Newb build - need Mobo help

[thedude007]

Looking to build a real budget decent comp, not much gaming. I do run Fs9 (FS2004), I don't have the cash nor do I need to have a rig that runs FlightSimX. I'm a pilot, and I mostly use it for instrument navigation practice, my current laptop gets maybe 25-30 FPS with all the eye candy off, I'd like a little more.

What I have now:
Dell Inspiron 710M - 2Ghz
1 GB ram
intel extreme graphics 2 - 64 MB - shared? (not sure)

Yeah....its lame and crappy!!

I'm picking up a E8500 in a few weeks. I am absolutely baffled as to which mobo to get, I was looking at this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131600

Looking for the most reliable, robust, OC friendly. I plan to OC in the future (once I figure out how), 200USD max

For vid card, I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150466

I am clueless on vid card too, don't want to go above 150USD.

I'll be purchasing 2GB DDR3-800, not sure which manufacturer to go with though.

----Thanks

Already have: monitor, keyboard, mouse, case, HD, OS, 500W PS

 

[Gigantopithecus]

That board is solid. The video card's biggest selling points are its support for DX11 & its low power consumption. If you need neither DX11 nor are particularly concerned about power consumption, consider an older but more powerful video card like the 4850.

 

[alyarb]

before you go out and spend $400 on an obsolete CPU and motherboard, let me point out what would be a lot faster and cheaper:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.322611

by default, the turbo mode on the CPU will clock up to 3.2 GHz, and with the integrated memory controller (and additional cores) it will provide significantly greater performance than an E8500, and will clock into the upper 3 GHz range when you decide to overclock. The money you save going with the newer system will make room for 4GB DDR3-1600 (G.SKill, Corsair XMS3, etc).

You could save another $100 by going with an AMD system, but you would need significantly higher clock frequencies to beat intel in a poorly threaded old flight sim and the system wouldn't be as fast overall as an i5. I'm not sure how CPU-intensive FS2009 is but it's very likely both chips are more than fast enough such that you couldn't tell them apart.

the videocard you should get depends on what resolution your monitor is, but a little 5750 should be inexpensive and more than fast enough.

 

[Jd007]

I suggest you go for the AMD route instead of Intel LGA 775. E8500 is on LGA 775 socket, which is last generation technology from Intel, and has no future upgrade potential. Seeing as you are on a budget, Intel's new line of CPUs, the Core i5 and i7, are probably more than you want to spend (actually they are more than you need as well).

So, for CPU, I recommend this fast dual core from AMD, or this cheap but powerful quad core. If you multi-task a lot, get the quad core. The dual core AMD I recommended may not be faster than the E8500, but the platform (socket AM3) has much better upgrade potential, as it is current generation technology.

A good AMD motherboard: Gigabyte MA785GMT-UD2H.
RAM: G.SKILL 2x2GB DDR3 1333.
Video card: Sapphire Vapor-X 5750 - much faster than the 5670 you picked out

However, if you still want to stick with the E8500 and LGA775 path, this is a really good motherboard to go with that CPU. My video card recommendation is the same in this case, get the ATI 5750.

 

[thedude007]

I'm easily swayed, I think I might go the AMD route.

Thanks a lot for the help!!

 

[thedude007]

So much for the budget. It looks like my 2nd hand case/PS mentioned above are not quite up to the task. A few fans and a cooler should get me going, new HD as well.

Your thoughts:

HD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128397
VID http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102865
MEM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231180
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674
CASE/PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.312681

Have XP pro (can only run FS2004 on this), currently running xubuntu 9.10. I'm aware that 32bit won't 'see' all the ram, thinking about going Win7. Is it worth it? 32 or 64bit?
Will all this play nice together?

 

[thedude007]

Here it is, the final build:

thoughts?

CASE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068
HD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
--my personal laptop had a 30gig, had it since 2002, less than 3/4 full, don't really need much. I've read the WD-black is decent/fast, and its 2010, time to step up.
MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128378
VID - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150351
--again, we're talking fs2004 here, shouldn't need much to swim along nicely
PS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005
MEM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231193
--may go 64, 32 won't see it all, no biggie
CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674
COOLER - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185096

 

[mfenn]

Here it is, the final build:

thoughts?

CASE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068
HD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
--my personal laptop had a 30gig, had it since 2002, less than 3/4 full, don't really need much. I've read the WD-black is decent/fast, and its 2010, time to step up.
MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128378
VID - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150351
--again, we're talking fs2004 here, shouldn't need much to swim along nicely
PS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005
MEM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231193
--may go 64, 32 won't see it all, no biggie
CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674
COOLER - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185096

Since you mention Linux, I would try to stick with an nVidia solution, ATI has always been dodgy in Linux. (At work, we ripped all of the Radeons out of our Linux boxes and replaced them with GeForces. Support has been sooooo much nicer!) I would say to go with something like a GTS 250. It's not as good in games as what you have, but it will be more than sufficient for FS2004 (or even FSX) and will not cause you to tear your hair out trying to get it to work in Linux.

I see no reason not to go with 64-bit Windows, unless you know that your critical app (FS2004) doesn't play nicely. I see even less reason not to do 64-but Linux, especially since it seems like it's your day-to-day OS.

 

[thedude007]

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I'd most likely set up a dual boot, as I really only use xp for the sim. I know zip about vid cards, or anything else for that matter. The parts were picked mainly due to reviews/price, and scouring various message boards. My current setup runs with integrated graphics, I think any decent dedicated card will be 10x better than what I got. I've mainly been researching everything and anything about ati cards, I completely looked over nvidia for no real reason. If there's something thats relatively close as far as performance/price I'm game. If the GTS 250 fits the bill....sweet. If there's a better solution, I'd like to keep it sub 250USD.

thanks for the help

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I'd most likely set up a dual boot, as I really only use xp for the sim. I know zip about vid cards, or anything else for that matter. The parts were picked mainly due to reviews/price, and scouring various message boards. My current setup runs with integrated graphics, I think any decent dedicated card will be 10x better than what I got. I've mainly been researching everything and anything about ati cards, I completely looked over nvidia for no real reason. If there's something thats relatively close as far as performance/price I'm game. If the GTS 250 fits the bill....sweet. If there's a better solution, I'd like to keep it sub 250USD.

thanks for the help

You're welcome

Yeah, the GTS 250 will be fine, but FS2004 isn't really that demanding of a game, so you could probably go cheaper. A 9600GT would run FS2004 smooth as silk, but then you're not really leaving yourself open for any newer sims, like if you want to switch to FSX or X-plane or whatever.

I also want to reiterate (this is not really directed at the OP), I know that ATI cards are the gaming price/performance leaders right now. When you throw Linux into the mix, however, you really should just go NVIDIA and be done with it.

 

[thedude007]

I'm pulling my hair out!! Decided to ditch the AMD build, going with i5-750. For the price and apparent performance increase, it doesn't seem any sense going AMD. Yes/No? After scouring fltsim boards, it seems nvidia gfx cards play better with FS2004. Again, to re-iterate, i'll be using xp sp3 for the sim, and xubuntu 9.10 for day to day. Don't need a bigger HD, I've been living with a 30g since 2002, its only 50% full. I think this build would allow a bit more room to expand if needed. Maybe OC in the future with a sweet cooler.

Extreme budget i5 build:
ps - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004
mem - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231134
vid - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150323
case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129066
cpu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215
mb - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128401
hd - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075

Will I have any issues with that gfx card and the mb? Or any other issues for that matter?

Good forum...good people...much appreciated!!

 

[betasub]

Please give the names of each item in your post, not just a newegg link. Not everyone wants or is able to click on all the links just to find out which items you've chosen. Thx