Help Jud build a computer...

[Judhudson]

Let's kick off this forum with a personal thread where I can fill it full with random questions about various computer components. And if anybody reads, can hopefully answer them!

Here are my plans for the next build - which I will want to last for 5 years:

Motherboard: XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813141005)

Processor: Quad Core possibly, any suggestions on this?

Memory: 8MB Ram - haven't figured out what brand but I can easily find out myself. I'll be using 64 bit vista

Graphics Card: I've been an ATI fan, but I'd like to try out an Nvida project. Not sure what card yet, but it will be SLI capable.

Power Supply: What would be a good power supply for what I want? 650, 750, 800+?

Your thoughts and opinions?

[ManagerJosh]

Intel Q9750 with Dual nVidia 9800GX2s :P

OCZ GameXStream Power Supply 1010W (http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_gamexstream_power_supply_1010w)

[Judhudson]

Thanks, I added the power supply unit to my wishlist. I had a 750W on there, but I am not sure if that would be enough. 1000W surely would be enough - even if I want to go 3 way SLI.

However, I am still looking at the 512MB 8800GT cards. I wish video cards weren't so expensive!

Oh, and thanks for the processor idea. I had 9450 written down but I'll check into the 9750.

[Judhudson]

On second though...that would be out of my price range. My eyes are on this though...just waiting for the price to drop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115039&Tpk=Intel%2bQ9450

[swmeek]

I think the quad core is a bit much especially if you're going to sim on it. I seen several references where the game has problems running on a quad core system.
But if you're not then what the heck.
I know I getting ready to get two 9800 gtx's as soon as I can .
Last I looked the availability was kinda low.
I've already got a Cooler Master 850 watt psu so I'm good there.
Also what size monitor you planning on playing with?
Because as I've been told time and time again by a good friend SLI is a waste of money for anything under a 24" monitor (which I now have)
And last but not least you'd better be considering a pretty big case as the newer Nvidia cards are in the neighborhood of 10.5 " long.

[Judhudson]

I've got a 19" widescreen monitor I believe...

Yeah, I mostly do Sim games and nothing else, but I generally have a 5 year plan for PCs, which is why quad would be the way to go.

And I heard the cards were monsters... but many people reported that they work in Mid-tower cases. It might be a tight fit, but should work....hopefully

[swmeek]

Like I said a good friend of mine told me repeatedly (short of smacking me with a 2x4)that SLI on a small monitor was waste of money.
I was always under the thinking that two graphics cards would lighten the load on each other no matter.

[Judhudson]

I was always under the thinking that two graphics cards would lighten the load on each other no matter.

That is exactly what I believe...that intense games with nice graphics would have it's workload reduced as it will be using two cards, thus making it perform better.

I'll do some research on Wiki about SLI cards to see what the deal is.

[Flameback777]

Don't quote me on anything I say about hardware but in my opinion it would be best to build a 'mid-range' pc and update sooner rather than later.

I recommend a dual-core cpu because I doubt programmers are in a hurry to get applications to use 2 cores now let alone 4 and even then it will be some lame attempt at trying to look like the app is running on multiple cores.

Last I saw of SLI was that single cards could still out-perform the dual cards assuming the single card had more memory and a faster clock speed. Get a fast single card instead of wasting money on a second card which will probably sit there and drain your power while do little for actual performance. By all means get a motherboard with SLI compatibility but don't buy 2 cards, maybe in the future if they improve on the idea.

For your RAM pickup some good quality DDR2 sticks, Kingston and Corsair I've heard are good, but look around at prices and reviews. Try get sticks that run at 800MHz+.

Get a good case which is well ventilated and has two 120mm fans, one intake, one out take, which should keep noise to a minimum.

Don't be cheap on the power supply, get a good brand which is more likely to actually supply the listed amount of power. Also check what plugs come with it and make sure that there's enough plugs and the right plugs for different pieces of hardware.


Well that's what I recommend but you don't have to follow my advice and Josh is probably better to talk to than me anyway. :D

*pokes Josh*
Help Jud! :P

[sailorchiiavalon]

Don't forget the power cable.

[Flameback777]

Power cable? The one from the PSU to the wall? That should come with the PSU or you can just use an old one. They're all the same unless the copper is corroded.

[ManagerJosh]

Power cable? The one from the PSU to the wall? That should come with the PSU or you can just use an old one. They're all the same unless the copper is corroded.
Or if Flamey decided to play mad scientist :D :p

[Judhudson]

Update 5/28/08

As you can tell, the updates have been a little slow the past few days. This is due to the fact that I have been transferring all of my files and programs from my old Pentium 4 computer to my new Core 2 Quad computer. I just finished the swap last night http://www.simprograms.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

The computer has been a few months (with the case and power supply first) in the making. I usually build my PC’s to last for around 5 years, and I think this computer will do just that (unless I decide to up the video card or my Power Supply Unit quits). My specs for my new rig are below, but you can also see them on my NewEgg list (https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=8542226).

Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66 Ghz
XFX NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
8 Gigs G.SKILL DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
(2) Western Digital 320GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drives - Raid 0
Blu-Ray Drive
(2) DVD Burners
Vista x64 Ultimate Edition

So as you can see, I’m prepared for whatever games Maxis throws at us in the next few years. Bring them on!

[swmeek]

but will they run on a 64 bit system?
Not a lot of games will that I know of .

[Judhudson]

Yes, I have just about all of my Sim games installed. For the most part, 64bit also includes the ability to run 32 bit apps or games, so no problems should arise.

And strangely enough, I installed SimCity Societies and played it with 0 problems. I only played it for 30 minutes, but man, cranking it from medium on my old machine to high is a lot nicer :)

[swmeek]

Coolness!
I didn't know any of that !
Does your system recognize all that ram as well?

[Flameback777]

Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx) says that ultimate can see 128GBs+ of RAM which I think is a little overkill. :P
Nice comp Jud, what do ya plan on doing with 8GBs of RAM? :P

[Judhudson]

Animated desktop wallpaper, blu-ray movie watching, 3D applications, and hopefully squeeze in some cool games! :D

[eyesmiles]

Get a UPS too..no point in having the best game out there and failing to save it later on because of some silly power interruption...

[kartar]

I Think You Have Write Some wrong Informaiton You Have To Buy Only 8 MB Of Ram....