View Full Version : Need a little help in buidling a new PC!
My current PC box is getting a bit dated. First built in Feb 2000, it's had quite few upgrades. Current spec (Dont't laugh!) of the PC is P3-700, 512megs of Ram, and a Geforce 3-TI200. Belive it or not, it can play Halflife 2 at a higher framerate than NC2!
So it's time to build a new box, which will be used for both gaming and also development.
This is when I need your help, since it's a long time I've built a new PC.
1. Which CPU should I go for, AMD or Intel? Pro's and cons of both would be good if possible!
2. Whats the best motherboard/chipset to go with the processor.
3. Graphics card - Nvidia 7800GTX or is the new ATI chipset (R520) any good?
[TgR]KILLER
17-10-05, 13:30
if you can pay for it go for the 7800 GTX or else a 7800 GT :) but nvid 4 t3h win..
combo with an AMD proc ( something like the 4400 duel core chips ) and a asus or msi mobo.. 1 or 2 gb kingston ram. ( ddr2 ? )
should do fine =)
KILLER']if you can pay for it go for the 7800 GTX or else a 7800 GT :) but nvid 4 t3h win..
should do fine =)
I got a 7800GTX it is über!!! And nvid rolls!! buy a AMD, 7800GTX, 1 / 2gb ram 200gb hardrrive etc
You could try one of the following threads on the age-old AMD vs Intel debate:
http://forum.neocron.com/showthread.php?t=127326
http://forum.neocron.com/showthread.php?t=123807
http://forum.neocron.com/showthread.php?t=122057
http://forum.neocron.com/showthread.php?t=120033
Perhaps read the threads and judge for yourself, though there are some biased views in there ;)
[TgR]KILLER
17-10-05, 15:17
ok maybe this helps you more bram ;x
link to AMD x2 proc review (http://techreport.com/reviews/2005q2/athlon64-x2/index.x?pg=1)
a preview of page 5 tests.
http://techreport.com/reviews/2005q2/athlon64-x2/farcry.gif
amd > intel ;x
review of the 7800GTX (http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050622/index.html)
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050622/images/image037.gif
All of those threads mostly side with AMD.
I've been lost in loads of technical stuff on each CPU most of the morning. There is one feature I want, which would help my development work, is virtualization technology. However Intel and AMD are not offering that until next year.
As for Dual Core technology from AMD, it looks more expensive that what Intel can offering. :confused: (From http://www.scan.co.uk)
However so far, I'm leaning towards AMD, since they are leading the 64bit race, and you get more bang for your buck. What I'll probably do is get a single core and upgrade next year to a Dual core with VT.
Next question to the list, anyone know what the difference between a 7800GT and 7800GTX is?
[TgR]KILLER
17-10-05, 16:01
differnce between GT and GTX (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1848533,00.asp)
does it show i'm bored enuff @ work ? :p
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/11/0,1425,i=111876,00.gif
go for a 7800 GT SLI setup bram <3
james_finn
17-10-05, 16:24
bram I have a 7800GT, if you have a monitor that is limited in its resolutions then it is the best card out there at the moment. Personally I dont like ATi, but thats due to a bad experience.
On the CPU debate afaik the main differences between intel and AMD are the length of the onboard pipeline, the AMD has a shorter one so it is better for games and image editing, whereas the Intel has a long pipeline structure so it is better for video encoding.
One thing not to neglect when building is your PSU make sure it is a respectable brand and dont be afraid to spend a decent amount of money, it will make you happy in the long run!
If you need any help dont hesitate to PM me :)
KILLER']differnce between GT and GTX (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1848533,00.asp)
does it show i'm bored enuff @ work ? :p
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/11/0,1425,i=111876,00.gif
go for a 7800 GT SLI setup bram <3i think gtx sli is even better :p
Original monk
17-10-05, 19:05
i love em both lol, i have a P4 pc with ati and a amd pc with gforce and there both great :)
look out with asus tough, the ventilator on my asus x800xt/td fataled :/ luckely i was in waranty for 10 days left and got a saphire x850xt PE in replacement lol high AA/AF owns cough
:angel:
Next question to the list, anyone know what the difference between a 7800GT and 7800GTX is?
GTX has 4 more pipelines (24) , faster memory, and a faster core then the gt.
Ok current working spec I've come up with:-
Asustek A8N-E S939 nForce4 Ultra ATX
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Socket 939 512KB
Corsair Memory TWINX2048 - 3200C2PT XMS3200 2x1GB 2x184DIMM CAS2
Gigabyte GF 7800GT 256MB PCI-E DVI-I (There doesn't seem to be much between the GTX and GT, so it's the GT)
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus10 250GB S150
Plextor DVD+-R/RW DL 16x IDE
Things may change if I find out things are not compatible with other things. The graphics cards are bothering me a little, as it seems they only have DVI output for flatscreens and no VGA output for older monitors.
Thoughts?
PSU? Ul need about 400Watt to drive that thing, my computer with 1gbram, 160gb smasung hd, 3200+, 7800GTX, dvd writer, MSI k8n nforce 4 platninum drags about 330Watt. but i dont know if you got the same WATT reqs...
The case and PSU I'm doing seperatly. Looking for 500wats min for a PSU.
[TgR]KILLER
18-10-05, 16:06
before anybody beets me being smart.
almost all current vid cards have DVI outs for tft's but they also come straight out of the box with a small DVI to VGA adapter.. at least my vid ( 6800 GT ) only has 2 DVI outs to but it has 2 of the adapters.. got a 17" vga crt connected to them :)
KILLER']before anybody beets me being smart.
almost all current vid cards have DVI outs for tft's but they also come straight out of the box with a small DVI to VGA adapter.. at least my vid ( 6800 GT ) only has 2 DVI outs to but it has 2 of the adapters.. got a 17" vga crt connected to them :)
Yes, when i got my 7800GTX i had 2 LCD outputs and 1adapter for regular screen, and 1 VGA for ex TV ;)
And those adapters look easy to get just in case I dont get one. Thats one more problem off the list - thanks guys!
3. Graphics card - Nvidia 7800GTX or is the new ATI chipset (R520) any good?
If you want to run Linux as well, go Nvidia. Both Nvidia and ATI supply only binary Linux drivers (documentation for writing drivers would be preferred by the Open Source crowd), but Nvidias's have a way better reputation than ATI's.
KILLER']before anybody beets me being smart.
almost all current vid cards have DVI outs for tft's but they also come straight out of the box with a small DVI to VGA adapter.. at least my vid ( 6800 GT ) only has 2 DVI outs to but it has 2 of the adapters.. got a 17" vga crt connected to them :) flatscreen 4tw. Why spend so much on a graphics card if you don't have anything nice to watch it on? :p
flatscreen 4tw. Why spend so much on a graphics card if you don't have anything nice to watch it on? :p
Yup I picked up a 19" Samsung LCD about 2 1/2 years ago and I've loved it ever since.
i love my shiny new lcd, but almost as soon as i got it my old monitor (9+ year old taxan crt) which i was running as a secondary monitor, decided to finally die :(
[TgR]KILLER
19-10-05, 11:15
an lcd with crap responce time sucks for gaming tho so you need to fork out cash for a nice one.. i'll go for a good crt any day. 19" crt or so <3
responce time might not be of any use for nc. but for high pase fps games i would go for a good monitor.
If you want to run Linux as well, go Nvidia. Both Nvidia and ATI supply only binary Linux drivers (documentation for writing drivers would be preferred by the Open Source crowd), but Nvidias's have a way better reputation than ATI's.I have one minor problem with newer Nvidia drivers and my TNT2 card driven system; things which were working in OpenGL don't anymore with newer drivers. Aside of that, the Nvidia drivers are running just fine. A friend is using an ATI card and he is not happy about it, not because the card is bad, but because of the bugs in the ATI drivers. This is a thing which may change at any time, though. The patch/update cycles seem to be pretty long, unfortunately (or at least were).
Documentation about graphics hardware programming is a story on it's own ...
Scanner Darkly
20-10-05, 12:21
I think this is down to personal preference, but I think LCDs are a lot more comfortable to look at over extended periods, where CRTs probably still have the edge for gaming, although a good LCD with fast (sub 10ms) refresh should do just fine. Prices are low enough to make a 17 or 19 inch LCD economical and the radiation they emit is nowhere near as bad for your eyes as CRTs. Also remember that a 20 inch CRT is usually around 19 inch viewable, so 19 inch LCD = 20 inch CRT (this is rough figures, but the rule translates as the measurements for CRT include the whole tube, some of which is hidden by the front monitor bezel).
Another consideration noone has mentioned is cooling and noise. I'm a big fan of watercooling, since it makes for a silent PC. It may seem like a lot of hassle to fit and maintain, but for me the rewards are worth it.
Sounds like you'll have a kickass machine there Bram, I'm already envious.
My epenis [ AMD Athlon64@2Ghz on an Asus mobo ][ 1 Gig OCZ low latency RAM ][ ~ half a Tb HDD some raid ][ a shoddy Ati AIW9800SE]
All cooled by a Zalman Resorator and some silent fans.
Well yesterday the parts came :cool: , there was a few changes. The DVD drive was changed, so I could get one in the colour that matched the case, and I went for the next size up on the hard disk, as the 250gig was out of stock. Final spec.
Asustek A8N-E S939 nForce4 Ultra ATX
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Socket 939 512KB
Corsair Memory TWINX2048 - 3200C2PT XMS3200 2x1GB CAS2
Gigabyte GF 7800GT 256MB PCI-E DVI-I
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus10 300GB S150
HP 635i DVD Writer
I just need another fan to cool the hard disk, as it's a little warm to touch.
Otherwise, it's a kick-ass PC. It makes my old box look like the dark times. Neocron 2 runs at 70 FPS outside with everything on max, and 90FPS in the underground.
And Half Life 2 - Lost coast is just....so amazing!
So I like to thank you all for your help and advice!
Neocron 2 runs at 70 FPS outside with everything on max Are we talking vegetation on here, stood in the middle of the swamps?
Are we talking vegetation on here, stood in the middle of the swamps?
Not been there yet. but it was running at 70FPS in CRP.
For the hard drive cooling, grab a proper HDD cooler that will screw onto it, dont piss about with angling fans from all over.
Of course, it all depends on what you mean by "a little warm". If its just "warm" warm, thats fine. If its "oh holy fuck, where are my fingerprints" warm, then yeah you need a cooler.
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