Computer upgrade help

MikeR80 · Post by **MikeR80** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:24 pm

Hi,

I'm planning on building myself a new PC for gaming and programming using the following components:

AMD Phenomâ„¢ 9950 Black Edition, Socket AM2+, 2.6GHz, 4MB Cache, 125W, Retail http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=879870

Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=870979

Antec Nine Hundred 900 - Gaming Case http://www.ebuyer.com/product/118268

Hiper 680W Type-R 85% Efficiency PSU http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135454

Force3D HD 4870 512MB DDR5 Dual DVI HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148210

Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 DHX Memory http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142433

Samsung SpinPoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB Hard Drive SATAII *32MB Cache*
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143288

Optiarc ADhttp://www.ebuyer.com/product/139414-7200S 20X DVDÂ±RW/DL/RAM Internal SATA Bare Black Drive

Can anyone tell me if this set up will be ok? I stopped trying to keep up with all the different types makes and models of hardware years ago and don't want to end up with a collection of components that will not work together.

Any advice will also be appreciated.

Thanks

jjp · Post by **jjp** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:21 pm

The most reasonable choice for a cpu for gaming right now would be a dual core from Intel (an E8400 for example). For the graphics card I'd rather take a 4870 with 1024MB and skim through a few reviews to find out which one has a decent cooling solution. You don't want to end up with an annoyingly loud gfx card

KungFooMasta · Post by **KungFooMasta** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:24 pm

Are you on a budget? AMD ftl... the Intel Quad Core Q6600 is the best value right now, you can find cpu's around 175 on newegg.com. Or if you want to wait, Intel's new system of Nehalem processors are about to enter the market.. but they will be expensive and require specific hardware (mobo, ram) if I remember correctly.

jjp · Post by **jjp** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:29 pm

Talk goes right now that Nehalem won't bring any huge leaps in regards to gaming performance. And that might well be correct. I really wouldn't hold my breath for it.

KungFooMasta · Post by **KungFooMasta** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:32 pm

From what I remember the Nehalem processors were able to give same performance as current architecture using 30% less power consumption.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Neha ... hitecture)

You're probably right, I didn't hold out for it either, settled with a Q8300. But I think Q6600 has most good reviews and easy overclocking, if you're into that.

Not sure why the link doesn't work..

Baddcog · Post by **Baddcog** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:18 pm

Yeah, I've got a Q6600 and it works great. No issues.

Also have that same RAM, no issues.

And the Antec 900 case. Kindof big but all those fans keep it SUPER cool. And it is completely silent, those large fans are nice. Lots of room.

I got my stuff from newegg.com. They've got good charts for compatibility and all that on all pieces. It was my first custom build and it took me a little while but everything I ordered came in on time, everything fit and had it running the next day.

Morgoth · Post by **Morgoth** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:11 pm

Yeah, i've got Q6600 too, on Asus P5Q-PRO. (not OC yet but i'm planning it

)

During everyday's using you can't see it's real power, but if you try to compile anything bigger... you can't believe the logs you're seeing

(i.e. entire Ogre in ~3-4 min.

)