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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. | ||
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FragKrag
United States11567 Posts
On September 15 2010 01:54 tofucake wrote: The 2GB would also be pretty required if he ever plans to stream (which I do). But yeah, if you don't need eyefinity and aren't going to stream, the 1gb is a better choice. what the hell are you talking about? Frame buffer on the GPU has nothing to do with streaming | ||
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
Coolers, cases, different models of the same GPU, etc. do not make too much of a difference. I wouldn't fret about keeping the exact same parts that anybody suggests including me. However, do note that the MSI Cyclone model dissipates the heat from the card into the case, so if you got that model you would need a case with decent airflow. Other cards exhaust some or most of the heat through the back outside of the case. Anyhow, you can just get whatever GPU model is cheap and that reviews say are okay. LazyMacro: E6750 and HD 5770 is pretty decent for now. Intel's new processors are coming in a few months, so you might want to just wait out a bit longer before upgrading if your goal is for it to last several years. Granted, the difference between current parts and the next generation may not be huge. Your monitor is fine; I think people are just giving ideas of what to do with surplus budget. penroff4: i7-950 also has better interfacing options (which are not very useful in most cases) because of the X58 platform of course. In terms of performance, it should be very similar to the i7-875K. I don't really think the X58 platform will be "current" any longer than P55 or whatever, unless you include the top-of-the-line hex-core Intel CPUs that are around $1000 and will likely stay relevant for another year or two and stay very expensive. But if you can get the i7-950 for cheaper, go ahead. The differences are all very marginal except maybe the price. | ||
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FabledIntegral
United States9232 Posts
On September 15 2010 06:51 Myrmidon wrote: FabledIntegral: There's nothing wrong with getting higher-spec'd RAM, especially Corsair RAM, if it's the same price or lower. The processor in stock conditions does not support RAM frequencies above 1333, but it can support higher than that with overclocking. It's nice but not necessary to have higher-rated RAM when overclocking--just make sure the final configuration is at or below the specified frequency and timings, and more importantly that the RAM runs stably. Coolers, cases, different models of the same GPU, etc. do not make too much of a difference. I wouldn't fret about keeping the exact same parts that anybody suggests including me. However, do note that the MSI Cyclone model dissipates the heat from the card into the case, so if you got that model you would need a case with decent airflow. Other cards exhaust some or most of the heat through the back outside of the case. Anyhow, you can just get whatever GPU model is cheap and that reviews say are okay. So that RAM is fine? Do I have to manually alter it in any way to lower its frequency or something, or will it just auto set itself to only use 1333 instead of 1600? How easy is it to overclock it to support 1600, and how will that affect my rig? Will I need a better cooling system, will my parts last for a shorter duration until breaking, etc. Also, does overclocking nullify any warranties for anything? | ||
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a176
Canada6688 Posts
If you buy faster ram, you can manually set it to run a faster speed, asynchronously of the CPU. Or, you can bump the entire system upto the speed of the ram, that is overclocking, as it will also overclock your CPU in the process. Best to goto google, a lot of primers out there with more info. | ||
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LazyMacro
976 Posts
On September 15 2010 06:51 Myrmidon wrote: Thanks. When the next generation is released, I'm assuming some of the current generation stuff will drop in price?FabledIntegral: There's nothing wrong with getting higher-spec'd RAM, especially Corsair RAM, if it's the same price or lower. The processor in stock conditions does not support RAM frequencies above 1333, but it can support higher than that with overclocking. It's nice but not necessary to have higher-rated RAM when overclocking--just make sure the final configuration is at or below the specified frequency and timings, and more importantly that the RAM runs stably. Coolers, cases, different models of the same GPU, etc. do not make too much of a difference. I wouldn't fret about keeping the exact same parts that anybody suggests including me. However, do note that the MSI Cyclone model dissipates the heat from the card into the case, so if you got that model you would need a case with decent airflow. Other cards exhaust some or most of the heat through the back outside of the case. Anyhow, you can just get whatever GPU model is cheap and that reviews say are okay. LazyMacro: E6750 and HD 5770 is pretty decent for now. Intel's new processors are coming in a few months, so you might want to just wait out a bit longer before upgrading if your goal is for it to last several years. Granted, the difference between current parts and the next generation may not be huge. Your monitor is fine; I think people are just giving ideas of what to do with surplus budget. penroff4: i7-950 also has better interfacing options (which are not very useful in most cases) because of the X58 platform of course. In terms of performance, it should be very similar to the i7-875K. I don't really think the X58 platform will be "current" any longer than P55 or whatever, unless you include the top-of-the-line hex-core Intel CPUs that are around $1000 and will likely stay relevant for another year or two and stay very expensive. But if you can get the i7-950 for cheaper, go ahead. The differences are all very marginal except maybe the price. Also, would getting a second HD5770 be a good idea? | ||
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R04R
United States1631 Posts
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Rhodan
Australia232 Posts
2.4 ghz Core 2 Duo Processor 4 gb Ram (with room for another 2gb from memory - havent actually checked for a long time) Nvidia GTX 270 I've had a couple of issues with slowdown in games when a lot of units are on screen (on medium settings :S) and am looking at maybe doing some video work in the future. I don't want to spend a lot of money at the moment since my computer runs most games fine still (thinking around ~$200-250 Australian) but want to get a decent improvement. I was thinking about getting Core 2 Extreme since it seems to be CPU that is slowing it down(or w/e the core series quad core is called nowadays) since I dont want to spend the money on a new board (which an i series processor would need), does anyone more knowledgeable than me think this is a smart idea? If it helps, my longer term plans are to do a more major upgrade mid-late next year, and I dont have an issue getting the quad core now, even knowing ill probably getting an i series in a years time. Edit: The specific model I was looking at was the 2.66ghz q8400, but im open to other models on the same socket | ||
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skyR
Canada13817 Posts
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
Thanks to a handy table on wikipedia, it looks like your current CPU is either a E4600 (2 MB L2 cache) or E6600 (4 MB L2 cache), both 65 nm Allendale/Conroe. The Q8400 is just 2.66 GHz with 4 MB L2 cache. The extra cores won't help SC2, and there may or may not be a cache improvement depending on what you have now. The Q9x5x or QX (Core 2 Extreme) processors would be a more significant step up, but those are still quite expensive and not worth the money. Also, you may want to check that your mobo actually supports processors with higher TDP than 65W. For SC2, a Core 2 Duo E8xxx would be See this benchmark for CPUs in SC2 with huge battles: http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,766589/Starcraft-2-CPU-benchmarks-Intel-on-top-quads-without-performance-benefit/Practice/ | ||
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mav451
United States1596 Posts
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Snuggles
United States1865 Posts
I've had my eye on the AMD Phenom II X4 945 for quite some time now, and after some direction here in the Tech support forums, I now need a new motherboard in order to use it. My question is what is the cheapest motherboard I can buy that can run the AMD Phenom II X4 945 and the Radeon HD 5770? And will I need anything special to go along with this like an extra strong power supply? | ||
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FragKrag
United States11567 Posts
this looks good shouldn't need extra power psu. | ||
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Snuggles
United States1865 Posts
On September 16 2010 04:11 FragKrag wrote: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290 this looks good shouldn't need extra power psu. thank you so much for the help once again =). | ||
tofucake
Hyrule19227 Posts
On September 15 2010 05:09 FragKrag wrote: what the hell are you talking about? Frame buffer on the GPU has nothing to do with streaming Honestly, I don't know. I redact my earlier retardation. | ||
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Born)Slippy
Norway1904 Posts
On September 16 2010 06:15 tofucake wrote: Honestly, I don't know. I redact my earlier retardation. Too late, you're going to be tried in front of the TL council. The guards will be along shortly to detain you. You'll be held in a cell for a month or two while we get our paperwork in order. | ||
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blitzkrieger
United States512 Posts
350W -> 650W PS (some OCZ Silent X Stream) 2GB -> 4GB Ram ??? -> Nvidia 9800GTX+ Vista 32 -> Windows 7 64 bit 2.13Ghz Dual Core Duo 120GB HD (suits my needs) 22" monitor @ 1680x1050 I also use that readyboost with an 8GB flashdrive and have maybe 16GB page file ram as well. I wanted to replace the processor but I figure I'll probably have to replace the Mobo as well but the issues with what socket is compatible and all that is too much for me. Here is a link to what I think my Mobo is: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps410/en/SM_EN/specs.htm Is it even worth it to upgrade my CPU and/or Mobo or should I just wait and build a new PC in a year or two? Could an i7 work well with my setup (assuming I replace the mobo?). I'm pretty bad at compatibility issues but I know how to install everything (except multiple harddrives lol). | ||
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tofucake
Hyrule19227 Posts
On September 16 2010 15:40 Born)Slippy wrote: Too late, you're going to be tried in front of the TL council. The guards will be along shortly to detain you. You'll be held in a cell for a month or two while we get our paperwork in order. You're fired. | ||
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FragKrag
United States11567 Posts
On September 16 2010 17:12 blitzkrieger wrote: Hey I was wondering if I should upgrade my CPU/Motherboard. I bought a crappy Dell comp a while back, XPS 410 and have been upgrading it for a long time (06 maybe). I plan on building an entire comp and have been doing research but atm funds don't allow. 350W -> 650W PS (some OCZ Silent X Stream) 2GB -> 4GB Ram ??? -> Nvidia 9800GTX+ Vista 32 -> Windows 7 64 bit 2.13Ghz Dual Core Duo 120GB HD (suits my needs) 22" monitor @ 1680x1050 I also use that readyboost with an 8GB flashdrive and have maybe 16GB page file ram as well. I wanted to replace the processor but I figure I'll probably have to replace the Mobo as well but the issues with what socket is compatible and all that is too much for me. Here is a link to what I think my Mobo is: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps410/en/SM_EN/specs.htm Is it even worth it to upgrade my CPU and/or Mobo or should I just wait and build a new PC in a year or two? Could an i7 work well with my setup (assuming I replace the mobo?). I'm pretty bad at compatibility issues but I know how to install everything (except multiple harddrives lol). How much money are you willing to spend? I would just wait to build a new computer instead of upgrading the one you have right now really. | ||
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blitzkrieger
United States512 Posts
On September 17 2010 08:39 FragKrag wrote: How much money are you willing to spend? I would just wait to build a new computer instead of upgrading the one you have right now really. I could spend $400 or so but I'd like to spend less. I really want to get a new beast computer within 2 years and I too thought this is at its limit. I mean I could upgrade it, but if you think its better to wait and start anew I think that prob best (and my dad will buy this off me :D ). Might be better to put all the fund towards a new comp then and deal with the slight fps issues in SC2. | ||
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GeneralStan
United States4789 Posts
On September 16 2010 17:12 blitzkrieger wrote: Hey I was wondering if I should upgrade my CPU/Motherboard. I bought a crappy Dell comp a while back, XPS 410 and have been upgrading it for a long time (06 maybe). I plan on building an entire comp and have been doing research but atm funds don't allow. 350W -> 650W PS (some OCZ Silent X Stream) 2GB -> 4GB Ram ??? -> Nvidia 9800GTX+ Vista 32 -> Windows 7 64 bit 2.13Ghz Dual Core Duo 120GB HD (suits my needs) 22" monitor @ 1680x1050 I also use that readyboost with an 8GB flashdrive and have maybe 16GB page file ram as well. I wanted to replace the processor but I figure I'll probably have to replace the Mobo as well but the issues with what socket is compatible and all that is too much for me. Here is a link to what I think my Mobo is: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps410/en/SM_EN/specs.htm Is it even worth it to upgrade my CPU and/or Mobo or should I just wait and build a new PC in a year or two? Could an i7 work well with my setup (assuming I replace the mobo?). I'm pretty bad at compatibility issues but I know how to install everything (except multiple harddrives lol). 1. You could drop an 8400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037&cm_re=e8400-_-19-115-037-_-Product) into the socket and that will work. It's the pretty much top of the line Core 2 Duo (Dual Core), and that's going to give you the most bang for your buck for SC II in replacing your CPU. The problem here is that you're spending $170 on a dead-end upgrade, which might be alright if you're going to build a better computer in the future. It will certainly make it an acceptable gaming machine for the forseeable future, and a backup to what you hope to build (where that 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo is really going to hold you back alot.) 2. Alternatively you could spend the full $400 and pick up an i5-750, and a Mobo, and RAM, which will give you a suitable performance boost, and will be worth spending money to upgrade graphics at some point in the future. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128437 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275 for example). On the other hand, if you wait until you're building a full computer, $400 will likely go a lot farther as new CPUs will have been released. 3. Wait. In short: 1. Spend $200 to max out your current upgrade path, and save the rest for later on down. You'll be able to use the whole current computer as a capable backup when the time comes. 2. Spend the full $400 and give your PC a whole new lease on life, but at cost of foregoing putting more awesome guts at the center of computer later down the line. 3. Wait and make do with the current clunker until you get all new and shiny i7 isn't doable on a $400 budget for cpu/mobo/RAM | ||
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