Building my own computer...

[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...

[The_Doctor]

MSI K9N Platinum, nForce 570 Ultra, DDR2 ,Socket-AM2,2xGbLAN,Firew, ATX, PCI-Ex16
£82.00

NEC ND-4570A-GEN Ivory 16x16 DVD±RW/RAM Dual Layer DVD-Writer OEM UK
£23.25

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.2GHz Socket AM2 1MB, BOXED w/fan
£125.01

Mitsumi Floppy + Card Reader Beige
£12.56

XFX GeForce 7600GT XXX 256MB PCI-E DDR3 Dual DVI Mfr# PVT73GUDD3
£137.42

Western Digital Raptor 36GB SATA 16MB 10000RPM
£75.01

250GB Samsung SP2504C SATA 7200rpm 8MB cache HDD oem
£41.99

Corsair TWIN2X 6400C4 DDR2, 2048MB CL4, Kit w/two 1GB Dimm's, E.P.P Technology
£192.00

Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 940BF TCO-99 Monitor, DVI-D, D-sub, 2ms
£199.00

Fortron/Source Powersupply ATX 550W, Bulk, 120mm, SATA, 20+4pin, EPS12V
£76.00

Total: £964.24

I just need some speakers and a different case and it is done.

Any other comments?

[DukeofSerbia]

Total: £9642.24

I just need some speakers and a different case and it is done.

Any other comments?

You put wrong price. The price is £964.24.

Case, power supply, sound card and speakers will check, but not today as I'm going to wedding for three hour, and I will not be at home until tomorrow morning.

And I will check if Raptor can be attached on SATA II interface. You check about this Samsung hard disk on the net. I will try to find friend to see what he think about this configuration.

I never heard for XFX manufacturer of GeForce graphics card. Check MSI, ASUS, Gigabyte GeForce 7600GT or add cca 100 euros and buy 7900GT. I will check that too, does it worth.

Cheers.

[The_Doctor]

You put wrong price. The price is £964.24.

Indeed.

Gigabyte GeForce 7600GT or add cca 100 euros and buy 7900GT. I will check that too, does it worth.

Wait, I put the wrong graphics card on the list.

It should be:
Gainward GeForce 7900GT 256MB,1,4ns DDR3 ,PCI-Express, "BP7900GT-256-GS-TV-DD"

Or

XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/HDTV, 470/1370Mhz

You check about this Samsung hard disk on the net.

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...roductID=12209
According to that website it uses a serial SATA 2 interface.

[DukeofSerbia]

Hello again.

May I ask you something? For what purpose you plan to use your new PC? This is important, because if you don’t know you will probably waste money on something you bought and you don’t use it.

Monitor:
Samsung SyncMaster 940BF is excellent monitor for gaming (respond time 2ms, contrast 700:1, brightness 300cd/m2, resolution 1280*1024, DVI) and multimedia (video). But if you plan to use your computer for graphics and drawing, then you probably need some other monitor or model. I don’t say that 940BF is not good for that. The problem is you can’t pivot this model.

Sound card:
If you want to buy quality speakers then you need to buy at least average sound card, as integrated sound cards are not good (you will waste the money as good speakers can’t sounds good if sound card is integrated and you probably know that). Even the cheapest Creative Live! Player will do job good (around 20-23 euros) or Audigy2 Player. If you have money then buys Audigy4 Player. I don’t know does Creative still have weak drivers. The main problem of Live! model was (and is) drivers. Several my friend have that card and they always had problems until they started to use alternative drivers. Maybe somebody else know good sound card from different manufacturer. I admit that I don’t know.

Speakers:
You need home theater (5.1 is enough) or not (2.1)?

Case and power supply:
From what I know, even 300W strong and quality power supply will be enough for your hardware. But, this is the low limit… You don’t need 550W as you will not buy SLI system. Quality power supply between 350 to 400W will be sufficient (never buy cheap Chinese power supply as they never had power as is on paper – on paper 400W, in reality 250W). The best power supplies are Antec and Enermax. Chieftec is good, too. I have Chieftec LBX-01-01 w-w-w 360W (this cost me 120 euros, but I didn’t have choice as power is problematic at my home). I wanted Antec, but it is almost impossible to buy it in Serbia (even when some company import them, they are sold almost immediately). Go on Antec web page and find appropriate case with power supply between 360W and 400W and then check if you can buy it. Prices for good quality case + power supply are from 90 euros.

[DukeofSerbia]

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...roductID=12209
According to that website it uses a serial SATA 2 interface.

I ment that you check is the true what I wrote about characteristics and performancies of this hard disk.

[lars573]

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:

Simple the difference between SATA and SATA II is internal. They both use the same SATA cables. But you can set a SATA II HDD to SATA 1 by jumpering the drive.

[Cebei]

Dear DukeofSerbia,

I have a graphics card question. How many years can I use a 512MB nVidia® GeForceT 7900 GTX? I mean, do you think I will be able to play new games on low resolutions (at high frame rates) with that 3 years later? Or will it last longer? Shorter?

[Lemur]

I know you didn't ask me, but ...

I'm still using a 4-year-old graphics card, the Radeon 9700 pro. I'm able to play all current games, even if I can't always do so with all the bells and whistles. But even a hardware-destroying monster like Oblivion plays, with tweaks, adequately.

I think the moral of the story is that if you get an un-gimped top-of-the-line card, you can easily expect three years from the beast. The only question mark will be DX10 ...