Need ideas for components for new PC

[elchorizo]

Yo guys, I know this has been asked a million times, and I've read several of those threads both here and in the Intel CPU section. But, heres new build thread #1,000,001:


Cliffs notes:

- Gaming, epseically FPSs and MMOs, is the primary use
- Photoshop and video encoding as a secondary use
- Has about $1000 to spend but can be bumped to probably around $1500.
- Need case, PSU, ram, cpu, and a motherboard. I also need a video card but can use my current 7900GT for the time being if my budget dictates.(I have everything else)
- Willing to wait a month or two if theres some hot shit coming up very soon.


TLDR:

I was thinking I’d build a new computer in the spring (mainly for Warhammer Online). However, this weekend my current computer’s main hard disk died. Also, I’ve just come into a bit of money. So, I’m considering building early. I’ll have about $1000 to spend, but I could probably stretch it to a maxium of $1500.

FYI, my old computer is a AMD 3400+ with 2GB Ram, and currently, a 7900GT card (although I ran an x850XT for a long time, but that POS overheated all the time). I’m running two monitors: A 24” LG 1920x1200 (I game on this one) and a 20” Viewsonic 1680x1050.

When I rebuild I’m going to need a mobo, CPU, ram, PSU, and case. I can keep using my 7900GT for a while and buy the pimpest video card I can afford next year when Warhammer Online comes out.

Heres what I do with my computer. I game mostly, but also some other stuff listed below. Currently I play ET:QW a lot. Also, I play Civ IV, Orange Box, some LotRO (but not for long probably) and that’s about it. I plan to play the fuck out of Warhammer Online once it comes out (ever?). I also do a LOT of photo editing on Photoshop CS3 and I do a shitload of video encoding using AutoGK, Handbrake, and DVD Shrink.

So, I have a few questions. I’ll just list them here.

1. Wow, CPU lingo has changed. I know I want Intel this time, but no longer am I able to gauge the relative power of a CPU by its GHz. I have no idea what’s what anymore. I need a proc that’s for gaming first, and good for CS3 and video encoding second. I’ve never overclocked but I would like to if its not that difficult. I’d appreciate a companion mobo as well if you have one that fits nicely with your suggested CPU.

2. Power supplies also seem a lot more involved now. Not really sure where I should start here. I’d rather have a bit too much power than not enough.

3. Ram? I assume 2G is still ok? Should I get 4? I wont have a 64b OS so it seems like a waste to get 4. Also, what kind is good if I want to try to overclock (but not a massive overclock)?

4. My friend hit the MS store and was able to get me a copy of Vista Ultimate for $50. I’ve never used Vista. Should I use it on this new build? I’d like to use it, and I consider myself a power user (I’m a software engineer) so I’m not too worried about normal tweaks that will need to be made, but I’m worried about general instability. Nothing pisses me off more than a random reboot when I’m fragging some asshole.

5. And now the big question… should I wait. I am aware that I could be waiting forever, however, if something big is coming right around the corner (say the next couple months) I would be willing to wait.

What do you guys think? Your help is much appreciated as always!


-elchorizo

 

[RangerSVT]

check my sig, you can buy most of it from newegg.com and mwave, it only costs me $1,000 +$100 shipping and taxes. not including OS.

 

[bubbles]

I'm looking into the same thing. I wan't something QUIET however.

This is all I've decided on so far:

CPU - Q6600 seems to be the no brainer.
RAM - 2x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 6400
PSU - I like the Seasonic ones. Undecided which model.

 

[engiNURD]

It sounds like you can wait. If you're content with your current rig's performance, just wait until you're no longer happy with it. There's always something new coming out, so the longer you wait, the better the parts get for the same money. Wait if you can, build if you can't.

If you must build now, look into the P35 boards unless you have or plan to get a 24" monitor. In which case you should consider an SLI capable board instead. What features do you need in a motherboard?

If you don't need anything fancy, go for the Abit IP35-E for $90 - $20MIR @ mwave.com. If you need legacy ports, check out the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L. If you need RAID, go with the DS3R instead. If you need firewire, look at the Asus P5K. If you need both RAID and Firewire, the Abit IP35 is a good choice for around $100, again at mwave.com. The higher end boards worth looking at are the Asus P5K, Gigabyte P35-DS4, and everyone's fav, the Abit IP35 Pro.

If you upgrade often, go for a dual core for now, and upgrade to a quadcore in a year or so. The dual cores to look at are the E2160, E4400, and E6750. If you can afford higher, go with the Q6600. It'll be good for future games and your photochopping/video editing.

 

[elchorizo]

It sounds like you can wait. If you're content with your current rig's performance, just wait until you're no longer happy with it. There's always something new coming out, so the longer you wait, the better the parts get for the same money. Wait if you can, build if you can't.

If you must build now, look into the P35 boards unless you have or plan to get a 24" monitor. In which case you should consider an SLI capable board instead. What features do you need in a motherboard?

If you don't need anything fancy, go for the Abit IP35-E for $90 - $20MIR @ mwave.com. If you need legacy ports, check out the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L. If you need RAID, go with the DS3R instead. If you need firewire, look at the Asus P5K. If you need both RAID and Firewire, the Abit IP35 is a good choice for around $100, again at mwave.com. The higher end boards worth looking at are the Asus P5K, Gigabyte P35-DS4, and everyone's fav, the Abit IP35 Pro.

If you upgrade often, go for a dual core for now, and upgrade to a quadcore in a year or so. The dual cores to look at are the E2160, E4400, and E6750. If you can afford higher, go with the Q6600. It'll be good for future games and your photochopping/video editing.

Thanks for the info everyone.

As far as what features I need in a motherboard.... none really. I'm not looking to set up raid and I prefer USB to firewire. So something basic will work. Thanks for your specific suggestions, thats really helpful!

I do have a 24" monitor but I'm hoping to use a single video card (perhaps not at the highest settings) to save on cost. I'm not someone who needs everything turned on high, but I do like a nice frame rate and a good draw distance in games. I'm hoping one powerful card will suffice. And, I'll probably stick with my 7900GT for now in the new build and then replace it after the new year with whatever is the main thing at that time.

I'm glad to hear what you said about the Q6600 being good for photochopping and whatnot. I have been debating the use of a quad but if any of my programs will get any use out of it I should probably bite the bullet and get it.

bubbles,
I'm not quite as concerned with the noise since I game with headphones on (I'm on TS/Vent a lot) but it is important and I hadn't considered it yet. Thanks for bringing it up. I agree with your assessment about the Q6600. It seems to be the proc to get around these parts

 

[engiNURD]

I do have a 24" monitor but I'm hoping to use a single video card (perhaps not at the highest settings) to save on cost.

I'm not quite as concerned with the noise since I game with headphones on (I'm on TS/Vent a lot) but it is important and I hadn't considered it yet.

edit: forgot to add that a single vidcard is still fine for a 24" monitor. When you upgrade, go with a GTX if you can.

I'm looking into the same thing. I wan't something QUIET however.

For a good, quiet cooling solution for the Q6600, I'd suggest one of these coolers. Namely, the Ultima 90. Mine is as good as my Tuniq Tower, but is much lighter and is only using a Panaflo Hydrowave bearing 92mmfan instead of a 120mm -- while still being pretty damn quiet.
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU HSF
$45 - Tuniq Tower 120 CPU HSF
$46 - Thermalright Ultima 90 CPU HS + FBA09A12M - Z ($3)
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme CPU HS + Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E ($15)