Need a bit of PC building help. (Repost, see first paragraph)

[Livewire]

Last night the server kicked back a Database Error just after trying to post this, hence why the last topic I had was empty >_<

I had a feeling it might do that after it was taking over a minute to load though, so I saved the contents of the post - still need help on it >_<

Original Post starts here:


K, so long story short, here's the problem - I've had issues running games made after mid 07 at anything remotely respectible in terms of frames per second. I want to fix that.


So far I'm at a total of roughly 711.34 in parts (the list and newegg links're gunna follow) - I'm a bit worried about how the parts'll play with each other though, although I did try to avoid cutting corners anywhere. My real concern though is this would also be my first dual core system - that isn't going to be much of a problem (picked out some thermal paste and a highly recommended non-stock heatsink to put on it as well), but I have absolutely NO idea if the PSU I picked out would have enough power to run it - the thing would also be my first PCI-Express 2 x16 pc and I have no idea what the power requirements are for the card I picked out (and for that matter whether that card is worth the $$$ I'd be spending on it or if there's a better alternative).


My goal is to not go over $800, so if you're gunna suggest parts replacements, please try to avoid suggesting parts that'd cost me $3k - I know I could build a better pc if I wanted to burn that much, but I'm not positive I could even manage to swing that before my birthday (I'm grabbing somewhere around $120 a month outside of bills). Of course if there's cheaper stuff that'll work just as well, count me in


DA LIST (I had it in an excel document originally for organization, it doesn't copy/paste the best but it'll do - what it is, then the link, its price, s&h, and some basic info about what it is).


Newegg Link Price S&H Key

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773 159.99 0 3.0ghz dual core Windsor AM2

Mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138102 79.99 0 4gb max

Vid http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...319713eb63beeb 52.99 0 512mb PCX16

Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106100 22.99 5.84 SATA

HD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073 104.99 0 500gb 7200rpm WD SATA 3

Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147001 49.99 17.31 400w psu (scrap), can hold 3 internal 3.5 2 external 3.5 and 4 external 5.25 (plans call for 1 internal 3.5 1 external 5.25), should have just enough room for the mobo. Side window, 1x80mm blue led rear fan which might need replacing to make sure it's fast and moves air).

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005 119.99 0 610w coninuous @40c, enough cables to power entire pc?

Sound - - - Not needed until a further decision can be made.

Mem http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211165 39.99 0 2gb (2x1gb)

Thermal Paste http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007 5.99 4.99 Cause the CPU will run hotter than usual

New Heatsink http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125 19.99 5.84 Cause the CPU will run hotter than usual

Extra 80mm fan http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811999964 2.49 4.99 No lighting 2500rpm 32.4CFM 25dbA 4pin. 80x80x25

Lighting http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16800888072 7.99 4.99 Green 15" sound activated deluxe retail

Parts S&H
Subtotal
667.38 (43.96 S&H)
Total
711.34


I know I might need the different 80mm fan cause the case comes with one, but I can't find jack about what that fan actually is specs wise, so I'd rather just buy a replacement that should move a good amount of air for $10 and not risk a pc overheat. The cathodes just cause I've always wanted a PC that doubles as a night-light Also know that PSU's expensive, but for once I decided to try and go energy efficient - no idea why I did that, but this'd be the third pc in the house, and probably the second that'd be on close to 24/7, so I need to try and cut down a bit (I might set up the other pc to shut down and restart overnight so it's only running from 10pm to 6am or something to try and save the power bill).


Question list:

1) Can that PSU even handle all that? I would think it could but I've never needed more than 450w, and that CPU flat out says 125w in the name...
2) Is that video card a decent one (radeon x1650 512mb 128bit gddr2?!? wtf does all that even mean, I don't remember anything like that for this pc or the other one)?
3) Will that motherboard cause any problems I'm not aware of at this time (I'm aware of none, hence my question - it's just small enough to fit inside the case, but beyond that I dunno).
4) This one got brought up by a buddy - apparently dual core cpu's need a special extra-power connector to give it the power it needs. Does that PSU even have that? The board has a slot for an 8 pin connector and so does the PSU so I think it might, but newegg's site doesn't say it's dual core ready.


Suggestions? Concerns? Do your worst, my pocketbook can't handle this for at the very least a few weeks, so theres plenty of time to tell me I suck at PC construction

I don't really trust anywhere but Newegg though, they're the only company I've had decent customer service with when it came to computer parts (that includes Tiger Direct who shafted me with a bum wifi card a few weeks ago, still working on resolving it).

[animerth]

1.the PS will not handal all of that
2.i cant answer this question cus what are you going to use it for
if your video editing you need something way diffrent than checking email
3.well for a "cost-effective" mobo its fine
4.the power should be fine however i think you need to hit around 550 watts

BTW the CPU your buying is a 64-bit cpu most of the software that comes out is 32 bit, if you would like a better "overview" of 64 vs 32 bit pls ask

[Livewire]

I know 64 vs 32, I'm running a 64bit AMD Sempron with 32bit software. Was more looking at speed, and that's about what came up when I put in "3.0ghz" on newegg


As for the vid card, not super-heavy gaming, but I'd kinda like to be able to run Bioshock and see just how bad UT3 is compared to 2004. Problem is anything above Shader Model 1.4 I can't usually run - this vid cards an ATI Radeon 9250, so compare that to the new one



As for video editing, extremely little if any at all. No camera to use at the moment


I'm still confused about two notes you had in your post though:

1.the PS will not handal all of that
4.the power should be fine however i think you need to hit around 550 watts

Seems to contradict itself a bit - it's a 610w PSU, the one currently in my pc is 450, the one that comes with the case is 400watts which is promptly going to be scrapped. The one that I'm gunna try jamming in it is 610; should 610 run it, or should I try jumping up a bit and get closer to the $800 spending limit?

[sandogg]

1)PSU power should be fine. Connections fine too.
To give an illustration I have got a 200w PSU running an Abit Fatality HD Mobo (build in graphics), Core2Duo E6700, 500GB SataII HD, DVD-rw,case with wifi,vfd,card-reader, and 3 fans in total (CPU, Case (60mm) and HDD (30mm) ).
2)If for gaming, maybe an upgrade might be nice.
3)Decent mobo. Not completely future-proof but good. Can't see any problems with it either.
4)The power connector you need is the either the 4 pin 12v rail or the 8 pin one depending on mobo. (I guess 8 pin or your chosen MOBO).

[Livewire]

Well that about answers all my questions then

I'll look into bumping that video card up a notch, might end up finding one with Video In as well (thats one thing I forgot I might actually WANT if we ever get Cable in this house again, lol). Thanks much!

[TechAsh]

As far as I can see everything should work fine (Note: I've only had time for a quick look at your list.

1. The PSU should provide enough power.
2. The Graphics card will be ok at anything apart from the very latest high-end games (e.g. Ghost Recon 2)
3. The Motherboard will be fine (Unless you want firewire).
4. Yes it has all the needed connectors.

If you need any more help just ask (I have recently built a Desktop.)

[Livewire]

I'm not too worried about the absolute latest high-end games but based off of your post and the one before it might not be a bad idea to spend the extra $90 left in the budget on another higher up vid card.


Assuming I want to stay with ATI (which I kinda do, I've had bad luck with nVideas), got any recommendations?

[Loneua Technologies]

Hey Livewire,

I do this for a living so!

Your PSU is more than sufficient.

I have a 550 Watt and this is my configuration, it runs smooth....

Q6600
8800GT
4GB RAM
Dual SATA Burners
WD Raptor X
Seagate 320GB SATAII
Zalman ZF9700 Fan
7 Fans, Lexa Case.

You are good,

Nice configuration as well!

Enjoy your new PC.

Personally I would advise you to go $150 up and get the 8800GT

Nothing compares to it:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...=722&chart=318

It is 3rd only to the Ultra and the GTX which don't beat it by much.

GTX is around 550 and Ultra is around 800.

Look at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127324

$184 after MIR

Its about $44 Above what you wanted but trust me it is 100 Percent worth it.

I can play Crysis maxed out, With absolutely no lag (35 FPS).

If all you take from this is 1 thing:

8800GT Owns all.

[Livewire]

Dunno if I wanna overshoot the $800 limit but at the same point if it's running Crysis I might just have to roll with it.

I need to track my finances too, if it looks like 2 weeks is the difference between the vid card I chose and that one, I think I'll grab that one and work the 2 weeks extra XD


I've got plenty of time to debate that too, with my luck all the parts'll go up in price by the time I can actually afford it >_<


Thanks for the recommendation though, it's bookmarked with the other items on the list

[TechAsh]

Normally prices go down so waiting a week or 2 could be a good idea.
This happened when I bought my laptop, a little while later I went back to the website and found it was about £30 cheaper.