Need a new computer.

[Barbarossa]

Get a Mac...

No way am I buying one of those fruity white computers.

Did you read the thread?

[knuckled]

After thinking it over and seeing how high priced the Q9550 is at newegg (though you can get it $170 at microcenter if you have one near you) I think you might be better with a 965 system on your budget.

Here is a great 965 system for you

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16004528

Switch the 650TX to a 750TX if you think you might go dual graphics cards eventually.

Switch the 4890 to a 5770 if DX11 futureproofing is important; or 5850 if you're willing to spend that much on a GPU.


make sure to get the 125w Phenom II 965 and NOT the 140w one if you go that route.

IMO the i7 920 isn't really worth it for you, considering your budget (b/c of the extra CPU + mobo cost) and you will probably replace the mobo by the time you get a new CPU (correct me if I'm wrong), so the 'future-proof' aspect wont do much for you.
----------------


As far as how to make sure your system is compatible and what changes to make if you change a part. The basics of compatibility in building a new system is making sure:

1) the processor (CPU) fits the socket on the motherboard
2) the RAM matches the type that the motherboard takes (DDR2 or DDR3)
3)That the motherboard can handle 2 of your graphics cards (GPUs) should you want (the option) to go dual graphics cards. Crossfire for ATI, and SLI for nVidia. Though the newest chipset motherboards can handle both.

For example,

1) A Phenom II 965 uses the AM3 socket. So make sure to pick a motherboard that has a AM3 socket. Check whether the motherboard uses DDR2 or DDR3 and select the appropriate RAM.

2) A Q9550 uses the LGA 775 socket. So make sure to pick a motherboard that has a 775 socket. Check whether the motherboard uses DDR2 or DDR3 and select the appropriate RAM.

3) The i7 line uses the LGA 1366 socket. So make sure to pick a motherboard that has a 1366 socket. All 1366 motherboards use DDR3.


Any new power supply should be 'compatible' with any new system you build. The think to check is to make sure the wattage is enough. You also need to make sure you have right power connectors to run your hardware but this is only an issue if you are running 2 graphics cards and any power supply which is powerful enough to run 2 cards should have the connectors you need.

[sevensix2x51]

ok, bear with me.. i have had my pc in its current configuration for a few years, and it runs everything that comes out.
all i have is an amd 3200+, 1gb of corsair ram (2 sticks in parallel,) 8500gt, ASUS a8n sli deluxe mb, like 5-6 80gb hdds in both ide and sata, since im a cheap***** and never could spring for the 250gb hdds when they were expensive. but i got sweet cobra cables so the 50 hdds dont burn up... all that ribbon cable can really impede airflow.
just get what you can afford, and as long as you keep all the bs programs off it (ie norton and itunes, kazaa) and get a good a/v like avast, youll be good to go!

[5hundo]

No way am I buying one of those fruity white computers.

Then get a black or silver one...

[minuteman]

I've built a number of my own PC's from scratch before, my last computer was a laptop so of course bought it. This time I looked into building one and ended up buying this http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...t56671&topnav=

It comes with a 3 Ghz Phenom, 8 Gigs of memory, 1 TB harddrive and it's fast. I will be adding a better video card (for CAD and games) and may have to upgrade the power supply to do so. There was no way I could build a better system for less money, especially when you throw in buying an OEM copy of windows. The warranty is nice and Costco is easy to work with. Yes it's fun to brag to your buddies that you built it, this is just easy, fast, and cheap. Performance wise I'm sure it will do the trick (High End CAD software is very demanding on system resources)

Good Luck!

wow that is a pretty nice setup out of the box from Costco.

[Barbarossa]

Okay now that I've spent a few more days researching I'm still scratching my head.

Here's what I'm looking at:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

Now I'm trying to figure out Motherboards: (looking at these 3)
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard I think this is basically the same card as above, but without on board video.
ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard (I saw this recommended on another sight, but if you read the comments it sounds like it may ahve issues with this processor?)

I think it will all fit in that case:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Picked this becasue it was a combo deal with the "M4A78T-E" Mobo.

If you all can help me narrow down the Motherboard, Next is trying to pick Ram. (DDR31600 2x2 is what I'm looking at)

Thanks

[Barbarossa]

Anyone?

[amd64]

+1 to knuckled's advice -- http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...1&postcount=10

P45 chipset with an oc'd Q9550 is a great price/performance combo.

[Barbarossa]

Update!

So I bought some parts and have it physically assembled.

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX

ASUS EAH5770/2DIS/1GD5/V2 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black 24x

So what have I learned so far?

The Mother board I have may or may not have the correct BIOS that supports this processor.

I'm fairly sure that the Power Supply I bought supports NVidia, and I have an ATI video card. (the plug for power fits )

[JDay]

So I bought some parts and have it physically assembled.



So what have I learned so far?

The Mother board I have may or may not have the correct BIOS that supports this processor.

Should still boot up and you only have to get a BIOS update from the manufacturers support site.

I'm fairly sure that the Power Supply I bought supports NVidia, and I have an ATI video card. (the plug for power fits )

That's not brand dependent, its a specification. That power cable is for PCI Express cards that need an external power source, you're fine. Your power supply is also rated for both SLI (Nvidia) and Crossfire (ATI) for dual and triple video card configurations.

[Barbarossa]

Well I was able to update the BIOS version and got her running, not sure how much I like Windows 7.

Now I just need to find and HDMI KVM switch.

[locosway]

HDMI KVM switch?? O_o

[Barbarossa]

HDMI KVM switch?? O_o

After research I'm not sure there is such a think.

I've got 2 computers with HDMI output, and 1 screen.

[locosway]

KVM is a Keyboard Video Mouse switch. HDMI does video, but not the other two. You may look for a HDMI switch, but I have no idea if those exist either. Chances are you'll need to use a different medium for your signal than HDMI on one computer.