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| Scatterheart Posts: 128/144 |
Got my compy today!!!
Quake 4 looks AWWWESOME! And the demo I've been playing does have graphics restrictions. Can't wait to see the full game.:rolleyes I did end up getting 2GB of RAM (4x 512 DDR2 PC2 6400 (667megahertz)), so that's cool. 
Everything about the computer is beautiful! ...Except for one thing: Not sure if it's both the DVD ROM drive and the DVD burner, but when putting in a disc into the DVD read-only drive, it makes the computer freeze around 33% of the time. I've tried twice to install Need for Speed: Most Wanted, but it froze on the fourth disc. It isn't the game, because it happened twice before, with other discs. I'll be sure to let my girlfriend's dad know, as he's the guy I got the thing from. He built it and everything.
My older computer is right next to my new beast at the moment, as I havn't been able to find my ISP's broadband installer disc. So this compy is my internet PC for the time being. It's still a bitch swapping all of the cables over though. 
My new PC is A LOT quieter than my old one. The DVD drives are the main source of noise. AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (2.4Ghz) Leadtech GeForce 7900 GT 256MB 4x 512MB DDR2 PC6400 Kingston RAM 250GB HDD (BAH! They always rip people off. It's actually 221GB )
Pretty happy with it.
It ended up costing $1,950AU / $1,600US ($2,000AU was my personal limit), which was a little more than I expected... I finally have a legitimate version of Windows XP! |
| Deleted User Posts: 86/-7750 |
Originally posted by HyperHacker $360 dollar processor competing and beating out a $1000 in several cases. Jeez, I don't know. They're overclocking like motherfuckers. They're also better as far as Price/Performance goes, too That's because a single stick wouldn't run in DDR. But, since you're gaming, 2 GB would be best. You could buy a single stick now, then buy an identical stick later, too. I can tell you a few good brands: OCZ, Mushkin, Corsair. I've had problems with Crucial, though. |
| Scatterheart Posts: 124/144 |
Thought the same thing.
OooOh! Bigger L2 Cache.
And yeah. Yesterday, I decided on getting AM2/DDR2, for the exact same reason as Zidane just said. The difference is slight at the moment, but it'll give plenty of breathing space for future upgrades. I spent hours researching stuff yesterday. 
I didn't know there was a connection between AM2 and DDR2.
I'm such a n00b. I'm teh lerning tho. *EDIT* Okay. Hope I'm not wrong with this, 'cause I'd look really stupid, but I think I only got the jist of this today. I have DDR PC2100 RAM in my compy at the moment. That "PC2100" is the speed of the RAM, yeah? ... ... ... Ah, WIki is my friend.
Okay, so that's 133Mhz RAM. *More Newegg checking* Ah! 2x 512MB PC2 6400 isn't too expensive! ...2x 1GB on the other hand...
My girlfriend's dad said that I'd be better off going for 2x 512MB sticks instead of the single 1GB. Any brands I should really steer clear of? Kingston, Corsair? Oh, and for my budget... $15,000AU / $12,500US.
This thing's heading towards the $2,000AU / $1,600US mark though. I guess that's around my cutt-off point. We do pay a bit more than what you guys do, unfortunately. |
| HyperHacker Posts: 3130/5072 |
OK, but I don't see how this blows away AMD or any other current technology.  |
| Deleted User Posts: 85/-7750 |
Originally posted by Zidane AnandTech- http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795 Bit Tech - http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/07/14/intel_core_2_duo_processors/1.html ByteSector - http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?id=661 Chile Hardware - http://www.chilehardware.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=hardware_...iews&am Club IC - http://www.clubic.com/article-36354-1-le-pentium-laisse-la-place-intel...re-2-du Computer Base - http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/prozessoren/2006/test_inte...ore_2_e Digit Life - http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/cpu/intel-core2-duo-e6600.html Extreme Tech - http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1989036,00.asp Firing Squad - http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_core_2_performance/ GD Hardware - http://www.gdhardware.com/hardware/cpus/intel/conroe/X6800_E6700/001.htm GotFrag - http://hardware.gotfrag.com/portal/story/33492/ Guru3D - http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=185555 HardOCP - http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTEwOCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA== Hardware Secrets - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/348 HardwareZone - http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/articles/view.php?cid=2&id=1980 Hardware.fr - http://www.hardware.fr/articles/633-1/express-core-2-duo-p965-vs-i975x.html Hexus - http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6184 Hot Hardware - http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=845&cid=1 Legion Hardware - http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=569 Legit Reviews - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/362/1/ MadBox PC - http://www.madboxpc.com/contenido.php?id=2394 Mad Shrimps - http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=470 Maximo PC - http://www.maximopc.org/articulos/intel_core_2_duo_review_parte_1.html NeoSeeker - http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/core2duo_e6700/ OCAU - http://www.overclockers.com.au/article.php?id=489587 OC Workbench - http://www.ocworkbench.com/2006/intel/core2duo/g1.htm PC Perspective - http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=272 Phoronix - http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=512&num=1 Planet X64 - http://www.planetx64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&am...d=283&a Sharky Extreme - http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3620036 Sim HQ - http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_090a.html Tech Report - http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q3/core2/index.x?pg=1 Tom's Hardware - http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/ Trusted Reviews - http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3161 TweakTown - http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/923/ Xbit Labs - http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-e6300.html Originally posted by HyperHackerAnyway |
| Zidane Posts: 28/105 |
Originally posted by Cellar Dweller +Originally posted by Zidane Yes, I was talking about the socket AM2 CPU. If you're going to go dual core, then you should give yourself room for upgrades. Dual core 939 will be obsolete when DDR2 memory becomes the standard. It will be the same in 2008 when AM3 comes out and people move on to DDR3. Preparing for these sort of things saves those of us who like to have high end computers from spending too much money when we have to scrap our system to make it as good as it used to seem. |
| Cellar Dweller + Posts: 100/138 |
Originally posted by Zidane I distinctly remember bulding my computer with a socket 939 Athlon64 X2 4200 and 184 pin RAM. So no, unless your point was that you merely consider such a configuration to be suboptimal and were exaggerating. PS. 100th post! |
| Zidane Posts: 27/105 |
I haven't used an Intel processor in a very long time, maybe not at all. I do recall having a 75MHz CPU when I was very young, but that may have been an IBM one. The only friends that I've ever heard promote an Intel processor are those who have always used Intel, but the ones who have switched to AMD from Intel say that their new AMD CPU runs considerably faster than their old Intel one, which was of the same clock speed (there are more factors than just clock speed, though). I can't really say anything about this, as the more up to date CPUs I have bought are all AMD. I am also a little biased and will just assume that AMD is always better. ^.~
Stupid? Nah. When I heard FX, I just assume you got a 939 single core without even thinking of the version number, lol. If he's surprised, then I guess what he's been working on are office computers, rather than gaming computers. I'm sur ehe'd read the manual, though, the extra things aren't that difficult. The extra power connector is no big deal. It's just simply plugging in one of the power connectors into the video card. If you buy the video card retail, it usually comes with a power splitter, so that you can use the same connector for something like a hard drive and the video card.
About the decent quality RAM... you will need 240-Pin DDR2 RAM. You cannot use 184-Pin DDR RAM with a dual core processor. You must have a motherboard with a socket type of AM2 for the Athlon X2. As for overclocking, the Athlon X2 4600+ overclocks fairly well, and you could quite possibly achieve 2.8GHz with stock cooling (if you've got a good case). Overclocking is simple if you've got a good motherboard - you simply change the overclock settings in BIOS. :p It depends on the motherboard you get. If he burns out your stuff, I don't see why you'd have to pay for his stupidity. XD |
| Deleted User Posts: 84/-7750 |
Originally posted by Scatterheart I personally look at who offers the best product for my money. I have a Opteron 170 at 2.4 Ghz, but I'm gonna be buying a E6600, new mobo, new psu, new RAM sometime in Oct. For PSU, just be sure to get a good brand and make sure it has PCI-E connections. Originally posted by ScatterheartStart doing research. It takes a while to find the sweet spot for everything. What? Also, what's your budget? |
| Scatterheart Posts: 123/144 |
Well, you have AMD fans, and Intel fans. I'm more of an AMD fan myself...but I'll wait for Zidane's comments.
About me being in good hands: Well, after speaking with him for 2 minutes tonight, I'm a little worried. When I said that I need a good PSU (at least 450watts), and that my graphics card needed to be hooked up the said PSU, he was suprised. Sounds like he's never made a PC as powerful as this one. I hope he adds decent-quality RAM, and decent-quality everything. I hope to have no problems when overclocking to 2.6Ghz...not that I know how to do it myself.
I'm such a n00b. I NEED to ask him about wrongfully purchased hardware problems. I sure hope that if he fucks up, it won't affect me. |
| Deleted User Posts: 83/-7750 |
Why a 4600?
If you'd be willing to go Intel, an E6400 would perform better or just as well and cost a bit less. edit, meant E6400, not 300 |
| spiroth10 Posts: 61/145 |
yeah, dual cores aren't supported well in games, thats why I stayed with a single-core 3800+, and it's a solid performer (2.4Ghz, rated at 3.8Ghz).
As for quake 4, great game -- just make sure to configure the AntiAliasing/other settings from your graphics card menu (for quake in specific or globally) -- I haven't found any in-game controls for AA, and the game really needs it if you want to compare it to the 360 version. enjoy the PC, I know I love mine. |
| Scatterheart Posts: 122/144 |
Boy, do I feel stupid...
I don't know WHY I said AMD Athlon FX 4600+... Searching through Newegg, there's nothing of the sort for sale. *Slaps forehead* I was drunk...
I meant the Athlon X2 4600+ I did a bit of research about dual cores earlier, too. Seems strange how little the speed in games 'n stuff improve. The amount of advertising surrounding dual core technoledgy is fucked. "OMG! IT'S LIKE 5Ghz!! Here's hoping for better support in the near future for games. Now, onto games: First game I'm getting, is Doom 3, 'cause it's cheap as hell.
Oblivion doesn't really interest me. The whole first person thing is a turn off. I've hated that genre ever since those old NES and SNES RPGs... But then again, they're all I've played. The reviews say it's great, so I'll try it out anyway.
Quake 4, yeah, I wanna compare it to my brother's Xbox 360 version. 
He doesn't live here, so I havn't had a chance to play it yet. No spoiling for me, thanks. I wonder how close to the Xbox 360's graphics I'll get. |
| Zidane Posts: 24/105 |
If he's running a business, you're in good hands. Building and repairing computers, he's got more experience than most of us on this board. ^.^
You made a good choice in processor, a higher end and affordable one. Yes, you are right about the dual cores, the biggest gain I've heard coming from these is about 2%-5% faster processing with some programs/games. It also means having to buy a more expensive motherboard and memory. I probably would've done it if I had money to burn - just because I love having the best of the best. 
The choice in graphics card is pretty much the best you can get without spending an obscene amount of money for a graphics card like this. Believe or not, people run that thing in quad SLI, paying over a thousand bucks for their graphics. The motherboard you get will have to have the same socket type as your processor, the same speed and socket as your memory, some PCI slots (I assume your sound card is PCI?), and a PCI Expressx16 slot. If you want a fast hard drive, like a SATA 3.0, you'll also need a motherboard that has ports for that. As for my computer, I completed it in Spring this year, which tells you that it is already obsolete. I am using a 7800GT, a 2.4GHz CPU, and 2GBs of DDR400 memory. I've also got a case that has LEDs all over the place and a 19" monitor. Maybe not the best anymore, but it runs the newer games at max, so I'm happy.
Anyway, good luck with your computer and I hope you'll be joining me in max settings Oblivion soon. ^.~ |
| Scatterheart Posts: 121/144 |
Well, I was only asking about the difference between 939, and AM2.
After doing a bit of research, it seems that AM2 is better, though not far enough into it's life to make a real difference. I edited my last post, but that was before the old backup. My girlfriend's dad owns a small business. It's all about building and repairing computers with him, thus, he'll be building my one. I'm sure that any stupid mistake he makes will come out of his own pocket (if any). I've read countless pages regarding my soon-to-be graphics card, and I must tell him that I NEED a high quality, high powered PSU (power supply)[at least 450watts as you specified].
My new computer is pretty much set in stone, now. My girlfriend's dad should be able to sort out the little tid-bit details.
I've decided on the: AMD Athlon FX 4600+ processor. (I'll be sure to ask him for the overclock, thanks to your reccomendation)
Nvidia GeForce 7900 GT video card. (Checking a few benchmark reviews, this card doesn't sound best-of-the-best, but I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what it can produce. )
Just the 1GB of RAM (Whatever. I'll get another 1GB when I need it. )
80GB - 120GB HDD. I already have a very sleek 17inch BenQ LCD monitor which'll be fine for me.
The motherboard I end up with will be based on my girlfriend's dad's reccomendation. I know shit-all when it comes to motherboards, besides what they can handle (if there's even anything more to them than that). Thank you again for all of your help, and don't be hesitant to post a reply. You're now the main reason I come to this place.
Here's hoping my girlfriend's dad knows what he's doing. 
It's strange enough thinking that my video card needs to be hooked up to the PSU directly... Maybe I should inform him. I'll be sure to let you know when I get my new compy.  |
| Zidane Posts: 23/105 |
No, no, the socket type on the CPU must match the socket type on the motherboard. I was thinking that you were just going to go with a standard CPU. I sure hope you haven't already bought a socket 939 board, as the CPU won't fit correctly. D: Dual core CPUs also require DDR2 memory.
Motherboard RAM You should never order until the full specs are in front of you (and with others) and don't ever take one person's word for it when it comes to computers.  |
| Scatterheart Posts: 119/144 |
You've been a great help!
I should have my computer within the week.
It's gonna be hella-expensive though! Australian prices are a bit...uhh...alot higher than you guys's's. I keep forgetting to ask, but what's the difference between Socket 939 and Socket AM2? And I should definately go with 939? This thing's going to cost me about $1,000US, and that's just the box. Got everything else.
Zidane: Tell all of us your compy's specs.! |
| Zidane Posts: 22/105 |
There is a slight, though noticeable difference. I'd pay eighty more dollars for your choice, though I'd probably clock it up to 2.4GGz - 2.8GHz. Then it's an even more noticeable difference. ^.^ It would help with future games.
Onboard sound is okay, but getting a good sound card will produce much better sound. No point in upgrading to a 7.1 sound card if you have a 5.1 system and don't plan to upgrade that. Make sure that you get (or have) a motherboard that has a PCI-E slot, a few PCI slots, DDR 400 RAM slots (I'm not sure what your RAM is, though) and a 939 CPU Socket Type. And also be sure that you have an adequate power supply (I recommend about 450 watts for high end PCs) and cooling system (lots of fans in your case). Not that I don't think you would never think of this, but that a lot of people I know don't even bother to check these things and cry when they get their parts. I have friends that don't even know their computer, so they assume they have the proper Socket Type or RAM slot. |
| Scatterheart Posts: 118/144 |
I knew I should've used "pwn" instead.
Thanks for your help, man.
I think I'll get that 256MB nVidia 7900GT. Onto processors: I'm thinking about the Athlon X2 4200+ Saving a bit of money there, but is it good enough? Encouraging comments on the site.
It's a bit better than your budget reccomendation, but it's still pretty darn affordable. I'll get the 4600+ if I'm under my budget. ...Don't really have one, but y'know... I think I'll hold off on the extra 1GB of RAM for a while. Need moneys!! Sound Card: I have a Creative SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 in my computer at the moment. Have on board sound cards advanced so much that I should scrap this thing? I <3 this sound card!
I have the Logitech X-5500 speaker system, so everything sounds good.
Just about sorted everything out!
My main worry was the graphics card though. Scary things...
This is going to be the first time I've played a relatively new game on max settings!
Thanks alot for ur helpz! |
| Zidane Posts: 21/105 |
Originally posted by Scatterheart If you want to own current games and play future games decently (maybe even own), then go with 2GBs of RAM. Besides, the standard will eventually raise. It always does... -.- As for a graphics card, the one I put down is a budget one. If you want to go all out and be sure that you'll be able to run something like UT2007 at or near max settings, I'd recommend (an affordable card) a Nvidia Geforce 7900GT or if you want to go overkill, the 512MB version. I've always preferred Nvidia over ATI. |
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