The Computer Megathread

[Ethan]

So Ill be turning 16 in 6 months (Nov. 14th) and for our 16th birthday we get to choose something larger or of greater value.
I talked to my dad the other day and I told him I really wanted to buy my own computer, we made an agreement that he'll match me dollar for dollar. So whatever I earn/get no matter what way, he'll match me equally. So I make $20 working and I put that away for the computer, he'll give me $20 for it.

I'm hoping to make/get around $300-350 before my birthday. So I'll be looking, probably to get a desktop, for something around $600-700
Which I could probably find something fairly decent. (Not using it to run high end games, mostly older games and idie games, and modeling, video recording and other personal stuff)
But I'm not sure if I should
1)Buy the computer pre-built on my birthday
2)Ask my friend to build be a computer with the money I earn on my birthday
3) Wait until Black Friday to buy a pre-built
4) Wait until Christmas to buy a pre-built
5) Wait until Christmas and ask my friend to build me one

Build one. If your friend is capable, you'll get a really really great computer with that budget.

[Ad Bot]

[Ethan]

I must be dumb if I don't know this.
I have a desktop in my room and I can't get it to connect to the internet, and my router is on the other side of my house in my mom's office.
So wat do to get it to connect it to the internet (other than moving the computer)

Wireless, or a really long ethernet cord.

Does Windows 7 Ultimate have 2 install disks 64 bit and 32 bit disks?
Also what power supply do i use for these specs?

Intel Core I5 2500K - http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80623I52500K-Core-i5-2500K-Processor/dp/B004EBUXHQ

GTX 560 TI - http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-01G-P3-1563-KR/dp/B004L02TPY

Gigabyte Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 2133 LGA 1155 Motherboard - http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-DDR3-Motherboards-GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3/dp/B00518M74I

500GB hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314

16GB Mushkin RAM - http://mushkin.com/Memory/Redline/996996.aspx

Also are all of these parts compatible with each other?

Few things; Where is the case?
That memory is way too fast for the motherboard, it will just end up downclocking itself, hence making the extra money spent on faster RAM pointless. Also, is 16gb really needed? 8gb is still more than ample for todays needs.
That's also a laptop hard drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017
Also please make sure you buy a case/have one to put this stuff in already :)
And yes, Windows retail editions always come with a 64-bit disk and a 32-bit disk.

(This post is partly for my own reference, I don't require feedback on every part)

I'm potentially going to be building a replacement for my mother's desktop. It needs to have a little power, with a lower price. It also should be relatively small in size.

She prefers light-colored devices, so I chose this tentatively.

Case: HEC 6K28BS Black / Silver 0.8mm SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case

I've built one computer but I'm no expert yet. I need confirmation that these parts will work nicely together for this purpose, if anything should be changed or added, or if anything would be getting bottlenecked or excessive. I'm fairly clueless as to how much of a power supply would actually be necessary, the one here is just the same model I used before.

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
M/B: MSI 760GM-P21 (FX) AM3+ AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
GPU: HIS H675F1GD Radeon HD 6750 1GB
RAM: Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory
PSU: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
ASUS 24X DVD Burner
Rosewill RCR-IC001 40-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM


The total price here is about $595.

Everything is compatible, however, the GPU isn't really needed unless she will be doing moderate gaming. The 6750 is quite a powerful GPU and for regular desktop use is not really needed. If she doesn't play any graphics intensive games, I'd consider dropping to a less powerful card and perhaps upgrading to a Phenom II x4.
And the PSU is good, but perhaps too good. 450w or even a 500w would be ample.

BSOD after overclocking to 4.5 then running Prime95 .. oops  


edit: after I run 3DMark Vantage, it reports my CPU being clocked at 2.6 instead of the 4.3 I have it running at. Any idea why this is?

3Dmark doesn't always report the right hardware and/or clocks.

[matthewbim11]

Can windows server 08 use 192 gigs of ram and 4tb hdd?
My friend is trying to say that the OS doesnt decide what hardware it can use.

[KoopaScooper]

Can windows server 08 use 192 gigs of ram and 4tb hdd?
My friend is trying to say that the OS doesnt decide what hardware it can use.

The OS indeed does decide which hardware to use and not to use to itself.
and I thought it could but only with a partitioned HDD

[Mulch]

Which makes better CPU's AMD or Intel?

[KoopaScooper]

Which makes better CPU's AMD or Intel?

Intel

[Robo Dude]

Few things; Where is the case?
That memory is way too fast for the motherboard, it will just end up downclocking itself, hence making the extra money spent on faster RAM pointless. Also, is 16gb really needed? 8gb is still more than ample for todays needs.
That's also a laptop hard drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017
Also please make sure you buy a case/have one to put this stuff in already :)
And yes, Windows retail editions always come with a 64-bit disk and a 32-bit disk.

Ah, Thanks.
I already have a case planned out, I will post link if you want. I trust Mushkin ram more then the other brands so I will stick with it. I guess 8GBs of ram if you suggest.
I didn't even check the speed on the ram to see if it works with the motherboard.

Would you suggest me a new motherboard I just feel like changing the motherboard.

[KoopaScooper]

Would you suggest me a new motherboard I just feel like changing the motherboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648

[Robo Dude]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648

Errr, Thats a micro ATX. I need a ATX.

[Port]

Recommend me the best laptop possible with the max price being $2000.

[KoopaScooper]

Errr, Thats a micro ATX. I need a ATX.

MicroATX fits in an ATX-compatible case, it's just that it doesn't have as many PCI buses and such.

[Robo Dude]

MicroATX fits in an ATX-compatible case, it's just that it doesn't have as many PCI buses and such.

Im looking more for a ATX size motherboard. Since there faster and Im not building a laptop.

[devildogelite]

Im looking more for a ATX size motherboard. Since there faster and Im not building a laptop.

You have no idea what you're talking about. MicroATX is just as good as ATX probably just a little more pricey. That MicroATX board was crappy but that's because of the chipset. Just stick with the original mobo.

[Doomonkey]

Which makes better CPU's AMD or Intel?

Depends on the purpose.

[KoopaScooper]

Since there faster and Im not building a laptop.

>implying a MicroATX board can fit in a laptop
you're funny
I was assuming you wanted the same features as the one you had