FAO: Detection and other PC gurus

[Charlie]

Hi,

I am planing to build my own PC over the next few months and could do with some help. (I will be using the HDD x2, DVD rewriter, GT440 DDR5 1Gb Graphics card and multi card reader from my old system)

(Not going to be going down the water cooling route, but it might be good to get a case that can take that (ie pre-cut holes, if I change my mind later down the road, unless those types of case are way more expensive)

I will be using Windows 7 64-bit, just not sure whether to get Home or Professional version.

My 1st purchase will be a case and PSU - Any recommendations?

I was hoping to get either a i3 or i5 Intel processor. with supports DDR3 - Any recommendations on a mobo and processor? (I might have to go for a high end quad, if cheaper) currently I have a E4400 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo - in my old Dell system

Thanks in advance

Cheers

[Mitre]

Hi Charlie
could you please post cost prices of the items you purchase as i have thought about doing this myself but would like to know what the overall cost would be compaired to a factory unit any pitfalls you hit along the way BIOS etc.
thanks

[Charlie]

Hi Charlie
could you please post cost prices of the items you purchase as i have thought about doing this myself but would like to know what the overall cost would be compaired to a factory unit any pitfalls you hit along the way BIOS etc.
thanks

Aye, will do -

I have Vostro 200 at the mo' from Dell - I was looking at a pre-built new one, even tho' the new Vostro 460 is a good spec' for me and the price is £490 - I am going to run into the same problems I have now - I have upgraded my current PC and much as 'DELL' s propriety parts limitations will let me - (ie there BOIS is locked down and so even tho the CPU I have can be overclocked from 2GHz to 2.6GHz, I can't do it via BIOS because of Dell) only other option is to do a hardware CPU pin mod, and I don't fancy doing that.


I think that a custom build is going to cost around £100 more for me but in the long run I will have less headaches replacing and upgrading parts of the new PC build.

[gazzy21uk]

Hi charlie,
I have built water cooled computers I have one at the moment the cooling is really good if you get the right components i.e radiator.pump.waterblocks good quality tubing and they are a lot quieter
I prefer windows 7 ultimate 32bit running on athlon 64 bit proccessor it does run faster and more stable than 64 bit version also the installation is smaller less files to install.
PSU are tricky I have been doing lots of research into Power supplies dearest isnt always best a lot still suffer from capacitor plague and break down if they can't take the load.
I would go for high wattage with multiple 12v rails and a brand name google round and you will see lots of different opinions on the makers and there reliability don't spend to much and make sure the supply has 2 fans 1 underneath suckin air in away from the cpu waterblock it helps with water cooling systems.

cpu type I like Intel best they run more stable and cooler then amd but are more expensive.
although my ageing athlon 64 still kicks ass when clocked up.

ah also the one good thing about amd cpu's is you can use a program called rightmark to both overclock and underclock using voltage and multiplyer settings you set yourself then set it to ondemand best cpu utility I have found on the net
my cpu runs at 1ghz 0.8v while just normal use and then when gaming clocked up to 2.6ghz 1.55v or higher when gaming automatic stepping is really going to save your electric bill.

Remember Water and Electricity mixed will fry your ass lol

[Charlie]

@gazzy21uk

Cheers for you input, very much appreciated. Your info will deficiently help me when sourcing components for the build - I am glad to know I was on 1/2 the right lines, I am looking for a PSU with 2 fans - maybe a 500w or 750w - I do think the latter is a far more than I need.

If you get chance - it would be great if you could post some pics of the inside of your current rig.

Cheers

[gazzy21uk]

my rig is not that pretty lol it's a normal sized atx case the bigger the better I have the radiator huge one bought from maplins a few years back takes up all the cd player bay fitted about 6'x4' the pump is not very good there are lots of better ones on the market now more powerfull.
I actually made 2 water blocks down the shed bit of thick copper plate with like half inch perspex sandwich sort of thing not that hard if you have the tools you can buy really good ones but they all do the same thing.

[Fonefixer]

If I were you I would go for the 750w psu, ill explain my philosophy then you'll understand why.

My present pc has been in use for some 6 years now without a hitch. All I have done is upgraded the video card, which is the main factor to consider when choosing the right psu. I also bought a motherboard that I knew could handle a lot higher spec than was originally fitted. This meant I would not have to fork out too much for upgrading anything and was easily able to do so. I'm not a fan of water cooling for safety reasons.
My asus motherboard is easy to upgrade if a new bios is released, which happens quite frequently.
What you should consider overall is what you actually want the pc for; ie graphics design, gaming etc.

[Charlie]

Thanks Fonefixer,

.... I also bought a motherboard that I knew could handle a lot higher spec than was originally fitted. This meant I would not have to fork out too much for upgrading anything and was easily able to do so....

Bingo, this is what I am trying to do - as the highest CPU I can get in there my current rig is a E8500 (at £150 odd) - I might as well save that money as start to build a system from scratch (because of the limitations of Dell's propriety parts).

Starting with a good, decent size case, that has enough room for decent air cooling and room for when I upgrade parts over time. I was looking at the Fractal Design R3 case


P.S. With a 750W PSU - Is that drawing 750W from mains power all the time or will it draw up to that amount, depending what you have in the PC case?

[Fonefixer]

I actually use a 1kw psu. The national grid loves me!
No, it doesn't draw that all the time, my pc actually draws 150w in normal use.

[Charlie]

I actually use a 1kw psu. The national grid loves me!
No, it doesn't draw that all the time, my pc actually draws 150w in normal use.

I thought you would have your house in Egypt rigged up and powered by solar panels by now.

Well the case and psu I am thinking of getting is adding upto £160 at the mo' - starting to get expensive