Thread: Will this set up work?

  1. #1
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    Will this set up work?

    (sorry if you see the other post, was a mistake of the "back")

    Hi, I am making a new computer for a friend of mine, I thought maybe I could save him some money if we just got the parts and build it myself. I want to make sure I have everything needed to make the the computer befor I place the order and finde out something doesnt work with something cus I know lots of people can make the mistake on + I could have made a mistake by mistake.

    Tower<--proablly need biger but need to know for sure
    fan 120mm<--taking out
    fan 80mm
    CD/DVD drive/ CD/DVD - RW
    RAM
    motherboard
    CPU
    hardrive

    So you know the fans are for the tower to keep it cool. Just need to know if all this will work togather if not plv. do point out if I am missing anything or need anything. I also all ready have a graphics card for this bad boy he can use from what the motherbaord can take.
    Last edited by adr; 05-08-2007 at 08:07 AM.

  2. #2
    Math wizard
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    The CPU seems quite low end. I'd suggest a Core 2 Duo instead as your chosen motherboard supports it. Core 2 Duos are a bit more expensive but have added benefits. They are also the newest of the Intel product line that I'm aware of. The E6400 is an excellent one and I would get it if I didn't have to replace my motherboard in addition (exceeding my spending limit). If your friend is a gamer and likes playing modern games, then the Celeron D processor isn't worth getting and the E6400 or E6600 are what you should be getting instead.

    You left out some essentials:

    What hard drive do you want? From 160 to about 300 GB is where you'll get the greatest capacity for the lowest cost.
    Is the video card you're using of the PCI-express x16 type? If it's AGP, then you'll have to either choose a motherboard that has AGP or buy a video card using PCI-express. PCI-express is the newest and is faster than AGP 8X. If you want or need to buy a PCI-express video card, then which one you get depends on how much your friend is involved in with PC games. If your friend is not a gamer or prefers classic games over modern games, then something like the GeForce 7300 GS would be decent enough and it's also cheap. If he is a gamer, then the GeForce 8800 GT may be worth investigating (or a maybe a 7900 GS for midrange if budget is rather low).
    What about sound? If you want sound, I'd suggest the X-Fi series, likely the Platinum version for a mid-range sound card.

    Lastly, and most importantly, do you know the safety precautions needed for handling internal computer hardware? These devices are static sensitive and before handling them, you should always discharge your body's natural static build-up (usually by touching the power supply or using that one strap).

  3. #3
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    Lastly, and most importantly, do you know the safety precautions needed for handling internal computer hardware? These devices are static sensitive and before handling them, you should always discharge your body's natural static build-up (usually by touching the power supply or using that one strap).
    YeaI know about the dischange your body makes during thow out the day, I work worth my computer a few times and always have dischange on my dischanger befor maessing with any computer or hardware.

    Hes kinda have a limilted buget so I thought Celeron D would be a a 2nd chose when picking something out for a cpu. I'll have to talk to him about that and change some things around. Really good thinking tho about the E6400.

    Yea I forgot to put up the hard drive I got too>< lol XD "hardrive" Its around 400Gb.

    Hes not going into "BIG" gaming so I was just going ot set him up with the GeForce 6800 PCI-express one.

    As for sound he just just go off the motherboard, or I like the idea you give i'll ask him about how much hes more willing ot spend.

    Thans for all the good ides ^^;
    Last edited by adr; 05-07-2007 at 09:55 PM.

  4. #4
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    Additionally, I think your case is too small for a 120mm fan but the other one looks fine to me. Stick to 80mm fans. They're the only one the case you're looking at really supports.

    In general, you'll just want to read the spec's of anything you really like and makes sure it fits in your case, and that your drives can run on the operating system that you want to use.

    I'm not the biggest fan of your case. You should have more than two USB ports if you expect to use anything regularly. A fine example is that my latest printer sucks up one port, so you'll have to be careful what you purchase in external devices, and strongly consider a hub on your Christmas list.

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    Quote Originally Posted by citizen View Post
    Additionally, I think your case is too small for a 120mm fan but the other one looks fine to me. Stick to 80mm fans. They're the only one the case you're looking at really supports.

    In general, you'll just want to read the spec's of anything you really like and makes sure it fits in your case, and that your drives can run on the operating system that you want to use.

    I'm not the biggest fan of your case. You should have more than two USB ports if you expect to use anything regularly. A fine example is that my latest printer sucks up one port, so you'll have to be careful what you purchase in external devices, and strongly consider a hub on your Christmas list.
    What case would you go for then? And do know hes getting 4 more USB ports in the back cus of the motherboard.

    I thought the 120mm fan would fit... guess I was wrong XD thanks for the info.

  6. #6
    Lurking whiteflags's Avatar
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    Well to be honest, I'm probably not the best person to ask. The last time I had to look at cases my dad wanted to buy something manufactured by Just4PC. I don't like cases with glass on the side so good job on that. I have six USB ports in the back of my case though and three drive bays... plus a whole lot more drives for stuff I'll never have.

    I'm using, just about, A: through K: It's ridiculous!

    I also should mention that I bought my computer from a warehouse two years ago.

  7. #7
    Math wizard
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    I have more knowledge with computer hardware than I do with C programming.

    The 6800 series are about in line with the 7300 GT or 7600 GS versions of Nvidia. GT is better than GS. This is okay for games made in 2005 or the lowest graphics settings for games in early 2007.

    Onboard sound is mediocre but is sufficient enough until more funds are available for buying a sound card. Sound cards have greater clarity, more powerful controls, take some of the strain off the CPU, and if you later swap motherboards, you won't have to be dependent on finding one with onboard sound, which opens up more possibilities. The only two downsides are that they cost more and use up a PCI slot. This is a low-end sound card at $66 and This is a high-end sound card. Newegg doesn't seem to have the Platinum one anymore for some reason.

    The E6300 is a cheaper alternative with the E4400 being cheaper yet. The E4400 has a slower FSB (Front-side bus), but your motherboard will also support it. The E6xxx series has a 1066 MHz FSB whereas the E4xxx series have an 800 MHz FSB. These are just some alternatives. The E6400 has 4 MB of level 2 cache whereas the cheaper ones only have 2 MB of level 2 cache. The E6400 I linked to seems the best for the price. Some CPUs go for as much as $1000 of which I doubt you'd be getting.

    Another thing I left out - what about the monitor? CRT's are cheaper than LCD's, and if going to 1600x1200 resolution or higher, about half the price, even with the monster shipping fee. A CRT running at 1600x1200 resolution costs around $190 with shipping, but an LCD supporting about that costs almost $400. Also, LCD's only support one native resolution and using other ones can cause a blurred image. CRT's don't have that issue and run at any resolution, which is excellent for games. This one supports up to 1600x1200 and this one supports up to 1280x1024. These are just suggestions. For comparison to LCD's (of which aren't that familiar to me, Here's an LCD supporting 1280x1024 and one supporting 1600x1200.

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    Sadly he wont have more money for the core 2 due sets or a sound card. Witch is ok for this mid rang computer. I do like the monitors you have shown, very nice. Thats probally all his funds for right now. I also figures the 6800 series would keep him good till either he got more money or if he needed more power just overclock the it for a little more power and just get another fan for the side bays.


    Still no one has answer my 1st qunestion really. With what I have so far, will it all work togather? (read 1st post) From what I have read tho so far is, I need a biger case for verything Citizen has nicely pointed out.
    Last edited by adr; 05-08-2007 at 03:59 AM.

  9. #9
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    The case is certainly bigger than mine so it should work well. 8 inches is 203.2 millimeters so a 120 mm fan could work, but cases aren't familiar territory to me. CD drives are almost certainly compatible with almost anything. The memory will work although, to me, the timings are a bit high but that is a common one for the DDR2 667 type.

    The CPU won't work with the motherboard. The reason is the FSB. The CPU you've chosen (the Celeron D one) is 533 MHz for the FSB. The motherboard will only support 800 and 1066 MHz. Either choose a motherboard that supports 533 MHz FSB or try This CPU which only $6 more (unlike the Core 2 Duos which are twice as much).

    The hard drive will work with that motherboard though.

    Edit: What operating system are you using? Do note that OEM versions of XP may not be able to be installed on a system as different as this. If you have a retail version, this is not problematic at all. The OEM version may still install though.
    Last edited by ulillillia; 05-08-2007 at 04:10 AM. Reason: Left out an important detail

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    The OP we're using is windows XP, going to do a trail version on it to see if it works on. I think it should install still, havent seen anything yet to say otherwise.

    As for the CPU nice eye, didnt catch that FSB when I was looking then up, thanks, would have been a totaly wast if I you didnt.

  11. #11
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    So is everything good to go now? With this kind of setup, playing games made in 2005 and later may have low frame rates or low-quality graphics. When your friend has more money available, some of the suggestions I've given (and others as well) could be considered to enhance the gaming experience.

  12. #12
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    Thanks! thats alot of good ideas and alot of help ^^.

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