Custom PC Critique
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Medeiros




Posts: 80

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 01:34    Post subject: Custom PC Critique
I built the computer I am using now about 5 years ago, I've finally decided to build a new one so that I can enjoy some current games once again.

I've been out of the computer hardware loop for a while now so IDK if my system i'm putting together is necessarily the best bang for my buck.
The current items I have selected will keep me under $1k which is my goal.

My research consisted of mostly NewEgg customer reviews as well as a few benchmarks.

I've attached a pic of the parts I have selected, i'm hoping someone with better hardware knowledge than I can make reccomendations for other items in the same price category or give me their blessing to order what i've selected



I live in Canada and am limited to the following online stores when it comes to products:


www.tigerdirect.ca
www.canadacomputers.com
www.ncix.com
www.infonec.com
www.directcanada.com

Any feedback appreciated, I don't offend easily Laughing
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inz




Posts: 11914

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 01:51    Post subject:
Ditch the Vista, get one of the SP1 integrated releases instead and put the money saved on other parts, like Q9550? Wink
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sabin1981
Mostly Cursed



Posts: 87805

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 01:57    Post subject:
Meh, I say screw XP and keep Vista. XP is dead. As for the rig, everything looks cool EXCEPT that motherboard. I'm not sure what you're budget is, but it's GOT to be more than having to settle for Biostar Wink

The Asus P5 series (P35 and P45 chipsets) are excellent value, both in performance and overclocking options.
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inz




Posts: 11914

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 02:01    Post subject:
I meant ditch Vista from his purchase list.
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Phluxed
VIP Member



Posts: 4911
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 02:04    Post subject:
Dude... don't consider yourself limited. NCIX is fucking incredible.

Oh and ya, get a better motherboard. Jesus christ, its the backbone of your pc.


Last edited by Phluxed on Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 02:07; edited 1 time in total
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sabin1981
Mostly Cursed



Posts: 87805

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 02:06    Post subject:
inz wrote:
I meant ditch Vista from his purchase list.


Oh... hehehe!!

Well, that was MY first thought actually (save $200+ etc etc) but then I saw the columns. I *think* he means he already has those parts, it's only the stuff in the top box-out that he's buying.

I could be wrong though, in which case I'm with you -- ditch the Vista retail. Too fucking costly.
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inz




Posts: 11914

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 02:13    Post subject:
Oh oops, it's in the existing bracket. My bad. Guess that's my cue to hit the sack. Very Happy
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Medeiros




Posts: 80

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 03:35    Post subject:
ROFL.

Ok, so my mobo choice hasn't made me very popular in this thread. Laughing

sabin1981 i'm going to look at some ASUS mobo's right now, my current PC has an ASUS K8N-E Deluxe mobo in it and it's been solid so i'm not opposed to going with them again.

Phluxed I haven't crunched all the numbers yet but it looks like with the free shipping promo Direct Canada will come in cheaper than NCIX. I agree though, my PC parts store of choice used to be Tiger Direct until I found NCIX, damn good prices there and the price matching is a nice touch.

Also in regards to the list, the bottom half is parts I already have that I'm going to be salvaging from my current PC.
I always hated Vista but had to reformat recently and have found it to be better than most give it credit for, going with x64 version so that all 8GB of RAM will be recognized by the OS. Also, like most people on these forums it's not in my nature to pay for software. Smile

Ok, I have research to do - will post back soon.
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Phluxed
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Posts: 4911
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 03:46    Post subject:
How is it possible Direct Canada will be cheaper.... You only pay 5% tax unless you live in BC...


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Medeiros




Posts: 80

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 04:05    Post subject:
Phluxed wrote:
How is it possible Direct Canada will be cheaper.... You only pay 5% tax unless you live in BC...


From Direct Canada website:

"GST or HST will be collected on all orders shipped in Canada. All order shipped to British Columbia will be charged PST."

Apparently it's a sister site to NCIX from what i've read Wink
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Phluxed
VIP Member



Posts: 4911
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 04:12    Post subject:
Oh, well then go'fer it!


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Medeiros




Posts: 80

PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 05:27    Post subject:
sabin1981 wrote:
Meh, I say screw XP and keep Vista. XP is dead. As for the rig, everything looks cool EXCEPT that motherboard. I'm not sure what you're budget is, but it's GOT to be more than having to settle for Biostar Wink

The Asus P5 series (P35 and P45 chipsets) are excellent value, both in performance and overclocking options.


Ok, just finished doing my homework.

This board seems to be the best mix of performance/price

ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.cpu3d.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4924&Itemid=54&limit=1
http://my.ocworkbench.com/2008/asus/P5Q-E_with_QX9770/b9.htm
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/index.php?x=reviews&id=803&page=9
http://www.hardwarelogic.com/news/132/ARTICLE/4032/7/2008-07-28.html

Only comes in at $20 more than the Biostar.

Opinions?
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WhiteBarbarian




Posts: 6009
Location: Russia
PostPosted: Fri, 22nd Aug 2008 08:42    Post subject:
Today/tomorrow I am building PC on this mobo for the friend, will give my impression later. But from that I gathered on the forums at the moment all P5Q series suffers from unpolished BIOS

- Mobo highly overvoltage on Auto setting and on manual settings close to auto, so you need to enter voltage by yourself and make them 0.10 / 0.20 higher than default settings. Voltage measurement with multimeter is highly recommended.
- Q-FAN thingy is not working properly.

ASUS P5Q PRO Voltage Regulation


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Medeiros




Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sat, 23rd Aug 2008 04:24    Post subject:
WhiteBarbarian i'm interested in your impression when you get a chance to test it out.

I've decided with the comp to swap the OCZ Reaper memory for OCZ Platinum Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel
Save on price, memory is faster and it will give me more case room.

I'd appreciate any feedback on the ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard as I'm looking to order my parts on Monday.

Edit: I've been reading some troubling things regarding the BIOS of the above ASUS board and I am once again considering the Biostar mobo.
Apparently they have a very bad reputation but nobody has a bad thing to say about the board I am considering...

BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813138118
http://www.overclockersonline.net/?page=articles&num=1921&pnum=11
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2295&page=11
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTUzMCw2LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==
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WhiteBarbarian




Posts: 6009
Location: Russia
PostPosted: Mon, 25th Aug 2008 00:18    Post subject:
Well, I have played with ASUS P5Q-E

1. Mobo indeed overvoltage nearly all voltages in Auto and at 1/2 steps close to it. From step 3 overvoltage is usually around 0.03 - 0.08 V.
2. Q-FAN worked only with 4-pin fan @ 4-pin CPU FAN connector, fans @ remaining three 3-pin FAN connectors always spin at 100%

Besides these two had no other issues with this board. Haven't tried to overclock on it yet.

Overall it is a normal board with issues Smile

Quality wise my rating is

1. Abit
2. Gigabyte
3. Asus

But as no Abit and Gigabyte were available at the time of purchase, I had to get Asus Smile


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Medeiros




Posts: 80

PostPosted: Mon, 25th Aug 2008 05:40    Post subject:
Thanks for the info.
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