OT: Building a new computer... - Page 2

Combat Wombat · #1 September 20th, 2007, 03:11 AM

EVGA seems a popular choice for the card manufacturer, I can't say I remember which one I choose for my new 8800GTS but it wasn't evga because it was more expensive and I am a cheap bastard.

AgentZero · #2 September 22nd, 2007, 03:09 AM

Quote:

GuyOfDoom said:
I've been a fan of this case since I saw it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Fancy fan LEDs are all well & good in theory, but in practice they are the badness. Trying to sleep as your PC works on an overnight download while simultaneously lighting up your room like a cheap strip club is not fun.

Also, quad cores are useless.

Randallw · #3 September 22nd, 2007, 04:29 AM

You don't say. I'm in the market for a new computer and I saw a quad core that the salesman explained had less Mhz than his old one but was 5 or 6 times as fast. I thought dual or quad core meant 2 or 4 times the Mhz but I have gotten conflicting information that it is the speed listed but having 2 or 4 cores makes it process faster.

capnq · #4 September 22nd, 2007, 05:08 AM

As I understand it, multiple cores only give significant speedups for programs that were designed to exploit them.

Fyron · #5 September 20th, 2007, 03:51 AM

I'd have to second the recommendation against a quad core chip. Snake oil silicon at its finest...

Randallw · #6 November 12th, 2007, 06:49 AM

Well it's getting close to me buying a new computer. I reread this thread and will be going for a reasonably high end dual core system with plenty of RAM (3GB perhaps), helped by how well our dollar is doing at the moment. I know things differ from US to Australia equipment wise but I wonder if there is some way of making the computer more silent I could mention to the store bloke. I don't want to try mucking about with fancy cooling systems. My mother hooked me up with an expert last time who built my system for me and I've never been entirely happy with how loud it is. Are fans less loud than 3 years ago. As it is I keep my computer down stairs because it can't handle hot weather and even then I need to turn it off in the middle of the afternoon sometimes during summer.

Does anyone have any advice that could be useful?

Fyron · #7 November 12th, 2007, 01:40 PM

The type and size of fan you get determines how loud it will be. Larger fans tend to be quieter, since they can push out the same amount of air at a lower rotation speed. 120mm case fans are ideal, compared to 80mm, if you can get a case that uses em.

Atrocities · #8 November 12th, 2007, 04:27 PM

What is better, water cooling the cpu, multiple case fans, or a combination of both?

Randallw · #9 November 13th, 2007, 04:12 AM

Well the technical guy at one of the shops said they can't give me a 120mm fan but I don't think it is necessary any more. The ones they had on display made no real noise I could hear, granted I am half deaf. He said stuff about bad bearings on old ones and needing to cool the processor which isn't needed so much now with dual and quad core.

The Quad core one they had was way too expensive, and I am willing to pay well for a good one that will last. I think the major addition was a HD-DVD/Blue ray drive I don't have any interest in. He was telling me the HD-DvD was worth it alone as it would cost A$1500 to add it later. Obviously out for a commision I think.

Another store had a quad core without that stuff but the young guy there couldn't tell me what it lacked (ie better than generic hardware) that made it so cheap.

I know people said Quad core isn't necessary and I discussed that with the guy but might it be worth it since the computer is to last 3, maybe 4, years?. Starting with Quad core might let it last longer as future software is built with it in mind.

On a related note. Interesting story. When I went to the first store the salesguy trying to get me to take the Quad core hog with HD-DvD drive, was stunned when I started discussing technical stuff.
"You'll have to talk to my manager" he said. So I start talking with the manager who could discuss technical stuff and he got annoyed when he realised the salesguy had dissapeared off to lunch it seemed. His words were I think
"he has to learn to stay and learn if he wants to stay in my computer department" the salesguy was older than the manager, who didn't appear that young.

Incidentally, can anyone explain if Vista Ultimate is the best? The computers I saw all come with Ultimate. I asked if despite being "ultimate" that still meant it was the worst version. I know as they go up in quality they include components that might not be necessary for someone who just wants to use it at home.