I am building a new computer..a updaqte -- 5/18/2009

[JEDIYoda]

I would like to do some gaming mainly Quake Live...
I will be using this computer to edit my photographs and as a means of recording music.

I am looking at a quad core.....at least that was what severl area computer shops recommended.
It was suggested that I go with an intel chip....but I am willing to look at AMD!!
I would like to over clock using just air...
With DDR2 memory.....they all said to stay away from the DDR 3.
I want to max out the memory.
My most expensive purchase will probably be the Video card.

I have the mouse and keyboard and a PC Power & Cooling 850.
I have 2 harddrives but would Love to purchase on with over 350 gigs.

I have windows XP as my operating system.

I have 2 purchase points...

I am willing to spend $650 or between $800 - $1000 -- provided the performance will be worth the extra cost.

I will be using my current case.

Thank You for any help you can give.

I has been a few years since I built a computer.

 

[brblx]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103471
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128387

combo deal takes off 30 bucks for a $279 combo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

4gb of memory would be 'maxxing out' unless you're running a 64bit OS. if so, feel free to up it to 6 or 8gb since ram is so cheap. but you probably don't need it.

quake live will run on a netbook. gpu isn't a big worry for you unless you want to play other games. but you've certainly got it in your budget to pick up a 4850 or 4770 (or better, depends on what you want to spend and if you actually feel you'll use it).

 

[WildHorse]

"...they all said to stay away from the DDR 3."

??? Why??? Is it due to $ or some other reason?

"My most expensive purchase will probably be the Video card. "
Usually is for everybody.

"I have 2 harddrives but would Love to purchase on with over 350 gigs."
That'd be a very low priority, unless you're filling your existing hdd's above around 75% full. Otherwise this is a non-essential item you can put off till a far future day.
I always buy them in pairs, one for normal use and one where the Acronis True Image is saved.

"I would like to over clock using just air... "
Overclocking is fun, you'll learn a lot in doing this. A good place to buy air-cooling devices is SVC.

Quad cpu may perform better for editing your photographs and as a means of recording music.
Core Duo may perform better than a quad for Quake Live gaming. At least that's the indication I gather from my reading.
Don't worry, either type of cpu will work well for both types of tasks, so shop hard for good price.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
I would like to do some gaming mainly Quake Live...
I will be using this computer to edit my photographs and as a means of recording music.

I am looking at a quad core.....at least that was what severl area computer shops recommended.
It was suggested that I go with an intel chip....but I am willing to look at AMD!!
I would like to over clock using just air...
With DDR2 memory.....they all said to stay away from the DDR 3.
I want to max out the memory.
My most expensive purchase will probably be the Video card.

I have the mouse and keyboard and a PC Power & Cooling 850.
I have 2 harddrives but would Love to purchase on with over 350 gigs.

I have windows XP as my operating system.

I have 2 purchase points...

I am willing to spend $650 or between $800 - $1000 -- provided the performance will be worth the extra cost.

I will be using my current case.

Thank You for any help you can give.

I has been a few years since I built a computer.

Are you still actively seeking help? I know it's been over 10 days since your initial posting and I'd comment on your proposed build, but just want to make sure your still working on building this system or not.

 

[JEDIYoda]

My newest computer has been a p4 3.2E with ASUS mobo and 2 gigs of ram and 2 -- 80 gig harddrives.....with of course cd/dvd burner....and a video card.....

My computer would reboot itself randomly....
I switched out PSU`s and then memory and I even alternated between hardrives.
It turned out to be my Sata controller was going bad....

So I went shopping and I found this computer for exactly as I am describing it for just under $400...I believed it was $379....

HP Pavilion m9500z AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz 6GB 500GB
AMD Phenom II X4 940 (3.0GHz/6MB L3 Cache)
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
6GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x2048MB and 2x1024MB)
Total memory slots: 4 DIMM
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVDRW w/Double Layer
onboard video RV730 Pro w/512MB, which I will be getting a video card.
Of course it comes with a keyboard and mouse.
Then the mobo has all the regular features...

EXTERNAL PORTS
Front:
15-in-1 memory card reader
Two USB
One IEEE-1394
Headphone
Microphone
Audio

Back:
Two PS/2 (keyboard, mouse)
One VGA
Four USB
One IEEE-1394

DIGITAL MEDIA
15-in-1 memory card reader

OPERATING SYSTEM
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32 bit)

Anyways I felt I got a very descent deal....
I believe this computer will be faster and definately more stable than the one I am replacing.

Peace!!

 

[Lunyone]

Only issue I see with the computer is that you have 6 gb's of DDR2 and you only have a 32bit OS. So this will limit your useable memory at about 3-3.5 gb's available. In this situation you either upgrade to Vista 64bit or pull the extra 2 gb's of RAM, so you can run the 4 gb's (2x2gb) in dual channel mode for the best performance.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Lunyone
Only issue I see with the computer is that you have 6 gb's of DDR2 and you only have a 32bit OS. So this will limit your useable memory at about 3-3.5 gb's available. In this situation you either upgrade to Vista 64bit or pull the extra 2 gb's of RAM, so you can run the 4 gb's (2x2gb) in dual channel mode for the best performance.

That`s true....but I bought it already built and it came that way!
I do appreciate your posting and being concerned.

So tell me if you would...
Would I see even better peformance if I took out 2 gigs of ram and left thew 4 gigs??

 

[Lunyone]

Yes I think you would. Your probably not getting any benefits with the 6 gb's installed (no dual channel). I'm pretty sure of this, so I'd check your mobo manual and install your 2 x 2gb chips in the correct slots for dual channel operation. This should give you a little boost over your current situation.

 

[brblx]

the extra memory shouldn't be a problem unless you're overclocking. however, you may indeed get a slight performance boost by removing the 1gb sticks and ensuring the 2gb sticks are in dual channel.