Build a decent pc for my brother

[JrockMod]

Hey guys I need your advise to see if this is a good setup or not. I want a computer for my brother that will last and that is pretty fast. He doesn't mind in graphics (he is more into MAME than the new games) He just want something that loads certain programs fast like photoshop, and fl studio and such. He wants speed. I was told that I don't have to pay extremely alot for speed. So will this satisfy his needs? and will this all function right? He will be running XP

MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131327

Well I changed my mind, I'm going to get this instead http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138035

PCU (Why one is cheaper than the other?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028
or
is there a better processor than this that is under 200$? because I seen these have 3.0 ghz and I was told that its all about the ghz. Or is there more than just the ghz? if neither of these are good can ya help me out on getting something good?

Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ny%208500%20gt


My old ram
ddr3 2 512 mb = 1gb ram

My old psu
450 psu

HDD
320 hdd


thnx guys!

[Dave21]

If you want something reliable, you need a reliable motherboard to support it along with a reliable PSU.

That biostar board will not support your ddr3 ram.

The asus board you chose is good if you want to use your ddr3 ram. If you want to get ddr2 ram, I suggest corsair xms2 ddr2-800 2x 1gb ram with asus p5k or p5q-e motherboard.

The difference between the pricing of those CPU is due to the cache size.

What brand is your PSU?

[JrockMod]

I use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by JrockMod I use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

The link you gave me directs me to the processor, not the PSU.

[JrockMod]

oh my psu is a 500 watt that comes with the case. I'm just concern about the pcu mostly, I want to give him my old one and get the new one. what pcu is better than this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004 but cost less than 200 bucks?

[Alaron]

Just to clarify, the acronym is "PSU" for Power Supply Unit and "CPU" for Central Processing Unit. Using 'pcu' is going to confuse some folks.

Second, we need to know exactly what you have already to know if you can re-use it.

I would avoid that Biostar board. The chipset is very old-tech and is going to limit your upgrading options later. Go with something new like the Asus P5Q Pro. We can change models if that is over budget.

As mentioned, you need DDR2-800 Ram to use the Asus boards. Corsair is a fine brand to use for RAM.

I would use the E8400 processor. It is the best bang for the buck CPU you can buy right now. The E6400 is a couple of generations old now.

Power supplies that come with cases are rarely good quality. What brand is yours? It is very likely you'll need to replace it.

[flanzig1]

For a CPU, the Intel E8400 would be in your price range at $170. For multitasking, the Intel E6600 Quad is priced at $200.
As for gHz, they really doesn't matter that much anymore with the Intel Core CPUs. With the Core CPUs it's about how effiecent they do work that they work faster than older CPUs with higher gHz ratings.
As for the PSU, most ones that come with cases are junk except for Antec and maybe Coolermaster.

[JrockMod]

hmm alright so lets say I wanted to upgrade my http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004 pcu. What would be the best thing to get thats under 200 bucks. and also is my pcu a good one? or should it get replaced?

in other words I'm asking this.

I own this mobo http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813135026
with this pcu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115004

I'm purchasing this mobo for my brother http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131278

and I need a pcu card with it. But what I want to do is give him my old pcu and get the new one. What should I do? or is this possible?

[liambl]

Please take Alarons advice, using "pcu" is very confusing in your posts, as it is half way between CPU (the correct term) and PSU.

All I could understand from your post was the best CPU for under $200. To answer that:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017
for general use

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036
would be slightly faster in games.

[Chris Linder]

I would strongly recommend that you use a new power supply with your new parts. Using an old power supply is asking for trouble , The old power supply may have years of use on it and the wattage it gives could vary up and down some witch could cause havick on your new parts. Try this one , the Quality is good and the price is to



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104037

[JrockMod]

how can pcu confuse anyone? I own a 750 watt psu (POWER SUPPLY) also I have a 450 antec psu (POWER SUPPLY LOL) the psu(POWER SUPPLY) isn't the issue. I'm concern about the pcu (CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT) if I can give my old processor to my brothers new computer and I get a newer processor for my mobo.

[Alaron]

Central Processing Unit. Mixing up the 'c' and the 'p' is confusing everyone.

Here is the lowdown. Your ECS motherboard cannot handle newer processors (the E8000 series). I'd just leave the E6400 in it.

As for the brother's machine, use the E8500 we recommend in the P5K board you chose.

Then you're all set.

[JrockMod]

thank you alaron. =) but i do got another question who's computer will be better in all around?

I have 9600 gt he has 8500 gt video card
I got 4 gb ram vista he got 1 gb ram xp

I have ecs he p5k
I have 750 psu he has 400 psu

I have 2.13, and he'll get the e8500

so which pc would you guys rather have?

[bailey]

let me say this, anything with a ECS motherboard is junk,

thats just my thoughts on it.

bob
WB7DMX

[Alaron]

Well if you're gaming, the 9600GT and 4GB machine is going to be the better option. If not, either one gets the job done.

ECS doesn't have the best reputation for quality. We don't recommend them to buyers. But if yours is working fine, go with it.

[JrockMod]

Originally Posted by Alaron Well if you're gaming, the 9600GT and 4GB machine is going to be the better option. If not, either one gets the job done. ECS doesn't have the best reputation for quality. We don't recommend them to buyers. But if yours is working fine, go with it.

Well what would his proffer over mine? like is his faster in speed by opening application and such? or will they be very identical?

[Alaron]

Depends on what apps you're using. Something like Office really isn't going to be noticeably different. But PhotoShop would probably be faster with more RAM to work with.

They are two different machines, its a bit like comparing apples to oranges.

[super wonky wookie]

Originally Posted by Alaron Central Processing Unit. Mixing up the 'c' and the 'p' is confusing everyone. Here is the lowdown. Your ECS motherboard cannot handle newer processors (the E8000 series). I'd just leave the E6400 in it. As for the brother's machine, use the E8500 we recommend in the P5K board you chose. Then you're all set.

whats the difference between the p5k and the p5q?

[Rev_pizzaguy]

They are completely different boards. They use different chipsets (P35 vs. P45), different bios features, different SATA controllers (ICH9 vs. ICH10), different PCI Express (PCIE x16 vs. PCIE 2.0 x16). To summarize, there is quite a bit of difference.

[super wonky wookie]

Originally Posted by Rev_pizzaguy They are completely different boards. They use different chipsets (P35 vs. P45), different bios features, different SATA controllers (ICH9 vs. ICH10), different PCI Express (PCIE x16 vs. PCIE 2.0 x16). To summarize, there is quite a bit of difference.

?
. .
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please dumb that down a wwwwweeeee bit more. is one better then the other?

[Rev_pizzaguy]

That would depend on your needs and your pocketbook! The P5Q is a relatively new board and is still a little pricey.

P5Q Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299

P5K SE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131278

So, in order to answer your question, I would have to know what is the definition of "better" to you?

[super wonky wookie]

Originally Posted by Rev_pizzaguy That would depend on your needs and your pocketbook! The P5Q is a relatively new board and is still a little pricey. P5Q Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 P5K SE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131278 So, in order to answer your question, I would have to know what is the definition of "better" to you?

better for gaming, and would either one take a e8500 straight out of the box or would i have to update them first.

just curious.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

P5Q series uses PCIE 2.0 x16 (more potential bandwidth than PCIE 1.1 x16, though not many cards really utilize this yet). To compare more exact models, the P5K Pro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131275) is very similar to the P5Q Pro (both support Crossfire), with the exception of a few more SATA ports and PCIE 2.0. If RAID matters to you, the P5Q has ICH10R, which is just a little newer version of ICH9R. So, for most purposes, it isn't going to make a difference right now, unless vid card manufacturers start really making use of the PCIE 2.0 specs.

[super wonky wookie]

Originally Posted by Rev_pizzaguy P5Q series uses PCIE 2.0 x16 (more potential bandwidth than PCIE 1.1 x16, though not many cards really utilize this yet). To compare more exact models, the P5K Pro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131275) is very similar to the P5Q Pro (both support Crossfire), with the exception of a few more SATA ports and PCIE 2.0. If RAID matters to you, the P5Q has ICH10R, which is just a little newer version of ICH9R. So, for most purposes, it isn't going to make a difference right now, unless vid card manufacturers start really making use of the PCIE 2.0 specs.

cool, thx

[Rev_pizzaguy]

Oh, as far as supporting an E8500 out of the box, the P5Q will, and the P5K should as well.

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...05&modelmenu=1

States supports 45nm procs. Depends on how old the box is you get, but bios should be up to date. If not, flashing the bios is pretty easy.