Looking to Improve

[KakashiChi]

I’m really new to all this. I built my first computer back in September of last year and I really did a lot of “little” research on it. It turned out to be a project system because I wanted to learn about my system from the floor up. So I built a budget system that turned out great, but it’s not what I really wanted it to be. From what I was told my system is decent but not great. I built my system around the required specs for the game Call of Duty 4. Which at the time seem like a good idea but as I’m finding out; there going be more and better games coming out that my system probably won’t be able to handle. So I really need some help on this.

I’m looking to build another computer (or if anyone feels I can upgrade and simply save some money) that’s really set for present and future gaming. I mostly play FPS. Currently right now I have a Geforce 9400 GT, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4500, and 2 DDR2 800. I’m not sure what the motherboard is at this time but I know it’s a Gigabyte.

i was thinking I might need to go quad so I was looking to get one of these 3 processors…

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core

Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core

The Geforce 9400 GT has been working out great for some the games I play (Counter Strike Source, Team Fortress 2, Call Of Duty 4), but I’m looking for my system to play games like Left 4 Dead and Crysis without giving me any problems. I’ve heard the 9800 GT is supposed to be good, but I’m unsure if I really need to upgrade to that right now.

I’m unsure what to do about motherboards also. I’ve looked around and just as soon as I read up on how good one is, I check out someone’s comments on it and find it’s not worth it. But most of the comments I read were problems out the box. So I’m guessing the boards were probably damaged.

If I need a complete overhaul, please let me know. I’m looking to spend at the very least $1500.00. However, if I can get everything cheaper than that; would be fine.

 

[xthekidx]

You can build a system to do what you want for much less than $1500...But if you are alright with spending that money, you can build a rig that will last longer than a cheaper one, so it depends on whether you feel like saving money now or later.

Its also very likely that you can upgrade the current system you have, let us know what motherboard you have.

You are in the US I am assuming. What do you use this PC for besides gaming? Do you edit and encode video or anything like that? Do you want to SLI or xfire later? Do you have any brand preferences, or just whatever is the best for your money? How big is the monitor you use currently, and do you plan on reusing it, or buying a new one?

 

[xthekidx]

Ok so if you are just interested in gaming, then the best option would be a Phenom II 940, it puts up impressive numbers for gaming and is very reasonably priced. Here is kinda how I would build:
CPU and Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165047
Case and PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.176939
Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488
Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219&Tpk=g%20skill%20hk
Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
Thermal Interface: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

The total comes to $1240 with shipping, then you get $40 MIR. So then you can look into getting a nice 24" monitor to go with your system like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

If you decided you didn't want such a large monitor, you could go with a smaller resolution and get a cheaper GPU, like a 4870 1gb or a 4850x2, but you should stick to ATI cards so you would have the option of adding another GPU on later if you wanted to upgrade, since that mobo only supports xfire and not SLI.

 

[Why_Me]

i7 build

The mobo in this build runs SLI and Crossfire. The psu in this build will run the gtx 285 in SLI and leave you plenty of juice left over. If you go with 4870 x2 or a 4850 x2 you will need to get yourself a 1000w - 1200w psu to run two of those cards Crossfired.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.176939 $179.98
Combo:COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128386 $209.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R-SLI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $99.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $79.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125255 $339.99 ($309.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)
GIGABYTE GV-N285-1GH-B GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Total: $1,341.90 *(not including shipping and rebates)

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/01/16/nvidia-zotac-geforce-gtx-285-1gb/1 <=== gtx 285 test results

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1715/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_285_graphics_card/index.html <=== more test results

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106792634%201067946192&name=GeForce%20GTX%20295 <=== gtx 295. The most powerful vid card on the market right now. But it hogs up the power just like like the ATI x2 cards. That and the gtx 285 in SLI will beat it out.

 

[stevensl2]

an AMD dragon platform build is relatively cheap right now. around 1200 for a phenom 2 940 and a 4870 512mb ( with some other w/e parts you need )

 

[KakashiChi]

Wow! thank you guys. Yeah I forgot to check out my mobo before I left for work this morning. But I like a lot what you guys posted. In fact I was thinking about doing an i7 rig but I’ve heard a lot people saying it runs really hot. Even with the best cooler.

I was looking to do an Intel rig because the system I built last year has an Intel and I really love it. However, if AMD is a good way to go; I wouldn’t mind seeing what you guys think about a rig for the Phenom II 940, that xthekidx mention; or if there is a better CPU; let me know.

I’m curious though, is going SLI really needed? Are there Video cards that are as powerful as two cards put together? I’m thinking one gtx 285 might be enough or do any you feel that SLI will become the standard someday?
And what would be a great mobo for an AMD rig (sorry xthekidx, the link you posted for mobo and cpu combo said it’s no longer available)? Also I forgot to mention that I’m looking to have a Win XP OS. I know there Vista but I’ve read it has too many problems and Win 7 is said to be out this Oct.

 

[Why_Me]

Wow! thank you guys. Yeah I forgot to check out my mobo before I left for work this morning. But I like a lot what you guys posted. In fact I was thinking about doing an i7 rig but I’ve heard a lot people saying it runs really hot. Even with the best cooler.

I was looking to do an Intel rig because the system I built last year has an Intel and I really love it. However, if AMD is a good way to go; I wouldn’t mind seeing what you guys think about a rig for the Phenom II 940, that xthekidx mention; or if there is a better CPU; let me know.

I’m curious though, is going SLI really needed? Are there Video cards that are as powerful as two cards put together? I’m thinking one gtx 285 might be enough or do any you feel that SLI will become the standard someday?
And what would be a great mobo for an AMD rig (sorry xthekidx, the link you posted for mobo and cpu combo said it’s no longer available)? Also I forgot to mention that I’m looking to have a Win XP OS. I know there Vista but I’ve read it has too many problems and Win 7 is said to be out this Oct.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-29-180.html <--- would you like to show us where those i7's are having heat issues.

As far as Vista is concerned it works great, or else everybody and their brother wouldn't be posting it in the recommended builds on here. It's 2009, and Vista 64 is where it's at. As far as those i7's having heat issues, this is the first Iv'e heard of it. But xthekidx would be the one to ask seeing how he has an i7 rig.

 

[KakashiChi]

Yeah the heating issues on the i7 stem from comments I read on the CPU at Newegg. However, after looking at some the reviews from the link you posted, I see I might have been steered wrong. I’ll read up on it but I’m thinking I might want keep in mind of building a i7 rig cause it sounds like the CPU I need to be using. But for right now I want build an AMD system. But if any of you have any ideas for an i7 rig, please let me know.

As for Vista, I’ve had lot friends who said Vista a hassle. However I’ve never ran it myself and I’ve always been curious as to what’s wrong with it. Most of what I’ve heard is you have to turn off a lot features in order to get it to work. And it’s worse for gaming. But that’s about it. No one can tell me in detail what’s going on and why vista isn’t working right with their games. I’ve had issue with my game rebooting and currently; every so often while I’m playing counter strike, I’ll get switched from in the game back to desktop without warning. But I’m thinking this may have to do with my anti-virus (I’m running Bit Defender) than my OS. The anti-virus is new. I had Kaspersky but that thing hated everything I tried to install, including games.

 

[KakashiChi]

ok my motherboard is ECS 945GCT - M/1333

 

[xthekidx]

Yeah the heating issues on the i7 stem from comments I read on the CPU at Newegg. However, after looking at some the reviews from the link you posted, I see I might have been steered wrong. I’ll read up on it but I’m thinking I might want keep in mind of building a i7 rig cause it sounds like the CPU I need to be using. But for right now I want build an AMD system. But if any of you have any ideas for an i7 rig, please let me know.

As for Vista, I’ve had lot friends who said Vista a hassle. However I’ve never ran it myself and I’ve always been curious as to what’s wrong with it. Most of what I’ve heard is you have to turn off a lot features in order to get it to work. And it’s worse for gaming. But that’s about it. No one can tell me in detail what’s going on and why vista isn’t working right with their games. I’ve had issue with my game rebooting and currently; every so often while I’m playing counter strike, I’ll get switched from in the game back to desktop without warning. But I’m thinking this may have to do with my anti-virus (I’m running Bit Defender) than my OS. The anti-virus is new. I had Kaspersky but that thing hated everything I tried to install, including games.

The i7 runs a bit hotter than the Core 2's, but its not extrememly hot. My CPU temps are 34C at idle, 70C at 100% load in prime95 using RealTemp (most accurate temp readings) and my CPU is overclocked to 3.6GHZ. Just make sure you get a decent HSF and its not a problem. i7's can also handle more heat than the Core 2's could, they don't start shutting down until you get to around 95C, Core 2's can't go that high.

i7 vs. Phenom II...for just gaming like it sounded like you are wanting, then the PII is a better option because it does just as well as the i7 in games (maybe like 1% slower than the i7 in a couple heavily threaded games like GTA4) and it costs about $200 less, so you can put that money into a better GPU and have much better gaming for the same price as the i7, or just use the same GPU as the i7 and have similar gaming for much less. So its obviously a better choice for gamers who don't have unlimited budgets. An i7 is only worth it IMO if you also use other programs like photoshop or video editing or things like that, or if you are swimming in cash and can afford an i7 without breaking a sweat...most people consider money to be somewhat of an object however. I was able to justify an i7 because my fiance loves making movies and uses it for video editing.

As for vista, I think most of those problems were Pre-SP1 problems. Since it got SP1, it is a very smooth OS, I have no complaints. It is actually better for gaming IMO because it has DX10, which looks so much better in a side-by-side comparison with DX9.

Phenom II 940 and mobo combos:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165047 <===if you can afford it, this is a better mobo and worth it IMO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165048 <===if money is tight, then this will be fine

 

[KakashiChi]

The i7 runs a bit hotter than the Core 2's, but its not extrememly hot. My CPU temps are 34C at idle, 70C at 100% load in prime95 using RealTemp (most accurate temp readings) and my CPU is overclocked to 3.6GHZ. Just make sure you get a decent HSF and its not a problem. i7's can also handle more heat than the Core 2's could, they don't start shutting down until you get to around 95C, Core 2's can't go that high.

i7 vs. Phenom II...for just gaming like it sounded like you are wanting, then the PII is a better option because it does just as well as the i7 in games (maybe like 1% slower than the i7 in a couple heavily threaded games like GTA4) and it costs about $200 less, so you can put that money into a better GPU and have much better gaming for the same price as the i7, or just use the same GPU as the i7 and have similar gaming for much less. So its obviously a better choice for gamers who don't have unlimited budgets. An i7 is only worth it IMO if you also use other programs like photoshop or video editing or things like that, or if you are swimming in cash and can afford an i7 without breaking a sweat...most people consider money to be somewhat of an object however. I was able to justify an i7 because my fiance loves making movies and uses it for video editing.

As for vista, I think most of those problems were Pre-SP1 problems. Since it got SP1, it is a very smooth OS, I have no complaints. It is actually better for gaming IMO because it has DX10, which looks so much better in a side-by-side comparison with DX9.

Phenom II 940 and mobo combos:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165047 <===if you can afford it, this is a better mobo and worth it IMO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165048 <===if money is tight, then this will be fine

awesome!! thank you for your advice. I've been kinda going back and forth on either a i7 or Phenom rig and i was lending more towards the Phenom but wasn't sure if it would be the right choice. and since i'm going to really just use my system for gaming and maybe mixing music (which i'll probably use my current computer more for that); it sounds like it makes more sense to go AMD and that first combo...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165047

..looks like it'll work out great. also, thank you for clearing up the Vista thing for me. I've been looking around and it seems like you need to have a more of a better system to run it right.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

+1 for 64-bit Vista on any current new build.