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SebC · 04-14-2008, 08:27 PM

So since some of you seem to love spending your time giving free advice to random strangers, I figured I'd canvas you for your thoughts on my next computer (decided not to put this in Ro's thread). Especially as I know there's a fair bit of expertise here.

Basically, I'm replacing a laptop that's pretty much dead and I think I'd like to build my computer this time (or at least get a custom system and have someone else build it for me). Can't base my usage on current usage as the system I'm replacing is 5 years old and dieing.

For me, it should multi-task well. I tend to have a ton of Firefox windows open, a media player, and bit-torrent if I can, so I'm pretty big on RAM. Doesn't have to be top of the line for gaming, but it will be decent for games and I'd probably use it for games. Will probably start learning Photoshop as well at some point.

Planning to run 32-bit XP with 4 Gb of RAM even though I know it'll only see ~3. Designed so that I can upgrade to 64-bit Vista though once driver support / software etc. is ready for it.

Right now the plan it to get everything from Memory Express and might pay the 40 bucks for hardware assembly. Might do it myself just to learn about it though.

I've been told I don't want to get into overclocking, but it looks as though some of the components I've selected would probably be well suited for it so if I can learn enough it could be a possibility. Maybe when I'm getting close to the next one and warranties are all expired would be a good time to start learning? Comments here would be useful.

So here's the system as I've currently got it configured:

Case: Antec P182

Rationale: I like the styling, variable fan speed, 3 x 120 mm fans with room for two more. Should be fairly cool and quiet. Not aluminium though, wish it was.

Power Supply: OCZ 600W StealthXStreme

Rationale: Relatively cheap, should meet system demand, quality brand.

Processor: Intel Q6600 Quad Core, 2.4 GHz

Rationale: should be good for multi-tasking, GHz is a bit low for a gaming build, but that's the trade-off I'm making. 8 Mb cache is a plus.

Motherboard: ASUS P5K WS

Rationale: going purely on the recommendation of a friend here. Although reading about some BIOS issues with Asus means I'm trying to find a good alternative. Highly doubtful that I'd need an SLI board, but might it be a good idea to go with an nVidia chipset anyways? Your thoughts here in particular would be appreciated.

Memory: OCZ 2x2 Gb PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum

Rationale: 5-4-4-15 latency is a bit better than standard. Wanted to go with OCZ Reaper or Corsair Dominator kit but they're both out of stock.

Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate 1 TB

Rationale: Probably going to mirror these. Data security is important for me, although I will probably back up the most important things (i.e. my photographs) on an external drive. System partition for Windows + apps, data partition for movies/music/documents/program installation files etc. Don't want to have to offload everything to an external to do a clean install for Vista. This is another thing I'm a bit undecided on. Is it worth it getting a separate system drive? Can I stripe my system partition and mirror my data partition?

Optical Drive: Samsung 20x DVD writer w/ Lightscribe

Rationale: Nothing fancy here, but I can always through in a Blu-Ray later if I decide it's worth it. Right now though I just want to get this thing built.

Video Card: XFX GeForce 9800 GTX 512 Mb

Rationale: 1 Gb is more expensive and takes away from my RAM. Video card can borrow RAM from system if it needs to. Might upgrade this if/when I go to Vista.

So yeah, go ahead and critique away. Thanks guys!

PS: Yes, I realize I should have just bought FanIn80s build. Hindsight is 20/20.

04-14-2008, 08:27 PM	#1
SebC tromboner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: where the lattes are Exp:	New Computer Time! First time builder So since some of you seem to love spending your time giving free advice to random strangers, I figured I'd canvas you for your thoughts on my next computer (decided not to put this in Ro's thread). Especially as I know there's a fair bit of expertise here. Basically, I'm replacing a laptop that's pretty much dead and I think I'd like to build my computer this time (or at least get a custom system and have someone else build it for me). Can't base my usage on current usage as the system I'm replacing is 5 years old and dieing. For me, it should multi-task well. I tend to have a ton of Firefox windows open, a media player, and bit-torrent if I can, so I'm pretty big on RAM. Doesn't have to be top of the line for gaming, but it will be decent for games and I'd probably use it for games. Will probably start learning Photoshop as well at some point. Planning to run 32-bit XP with 4 Gb of RAM even though I know it'll only see ~3. Designed so that I can upgrade to 64-bit Vista though once driver support / software etc. is ready for it. Right now the plan it to get everything from Memory Express and might pay the 40 bucks for hardware assembly. Might do it myself just to learn about it though. I've been told I don't want to get into overclocking, but it looks as though some of the components I've selected would probably be well suited for it so if I can learn enough it could be a possibility. Maybe when I'm getting close to the next one and warranties are all expired would be a good time to start learning? Comments here would be useful. So here's the system as I've currently got it configured: Case: Antec P182 Rationale: I like the styling, variable fan speed, 3 x 120 mm fans with room for two more. Should be fairly cool and quiet. Not aluminium though, wish it was. Power Supply: OCZ 600W StealthXStreme Rationale: Relatively cheap, should meet system demand, quality brand. Processor: Intel Q6600 Quad Core, 2.4 GHz Rationale: should be good for multi-tasking, GHz is a bit low for a gaming build, but that's the trade-off I'm making. 8 Mb cache is a plus. Motherboard: ASUS P5K WS Rationale: going purely on the recommendation of a friend here. Although reading about some BIOS issues with Asus means I'm trying to find a good alternative. Highly doubtful that I'd need an SLI board, but might it be a good idea to go with an nVidia chipset anyways? Your thoughts here in particular would be appreciated. Memory: OCZ 2x2 Gb PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum Rationale: 5-4-4-15 latency is a bit better than standard. Wanted to go with OCZ Reaper or Corsair Dominator kit but they're both out of stock. Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate 1 TB Rationale: Probably going to mirror these. Data security is important for me, although I will probably back up the most important things (i.e. my photographs) on an external drive. System partition for Windows + apps, data partition for movies/music/documents/program installation files etc. Don't want to have to offload everything to an external to do a clean install for Vista. This is another thing I'm a bit undecided on. Is it worth it getting a separate system drive? Can I stripe my system partition and mirror my data partition? Optical Drive: Samsung 20x DVD writer w/ Lightscribe Rationale: Nothing fancy here, but I can always through in a Blu-Ray later if I decide it's worth it. Right now though I just want to get this thing built. Video Card: XFX GeForce 9800 GTX 512 Mb Rationale: 1 Gb is more expensive and takes away from my RAM. Video card can borrow RAM from system if it needs to. Might upgrade this if/when I go to Vista. So yeah, go ahead and critique away. Thanks guys! PS: Yes, I realize I should have just bought FanIn80s build. Hindsight is 20/20. __________________ "You can't swing a cat on the internet without hitting a goaltender apologist."