Need help building a budgeted gaming system (amateur)

[KarmaKiller]

well if your getting no screen, then something is still up.
You just use the one cable, either digital or analog will work. So that's not the issue.
It still sounds like something is funky. what I would do, pull the little coin sized battery out for about a min or 2, then replace it and try to power it up, see what happens.

[kenny536]

Tried that, same result.

It clearly says in my Mobo manual.. hold down DEL key to access BIOS... but the thing is that the keyboard is not working.. at least I don't think it is.

As I said before, it will only light up if the USB cord is halfway in the USB Port.. but I don't believe that means it is working... I just went to wal-mart and bought a PS/2 keyboard.. I plugged that in and the keyboard still didnt light up.. however.. the PS/2 Keyboard lights (numlock, scrollock, etc.) stay on for a split second when I have the PS/2 plug HALF way in there.. just like the USB.. so whatever is wrong with the USB ports is also what is wrong with the PS/2 ports.

But I don't know if the USB/PS/2 ports are the problem... someone on another forum said "When your computer posts correctly, you will see text on your screen. It will tell you when to hold down the del key. "

[KarmaKiller]

your not understanding what I'm saying.
Even if you got into the bios, you wouldn't be able to see it because your have no screen. The BIOS is not gonna make the screen magically start working. That's not how it works. lol

You still have a problem with your PC, if you are getting no screen at all.

[kenny536]

Well, I am getting a screen - it says "digital, analog, digital, analog, and so on.. on the top left hand corner".. and if i hold the menu button it says "test good" instead...what am I exactly supposed to be seeing before the BIOS screen comes up?

[KarmaKiller]

That is the LCD telling you it's trying to switch between the 2 different inputs it has, looking for a signal. That is not your tower.
And your supposed to see a POST screen. Basically, some numbers will come up with system information, or you might get a full screen logo of some kind.
It sound like your video card is not working properly, or not plugged in to something.
You have double checked to make sure you have all power cables connected? Have you tried switching the monitor cord to the other input on the graphics card?
Is there any beeps yet?

[kenny536]

It was the RAM - I replaced the RAM and now I am getting into the BIOS screen! Such a relief.

But of course, the problems do not end there. I figured since it was the RAM this whole time, I would go back to the old UD3R GIGABYTE motherboard.. so I did that and hooked it up to the the CPU, RAM, and video card.

The problem now is that it will stay on the BIOS screen from anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 minutes... and then I lose all picture.

I'm pretty sure this is not the motherboard's fault, rather it is the video card's fault. I say this because of a couple reasons:

1. The rest of the power remains, fans still running, all lights still on - the only thing is that I lose picture.

2. When I touch the video card after only being on a little bit.. it is BURNING hot.


So I figured maybe there's something wrong with the video card... I try the other one (EVGA 8600 GTS) and that one is staying on the BIOS screen.. but it is still VERY hot.

So I figured this either meant that it's supposed to be this hot.. or this motherboard is not very good at heating the video card... ( I initially had everything in the case where the case fans were also cooling the video card, but that didn't help I believe).

So what do you think? Is it the mobo or the video card? Should I try the ASUS mobo?

[ShyguyXPC]

any of todays decent video cards will be HOT... its just the way things are... now if you know how hot, HOT, is that'd be more helpful in determining if HOT is too Hot LOL... but seriously, depending on what the actual cards temps are, that would be a good factor of whether its over heating or not. as to the motherboard, it has little to do with whether a card is overheating or not... that has more to do with a defect on the card (heatsink not adequate, not properly seated, or fan not working or some other issue), or the cards not performance settings (overclocked, overvolted, fan not getting enough juice to run effectively, etc), or could be card isn't getting cooled enough from case's system fans, or airflow to it, etc.

but with that 4830, if it is indeed just a "Junior" 4850, then that explains it. the HD4850 cards have always run at fairly high temps, I remember a couple of Reviews on them, stating that they run hotter just at idle than some higher end cards run on full load, something to do with the RAM they used and clock speeds or something...

could be similar thing with the HD4830's.

as to the display problem, almost sounds like something is loose, DVI cables connection to the card or display (you are screwing in the connector to the card and/or display, to make a tight secure connection, right? 2 little screw fasteners on each side of the connector)... but it could also be a defect with the DVI outputs as well? I remember hearing of problems with some Displays & HD4850/4870's that didn't play well together... you'd think AMD/ATI would of fixed that issue with these downsized (neutered 4850's) 4830's, but maybe the same problems might still persist?

[kenny536]

Well like I said - the display is only a problem with the 4830 .. I have the 8600 on here for temporary purposes.. and I am currently installing the OS. So although the 8600 is hot, it's not as hot as the other one, and it won't lose picture. So you're saying that the video card temperature has nothing to do with the motherboard.

So are you 100% sure I can safely say the motherboard is not defective now?

I will try the 4830 once again after I install the OS and get everything set up.. but if I still lose picture I will call newegg and probably just get a refund and just go buy a 4850 or something from tigerdirect - how does that sound?

[kenny536]

I checked the temps in the BIOS - the system temp was around 40C last night and the CPU temp was like 45C.. or the other way around I don't remember. How do I check the voltages? I couldn't find a way to check the video card temperature (if there is a way in BIOS).

After I installed the OS last night, I put the 4830 in for a little while and I didn't lose picture.. it is currently in the machine now also and I am not losing picture. I'm actually touching the video card now and although it's reasonably hot, it's not blazing hot like it was last night.. the hotness it is at now may be normal. So I don't know what was up with it last night but I'm going out for 2-3 hours now and I'm going to leave the machine on, and I will see if I lose picture when I come back.

But besides that, the OS is installed! Thanks to everyone that helped, I learned a lot!
A couple more questions- I installed the OS and I changed settings in the BIOS so it is 64 bit and I put it in HTEP mode and also ACHI mode (I don't really know what all that means) - but anyways, the OS is installed, but I noticed that it is Windows Vista Business 64-bit. Does it really matter that it is Business? Should I exchange it? What's the difference?

My last question (I think) - I need to go out and buy a wireless adapter so I can have wireless internet ( I know wired is better but I'm going to try this)

This is the router I have - LINKSYS WRT54GL IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless-G Broadband Router - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124190

What wireless adapter do you recommend for gaming? Should I cheap out and just buy one for 10-20$?

Thanks.

[kenny536]

Hello.

The computer is running beautifully. CS:Source and BF2 run flawlessly ... video-wise.

I still have one thing which frustrates me. I did not build this computer so I can lag spike every 30 seconds. It's not the computer - the PC is fine. It's my wireless internet.

Router: LINKSYS WRT54GL IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless-G Broadband Router

Newegg.com - LINKSYS WRT54GL IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless-G Broadband Router - Wireless Routers

Wireless Adapter: LINKSYS WMP54G IEEE 802.11b/g, PCI 2.2 and 2.3 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless-G Adapter Up to 54Mbps Data Rates WEP, WPA, CCX 2.0 - Retail

Newegg.com - LINKSYS WMP54G IEEE 802.11b/g, PCI 2.2 and 2.3 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless-G Adapter Up to 54Mbps Data Rates WEP, WPA, CCX 2.0 - Wireless Adapters


Yes, I know that wired is much much better for gaming, I am aware of that, but at this point that is not an option because my family hates wires.

Here is what I am going to try and I need some feedback.

I am going to install 3rd party firmware on my router (Tomato). I was deciding between Tomato and DD-WRT and I went with Tomato ... what is your opinion?

Also, I have no idea how to do this but from what I understand, it increases performance. I am hoping this will eliminate the lag spikes. I know that if I am not careful, I can "brick" my router - so if you guys have any guides on how to do this, I'd appreciate it. I was just going to google for some guides.

Secondly, I am going to replace my wireless adapter with this one:
Newegg.com - LINKSYS WMP54GS IEEE 802.11b/g 32-bit PCI Interface Wireless-G Adapter with SpeedBooster Up to 54Mbps Data Rates WEP key bits: 64Bit and 128Bit WEP and WPA - Wireless Adapters

It's basically the same one I have now, but with SpeedBooster. However, it clearly says on the box that the speedbooster mode is only available under Windows 2000 and XP. So should I not bother?
However, reading a few NewEgg reviews here : Customer Reviews Of LINKSYS WRT54GL IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless-G Broadband Router - Retail

It looks like some people have hacked the firmware and enabled speedbooster, given that they have a speedbooster wireless adapter. What do you think of this? Will hacking the firmware and enabling speedbooster still work if I have vista 64-bit? \

Will doing all this even eliminate the lag spikes?

Thanks.