2nd build + rebuild

[kainesfirstbuild]

Hi everyone! I got such exceptional advice from you all during my first build over a year ago now i knew i would be able to ask the questions i need answered here.

First off, im planning on my next build and im thinking i would like to branch out and try my hands at a laptop, although im not really sure if its a different process etc. Any input or resources would be greatly appreciated.

Secondly, i would like to upgrade my first build. I am using an AMD 5000+ BE processor and a Nvidia 8800 GTS video card. Im quite satisfied with my mobo and it supports AM3 so i am thinking about upgrading to the AMD phenom quad cores. My question is mainly: what steps will i have to take in order to achieve this? Will i have to clean and reapply the thermal compound? If so what can i use to clean it off initially?

As for the video card i believe i would like to maybe make the switch to a Radeon card. Probably a 4890, or two. I havent decided yet.

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks for all your continued support!
~Kaine

 

[Proximon]

My guess would be that you'll be wanting a top rate CPU cooler now, because Phenom IIs overclock very well. So, you shouldn't need to clean off the old cooler.

However, if you are re-using it, a bit of rubbing alcohol and a lint-free item like a coffee filter will do the job.

So your AM2+ board is a crossfire board?

If you need to upgrade RAM, do so soon. Prices on DDR2 are rising.

 

[aford10]

Building a laptop is not like building a desktop. It's more expensive and challenging.

 

[kainesfirstbuild]

My guess would be that you'll be wanting a top rate CPU cooler now, because Phenom IIs overclock very well. So, you shouldn't need to clean off the old cooler.

However, if you are re-using it, a bit of rubbing alcohol and a lint-free item like a coffee filter will do the job.

So your AM2+ board is a crossfire board?

If you need to upgrade RAM, do so soon. Prices on DDR2 are rising.

When i built my first computer i used a thermalright ultra120 (with a scythe 120mm fan), and it seems to be doing quite a good job. I think i am safe with using it for the am3 cpu. Thoughts?

I am using the asus m4a79t deluxe board i believe (im out of town at the moment) and it is SLI capable. I had forgotten this, makes sense that i would not be able to use 2 radeon cards in crossfire configuration, but i can still use one radeon card correct? I will save the crossfire configuration for my next computer (soon ).

 

[aford10]

Yep, you can still use the single radeon card.

Also, I believe that cooler will be just fine on that cpu, as the socket isn't changing.

 

[Proximon]

The ASUS M4A79T Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363

If that is your MB, is a crossfire board, not SLI. It can use two ATI Radeon cards for crossfire, and is quite good at it as well.

You might want to pick up two 4770s or 4850s instead of one more expensive card.