From build to troubleshooting

[Feldenak]

Ok folks, got a problem.

My new rig won't boot, to the point it doesn't even get a chance to POST. Fires up for a second or two then shuts down and continues that cycle. I've taken out everything and tried to get a error code and got nothing. Also tried each individual stick of RAM, same result. I finally tried taking out the 4-pin power plug on the mobo and it stayed running (obviously no boot b/c no power to CPU). My question is, does this sound like a mobo or CPU issue?

Edit:

Mobo: GA-EP45-DS3L
CPU: E8400

 

[DSF]

1) Dual Core will be fine.

2) Most people are just fine with onboard audio.

3) Not for two 4870s, no.

4) The 4870 1GB is even better, but what size monitor are you playing on?

5) DFI, ASUS and Gigabyte all make good boards.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: DSF
1) Dual Core will be fine.

2) Most people are just fine with onboard audio.

3) Not for two 4870s, no.

4) The 4870 1GB is even better, but what size monitor are you playing on?

5) DFI, ASUS and Gigabyte all make good boards.

Thanks for the response.

1) Dual Core is still Socket 775 and preserve my potential upgrade path, correct?
2) Excellent
3) What PSU would you recommend allowing for growth to a possible Crossfire solution?
4) Is the extra 512MB worth the $50 increase? I'm currently on a 19" LCD but that could change to a larger or dual screens in the next 12-18 months.
5) Thanks, I'll proabably stick with the DFI board then. What about HIS video cards?

I went through the sticky thread and pretty much used the recommendations there. For full disclosure what I'm looking at building is (only thing ordered is the case):
Case: Antec 1200
PSU: Antec EA500
Mobo: DFI Lanparty X38
CPU: Q9450 (was looking at Q9300 but 9450 is $10 cheaper)
RAM: 4GB DDR2 (Mushkin)
HDD: WD Caviar 640GB
Video: HIS 4870 512MB
Optical drives: Samsung 22X DVD+-R and Lite-On 52X CD
OS: Vista 64-bit

 

[disports]

Corsair brand PSU say 750TX

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
1) Dual Core is still Socket 775 and preserve my potential upgrade path, correct?
3) What PSU would you recommend allowing for growth to a possible Crossfire solution?
4) Is the extra 512MB worth the $50 increase? I'm currently on a 19" LCD but that could change to a larger or dual screens in the next 12-18 months.
5) Thanks, I'll proabably stick with the DFI board then. What about HIS video cards?

Mobo: DFI Lanparty X38
CPU: Q9450 (was looking at Q9300 but 9450 is $10 cheaper)
RAM: 4GB DDR2 (Mushkin)

- Socket 775 isn't much of an upgrade path; nothing currently out is. In a year's time you could add a now-cheap Quad Core once i7 is standard and get great performance for cheap, though.
- Corsair/Seasonic/OCZ in and around 600W is all good.
- The 4870 1GB is the card to get for gaming >= 1680*1050 but if you're at 19", you're likely playing at 1440*900 or at most 1680*1050, so I think you'd be better served by getting the 4850. It's much cheaper too.
- HIS aren't particularly different from most other card partners. Visiontek have a lifetime warranty, IIRC
- A crossfire setup doesn't make as much sense, monetarily, as a single better card now. Getting, for example, a 4870 1GB now instead of a 4850 now and one later on will result in similar performance for less power, less cost, scalability and you'll be able to get any board instead of a Crossfire one. I recommend the P45 boards from Asus or Gigabyte.
- If you're gaming, get the E8400/E8500 and not a quad core.
- Any reason why Muskin RAM? I recall A-DATA DDR2-800 being $80 on newegg.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Roguestar

- Socket 775 isn't much of an upgrade path; nothing currently out is. In a year's time you could add a now-cheap Quad Core once i7 is standard and get great performance for cheap, though.
- Corsair/Seasonic/OCZ in and around 600W is all good.
- The 4870 1GB is the card to get for gaming >= 1680*1050 but if you're at 19", you're likely playing at 1440*900 or at most 1680*1050, so I think you'd be better served by getting the 4850. It's much cheaper too.
- HIS aren't particularly different from most other card partners. Visiontek have a lifetime warranty, IIRC
- A crossfire setup doesn't make as much sense, monetarily, as a single better card now. Getting, for example, a 4870 1GB now instead of a 4850 now and one later on will result in similar performance for less power, less cost, scalability and you'll be able to get any board instead of a Crossfire one. I recommend the P45 boards from Asus or Gigabyte.
- If you're gaming, get the E8400/E8500 and not a quad core.
- Any reason why Muskin RAM? I recall A-DATA DDR2-800 being $80 on newegg.

Thanks for the response Roguestar.

- Upgrade path as in, I can drop a Quad core in later if I need/want and the prices are right.
-Thanks for the tips on the PSU. I'll take a look at those.
- I'm thinking I'll have a larger monitor or dual displays in 12-18 months time. Just thinking ahead.
- I was asking about HIS because I haven't done any real upgrading in a couple years (looking at my join date...probably been ~5 years since I built a machine.
- I'm not looking for a Crossfire setup on the current build, but planning for a potential upgrade in the future. You suggestion is for a 4850 now (similar performance to the 4870?) and potentially add one down the road in a Crossfire setup?
- I've changed my build-out list from the Q9450 to the E8400
- The Mushkin RAM is $50 after $20 mail-in rebate(Text).

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

yes, you can drop in any c2q 775 chip, but the s775 c2d, c2q lines are pretty much at the end of rope.

 

[DSF]

If by Crossfire later on you mean dropping in another 4850, it's not a particularly effective way to upgrade. There will be a boost - anywhere from about 10% to 70% depending on the game - but it's rarely as effective as buying a new generation card. For most games the benefit is closer to 10% than 70%.

 

[Denithor]

Get an e5200 for $80. OC if you like, it's stupid easy. Upgrade next year to a fast C2Q for probably $150.

I see no reason to spend $170 on an e8400 you plan to replace in a year or less with a quad. Instead either buy cheaper & upgrade or else just spend the extra $80 and get the two additional cores now.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
- I'm not looking for a Crossfire setup on the current build, but planning for a potential upgrade in the future. You suggestion is for a 4850 now (similar performance to the 4870?) and potentially add one down the road in a Crossfire setup?

I meant it the other way around; get the 4870 1GB instead of two lesser cards.

 

[Feldenak]

Bump for new questions in OP.