New computer, similar budget as last build

[WizDawg]

I want to get my dad a new computer for Christmas. I was going to make an exact copy of what I put together for myself back in June of 2006, just because I know all the parts work good together, but then got to thinking a lot of new stuff is probably out there.

What I bought back in June of 06 was...

$150 ASUS P5LD2 Deluxe LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard
$178 Intel Pentium D 930 Presler 3.0GHz LGA 775 95W Processor
$143 CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
$100 Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 Power Supply

What would be todays equivalent? If I can just get some direction with the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and what PSU to go with it, I can figure out the rest on my own (or ask about it later). I just haven't kept up with the new technology.

Thanks,
Brian

[glc]

Asus P5K-E
Intel E6750
Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
Antec Sonata 3

Do you need a video card? If he isn't gaming, get the P5K-VM board with onboard video.

[WizDawg]

No gaming at all. He might do a little (very little) bit of 2D cad work.

A question about the motherboard and RAM. Even though the specs on for the motherboard says 8GB RAM supported, from what I understand, XP will only support 2GB. Is that correct?

[shadowpr]

xp (32 bit) will show anywhere from 2.75 to 3.25gb.

A 64 bit OS would be needed for it to see more.

[WizDawg]

Thanks shadowpr, that is what I thought. I remember 32 bit XP limiting the amount of RAM.

To anyone else..
How come the P5K-E board (without onboard video) is more money than the P5K-VM (with onboard video)? What does the P5K-E have that the P5K-VM doesn't?

Thanks

[wildfire]

Originally Posted by WizDawg Thanks shadowpr, that is what I thought. I remember 32 bit XP limiting the amount of RAM. To anyone else.. How come the P5K-E board (without onboard video) is more money than the P5K-VM (with onboard video)? What does the P5K-E have that the P5K-VM doesn't? Thanks

I'm pretty sure that the P5K-E has wireless and uses a new P35 Chipset. The P5K-VM has onboard video, No wireless and uses a G33 Chipset.

[glc]

Set up a comparison at Newegg, you will find that the P5K-E has a lot more features, which I doubt you would really need anyway. I'd say do the P5K-VM and add a video card later if it's needed. It has a PCI-Ex16 slot. I'd recommend XP and 2 gigs of ram for now.

[WizDawg]

I am a little confused to the relation between the motherboard, CPU, and RAM.

What I run now and was told was compatible parts is..
Mobo FSB 1066/800/533 MHz
RAM DDR2-533
CPU D930 800 MHz FSB

The parts GLC suggested would be
Mobo FSB 1333/1066MHz
RAM DDR2-800
CPU Intel E6750 1333MHz

Which numbers are suppose to match?

Thanks

[glc]

The motherboard has to be able to support the processor bus speed. We recommend that you use ram that is one step faster than the bus - the base bus for a 1333 bus processor is 333, the exact match ram would be 667. 800 is one step faster than 667.

[ArtBest]

Originally Posted by glc Do you need a video card? If he isn't gaming, get the P5K-VM board with onboard video.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I see this comment from a lot of people here and have a question. I have always used a seperate video card, not because of the need for better video (because I don't play video intensive games), but to get all of that substantial load of video off of the main system. Certainly that includes the use of system memory for video memory, but doesn't the use of on on-board GPU also require the use of the CPU? In other words, I'm not worried about better video, I'm worried about better overall system performance and want to get the video off the main system. The other less important (but video-related) reason is because even if the on-board GPU is as good, the system memory and the memory bus speed are both way slower than the memory and memory bus speed of a seperate video card.

Conseqeuntly, to me the choice has always been, if you game, get a good fast video card with lots of memory designed for gaming; if you don't game get a nice basic video card with, say, 256m of memory. But I've never really considered using the on-board video. Right now, something like a 256meg Radeon HD 2400Pro would probably be great for non-gamers, costs less than $100, and gets all the video processing load off the mainboard. Even a cheaper than that card would probably suffice.

But after reading these forums, I'm thinking that my view on this could be oudated and tied to the days when a lot of the processing for onboard video was handled by the CPU itself. Maybe my concerns aren't valid any more. That's why I'm asking for your thoughts on the subject. Thanks in advance.

[glc]

Today's processors are fast and strong enough that the extra load is not significant. Hence my recommendation to use the onboard, you can always add a card later if you need to.

[WizDawg]

Originally Posted by glc The motherboard has to be able to support the processor bus speed. We recommend that you use ram that is one step faster than the bus - the base bus for a 1333 bus processor is 333, the exact match ram would be 667. 800 is one step faster than 667.

How do you know the exact match for a 1333 MHz bus (133 MHz base bus) is 667 RAM? How is it figured out? Just curious.


What is the base bus for my 800 MHz bus Pentium D? What is the exact match RAM? At the time I was told to get 533, but 667 was cheaper, thats why I have that.

Thanks

[glc]

Divide the processor by 4, divide the ram by 2. 1333 base bus is 333, not 133. 800 base bus is 200. Exact match for the 800 P-D is 400, 533 is one step higher. 667 is fine, it will downclock if necessary.

[WizDawg]

Thanks.

Question about the motherboard with on board video. You suggested the P5K-VM. When I search it on newegg, I get this link...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131187

Its description is Micro ATX form factor. Is that correct. Will it fit in the Sonata 3 case and work with that PSU that comes with that case? The other board your sugested, the P5K-E, says its just ATX, which I would guess is different.

[glc]

Micros fit fine in standard cases and have the same PSU connectors. If you want a full size board for whatever reason, get a P5K-V.

[WizDawg]

Originally Posted by glc Micros fit fine in standard cases and have the same PSU connectors. If you want a full size board for whatever reason, get a P5K-V.

Nope, MICRO is fine with me. And its cheaper. I assume it works just as well. Just wanted to check the compatibility.

[Katreat]

More mATX boards have on-board video because they are commonly used in small case set ups which dont have room for video cards. When buying a mATX board just be sure it has the connectors you need and want. The smaller boards come with fewer bells and whistles, but if they have what you need then they are fine.

Kat

[WizDawg]

Can you guys please review this list. Am I missing anything? Everything compatible? Thanks!

CASE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024
RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034
MOTHERBOARD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131187
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029
HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073
DVD-RW http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072
Floppy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821103203

[glc]

Incorrect ram - that's CAS 4 2.1 volt. You need CAS 5 1.8 or 1.9 volt for best stability.

Rest looks good. If you think a memory card reader would be handy, look at the Mitsumi combo floppy drive/card reader instead of the plain old floppy.

[Barbrich]

glc, I have a question now. I had pretty much decided one the P5K-E board. Is the PK5-V a better more stable board? What is the main difference in the two?

[WizDawg]

Originally Posted by glc Incorrect ram - that's CAS 4 2.1 volt. You need CAS 5 1.8 or 1.9 volt for best stability. Rest looks good. If you think a memory card reader would be handy, look at the Mitsumi combo floppy drive/card reader instead of the plain old floppy.

Oh no, out of that whole list I already bought 2 things, and 1 of them happened to be the RAM. I will return it or see if I can cancel the order if it did not ship yet.

glc,
Can you send me the newegg link for the correct RAM. I can't see to find it.

Thanks

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by WizDawg Can you send me the newegg link for the correct RAM. I can't see to find it.

Here ya go.

Cricket

[WizDawg]

I just gave this new computer to my dad and we are having 1 problem. I am using the on-board video from the Asus P5K-VM motherboard. The manual says it supports up to 2084 x 1536 @ 75 Hz. The monitor I got him was a Samsung WM220. This is a 22" wide screen with a native resolution of 1680 x 1050. I can't seem to find this resolution. It is not an option in the drop down box. How can I fix this? Does the onboard video of the P5K-VM not support this specific resolution?

-Brian

[shadowpr]

Did you install the drivers for the onboard video?

[WizDawg]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Did you install the drivers for the onboard video?

Yes, from Asus.com, then samsung.com, then intel.com, no luck with any of those.