Would like advice on a new build

[Achilles]

Case with PSU
Raidmax

Monitor
KDS 24"

Mother board
Gigabyte

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Wolfdale 3.16

Memory
OCZ 4gb (2 x 2) DDR2 1066

Hard Drive
Western Digital Cavier 500GB 7200rpm

Video Card
EVGA 512MB 8600GTS

CD/DVD Writer/Burner
Pioneer

First of all, this is my first time putting a build together. Will this be functional? I'll be getting Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit. I don't know what the 64 bit part means, would that work with my desktop? Would it be advisable to get a sound card or should I stick with what the motherboard has?

I already have decent speakers and a nice mouse. I'll be looking for a keyboard sometime...

[pam123]

The problem with a 64 bit operating system is program and driver compatibility.
So before you decide on that just make sure the programs you use/will use will run on it or have versions that will run on it when you buy them.

[Dave21]

1) You do not need 4 gb of ram because from your previous post you said you are not doing a lot of multitasking. I recommend getting corsair xms2 ddr2-900 2gb ram.

2) Get a seagate 7200.11 500 gb 32 mb cache HDD.

3) Try looking at a evga 9600GT video card. Or the 8800GT.

4) Go with vista 32 bit OS.

5) Try getting a lite-on drive.

[Katreat]

Swap out the PSU. Radmax PSUs are not very good and the PSU is very important in a gaming build. check out this list for quality PSUs

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

Rest of your build looks good to me. The 64 bit os will recognize all of your ram. Most newer software will run fine with it, must problem I see people having is with periferals like printers and scaners. So if you have older stuff or older software you might want to stay with 32 bit.

Kat

[Achilles]

@pam123: Are programs not running on a 64bit system common? I won't be using much... GIMP, Firefox, Microsoft stuff, Warcraft and a few other games...

@Dave21:
1. Would the additional RAM serve any purpose? It's close to dirt cheap so if it would help at all I think I'll just go with the extra 2 gigs.
2. I'm guessing that a 32mg cache would just make reading/writing go faster? That sounds like it would be a good addition.
3. What would the addition be good for? The only difference the one I'm thinking of getting is 8600 and the one you're suggesting 8800... Would it be much of a difference?
4. I think I might go with the 64 bit, any strong reasons why I shouldn't? I'll won't be using much old software/hardware and most of my programs are new and popular enough to probably have support for 64 bit.
5. What advantage does Lite-on hold? My CD/DVD drive is probably going to be used very rarely...

@Katreat: I got that same thought after reading some other information on this forum. I think I might actually go for a whole different case, but I'm not sure.

[pam123]

Any Valve games you want, must be bought in their 64 bit version to run on the Vista 64 bit OS.

Check the programs on the Vista compatibility list : http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.ph...atibility_List

[Katreat]

The 8800 GT and the 9600 GT both use the newer G92 GPU and are quite a step up in performance. I would also recommend them if you want to play newer games, the older 8600 series is a good general purpose card but the other too suggested are more true gamers. But the price will be higher so do what your budget will allow.

Kat

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by Achilles @pam123: Are programs not running on a 64bit system common? I won't be using much... GIMP, Firefox, Microsoft stuff, Warcraft and a few other games... @Dave21: 1. Would the additional RAM serve any purpose? It's close to dirt cheap so if it would help at all I think I'll just go with the extra 2 gigs. 2. I'm guessing that a 32mg cache would just make reading/writing go faster? That sounds like it would be a good addition. 3. What would the addition be good for? The only difference the one I'm thinking of getting is 8600 and the one you're suggesting 8800... Would it be much of a difference? 4. I think I might go with the 64 bit, any strong reasons why I shouldn't? I'll won't be using much old software/hardware and most of my programs are new and popular enough to probably have support for 64 bit. 5. What advantage does Lite-on hold? My CD/DVD drive is probably going to be used very rarely... @Katreat: I got that same thought after reading some other information on this forum. I think I might actually go for a whole different case, but I'm not sure.

1) The more ram, the more programs you can have opened. Yes it is cheap but if you really don't need it, why not wait till it gets cheaper? Also, 4 gb of ram will only be recognized with a 64 bit OS.

2) Yes, 32 mb cache is slightly faster.

3) It would be a HUGE difference in terms of performance. If you don't play video games at all, then just get a 8600 or a 9600gt (really good deal right now).

4) You might run into some drivers problem. Make sure all your hardware or software supports 64 bit.

5) Lite-on is a more reliable brand than the others.

[liambl]

Originally Posted by Katreat The 8800 GT and the 9600 GT both use the newer G92 GPU

The 9600GT actually uses the G94 GPU, which is a cut down G92 with less stream processors and ROPs. It still kicks the crap out of an 8600GTS though.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by pam123 Any Valve games you want, must be bought in their 64 bit version to run on the Vista 64 bit OS. Check the programs on the Vista compatibility list : http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.ph...atibility_List

Thanks for that link and info.

@Those who commented: Thanks for the info, I will probably get the better video card since my budget for this is actually $1800 (from my parents) and I'm at $1400 right now. (But I'm saving the additional for a cheap laptop, but I have my own savings that can contribute to that if needed). I plan on doing more research on the programs I run and see if I should go with 64bit or 32bit, thanks for letting me know about that.

@Dave21: I think I'll go with a Lite-on and the hard drive you suggested. Thanks.

@Everyone: Would it be advisable to get a sound card or should I stick with what the motherboard has?

[flanzig1]

On-board sound can be pretty good with a decent speaker system. You can add a sound card later if the on-board isn't to your liking.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 On-board sound can be pretty good with a decent speaker system. You can add a sound card later if the on-board isn't to your liking.

That's sort of what I was thinking of doing.. I have decent speakers so I'll see how it goes. Thanks for your advice.

I have another question. With the items I have listed what sort of PSU should I go for? I don't know much about them.. I was looking at this one, would it be good for what I have?

[shadowpr]

That would be more than enough for a powr supply.

You could even get a corsair 550 if it's cheaper.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by shadowpr That would be more than enough for a powr supply. You could even get a corsair 550 if it's cheaper.

The one you suggest and the one I put a link for cost almost exactly the same after the mail-in-rebate, which I'll probably do when I buy one.

I have a question about PSU's, what does 12V rail mean? The OCZ I'm looking at has 4, while the Corsair only has one. What does that mean?

[flanzig1]

"12v rail" means the 12 volt output of the PSU. Some PSUs have more than 1 12v output and some like the Corsair have one. The thing with multiple 12v rails is getting a good load balance between the different rails. A 1 rail PSU will provide all the power that is needed without having to worry one of the rails will be overloaded and others are idle.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 "12v rail" means the 12 volt output of the PSU. Some PSUs have more than 1 12v output and some like the Corsair have one. The thing with multiple 12v rails is getting a good load balance between the different rails. A 1 rail PSU will provide all the power that is needed without having to worry one of the rails will be overloaded and others are idle.

So that means if I bought the one with 4 12v rails I would have to mange the power in some way? If so... How?

[Alaron]

No. There are competing theories out there on the subject. Some say multiple rails are better and others say one big one is better. I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as you have a quality brand, you'll be fine.

We recommend Corsair units, they are very well built. The OCZ in your link is a good unit as well. Here is our list of brands to buy/avoid. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[pam123]

Back up a minute, here's the history.

When components took their jump in power requirements the original rails weren't up to the job.

So the 20 pin connector went to 24 the cpu got an auxiliary plug as did video cards ( not all of them by the way, some did and some didn't ).

The next iteration brought things down a bit ( the 9500 pro required an auxiliary connector the the 9600 didn't need one.) until the next jump which cranked everything up and so on.
(If you were buying high end parts the power requirements stayed up and got higher.).

It seems we're in the middle of another change and the single 12 volt line, depending on power supply and motherboard, is once again enough (puts out enough amps) for the job.
Is this going to change?
Yes.
If the single 12 volt line and the multiple put out the same power is it enough?
Probably, unless you've got a motherboard with a quirk ( Which is why you read specs and download the manual before you buy the board. Why get surprised later? ).

Bottom line; unless you've got a motherboard that insist otherwise or you're planning a quad cpu, quad gpu set up; if the 12 volt line puts out enough power ( and in these days of 750 watt power supplies it probably does), go with an approved maker that won't strip mine your wallet and forget the rest.

Will this change again?
Yeah, but crystal balls are over-rated.

[Achilles]

Thanks a lot for all the information. However, I am still confused as to how rails work in a PSU. How do I make sure each rail is getting a roughly equal amount of work? Is it just a matter of plugging certain plugs in separate components? (e.g. The motherboard gets one rail, the hard drive gets one, the processor gets one...) Or is there something more to it?

[liambl]

You can't change how they are managed to a degree. For a dual rail PSU here is how it usually goes. 1st rail: Motherboard, 1/2 IDE and SATA cables and 1 PCI-e plug. 2nd rail, CPU, 1/2 IDE and SATA cables and another PCI-e plug. You can try to even them out by say moving the graphics card to the other plug if you have a low power card and a very fast CPU that draws lots of current.

But if the PSU is of high quality you don't really need to think about it, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by liambl You can't change how they are managed to a degree. For a dual rail PSU here is how it usually goes. 1st rail: Motherboard, 1/2 IDE and SATA cables and 1 PCI-e plug. 2nd rail, CPU, 1/2 IDE and SATA cables and another PCI-e plug. You can try to even them out by say moving the graphics card to the other plug if you have a low power card and a very fast CPU that draws lots of current. But if the PSU is of high quality you don't really need to think about it, I wouldn't worry about it.

Alright, sounds good. I'll probably end up going with whichever is cheaper when I buy this stuff. That actually won't be until the end of the summer, but I'm having fun planning ahead.

[Achilles]

One thing I want to make sure of, the video card and the motherboard will work together, correct? I don't know if I just need to check the slots they have... The motherboard has 1 PCI Express x16 and the card requires PCI Express 2.0 x16... Does the 2.0 mean anything to me?

[liambl]

2.0 is the faster PCI-E standard, but it is compatible with the older 1.0.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by liambl 2.0 is the faster PCI-E standard, but it is compatible with the older 1.0.

So, would it be a good idea for me to get a motherboard that has a 2.0 slot? Would it make much of a difference?

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Achilles So, would it be a good idea for me to get a motherboard that has a 2.0 slot? Would it make much of a difference?

Now? No.
But in future proofing you ?
Yes.

[Achilles]

Alright, thanks.. I think I'll just stay with the motherboard I have. The ones I found that have a 2.0 slot all seem to be at least $250, and I don't think the $160 increase is worth it.

[pam123]

Don't buy anything yet.
You don't know it but you just enlisted a lot of "bargain" shoppers on your behalf.
Give us a few days to search (life intervenes).

[liambl]

There are a lot of mobos with PCI-e 2.0. Even my $80 Asus has it. Not that it makes much difference. On dual high end cards it may make a difference as the cards can communicate over a faster bus but with a single card no advantage.

[Achilles]

Actually I won't be buying anything for a month or two, so don't look for something that only has a temporary deal. I'm sick of high school and this is going to be the computer I use in college so I'm having a fun time making sure I get everything as good as I can. Which is part of the reason of why I'm putting this together so early.

Any big changes coming in technology in the next two months that I should know about (and that will affect what I'm looking at buying)?

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Achilles Actually I won't be buying anything for a month or two, so don't look for something that only has a temporary deal. I'm sick of high school and this is going to be the computer I use in college so I'm having a fun time making sure I get everything as good as I can. Which is part of the reason of why I'm putting this together so early. Any big changes coming in technology in the next two months that I should know about (and that will affect what I'm looking at buying)?

I like your mind-set.

The problem with "big changes" is that they come with big price tags.
More ram speed, more processor cores, and the 2.0 you noticed in motherboards and graphics cards.