hey, its been awhile...

[citercian{007}monk]

since my last build and I've been doing some research because my dad wanted me to build him a computer.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DXPS200F4V&s=dhs

he was looking at this dell...but I told him I could build him a better one for cheaper. However when I did my last build there was a bunch of new stuff coming out. Thats what I need help with: please educate me on DDR2 ram, the dual processors , the new graphics card pci express models and the motherboards that are compatible with all these new models. I've been checking out newegg but I'm kind of lost right now:confused:

edit: also, what is the new pentium D processor?

thanks so much in advance, I know yall get threads like this all the time

[Eriol]

the only thing I know about DDR2 ram is that its not supported by AMD yet, I believe there planning on supporting it by the end of 2006. As far as I know its not that big of a change, someone correct me if Im wrong.

[kosova]

he was looking at this dell...but I told him I could build him a better one for cheaper. However when I did my last build there was a bunch of new stuff coming out. Thats what I need help with: please educate me on DDR2 ram, the dual processors , the new graphics card pci express models and the motherboards that are compatible with all these new models. I've been checking out newegg but I'm kind of lost right now:confused:

edit: also, what is the new pentium D processor?

thanks so much in advance, I know yall get threads like this all the time

DDR2 is newer ram, there is speculation that AMD may skip to DDR3. Dual Processors have 2 chips on the die, from my understanding 2 cpu's in one. They cost more, great for heavy multitasking, but for gamers on mid budget it's wise to look away. As for video cards, the 7800GTX i hear is the hotest, I believe the 6200 and 6700 GT or GTX is coming out soon which will also be hot video cards. Motherboards, umm if ya dont know watch out, some are 20-pin (Old type) and the newer are 24-pin. The 20/24 pin is the main power connector for motherboards, almost all mobo's with Pci express will have a 24-pin mobo. Still for a video cards, i recommend the 6800GT (im running it and its great). While your hear look up in the search bar SLI (new tech that allows 2 video cards to work together to perform great feats in its field). Hope this helped, and not overkill

[jayb1234]

Pentium D Intel's latest Dual core processors. Two cores on the same die. 8xx models are 90nm and 9xx are 65nm. 840 extreme edition is hyperthreading for 4 channels available and the 955 will be too. For a general purpose machine, Intel is a better choice than AMD, which is geared more towards the hardcore gamers who are more worried about getting every possible FPS of video performance, than about stability or depenbability. Hard drives: The best value for the money at present are the 7200 rpm 16Mb cache models and Seagate or Western Digital are the brands to go with. Avoid the Raptor drives. They are overrated, overhyped and overpriced and are pretty noisy too. Optical Drives: Liteon has some nice dual layer cd/dvd burners that come with the burning software and a few with Lightscribe. SLI: Allows you to run two identical video cards together for better performance. Not needed for any reasonable real world applications, also overrated and overpriced. Video cards are now going over to the PCI-Express standard, AGP is on it's way out. Socket 478 boards and procesors are being phased out in favor of LGA 775. Amd latest socket is 939 Power supply specs now call for ATX 2.0 for the newer motherboards. Has a 24 pin main connector rather than the 20 pin on older boards.

[citercian{007}monk]

ok thanks alot thats what i needed...i guess some of the stuff i have on my build are already being phased out. Do you all think the intel D processor is any better than a higher end pentium? or is it just better at multitasking. (btw im sticking with intel)

thanks

[blue60007]

Then Pentium D's are going to be best at mutlitasking. It really depends on what your dad wants to do. For basic uses, a regular Pentium 4 (like a 630 or 640) will do the trick...

[pc master]

Good to see one person/The Pentium D will be better than nigh end pentium 4's when programs are coded to take advantage of the second core. most games will only use one core and leave the second idle. But only currently get a duel core if you want to future proof your self. So are you going to build the system. By choosing the XPS i assume so.


To perpare yourself for current duel for and future intel duel core processors the best thing you can do is to get a future proof motherboard. I have picked the intel BOXD955XBKLKR which is here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121286

of course you dont have to get an intel motherboard. really it is the chipset that matters most. Try and get one with the Intel 925XE(may be just 925X) or above

I dont know why that $200 dell came witan X600se. As a gaming system it should have had much better.

[citercian{007}monk]

just to get a feel for the market out there, would I be correct in assuming this is one of the top of the line mobos?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128002

I'm just trying to get my bearings on the current situation in the computer market. Also for the video card I'm guessing pci express would be the way to go? I dont really need the dual video card sli socket (?) because he wont do gaming.

[jayb1234]

That board uses the latest Intel chipset (975). Intel also shows this (http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/d975xbx/index.htm)board on thier website, but it is just being released and may be hard to find. Asus (http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=248&model=981&modelmenu=1) has this one. Intel then ASUS then Gigabyte would be my order of preference. The 9xx series of dual cores need at least an 945 chipset, and the 955 extreme edition hyperthreading processor will require a 975 chipset when it hits the market. Yes on the PCI-E video card. I doubt if you could even find a board with the chipsets I listed with AGP, since it is being phased out.

[citercian{007}monk]

Thanks jayb,

I have yet another question...I was on the intel site looking at the dual cpu's and their numbering system is sort of weird. The only difference between the 800's and the 900's is obviously the price and also the "architecture." my question is: what does the difference in architecture do? say I had the 840 (90 nm and 3.2 ghz) and the 920 (65 nm and 2.8 ghz), would the arhcitecture offset the clock speed of the processor

[Cricket]

The smaller die results in a processor that doesn't use as much power and it doesn't generate as much heat and it might allow the processor to ramp up to a faster clock speed (although it seems the manufacturer's have hit a wall at 4.0GHz.)

:) Cricket

[pc master]

The reasons i suggested that specific chipset was the future upgradabillity with Intels future duel core processors.(providing they still use skt775)

Although if you get a mobo with the 975 xhipset then you will have to buy a video card. But you can get very cheap pci-e cards anyway. Something like the GeForce 6200 or 6500.

Are you going duel core if so then dont use the stock intel heatsink. Use a better one.The pentium D runs hot with the stock heatsink.

[jayb1234]

Most of the people having heat issues with Intel processors ignored the Intel Thermally Advantaged Chassis specifications. Here (http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/53211.htm) is the list of cases that are compliant with the standard. You should not have heat issues if you get a case off that list. Also any aftermarket heatsink/fan unit will void the processor warranty, and there is no quarantee that it will be any better than the stock unit.

[blue60007]

Intel wouldn't package a cooler that was not sufficient for keeping the CPU cool. But like Jay said, you have to pay attention to the case design as well.

[citercian{007}monk]

ok thanks for the heads up on the cases and heat issues. much appreciated