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Just built my first computer. Well, built about 75% of it, the motherboard and power supply were already installed, but I managed to install the processor, harddrive, RAM and Graphics Card, which is twice the amount of work I've ever done on a computer before that.

It went fairly well, except that the hal.dll got corrupted on the harddrive (They were all old parts from my previous computers, but I mixed and matched and managed to put one together), so it restored factory settings, which is somewhat sad because I was curious to see what treasures from my childhood I had on it, but with that also came viruses...so, not much harm done.

Anyhow, my Frankenstein computer's specs are:

3.0 GHz AMD x2 Dual Core.
1GB of 667 MHz RAM, 512MB per stick.
Radeon x800 (lol). My very first graphics card, little bugger has lasted me for ages, and can still play a mean game of Half Life 2.
200GB Harddrive.
It's currently missing a sound card (in my real computer now), an internal disc drive (I have an external, though), plus I need a wireless card to get internet now, considering the router is upstairs and I want this one for down.

Nothing ground breaking, but it works, and I'll be improving it with 2GBs of RAM later on this month, plus the other missing components. I'm thinking this computer will be my test for over clocking, but that's for another day.

My biggest issue is the power supply. I believe it's 400W, it could be 500W, but I'm not sure if that's enough.

Now, I basically took an old harddrive and put it with newer hardware, and it essentially worked perfectly, besides the corrupt data which came after multiple illegal shutdowns. With my other, upgrade project, what issues will I run into installing a second harddrive/switching out my Processor? I hope minimal, but I'm learning right now, so whatever I have to do is fine with me.

Best feeling in the world to build a computer, then turn it on and have something you just labored over to actually...run. It's a weird, somewhat nerdy rush. I'll never forget the computer I somewhat built last night. I can't wait to completely build my first comp, but hey, this is a great step in the right direction for me.

Thanks for any help with my question, plus, bump.

Nice that you built a computer. I wish to do so too but I'm worried I'll break something.

Your gfx card sucks, I take it you aren't going to game?

I'll try to answer your question.

For HDD, when I got a new one, I had it plugged in and shit. Then I had to go to control panel, add hardware, and select the HDD.

Not sure for CPU. You might have to do some tweaks but I'm not sure.

At 12/5/08 12:19 PM, TacoFreak wrote: Nice that you built a computer. I wish to do so too but I'm worried I'll break something.

This is what stopped me for so long: Don't worry about it. The processor was what always scared me, but it's such a simple process. I need more of that heat glue though...I'm worried about overheating.

Your gfx card sucks, I take it you aren't going to game?

I have a 8800 GT OC in my main comp. This one is just a second learning project before I jump into upgrading my main comp.

I'll try to answer your question.

For HDD, when I got a new one, I had it plugged in and shit. Then I had to go to control panel, add hardware, and select the HDD.

So was that a second one? If so, how do I connect the two harddrives togehter?

Thanks.

as long as youve got the right motherboard socket for your new CPU, an adequate heatsink, and no fancy detectors and shit, it should be alright

At 12/5/08 01:08 PM, PickledOnionMuffin wrote: as long as youve got the right motherboard socket for your new CPU, an adequate heatsink, and no fancy detectors and shit, it should be alright

Yep, both are 775. Only thing that's changing is the fact it's a quad core rather than a dual. Should be good then. Thanks.

Someone finally made a Computer crew :)

Anyway, my computers Specs

CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz
RAM: x2 512mb sticks (upgrading to two 2gb sticks later this month)
Graphics Card: a nVidia GeForce 7900 GS.

I have a quick question though, I've been planning to upgrade my Graphics Card but I don't know if my Motherboard can run DDR3 Cards, I tried searching my motherboards specs, but nothing came up, I looked in my System Information, and nothing came up, I looked in the Owner's Manual, and nothing came up.

So I'm wondering if anyone knows if the basic Motherboard that comes with a Dell XPS 600 (Model No: 0GC375) can run DDR3 and if you know any other information it would be appreciated.

At 12/5/08 01:24 PM, sirbobsalot2 wrote:

So I'm wondering if anyone knows if the basic Motherboard that comes with a Dell XPS 600 (Model No: 0GC375) can run DDR3 and if you know any other information it would be appreciated.

If you're running a Pentium 4, my guess would be no, you can't.

Get a GeForce 9800 GT off Amazon. DDR2, 90 bucks, thing is insane.

At 12/5/08 01:47 PM, Jezuz wrote:

At 12/5/08 01:24 PM, sirbobsalot2 wrote:

So I'm wondering if anyone knows if the basic Motherboard that comes with a Dell XPS 600 (Model No: 0GC375) can run DDR3 and if you know any other information it would be appreciated.

If you're running a Pentium 4, my guess would be no, you can't.

Get a GeForce 9800 GT off Amazon. DDR2, 90 bucks, thing is insane.

The pentium 4 would bottleneck the card.

If you do not know what that means, bottlenecking is when a part cannot perform at it's full potential because it's being limited by another part. In this case the card is being bottlenecked by the processor.

I'd get an AMD 6000+, or something around that because it's cheap. A AMD 6000+ processor is equal to the cheapest Intel quad for gaming. And the quad is 2.5x more expensive. Although the quad will overclock a lot better than the 6000+. You have a intel motherboard though.

At 12/5/08 02:18 PM, TacoFreak wrote:

The pentium 4 would bottleneck the card.

If you do not know what that means, bottlenecking is when a part cannot perform at it's full potential because it's being limited by another part. In this case the card is being bottlenecked by the processor.

Still better than a 7900 imo.

I'd get an AMD 6000+, or something around that because it's cheap. A AMD 6000+ processor is equal to the cheapest Intel quad for gaming. And the quad is 2.5x more expensive. Although the quad will overclock a lot better than the 6000+. You have a intel motherboard though.

You can get a Quad Core from Intel for a 180 tops, the Q6600, depending on what socket his motherboard takes, and it would appear that it's a 775, which is what the Q6600 is, and you're getting a vastly better processor. It is more expensive, but you're talking amazing performance here, plus with G0, it supposedly overclocks incredibly well if he's into that sort of thing.

I had a look for a 9800 Card on Amazon but I couldn't find one under £100, and most were DDR3 so I'm going to have to buy a new Motherboard as well, does anyone recommend a particular model? Also will I need to get a new CPU or can it wait for a while?

At 12/5/08 03:50 PM, sirbobsalot2 wrote: I had a look for a 9800 Card on Amazon but I couldn't find one under £100, and most were DDR3 so I'm going to have to buy a new Motherboard as well, does anyone recommend a particular model? Also will I need to get a new CPU or can it wait for a while?

Don't think it will be a problem if it has DDR3. As long as it fits in the PCI - E socket and your PSU gives enough power it should be ok. Not sure though.

At 12/5/08 02:28 PM, Jezuz wrote:
ffffffffff quad lolol

I'd rather get a Dual core, cheaper, better for gaming than a quad (the high end ones), and still overclocks just as well.

yeah the card will work you just need PCI - E slot x 16 2.0

At 12/5/08 04:58 PM, TacoFreak wrote:

I'd rather get a Dual core, cheaper, better for gaming than a quad (the high end ones), and still overclocks just as well.

I don't get that logic. Q6600 is 180, E6600 (dual core version) is about 160. 20 dollars, for two more cores. How could that be worse for gaming, besides the fact that some games don't use the quads potential? Higher end also means higher price. Q6600 is the way to go if you want a cheap, fast and reliable processor.

At 12/5/08 05:26 PM, Jezuz wrote:

At 12/5/08 04:58 PM, TacoFreak wrote:

I'd rather get a Dual core, cheaper, better for gaming than a quad (the high end ones), and still overclocks just as well.

I don't get that logic. Q6600 is 180, E6600 (dual core version) is about 160. 20 dollars, for two more cores. How could that be worse for gaming, besides the fact that some games don't use the quads potential? Higher end also means higher price. Q6600 is the way to go if you want a cheap, fast and reliable processor.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/deskt op-cpu-charts-q3-2008/Crysis-1680x1050,8 18.html

If you're ever in the market for an Nvidia graphics card, go EVGA. They are the only manufacturer I know of whose warranty covers both overclocking AND removing the stock heat sink. Their cards are also GODLY overclockers.

At 12/5/08 01:24 PM, sirbobsalot2 wrote: Someone finally made a Computer crew :)

Anyway, my computers Specs

I know I don't have the rules in my first post, but please put your specs in your sig if you can for reference's sake.

Hey there. I've been wanting a nice computer for some time now. By the looks of it, newegg seems to be the best place to get parts and I'm not really sure where to start. I want to have a nice graphics card and I suppose I need a good motherboard to go with it. But I want somthing that can handle Fallout 3 on medium to high settings. And of course, I want it to be affordable. All of the cards I've seen are about $700. I don't want to spend that much money on a crad and 2 years later end up getting a more expensive one! I would appreciate any help.

And maxing out your computer. What's it mean and is it bad?

At 12/5/08 05:33 PM, TacoFreak wrote:

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/deskt op-cpu-charts-q3-2008/Crysis-1680x1050,8 18.html

After looking into it before I came back here, I've decided you sir are correct. I don't know...I really want a quad core, but I guess I can wait a year until they gain speed and popularity.

At 12/5/08 05:45 PM, mooguy wrote: help me be leet!

What's your maximum budget?

At 12/5/08 05:58 PM, ThoseSneakyFrench wrote:

At 12/5/08 05:45 PM, mooguy wrote: help me be leet!

So long as it isn't leer.

What's your maximum budget?

It shouldn't be too high, obviously. How much is too much when it comes to these things?

A decent budget gaming pc can usually be managed together for 600-800 dollars.

How much is too much.

There is no limit on how much a computer can actually cost. I'm hoping to have 4500 saved up for my 2010 build, a near impossible task, but achievable none-the-less.

Every 5 minutes or so, I get a annoying sound that goes like "blip". I don't know what can be causing it.
I was thinking that it was the safely remove hardware tool, but I think that's not it.

Any suggestions on how I can fix this?

Im posting this here beacuse TSF is being a douche and doesn't wants to answer my question in General.

I was having a look at some RAM yesterday and found a great deal, x2 2gb's of RAM from Corsair for only £32, I was just about to buy it when I noticed at the bottom it said: "Please Note: Installing 4gb onto PC's with 32-bit operating systems is not advised since 32-bit systems do not support 4gb of system memory".

Because I'm only using standard XP does that mean that it will have any problems processing the extra RAM or will it just shut it off and use the 3gb it can process?

Also in case you want to buy it LINK

At 12/6/08 01:07 PM, sirbobsalot2 wrote:
Because I'm only using standard XP does that mean that it will have any problems processing the extra RAM or will it just shut it off and use the 3gb it can process?

What's your current RAM? If it's 2 GB then 4 GB isn't really needed. Especially for Windows XP where you can't fully support 4 GB of RAM.

What will happen is instead of having 4 gb, you will only have 3. That's all.

lol at Palit support.

I sent them an email regarding a question about warrenty. Well anyways, I use gmail, and you can have a signature which basically a message at the bottom of every email you send. My signature is: Tacos rule!

When they replied to me, they said that tacos rule.

:DD

At 12/6/08 03:53 PM, TacoFreak wrote: When they replied to me, they said that tacos rule.

DD

Nice. :)

This is about a month old already, but AMD announced something called ATI Stream. Quote: "ATI Stream is AMD's GPU-accelerated computing project and for all intents and purposes it is basically AMD-flavoured CUDA," and has a lot of support from Adobe and Microsoft. GPU-enabled Flash and Powerpoint, anyone?

That brings me to another predicament I found myself in: PhysX vs Havok. Any opinions?

I don't know anything about that Rig.

Also a question.

I will be getting some cash for christmas and my birthday (jan 7th).

I don't know what to get though.

I could save up, because I plan on upgrading somewhere in the beginning of 2010, or later if my computer can still handle all the games that I will be playing.

I could also get a 22" LCD monitor, currently I have a 17 " LCD monitor with a 8 ms response time.

Maybe I could get a sound card, but I don't know if it's really worth it, I don't want to get anything expensive, but then I wouldn't see a huge difference. I have a Realtek HD now I think. It's built into my Gigabyte motherboard though.

I can also get some games, but I got cod4 and l4d in the past month so don't really need a new game.

Any idea guise?

Actually what about a new case for my rig? Mine is pretty basic right now and the front is fucked up. It doesn't have enough room for fans too. The problem is mounting shit to a case and installing everything is probably hard, and I don't want to pay some guy money to do it for me.

I'll tell you this: Going from a 15" to a 19" monitor blew my fucking mind away. It's the biggest improvement that doesn't require real work on your computer you could possibly get.

In other news, here are the parts I'll be picking up.

Processor (Thanks to Taco for helping me go away from the Quad Core :))

RAM

Harddrive (Could use suggestions for similar price range/if this is a good harddrive...clueless)

Also, the parts that are staying are my Graphics Card (I'm not sure if this is EXACTLY what I got last year, but it's close), my motherboard which I despise, and a hard drive, which will be added along side my other harddrive...if I can.

There's also a power supply but that's not truly important, it's large and doesn't interfere much. Can't wait to get this thing built :x

Jezuz, don't fool yourself by saying a power supply isn't important, it's the heart of the machine. I'm sure whatever you have will be enough, but just to make sure, list the maximum wattage and the amperage on the 12v rail/s

At 12/7/08 07:00 AM, ThoseSneakyFrench wrote: Jezuz, don't fool yourself by saying a power supply isn't important, it's the heart of the machine. I'm sure whatever you have will be enough, but just to make sure, list the maximum wattage and the amperage on the 12v rail/s

Well, I got a huge one last year, that's why I'm saying it's not that important right now. Something like...700W or something.

Eh, you'd probably be fine then.