Need Help Upgrading My Computer

[[UFP]Ghost]

My computer knowledge is limited so i require assistance if possible.

I need a new Motherboard that has a pci-e slot and has a pci slot.
I need it to be compatible with: OCZ Dual Chanel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz ATI CrossFire Memory (2 x 1024MB)
and i don't know if it matters but my hard drive is: ATA and it's model is: ST3400620A
And do i need something specific for my processor to work?

If it helps I'm buying it from tigerdirect.ca I just don't know what it needs exactly or the memory, the hard drive, disk drive and the CPU. If you could describe to me what I'm looking for then i'll search the site for one with all the requirements.

Thanks,
BoggyP

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2824015&CatId=2493

Will this work with any CPU?

[Cyclaws]

What is your CPU? What type of power supply does it have (I'll guess standard ATX, though it could be a few others)?

[Liketyspli]

We'll need to know what Socket Processor you got and what speed.

[[UFP]Ghost]

I decided i'm buying a new processor but what do i need for my existing HD to transfer?

[Cyclaws]

Ghost;588642']I decided i'm buying a new processor but what do i need for my existing HD to transfer?

You'll need either a SATA slot or an IDE slot. Most motherboards have both at the moment. That motherboard you linked to has both, so that's not a problem.

[[UFP]Ghost]

ok thanks :)

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3041057&CatId=1558

or

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2682785&CatId=1558

[Cyclaws]

Ghost;589207']http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3041057&CatId=1558

or

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2682785&CatId=1558

Definately the 8600 GT.

[Alien King]

What sort of budget do you have?

And yes, the 8600GT is better than the 7900GS.

[[UFP]Ghost]

well i'v just made about $600 maybe a bit more since summer started. If you have a recommendation I'd be happy to hear it :)

Also how do i know if memory is compatible with a motherboard?

[Liketyspli]

You might want to get an ATi Radeon HD2600, It's better than the 8600...(Reviews)

Ghost;589346']Also how do i know if memory is compatible with a motherboard?If you got a Motherboard with DDR2, then you'll need DDR2 memory, also if your motherboard has an FSB (Front Side Bus) of 1066Mhz and your Processor is also 1066Mhz, you'll need 533Mhz RAM or higher (DDR = Double Data Rate so it's twice as much) (Higher if you want to overclock your system)

[Alien King]

I find the Radeons are generally inferior when it comes to gaming.

[SupSuper]

From experience, I'd say the opposite.

But then we'd be here all day, so just go with what's top-of-the-line.

[[UFP]Ghost]

Well My Question about the ram still stands. They all have PC#### does it matter what i choose?

[Cyclaws]

Just have a look at what types of memory the MoBo supports. For example, the one you linked too earlier says this:

Memory Supported:
533MHz DDR2
Dual Channel Supported
667MHz DDR2
800MHz DDR2

I've bolded the one that is relavant to you.

"OCZ Dual Chanel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz "

(This means yes, the one you linked to earlier is fine with your memory.)

[Xinos]

The clock frequency (mhz) isn't as important as the type of ram itself. You could use DDR2 ram with a lower frequency, which is cheaper. Above 500Mhz is fast, though I am not 1337 enough to be able to notice the difference in RAM speeds..

[Liketyspli]

You'll only notice the difference in Ram Speeds when you Overclock, also you wont notice any difference between the timings (Cas Latency) if you dont overclock, If you wont overclock and you get a 1066Mhz Processor you should get 533Mhz memory (PC4200).

[franpa]

or buy some ddr 3 memory at 1333mhz and a motherboard supporting 1333mhz front side bus and said memory speed, info from the WWW says intel are releasing new CPU's on july 22nd which have a 1333mhz front side bus.

im waiting for the new CPU, so i can get a ASUS P5KC Motherboard, and one of intels next gen. processor.

[[UFP]Ghost]

how expensive?

[franpa]

around the 550$ mark for me, but i buy from the distributor and not from retailers.

RRP for the motherboard is 390$ aUD and the CPU is god knows, but I'm getting the motherboard at 273.90$ AUD and the cpu at around 315$ AUD.

if anything, wait for intel to release there new cpu's before upgrading, because prices for the older core 2 duo's will fall.

edit

[Liketyspli]

The new Intel Processors have a worse multiplier though, so it's not very overclockable, but if you aren't going to overclock, it's nice. They are released on 22 July IIRC.

[[UFP]Ghost]

so i'll buy it early august cause even if i don't get new the old will drop in price.

[franpa]

INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6750 (2.66GHz, 4MB) SKT775 - 1333 FSB $269.50

this is better then the e6600 isnt it? if yes ill order it as soon as i know if my memory is compatible.

it can already be ordered in at certain places ;)

edit: the old is still over 300$ in price, and i dont intend to overclock.

[franpa]

ive been told AMD are dropping there prices for there CPU's on the 23rd... and that intel are sure to follow with a price drop of there own, thus im waiting for around the end of next week before purchasing my parts.

[Liketyspli]

The new Intel processors are all Bang for Bucks. :D

I've just ordered my new PC:
Chipset: P35 / ICH9R
CPU: Intel Core2Duo E6850 (3Ghz, 4MB cache, 1333Mhz FSB)
VGA: Radeon HD2900XT
Hard-Disks: 2× 200Gb in RAID0
etc.

And yes, it's quite expensive...

[[UFP]Ghost]

ive been told AMD are dropping there prices for there CPU's on the 23rd... and that intel are sure to follow with a price drop of there own, thus im waiting for around the end of next week before purchasing my parts.

Thats what I'm doing, that or i'll buy a new one, really depends on the price.

[franpa]

Ghost;592670']Thats what I'm doing, that or i'll buy a new one, really depends on the price.

what ?

[McMaster]

Ghost;592670']Thats what I'm doing, that or i'll buy a new one, really depends on the price.

The computer depends not only from the price, but and how you want to use it. If you want to play top games, buy one like Liketyspli. If you want it just for browse on the Internet, viewing photos and videos and working with office applications you can buy a computer that can do better than the things I said and very cheap.

If you want help, just ask me and I'll tell you what to buy to make the computer you want.

[franpa]

526.90$ AUD for both motherboard and CPU after taking GST into account.

additional 75$ for a fan so i can overclock the FSB to about 435/440mhz... so it runs @ 3.4/3.5ghz :)

[[UFP]Ghost]

The computer depends not only from the price, but and how you want to use it. If you want to play top games, buy one like Liketyspli. If you want it just for browse on the Internet, viewing photos and videos and working with office applications you can buy a computer that can do better than the things I said and very cheap.

If you want help, just ask me and I'll tell you what to buy to make the computer you want.

I want merely to be able to run the top games, I don't care if the lowest settings are on. Money is also as issue. What would you recommend?

[McMaster]

Ghost;593131']I want merely to be able to run the top games, I don't care if the lowest settings are on. Money is also as issue. What would you recommend?

Well, so you mean to play top games but on the lowest settings?

Oh, and what type? For Windows XP and DirextX 9.0c? Or Windows Vista and DirextX 10?

I've wrote a list for Windows XP and DirextX 9.0c. Ask me and I'll make it for Windows Vista and DirextX 10.

Computer Specs:

Operating System : Windows XP SP2
Motherboard : nVidia nForce 650i SLI
Proccesor : Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
Memory : 1GB DDR2 533MHz RAM
Graphics Card : nVidia GeForce 7600 GS 256MB
Hard Drive : 2x 320GB Hard Drives in RAID0 with 7.200 RPM (Recommended 10.000)
Power Supply : Minimum (if you want to keep this computer without changes) 520W, Recomended (if you want to upgrade your computer in the future) 850W

You choose the other things, these are the most basic of your computer.

Hope I helped. If you think I made the computer too expansive or too cheap, notify me, also I made it a little better than I would write, for you to be able to upgrade it in the future.

Also notify me if you want to have Windows Vista and DirectX 10.

[wormthingy]

Also notify me if you want to have Windows Vista and DirectX 10.

WHOP WHOP WHOP HERE COMES TO ILLEGAL SOFTWARE CHOPPER! :eek::eek::eek:

Please tell me you can get banend for such a thing.

If that part wasn't about exchanging illegal software, please consider this post un-done.

[McMaster]

WHOP WHOP WHOP HERE COMES TO ILLEGAL SOFTWARE CHOPPER! :eek::eek::eek:

Please tell me you can get banend for such a thing.

If that part wasn't about exchanging illegal software, please consider this post un-done.

What do you really mean with that?

I've just asked [UFP]Ghost if want a computer that is ready to run Windows Vista and DirectX 10 so I change it (like changing the graphics card to a DirectX 10 GPU)!

You understood that I can give pirated copies of Windows Vista and DirectX 10 to [UFP]Ghost?

Well, you're wrong! First read the whole post to understand what I mean! I said "Ask me and I'll make it for Windows Vista and DirextX 10" meaning that I'll costumize it for Windows Vista and DirectX 10!

And now I'm tired of explaining to some people that they don't even read the whole post!!!

[Liketyspli]

If you arent going for High-end you should get an AMD processor, they are cheaper. (They have a better FPS/$ thingy)


Motherboard (Gigabyte have good quality MoBo's and they're cheap):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034

Processor (AMD is cheaper for what it gives):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103749

Memory (Corsair is just one of the best, and 2Gb is recommended for Vista):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145527

Videocard (ASUS is a good quality brand + the 8600 is mid-range but supports DX10 + its silent due to its passive cooling):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121072

Power Supply (Coolermaster is very good, 500 watt is more than enough for this system):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171018

Hard Drives (500GB enough? + Seagate is just the best on the moment (for SATA II))
2× http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148144 in RAID0
With RAID0, the 2 harddrives work together as one, the files get split on to harddrives, this causes the searching go an hell of a lot faster... one thing, if one hard drive crashes, all your files are lost.

[McMaster]

If you arent going for High-end you should get an AMD processor, they are cheaper. (They have a better FPS/$ thingy)


Motherboard (Gigabyte have good quality MoBo's and they're cheap):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034

Processor (AMD is cheaper for what it gives):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103749

Memory (Corsair is just one of the best, and 2Gb is recommended for Vista):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145527

Videocard (ASUS is a good quality brand + the 8600 is mid-range but supports DX10 + its silent due to its passive cooling):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121072

Power Supply (Coolermaster is very good, 500 watt is more than enough for this system):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171018

Hard Drives (500GB enough? + Seagate is just the best on the moment (for SATA II))
2× http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148144 in RAID0
With RAID0, the 2 harddrives work together as one, the files get split on to harddrives, this causes the searching go an hell of a lot faster... one thing, if one hard drive crashes, all your files are lost.

OK, I costumized the computer to run with Windows XP and DirectX 9.0c. I didn't choose AMD, because then I had to change the motherboard, nVidia has only high-end motherboards for AMD, but for Intel nVidia has both high-end and mid-range mobos.

The 7600 GS with 256MB is also a good mid-range card, and it is cheaper than the 8600 GT, and this card supports DirectX 9.0c.

1GB RAM is good for gamers that they don't want to run their games on maximum. On Vista, I recomend 2GB RAM, becasue 1GB is minimum for Vista.

The motherboard you chose isn't good, because has intergrated graphics and audio, and even intergrated graphics aren't good for games that you want to run on the lowest, most games have supported cards from ATi and nVidia, that's why I didn't chose this motherboard.

Hard Drives I said for most gamers the best is 2x320GB HDs. They have a lot of storage, and for best performance choose RAID0, and if it is possible, choose HDs with 10.000 RPM, everything from the hard drive will load faster and better.

[UFP]Ghost, do you still want to costumize your computer to be ready to run Windows Vista and DirectX 10?

[[UFP]Ghost]

OK, I costumized the computer to run with Windows XP and DirectX 9.0c. I didn't choose AMD, because then I had to change the motherboard, nVidia has only high-end motherboards for AMD, but for Intel nVidia has both high-end and mid-range mobos.

The 7600 GS with 256MB is also a good mid-range card, and it is cheaper than the 8600 GT, and this card supports DirectX 9.0c.

1GB RAM is good for gamers that they don't want to run their games on maximum. On Vista, I recomend 2GB RAM, becasue 1GB is minimum for Vista.

The motherboard tou chose isn't good, because has intergrated graphics and audio, and even intergrated graphics aren't good for games that you want to run on the lowest, most games have supported cards from ATi and nVidia, that's why I didn't chose this motherboard.

also i currently have a non-raid 500gb drive and my old 80gb drive in my computer.

Hard Drives I said for most gamers the best is 2x320GB HDs. They have a lot of storage, and for best performance choose RAID0, and if it is possible, choose HDs with 10.000 RPM, everything from the hard drive will load faster and better.

[UFP]Ghost, do you still want to costumize your computer to be ready to run Windows Vista and DirectX 10?

Well I do want DX10 and vista compatible. I do have a PCI sound card now thats better that integrated and I'm going to get a pcci-e video card. and 2mb on ram. I need a cpu with this new motherboard btw. the question is which motherboard and which card.

I have two hard drives, ones 500 and the other 90. But my budget excluding the memory which I don't have to pay for myself is like 700. And i'd like to get as good as I can for that budget so :). And I don't' know the diff between AMD/Intel but I perfer Intel.

[McMaster]

Ghost;593328']Well I do want DX10 and vista compatible. I do have a PCI sound card now thats better that integrated and I'm going to get a pcci-e video card. and 2mb on ram. I need a cpu with this new motherboard btw. the question is which motherboard and which card.

I have two hard drives, ones 500 and the other 90. But my budget excluding the memory which I don't have to pay for myself is like 700. And i'd like to get as good as I can for that budget so :). And I don't' know the diff between AMD/Intel but I perfer Intel.

OK, so I'll do some changes to your computer to be ready to run Windows Vista and DirectX 10:

Computer Specs

Operating System : Windows Vista
Motherboard : nVidia nForce 650i SLI
Proccesor : Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
Memory : 2GB DDR2 533MHz RAM
Graphics Card : nVidia GeForce 8500 GT 512MB
Hard Drive : 2x 320GB Hard Drives in RAID0 with 7.200 RPM (Recommended 10.000)
Power Supply : Minimum (if you want to keep this computer without changes) 500W, Recomended (if you want to upgrade your computer in the future) 700W

Choose the other things, like CD drives, floppy drives or sound card, these are the most basic.

I changed Windows XP SP2 to Windows Vista, and I changed the memory to 2GB. I set 8500 GT from 8600 GT, because 8500 GT is great when you don't want to run games on highest quality settings, yes, the 8500 GT can have and 512MB, just to get some extra FPS, because it isn't good to have a slideshow (low FPS). I also changed the Power Supply Watts, to make the price better.

Is this better? If you want lower price, here are some tips:

1. If you don't want to buy and a second GPU in the future to enable SLI, better buy the nVidia nForce 650i Ultra.
2. For lower price, buy an Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 CPU, than the E6400 CPU. It is cheaper and it is nearly to match the performance of the E6400.
3. If you want even lower price, buy a GeForce 8400 GS with 256MB, it doesn't different a lot from the 8500 GT with 256MB, but it doesn't support SLI, so if you buy this card, you won't be able to buy and a second.

These are my tips and recomendations. Do you still need another computer?

[[UFP]Ghost]

Took most of you recommendations. I just upgraded my video card a bit.

[franpa]

The 7600 GS with 256MB is also a good mid-range card, and it is cheaper than the 8600 GT, and this card supports DirectX 9.0c.

all video cards since the geforce 4 support direct x9.0c, its not a feature i would build the pc around.

[McMaster]

all video cards since the geforce 4 support direct x9.0c, its not a feature i would build the pc around.

No, GeForce 4 supports DirectX 8.1, and GeForce FX DirectX 9.0. GeForce 6, 7 and 8 series support DirectX 9.0c.

Note : 8 series also support DirectX 10.

Ghost;593543']Took most of you recommendations. I just upgraded my video card a bit.

So you upgraded your GPU a bit, what card did you get?

[franpa]

geforece 4 4000mx and ti support direct x 9.0c, the MX model lacks pixel shaders etc. but it still has support for direct x 9.0c.

[McMaster]

:cool:geforece 4 4000mx and ti support direct x 9.0c, the MX model lacks pixel shaders etc. but it still has support for direct x 9.0c.

Yes, but GeForce FX doesn't support DirectX 9.0c. Supports onlt DirectX 9.0 and DirectX 9.0b.

[[UFP]Ghost]

No, GeForce 4 supports DirectX 8.1, and GeForce FX DirectX 9.0. GeForce 6, 7 and 8 series support DirectX 9.0c.

Note : 8 series also support DirectX 10.



So you upgraded your GPU a bit, what card did you get?

not finalized yet i'll tell you when i decide. I'm not buying it until my pay check comes at the end of the month.

[franpa]

ive ordered the CPU @ 260$ and motherboard at 270$ and the parts arrive in store next week sometime, ETA is sunday but the store is closed then.

[McMaster]

geforece 4 4000mx and ti support direct x 9.0c, the MX model lacks pixel shaders etc. but it still has support for direct x 9.0c.

OK, but I don't think it is time to talk about these cards, they are all discontinued, the only cards available from nVidia are the GeForce 7 and GeForce 8 Series.