Building my own computer...

[The_Doctor]

Just wait for a while.

I might not have a computer in two months. My sister might be taking it to university with her, if she gets into uni.

Although, she could just get a laptop and save me a lot of problems.

AMD is swiching to the new platform - AM2. Don't buy socket 939 as AMD leave this platform. The price of the new AM2 platform will fall and you will have brand new PC full of power and ready for future upgrade.

The website I am looking at already has some, and they are quite cheap.

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.a...age=1&SortBy=1

[The_Doctor]

After reading about them, I think I will go with a AM2 motherboard.

Instead of a GeForce 7900GT PCX 256MB, I will go with a GeForce 7600GT.

[orangat]

After reading about them, I think I will go with a AM2 motherboard.

Instead of a GeForce 7900GT PCX 256MB, I will go with a GeForce 7600GT.

That is the worst thing you can do. From a 7900gtx to a 7600gt is cutting half the performance.

[The_Doctor]

That is the worst thing you can do. From a 7900gtx to a 7600gt is cutting half the performance.

I should have looked that this before making a decision.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ocessing_Units

Thanks, that is the purpose of this thread.

[DukeofSerbia]

After reading about them, I think I will go with a AM2 motherboard.

Instead of a GeForce 7900GT PCX 256MB, I will go with a GeForce 7600GT.

Off course you will buy AM2 platform. AMD announced that they will stop produce most of processors for 939. AM2 is present and only future.

If you plan to play games then buy GeForce 7900gtx or Radeon X1900XT as they have enough power for future games. As I read Radeon X1900XT is even better.
If you don't plan to play games in highest resolution (like 1600*1200 and over that) with full AA and AF, then buy GeForce 7600gt as this card is the best buy without any competition!

[The_Doctor]

If you plan to play games then buy GeForce 7900gtx or Radeon X1900XT as they have enough power for future games. As I read Radeon X1900XT is even better.

I think I shall go with the 7900GT, the 7900GTX is a lot more expensive.

The motherboard, CPU and GPU seem to be sorted.

What about the hard drive and the CD/DVD drive?
What is this SATA stuff?

[DukeofSerbia]

I think I shall go with the 7900GT, the 7900GTX is a lot more expensive.

The motherboard, CPU and GPU seem to be sorted.

Hello and read this.

Motherboard:
For AM2 platform, buy motherboard based on nVidia nForce 570 Ultra. nForce 570 SLI is different from 570 Ultra only because has support for another PCI-Express x8 graphics card. And 590 SLI has support for two PCI-Express x16 graphics card and so called LinkBoost for only GeForce 7900GTX. And buy motherboard from manufacturers like ASUS or MSI. Gigabyte is also good.

Graphics card:
Middle class: GeForce 7600GT or Radeon X1800GTO – Those two cards has similar performances: 7600GT is faster in 3D Mark 03 and 06, and X1800GTO in 05. It is standard that GeForce is faster in Quake 4 and Radeon in Far Cry and F.E.A.R. Radeon X1800GTO has higher price, but ATI has better AF plus AA and HDR can work together. nVidia was and is better than ATI when OpenGL is in matter.

Highest class: GeForce 7900GTX or Radeon X1900XT. Radeon X1900XT is generally better and it’s more future orientated card.

Monitor:
Samsung SyncMaster 940BF

What about the hard drive and the CD/DVD drive?
What is this SATA stuff?

I will answer on that tomorow, but for DVD are best Pioneer and NEC. I have at home what models of them are best.

P.S.
Two days ago, you wanted SLI based system, and now 7900GTX is expensive...

[The_Doctor]

Thanks.

How do you know all this stuff?

[Lemur]

Too much time reading geek sites on the Internet.

It's not a truck! It's a series of tubes!

[DukeofSerbia]

DVD
There is no difference between NEC ND-4570A and Pioneer DVR-111DBK. Both models use the newest NEC chip D63645AGM. And NEC has the best chips without any doubt in PC-DVD market. The main difference between this and older NEC chip is that the new chip obviously better read CDs and DVDs. And if is possible when you buying DVD-recorder ask dealer if he can put new flash in device.

Characteristics of writing: DVD+/-R 16x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x, DVD+/-R DL 8x, DVD-RAM 5x, CD-R 48x and CD-RW 32x

Both models cost the same in Serbia - some 35* euros. In Britain, they have, I am sure, lower price.

Hard disk
Because you will buy AM2 platform for AMD, your choice have to be SATA II. AM2 MBs (and also the new Intel platforms – Intel MBs even don’t have one ATA) has only one ATA connector (that will use for DVD-recorder) and six SATA II connectors. In May, in most popular Serbian computer’s magazine (in English “World of Computers”) was large tests of 250 GB SATA II models. The winner of test is Samsung SP2504C. This Samsung has standard 8 MB of cache, 7200 RPM and support for NCQ and capacity of 232,88 GB when is formatted. It wiped out competition (Maxtor, Hitachi and Seagate – WD was second) in coping small files from and on hard disk and was second in erasing files just a little behind WD. Quick Bench 1.1 also confirmed that Samsung SP2504C read the fastest and has the fastest Random access time and Random access speed. Plus the level of noise is absolutely the lowest in Samsung model. And price is average.

Find some alternative sources of information in the net or computer magazines to see what model is best. If you find conformation that Samsung SP2504C is like I wrote, then buy its. The main problem is that company may have (example) good 160 GB or 200 GB model, but 250 GB or 320 GB model is not good.

I don’t know about warranty polices in UK, but in Serbia most retailers give 2 or 3 years of warranty on hard disks.

If you have money, my advice is the next: buy two hard disks! I have to admit that I don’t know is it possible that SATA disk use SATA II interface. I have to check this. If it is possible then you buy two hard disks:

1. WD 360GD Raptor (36 GB, SATA, 10 000 RPM – price in Serbia is around 110-130* euros and warranty is five years!)
2. Samsung SP2504C (in Serbia price is aroun 90* euros and warranty is three year)

On WD Raptor install Windows XP (and don’t forget Vista when come – hardware killer OS) and only system and most common programs for use. For everything else use disk of 250 GB. You will see difference in speed.

* VAT is included

Thanks.

How do you know all this stuff?

Don't ask how. One of the my best friend in my town is computer dealer (actually, firm is own by his father), so I have pieces of information from first hand. And his firm is also linked with greatest Serbian wholesalers and reatilers. And I read many computer magazines... And experience... And...