Any PC experts ?

[Rooz]

i want to build a PC and am hoping someone can help with some advice. anyone willing to help out ? :)

[GarethP]

I'll help if I can. - What are you looking for it to do? and, more importantly what's your budget?

Do you need a screen, mouse, keyboard etc.? or just a base station? do you need networking? WiFi? Bluetooth?

;)

[T06]

....so whats it for, what programs to run, how much data do you want to run,portable/desktop........etc. Personally I'd go for external memory , Seagate is really good for the price. for speed I'd set it up with RAID config, don't go for stripe or mirror raid, just do it for speed & back up on the external. I don't know jackshit about software or computers but I just went through all of this about 18 mths. ago & I wish I did what i mentioned above.:confused:;)

[Rooz]

nope, all i need is the big box with all the stuff in it. :)

i have installed a DVD writer, RAM, firewire card, network card, power supply in my last PC so i'm not totally ignorant at this, but i have never built anything from complete scratch. is it really hard or is it achievable to build from ground up.

i don;t really have a budget so to speak, i just want something fast. these are the main components i was looking to start with. i hope they all "fit" into eachother. lol

Processor: Intel Core 2 E6750 2.66Ghz
M/Board: Gibabyte GA-965G-DS3
RAM: Kingston DDR2 667mhz 4gb
HD: Seagate 320gb ATA II NCQ 16mb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8600GT 256mb

[Rooz]

[quote=T06;239171for speed I'd set it up with RAID config, don't go for stripe or mirror raid, just do it for speed & back up on the external. [/quote]

ok mate, you're scaring me here.
what in the hell did you just say ? :confused::eek:

:D

[GarethP]

nope, all i need is the big box with all the stuff in it. :)

i have installed a DVD writer, RAM, firewire card, network card, power supply in my last PC so i'm not totally ignorant at this, but i have never built anything from complete scratch. is it really hard or is it achievable to build from ground up.

i don;t really have a budget so to speak, i just want something fast. these are the main components i was looking to start with. i hope they all "fit" into eachother. lol

Processor: Intel Core 2 E6750 2.66Ghz
M/Board: Gibabyte GA-965G-DS3
RAM: Kingston DDR2 667mhz 4gb
HD: Seagate 320gb ATA II NCQ 16mb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8600GT 256mb

In general it's dead easy - you need to be aware f heat build up more nowadays as processors run much much hotter than they used to, so good cable management is essential.

If you are worried about processor/motherboard/memory compatability then look for 'bundles' which many stores/sites offer. Guaranteed to work and work together well.

for a video card that flies - look at the nVidea GeForce 8800GTX

Possible other bits -

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz
Gigabyte GA_P35T_DQ6 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
Corsair DDR3 DHX 1333C9DHX memory

It's a bit pricey - but you said you had 'no real budget' ;)

decent case
decent PSU - at least 600W for future proofing

That should see you OK....


That should fly.... as for disk - get as mucha s you can afford - I'd say 500GB as a minimum - I hvae 360GB and have had to go out and buy a 500GB external HDD to take the strain!

[T06]

ok mate, you're scaring me here.
what in the hell did you just say ? :confused::eek:

:D

Type raid 0, raid 1, raid 5, & then raid 10 into your search engine. Man are you in for a treat.:eek::D

[Rooz]

In general it's dead easy - you need to be aware of heat build up more nowadays as processors run much much hotter than they used to, so good cable management is essential. If you are worried about processor/motherboard/memory compatability then look for 'bundles' which many stores/sites offer. Guaranteed to work and work together well.

not buying from a local store, i;m buying off the net. local stores are 30-40% more expensive than what i can get the same products from over the net with a supplier a friend has used who has proved reliable.

for a video card that flies - look at the nVidea GeForce 8800GTX

Possible other bits -

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz
Gigabyte GA_P35T_DQ6 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
Corsair DDR3 DHX 1333C9DHX memory

It's a bit pricey - but you said you had 'no real budget' ;)

lol yeah, while i said there is no budget there is no point going totally overboard ! afetr all what i spend here i cant spend on lens' :D i think what i spec'd is pretty decent don;t you think ?

[Rooz]

Type raid 0, raid 1, raid 5, & then raid 10 into your search engine. Man are you in for a treat.:eek::D

lol man thats insane. i aint reading all that crap ! i couldn't; understand that if my life depended on it. i just want someone to say "get XXX." :p

[T06]

In general it's dead easy - you need to be aware of heat build up more nowadays as processors run much much hotter than they used to, so good cable management is essential. If you are worried about processor/motherboard/memory compatability then look for 'bundles' which many stores/sites offer. Guaranteed to work and work together well.

not buying from a local store, i;m buying off the net. local stores are 30-40% more expensive than what i can get the same products from over the net with a supplier a friend has used who has proved reliable.

for a video card that flies - look at the nVidea GeForce 8800GTX

Possible other bits -

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz
Gigabyte GA_P35T_DQ6 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
Corsair DDR3 DHX 1333C9DHX memory

It's a bit pricey - but you said you had 'no real budget' ;)

lol yeah, while i said there is no budget there is no point going totally overboard ! afetr all what i spend here i cant spend on lens' :D i think what i spec'd is pretty decent don;t you think ?

What you spec'd not so long ago(18mths maybe) that was hot.;) Rooz just type into google or whatever search engine you use 'RAIDcomputers'.

[Rooz]

What you spec'd not so long ago(18mths maybe) that was hot.;) Rooz just type into google or whatever search engine you use 'RAIDcomputers'.

i could get a d200 for the price difference. not really an option. i certainly dont need drive space. i've only got around 20gb used right now. lol

[T06]

i could get a d200 for the price difference. not really an option. i certainly dont need drive space. i've only got around 20gb used right now. lol

....that was my comment about the external memory, all you have to do is unplug it & plug it into the next computer if you're smart.;) Don't confuse a fast pc with a fast camera though, I know you're not that unsavvy Rooz, just a comment.;)

[griptape]

Just think of building a PC the same as plugging in a lamp to the wall. Just instead of the wall, you're plugging things into a motherboard. I've built my last 3 PC's from scratch (damn AMD keeps changing their CPU socket). It really is just a matter of plugging in the right plug to the right hole.

[Viky]

nope, all i need is the big box with all the stuff in it. :)

i have installed a DVD writer, RAM, firewire card, network card, power supply in my last PC so i'm not totally ignorant at this, but i have never built anything from complete scratch. is it really hard or is it achievable to build from ground up.

i don;t really have a budget so to speak, i just want something fast. these are the main components i was looking to start with. i hope they all "fit" into eachother. lol

Processor: Intel Core 2 E6750 2.66Ghz
M/Board: Gibabyte GA-965G-DS3
RAM: Kingston DDR2 667mhz 4gb
HD: Seagate 320gb ATA II NCQ 16mb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8600GT 256mb


For Processor, the E6750 @ 2.66Ghz is the ideal choice. It belongs the newly launched 6X50 series with the 1333fsb which has just seen an almost 40% price slash on 22nd of this month. Compared to its nearest cousins, the E6550 2.33Ghz @ USD169 and the E6850 3.0Ghz @ USD 260, the E6750 provides the best bang for buck @ USD 185.

For Motherboard, I would suggest you go for the newer intel P35 series... anything based in the Intel P35 from Asus, MSi or Gigabye would do fine. I like the MSI P35 Neo2-FR for its good performance and low price @ USD 125.

For Ram, any DDR2 800 2x2GB kit from OCZ / Patriot etc... quality wise, they are comparable to Corsair / Kingston but come at a much lower price. So i like the OCZ 4GB (2GBx2) DDR2 800 Latency 5-5-5-15 @ USD 280. (fyi - Kingston HyperX 4GB (2GBx2) DDR2 800 Latency 5-5-5-15 costs USD 350)

Seagate 320gb ATA II NCQ 16mb is a fine choice @ USD 85

For Video Card, I would recommend the 8600GTS 256 mb nVidia GeForce as its quite a bit more powerful than the 8600GT while costing only about $20 more than the 8600GT. So, i'd recommend the MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E @ USD 170.

Now, you just need a decent case with efficient air flow with a 500w Power supply unit @ USD 100.

That brings the total to : USD 950 approx for a 'decently' fast PC.

The problem with Computers is that they loose their value pretty fast compared to SLR Cameras and Lenses, and the more higher the spec, the greater is the loss.... so, ideally one should go for the mid-range stuff coz they provide the maximum performance per dollar!

[GarethP]

lol yeah, while i said there is no budget there is no point going totally overboard ! afetr all what i spend here i cant spend on lens' :D i think what i spec'd is pretty decent don;t you think ?

The two most important questions - What's it for? - how much you wanna spend... it's too easy to say ooh this is only 20 bucks cheaper, and before you know it you're up $200...

When I said bundles I meant of Processor/Motherboard/Memory. In the UK we have www.overclockers.co.uk - I guess you hvae something simillar in the US...

Your Spec's pretty good - def. up there at the top of performance - I'd really look at going GTS on the video card like Viky says loads more for not much extra cash (but see above ;))...

Memory wise - can someone confirm - Vista can only address 4GB of RAM including video.... just something someone told me....

[Rooz]

ok, so i'll swap the MotherB over. there is a much bigger price difference here in graphics card btween the GT and GTS, $120AUD. i dont think i;ll need anything like that. i'm not playing any games and do minimal video editing.

what do i need it for ? well video and photos, sometimes very large photo tiff files.

are USB ports part of the motherboard or do i need to buy that extra ? what about sound card ? do i need to buy that too ? with a display, what should i be looking for ? ms refesh rates or something ? then a power source and case...gotcha.

[tim11]

i want to build a PC and am hoping someone can help with some advice. anyone willing to help out ? :)

sure can help. bring the parts to my house. i will put them together and send back to you by courier and the bill in the mail. ;)
J/K. I can't even tell which is the mouse which is keyboard.

[GarethP]

USB is usually on the Motherboard. Sound - some motherboards now come with 7.1 sound which is adequate for most things...

Screens - I uess you are looking at LCD Panels - there are some good deals at the moment on 20"+ widescreens here in the UK...

Samsung SM-206BW 20" ~ £170

[Viky]

ok, so i'll swap the MotherB over. there is a much bigger price difference here in graphics card btween the GT and GTS, $120AUD. i dont think i;ll need anything like that. i'm not playing any games and do minimal video editing.

what do i need it for ? well video and photos, sometimes very large photo tiff files.

are USB ports part of the motherboard or do i need to buy that extra ? what about sound card ? do i need to buy that too ? with a display, what should i be looking for ? ms refesh rates or something ? then a power source and case...gotcha.

If you're not into games / video editing and if the diff between GT and GTS really is $120, then i guess u can stick to the GT.

USB ports would be included in the motherboard (4minimum) and in the casing (2minimum) total 6 minimum... so, no need to buy.

Sound card of average quality would also be included in the motherboard.

Regarding display, look for refresh rate(lower is better), brightness(higher is better), viewing angel(higher is better) and contrast ratio(higher is better) in that order of importance.

[Rooz]

great stuff. you;ve been a huge help. thanks guys. :)
i guess i;ll be back when i start trying to put it together. :p

[Rooz]

just an update. my new PC is now working, i didn;t actually put it together. the guy i bought the parts from on ebay happens to be in sydney and said he would put it all together for me for $100 so i took him up on the offer and now its here. i also ended up with a quad processor, (whatever that means), and a 22" Samsung screen and an Antec low noise case. its f'ing awesome !

the speed...goodness me. let me put it this way, NX is no longer slow. that sucker needed some serious power and now it runs like a dream. thanks all for your help, all advice was spot on. :)

[T06]

just an update. my new PC is now working, i didn;t actually put it together. the guy i bought the parts from on ebay happens to be in sydney and said he would put it all together for me for $100 so i took him up on the offer and now its here. i also ended up with a quad processor, (whatever that means), and a 22" Samsung screen and an Antec low noise case. its f'ing awesome !

the speed...goodness me. let me put it this way, NX is no longer slow. that sucker needed some serious power and now it runs like a dream. thanks all for your help, all advice was spot on. :)

....put the vodka DOWN!!!!!!! J/Kmate.;););)Ain't it neat when you fire them up & you're sitting waiting & all of a sudden you realize you have been watching the home page for like 30 seconds!!!!!!!:D

[Rooz]

....put the vodka DOWN!!!!!!! J/Kmate.;););)Ain't it neat when you fire them up & you're sitting waiting & all of a sudden you realize you have been watching the home page for like 30 seconds!!!!!!!:D

lol actually i never turn it off. i never turned my old pc off in like 4 years or something. lol

the screen is f'ing great. makes any photo editing so easy. :)

[shahmatt]

just an update. my new PC is now working, i didn;t actually put it together. the guy i bought the parts from on ebay happens to be in sydney and said he would put it all together for me for $100 so i took him up on the offer and now its here. i also ended up with a quad processor, (whatever that means), and a 22" Samsung screen and an Antec low noise case. its f'ing awesome !

the speed...goodness me. let me put it this way, NX is no longer slow. that sucker needed some serious power and now it runs like a dream. thanks all for your help, all advice was spot on. :)

Mmmm. Quad core processor... I'm getting hungry :D

[fionndruinne]

Sounds like a powerhouse! How much RAM have you got? That's the stuff to make editing programs run like honey in August rather than December. Oops, forgot, those are northern hemispheric terms. Just switch 'em around.:D

[Honest Gaza]

lol actually i never turn it off. i never turned my old pc off in like 4 years or something. lol

:)

I remember that great debate in PC User Magazine several years ago.....not sure if there was a clear-cut winner.

For me.....turn that "sucker" off every night.

[Rhys]

I remember that great debate in PC User Magazine several years ago.....not sure if there was a clear-cut winner.

For me.....turn that "sucker" off every night.

Think of the power bills!

[griptape]

Think of the power bills!

I also don't turn mine off. I'm sure I'm paying $20 a month or so in power for it, but to wake up at any hour and be able to use my PC without waiting a single second is worth it to me.

[bobc4d]

I've heard both ways. I've left one on for 2 years running SETI (processor intensive) without any problems, other than a slight increase in the electric rate.

[Rhys]

I also don't turn mine off. I'm sure I'm paying $20 a month or so in power for it, but to wake up at any hour and be able to use my PC without waiting a single second is worth it to me.

$20 will get me and my missus a nice dinner at Lizard's Thicket with $5 leftover.

[Rooz]

$20/ month ? i doubt it.

[Honest Gaza]

I guess the main point of contention is why you would want it on 24Hrs a day. In a Server / Workstation environment (supporting a Network), then yes.

Some would argue that the Power button is susceptible to "wear and tear" therefore, why keep turning it off/on.

Me.....I don't want dust being sucked into it 24Hrs a day via the cooling fans. That along with the ongoing "wear and tear" of the CPU, CPU Fan, Internal Power Supply and associated fan etc.

Let the team formations begin and the heated discussion commence :p:D

Sorry Rooz.....I feel a thread hijacking coming on :o

[Rooz]

i agree with you mate. i'm just being etremley lazy. lol

[Rhys]

Replacing the power button is a piece of pie. It's a press-on non-locking switch. IE as long as the button is held down, contact is made. I've replaced those several times on people's computers. All I do is to drill a new hole in the case, put the switch in, clip the wire off the old switch then solder those wires to the new switch. As there are but two, it matter not which way around they are. Cost of operation? The cost of a switch and some solder. Tools needed, screwdriver (to open the case), wire cutters (to cut and strip the wire), soldering iron. Total cost - less than the price of electricity wasted by leaving the thing on 24x7. A drill helps too - normally 1/8th inch. It can be done with a 1/8th inch hot nail too.

[fionndruinne]

Oh, c'mon... I use my PC all the time; I'm as much a computer freak as they come, but I still turn it off, at times. I mean, yes, I have been leaving my laptop on overnight, lid closed, hooked up to my speaker system, because I like to fall asleep with some music sometimes... but I still turn it off when I'm away, or working. Shutting down clear the cache of some of the stuff it doesn't need, as well as empties the RAM of data. And those who don't think it wears, eventually, on the hard disk, CPU and CPU fans... well, if running doesn't, what does?

Andrew
(taking sides)

[Honest Gaza]

i agree with you mate. i'm just being etremley lazy. lol

Man, that's a miserable effort at keeping an argument going :p

Looks pretty one-sided at the moment

<thinks to himself>.....How 'bout I chuck in some reference to Canon makes better PC's than Nikon....that'd work....

[Rooz]

Man, that's a miserable effort at keeping an argument going :p
....

lol...what can i say mate laziness is one of my strong points. :D

[Turo]

Shutting down your computer, r at least rebooting it, is a very good thing to do from time to time. It will clear all memory cache ad buffers, some of which the operating system will not clear. If you have not rebooted in a long time, go ahead and try it, there is a chance you may notice an increase in performance.

[Honest Gaza]

lol...what can i say mate laziness is one of my strong points. :D

Reminds me of the classic line of Hawkeye's out of MASH.....

"Never let it be said that I didn't do the least I could do" :D

[tim11]

There was an electrical storm where I lived about 10 years back. There was a lightning and then the door bell rang, so did the telephone... The computer wasn't even on at the time, neither was the modem but nonetheless the sound card and the modem was fried. CPU was still working. I know such strike is rare but it can still cause damage when it happens. Someone told me I should have turn off the computer and remove cables too.
I heard about wears and tears but nowadays we replace computers before those 'wears and tears' take their tolls on the computer; don't we?

[r3g]

nope, all i need is the big box with all the stuff in it. :)

i have installed a DVD writer, RAM, firewire card, network card, power supply in my last PC so i'm not totally ignorant at this, but i have never built anything from complete scratch. is it really hard or is it achievable to build from ground up.

i don;t really have a budget so to speak, i just want something fast. these are the main components i was looking to start with. i hope they all "fit" into eachother. lol

Processor: Intel Core 2 E6750 2.66Ghz
M/Board: Gibabyte GA-965G-DS3
RAM: Kingston DDR2 667mhz 4gb
HD: Seagate 320gb ATA II NCQ 16mb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8600GT 256mb

My friend just built a system damn near identical to this. Only difference is he got a 8800GTS

[Honest Gaza]

I heard about wears and tears but nowadays we replace computers before those 'wears and tears' take their tolls on the computer; don't we?

Yes Tim....PC's often get changed before their "use-by" date so wear and tear is probably not the issue it used to be.

However, HDD's (Hard Disk Drives) can fail during this period, so I prefer to let them rest as much as possible.

Also, with the advent of ADSL Internet services (and the possibility that inexperienced PC owners do not take adequate security precautions), I would not recommend leaving PC's switched on full time for Hackers to help themselves to.