Recomend a mobo,cpu,ram ?? (PROBLEM !!)

[SNAAKE]

Allright kids time for another computer
Can some of you here recomend good mainstream motherboard(s),cpu(3-4ghz) and some ddr ram to go with it.This will be used for videos,audio,grapic design etc.

Thanks in advance !!

[USSEnterprise]

how much are you looking to spend?

[pointdablame]

Motherboard - ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe

CPU - AMD Athlon64 X2 3800+ or higher (or if you overclock, you can try to find a good stepping Opteron or 3500+ for cheaper)

Ram is pretty cheap right now. I've always been a Corsair XMS guy myself, but there are a number of good brands out there.  Get at least a 1gig Dual Channel set.... get a 2gig set if you can swing it and expect to have the system for a while.

You can start off with one video card if you want, or spring for an SLI setup out of the gate.

That's what I'd buy if I had the cash and needed a new system.  I'm not really an Intel guy, so you'll need to get an idea for that from someone else.

[SNAAKE]

how much are you looking to spend?

$600-700 or more. Looking for the best !

pointdablame:
Thanks for the input. Any other recomendation welcome..maybe some intel boards with p4 cpu support.

[USSEnterprise]

You could go for an Pentium Dual Core 820 or 830. The 830 is only around $340

[Harry Potter]

There wouldn't be many applications optimised for Dual CPUs.

Partially optimised yes (Like Photoshop, Premiere) but not 100%.

The only ones I can think of is 3D apps like Lightwave, Maya and Softimage or a weird one, TMPGEnc.

[missioncontrol]

how much are you looking to spend?

lmao......


are you going to give him a deal on one of your recent e-bay purchases...

[shmokes]

Why would you be looking for Intel deals if you want the best and have a budget?  The best Athlon 64 is the best chip available right now and it's less expensive than Intel's most expensive chip.

[pointdablame]

There wouldn't be many applications optimised for Dual CPUs.

Partially optimised yes (Like Photoshop, Premiere) but not 100%.

The only ones I can think of is 3D apps like Lightwave, Maya and Softimage or a weird one, TMPGEnc.

yeah but unless he's looking at another new build within 6 months or so (why?), dual core will future proof his system.

Like I said, unless you were on a budget (you're not... your price range is plenty) I wouldn't even consider a non-dual core processor.

Get a X2 3800+ or better (or Intel equivalent) and you'll be good to go.  Install XP 64bit and you'll be ready.

Anyone building a system today and NOT going dual core or NOT going PCI-Express is foolish and is wasting their money.  There is plenty of life left in AGP and non-dual core... but if you're buying new, you'd be much better off.

[USSEnterprise]

how much are you looking to spend?

lmao......


are you going to give him a deal on one of your recent e-bay purchases...

Yes, can I interest you in a 33MHz Macintosh Preforma?

[Generic Eric]

I am considering upgrading as well.

My problem is that I bought this motherboard long ago.  I am in a position where I have to weigh the cost of maxing out this PC to its fullest potential versus buying a new platform.

It is an EPOX 8KHA+ with Athlon XP 1900 and 384M of RAM.

Its a pickle I think.  I am looking at spending about 200 to make it out.  I wonder if its not worth starting over.  My other PC is like that as well, by that I mean that I bought a motherboard, but never upgrade it to its fullest potential.  Guess I'm not livin' on the edge after all. 

Anywho...

Snaake, have you maxed your current PC to its fullest potential? 

Normally I am quick to say "buy the fastest PC you can afford."   Looking back, I have 3 motherboards that I could have "maxed out" but never did.  Since I didn't, the other 2 are collecting dust when I could have added more ram or upgraded the CPU along the way and have been "happier" with them at the time.

---

On the other hand, I have a radeon 9600 w/ 256M of Ram.  It was a good choice for me at the time.  Consider all your options and make good use of the pennies you have been saving.

[pointdablame]

I understand what you mean generic_eric, but if you go out and build a new system without maxing out your current one, I always find that the best thing to do is sell your current system and put that towards your new build.

I've done the same thing as you many times, and was able to sell my older parts for a significant chunk of my new build.  Upgrading your current system is always a good idea, but if you dont.... sell it!  Make back whatever you can.

[DrewKaree]

The only ones I can think of is 3D apps like Lightwave, Maya and Softimage or a weird one, TMPGEnc.

TMPG is one of a few dynamite DVD reauthoring apps.  I can totally see that one benefitting from it, since reencoding certain things for me has taken hours upon hours to complete.  I don't see that one as too weird, muhsef.

[SOAPboy]

Why would you be looking for Intel deals if you want the best and have a budget?

[shmokes]

If he's looking to spend a max of $600-$700 his Athlon will beat his Intel in everything from WOW to Word, Premier to Photoshop.  Intel might eak out wins in a few categories at the top end, but beneath that, at any given pricepoint, Athlon wins.

I'm mostly talking out ---my bottom--- right now as I haven't followed processors since I bought my last processor for home nearly a year ago, but I think I'm right.

[DrewKaree]

If he's looking to spend a max of $600-$700 his Athlon will beat his Intel in everything from WOW to Word, Premier to Photoshop.  Intel might eak out wins in a few categories at the top end, but beneath that, at any given pricepoint, Athlon wins.

I'm mostly talking out ---my bottom--- right now as I haven't followed processors since I bought my last processor for home nearly a year ago, but I think I'm right.

Talking ouf of your ass, I'd still take your opinion over his.  His girlfriend's PC is horribly infected with all manner of fungi, warts, and psoriasis, plus he says he reformats his PC brazilians of times.  All of that doesn't mean anything to this conversation, I just find it funny that he's anal about his computer while giving the big F-U to his girlfriend's PC or just locking it down and making it difficult for her to screw it up again.

Either that, or he could just leave her. 

[SNAAKE]

I will go with AMD then.

So this is the board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

cpu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145450

Now what kind of video card should I get and any of you here prefer certain name brand hard drives ??


generic_eric:
I am not upgrading my own computer this for someone else.

[SOAPboy]

If he's looking to spend a max of $600-$700 his Athlon will beat his Intel in everything from WOW to Word, Premier to Photoshop.

[shmokes]

Now what kind of video card should I get and any of you here prefer certain name brand hard drives ??

On videocards Nvidia's been eating ATI's lunch for the last year. 

Seagate, Maxtor, Western Digital, Hitachi....they all make great drives.  My favorite is Seagate because they're near silent and are the only company with a 5-year warranty on their drives (most have a 1-year).  Keep an eye on www.bensbargains.net for a week and you're almost guaranteed to get a hard drive for around $0.35 per GB.  Really anything under $0.50 per GB is a pretty decent price.

[USSEnterprise]

I've also been thinking about upgrade vs. new PC. I'm running a 1.6 P4 with 384 RAM and Geforce 5500 AGP. I could put up to a 2.8 P4 on the motherboard, but it won't support HT or 64bit. I could put up to 1.5 Gigs of RAM, and could use any video card compatible with 4x AGP. Would also like to set up a RAID HDD config, but my case doesn't have room for two drives. But then, I've always thought that a successful upgrade at least doubles your current speed. Now that I've got the money, I'm seriously debating what to do.

I strongly recommend against getting a Maxtor drive. I've had 3 Maxtor drives on different computers fail in the past year.

[pointdablame]

On videocards Nvidia's been eating ATI's lunch for the last year. 

nope, not anymore.  Video cards have gotten very interesting in the last few months, and both companies have awesome cards out.  There is no clear winner anymore, and a lot of people favor ATI now if you read up on the newest cards.



SNAAKE, I like Seagate hard drives myself since, as shmokes said, they are very quiet.  They've also been very reliable in my experiences.

As far as video card, thats a really hard choice for someone to make for you... how much gaming are you planning on doing?

You can get a decent deal on something like a Nvidia 6800 series card, or bump to a 7800GT.  Or you can spend quite a bit more and go for something like an ATI x1800xt.  Or you can go and drop over a grand on a SLI ATI Crossfire setup.  Or dual 7800GTXs for that matter.

It really depends on how much you game, at what SETTINGS you game, and just how much money you're willing to put out for your video card.  I have never spent more than $300 on a video card, and 9 times out of 10 keep it around $200, but then again.. I'm not a hardcore PC gamer.

[SNAAKE]

No gaming at all so budget for a video card is like $100-$200.Pretty much anything will do as long as it works with this new board.

[pointdablame]

Then just get any ol' PCI Express video card.  That mobo doesn't have AGP, so as long as you get a PCI-Express card, you're fine.

I'd probably get something like an Nvidia 6600 or an ATI x700 in your situation, but there are even cheaper options if you really wanted.

Both of the cards I mentioned are around the $100 mark.

[SNAAKE]

PROBLEM !!

I am getting no video. The case I bought came with an ATX powersupply with 20 pin connector but the motherboard has a 24 pin EATX connector. I hooked it up anyway and system powers up but no video. What should I do here ? I hear there is a converter for the pins and thats gonna solve the problem or I need to buy a new powersupply ??

Thanks again everyone !

[Harry Potter]

PROBLEM !!

I am getting no video. The case I bought came with an ATX powersupply with 20 pin connector but the motherboard has a 24 pin EATX connector. I hooked it up anyway and system powers up but no video. What should I do here ? I hear there is a converter for the pins and thats gonna solve the problem or I need to buy a new powersupply ??

Thanks again everyone !

Is there an unused 4 pin connector coming out of the powersupply? (Not the 12 volt one, but it looks similar). Normally, this connector will slot onto the 20pin connector making a 24 pin. If it doesn't have it, get a new powersupply with a 24 pin connector.

Edit: Don't use converters. I don't even know if you can do this. Reason being, the 24 pin configuration doesn't use one of the wire, the -5volt. Damage could be done to the system.

[pointdablame]

Listen to the boy wizard up there ^^

Your power supply should have a 4pin cable as well seperate from the 20pin.



You're looking for the 4 pin cable on the right of that picture.

[Harry Potter]

Yes, the 4 pin connector looks exactly like that but it should have no clip and the wires should be coloured yellow, orange, black and red instead. If you don't have that connector, you need a powersupply which does have the proper 24 pin connector.

The one in the picture goes elsewhere on the motherboard by the way.

[pointdablame]

Yes, the 4 pin connector looks exactly like that but it should have no clip and the wires should be coloured yellow, orange, black and red instead. If you don't have that connector, you need a powersupply which does have the proper 24 pin connector.

The one in the picture goes elsewhere on the motherboard by the way.

yeah, I just wanted him to see the shape of the molex... its not what most people think of when you say "4pin molex"

[SOAPboy]

PROBLEM !!

I am getting no video. The case I bought came with an ATX powersupply with 20 pin connector but the motherboard has a 24 pin EATX connector. I hooked it up anyway and system powers up but no video. What should I do here ? I hear there is a converter for the pins and thats gonna solve the problem or I need to buy a new powersupply ??

Thanks again everyone !

Is there an unused 4 pin connector coming out of the powersupply? (Not the 12 volt one, but it looks similar). Normally, this connector will slot onto the 20pin connector making a 24 pin. If it doesn't have it, get a new powersupply with a 24 pin connector.

Edit: Don't use converters. I don't even know if you can do this. Reason being, the 24 pin configuration doesn't use one of the wire, the -5volt. Damage could be done to the system.

Coverters are fine so long as the motherboard allows it..

You can run a 24pin motherboard on a 20 pin psu without even pluging in a converter nor last 4 ports.. it just depends on the motherboard and if it allows it.. Consult your motherboard manual for details

[SNAAKE]

Allright here is a pic. Now the system powers up but no video. Did I burn anything here ??

[USSEnterprise]

I would try with a 24 pin PSU. Additionally, are there any connectors on the board that look like this?

[Harry Potter]

You're  to shove the 20 into 24pin.

NOT RECCOMENDED! The 20 and 24 pin ports have slightly different power specs 

And it looks like you've tried it. Hope all will be OK.

From the photo, it looks like you haven't got the extra connector to make 24. Get another power supply. You can go 24->20pin but not (reliably) the other way around. 

[SOAPboy]

You're

[DrewKaree]

Take a hammer to it.  You'll teach it a lesson, and it won't trouble you again

[Harry Potter]

You're  to shove the 20 into 24pin.

NOT RECCOMENDED! The 20 and 24 pin ports have slightly different power specs 

And it looks like you've tried it. Hope all will be OK.

From the photo, it looks like you haven't got the extra connector to make 24. Get another power supply. You can go 24->20pin but not (reliably) the other way around. 

Suggestion

Read your motherboard manual



Seriously, its NOT a huge issue if

A) Your 12v can handle the weight
B) Your psu is big enough
C) Your motherboard supports it..

If its running, and isnt randomly bluescreening or shutting down, guess what, A B and C are covered..

There is a problem:

Quote from SNAAKE:
PROBLEM !!

I am getting no video. The case I bought came with an ATX powersupply with 20 pin connector but the motherboard has a 24 pin EATX connector. I hooked it up anyway and system powers up but -----> no video <-------. What should I do here ? I hear there is a converter for the pins and thats gonna solve the problem or I need to buy a new powersupply ??

Obvliously the MB isn't getting enough of the correct voltage (Since the connectors he's missing supply 6 or 12 volts to the MB). Or do you think those extra 4 power pins on his motherboard are for holding toothpicks?

[DrewKaree]

There is a problem:

You noticed that too?

Or do you think those extra 4 power pins on his motherboard are for holding toothpicks?

[SOAPboy]

You're  to shove the 20 into 24pin.

NOT RECCOMENDED! The 20 and 24 pin ports have slightly different power specs 

And it looks like you've tried it. Hope all will be OK.

From the photo, it looks like you haven't got the extra connector to make 24. Get another power supply. You can go 24->20pin but not (reliably) the other way around. 

Suggestion

Read your motherboard manual



Seriously, its NOT a huge issue if

A) Your 12v can handle the weight
B) Your psu is big enough
C) Your motherboard supports it..

If its running, and isnt randomly bluescreening or shutting down, guess what, A B and C are covered..

There is a problem:

Quote from SNAAKE:
PROBLEM !!

I am getting no video. The case I bought came with an ATX powersupply with 20 pin connector but the motherboard has a 24 pin EATX connector. I hooked it up anyway and system powers up but -----> no video <-------. What should I do here ? I hear there is a converter for the pins and thats gonna solve the problem or I need to buy a new powersupply ??

Obvliously the MB isn't getting enough of the correct voltage (Since the connectors he's missing supply 6 or 12 volts to the MB). Or do you think those extra 4 power pins on his motherboard are for holding toothpicks?

Yes, Toothpicks and paperclips..

He needs to read his manual for his motherboard.. like ive said in every post except the one you quoted..

[Harry Potter]

We all know SNAAKE can't read. 

And next time, try to read ALL the posts. I know I don't do it myself sometimes as well but this involved things going BOOM. 

And even if he doesn't fix it, it's only a good thing since he can't kick anyone else's ass in SF2 Turbo or whatever he plays online. 

[DrewKaree]

We all know SNAAKE can't read. 

There were pictures supplied for the piece he was supposed to plug in.  Are you telling us he doesn't even understand pictures now?  Someone smother him in a butt-ugly bedspread.  If you don't have one, don't worry.  He's got one at his house you can use

[SNAAKE]

damn I am getting  WNED.

Anyway so is there a way to figure out which powersupplies comes with 24 pic connector ?? This one here ?
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?ref=performics&product_code=50350436&pfp=BROWSE

I would try with a 24 pin PSU. Additionally, are there any connectors on the board that look like this?

No connector like that.