Finishing off my first built computer, need help please.

[iddqd]

Hello again. I posted a thread a while back asking for tips on a 1300 build, but decided to go with a duo core set up. What I purchased to start out are a few things - Core 2 duo E8400, Corsair 750W PSU, G.Skill 4GB DDR2 800 RAM, and a HDD.

I was wondering if I can get help on my motherboard and video card choice. Is it better to get a mobo with SLI/Crossfire capability, or can I get this one here Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards and a decent video card to last me a while?

For the video card, I'm leaning towards a Radeon 4850, or XFX/EVGA 9800GT. My budget for the combo is 500 max, but that's including my case which will either be an Antec 900 or Cooler Master HAF 932.

A newbie question, but under a motherboard's specification where it says the "memory standard" is 1066 or so, and I have a DDR2 800, will it be compatible?

Thanks in advance!.. again!

[Big_Daddy]

DDR2 memory is DDR2 memory. You should be fine.

I only build AMD stuff so I am no good with Intel

[johnross2007]

The only incompatibilty really is if you have a mobo that supports DDR2-800 but your RAM is DDR2-1066. That RAM will still work but might get underclocked to 800.

In the future I would suggest never buying some parts before others unless you are getting some deal on those parts. Builds often change in the last few days when you find deals that weren't there before.

I don't think Crossfire and SLI is worth it. The only good reason I could see for getting a mobo capable of it is in case you want to buy he exact same GPU a year or two down the line when its cheaper. But getting a new card to replace the old is still usually more cost effective.

For graphics I would go with the 9800GT but I am an unabashed Nvidia fanboy so take that with a grain of salt .

For a case get whatever you like the best. From what I hear the Antec 900 lacks filters on the front fans, but those are easily bought and installed and will help keep dust out of your computer. I wouldn't let that affect your decision, just something you might want to do should you pick the antec 900.

edit: Do you plan on overclocking?

[pullmyfoot]

The 4850 is gonna be faster than the 9800GTX and destroy the 9800GT. Its about on par with the 9800GTX+ (notice the + )

[Dax_Brandy]

between the 4850 and 9800GT, my vote goes to ATI 4850. or if you can add a little more, get the 4870.

[iddqd]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've decided to go with Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards for my motherboard, a 4850 or 4870 will be decided later today :P, and for the case I'm leaning to getting the CM HAF 932 mainly because it looks like it can last me for quite a while. Even though an Antec 300 is only 47.99 USD atm on newegg.

Actually, since I'm relatively new to building computers (first one here) I don't plan on overclocking as of yet. Perhaps after I'm a little more knowledgeable/experienced with computers in general I will. :-)

Edit: Will all of my pieces listed in this thread fit alright into an Antec 300? Having a fancy case isn't really necessary for my first system. Plus this way I can get my OS with the package. Hmmm.

[johnross2007]

I overclocked the first time I built. I did it lightly, getting a 2.13 Ghz C2D up to around 2.8 Ghz. Didn't raise the voltage at all. Its safe to do if you do a little research first. Basically overclocking helps with bang-for-buck.

[Dax_Brandy]

With that specification, why do you want to overclock? With my current setup, i can play Crysis at HIGH settings without lags. It depends though on your reasons why you want to overclock.
Intel's e7300 easily overclocks up to 50% core clock. just for you info.

[pullmyfoot]

You might as well get more performance. Youl be surprised how much a CPU overclock improves framerates.

John, I thought you are using an E8400? Why is it only running at 3.13Ghz? That thing runs 3Ghz stock. Unless youre running another CPU. In that case, why? I thought you bought the mobo for your E8400

Bump up the voltage a notch and increase your fsb again. Its generally safe if you keep your increase in voltage less than 10-15% of the stock.

[johnross2007]

hehe actually I am running an E6420 which is stock 2.13GHZ. I built about 2.5 years ago and haven't really upgraded yet. I will be soon though, replacing my 8800GTS 320MB with probably a 9800GT.

[pullmyfoot]

Yeah. You should hit 3ghz with that thing easy

[johnross2007]

You're probably right, but before I mess with that I am going to get that 9800GT and get vista 64 so I can actually use my 4 gigs. I want some gaming goodness ready for Empire: Total War in March .

[pullmyfoot]

Thats the game I have been looking forward to as well If I get only one game this year, its going to be that . I think you might need to get a faster graphics card though. I doubt you will be able to put the game on very high settings given how massive and demanding the game looks. I would look to get at least a 9800GTX+. Even I'm worried about my HD4850 playing that game (which is about equivalent to the 9800GTX+). But if you can live with med (maybe even low-med) settings then it should be fine I guess. But I dunno. We will have to wait for it to come out to see.

[johnross2007]

awww you're scarin' me. I know the minimum specs are really low, recommended haven't been released yet. From what I here the Total War guys tend to be very efficient with their graphics. Hmm...... well I might just do that. Maybe I'll find a deal.

edit: Now that I think about it, by March the GPU prices should be much more favorable considering the new GTX295 is out to push down prices, and I hear a 300 series is coming soon. Maybe I will be conquering the world with GTX260!!!!

[iddqd]

I finished off my ordering, and the rest should be arriving on Tuesday. My set up looks like:

Case - Antec 300
CPU - Core 2 Duo E8400
Motherboard - Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
RAM - GSkill 4G DDR2 800
PSU - Corsair 750W
Graphics card - Sapphire Radeon 4850 512MB (apparently this dropped to 10 bucks after I purchase it -_-)
HDD - Western Digital 500G 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
OS - Windows Vista 64 bit home premium

This will be fun putting it all together. Lets just hope there are no dead pieces.

And to overclocking, I'll give it a shot. If the performance is significantly better, I'll do it. About OCing though, should I get a new CPU fan and add any other case fans? I've been told the Intel cpu fan isn't that great for OCing.

[KarmaKiller]

Yes..you want to upgrade your cooling. The cooler the chip runs, the better OC you can get.
What's you budget, I can recommend good coolers.

[iddqd]

I'd say 60 USD max for the cooler. Only if it's worth it that is. :-p I will take everything you say into consideration KarmaKiller (this is Edward91 that PMed you randomily :P).

[KarmaKiller]

Newegg.com - XIGMATEK HDT-S1284EE 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
with
Newegg.com - XIGMATEK ACK-I7753 Retention Bracket For 4 heatpipes model only - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

or

Newegg.com - Tuniq Tower 120 Universal CPU Cooler 120mm Cooling Fan and Fan Controller/Heatsink - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

or

Newegg.com - Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

or

Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME Universal CPU Cooler (Socket LGA 775 / AM2+ / AM2 / 939) (AC-FPXT) - FrozenCPU.com

[iddqd]

I'll check those out, thanks a lot. A question about
the fans: would it be viable for me to go ahead and
put my system together (with stock cooler)to see if everything runs fine,
then apply the new CPU fan? Or is it a real pain to remove
the motherboard/install the new fan?

Sorry for the odd looking post, on my iPod touch atm. :-/

[johnross2007]

Well the biggest pain will be installing that stock heatsink/fan.

One thing that might give you trouble is removing the thermal paste (or whatever its called) when you go to install the new HSF. You will need to get rid of all of the old paste before applying the new paste. Also, for the thermal paste you should try, I think it is called Arctic Silver 7.

edit: to get the paste off of my CPU I used isopropyl alcohol (I think it was called that at least). It evaporates very fast so it can be used on sensitive computer components. I also used coffee filters, I think because they don't have lint or something. I basically read a guide on the internet and am merely telling you what I remember. I would suggest googling it.