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Jul - Computers and Technology - This Old Computer (Computer Rennovation Project) New poll - New thread - New reply
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Lyskar
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-The Chaos within trumps the Chaos without-
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Posted on 07-03-10 08:32:19 PM Link | Quote
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Metal_Man88's Post
So, I have this computer. And I have about $300-400 to spend on it. Now I've been in this business of hardware jockeying for a while, so I don't really need help on the part about compatibility or such...

...But I have noticed I have an alarming tendency to pick lemons, especially in the motherboard field. So, to save myself from another 5 years of the computer freezing, I'm gonna ask those of you who keep track of major motherboard brands if you could give your opinion on these choices. (The pre-existing setup doesn't matter as it's all so old it's just being replaced)

First, the motherboard. The most important part, as, last time I did things, I picked a bizarre in-betweener ASUS mobo which could neither do overclocking right nor run stablely as a normal motherboard. I probably should have RMA'd it but was too stupid to do so. Let's avoid that this time.

I'm going to post about 3-4 choices, ranked by my order of preference. Also, I'm choosing AM2+ motherboards, as I don't care for the inflated prices of DDR3.

Also also, if you find these cheaper elsewhere (note shipping, please) that'd be handy.

1. Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 Socket AM2+ ATX Motherboard, AMD 770 Chipset, Supports AM2+/AM2 CPUs, Dual Channel DDR2 1200, PCI-E 2.0 x16, SATA 3Gb/s RAID, w/ 1394, GB LAN, 8ch HD Audio (74.99) - It's big, it's bad, it does a lot of stuff, and it has a powerful onboard audio thing.
2. *$15 Mail-in Rebate* ASUS M4A77D Socket AM2+ ATX Motherboard, AMD 770 Chipset, Supports AMD AM3 Processors, Dual DDR2 1200(O.C.), PCI-E, SATA 3.0Gb/s RAID, Gigabit LAN. ds-dh (82.99) - A bit more expensive. Mostly included as an option if for some reason Gigabyte is horrible and I didn't know it.
3. Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 Rev.4.1 Socket AM3/AM2+ Micro ATX Motherboard, AMD 740G Chipset, Supports AMD AM3/AM2+/AM2 CPUs, Dual Channel DDR2 1066, PCI-E, SATA RAID, HDCP (49.99) - Not sure if my CPU cooler of choice would really fit this thing. Also it's micro-atx, and I have a perfectly huge case.

Processor: This is a bit more technical. I'm unsure if a third core is better than two, faster cores. Four cores is kind of ridiculous, but I'll include it in case, for some reason, the cheaper choices on the other ones get picked.

1. AMD Athlon II X2 250 Socket AM3 45nm Dual-Core Processor with 3.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, Model: ADX250OCGQBOX, Retail Box (67.99) - I like dual cores, I'm used to the Socket 939 4200+'s wimp 2.2 GHz per core, this should be like a rocket ship to me.
2. *Free Ground Shipping* AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 2000MHz Socket AM3 Tri-Core 45nm Processor, Model: ADX435WFGIBOX, Retail Box (75.99) - But wait, there's a new challenger! ...But is there much of an advantage to a third program? How many programs even USE that? Would it even make any difference with, say, TF2?
3. *Free Ground Shipping* AMD Athlon II X4 630 2.8GHz Socket AM3 45nm Processor, Model: ADX630WFGIBOX. Retail Box (104.99) - I'm not sure about this one, either. 4 cores is even more cores, but they're slower individually. Does this really make a difference or are all these cores only useful for mega-multitasking???

Memory: I don't really care much here. Averaging about 80 per part here, I'll have enough money to buy 4 GB of RAM easily, and my Windows x64 can handle that. Question is, is it sensible to add another 2 GB that isn't paired to anything? I'm not sure if I'd even have a use for 8 GB, either.


Misc.
Black Pioneer DVR-S18MBK SATA 22x DVD Writer, 22x DVD+/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD+/-R DL, w/ LabelFlash. Retail (42.99) - People keep having me burn things to DVD. I figure this should speed things up, and replace my totally broken laughable CD-rom 52x drive.
(59.99) - Antec EarthWatts 430W ATX12V Power Supply EA-430, Supports PCI Express, Serial ATA, 80 PLUS Certified, Active PFC Not terribly sure if my Thermaltake 400W can take all of this. I'm sort of open on power supplies. I don't trust Antec a lot, but I like the efficiency, which should cut down on heat... ideally?

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Ninji

Birdo
Why did my user title say I'm a toaster anyway
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Since: 07-26-07

Pronouns: he/him or they/them
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Posted on 07-04-10 08:37:41 PM Link | Quote
Ok, while I'm not really sure what to choose ... I can tell you one thing. You're using Windows (XP, I'm assuming). Don't bother with anything above 2 cores - Windows can't use it properly.

I'm on Windows 7 and I have a quad-core processor - two of my cores are almost always idling, unless I manually set programs (like Dolphin) to run on them.

You'll be far better off getting the faster dual-core processor, because that's all Windows can use effectively for multitasking at the moment. Unless you're running multithreaded apps which you know can take advantage of 3+ cores, then don't even bother.

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Jul · The Left Mouse Button · RVLution.net
Lyskar
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-The Chaos within trumps the Chaos without-
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Posted on 07-04-10 09:45:27 PM (last edited by Metal_Man88 at 07-04-10 06:45 PM) Link | Quote
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Metal_Man88's Post
Found mobo #1 cheaper, decided I'll probably get it from NewEgg: Although the shipping sorta bumps it back up...

And I'm using Windows XP x64... ...which I don't think can use 3 cores well either, good point.

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Zero One
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From: Delta Quadrant

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Posted on 07-04-10 10:43:46 PM (last edited by Zero One at 07-04-10 07:44 PM) Link | Quote
I've got a good idea. My dad found a really good pre-built Compaq. And amazingly, it isn't shit. It beats the crap out of mine. Quad core, 1 terabyte harddrive (or 1000gigs, depending how literal they are), built-in graphics card that CAN be upgraded, Windows 7, all for £400. If I find out where he found it, I'll post the link.

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Posted on 07-04-10 10:45:05 PM Link | Quote
He isn't looking for quad core, they are useless with windows (if thats what you mean, if it's for you, same message).

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Zero One
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From: Delta Quadrant

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Posted on 07-04-10 10:47:28 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Kit
He isn't looking for quad core, they are useless with windows (if thats what you mean, if it's for you, same message).


Depends what you want to use it for. He wants to do graphic editing, I want to do 3D modelling and probably graphic editing too. They'll use a quad core. Even if it's useless now, upgrading more now means less later.

____________________
"The last Metroid is in captivity."
And yet, the galaxy is STILL fucked.
Lyskar
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-The Chaos within trumps the Chaos without-
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Posted on 07-05-10 12:22:46 AM (last edited by Metal_Man88 at 07-04-10 09:31 PM) Link | Quote
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Metal_Man88's Post
Eh, Euro 400 would blow my budget of $400 to bits.

That, and I'm reusing multiple components. And Quad core probably doesn't play nice with Windows XP x64.

I'll probably stick to my setup's strengths: 4 GB DDR2 memory, that motherboard, and a decent dual-core.

____________________
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Zero One
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And as we fall the spirit carries on,
That a hero'll come and save us all,
As we call the ones we left below,
We all dream of the day we rise above
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Since: 05-24-10

From: Delta Quadrant

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Posted on 07-05-10 12:31:04 AM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Metal_Man88
Eh, Euro 400...


*cough*British Pound Sterling*cough*

Phlegmy today.

____________________
"The last Metroid is in captivity."
And yet, the galaxy is STILL fucked.
Lyskar
12210
-The Chaos within trumps the Chaos without-
Level: 192


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Since: 07-03-07

From: 52-2-88-7

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Posted on 07-05-10 12:34:06 AM Link | Quote
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Metal_Man88's Post
Well, Euro, Pound, it all costs a bit to ship.

____________________
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