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Thread ID: 94608 2008-11-05 04:30:00 Building a PC - your input needed! WarNox (8772) Press F1
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717597 2008-11-05 04:30:00 Hey,

I am going to build a computer and have come up with the approximate configuration below, please tell me what you think and of any improvements etc. you think might be worth it!

cpu: Intel q9550
motherboard: Asustek P5E, Intel X38 DDR2 ATX
gpu: ATI Radeon HD - 4850 or 4870 (really not sure)
memory: 4gb DDR2-1066
hdd: Seagate 640GB SATA 7200rpm
psu: 650W Corsair
case: Anything for about $150

For the cpu I've pretty much decided, not wanting to go dual core or i7 so this seems appropriate :)

Motherboard is my main concern. I've decided to go for the x38 chip for its 2x PCIe x16 when I decide to use crossfirex one day but really not sure on this. The gigabyte (ga-ex38-ds4) is another contender. I would like an eSata connection on the motherboard but all of those ones are quite a bit more expensive. Nevertheless please let me know your thoughts on whatever motherboard and why!!!

Thanks,



Gregor
WarNox (8772)
717598 2008-11-05 04:33:00 Get a case with a ESATA connection on it. Some do have it on them Speedy Gonzales (78)
717599 2008-11-05 04:55:00 What ever OS you decide on, Assuming its windows of some flavor - with 4Gb of RAM you will need a 64Bit edition - 32Bit only will see 3Gb wainuitech (129)
717600 2008-11-05 05:04:00 Looks good. Go for 4870. See if you can afford a full tower case for $150. qazwsxokmijn (102)
717601 2008-11-05 05:35:00 cpu: Intel q9550
motherboard: Asustek P5E, Intel X38 DDR2 ATX
gpu: ATI Radeon HD - 4850 or 4870 (really not sure)
memory: 4gb DDR2-1066
hdd: Seagate 640GB SATA 7200rpm
psu: 650W Corsair


Motherboard is my main concern . The gigabyte (ga-ex38-ds4) is another contender .



Excellent choices .
Even if you get the Gigabyte instead .

You know I put the 4850 in my budget gaming PC systems currently and I was rather pleased to see it did extremely well on 3DMark even paired with an AMD .

So ether car will be fine .
pctek (84)
717602 2008-11-05 06:20:00 hmm I thought vista used more than 4gb and xp was limited to 3.5gb!? I'll research that.

I've seen a few atx cases for around 150, don't need anything fancy as far as I know as long as it can fit a decent amount of fans!

So you do recommend the p5e over the gigabyte? I've read multiple reviews on them and not much separates the two cards. The p5e comes with two ide connections and an included sound card.

As for the gpu I'll get the 4870 if budget allows :) but yeah I think the 4850 will be sufficient too. Not sure on the whole 1gb v 512mb yet.
WarNox (8772)
717603 2008-11-05 06:27:00 If its 32 bit, and any version of Windows, (or linux) it wont see, or use more than 4 GB.

You need 64 bit windows. (ie: XP Pro x64 will see more than 4 GB).
Speedy Gonzales (78)
717604 2008-11-05 07:39:00 Yeah thats right, I got a bit confused .

Can I assume all the above hardware will work on say 64-bit Vista? and older games/applications will work on 64-bit just fine?



Gregor
WarNox (8772)
717605 2008-11-05 07:46:00 Yup the hardware should be fine. Just make sure you install 64 bit drivers.

Otherwise, whatever wont work. Since 64 bit windows wont work with 32 bit drivers

Games may work, programs may work, depending on how old it is
Speedy Gonzales (78)
717606 2008-11-05 07:57:00 Hey,

I am going to build a computer and have come up with the approximate configuration below, please tell me what you think and of any improvements etc . you think might be worth it!

cpu: Intel q9550
motherboard: Asustek P5E, Intel X38 DDR2 ATX
gpu: ATI Radeon HD - 4850 or 4870 (really not sure)
memory: 4gb DDR2-1066
hdd: Seagate 640GB SATA 7200rpm
psu: 650W Corsair
case: Anything for about $150

For the cpu I've pretty much decided, not wanting to go dual core or i7 so this seems appropriate :)

Motherboard is my main concern . I've decided to go for the x38 chip for its 2x PCIe x16 when I decide to use crossfirex one day but really not sure on this . The gigabyte (ga-ex38-ds4) is another contender . I would like an eSata connection on the motherboard but all of those ones are quite a bit more expensive . Nevertheless please let me know your thoughts on whatever motherboard and why!!!

Thanks,



Gregor

I'm not so sure now . . . . . if the pricespy $ on the i7-920 is indeed only $100 more than the Q9550, I would be tempted to go Nehalem platform . It wont matter if you want SLI or CF then . . . . DDR3 will become main stream next year . 3Gb Tri-channel and stay 32bit .
SolMiester (139)
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