Computer Building/Maintenance Thread

[AchrisK]

Ok, for now this is about a computer I am planning to build. But it can be a general computer building and maintenance thread.

My home computer is like 6-7 years old. It's been unstable lately, and it's been virtually obsolete for a couple of years. I am planning on building my own, for a couple of reasons. For one, I don't have to deal with pre-loaded Windows Vista (I have XP). Also, I can hand pick all the parts, and not leave it up to a company to throw in substandard crap.

Any general or specific recommendation you people have would be appreciated. It's mostly an office/internet computer, but I can see some mid-level gaming happening (Halo, CoD, etc).

So here is what I have picked out so far, though I will probably change the video card:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

LINKSYS WRT54GL IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless-G Broadband Router - Retail

ZEROtherm CF800 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply - Retail

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM

 

[FenriR]

Right, this is my area.

OK... the processor. Q6600 is excellent. No problems there.
Memory... I'd go for Geil or Corsair, but that's just me.
Asus p5ks are awesome motherboards, good choice.
router... wtever, really.
I don't know much about that CPU cooler, I just rely on a huge quantity of fans in my case.
Corsair power supply... good. The other option is something Thermaltake.
Now... the case. I'm not fond of that case. We'll come to that.
Hard drive... you're kidding me, right? 160gb? I suppose it's about personal preference, but I've nearly filled 1.5tb. HDs are on the cheap atm, a 500gb wouldn't set you back much. Good brand, though, although I prefer Seagate Barracuda.
GPU... OK. If you're intending to play games in the future I'd get something like an 8800gts.
DVD burner... doesn't matter much.

K, now, the important thing. What's your budget, so I can work out whether any components could be upgraded.
(also, bear in mind I'm used to UK prices, so, while I know about the components, I have to rely on Newegg to work it out...)
Now, the case. Don't get that, I've had bad experiences with it. Depending on your budget, I'd get a Thermaltake armour (it's biiiiig, mind you, but hellishly good) or an Antec 900 or even 1200.

 

[AchrisK]

I appreciate the input!

I am looking at anywhere from $1000-$1200, probably. What I have there is about $815 before shipping (this is on a wishlist at Newegg.com).

Regarding the case, I have to fit into about a 19 deep x 17.5 tall x 8 wide space. Actually, the space is slightly bigger than that, so those can be the dims of the case itself. What type of bad experiences have you had with that case? I like that it has a side intake and an outlet fan. I read some reviews and it was rated pretty well. Can't remember the cons that people listed.

I will likely change the video card to something like an 8800 GT or GTS.

I currently have an 80 Gb drive that is probably less than half full. I don't download music or movies or porn. My music collection is in CDs, and I don't have them backed up or anything. I am looking at something larger like 2500Gb-320Gb, since you never know how much applications will grow, or what you may do differently. I will also install my 80Gb drive in the machine.

 

[Ender Rises]

I'd get a 512MB video card and a 500GB HD. You can fit that into 1200 bucks.

 

[FenriR]

512mb video card is a biiiit vague. For instance, the 512mb version of the 8800gts is superior to the 640mb version because it has a faster memory clock, engine clock, and memory bus width, if my memory serves me correctly, not to mention pixel pipelines. Its also superior to the first 1gb GPUs.

As for 500gb HD... the size is only one criterion. The speed is also important - a 5400rpm HD would cost maybe $50, whereas a 10k rpm HD would cost about 10x as much. And a solid state... well... a 64gb solid stade HD costs about £300.

But, yes, you could fit that into $1200.

So, I'd get:

q6600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
Asus P5K p35 mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180
2x2 gb corsair ddr2 pc26400 RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
Seagate barracuda 500gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148294
Corsair 620w PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002
EVGA 8800gts 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325
The case... if you can fit it, the Thermaltake armor @ 20.87" Height x 8.66" Width x 22.05" Depth is an awesome case. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133154) If not, the Antec Nine Hundred @ 19.4"(H) x 18.4 "(D) x 8.1"(W) is fairly close. Bit bigger, but closer. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021)
Those are both stuffed full of fans, so, unless you're going to overclock a lot, that should do. The Coolermaster may have good reviews, but if you're building it yourself you'll hate yourself. I built a pc for a friend with one of those and it was a BITCH. Works fine, but annoying as hell.
I'm assuming you already have a monitor, and router/DVD drive aren't really important, just so long as you get a DVD/RW as its one of the most useful components in my pc.

I make that about $1100 with my poor mental maths.

 

[AchrisK]

I see you upgraded my power supply to >600W. Another friend also recommended I go for at least 600W.

I probably won't overclock. This system will already be overkill for most stuff we use it for.

I will likely go with a 7200 RPM HD, and I will probably settle around 250-320 GB.

I do already have a monitor.

 

[AchrisK]

Here is what I ordered last night. I need to fit some software into my budget as well. Office 2003 (or 2007 if I can't find 03) and a security suite.

Rosewill R5601-BK 0.8mm Japanese Cold Rolled Steel Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
I like this case better, and sideways internal 3.5" drives, and I like the location of the USB, Audio and Firewire ports. ?The other one had a side fan that would come unplugged when you took the side panel off.

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM
Whatever.

ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Same MoBo

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Seems like a good balance between price and performance. Good reviews. Single slot.

OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V Power Supply - Retail
Better power supply

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6850 - Retail
Downgraded to the top of the line Core 2 Duo, rather than the bottom of the line Quad Core.

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Went from 4 Gig to 2 Gig. I can add more if needed, but in Win XP, it probably won't make much difference.

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Yeah yeah...

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM

LINKSYS WRT54GL IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless-G Broadband Router - Retail

ZEROtherm CF800 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

 

[FenriR]

Well... that's a goooood pee cee, but one or two points...

'better' PSU. It packs less power, and it isn't Corsair, who make the best PSUs atm. It's a good PSU, and it'll suit you, but saying it's better is wrrooong.

Rosewill... never heard of them. This probably means you've chosen a case that won't be up to the standards of the behemoth pc component companies. I'll reserve judgement until I hear what you think of it though.

Now... your RAM. Firstly, why XP? You won't be able to take advantage of the DX10 capabilities of your card (excellent choice btw). Also, 64bit XP can read up to 3.6gb of RAM.
Secondly, 2x1gb sticks = nono. A single 2gb stick is better in every aspect. Plus it'll be easier to upgrade to 4gb when you realise the error of your ways and see how dirt cheap RAM is atm.

Otherwise, all good. I won't say anything more about your HD.

 

[AchrisK]

I meant a better PSU then I had originally selected. Not better than the one you picked.

Rosewill is all over the place when you look at sub $100 cases. I remember seeing them a year ago when I started researching for this computer too (which obviously got put off for a year). It has 120mm in and out, plus I'll have the CPU fan (with heatpipes) and Video card fan to keep that stuff cool. I think it will be adequate. Plus it had to fit in that space and is typically behind a closed door (though I may think about drilling some vent holes in the door of some sort).

I don't want to go to Vista. XP 32 is a fine OS and I already own it. I don't want the headaches associated with a 64 bit OS, and I don't really need it.

RAM - oh... I didn't know 1x 2G is better than 2x 1G. I figured I probably wouldn't need to go above 4G for the life of this computer, which I can do (4x 1G). So tell me, can I mix 2x 1G and 1x 2G or 2x 1G and 2x 2G?

 

[FenriR]

p5k p35 has 4 dimm slots, so yes, so long as you choose the same type and speed of RAM (well... you could get faster, but it'd be limited to the speed of the slower RAM) you'll be fine. But FYI it won't be as efficient as 2x2gb sticks.

 

[Valerie]

Rosewill is all over the place when you look at sub $100 cases.

I actually have a Rosewill 500 watt power supply. Hasn't died on me yet

 

[FenriR]

I just got an email about a sale on AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - Retail. The specs are similar to what you're getting now, but it uses up more power. The shipping is free and the promo code takes $40 off. With the code it'll cost half of what you're paying for the intel cpu.

edit: didn't read the part about you already ordering this stuff. well i think i'm gonna get this cpu. it'd be a nice upgrade over my 4200+

The reason its on sale is because its really outdated now. CPU speed doesn't mean anything these days. The latest Intel dual cores royally spank this CPU in every respect. They're better value.