Thread: The computer I'm building.

Some of my comments.

1) I recommend you get a case that has a 120mm intake and 120mm exhaust (the one you linked has 80mm intake/exhaust). Larger fans are actually quieter and move much more air. And for overclocking, a case with 120mm is a must.

2) The hard drive cooling fan is unnecessary. I run 3 hard drive with a relatively low speed 120mm fan in front them, keeping them at proper operational temperatures. But extra cooling never hurts.

3) You are fine with 1x PCIe16 slot. Not many people use two or more of those types of slots.

4) As for case/motherboard compatibility, you are looking for "ATX" or "Standard ATX". Just avoid the "Micro ATX" cases and you'll be fine fitting all of your parts inside.

5) 750W PC&P is a bit overkill, I'd take a look at the 610W model for $40 cheaper (both are a very good deal regardless - I paid $75 for my Corsair HX520 over a year ago and that was an amazing deal back then) if you still can.

That's about it. The only big change on my list is the case. If you still can, find something with a 120mm intake and 120mm exhaust. Also make sure the case comes with fans, because if not you will need to order your own for an extra $10-$20.

Thanks blade, I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by blade5x

Some of my comments.

That's about it. The only big change on my list is the case. If you still can, find something with a 120mm intake and 120mm exhaust. Also make sure the case comes with fans, because if not you will need to order your own for an extra $10-$20.

Yeah, I plan on getting a different case, someone on different forum told me the same thing. Also, I plan on getting a different CPU now than I thought...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115043 but the heat sink that comes with it I'm told is crap so I need to get a different one separately, and I'm going to get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152098 for the hard drive instead of that other one. I'll get an extra hard drive later if I need one.

I will also be changing my graphics card to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121290

Any chance you could help me pick a case from new egg under $100 that would have the bays necessary for my hard drive (and a possible other hard drive later in life) and my optical drive and the PSU? I can't find any appropriate.

My case recommendation: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ntec%20900 (comes with great adjustable speed 120mm fans)

I would recommend a Q6600 over a Q9300. Even though the Q6600 is older, it has a higher multiplier (9x vs 7.5x on the Q9300) making it easier to overclock, and it has more L2 Cache (8mb vs 6mb). The Q9450 is better than either, but it's also much more expensive. I'm throwing this out since I'm assuming you'll attempt some sort of overclocking with all overclock ready hardware you're buying.

With the Q6600 you can overclock from 2.4GHz to 3.15GHz simply by changing the FSB from 266 to 350MHz, and setting the RAM:FSB to ratio to 1:1 which will actually underclock your RAM. Save, exit the BIOS, and you are done. Not voltage adjustments required. To do the same on a Q9300 you'd have to set the FSB to 420MHz, putting more strain on the motherboard. The RAM would also run overclocked in doing this. So you'd begin raising voltages on the motherboard and possible RAM to maintain stability, and this is where you really need to be careful.

But the Q6600 is also end of life... and i7 has been released. But i7 motherboards are insanely expensive. But the Q6600 may be the greatest chip Intel has ever released, and it has plenty of life left in it.

Other than that everything looks great. (And good choice on the HD4870)

Originally Posted by blade5x

My case recommendation: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=antec%20900 (comes with great adjustable speed 120mm fans)

I would recommend a Q6600 over a Q9300. Even though the Q6600 is older, it has a higher multiplier (9x vs 7.5x on the Q9300) making it easier to overclock, and it has more L2 Cache (8mb vs 6mb). The Q9450 is better than either, but it's also much more expensive. I'm throwing this out since I'm assuming you'll attempt some sort of overclocking with all overclock ready hardware you're buying.

With the Q6600 you can overclock from 2.4GHz to 3.15GHz simply by changing the FSB from 266 to 350MHz, and setting the RAM:FSB to ratio to 1:1 which will actually underclock your RAM. Save, exit the BIOS, and you are done. Not voltage adjustments required. To do the same on a Q9300 you'd have to set the FSB to 420MHz, putting more strain on the motherboard. The RAM would also run overclocked in doing this. So you'd begin raising voltages on the motherboard and possible RAM to maintain stability, and this is where you really need to be careful.

But the Q6600 is also end of life... and i7 has been released. But i7 motherboards are insanely expensive. But the Q6600 may be the greatest chip Intel has ever released, and it has plenty of life left in it.

Other than that everything looks great. (And good choice on the HD4870)

Well I ordered all the parts already hehe, and surprisingly enough I actually ordered the frame your suggested =D. I wish I had waited a little longer so I could think things over about the CPU but too late now hehe. All together my computer cost USD $1003. But I get about $110 in rebates so it is going to be around 900 bucks for the entire system I'm building. I'm getting a 22 inch monitor for around $140. My only issue is how much the OS is going to cost me, I really want to get a vista, but it seems so expensive! Oh well, Premium here I come!

No big deal with the CPU. The Q9300 should actually run cooler than the Q6600. It's actually slightly faster clock for clock, so even though it may not be able to overclock as far the older Q6600, it's about 10% quicker at identical clocks, which should make up for it.

If you get Vista, get a 64-bit copy, so you can utilize 4GB and more if you ever decide to add some. Compatibility issues with 64-bit operating systems are thing long of the past. My little brother uses a 32-bit version while I use a 64-bit version, and honestly - you cannot tell the difference between the two, except that I've got 8GB of memory available while he's only got 3.25GB available even though he has 4GB installed because of 32-bit limitations.

Glad to be a help. (I also envy you now hehe)

Originally Posted by blade5x

No big deal with the CPU. The Q9300 should actually run cooler than the Q6600. It's actually slightly faster clock for clock, so even though it may not be able to overclock as far the older Q6600, it's about 10% quicker at identical clocks, which should make up for it.

If you get Vista, get a 64-bit copy, so you can utilize 4GB and more if you ever decide to add some. Compatibility issues with 64-bit operating systems are thing long of the past. My little brother uses a 32-bit version while I use a 64-bit version, and honestly - you cannot tell the difference between the two, except that I've got 8GB of memory available while he's only got 3.25GB available even though he has 4GB installed because of 32-bit limitations.

Glad to be a help. (I also envy you now hehe)

Blah I can't find a vista with 64 bit that isn't OEM or an upgrade


Ok I found one I think. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116469

why just buy OEM? I did for my build lol

Lol we have the same case and graphics card and brand of ram( not identical ram)! 4870 is a great card But when you get it make sure the newest driver is installed because the newest CCC suit( basically CCC and the driver in one)( catalyst control centre, gives you options to tweak for the graphics cards made by ATI) gives you a sliding bar were you can change the speed of the fan on the graphics card easily. The auto fan adjust is rubbish and so when im playing games i changed it from it's default 22%-25 fan speed to 35-40, makes it quite a bit cooler.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

why just buy OEM? I did for my build lol

Lol we have the same case and graphics card and brand of ram( not identical ram)! 4870 is a great card But when you get it make sure the newest driver is installed because the newest CCC suit( basically CCC and the driver in one)( catalyst control centre, gives you options to tweak for the graphics cards made by ATI) gives you a sliding bar were you can change the speed of the fan on the graphics card easily. The auto fan adjust is rubbish and so when im playing games i changed it from it's default 22%-25 fan speed to 35-40, makes it quite a bit cooler.

How is the OEM different from the regular one? I thought it was...so that is why I didn't buy it.

Is it just that it doesn't come with support?

no-one gives you free support
(well, apple does)

OEM's (Dell, HP, etc.) just supply a pre-built, pre-installed machine, possibly with a hardware warranty

the only advantages to OEM machines is you don't have to install an OS yourself, and if any hardware fails within x months it's covered

and then there's a heap of disadvantages....

Originally Posted by Ynot

no-one gives you free support
(well, apple does)

OEM's (Dell, HP, etc.) just supply a pre-built, pre-installed machine, possibly with a hardware warranty

the only advantages to OEM machines is you don't have to install an OS yourself, and if any hardware fails within x months it's covered

and then there's a heap of disadvantages....

I thought he was talking about the Operating System. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488 For people who build and sale.

i did, OEM basically means you can only install it on that computer, rather then multiple PCs. I guess it isn't so good if your wanting to install it on multiple PCs or if you want to buy a new one quite soon after but for me OEM was like £60 but the real thing was like £200 or something ridiculous. I plan to use this computer for a while yet so it was worth the extra £140 to spend on components IMO.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

i did, OEM basically means you can only install it on that computer, rather then multiple PCs. I guess it isn't so good if your wanting to install it on multiple PCs or if you want to buy a new one quite soon after but for me OEM was like £60 but the real thing was like £200 or something ridiculous. I plan to use this computer for a while yet so it was worth the extra £140 to spend on components IMO.

I actually found out that I can get premium pretty cheap, and when in college I'm going to be able to get the higher vista for even cheaper than the OEM is hehe.

OEM has two meanings. Normally it refers to an entire computer that's preassembled by a company (that overcharges you). It's also sometimes used to refer to a single license of a proprietary operating system that forbids you to run it on any computer other than the one it was originally intended for. I think Ynot meant the former and cuddlyperson meant the latter. In any event, why not just use a superior free OS like one of the myriad Linux distros or FreeBSD? Many games run basically full speed on wine/crossover or winex/cedega.

Not that I think that you'll do it, but I'm using Mandriva Linux, and its free! (Well, I guess it actually costs a couple cents for the blank CD). I switched from XP about a month ago and haven't looked back. The only thing I missed was games, I don't play them any more, but there are a few options (Wine/Cedega) that let you play windows games on linux. You could also run a VM if you wanted. Anyways, good luck getting a cheap version of vista.

Originally Posted by Mortalis

Not that I think that you'll do it, but I'm using Mandriva Linux, and its free! (Well, I guess it actually costs a couple cents for the blank CD). I switched from XP about a month ago and haven't looked back. The only thing I missed was games, I don't play them any more, but there are a few options (Wine/Cedega) that let you play windows games on linux. You could also run a VM if you wanted. Anyways, good luck getting a cheap version of vista.

I'm going to get the OEM of premium for $100 and once I'm in college I can get vista ultimate for around $70.

Find a computer case that comes with a larger fan which is much wider (Like the propellers inside a 747 kinda).

My friend has one and not only does it keep his computer COLD, but it even cools down his room.