be able to surpass the RAM addressing barrier (approx. 3.52 gb). Whereas 64-bit will allow you to make full use of the hardware and be able to support more ram if needed.

[Philbiker]

Get a Mac.

[Selta]

Your questions make me think it's been more than a couple years since you've kept up with this stuff .
1) I prefer Intels over everything, but just built one AMD box for massive storage. It's working OK. Since you don't say what you're going to be doing with the box ("gaming" is pretty general), I'll assume that lower IPCs among other performance stats is OK to you. I'd go Phenom over Athlon if you're set on either of those. Either way make sure you're socket AM3 if you're sticking with AMD.
2) Impossible to answer without knowing what you mean by "gaming", and what for monitor(s) you're running. Personally, I always buy one of the "latest and greatest" GPUs when I'm building, and then buy a 2nd of the same to crossfire once the next generation comes out, and everyone sells the "old" ones cheaper.
3) DDR3 is the only way to go, and is only marginally more expensive than DDR2.

Other thoughts:
Get SSD drives, at least for OS.
Go 64-bit, and load up on RAM (I have my gaming box with 12GB in it now, 3x4GB sticks). If you go 32-bit, you're basically crippling yourself.
Now is a good time to build. Intel just released their latest architecture, Sandy Bridge. Prices on the other stuff has as such dropped. More new GPUs are on their way, too, so again, the old tech will drop.

[Selta]

If you really want some deals, check overclock.net and hardforum.com forums for FS items. Just casually browsing, you could get pretty much everything (except a case I liked) pretty cheap.

[sanchezja]

you can't go wrong hitting up newegg.com either.

[jady]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Get a Mac.

Ummm no. My GF has one and she has more problems with it than my windows machine not to metion I will never support Darth Jobs.

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Your questions make me think it's been more than a couple years since you've kept up with this stuff .
1) I prefer Intels over everything, but just built one AMD box for massive storage. It's working OK. Since you don't say what you're going to be doing with the box ("gaming" is pretty general), I'll assume that lower IPCs among other performance stats is OK to you. I'd go Phenom over Athlon if you're set on either of those. Either way make sure you're socket AM3 if you're sticking with AMD.
2) Impossible to answer without knowing what you mean by "gaming", and what for monitor(s) you're running. Personally, I always buy one of the "latest and greatest" GPUs when I'm building, and then buy a 2nd of the same to crossfire once the next generation comes out, and everyone sells the "old" ones cheaper.
3) DDR3 is the only way to go, and is only marginally more expensive than DDR2.

Other thoughts:
Get SSD drives, at least for OS.
Go 64-bit, and load up on RAM (I have my gaming box with 12GB in it now, 3x4GB sticks). If you go 32-bit, you're basically crippling yourself.
Now is a good time to build. Intel just released their latest architecture, Sandy Bridge. Prices on the other stuff has as such dropped. More new GPUs are on their way, too, so again, the old tech will drop.

I built myself a computer last year but on the cheap, Core 2 duo and DDR2. Didn't they just recall Sandy Bridge CPUs this morning? Anyways, I am mainly a WoW player (I know that is not requiring a high end GPU) But I also play Black Ops and other FPS games.

I just honestly have always been on a tight budget for my builds and want to go kinda big on this one.

So it looks like AMD Phenom quad or 6 core, DDR3, 64-bit windows 7 so far.

So the remaining questions are

1. crossfire or not

2. SSD system drive or not.

[thump_dumpster]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Get a Mac.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!



OP yes AMD is still supreme... even though i have an intel... only because i cant afford the switch lol.

i play most games on high on my HD5770, thinking about replacing stock heatsink and overclocking it, but its pretty beefy unless you can afford a 6970 lol.

4gb ddr3 is well worth it. only like 20 bucks difference between ddr2 and ddr3


be sure to get adequate cooling! lol, the side of my case has two 250mm fans on it, and a 120mm aluminum AOC on the exhaust with tons of ventilation.



oh! and dont forget lights!

[Clark Dark]

I got my nzxt guardian 921 case from here:
http://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Black...6587858&sr=1-2

[Selta]

Originally Posted by jady

Ummm no. My GF has one and she has more problems with it than my windows machine not to metion I will never support Darth Jobs.



I built myself a computer last year but on the cheap, Core 2 duo and DDR2. Didn't they just recall Sandy Bridge CPUs this morning? Anyways, I am mainly a WoW player (I know that is not requiring a high end GPU) But I also play Black Ops and other FPS games.

I just honestly have always been on a tight budget for my builds and want to go kinda big on this one.

So it looks like AMD Phenom quad or 6 core, DDR3, 64-bit windows 7 so far.

So the remaining questions are

1. crossfire or not

2. SSD system drive or not.

1) Doubtful, for what you're playing, unless you're doing like 1920x1080 resolution or higher. Even then XFire still doesn't scale very well yet.
2) Yes. 32GB should suit you for OS alone easily, then have another HDD for all your apps etc. on it.

If you're *just* gaming and inet surfing, quad core will be fine. If you're doing any kind of like dvd encoding or anything like that, go 6 core.

They recalled some motherboards for Sandy Bridge, due to a potential SATA controller defect. My Sandy Bridge machine is running just fine though, so I'm just going to sit and wait and see if mine gets recalled or not.

Edit: Also, get a real case, not that NZXT garbage. Get like a Lian-Li or similar. Go high end and it'll be the last one you purchase. Similar idea with the PSU you get - go high end and modular, and it'll last you a long time (the one I have in this machine is on it's third build ).

[banditcosmo]

Originally Posted by jady

Ummm no. My GF has one and she has more problems with it than my windows machine not to metion I will never support Darth Jobs.



I built myself a computer last year but on the cheap, Core 2 duo and DDR2. Didn't they just recall Sandy Bridge CPUs this morning? Anyways, I am mainly a WoW player (I know that is not requiring a high end GPU) But I also play Black Ops and other FPS games.

I just honestly have always been on a tight budget for my builds and want to go kinda big on this one.

So it looks like AMD Phenom quad or 6 core, DDR3, 64-bit windows 7 so far.

So the remaining questions are

1. crossfire or not

2. SSD system drive or not.

Totally agree with the Mac have problems too. People think Mac's are problem free and they are not. I work with both PC's and Mac's and the Mac's have their share of hardware and operating system problems.

If you just built your computer last year why not look at upgrading components. Put your money into ram and the video card. Upgrade to Win 7 64-bit. My computer is over 3 years old and I may just upgrade the cpu. I've already upped the ram and went to 64-bit. Made for a nice increase.

[jady]

Originally Posted by banditcosmo

Totally agree with the Mac have problems too. People think Mac's are problem free and they are not. I work with both PC's and Mac's and the Mac's have their share of hardware and operating system problems.

If you just built your computer last year why not look at upgrading components. Put your money into ram and the video card. Upgrade to Win 7 64-bit. My computer is over 3 years old and I may just upgrade the cpu. I've already upped the ram and went to 64-bit. Made for a nice increase.

Well, I want to get a better motherboard and switch to AMD while im at it. Plus I am gonna give my current setup to my drummer and singer (married couple) cuz there computer is a P4 with 1G of DDR ram. I can't even stand to be in the same room as it lol.

FWIW I am using a 32" LCD HDTV as my monitor if that makes a difference in GPU choices.

[sloasdaylight]

Can anyone tell me why no one recommends nVidia GPUs and AMD CPUs together? That's the combo I've always used and I've never had a problem with my machines. Also, since no one has mentioned this yet, don't skimp money on a good power supply, as some one whose computer got blowed up cause he did, I can't stress this point enough.

FWIW, I've got a phenom quad, 4 gigs of ram, and an nVidia GTX 460, and I'm flying, especially in WoW, ultra settings on everything and a pretty high frame rate.

[Selta]

Originally Posted by jady

Well, I want to get a better motherboard and switch to AMD while im at it. Plus I am gonna give my current setup to my drummer and singer (married couple) cuz there computer is a P4 with 1G of DDR ram. I can't even stand to be in the same room as it lol.

FWIW I am using a 32" LCD HDTV as my monitor if that makes a difference in GPU choices.

OK, so that means you're likely going to be running 1920x1080 resolution (if it's a 1080p TV). That's really getting close to wanting to do crossfire. I'd try it with one, like a 6950/6970 and see if that gets you the FPS you can live with. If not, buy a 2nd one later and crossfire them.
I'd personally go with a 6950 and see if you can flash it to 6970, as quite a lot do without issues. I'm running one 6950, that's flashed to 6970, that's driving two 22" monitors at 1680x1050 resolution each, and it does the games I play fine (Previously played WoW, quit with Cata drop. Play SupCom2, CoD, etc. now).

[Selta]

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Can anyone tell me why no one recommends nVidia GPUs and AMD CPUs together? That's the combo I've always used and I've never had a problem with my machines. Also, since no one has mentioned this yet, don't skimp money on a good power supply, as some one whose computer got blowed up cause he did, I can't stress this point enough.

FWIW, I've got a phenom quad, 4 gigs of ram, and an nVidia GTX 460, and I'm flying, especially in WoW, ultra settings on everything and a pretty high frame rate.

Since ATi = AMD, and especially since ATis slay nVidia's right now in pure performance AND power consumption. I won't touch an nVidia card right now.
I did slightly mention the PSU above, but yeah, it needs stressed. Make sure you have adequate amp on the 12v, 5v and 3.3v rails for your system (just like in the bass world, wattage isn't everything).

[Ziltoid]

Also there's the bottleneck effect, I've seen some I3's with great GPU's "win" some benchmarks for crysis and other heavy games because the cpu didnt clog the mobo and left more place to the gpu (edit: fps wise). Just something to consider, personally I'd go "bigger".

SSD for the OS is nice like ray said.

Full size case, nothing else, mini-atx is too small and medium is wirehell imo.

Personal pref wise I'm an intel kid, Nvidia and ati are fine by me, atm I'd go ati tho. I like corsair PSU's, mushkin memory, never had a western digital HD fail on me so I'm sticking with them, detail wise I like zalman cpu fans, I hate slow fans and flashy cases.

I'll probably be building a new computer soon as my current is having some serious issues atm (I did not diag which piece(s) is failing me yet, short on time and I used my laptop since). Did not plan the build yet as the money isn't there.

off topic: I miss the DJ cat avatar (I think it was you, was it?)

[L-A]

FWIW, my fanless Geforce 9800 GT kicks butts and doesn't go over 75°C. (that's with full HDMI output) I can understand the idea behind crossfire/SLI, but it's mainly for going ape**** on a setup and running two of the same high-end card. It's not actually doubling the performance of any card.

I have a 1st gen Intel Core i7; I did it for the triple channel RAM and my computer has six gigs that eat through work and games (large scale projects on Illustrator and Photoshop). The north bridge is usually a bit hotter than the CPU, though (50°C vs 45°C when playing a recent game)

I run most games at maxed settings, except for antialiasing which I keep at 4x.

Going for a small system SSD is indeed a smart move. I recommend it.

For a case, I can't recommend CoolerMaster's HAF series enough.

[jady]

yea that was mine

I really need to get my supp membership back.

Thanx for all the help guys, I should make 1 big assed order from tiger or newegg next week I'll let you know how it goes.

[Ziltoid]

Originally Posted by L-A

FWIW, my fanless Geforce 9800 GT kicks butts and doesn't go over 75°C. (that's with full HDMI output) I can understand the idea behind crossfire/SLI, but it's mainly for going ape**** on a setup and running two of the same high-end card. It's not actually doubling the performance of any card.

I have a 1st gen Intel Core i7; I did it for the triple channel RAM and my computer has six gigs that eat through work and games (large scale projects on Illustrator and Photoshop). The north bridge is usually a bit hotter than the CPU, though (50°C vs 45°C when playing a recent game)

I run most games at maxed settings, except for antialiasing which I keep at 4x.

Going for a small system SSD is indeed a smart move. I recommend it.

For a case, I can't recommend CoolerMaster's HAF series enough.

I'm rocking (well was/will be if) that card, and really like it (especially that I got it around 100$ back then), I feel the same way about dual gpu's but never actually tried it.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

I'm rocking (well was/will be if) that card, and really like it (especially that I got it around 100$ back then), I feel the same way about dual gpu's but never actually tried it.

I have a WOW-playing friend who has two ATI 1GB (don't know the exact model) cards linked with Crossfire. It cost about 260$ (his previous PSU could handle the change) but the performance difference between his setup and mine is around 7-12%. Price is, as you say, 180% more