Complete Newbie Starting From Scratch

[notorious_benny]

Hi guys, please bear with me.

 

My ye olde PC finally kicked the bucket this christmas. Its time to build a whole new rig from scratch.

 

I am finding the whole plethora of components a bit a a head scratcher. Specifically I am having difficulty choosing a processor. Its been a long time since I have looked or read about computer specs and need some help.

 

I am interested in running the Core 2 duo processor, specifically the E 6600, however I am interested to know what its equivalent would be in the AMD line, and how it stacks up.

 

I know nothing about overclocking, but am curious to learn more. If someone could point me to the "dummies guide" that would also be much appreciated.

 

My budget is about $2000 (Australian) 1600 us dollars. I dont need a monitor or other auxilaries, just the 'rig'.

It will be used for games and multitasking/internet use.

 

Any expert opinions and help would be much appreciated, cheers,...... Ben.

[ccokeman]

Well for right now there is no comparison between an amd rig and C2D. I have been a fan of AMD for along time but every once in a while i switch sides back to Intel. My last AMD was a 3800x2 at 2.86ghz. My 6600 runs for now at 3.51ghz and in benchmarks and everyday use it is ( feels ) much faster. When i was at 2.4 on the intel i was getting better Futuremark bench scores than my X2. I get more FPS in the games i do play so i am sold on the Intels for now. Next stop might be AMD who knows.

[Makaveli]

So, Ben, do you want top of the line parts? Or are you looking for something to just suit your needs without spending the whole 2000?

[notorious_benny]

So, Ben, do you want top of the line parts? Or are you looking for something to just suit your needs without spending the whole 2000?

 

I am looking to get the best I can get hold of with the whole 2k, I can extend a little more if need be.

My main needs are fast graphics, good sound and the abilty to multitask many windows at once.

 

As a secondary consideration I am interested in blinging the thing up somewhat as well. No point making a nice machine and making it look boring. I am a bit of a techno head and like to tinker...... I build $10,000 gas engined model aeroplanes for my hobby and am not afraid of having a tinker. So I am also drawn to the fancy cooling systems you guys put on your machines.

[capthowdy575]

u need to think if you want a DX10 card or not. the E6600 would be a good proc if your going to be doing some overclocking may i suggest the evga board very good overclocker and very stable. if your getting a DX10 card i would go with a stable power supple like a ocz i wouldnt go lower then 700 watts.

[notorious_benny]

u need to think if you want a DX10 card or not. the E6600 would be a good proc if your going to be doing some overclocking may i suggest the evga board very good overclocker and very stable. if your getting a DX10 card i would go with a stable power supple like a ocz i wouldnt go lower then 700 watts.

 

Like I said before, I have been out of the game so to speak for a long time. Could you please elaborate on what some of the terms you are using stand for?? Specifically the evga board?? I am assuming it is a motherboard?? WHo makes this type of board?

 

x10 vid card???? Is that in my price range? COuld you maybe link me to a site that seels them so I know exactly what I am looking for?

[capthowdy575]

ok evga is a company that makes video cards and mother boards to DX10 is the new thing coming out the games we play right now use DX9 games like fear and oblivion and a lot more just to many to list but DX10 games should start coming out soon like in two months ( most famous game for DX10 will be Crysis ) or more i dont think newegg ships to other countries but here is a link to the Motherboard and one to the DX10 cards i dont know how much they would be for where your at but at least you know what they are.

Edited January 6, 2007 by capthowdy575

[capthowdy575]

these items or almost top of the line well the DX10 cards or top of the line has of right now the board is up there but i dont think they are has good even though cost more. what kind of games do you want to play then we can work from there.

[notorious_benny]

these items or almost top of the line well the DX10 cards or top of the line has of right now the board is up there but i dont think they are has good even though cost more. what kind of games do you want to play then we can work from there.

 

Flight sims, particularly specialised model aircraft flight sims that have a very realistic physics processor. These sims really suck the juice of a system, especially if you want good frame rate at a half decent resolution.

 

I also like first person shooters, but havnt had a computer fast enough to play any for the last 3 years.....! So I dont even know what the current games are like.

[jammin]

If you let us know where you plan on buying from (if you know?), then we should be able sort out a realistic spec.

A quick check of the Stores List seemed to suggest that a 8800GTS for example would set you back about $800AUS. That sound about right?

 

Some U.S. members are likely to be used to their somewhat beneficial prices and may not suggest components realistic to the budget.

If we can get solid estimates on what things cost it'll be a lot easier.

[notorious_benny]

If you let us know where you plan on buying from (if you know?), then we should be able sort out a realistic spec.

A quick check of the Stores List seemed to suggest that a 8800GTS for example would set you back about $800AUS. That sound about right?

 

Some U.S. members are likely to be used to their somewhat beneficial prices and may not suggest components realistic to the budget.

If we can get solid estimates on what things cost it'll be a lot easier.

 

Yeah, those fancy motherboards and vid cards throw my budget out the window. Heres an example of Aussie prices to put the 2000 bucks into perspective.

 

www.umart.com.au

 

I have actually gone ahead and ordered the parts as I need to get up and running fairly quickly. The other half is not coping without the internet at home!! I can always get a better vid card at a later date if I need it.

 

So heres what I got......

 

Intel core duo E6600

ASUS P5N32-E-SLi

2Gb of OCZ DDR2 Ram at 1000mHz

Asus Nvidia 7600GT vid card.

PLus all the other little bits like a sound card and HDD and DVD burner.

I am putting it all in an Antec nine hundred V2 case.

 

I am sure this is not the best I could have bought but at least it gets me back on the net at home, and it nearly fits in the 2000 buck price range!!!

Edited January 6, 2007 by notorious_benny

[Comp Dude2]

Firstly that graphics card needs changing, you want at least a 7900GS (310 AUS), prolly a X1950Pro (310 AUS), or a X1950XTX (but it is 600 AUS)

 

That board is sweet and will do the E6600 justice, just the lack of crossfire will limit you to 1 ati card, so you might be better off with an nvidia card for the SLI in the future. If you dont want to bother with the SLI then you could get a Gigabyte GA 965P-DS3, these allow for some pretty good overclocking (zippy and bleebe have them) but don't have SLI.

 

Oh yeah and as for the flight sim, you could get MS flightsim X, but it needs a ninja graphics card to run it.

Edited January 6, 2007 by Comp Dude2