Help building a new computer

[Jason691]

Hello! This is my first post, and i was wondering if i could get some help building a new computer. Before I start what I have on a wishlist to get so far let me explain what is going on. Me and my father plan to build a gaming computer for christmas, because my desktop is giving me crap, so we're going to scrap it. So we're building a computer on a budget of about $1500. It's our first time doing this, so we're trying to have a little fun.

Anyways, on to what we're using...

CPU = AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.40GHz / 1MB Cache / 2000MHz FSB / Socket AM2 / Dual-Core (Windsor) / Processor with Fan

Motherboard = Asus M2R32-MVP ATI Socket AM2 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / S/PDIF / Gigabit LAN / USB 2.0 & Firewire / Serial ATA / RAID

Graphics card + RAM = ATI Radeon X1600 Pro 512MB DDR2 PCI Express Video Card with OCZ 2GB (2 x 1024MB) PC6400 DDR2 CrossFire Certified Memory

Harddrives = (2) Western Digital / Caviar SE 16 / 250GB / 7200 / 16MB / SATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive

DVD-RW = (2) Lite-on Super Allwrite SHM-165H6S / 16x8x16x DVD+RW / 16x6x16x DVD-RW / 5x DVD-RAM / 8x DVD+R DL / 4x DVD-R DL / 48x24x48x CD-RW / Black/Beige Faceplates / Internal / OEM DVD Writer with LightScribe

And some other things.. Case and Fans..

As I said this is our first time trying to build a computer. As I was looking over all of the stuff we have up so far.. I checked out ther Graphics card and the Mother board. Graphics Card Link As i was checking the Graphics card I noticed on the bottom of the page the ATI CrossFire™— Compatibility Chart. It says for the graphics card i want, "Radeon X1600 Series (2)" then followed by "Compatible Motherboard Chipsets" "(2) --AMD Intel -- ATI CrossFire Xpress 1600 Intel i975x". Where as the Mother Board i have chosen Mother Board is "(1) -- AMD Intel -- ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 Intel i975x".

So my question is.. Will the Graphics card and Motherboard work together, AND if i plan to do the "Crossfire" option could i possibly use this Graphics Card with it to make the "Crossfire" function properly?

Please take into consideration that I am trying to do this with no experience what-so-ever.. So if anything is wrong with said post, please help me to understand.. Like motherboard not being said "(1) -- AMD Intel -- ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 Intel i975x".

[technicks]

Welcome to TPU.

I think that if you want to build a gaming pc, then you should not buy that X1600pro.
Imo, go for something with some more power. X1900 GT or XT or something like that.

From what i know is that AM2 and 939 are not much different from each other. Just marketing. Maybe AM2 will perform a bit better.
But for way less money you can get you and your dad a great 939 system. Because most off the parts are for sale now.

Maybe go for 939 Crossfire board. Single X1900 card with option for Crossfire.

[technicks]

And for the CPU you could take a tray one. And buy a liquid system for a few bucks more.

Then you will have more fun.

[ATIonion]

if you are going for a gaming pc then i wouldnt do anything less then this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102021 ....and the price is only $50 more then the x1600....you will get a lot more outta that extra $50 with the x1800gto...if you do this card then we have some tricks that could make this card more like a $300 card....

you said a x2-4600AMD....good cpu however it will only be good for you if your programs use it...if you are a gamer, then having a second core wont help you as much as you might think...if you do alot of mixing and editing or converting video and audio, then a x2 is the way to go...only reason i say this is because you can get 939 motherboards and single core 939 cpu's really really cheap right now...spend the xtra money on ram and graphics....i have a 3500+ single core clocked at 2.75 and a 3800+ x2 clocked at 2.44 and the 3500+ is faster for my games.....i didnt see a huge diff. with the 3800+ x2 on most applications...find a nice 3700+ single core san diego those are nice...

sites to see....newegg.com directron.com pricewatch.com...pricewatch is good for lowest prices from many retailers.....

good luck

[pt]

grab a 4400+, a good cpu cooler and overclock that baby to heaven
look for a x1950pro like technicks said

[technicks]

Dual core is going to be a big deal in games for future development.

But you are right a good 3700 Sandy goes like hell.

[zekrahminator]

Probably a good idea to read my guide, I'd hate to see you break something by accident .

[Chewy]

If your gonna get single core def get an amd cpu, if your going duel core to play games and run some apps in the backround I think you should get a core2duo e6400 and overclock it, it overclocks better than the e6300.
The e6300 can hit some nice speeds with air cooling, someone here is tweaking thiers to 3.5mhz, I'll be overclocking mine to 2.5-3.2 and faster after I get the drift of oc'in.

Article on oc'in >> http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=4097
you can find more overclocking articles in the article section of the fourms, if your interested. You dont have to OC, your dad might not want you to and you cant blame him.
It will give you more bang for your buck and people here OC thier rigs for years without any problems.

Dont forget to get a good quality psu thats guarantied to last. If you search the fourms using the search option you will find many posts on psu's.

hope my post helps you out some

[Jason691]

Thank you for your input Nick! I will take it into consideration when I talk this over with my dad tonight. But I can't really tell if you answer my question or not.

Originally Posted by Jason691

So my question is.. Will the Graphics card and Motherboard work together, AND if i plan to do the "Crossfire" option could i possibly use this Graphics Card with it to make the "Crossfire" function properly?.

The reason I am picking the x1600 right now, And i only have a day, so got to kind of decide tonight is This offer. Get a decent little discount.

I am kind of steering away from the liquid system, just because i don't want to deal with liquids and have something accidently burst in my computer and ruin it. Though i don't think that can really happen, i just don't want to take the chance. ^-^;;

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ATIonion, I just saw your post as i was forming the one to Nick. I will have to look into the the 939 Motherboard's. When the dual core processer was brought up between me and my dad, I wasn't really sure what to think. If either you or nick could Link me to one, that'd be great And i'll bring it up tonight with my dad.

As for the video card... The video card I was looking at (see link above) it's the x1600 and comes with the 2gb's of ram. But!! IF you the 939 is cheaper than dual core and is running correctly like I want it to, then I can probably get that x1800.

Now, take into consideration.. I am only a newb at this, and i am still trying to understand overclocking.. But I know with some games, overclocking your computer (not sure which way) makes you move a bit faster or something like that. The game right now i'd be using it for is Phantasy Star Universe, and that game uses the nProtect software, which i believe recognizes Overclocking as a speed hack. So how exactly should i go about that?

As for converting music and making movies.. I with, i want to say, AMD Athlon 2400+ XP.. It takes some time, but I have lots of that. -.-;

And one last thing.. AND this is probably my biggest NEWB question.. With the say http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...143102&CatId=0 .. uh.. Newb question incoming.. Where does the monitor go? Or am i dependent on the Video Card there? ^-^;

Again, thank you for your input Onion.

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Again.. Noticing posts as i am writing them!!

Dual core is going to be a big deal in games for future development.

And how far off do you think that future is? That was kind of one of the reason's i was looking into Dual Core's. But I assume it'll be awhile before that even happens.

---

Chewy! Everyone post's while I am writing it.. I am glad i found this on Google.. lol!

Anyways.. I don't think my dad would mind OC'ing. I think that is something he would like to try in the future.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A455-2137
This is the motherboard we were/are planning on using.. I've 2 posts so far to go with a 939 instead, and i am considering that as well. So i am not exactly sure if that's great.. For the most part i am sitting through this going.. Duh... I just know i NEED a good video card to play games at maximum capacity. Memory for programs and music. RAM to keep something working..

The 939 motherboards.. the 3700+ one's that Onion had mentioned. I don't want to assume, but i am.. I have to overclock for fastness?

I Apologize for being a total newb at this!

[Easy Rhino]

definately go with a dual core. single core may be a lot cheaper but the way things are going all software will be written for dual core. the 939 boards are great for gaming and cheaper than AM2 although you wont get ddr2. get a real nice card. x1900xt. it may be expensive but you did say you wanted to build a gaming machine. if you are thinking of the future make sure you have a radeon xpress 3200 motherboard so you can do true crossfire. dont skimp on the power supply! get a reliable brand so when you are feeling brave you can overclock and get more out of your computer without upgrading! get a good case. it doesnt have to cost 100 bucks. coolermaster makes a perfect midtower case for like 50 bucks. is that $1500 budget include you getting a monitor?

[Jason691]

is that $1500 budget include you getting a monitor?

Um.. I have 2 Mag Innovison 19" TFT LCD Monitor's I got last year on black friday.. Might have a third one as well.

Oh and the power supply == http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=O261-2004

And the Case ==
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A107-1058

[Chewy]

well I gota go out, but with that card I think you should get aftermarket cooling for a quieter pc, if you like quiet that is. my 1900gt was really loud till I ut a dif cooler on it.

If you want to overclock, I think your better off getting a e6300-e6400 (2mb L2 conroe), they are faster than alot of amd duel cores and also faster. (faster than amdx2 4400 and sometimes 5200).

heres a link to my build not that it matters much, it cost me 1500 canadian dollars (no grafics card). The ds3 gigabyte board is a great (porb the best) if you dont plan on x-fire elc, its seposed to work great with my Ocz ram aswell).

[cdawall]

the x1600 isnt that huge of a deal in my opinion if you want cheap performance get gual EVGA 7600 gt ko on SLI mobo

video card http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...207285&CatId=0
mobo
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...727&CatId=1569
thats a 939 mobo

[technicks]

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2697

939 Crossfire motherboard. Got it myself. Great board.
You also should look for a good psu. 550w min for crossfire.

The X1600 pro cards are not supported by the cat 6.11 drivers. So i don't think it will work just yet. But that will take just a few weeks.

Regarding the X1600 pro's. The X1950 pro single card is faster. And consumes not so much power. Then later you can buy a extra X1950 pro for the crossfire setup.

For the overclocking. You will get hooked once you will get a comp like that. Overclocking in general is really simple. You take a card or cpu and you let it run faster then it's stock performance. You will learn about it. That is why you are here.

kinda like tuning a car.

The monitor goes in the back of the videocard.

[Jason691]

I was getting a 600-watt PSU. Posted it in the 3rd post i believe.

As for the monitor in.. I am so used to it going in the mother board.. And then i know the other is on a video card when i get it... So then so i was baffled! But i have seen the light!

[Jason691]

Small Wishlist Update.. I've Put together a small thing.. And want opinions..

Motherboard = http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813127234

Graphics Card = http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814102021

Power Supply = http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817152026

CPU/Processor = http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103539

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The CPU/Processor and Power supply are the only 2 not really suggested from posts.. I picked the Power Supply because it was between $100-$150 600-Watt. And the processor... I kind of just guessed on. ^-^;

Again.. Suggestions welcome!

>EDIT<
Would http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103529 be better for CPU/Processor?

[technicks]

That would be a good pc.
And if you learn a bit about overclocking then you could make it much faster.

[pt]

do you already have ram?

[Jason691]

I was going to buy 2gb of ram.

[lemonadesoda]

Why 2x HDD?

1./ I won't recommend RAID for speed, since the performance increase will be unnoticable for your use. (Not using sustained high I/O like database etc.)

2./ If you want RAID for security (mirror) then OK.

3./ If you just want the total size, I would recommend ONE 400MB or 500MB drive. Why? Cheaper. Faster. Cooler than 2 HDD's in one system. Also, you still have room in the case to add another 500GB or 1Tb drive next year ;-)

[pt]

Originally Posted by Jason691

I was going to buy 2gb of ram.

in that case just go AM2
ddr2 is cheaper, cpu's are cheaper, boards are about the same

[Jason691]

Originally Posted by pt

in that case just go AM2
ddr2 is cheaper, cpu's are cheaper, boards are about the same

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail = $199.99

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Crap.. I think i messed up on ram.. >.>

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145098 &&&
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813127234

I don't think are compatible..

[Jason691]

Originally Posted by lemonadesoda

Why 2x HDD?

1./ I won't recommend RAID for speed, since the performance increase will be unnoticable for your use. (Not using sustained high I/O like database etc.)

2./ If you want RAID for security (mirror) then OK.

3./ If you just want the total size, I would recommend ONE 400MB or 500MB drive. Why? Cheaper. Faster. Cooler than 2 HDD's in one system. Also, you still have room in the case to add another 500GB or 1Tb drive next year ;-)

I am not totally knowledgeable about hard drives.. I have made 2 wishlists.. One on Newegg, and one tigerdirect.
Tigerdirect = http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=TSD-250KS
Newegg = http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822136003

[pt]

Originally Posted by Jason691

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail = $199.99

nice find
now look for a good board
pheraps this one if you want crossfire:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130057

and this one for a sli and best bang for the buck board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136015

if i could i would get the dfi one for me, unfortunately i'm stuck with this m2n-e

[Jason691]

Originally Posted by pt

nice find
now look for a good board
pheraps this one if you want crossfire:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130057

and this one for a sli and best bang for the buck board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136015

if i could i would get the dfi one for me, unfortunately i'm stuck with this m2n-e

I think i am going to stick with crossfire.. I know i will eventually pick up a second card, and then do some crossfire between them. As for the Ram.. Yea, i think it was a good find.. then i realized i can't use it with the board i had originally planned to go with.This board.

Then i found
Kingston Technology Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail. A good friend of mine swears by kingston, and it's only abotu $10 more, so not that bad.

BUT if i do decide to go with the cheaper ram, i'll look into the board you suggested. Thank you for your input.

Right now i am look at Sound Cards, and debating if i want one or to stick with the motherboards sound card. I am only getting a 3-set speaker system to go with my 2 speakers already.. SO 4 speakers, and 1 sub.. And i believe both boards can support that.