New build questions

[sheepdog]

I know just enough about computers to be dangerous, so please bare with my (idiotic) questions. I don't do a lot of gaming. Mostly internet, photo editing (amature photographer) and possibly video editing in the future.

I read the budget gaming pc guide and was thinking of building that except substituting the Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 for the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600. I also can't seem to find the video card listed (PNY GeForce 8800GT 512MB PCI-e 2.0 HDCP) in stock anywhere.

1) Will the upgrade from the duo core E4500 to the Quad Core Q6600 make much of a difference? Would it be worth it?
2) What video card would be a good substitute for the PNY GeForce (around the same price range)?
3) should I just go with something from Dell?

Dell selection below. Insprion 530.
PROCESSOR Intel® Core?2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
MONITOR 20 inch Samsung 204BW Widescreen Analog/Digital Black LCD Monitor
MEMORY 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMM
HARD DRIVE 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
VIDEO CARD 128MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO
SOUND Integrated Sound Blaster®Audigy? HD Software Edition
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Keyboard included in Dell Bluetooth Package
BLUETOOTH OPTIONS Dell Bluetooth Wireless Media Hub + Keyboard/Mouse
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER Dell Media Card Reader included in Dell Bluetooth Package
MODEM & WIRELESS 56K PCI Data Fax Modem


The Dell came out to $1184. The build above would be about $1280

 

[practor]

M8, it depends on your future in the pc building realm. Be care full of the budget gaming pc cause with Dx10 your going to need to do your home work. Dell, if you wish, does have some good specs but their BIOS is locked and you are limited to what you can do.

If your going to video edit BIG time go the quad core but a Intel E6750 duel core works wonders.

There is no mention of the Mobo above. Don't be lazy, Build your own. It's fun, and its like creating your own child. LOL

Choose your mobo first Asus, Gigabyte and many more eg p35 or x38 chip then go from there.

In the new year Intel has become so competitive in their pricing. You can build a rocket ship for $1200 easy. A Tip

 

[sheepdog]

Thanks for the reply. The mobo I would go with would be the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
Intel P35 ATX that was mentioned in the article. I did build my last computer 4 years ago.

How about a comparable video card to the PNY?

 

[cprince]

If you don't do a lot of gaming, get the 256MB version of the 8800GT and save yourself some money. Upgrade to Quad core might help. I think that Adobe Photoshop is designed to exploit multiple core. I know for sure that 3D animation programs like 3ds max and Maya take advantage of additional cores.

 

[sheepdog]

Ok, I'll look into the 256 version. Yeah, I plan on using Photoshop and right now it takes a while to load and work with. One of the main reasons for my upgrade.

 

[blurrr]

If your asking for my opinion I would say never go with a pre-built. I would however if you're willing to spend the extra cash, put money down on a HD3850 512MB Sapphire and just keep the Duo because as of now no games really use the quad core.

 

[sheepdog]

Here's what I have worked out. Does this sound decent? Also, what is the difference between Vista 32-Bit and 64-Bit? Should I go with the 64-Bit instead?

APEX TU150 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX 12V 400W with 20+4 pin Intel/AMD listed Power Supply $49.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard $96.99

SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $199.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$279.99

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 $74.99

Seagate ST3300631AS-RK 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive $79.99

Logitech LX 710 Laser Black USB Cordless Standard Desktop Mouse Included $59.99

Acer AL2223Wd Black-Silver 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support $229.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black PATA Model SH-S202G $25.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD $109.99

Order Total $1,249.76

 

[TemjinGold]

Most of that looks pretty decent. I would make the following changes:

1) The Radeon 3870 is not much more ($220-$230 depending on deals.)

2) Camp out the Hot Deals forum and you should be able to find a much better HD in terms of price/gig. I believe 500 gig is the sweet spot currently.

3) I would go for the Samsung 20X SATA drive. Around the same price and you don't need to buy a dying tech (PATA.)

4) I hope you realize that OEM Vista means it is tied to your hardware. If you do a significant upgrade in the future, you won't be able to use it again. Don't know if that's worth to you (I bought retail Vista for that reason.)

With only 2 gigs of ram, 64-bit Vista won't benefit you in the least. Currently, there are only two reasons to go 64-bit: 1) There are 64-bit programs you want to use or 2) You want to use more than 3.5 gigs of ram. The downside to 64-bit is that tighter security means lower overall compatibility (though this is less and less of a problem as time goes.)

 

[boomerang]

Ditch that case.

Look at the rear view of that case. See the punched holes for the fan? See how small they are? That sucker is going to be noisy no matter what fan you have in there and how slow you run it. I'll freely admit I don't like noisy computers.

Filter for cases with a 120mm fan. Then look for a nice open, easy flowing open design.

Here is a case with a 120mm fan, but a bad design.

Now, here is a case with a 120mm fan with a good design.

As I said, I hate noisy computers. You may not mind.

 

[sheepdog]

Thanks for the replies. I have changed the case to this one instead. I switched the DVD burner to the SATA version. I meant to do that in the first place. And will probably update to the retail version of Vista.

 

[boomerang]

Captain obvious here but, make sure you get a PS as that case does not come with one.

I went around and around on Vista recently. Same decision you had to make, OEM or Retail. I finally decided on OEM 32-bit.

Then, after the purchase I was second guessing myself on 32-bit versus 64-bit.

I don't know why most of the time I can just make my mind up in a snap and other times I agonize over things seemingly forever.


I'm not trying to influence your Vista choice. I'm just yakking.

 

[sheepdog]

I figure I will just salvage the PSU out of my current computer. I really am laboring over the OEM or retail version however. I wonder if it's worth the $100 for the peace of mind to go with the retail version in case I choose to upgrade in the near future.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: sheepdog
I figure I will just salvage the PSU out of my current computer. I really am laboring over the OEM or retail version however. I wonder if it's worth the $100 for the peace of mind to go with the retail version in case I choose to upgrade in the near future.

Just make certain that your current PS has the amperage required to run this new system and that it has a 24-pin connector for the motherboard.

 

[Jjoshua2]

I ended up going x64 and having 4gb of ram and haven't regretted it. I have vista ultimate, so I could switch to x32 at any time. I only have a couple x64 applications, and only 1 has a big speed increase (around 25%). I haven't run into too much compatibility issues. Sandboxie doesn't work, which was sad; apparently ipods don't work either. Games seem to be fine. Many now are having x64 versions.

 

[frankoo6]

Hi If you have a kid you can buy the Academic version if Vista Home Premium for $69.00 at Academicsuperstore.com. this is what I did and don't see any differance.

 

[sheepdog]

Thanks for the tip. I had already picked this up at zipzoomfly for $190 (the full retail version)