Giving my computer a complete overhaul...

[elementskater15]

If you've read my other thread, you'll know I just installed a new Video card. I worked out all the bugs and it works wonderful. I guess i've got the fever or something because I want to know what components I'll need. I know a mother board. what's a good one with an even better price? I'm not looking for more memory, just an overall faster computer. Also, would I need an OS or will one come on the new equiptment?

[blazee]

This may help:
http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardw...torials/109/1/

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by elementskater15

If you've read my other thread, you'll know I just installed a new Video card. I worked out all the bugs and it works wonderful. I guess i've got the fever or something because I want to know what components I'll need. I know a mother board. what's a good one with an even better price? I'm not looking for more memory, just an overall faster computer. Also, would I need an OS or will one come on the new equiptment?

it all depends on how much money do you want to sink in? So what is your budget?

[elementskater15]

Blazee, thanks. That info's really helpful. Thats a lot of crap for a PC. I never realized how much went in to them. Neutrino, I dont know what my budjet is. I want to upgrade it one part at a time because i'm only 16 and lack a fat wallet at this point. I saw a motherboard on ebay for like $250 that seemed pretty good, if I find a link i'll post it.

[elementskater15]

wait, to speed up the computer could I just put a new processor(spelling?) in? My current one is an Intel Celeron that runs at like... 2.6 GHZ. The one I saw on ebay has dual processors. Will that make a huge difference?

Edit: Like I said before, I;m not lookong for a lot of memory, the 30GB I have now is fine. I just want it to be fast.

[elementskater15]

Couldn't find the one I was looking for...
Here's another one That looks alright
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...782271218&rd=1

Edit: this one also seems pretty good?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...782186829&rd=1

[Neutrino]

forget those overpriced intel boards. And forget ebay. Use newegg so you can actually be safe about what you are getting.


anyway for an overhaul try something along those lines:

socket 939 with Nf4 ultra or SLI
for example:
ultra:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130484
sli:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131524

for cpu:
venice 3000+ budget
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103537
venice 3500+ midrage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103494
upper end
dual sandiego (toledo core) 4400+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103546


for video cards you'll need a pci-e card:
for a 6600GT you'll pay about ~150+ USD
fot a 6800GT about ~250+ USD

for memory: ocz gold they are based on old school BH5 chips:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227211



and of course (and i cannot stress this enough) make sure you get a proper power supply (enermax, ocz, antec, pc power and cooling) make sure its at least 500W and it supports atx2.0 with 24 pins

[eversio11]

element - listen to neutrino. newegg.com or tigerdirect.com is the place to purchase stuff. eBay is not a very good place to buy 'new' items.

also, since it sounds like you're completely new to this sort of thing, I can't stress enough how important it will be to get some help from a live person. if you have one, head down to a Tiger Direct warehouse/store. If you don't have one, look around for a discount / wholesale computer parts store. DO NOT go to Compusa / Circuit City / Best Buy for help with computers, they will simply talk down to you and try to upsell you overpriced items and fully assembled computers that trap you into purchasing AOL contracts or whatever. I GUARANTEE you if you step in Compusa asking for parts to assemble a computer, the worker will say 'Oh, don't bother doing that, it's not a good idea, it's better to simply purchase a new computer.'

Just try to have someone teach you the basics of how processors work with motherboards, and how vital a proper power supply is.

[elementskater15]

Originally Posted by eversio11

DO NOT go to Compusa / Circuit City / Best Buy for help ...


Just try to have someone teach you the basics of how processors work with motherboards, and how vital a proper power supply is.

Yea, I know...the person at the Office Max in Panama City tried to sell me some $2500 laptop. I'm 16 and just want to play the Sims dammit!

I know a man that does computer repair at our marina's store and boat logging center, would that be a good type of person to ask about this crap? What should I replace first? By the way, thanks for all the links. Those I found on ebay were a total rip-off.

[eversio11]

Sure, anyone in the technical field of computers should be able to help you. As for what to upgrade first, if you buy a new processor (the biggest upgrade for speed) you'll need to buy a compatible motherboard. If you buy the new motherboard, you'll have to make sure it has an AGP port for new video card, make sure the RAM memory is compaitable with the memory you have already (unless you want to upgrade that, too) and also a compatiable power supply unit (PSU). It's a lot to consider, and that's why I highly suggest you research how computers work more.

[Neutrino]

well for upgrading i suggest to start with the power supply, this way you'll be ready for anything new.


As i said make sure its a 24 pin ATX 2.0 supply, you can actually start using it now since they are backwards compatible (some require a 24-20 pin adaptor some have the extra 4 pins removable).


~500W should be more than enough for a good computer, if you want to go with some uber specs with high end sli mode a ~600W might be in order. When you are ready to buy just post about it and I'll give you some links with some excellent models.

Next go with the proc and mobo. If your current ram is pc3200 you can still use that (although new ram is very cheap nowadays). Also with the mobo if you'll go the amd way go with an NF4 (ultra or sli) which by now is a mature chipset which of course will come with PCI-E, this is better than going with the old AGP standard. (only downside is that you'll have to buy a PCI-E card).

As far as that technician goes, if he is good and he knows what he is doing have him help you build the system, this way you'll learn a lot and have someone to supervise you in case you make any mistakes.

[zagrot]

panama city sucks in general. IF i return from my trip to nc i'll build your pc for a reasonable price. for an overall faster computer you will want a mother board with a fast bus speed and a lower cpu speed multiplier versus a slow bus speed and high cpu multiplier (cpu clock speed is not everything).

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by zagrot

panama city sucks in general. IF i return from my trip to nc i'll build your pc for a reasonable price. for an overall faster computer you will want a mother board with a fast bus speed and a lower cpu speed multiplier versus a slow bus speed and high cpu multiplier (cpu clock speed is not everything).

He only has the option if he gets an intel. He can only get athlons with an FSB of 200 (double pumped). Higher FSBs on an athlon will only be offered next year with the switch to socket M.

and while a high FSB is desirable there is nothing wrong about combining it with a higher multiplier. High clock speeds are a good thing especially on an intel. Their stupid long pipelined architecture actually requires high clock speeds to run efectivelly (the 32 stage pipeline in the prescotts is a joke)

[elementskater15]

I haven't checked my thread for a few days... I've been evacuated for the hurricane. Thanks for all the help and comments. Still reasearching all this stuff. thank god for howstuffworks.com!