PC Build, Help

[Pegs]

Hello peeps of toms hardware, I'm mainly here to ask some people of their opinions on what the best system i could get for my money..

Its sole purpose is a gaming rig, and its for Everquest 2 [no funny comments pls ]. Ive got around £800 to spend and ive been looking at my stuff on "http://www.overclockers.co.uk"

I am wondering what the best thing i can get for my money (this includes everything, Monitor, Case and Insides)

I did have a build with 2 ATI 512mb x1950 pro's, 4 gig ram (4 x1GB), 160gb HD 8mb cache, 3Ghrz duel core INT proc, 550W PSU, 20" TFT, Asus P35 [socket 775], rubbish case and dvdrw and a 7.1 creative soundcard

(Here is some linkage of the item specifics)

===============================
PROC - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-156-IN
RAM (x2) - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-034-GL
MOBO - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-235-AS
PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-018-OK
HD - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-122-SE
GFX (x2) - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-064-OK
DVDRW - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-035-AS
CASE - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-000-GI
SOUND - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-049-CL
MONITER - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-027-OK
-[the keyboard and mouse are of no importance, i have a good pair and those will just go to my spare 2nd pc (this one )]
Keybaord - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-088-LG
Mouse - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-046-LG
===============================

any advise on really on what i can get for my money and have the best reliable performance there is for this amount of money.

Look forward to hearing from you all, Pegs

 

[g-paw]

I'd probably go with the E6750 rather than the 6859, better bang for the buck. I'd also go with at least a Creative X Fi Extreme Gamer, that card probably isn't much better than the on board sound card. Don't know anything about the companies that make the monitor or PSU but you definitely want a quality PSU. Nice system

 

[akhilles]

Yes, the cpu is the best gaming cpu, but you don't need that for EQ2. Get an e6750 if you don't overclock.

Aimed with the savings, dump the 2 x last-gen video cards, pick up an 8800gt for about 10 quid more.

The psu is questionable. Get a tier 1/2/3 with 450-550W:

http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

 

[Pegs]

I'd probably go with the E6750 rather than the 6859, better bang for the buck. I'd also go with at least a Creative X Fi Extreme Gamer, that card probably isn't much better than the on board sound card. Don't know anything about the companies that make the monitor or PSU but you definitely want a quality PSU. Nice system

Ok ive gone with that for the CPU, save me money to spend on something else, and really if that sound card is no better than the on board one i wont bother with one. its only because i thought on board would be really poor and wanted at least something that was at least a clear sound

Yes, the cpu is the best gaming cpu, but you don't need that for EQ2. Get an e6750 if you don't overclock.

Aimed with the savings, dump the 2 x last-gen video cards, pick up an 8800gt for about 10 quid more.

The psu is questionable. Get a tier 1/2/3 with 450-550W:

http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

Done that with GFX card, cheap one coming out tomorrow that is only £6 more than the two i had picked out.

Also i agree with the PSU i was being a bit stingy and i did have this but i didn't want to pay too much... but i guess better safe than sorry (PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-EN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat= )

ill now paste up what i have now, and i hope that the case is ok cos i don't want this thing to overheat or anything (or not fit )

===============================
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.66GHz (1333FSB) - Retail
RAM (x2) - GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-5300C4 667MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB5300DC) [NOT CHANGED]
MOBO - Asus P5K Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard [NOT CHANGED]
PSU - Enermax Noisetaker 535W EG565AX-VE(W) SFMA ATX2.0 SLI Compliant PSU
HD - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-087-WD (It will load areas ALOT faster, and ive never filled that much space in all the time ive had a pc so i dont think that will be a problem.)
GFX - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-071-OK
DVDRW - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-035-AS [NOT CHANGED]
CASE - Coolermaster RC-690 Dominator - Black (No PSU) ( http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-145-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat= )
SOUND - NON!
MONITER - OcUK Value L-2041W 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black [NOT CHANGED]
===============================

Let me know if you think that is a better system

 

[rgeist554]

Yeah, the PSU is like the heart of your computer. If it fails... you aren't doing anything. Plus a shoddy one can damage your components in some cases.

On another note: The build looks great. As for the HD... yes, those 10k RMP ones are nice. I may try to get one around Christmas .

 

[g-paw]

On board audio today isn't all that bad today. Agree, go with the on board and if you don't think it's adequate, upgrade to something like the Creative X FI Extreme Gamer or one based on the C-Media CMI8788 audio chip something like this.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829127002

 

[akhilles]

*stamp of approval*

 

[Pegs]

Ok well, i got it the day after i arrived, and thought id try building it up (just a FYI i didnt get that graphics card since it was out of stock and i was dieing to order it. I got a ( PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 2900 Pro SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) ). Now im wondering. when i try starting up the system and "i have no mouse or windows XP yet" but even so it should still start up and show something..

Put the monitor doesnt recognize anything, and its not the monitor because i plugged it into this system and it works fine.

The GFX card has 2 DVI ports on the back (white trapezium things) as to the normal blue smaller ones without the 4 pin cross thing at the end. Well i have a converter so it goes from my TFT from a blue one, to another blue connecter, converted to the DVI connector and then plugged into the gfx card. and it just isnt working.. and im totaly puzzled as to why because how am i gonna set up windows if i cant see anything.

any ideas why this may be? maybe because its a new system and needs a windows disc in to start something so it then does recognize the monitor? or am i just settings it up wrong? Im certain that its in the right place and pushed in enough. and im quite certain everything else is in right, just puzzled as to why its not showing anything?

look forward to hearing from you,
Pegs

 

[akhilles]

No, a crap crt will post anything from the mobo upon power-up. Something isn't right.

What does the pc do when you press the power button from the front panel? Light/noise activities?

Ok, on the video card the blue video connector is usually D-SUB (VGA) whereas the white is DVI. If say you had/have no problems with D-SUB on a LCD, but you're having no signal from a new video DVI, chances are it's the LCD. Especially Viewsonic.

 

[g-paw]

Could be any number of problems, e.g., RAM, PSU, standoffs, etc. At least when I run into this I make sure the video card is seated properly and all wires from the PSU are connected. If there are no problems, take the mobo out of the case and tear it down. First, make sure you have the exact number of standoffs, no more/no less. Then install the video card, one stick of RAM, CPU and HSF and see if it works. If it doesn't try another stick of RAM. If it does, add the 2nd stick of RAM and if it works, put the mobo back in the case and make sure you have the exact number of screws for the standoffs. Then test. Test after each piece you install.

 

[Pegs]

Could be any number of problems, e.g., RAM, PSU, standoffs, etc. At least when I run into this I make sure the video card is seated properly and all wires from the PSU are connected. If there are no problems, take the mobo out of the case and tear it down. First, make sure you have the exact number of standoffs, no more/no less. Then install the video card, one stick of RAM, CPU and HSF and see if it works. If it doesn't try another stick of RAM. If it does, add the 2nd stick of RAM and if it works, put the mobo back in the case and make sure you have the exact number of screws for the standoffs. Then test. Test after each piece you install.

I will probably try that out at some point, but i might take it to the local PC store and they can do it alot quicker than i could and i probably put something in the mobo wrong knowing me, this is the second comp ive built so im fairly new to it

No, a crap crt will post anything from the mobo upon power-up. Something isn't right.

What does the pc do when you press the power button from the front panel? Light/noise activities?

Ok, on the video card the blue video connector is usually D-SUB (VGA) whereas the white is DVI. If say you had/have no problems with D-SUB on a LCD, but you're having no signal from a new video DVI, chances are it's the LCD. Especially Viewsonic.

Well, the pc will turn on, the lights are on, power lights etc, all fans work. dvdrw case opens, the "red" light on the gfx card is also on if that is any clue.

Its not that i dont have any problems with d-sub.. its that it takes no moniter at all, there is only 2 dvi slots in the gfx card and thats it, no other ports but one circuler one which is TV crap i think. Im now actualy using the TFT atm because it looks alot better and thought i might aswell use it.

so thats why im puzzled really, but its bound to be a poor building mistake or possibly a faulty board. but ill find out soon hopefully and will let you guys know how it goes

 

[g-paw]

"I will probably try that out at some point, but i might take it to the local PC store and they can do it alot quicker than i could and i probably put something in the mobo wrong knowing me, this is the second comp ive built so im fairly new to it ."

For what it's worth I think this is a bad idea. In addition to the money spent, you won't learn anything. Unless you're studying computer science, and even then at some point, you'll learn by doing. For those of us that haven't had formal training we've learned by doing, talking with people, and forums like this. If you did make a mistake, and maybe you didn't make a mistake it's a bad part, tearing it down and putting it together you'll learn something and the next time you run into a problem or you're next new build will be easier. It can be painful but when do you ever learn anything when there isn't some pain. Guess I just hate to see anyone give up, worse case scenario is there's a bad part and you'll have to RMA it. If you're interested in computers, stick with this and solve the problem yourself and you have help here. Great feeling when you finally figure it out. Man vs Machine, go kick some machine butt

 

[akhilles]

Then the build is receiving power & such. I think if you see the harddisk/floppy lights go on & off, it may be working - it's stuck at no os error.

Does your monitor have d-sub & dvi inputs? Does your video card come with a dvi to d-sub adapter? The bottom/left (when it faces you) dvi output on the video card is the one to use.

 

[Pegs]

well, the monitor is going straight from d-sub to d-sub connector. and at the end of the connectors and using a d-sub to dvi connector.. so in order its going

Monitor -> D-Sub -> D-sub to DVI converter -> Graphics card in left and still same problem.

I'll still take it to the computer store Tuesday they are bound to know what the problem is somewhere (hopefully) and hopefully i wont have the problem of a faulty card cos I'm not 100% sure if overclockers will take it back if it was I that made it faulty..

We shall see anyway

 

[g-paw]

well, the monitor is going straight from d-sub to d-sub connector. and at the end of the connectors and using a d-sub to dvi connector.. so in order its going

Monitor -> D-Sub -> D-sub to DVI converter -> Graphics card in left and still same problem.

I'll still take it to the computer store Tuesday they are bound to know what the problem is somewhere (hopefully) and hopefully i wont have the problem of a faulty card cos I'm not 100% sure if overclockers will take it back if it was I that made it faulty..

We shall see anyway

Unless you physically damage a part, which is unlikely if you were careful, either they should take the part back or you can RMA it to the mfg.

 

[akhilles]

I would bring it to a store which may be a faster way. It'll probably cost a little something. If you return it to online store for a replacement, it takes a week or so. Rma takes 1-2 months. Plus, you don't know which part is the cause.