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For the computer types around here..

post #1 of 44
4/4/07 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
So, if you haven't read, my apartment was flooded and as such, my computer was destroyed.

I'm looking to build a box for under a grand. I'm leaning towards Core 2 Duo as I'll need a PC before AMD launches its new architecture. I hesitate only because AMD has a pricedrop scheduled on April 9th. I'll probably try to squeeze two 120GB Raptors in Raid 0 in there.. perhaps 0+1. I'll save the buying of 500GB drives for the incumbent HTPC. Suggestions for a capable mid-level graphics card? Overclockable RAM? Same players in regards to mobos and overclockability I take it.. those being Gigabyte, Asus, etc. I'm going to go back to my good ol' [H] but I figured I'd petition for suggestions here as well.

(It's funny how your hobbies fall by the wayside when you have a real job. I haven't kept up with hardware for like 2 years. )
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post #2 of 44
4/4/07 at 5:51pm
Some of the best bang for the buck is to be found with the mid-level ATI cards. Yeah, [H]ardOCP is a good resource. Check the latest price/performance charts at Tom's Hardware on that, also. If there is a Fry's nearby you, I saw something on Fatwallet on some smoking deals on 500gb SATA and DDR2 RAM. Edit: How about this for a gfx card? http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/714278/ And on a drive... http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/715038/
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post #3 of 44
4/4/07 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
I assume that one of the basic trifecta's, TH, [H], and AnandTech all still have a lot of useful information.

Of course, I came here because I'm lazy and wanted suggestions, not URLs. Goddamned Grecians.

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post #4 of 44
4/4/07 at 6:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kronik View Post
I assume that one of the basic trifecta's, TH, [H], and AnandTech all still have a lot of useful information. Of course, I came here because I'm lazy and wanted suggestions, not URLs. Goddamned Grecians.
Alright, here ya go you lazy bastard. I've just completed this rig for under $700 after shipping and rebates. Everything was bought from outpost, newegg, and eBay. Check slickdeals.net for good deals right now. This is not a highend rig, but it should be a serious gaming machine once I start to tinker with the CPU, graphics, and RAM. Case\tUltra Wizard Mid-Tower ATX Case Power\tAntec SmartPower 2.0 500W ATX12V RAM\tOCZ DDR2-800 PC6400 DUAL 2X1GB 800MHZ Video\te-GeForce 7600 GT Video Card MB\tGigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Intel P965 Socket 775 Motherboard Paste\tCPU THERMPASTE ARCTIC SILVER5 HD\tSeagate 320G ST 7K 16M SATA2 ST3320620AS CPU Fan\tCPU FAN BIG TYPHOON CL-P0114 DVD\tDVD_BURN SAMSUNG SH-S183L LS SATA CPU\tIntel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz Desktop Processor E4300 Fan\tARCTIC COOLING 80MM ARCTIC FAN 8 28 CFM 20 DBA Fan\tARCTIC COOLING 120MM ARCTIC FAN 12 56.3 CFM 23.5 DBA
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post #5 of 44
4/4/07 at 6:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kronik View Post
I assume that one of the basic trifecta's, TH, [H], and AnandTech all still have a lot of useful information.

Of course, I came here because I'm lazy and wanted suggestions, not URLs. Goddamned Grecians.


Pah. Damn foreign devils, cannot even click on an URL anymore
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post #6 of 44
4/4/07 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skalogre View Post
Pah. Damn foreign devils, cannot even click on an URL anymore

Should haev just recommended him an imac for his laziness.
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post #7 of 44
4/4/07 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
I hope your children are born with a penchant for A&F and Gap, GQG.
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post #8 of 44
4/4/07 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kronik View Post
I hope your children are born with a penchant for A&F and Gap, GQG.

Oooh, those are fighting words. You must fight to the death!

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post #9 of 44
4/4/07 at 7:47pm
Hexus.net is a good site aswell for tech stuff, as well as the overclockers.co.uk forums ( just never actually buy anything from their horrible shop)
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post #10 of 44
4/4/07 at 8:51pm
Another good deal on RAM (matched 2 GB set).
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/717709/

Yes another URL. Click on the link yourself damn it you lazy bastard - you want me to click on it for you? .
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post #11 of 44
4/4/07 at 9:12pm
After about an hour of tinkering about, my CPU is now running stable at 2.988Mhz. I'll try to get it up to about 3.5Mhz, which is very reasonable for this setup.
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post #12 of 44
4/4/07 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
Perhaps I miscommunicated.

I've been a PC hobbyist for going on ten years so all of the aforementioned places, I'm already aware of, a member of, or extremely familiar with. I absolutely appreciate your efforts to educate me in regards to learning resources (I'm being serious, not a smartass.)

That being said, I was actually looking for "here's 1000 bucks, build the best PC you can come up with" type posts. I'm a member of FW/SD as well, so just saying that's where they are is sufficient enough. It's difficult to express this via text without coming off as a pompous ass - I apologize if that is how it is interpreted.

Now build me a goddamned PC you peasants! Especially you, skal.
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post #13 of 44
4/4/07 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 
DNW, what volts are you running to your RAM/bus - when I was heavily into OCing (last was my 2400+), I think I gave it too much voltage and it degraded over time, unfortunately. I lost my sweet, sweet Mushkin Black Level II.. which I realize isn't worth shit anymore but was the holy grail of RAM when I bought it.
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post #14 of 44
4/4/07 at 9:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kronik View Post
Perhaps I miscommunicated. I've been a PC hobbyist for going on ten years so all of the aforementioned places, I'm already aware of, a member of, or extremely familiar with. I absolutely appreciate your efforts to educate me in regards to learning resources (I'm being serious, not a smartass.) That being said, I was actually looking for "here's 1000 bucks, build the best PC you can come up with" type posts. I'm a member of FW/SD as well, so just saying that's where they are is sufficient enough. It's difficult to express this via text without coming off as a pompous ass - I apologize if that is how it is interpreted. Now build me a goddamned PC you peasants! Especially you, skal.
Damn it. I still find that damn cat of yours unsettling. How porky (in performance and physical size) do you want the system? That ATI card deal I posted seems to be a good start for gaming at the very least - unless you want to have a beast machine with a 8800 in it... There was also a thread recently with lots of good info that Toky Slim posted. Hmm... Oh and as far as the RAM is concerned, do you want stability & a warranty as a priority or the equivalent of NOS (naaaawzzzzzzz ) - ie damn fast as long as it does not randomly crack or explode... For the card(s), I would look in to BFG - they have a lifetime warranty. I don't remember what chipsets they use nowadays.
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post #15 of 44
4/4/07 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 
I was looking at the 8800 as well as OCZ ram.

Of course, as with all things (clothes/shoes addictions anyone) I may spend slightly more if I feel that the boost in performance justifies it.

I'd like stable, but speedy RAM with the ability to bump the clock speeds so essentially mid-high level. The card doesn't have to be the 500 dollar beast was that my Radeon 9700 PRO was when I bought it.. but I'd like to be able to play games in 2 years as well.

Physical size, I could care less about. I had a Kingwin monster of an aluminum case before; I'd estimate this would be about the same. Perhaps I'll go with a Lian Li.

Oh, and if you know where to find a cheap VapoChill, lemme know.
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