Need a computer.

[airhog99]

I think the Phenom II with 6MB cache is a very good CPU.
AMD had been playing catch-up with Intel for a while, and I believe that is mainly due to the earlier under-sized caches.

Hence AMD Athlon II X2 245  @  $66
seems less of a good deal to me than any lower end Phenom II X2 with 6MB cache (such as the AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz @ $90)
However, the cheaper Athlon may do the job! (CPU is not the bottleneck normally when running AH)

Whatever you do, do make sure the mobo can take a Phenom II later on! (AM3 compatible)

[Mar]

[PS3 character limit ran out]

n PSUs, so going with Fulmer's.


I think that's everything, what do you think?


Also, how do I get Win7 beta? Can't find it with google other than a torrent, and how would I run BitTorrent without an OS?

[cattb]

no more beta, i thought it was taken off, just if you have the RC or beta was still good thru next march or somethingt like that.
acedemic  :old:windoze 7  upgrade  download  29.00

[TilDeath]

Building a System that will perform is not based on ok for this and not ok for that.  You have to match all the components used to get a stable, reliable system that will perform well.  Does not matter if it is a $600.00 system or a $6,000.00 system.  The components all need to compliment each other.

[airhog99]

Building a System that will perform is not based on ok for this and not ok for that.  You have to match all the components used to get a stable, reliable system that will perform well.  Does not matter if it is a $600.00 system or a $6,000.00 system.  The components all need to compliment each other.

Yeah, you wouldn't want an Intel processor with an AM3 mobo..

[Getback]

Mar, Gigabyte boards are pretty good and so is OCZ memory and Power supplies from what I understand. I run an ATI 3850 on my gaming system and have heard the 4000 series is pretty good. As far as the tri core goes, It's not necessary.

[eagl]

hmmm check out woot.com for the HP...  It's refurb and comes with integrated graphics, but it's under $400 so you can add a decent vid card afterwards.

Not sure how the mobo and cpu compare but the overall system specs seem reasonable except for the lack of discrete vid card.

[Mar]

Building a System that will perform is not based on ok for this and not ok for that.  You have to match all the components used to get a stable, reliable system that will perform well.  Does not matter if it is a $600.00 system or a $6,000.00 system.  The components all need to compliment each other.

Sorry, should have stated more clearly that that was what I was asking.

Is the setup I described alright or does it require additional modification?

[airhog99]

Sorry, should have stated more clearly that that was what I was asking.

Is the setup I described alright or does it require additional modification?

If the components are compatible, and of good performance, then the system will perform.
Each interface is tightly specified.
It's not voodoo, even if some might want you to think so.

[Mar]

If the components are compatible, and of good performance, then the system will perform.
Each interface is tightly specified.
It's not voodoo, even if some might want you to think so.

And the interfaces would be...?

Voodoo or not, a code is no good without the code book.

[1701E]

And the interfaces would be...?

Voodoo or not, a code is no good without the code book.

Always look for the following:

Case:            ATX or Micro-ATX or E-ATX
Motherboard:  ATX or Micro-ATX or E-ATX

Micro-ATX works in Most ATX cases.  ATX will not work in a Micro-ATX case.  E-ATX I don't know anything about.

Motherboard Socket: AM2 or AM2+ or AM2/AM2+ or AM3 or AM2/AM2+/AM3 or LGA 775
CPU Socket:            AM2 or AM2+ or AM2/AM2+ or AM3 or AM2/AM2+/AM3 or LGA 775

AM2 works in AM2+.  AM3 works in most AM2+ boards.  LGA 775 Will Not Work in any AM# Slot, as AM# is AMD and LGA is Intel.

Motherboard PCI:  PCI or PCI-E x1 or PCI-E x16 or PCI-E x16 2.0
Video card PCI:    PCI or PCI-E x1 or PCI-E x16 or PCI-E x16 2.0

Must match, although I know of no PCI-E x1 Cards.  This go in order of least performance to highest.  The only "must match" exception is PCI-E x16 and PCI-E x16 2.0, they are compatible with each other, but a PCI-E x16 2.0 in a PCI-E x16 will not work as well.

Those are the most important to match up, and easiest to mix up.

With Power Supplies make sure you see:

500Watt (or greater) with: 20+4 Pin/24Pin  -  6 Pin and 6+2 Pin  -  4/8 Pin  -  and a good brand name such as PC Power and Cooling, OCZ or SeaSonic.


Then you get in to things that are less serious if mixed up:

Hard Drive: IDE or SATA (motherboards support both)
DVD:         IDE or SATA (Same)

[Mar]

Now THAT was a lot of help, thank you 1701E!

Checking things now...

[airhog99]

And the interfaces would be...?

Voodoo or not, a code is no good without the code book.

Anything you plug in, plugs into an interface. PCI-express,  CPU-socket, RAM sockets, etc.

My point was that the "matching" voodoo is mostly just voodoo.
If you look closely on equipment reviews comparing mobos etc you'll see that most are within 5% of each other, hardly justifying massive expense for "the best". Just an example.

Pick you system and run them by someone who knows how to read the specs before you purchase, and you will be fine.

[Ghosth]

Mar, how are you posting? How'd you get here?

google utorrent
google win 7 beta

When in doubt, stop, engage brain, think.

[TilDeath]

1) Pick a power supply
2) Choose a CPU
3) Choose a few motherboards and read reviews on each, find one that give the best performance within your budget
4) Choose memory that is within your budget with the lowest CAS and fastest speed to match or exceed MB specs
5) Choose a Graphics platform (Nvidia or ATI) read reviews again and see how the platform tested on matches your MB choices.
6) Prefer SATA II over IDE since this is a much faster transfer of information.

A few here said get this and this, or think some are leading you astray.  Being in the business for over 27 years, a world ranked overclocker for over 5 years, currently hold the world record for a Overclocked (air) GTX 295.  You need to have the components compliment each other as stated before or else you may as well by a system at Best Buy, WalMart and not go through the trouble of building it yourself.