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When using this resource, please read FragKrag's opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly. |
On June 12 2011 09:18 Dhalphir wrote:
So I assume the hatred for pre-built systems does not extend to a company where you choose every part yourself and the only extent to which it is pre-built is that they assemble the parts you've chosen and install and configure the OS and drivers? Thats what I'm planning to do, mostly due to a lack of time from work (the installing and configuring being the timesink, not so much the actual assembly)
That would depend on how much of a premium that company charges for the privelege of having them build your PC. If it's over $50 or so, it's almost more offensive than buying a prebuilt.
That said, if you make the decision that the money is worth less than the time, and it's an informed decision, it's not a huge deal.
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Hey, I know this may be a bit of a noob question, but I've never built a computer myself and I have no idea. Do all the cables to connect stuff together come with any of the parts? Also, I'm guessing that overclocking damages hardware, but how much does it damage it?
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All retail components will come with the necessary cables to connect everything.
Overclocking done wrongly can damage hardware due to excess voltages or heat.
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On June 12 2011 09:56 geethy wrote:
Hey, I know this may be a bit of a noob question, but I've never built a computer myself and I have no idea. Do all the cables to connect stuff together come with any of the parts? Also, I'm guessing that overclocking damages hardware, but how much does it damage it?
Almost always on the cables. And overclocking only shortens the lifespan significantly at higher voltages and temperatures caused by them, or if your components can't handle the voltages.
The damage can generally be mitigated with good cooling and component selection.
Bah, as usual...
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Cool, thanks for that. What temperature levels do you guys think are good levels? And also how will I know if I'm going into excess voltages?
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On June 12 2011 10:04 geethy wrote:
Cool, thanks for that. What temperature levels do you guys think are good levels? And also how will I know if I'm going into excess voltages?
Well, if you're doing it right and manually setting your voltages to spec, than anything over spec would be overvolts.
Your CPU's manufacturer will have spec sheets listing what it's rated for.
Some of the temp terminology: Tcase is the max temp the CPU as a whole is rated for, Tjmax is the individual core temp where your CPU shuts off.
http://ark.intel.com/Default.aspx
For Intel.
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What about for my graphics card? How will I know whether I'm going over?
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Ideally you want all your temperatures to be around or under 60c during a normal load. Graphics card overclocking software has a limit to how much you can increase the voltage by and this option is also usually hidden until enabled. For a first time builder, I think you should worry about getting your configuration functional before worrying about overclocking details.
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On June 12 2011 10:13 geethy wrote:
What about for my graphics card? How will I know whether I'm going over?
Overvolting a GPU requires intentional effort. Again, you can get the suggested max from the manufacturers, although if you go with the number from Nvidia or AMD, they tend to rate very very conservatively.
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Mmmmm, yeah, I wasn't thinking of overclocking for a while. I was just wondering, just for when I do need to start overclocking. When I do start overclocking, would you recommend liquid cooling or is that just a waste of money?
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Liquid cooling is a waste of time, money, and effort.
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So I should just go for fans?
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What other option is there besides liquid cooling and air cooling? Do you want to do liquid nitrogen or dry ice? =\
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Haha, that would be pretty cool  Nah, I was just wondering if there was something I was missing. Thanks for the help! :D
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On June 12 2011 10:24 skyR wrote:
What other option is there besides liquid cooling and air cooling? Do you want to do liquid nitrogen or dry ice? =\
Helium is also an option.
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=1088329
Willing to bet that wasn't done on air. Or with plumbing.
Or by a first time builder...
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What's wrong with liquid cooling? I got a free Coolit Eco that I'm not using, and the H70 gets pretty solid reviews. Unless you're talking about actual water cooling...
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5930 Posts
Yeah we're talking about actual water cooling with barbs, piping, and pumps. Corsair's kits are OK, still overpriced and still not entirely safe. Corsair is fine though all things considered because if it fries your computer, you can bitch on a forum and Corsair will come over and replace your whole system because its good advertising for them.
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I've been browsing around some different CPUs. It looks like overrall the i5 2500k is the top dog. But now I'm really wondering why the hell the i7 980x is like 3-4 times the cost of the i5 2500k but under performs in comparision. Why on earth does it cost so much?
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5930 Posts
Because its a halo product and halo products rarely go down in price. The best Core 2 Quad is still like $200 when I last checked.
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On June 12 2011 12:36 Snuggles wrote:
I've been browsing around some different CPUs. It looks like overrall the i5 2500k is the top dog. But now I'm really wondering why the hell the i7 980x is like 3-4 times the cost of the i5 2500k but under performs in comparision. Why on earth does it cost so much?
Because 980x is a hex core released a year ago based on three year old architecture. The Core i5 2500k is a brand new architecture that was released in January of this year.
And it's one of Intel's flagship processors to say AMD sucks.
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EPT
