http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ How-To Geek Forums Forum: Build Your Own PC en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:40 +0000 http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/building-new-computer-please-leave-feedback#post-120577 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:13:08 +0000 captainklever 120577@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>thanks for the idea about the smaller hard drive. I have an external hard drive for back-up, but it might be worthwhile having one right in the case too. Is there any advantage to having the OS on the small hard drive? I have a disk of windows xp 32 bit sp3. I bought it over a year ago. I still want to make sure the main components I am selecting are going to work well together. thanks </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please/page/2#post-120520 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:35:20 +0000 mickeyblue 120520@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>cool beans, um i use the standard cooler, and its pretty silent, i dont know if its the same as the i7 but mine is rather quite, running @ 1900RPM roughly.<br /> hmm i see what you mean about the fans. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please/page/2#post-120513 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:18:45 +0000 ProstheticHead 120513@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Got Vista Ultimate with both 64 &#38; 32bit DVDs. I'll probably just go with the 32bit though, for compatibilities sake. I'll buy more RAM when DDR3 is cheaper, (It's like £90 for 4Gb here) then install 64bit. As for the fans, I'd like to use PWM mode so the chassis fans will run quietly on idle but accelerate when the CPU gets warmer.<br /> What CPU cooler do you use? I would like to use the stock cooler with the i5 but if it's the same as the one that came with my i7 then I think it'll be quite loud.</p> <p>Thanks again for your input mickeyblue. And Lol @ you dropping your mobo, catastrophe! </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please/page/2#post-120502 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:44:50 +0000 mickeyblue 120502@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>yeah we think the same, awesome. sorry to hear about the ASUS boards.<br /> i forgot to mention the biostar board i got is rather robust and sturdy, i actually dropped it before putting it in the case, oooooooooooops, clumsy, me so i carried on anyway, and it booted first time, LUCKY me!!!<br /> you could use the molex connectors from the PSU to power the fans though? thats what i did, then i just routed the wires behind the side panel to hide everything.<br /> yeah since i started building over a year ago, ill never buy another PC ever again, DIY is the best!!! cheaper, reliable and you know what you getting.<br /> hope the system performs well, it should because mine does, question.......... you using 64-bit OS? </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120498 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:08:18 +0000 ProstheticHead 120498@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Ok, I've found the Biostar for £132 with free delivery, that's a lot cheaper than I was expecting! I think I will take your good advice on this mickeyblue.<br /> The only thing I don't like about the Gigabyte and Biostar boards is they do not have enough fan headers, I'd like this system running PWM fans! Without counting the CPU header, I only see 2 on the Biostar and 3 on the Gigabyte yet the EVGA has 4.</p> <p>When it comes to computers, I'm like a kid at Christmas when new hardware arrives on my doorstep, I spend hours if not DAYS routing cables. And I've had two builds go bang, BOTH times it was the Asus crosshair mobo. First one ran for long enough to install windows, then around two hours in and in my absence it died. The second went up in a cloud of acrid smoke, luckily I was there at the time to avert any further damage. Needless to say I gave up on the Crosshair. (At least until crosshair 2 came out) But yes, after that happened I found myself double &#38; triple checking everything.<br /> At any rate you could just buy a PC off the shelf, but what fun is that? You pay more, get lesser hardware and lose out on the fun learning experience of putting it all together. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120497 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:52:16 +0000 mickeyblue 120497@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>ive always liked evga products, and that looks awesome, but in all honesty, the biostar is better equipped and cheaper than the EVGA (well on newegg at least) the ethernet ports, the onboard HD realtek audio, and the 8 phase + 4 phase power design are better than the EVGA other than that everything is the same. not trying to promote the biostar just pointing out what it has.<br /> a long wait but worth it, my favorite part of getting a new PC is putting it all together and, making the cables invisible, i love it. then turning on the power button to hear an almighty BANG!!!! ha ha, hopefully not, but there is that tense moment just before you turn it on. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120493 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:18:54 +0000 ProstheticHead 120493@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>I like how this build is evolving, it's going to be a mid tower now. Still under budget with the Silverstone case, the original parts and a Corsair 550w VX series PSU! I've still got about a month to think about it, it's going to be a long wait.</p> <p>Just spotted <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/EVGA-P55-Standard-Intel-P55-Motherboard-LGA1156">this</a> too. Looks like an amazing board for the price, but not sure it would fit my power requirements. What say you?</p> <p>Not much of a sports person anymore, used to play footie, rugby, hurling, etc but I'm much too unfit now. Even watching makes me feel tired :) </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120491 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:34:00 +0000 mickeyblue 120491@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>ooooh me likey!!! nice case, actually silverstone have some good products, i forgot about them, i bookmarked their site, thanks.<br /> yeah the Tpower is quite expensive, it was 1600RMB here which is like 160pounds, Also have a look at the ASrock P55Pro, also a good mobo.</p> <p>on another note, im geared up for SA vs Ireland next week, you a rugby fan? gonna be a tough one, but ill have to be patriotic, go bokke!!!!<br /> i do like ireland rugby though. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120489 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:01:48 +0000 ProstheticHead 120489@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>The Coolermaster 541 looks nice, but the layout is all wrong imo. The mobo sits upside down, it's just not natural!</p> <p>Check <a href="http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=kl02&#38;area=usa">this</a> baby out! It looks good and it's functional &#38; cheap too. I think this is the right case. </p> <p>I do like the TPower i55, and I like the POST error LEDs. It's pretty expensive here in the UK, and probably overkill for what I'll be using it for. Although as you rightly said it has the lowest power draw. If I can find one cheaply enough I will get it, thanks for the suggestions mickeyblue. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/building-new-computer-please-leave-feedback#post-120467 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:44:04 +0000 at0mic 120467@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130528">graphics card</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015">psu</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042">tower</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754">operating system</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009145">monitor</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041">mouse/keyboard</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836166006">speakers</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012&#38;cm_re=SOUNDBLASTER_CARD-_-29-102-012-_-Product">optional sound card</a></p> <p>this is a basic build but could be better than anything you can buy off the shelf. you can't transfer your old operating system onto a new build. you will have to purchase another copy. you might also want to put your operating system on a smaller <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136457">HARD DRIVE</a> and use the larger one for back up </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120459 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:29:41 +0000 mickeyblue 120459@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>ok, found 2 nice Mid-tower cases.</p> <p>Antec Three Hundred BP430 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply $ 90<br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129065" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129065</a></p> <p>Rosewill R512BS Black Ultra High Gloss Finished ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with 500W 20+4Pin &#38;4SATA Connectors Power Supply $ 55<br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147129" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147129</a> </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120455 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:40:53 +0000 mickeyblue 120455@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>hey man, yeah the Biostar Tpower I55 is the one, the newegg one, its pretty kitted out and runs super cool, just look at those heat sinks :)<br /> definitely not an overclockers board, the other P55 boards like the ASUS P55Deluxe and MSI GD85 all performed SLIGHTLY better on overclock, but the power consumption from the biostar was at least 10% less.<br /> here is a very detailed review,<br /> <a href="http://www.elitebastards.com/index.php?option=com_content&#38;view=article&#38;id=805:biostar-tpower-i55-motherboard-review&#38;catid=13:hardware-reviews&#38;Itemid=27" rel="nofollow">www.elitebastards.com/index.php?option=com_content&#38;view=article&#38;id=805:biostar-tpower-i55-motherboard-review&#38;catid=13:hardware-reviews&#38;Itemid=27</a></p> <p>maybe mid-tower is the way to go, ill scout around for some good mid-tower cases. by the way did you like the coolermaster micro ATX, i think its quite a nice case, just wondering. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120413 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:49:45 +0000 ProstheticHead 120413@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>@mickeyblue, sorry, think I was looking at the wrong <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Biostar-TP55-Intel-P55-Express-S1156-PCI-E-20(x16)-DDR3-1866-(OC)-SATA-3Gb-s-SATA-RAID-ATX">mobo.</a></p> <p>Is <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138159&#38;Tpk=Biostar%20Tpower%20i55">this</a> the right one? If so, it looks pretty tooled up. And you say it's not an overclockers board! It definitely looks the part.</p> <p>So.. on to the case. A mid tower might be a better option I suppose in terms of functionality, and the Antec 300 could be a contender. It doesn't come with a PSU though.. that might hurt the budget slightly but not that big of a deal. </p> <p>Lots to meditate on here! I am pretty fussy about this stuff - you have been warned!</p> <p>Thanks guys for your input, I really appreciate you taking the time to help out. If you chance upon anything else of interest on your travels through the www, be sure to let me know! </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/building-new-computer-please-leave-feedback#post-120386 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:05:31 +0000 LH 120386@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>You got the hang of it :) </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/building-new-computer-please-leave-feedback#post-120385 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:02:04 +0000 captainklever 120385@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>sorry, i was editing for a bit, im not used to this posting system with the links. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/building-new-computer-please-leave-feedback#post-120381 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:41:20 +0000 captainklever 120381@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>I have an atx case from my old build with a 500 watt Ultra psu. I currently have windows xp 32 bit, but will soon be upgrading to windows 7. Although i have read that xp 32 bit supports up to 4 Gb ram, I have also read in other forums that it only supports between 2 and 3 Gb ( i never hear the same number). I guess i will use 1- 2Gb stick until i get windows 7. I mostly want to know that these components will be compatible. My psu has 20 pin motherboard connector, and the motherboard is 24 pin, so i will by the adapter. I have 3 cpu's listed, because i am not sure if there is a benfit of having a 95 watt vs the 125 watt of basically the same cpu, or is it just a waste of energy. plus i am not sure if the 125 watts will cause my psu to be overtasked. </p> <p>I use my computer for light gaming (world of warcraft), adobe, photoshop, illustrator, indesign, and adobe premiere video editing. Is there a graphics card you recommend for these computer applications? Will the on board video be suffice to play warcraft for a little bit? I appreciate any feedback or recommendations in advance, thanks for your time. Below are the links to the components i will be getting.</p> <p><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103696">cpu option1</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674">cpu option2</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103675">cpu option3</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283">hard drive</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189">memory</a><br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128398">motherboard</a> </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120357 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:49:00 +0000 mickeyblue 120357@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>here ya go, 4 very nice cases, simple stylish (no LED'S) AND they have good cooling options.</p> <p>Rosewill R363-M-BK Black Ultra High Gloss Finished MicroATX Computer Case with 400W ATX 2.2 12V Power Supply $50<br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147099" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147099</a><br /> HEC 6K28BSOH48D Black / Silver 0.8mm SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 485W Power Supply $50<br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121049" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121049</a><br /> COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKRJ-GP Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Computer Case 400W Power Supply $ 75<br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119209" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119209</a><br /> Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (i know its not but micro ATX but still a good case)<br /> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042</a></p> <p>personally i think the coolermaster is the best bet (or the ANtec if you dont mind mid-tower), it has tool less drive bays, looks better, has the potential cooling of 1 x front, 1 x side &#38; 2 x rear, this is some good cooling for a micro ATX. obviously you have to purchase the side and rear fans separately, but its worth it.</p> <p>i hope this was of some help. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120356 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:32:24 +0000 mickeyblue 120356@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>oh forgot, nevermind the motherboard cause its ATX, and you want micro-atx case so oops. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120354 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:00:33 +0000 mickeyblue 120354@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>hey man, the biostars 2nd slot actually runs at 8x, it supports xfire and SLI.<br /> ill look at a case for you, the one you need is totally out of my spec as i like ones that light up like space ships, ha ha, but ill dig deper for you and try find a good one, give the biostar a second look, i only recommend it because i use it and from the moment i turned it on its been running like a dream. totally wrong board for em as i wanted an overclockers board but im happy either way. will post back soon with a few cases in mind. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/new-build-budget-500-suggestions-please#post-120350 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:30:47 +0000 ProstheticHead 120350@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Thanks mickeyblue. I was kind of worried about heat dissipation... It says somewhere there is room for another 120mm fan, I'd guessed that must be at the front intake but I could be wrong. Also, I like how this one has a removable air filter.</p> <p>Can you recommend a case? Ideally it would be microATX, come with a decent PSU, vent quietly but well and look reasonably civilized, ie without LEDs beaming out of every orifice. PWM fans would be an advantage, but I could always swap them out if necessary. </p> <p>At any rate, I'm not going to OC this. Energy efficiency is important with this build as it will be running most of the time.</p> <p>The Biostar mobo is a good suggestion, but I need an extra PCIe slot at least 4x (for a HP NC380T network adapter) </p>