NationStates Jolt Archive

Ever had your computer spontaneously fail on you? Happened to me last week, and though I've got it running again, the motherboard is acting up and I can't be sure of how long it will last. The old laptop is about four years old anyway, so I'm getting the parts together for a new desktop.

The only problem here is that, while I have assembled computers before, picking the parts is a first for me. So, here are the parts I'm considering now:

ATX-612WBP Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062)
GeForce 7900GS 256MB Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130056)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115004)
ABIT AB9 Pro LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127004)
2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 Desktop Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098)
250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144417)
19" LCD Monitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254001)
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Sound Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002)

My questions to those who know more about this than I do (everyone, I guess) follow:
Are there any problems with these parts?
Will they work together well?
What kind of a power supply do you recommend for this setup?

On a software note, will I need to buy a new version of WinXP to install on this system or will the disk that came with my old Dell work for a non-Dell system?

Comments and advice are welcome, so please, help me out here.

Computers don't fail. Parts fail, sometimes causing a chain reaction, but still. No I've never had one just die. I've had parts go out, and once fixed they always worked again.


A Dell windows CD will most likely not work with a non-dell machine. You'll probably have to buy a new copy, but honestly why bother? Just yank the hard drive out of the old machine and plug it into the new one as the master drive, set the new drive as slave. You'll have to reactivate windows, but it'll work.

What kind of a power supply do you recommend for this setup

Probably look around or above 500W range.
On a software note, will I need to buy a new version of WinXP to install on this system or will the disk that came with my old Dell work for a non-Dell system?
Nope, you can just use your old one. As long as it is just windows and not a generic backup windows/drivers disc.

Do you plan on using Vista alongside XP? Don't forget to partition.

A Dell windows CD will most likely not work with a non-dell machine.

What if it is just Windows itself?

What if it is just Windows itself?

My experience with Dells is pretty limited but their windows 98 cd required a DELL pc to even run. Otherwise it came up with a blue screen error that it wasn't a dell machine.

Lose the soundcard and get a 20" monitor.

My experience with Dells is pretty limited but their windows 98 cd required a DELL pc to even run. Otherwise it came up with a blue screen error that it wasn't a dell machine.
Windows 98 was just a pretty DOS interface, Windows XP is on its own kernel. Not to mention, it's been quite a few years now since '98, nothing is the same anywhere. Computer manufacturers mostly realized that their consumers arn't all idiots.

A Dell windows CD will most likely not work with a non-dell machine. You'll probably have to buy a new copy, but honestly why bother? Just yank the hard drive out of the old machine and plug it into the new one as the master drive, set the new drive as slave. You'll have to reactivate windows, but it'll work.
I'm not sure if a hard drive designed for an Inspiron notebook will work that way in a custom-built desktop. Gotten anything like that to work before?

Do you plan on using Vista alongside XP? Don't forget to partition.
Just XP for now, though I am trying to put this new computer together with Vista in mind. I want to wait until Vista has been patched up a bit more, and DirectX 10 is more widely used before trying to tweak a new OS.

My experience with Dells is pretty limited but their windows 98 cd required a DELL pc to even run. Otherwise it came up with a blue screen error that it wasn't a dell machine.
That's what I'm worried about. The disk itself is simply a re-installation CD for WinXP, but it has a little warning that it's only intended for use with a Dell computer.

Ever had your computer spontaneously fail on you? Happened to me last week, and though I've got it running again, the motherboard is acting up and I can't be sure of how long it will last. The old laptop is about four years old anyway, so I'm getting the parts together for a new desktop.

The only problem here is that, while I have assembled computers before, picking the parts is a first for me. So, here are the parts I'm considering now:

ATX-612WBP Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062)
GeForce 7900GS 256MB Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130056)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115004)
ABIT AB9 Pro LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127004)
2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 Desktop Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098)
250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144417)
19" LCD Monitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254001)
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Sound Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002)

My questions to those who know more about this than I do (everyone, I guess) follow:
Are there any problems with these parts?
Will they work together well?
What kind of a power supply do you recommend for this setup?

On a software note, will I need to buy a new version of WinXP to install on this system or will the disk that came with my old Dell work for a non-Dell system?

Comments and advice are welcome, so please, help me out here.


I currently have a Fortron Source 530 watt PSU (one of the recommended brands on the [H]ardOCP forums). I did just win an auction though, for a PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 510 PSU. PC Power & Cooling is a very highly recommended power supply (it's considered top of the line), so I'm looking forward to adding it to my system (which I am slowly upgrading with higher end parts and water cooling). My Fortron Source PSU will go towards my other build, which will be my media center (once it's complete).

This is one of the threads on [H]ardOCP that I use when selecting or recommending PSUs. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=974240

That's what I'm worried about. The disk itself is simply a re-installation CD for WinXP, but it has a little warning that it's only intended for use with a Dell computer.

Try it. Shouldn't kill it.

I'm not sure if a hard drive designed for an Inspiron notebook will work that way in a custom-built desktop. Gotten anything like that to work before?

No, I don't screw with notebook computers. I've got a hard drive in my home machine that's atleast a decade old.

I'm not sure if a hard drive designed for an Inspiron notebook will work that way in a custom-built desktop. Gotten anything like that to work before?
snip

Yes, though I would not want to operate with it they do make converters for the IDE channels we use them all the time at work for data recovery

Yes, though I would not want to operate with it they do make converters for the IDE channels we use them all the time at work for data recovery
I'm definitely not good enough to try that kind of setup and I wouldn't want to operate with it, like you say.

Try it. Shouldn't kill it.
I know it wouldn't hurt, it was more a last minute thought than a major concern.

I currently have a Fortron Source 530 watt PSU (one of the recommended brands on the [H]ardOCP forums). I did just win an auction though, for a PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 510 PSU. PC Power & Cooling is a very highly recommended power supply (it's considered top of the line), so I'm looking forward to adding it to my system (which I am slowly upgrading with higher end parts and water cooling). My Fortron Source PSU will go towards my other build, which will be my media center (once it's complete).

This is one of the threads on [H]ardOCP that I use when selecting or recommending PSUs. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=974240

I'll take a look at that, thanks.

I'm not convinced the Dell CD will work with your new machine at all, but trying it probably won't hurt.

That soundcard won't be a lot better than the onboard; it's getting very old now. I'd either get something significantly good (an X-Fi, maybe) or just use the onboard.

The 7900GS was a good card, but is getting long in the tooth. If you're into gaming it may be worth getting something a bit higher-end; ATI should be releasing their DirectX 10 cards in/by May, see if they've got anything to offer (or knock the prices down). If it's just a stop-gap card until DX10 cards become common/affordable, ignore this. If you never play games at all, get something cheaper.

The Caviar is a very respectable drive (I've got two; a 300GB and a 120GB), but check out Seagate's 7200.10 disks; I've heard good things about them.

A 500-ish watt PSU from a decent manufacturer (I like Enermax, Seasonic are good, I think Corsair have made some decent ones recently, others will/have given you their opinions already).

As with any computer component, research what you want to get thoroughly before buying it to make sure it does what you want and is reasonably priced :)

A few comments.

GeForce 7900GS 256MB Video Card
If you can afford that, even by cutting something else, take 8800GTS instead. 7900 is the old generation, and the new one is a big step ahead. If you are on tight budget, that's OK.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Processor
ABIT AB9 Pro LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 Desktop Memory
All a nice choice.

250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
As to date, Samsung drives are the most reliable (least return %). Being also inexpensive, I'd clearly suggest them. Whether 8 MB or 16 MB cache is up to your liking, the latter works faster with small files, so I'd take it, the cost difference is very minor. Take either 250 or 400 MB, not intermediate. Drives like 250 or 400 contain an even number of surfaces, which means all the discs inside are fully working. Intermediate, like 300, contain defective disc(s), which are more prone to failure.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Sound Card
Just not this one. That's a pretty poor one, old model still managing to get sold. Take Audigy 2 Value: that's a completely another thing, with full Audigy 2 DSP and DAC, for just a few more bucks.


What kind of a power supply do you recommend for this setup?
First thing to keep in mind - PSU and cases are all about manufacturer and model, not numbers. There are some very nice cases and PSU, of course costly, but worth that, since PSU determines the system stability and reliability to a very large degree. If you take the PSU, I'd suggest Enermax, the really best ones made for desktops and not only servers. An alternate could be Antec, Hiper, Thermaltake Toughpower (but watch out, only Toughpower ones are good).
The number... For single card, even 8800GTX, a true 400W PSU work just fine (not just any 400W, and for any but Enermax or Zippy/Emacs I'd suggest to take some reserve to 450-500). If you want room for expansion to new Radeon R600 or SLI system, or just to overclock, 500-600W make sense.

Actually even 350W would handle any 1-CPU non-SLI system when new, but PSU degrade with time. If it's to run 24/7, or you plan a longer computer lifespan, or especially if you want to overclock, take reserve, to a sensible degree of good power/price ratio.


19" LCD Monitor
Monitors are both important and expensive. Still, that's not the part to save on. I'm positive this one has TN+film matrix, which makes for low actual contrast, poor color transition and give good speed only at white-black (0-255) switches. OTOH, many people with poor vision don't notice. In any case, I'd recommend to put monitor first in the spending list: it's the thing which you'll really look at, not just see numbers for. Save on wherever possible for the monitor.
It's better to take one using PVA or MVA matrix with overdrive (makes them fast). They always have 8ms stated response time, others are on other types. That might be Samsung 193P+ or 970P. If you can, get Samsung 215TW - 21", widescreen, PVA+overdrive one. If money are more of an issue, and you're OK with poor color transition, maybe something cheap will do, but I'd still suggest to at least look before you buy (in any shop) and compare with PVA.

Don't plan on sleeping in the same room as that computer. It'll drive you nuts: loud and bright. If that is an issue, grab a different case. Also, ditch the sound card to get a better GPU or monitor. I doubt your speakers will be good enough to make a noticeable difference (and your CPU will not notice the extra bit of work).

If you can afford that, even by cutting something else, take 8800GTS instead. 7900 is the old generation, and the new one is a big step ahead. If you are on tight budget, that's OK.

I love my single 8800GTX. *drools* Go for the DX10 capable. (Is the GTS DX10 capable?)

Don't plan on sleeping in the same room as that computer. It'll drive you nuts: loud and bright. If that is an issue, grab a different case.
Hm, I wasn't thinking about that, thanks for pointing it out. I'll look for a case without those LED's.

The 7900GS was a good card, but is getting long in the tooth. If you're into gaming it may be worth getting something a bit higher-end; ATI should be releasing their DirectX 10 cards in/by May, see if they've got anything to offer (or knock the prices down). If it's just a stop-gap card until DX10 cards become common/affordable, ignore this. If you never play games at all, get something cheaper.

I really would love to go for an 8800GTS right now, but I can wait on a good DX10 card for now. My old system was heavily restricted by the video card I had (32mb Radeon 7500) and I'll take my time catching up on the games I missed while the DX10 cards drop in price a little.

I love my single 8800GTX. *drools* Go for the DX10 capable. (Is the GTS DX10 capable?)
All Geforce 8*00's are DX10. It would be absolutely retarded to try and put new architectures into production at the same time.

Hm, I wasn't thinking about that, thanks for pointing it out. I'll look for a case without those LED's.
I suggest to look at Chieftec full towers, especially CA-01. That's a large, heavy and quiet server-oriented case. Available with quite good and quiet PSU, and their mass (45 pounds) dampens vibrations resulting from devices in most small cases. Very good cooling as well, and, of course, no problems with fitting anything.

I'm using one right now, with Enermax PSU and Zalman 7700Cu CPU cooler; 8800GTX video card, with fan slowed down in idle by RivaTuner. The entire thing is so quiet that I can't tell if it's working or not unless really trying to.

Enermax also has own cases, and there are nice small Antecs with similar noise damping, but both are more expensive, though may be interesting. For instance, Enermax has cases with mesh window and slight illumination, like this one (http://www.enermax.com.tw/english/product_cases_detail.asp?PrID=6), which combine modded looks with high quality case, good cooling and less disturbance from the LED.
That's not necessary, though; I personally like Chieftec more, and their PSU are quite good, especially if you take 500W one. I use Enermax PSU mostly just because I often do some work at home and keep the computer on 24/7. Chieftec is quite enough for more typical use.


(Is the GTS DX10 capable?)
All 8-series are. GTS and GTX are only different in having 96 or 128 pipelines, as well as a bit different frequencies. GTX has some extra bit of speed, about 30%; I took it only because my monitor is 1920x1200, otherwise GTS will suffice for today.


I really would love to go for an 8800GTS right now, but I can wait on a good DX10 card for now.
That's OK. Still, you might go for a weaker interim solution in favor of better monitor. The monitor is more important than most other parts - that's what you see when you use the computer. Some more spending will get you either a PVA/MVA panel with better colors or just a larger screen.

Hm, I wasn't thinking about that, thanks for pointing it out. I'll look for a case without those LED's.


A case? Whatever for?
Don't be a lightweight - just nail the whole thing to the wall.

A case? Whatever for?
Don't be a lightweight - just nail the whole thing to the wall.

I cannot imagine how dusty that thing must get.

I cannot imagine how dusty that thing must get.

Less so than the insides of a lot of 'normal' computers, where the fan drags dust into the case and you have to dismantle the thing to clean it.
With Nailed On Wall Technology, a quick brush over with a feather duster sorts it out.
(Oh, if you were referring to the exposed hard drives - they're only for show. They're wired in, so they spin round and round, but they're not used for data.)

I'm definitely not good enough to try that kind of setup and I wouldn't want to operate with it, like you say.


I know it wouldn't hurt, it was more a last minute thought than a major concern.



I'll take a look at that, thanks.

Sure you are
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203012

Thats it lol (though i would not want to except file retrieval)