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11-25-2008, 09:03 PM
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#1 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
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First Build: Some Questions
I've decided to give building my own gaming PC a try. I've been doing a lot of research here, and I think I've compiled a good initial list of components. I just want to make sure I don't have any compatibility issues, and also that what I've selected will give me at least a little room for upgrades down the road should I decide to do so.
Case- Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 MB- ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 GPU- XFX GX260NADDU GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150310 PSU- CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 Opitcal- LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS220-08 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106265 HDD- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148274 Monitor- Samsung Synchmaster 226BW 22" Widescreen This is what I am currently using for over a year now, and its great. I'll probably end up using this to avoid spending more money than I should. You'll notice I have no OS or Memory listed. This is where I have a few questions: 1) I'd like to add a decent amount of RAM. At the very least 2.5 to 3 GB. Preferably more. It is my understanding that WindowsXP (32 bit) can only run up to 3 GB, INCLUDING the memory on the video card. Does this mean I will be limited to 2 GB of RAM with the card I have selected, should I choose to run the 32 bit version of XP? 2) If the answer to the above is yes, is my only option to go with a 64 bit OS? If so, and I realize this is highly subjective, do I go with the 64 bit XP, or go all the way with Vista? I've read many scary things about both of them, such as many programs and games not running on a 64 bit OS, drivers being a nightmare to find, etc. Is Vista as bad as its reputation is? 3) I'm now also reading that the video card is quite large. I actually read a review that said it was quite a hassle to fit this card into the case I've selected. How should i expect to deal with this? Will it involve modding the case? The card? Is it worth avoiding the hassle altogether and getting a bigger case? Thanks for any replies. I wouldn't have even gotten THIS far without the wealth of information on these boards! Last edited by Cire84; 11-25-2008 at 09:57 PM. Reason: Added another question. |
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11-25-2008, 09:56 PM
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#2 |
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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First off I would go for a higher wattage PSU. Don't skimp on the power supply. A 750 watt would be better, Corsair has a 750 watt. And here is the specs for your motherboard.
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?mo...11&l3=709&l4=0 You can go with the new DDR2 1200 memory. But it will be more expensive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%20(PC2%209600) Your motherboard is compatible with lower speeds too. 4 x DIMM, max. 16GB, DDR2 1200 / 1066 / 800 / 667 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered memory Make sure you get compatible memory. As for the OS if your going to stay with 2 or 3 GB of RAM I would stay with Windows XP or Vista 32bit. I have Vista 64 and have had no problems running 32 bit software. There is a 32 bit compatibility mode in Vista 64, so if you ever want to jump the 4 GB barrier Vista64 is a very good alternative. |
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11-25-2008, 10:57 PM
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#3 |
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I like me
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 7,332
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That power supply is perfectly fine for that set up.
With ram, get ddr2-800 2x2gb. Reguardless of what os you decide to get. The price is right on that. Corsair, G. Skill, A-data, Mushkin, Crucial are all good brands. Get cas 5. Also, look at the newer 260. It costs a bit more, but out performs the old one. As for a OS, I personally like Vista 64, and haven't had any problems with it. Only thing that might cause problems would be older peripherals and hardware.
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It's coming....just you wait. |
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11-25-2008, 11:53 PM
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#4 | |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
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Quote:
So even if I stay with XP, I'll be good with 4gb? On top of whatever memory comes with the GPU? I guess I'm just confused about how much memory XP can handle. Would I be at risk of impacting my overall performance if I exceeded the memory that XP can handle? |
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11-26-2008, 11:05 AM
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#5 |
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I like me
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 7,332
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No downside.
Even if windows doesn't see all of it, it will still use as much of the 4gb as it can. |
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11-26-2008, 11:11 AM
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#6 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 207
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RAM is one of the cheapest components these days... so even though a 32 bit system can't use all 4GB... buy buying a 2x2GB package you ensure that the sytem gets every last possible byte of RAM it can handle. I'm running a 32 bit system w/ a 4GB total pair of Corsair XMS2 800. I am also running a GTX260 and E8400 off of a Corsair 620w modular PSU just fine. The only reason you would truly need 750 is if you are going to SLI ever... which isn't really worth it 90% of the time.
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Gaming Rig(March 2008 Build): ANTEC 900 Case w/ Stock Cooling, Intel Q9300 2.5GHz Quad, 4GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz, 750w Corsair PSU, WD Caviar 500GB 7200RPM, EVGA nVidia 780i SLI, EVGA GTX-470, Pioneer DVD+/-R w/ Lightscribe HTPC (May 2010 Build): nMEDIAPC 2000B ATX, AMD Athalon II Regor 2.8GHz Dual Core, 2GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz, 400w Corsair PSU, WD Caviar 500GB, MSI 770T-C45 Motherboard, EVGA nVidia GeForce 210 512MB, Lite-On DVD+/-R w/ Lightscribe |
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11-26-2008, 12:39 PM
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#7 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
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Thanks for the replies. I'll stick with XP.
So this is the updated list with the memory and the newer graphics card: Memory- CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 GPU- XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150330 Case- Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 MB- ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 PSU- CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 Opitcal- LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS220-08 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106265 HDD- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148274 Monitor- Samsung Synchmaster 226BW 22" Widescreen |
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11-26-2008, 12:58 PM
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#8 |
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I like me
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 7,332
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Looks good.
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11-26-2008, 01:14 PM
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#9 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,557
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The Antec 900 is going to be on sale for $59 w/free shipping for Newegg's Black Friday sale.
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11-26-2008, 01:30 PM
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#10 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
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Thanks for the tip on the case. I saw the 260 will be on sale too. This may leave me room to consider upgrading something. Hmmm...
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