Gaming $500 Computer

[Myke]

yes

 

[playallday]

Ended up going with this RAM.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16820227289

 

[playallday]

YAY! I got it yesterday and install Windows, everything works great! Temp is about 50 C for the CPU on load and under 40 C idle. Video card is about the same. I'll post the log later today.

Now, I've install Windows Vista BUT it turns out it was 32-Bit

. I'll get 64-Bit in a week or two but until then I'm just going to use it. When I get 64-Bit, can I upgrade it so I don't have to reinstall everything? Also, I want to be able to boot Vista, 7 and Linux. I've already got Vista install, so what next?

Also, I'm looking for some good temps programs. Right now I've using the one made by CPUID but I don't like it. And which program should I used to test the RAM?

 

[Alexrose]

Partition the drive twice.

 

[playallday]

Partition the drive twice.

With...? And which order should I install them?

 

[notnarb]

Partition the drive twice.

With...? And which order should I install them?

First use either the vista or 7 disk for the first install, then try the other one, if there is no option to partition, use the linux as a live cd to partition it (use gparted), then finally install whichever linux distribution you please (assuming it uses grub, which most seem to), doing any final partitioning with the linux distro (windows can't create ext file systems or swap partitions so definitely use your linux distro for the meat of the partitioning).

Also - I can't help but recommend you go with 64 bit 7 and 32 bit XP. You aren't going to want to log into Vista if you have 7 available and things incompatible with 7 aren't going to be compatible with Vista either (and might as well sweep out any 64 bit compatibility issues while you are at it)

 

[playallday]

Install Windows 7, Vista and Linux. Everything works

.

My CPU is 31 C idle and 58 C on full load (I've only be using the computer for a few hours, so I hope it'll come down a bit... Maybe after this RAM test it'll be lower...). I'm using "AMD Cool 'n' Quiet" for the CPU. Video card is about the same and the hard drive is about 30-35 C.

 

[playallday]

OK, this is odd. In Windows 7 with CPU-Z it says my RAM is running at 5-5-5-18 which is right, but right now I'm running memtest64+ and it says "5-3-3-26". What's up with that?

 

[Scorpei]

OK, this is odd. In Windows 7 with CPU-Z it says my RAM is running at 5-5-5-18 which is right, but right now I'm running memtest64+ and it says "5-3-3-26". What's up with that?

Probably just a glitch in the detection of memtest. Tot test stability I tend to use orthos / prime95 instead though, not that it matters much if you purely want to test the mem. But I wonder, why are you running memtest if you are running at 5-5-5-18 which is in specs?

 

[playallday]

OK, this is odd. In Windows 7 with CPU-Z it says my RAM is running at 5-5-5-18 which is right, but right now I'm running memtest64+ and it says "5-3-3-26". What's up with that?

Probably just a glitch in the detection of memtest. Tot test stability I tend to use orthos / prime95 instead though, not that it matters much if you purely want to test the mem. But I wonder, why are you running memtest if you are running at 5-5-5-18 which is in specs?

OK, so guess there's nothing big about it. I've already run prime95 for a bit, and it works with no errors. I was running memtest84+ for a few hours to make sure all the sticks were good (and it told me it passed 5 times with no errors

).

Whoa, I'm running Portal on total max right now

.

 

[playallday]

Hmm... The floppy drive isn't working. The LED is always on and it says that no disk is in it even that there is. Maybe I put the cable in the wrong way?

 

[Joe88]

Hmm... The floppy drive isn't working. The LED is always on and it says that no disk is in it even that there is. Maybe I put the cable in the wrong way?

yes, flip the cable the other way around
some drives are not keyed for some reason...

 

[playallday]

Sorry for the bump but I wanted to ask something about my computer.

I'm thinking about getting rid of my 4830 and getting a 4870. But if I get a second 4870 (CrossFire) will my system bottleneck it?

Quick info about my system:

AMD 9850 Quad Core 2.5GHz
4GB DDR2 1066
700W PSU
ASRock 780GXE (runs CrossFire at x8 / x8)

 

[Scorpei]

Either go with a SLI/Crossfire setup now, or DON'T get such a setup. Getting such a setup now gives you performance boosts, getting it later makes a slower system then when you get a newer GPU at that time.

 

[playallday]

I already have this computer. So I'm getting a 4870 (and maybe later CrossFire it) or I could go with a second 4830 to CrossFire with my current card.

Which is the best? Getting one 4870 saves me about $30 and let's me be able to CrossFire it later.

 

[epicelite]

STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM!

Do not buy that crap case!

Get this one, half the price and 10X the awesome!
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...Tpk=antec%20300

 

[playallday]

Someone can't read...

I ALREADY HAVE THIS COMPUTER!!!

Anyways, the case rocks. It has better air flow and more space then that case. Because I got mine with free shipping, that case only costs $10 less.

 

[Badachelli]

Well I have about $500 and I want to spend it on a new computer. Now I'm trying to stay under $500 but its not working already... That's why I'm posting here, maybe you guys can think about how to make it cheaper/better.

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16811156078
Hard drive: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16822136010
Video card: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16814102793
Power: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16817152035
RAM: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16820208344 x 2 (so 4GB total)
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16813131299
CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16819116070
DVD drive: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16827136149

Subtotal is $650. Need a way to get it down about $150 without making it junk.

And on top of everything there's like $160 for shipping and handling... Anyone think I can get NewEgg to wave the fees?

EDIT: Updated the system...

LOL. Sounds like the DVD drive you want is a peice of Sh*t.
You probably shouldnt get EVERYthing from the same site. my advice is to search around to different places. Btw. that RAM is more exspensive than it should be.

 

[Badachelli]

Well I have about $500 and I want to spend it on a new computer. Now I'm trying to stay under $500 but its not working already... That's why I'm posting here, maybe you guys can think about how to make it cheaper/better.

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16811156078
Hard drive: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16822136010
Video card: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16814102793
Power: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16817152035
RAM%

 

[Scorpei]

Either go with a SLI/Crossfire setup now, or DON'T get such a setup. Getting such a setup now gives you performance boosts, getting it later makes a slower system then when you get a newer GPU at that time.QUOTE(playallday @ Jun 7 2009, 02:37 AM) I already have this computer. So I'm getting a 4870 (and maybe later CrossFire it) or I could go with a second 4830 to CrossFire with my current card.

Which is the best? Getting one 4870 saves me about $30 and let's me be able to CrossFire it later.

I'm not gonna repeat myself again ^^. Aside from that letmegooglethatforyou would have the answer but I did a google instead.

P.S. Naturally when you get your second 4870 a week after the first or whatever I'm going to count that as getting it in one go

.