Processor Confusion the Memory Wall and GHz

HeavyMetal · Post by **HeavyMetal** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:50 pm

Yow. I'm not looking to build a super computer. Extemes and FXs are way more that I would need. Plus the difference in practice is way not worth the cost.

Man. I'm not illiterate to computers, but damn. Are you guys ITs or just hardware junkies?

I'm just looking to run a good vid card and capture card not a server. I just hate a computer that jams up if want to surf the web, play music, and run a Virus scan all at the same time.

A couple of games aren't worth a nearly $1K chip.

Plus I want to stick it to Dell. They pissed me off big time. Award winning support and service my ass. Who issues that award?

oldwrench · Post by **oldwrench** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:35 pm

For a good all round vid card go for an ATI all in wonder. I have been using them in my last two computers and they work great. If you aren't into extreme gaming, use the mid range vid card, get the best prosessor for the money, The core duo is fastest but AMD might be more economical for what you get. Check the deals on New Egg and Tiger Direct. New Egg has user reviews that can be very helpfull in selecting parts.

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:19 pm

probably Dell (from the sound of it)
my knowlege comes from building my own computer.
did a lot of reading and research to make sure everything would work together (and to get some fairly good parts in it too)

based on your needs, I'd definately get a dual-core cpu (Athlon 64 X2's are still good)

for video card (I guess ATI is on top when it comes to performance/gaming)
I'd look into something inbetween RadeonX1600 and RadeonX1900
Nvidia still has some good stuff (usually a bit cheaper I think), if you go with that, look at the GeForce 7k line

You'll probably need a power supply rated for at least 400W (modular cabling is nice, but not a requirement...same with a big fan (>=120mm) and dual 12v rails, but I would consider the last two more important)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=106
Ultra has satisfied me...plus it's got all those nice features for a reasonable price :up (flexforce cables are also nice. very easy to tuck away somewhere in the case...imporves airflow)

Get a mobo with Sata, at least one pci-e x16 (two if you think you might want to utilize sli/crossfire in the future...assuming that the tech becomes more widely used. Right now, sli/crossfire would be a waste of your money) and possibly raid capabilities (Raid 0/1 are the basics...0+1/5 and others are nice options to have though)

get some decent ram (ddr if possible...but this may just be my personal preference)
look for cas latency 2, or 2-2-2-5 (best possible timings)
2.5-3-3-7 is still good (my laptop runs 1GB (2x512) ddr SoDIMM at 333MHz with these timings...got each stick for about $35)
anything with cas 3 or higher can pretty much be left unconsidered
DDR2 doesn't start to outperform DDR until you reach 667MHz (pc5400)
and even then, pc5400 only offers miniscule improvement over pc3200

Sata hard drives offer faster data transfer as well as smaller, more flexible cables (also helps with airflow)
I'd invest in some decent speakers. Klipsch, Logitech and Creative are good names.

LCD monitors are nice, but they only work really well at specific resolutions (usually the native or max resloution)
300 cd/m is good for brightness (I had to turn mine down)
500:1 contrast ratio is normal (for now), but higher is better
dot pitch of .294mm is normal, lower is better (gives you a sharper picture...usually)
go with name brands for this (LG, Samsung, Sony, Viewsonic, HP, etc)

and don't forget the all important floppy-disk drive (stupid win XP can't read drivers from cd's during installation)

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:00 am

about the ram
cas latency 2 are all 184pin based DIMM
Almost every board today used 240pin now DDR 800 cas letancy 3 or 4

HeavyMetal · Post by **HeavyMetal** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:53 pm

Bitchin. Thanks for the memory help. I was really at loss on that.

Yeah Dell pissed me off so I thought I would build my own. If I just wanted something simple no sweat, but I figure why not push it.

NVIDIA gets put in all the game consoles, but ATI works I guess. I'm lookin' for bang for buck really. I don't plan to play enough games to justify some $300 card.

I've got an 800:1 LCD. They do go funny if you put them off default res. Thats because their pixels have specific locations while CRT just gets spratyed about I guess.

SATA looks good. Smaller cables probably help improve air flow in the case too.

I won't give up Floppy without a fight even if the brand computers dump them. They are nice for quick things since not everywhere takes flash drives, like say picture printers in retail stores.

I didn't know XP was bitchy about drives like that. That is so retarded. Why does every Windows have some dark evil secret to hide.

Anyone know if Media Center is good?? Everyone is pushing it and Windows Vista with little explanation. *cough* Dell Jackasses *cough*

Thanks everyone. You guys should get together and make a guide or book or something. I'd buy if I saw it in a book store.

oldwrench · Post by **oldwrench** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:06 am

best way to learn about memory is to search the manufacturers sites. They usually have some very good help and explainations of what each type is and what you need. They also have lists on the mobo manufacturers sites of recomended memory.

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:46 am

Actually the gamecube is powwred by ATI
the xbox 360 I belive has a custom GPU built ATI
and PS3 will also feature ATI

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:42 pm

Joe88 wrote:Actually the gamecube is powwred by ATI
the xbox 360 I belive has a custom GPU built ATI
and PS3 will also feature ATI

GameCube is using an ATI GPU.
XBOX is using an NVIDIA GPU.
XBOX 360 is using an ATI GPU.
Wii is to use an ATI GPU.
PS3 is to use a NVIDIA GPU.

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:07 pm

Why do you need a floppy drive for the installation? I mean, I've got one myself and I think it's still a good thing to have, but I've never had to use it for installing drivers or anything of the sort. I only had to use the Windows installation disc when I installed WinXP Pro (SP1A) on my own rig.

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:27 pm

if you have any external/third party scsi or raid drivers (even if your mobo has a hardware raid controller) you have to use a floppy.

windows xp won't let you install the OS on a raid set (without drivers).
so you have to install it on a non-raid set first, copy the drivers, re-format the drive(s), create the raid set, install the OS (should be able to load the drivers before the volume install selection page)

took me the better part of a week to figure it out (had to work through a ntldr is missing error, among others)