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06-27-2009, 06:26 PM
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#1 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Another new build thread.
Hi. I'm new : ). I apologize, I've looked over the forums and have seen a lot of "new build" and "first time build" threads, so it must be frustrating, but unfortunately I'm adding to the library : |
I'm a gamer, and I'm stuck using an old Compaq (from the 90's UGH!) with some modifications to it...but alas it's on it's last legs as it no longer suits my needs. I'm not a huge gamer...i'm not going to be running Crysis on full specs or anything, I just need Games like Spore and Sims 3 to run adequately (and Fallout 3...some Call of Duty...etc) Anyway i've scoured Newegg.com and put together a list using the "Generic New build list," and will provide it below. If some veterans could kindly make sure i'm not spending too much (or too little) and perhaps offer some information to the good and bad brands that I may have selected I would be extremely grateful for your time. Note; no HDD has been selected as I'm harvesting my HDD from my current computer, if it's statistics would be handy let me know and I will provide. No Primary or Secondary Optical have been selected because (if possible) i'd love to harvest the ones i'm using now (to save some $$$) but, I'm not sure that'd be a good idea? Everything there after I already posess (save the OS, should I upgrade from XP to Vista? I've heard terrible things...) Also...never built a computer in my LIFE...so the technical jargon range for me is pretty narrow : ( Thank you again for your time, if this is the wrong place or a bad post i'll clean it or remove it, apologies in advance if that's the case. |
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06-27-2009, 06:56 PM
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#2 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Location: London, UK
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I'm no vet, but I've been reading long enough to guess what they'll say.
 First, what is your budget? Change the PSU, Rosewill are rubbish. Most people here will recommend Seasonic or Corsair. Hold off on the sound card and try the onboard audio first. If you don't like it, you can add one later anyway. Gigabyte make decent mobos, but most people here will say get an Asus P5Q or P5Q Pro. I hope at least one bit of that is right 
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06-27-2009, 07:13 PM
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#3 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
Is the Case ok or should I move away from Rosewill as well? The reviews for the Asus P5Q don't appear to praise it very much...I see a few about it not even working X.x? Also, changed the PSU to a SeaSonic/SS-330GB, and removed the Sound Card ( I figured there would be on board audio with a Mobo, but I wasn't sure so I thought what the H, might as well? GOOD saved some $$!) Thank you much! I'm on step closer to a satisfactory Computer...I hope >.> |
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06-27-2009, 07:29 PM
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#4 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Case (as far as I know) is personal preference.
As for Newegg reviews, take them with a pinch of salt. The people who post them don't usually know what they're talking about or what they're doing a lot of the time. Khalil (one of the vets who's made thousands of systems) always recommends Asus motherboards. And I shall forever remember you as the first person I truly helped  (even though I'm copying every word from the more experienced members  )
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06-27-2009, 07:36 PM
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#5 |
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Avanzato Tecnico
Premium Member
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Location: Illinois
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Hi there, welcome to PCmech forums.
330W is not enough for any kind of gaming, you want a Sea Sonic, FSP, Corsair or Antec 550W or higher. The Corsair 550W is perfect for this build. You want a P45 chipset instead of the P43, Asus is prefered, P5Q or P5Q Pro. Nvidia cards are excellent but ATI are better for gaming currently. For that price you can get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102825 newegg reviews are mostly by amatures, you can't rely on them. The P5Q is an awesome motherboard.
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06-27-2009, 10:02 PM
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#6 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
i'll definately go with ATI you suggested(it's a sad departure from Nvidia...they were my first graphic card...) thank you so much for that bit of information. I switched to the CORSAIR/550VX as you suggested, but there's quite a few P5Q's listed...how's the P5Q SE Plus? Now I assume Khalil that a lot of your knowledge is self gained, or learned through classes of some sort...any articles that could make me a little more tech savvy like you? Cause I gotta be honest... the phrase "p45 Chipset" to me means 45 chips in a doritos bag : D |
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06-27-2009, 10:24 PM
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#7 |
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Forum Administrator
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You should plan for a new hard drive and DVD burner. Parts from the 90's will be IDE and obsolete. Get a SATA hard drive and DVD burner.
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06-27-2009, 10:47 PM
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#8 |
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Avanzato Tecnico
Premium Member
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My knowledge is from building almost 10,000 computers and repairing 3 times that many. I am not alone on this forum though, there are several very knowledgable guys, probably more knowledgable than me. This forum and google is all you need to learn how to build PCs.
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06-28-2009, 05:01 PM
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#9 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
Nice to come across a community of people who are willing to help (gasp, that's what a forum is!? ha ha...) And the HDD I have now isn't from the 90's, it's a newer (maybe 2-3 years old). I added it just a week ago (ran out of space...stock was 40gig...feh) and managed to do that much by myself ^.^ one step closer I suppose right?? The DVD and CD drives are old though...guess I should update those too. Ok then, so far... ITEM BRAND/MODEL Case:______________Rosewill/R5601-BK_______ PSU: ______________CORSAIR/550VX________ Mobo: ___________GIGABYTE/GA-EP43-UD3l___ CPU: ________Intel Core 2 Duo/BX80570E8400_ RAM: ______________OCZ/OCZ2N800SR4GK___ Video Card: _______Spphire/Vapor-X__________ Now here's to show how REALLY behind I am, are there drives that can read CD and DVD both? Or willl I have to buy two seperate? Again, thank you so much for the help |
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06-28-2009, 05:27 PM
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#10 |
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Banned
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Almost all modern DVD burners can read and write both DVDs and CDs for $20-30.
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06-28-2009, 06:17 PM
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#11 |
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Forum Administrator
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Step the mobo up to a P45 chipset. I highly recommend the Asus P5Q or P5Q Pro.
If your hard drive is IDE, buy a new SATA hard drive. I don't care how big or new it is, IDE does not work well in the new boards. WD Blacks start at 500gb and don't cost a lot. Buy one SATA DVD burner, it will do everything. |
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06-28-2009, 07:35 PM
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#12 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131335 versus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131296 both P5Q...but would the $99 one get the job done? |
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06-28-2009, 07:49 PM
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#13 |
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06-28-2009, 10:31 PM
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#14 | |
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Quote:
 I'm thinking the Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS. 500gigs for $60, looks like it is the right kind, 3Gb/s, matches the mobo...any comment on Western Digital? I saw an awful lot of HDD ranging in space all for $60 ish, and this seems to be good, but again I know nothing...does it sacrifice something for such a large space or something? |
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06-28-2009, 11:49 PM
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#15 |
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I recommend a western digital caviar black drive.
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06-29-2009, 02:38 AM
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#16 |
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The Black is fast, has 32mb cache, and a 5 year warranty. The SE16 is an older design. The 500gb Black is 70 bucks, but so is the 640gb. The 750gb is $80 and the 1tb is $100.
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06-29-2009, 01:32 PM
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#17 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Went with the WD-Black 500gig, if I ever need more i'll add another I figure, not worried about it right now, Haven't even filled up my 160gig.
finally for the CD/DVD drive, a LITE-ON DVD-ROM Drive iHDS118-04, but for the P5Q, will I need something else to hook it up? It says there's only one eSATA port in the "rear panels" spec...will I need that one for the HDD, and have to buy something to attach the DVD drive too? After this, i'm all finished and my computer will finally be "complete"...then i'll have to invite my computer friend over to help me put it together XD |
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06-29-2009, 01:36 PM
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#18 | |
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Banned
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Quote:
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06-29-2009, 01:48 PM
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#19 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
One other issue I forgot to bring up...cooling? Will the fans provided with the Rosewill case be enough, or will I want to buy some more? The CPU comes with one, but have the been found to be adequate, or will a better one extend it's life? Otherwise here it is. Thanks for your help guys! Last edited by Bio Hazard; 06-29-2009 at 02:57 PM. Reason: wrong file uploaded |
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06-29-2009, 03:41 PM
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#20 |
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Member (11 bit)
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You should be fine on cooling. Using anything other than the fan that comes with the CPU will void your warranty (And is unnecessary unless you're doing serious overclocking). What computer did the XP cd come with? I know you can't use the Dell ones on non-dell motherboards. From a legality standpoint, you're fine as long as you remove the OS from the other computer; the license is for one machine at a time.
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06-29-2009, 08:28 PM
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#21 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
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06-29-2009, 09:42 PM
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#22 |
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Avanzato Tecnico
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Legally you can't use the Compaq license on a new computer you are building.
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06-30-2009, 12:39 AM
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#23 |
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A Compaq restore CD cannot be used on a different computer. It will not install.
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06-30-2009, 10:48 AM
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#24 |
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Dang it. Any place I can still get XP? Or am I stuck with Vista? Would I be better off waiting for the new MS OS to come out?
Last edited by Bio Hazard; 06-30-2009 at 10:56 AM. |
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06-30-2009, 11:25 AM
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#25 |
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06-30-2009, 11:39 AM
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#26 | |
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Member (5 bit)
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Quote:
heh heh...ok so I suck at life. I typed XP in the search box...I guess seeing the first one priced at +$2000, and all vista products afterwards I got a little discouraged. Thanks, I found the home edition. I think this completes my computer ^.^! YAY now to order everything and assemble it...fortunately I have to PC builder friends to assist me...but if anyone can offer any gems of wisdom with the parts I have...you know things to be careful of, or little tricks to make it easier...that would be great, and then i'll just let the thread die out.
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06-30-2009, 12:42 PM
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#27 |
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Following these procedures will reduce the chances of issues when you first turn the machine on, and will make any problems much easier to diagnose: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456
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06-30-2009, 12:44 PM
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#28 | |
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Quote:
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06-30-2009, 12:46 PM
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#29 |
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Member (11 bit)
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Or you can download the Windows7 Release candidate (for free) and purchase a $50 upgrade before Jul 11 to the full Win7. They'll ship you a CD when it comes out.
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06-30-2009, 12:48 PM
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#30 | |
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Banned
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Quote:
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