Hi, I'm planning on upgrading my computer in the next week or so. As soon as possible, actually, since I've been without for about a month now and I'm tired of using my husband's. My computer died about a month ago, and I don't have spare parts/knowledge to diagnose the problem. I figure I'll start by replacing the CPU, mobo, RAM, and HD right now, and if it's not one of those things, then I'll replace the GPU and/or power supply.
I haven't had a stable computer in over two years. I've spent way too much money in two years trying to "fix" my system. More than once I've bought a replacement for a dead component to find out that I need to upgrade something else in order for the new component to work. So I'm hoping that y'all can tell me if everything will work together.
Also, I need stability. I'm willing to pay for stability.
P.S. I know the new Intel processors are coming out soon, but I really can't wait until then.
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1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Some games, mostly just WoW right now. Probably Warhammer when it comes out.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$800 or so for CPU, mobo, RAM, and HD. Willing to go higher as necessary.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Nope.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
GPU: EVGA 8800GTS 512MB
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V
Monitor: Acer 22" LCD
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yep.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default speeds; stability is much more important than speed.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Next week or so.
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Here's what I've got so far:
CPU: Core 2 Duo E8400
Mobo: P5Q Pro or P5Q E
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB
RAM: ??
Existing components:
GPU: EVGA 8800GTS 512MB
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V
Monitor: Acer 22" LCD
I have a few questions:
1. Will everything work together? Including what I already have?
2. Which mobo is better? There's only a $10 or so difference in price, and the only difference I can find is in the LAN controller. Which I know nothing about.
3. I'm lost when it comes to RAM. My impressions from reading these boards: DDR3 isn't worth it; DDR2-1066 is probably overkill; G.Skill/Mushkin are good. These (DDR-1066) are on ASUS's QVL, but these (DDR2-800) are faster and aren't on the QVL.
4. I've got Vista 32-bit. I'm not going to upgrade to 64-bit in the near future, mainly because I have to find someone to buy me the Chinese version from Taiwan and ship it to me. I know about the 4GB limitation in 32-bit -- should I buy 3x1GB sticks or 2x2GB sticks?
I know this is long, and I thank you for reading any/all of it and offering your advice.
I haven't had a stable computer in over two years. I've spent way too much money in two years trying to "fix" my system. More than once I've bought a replacement for a dead component to find out that I need to upgrade something else in order for the new component to work. So I'm hoping that y'all can tell me if everything will work together.
Also, I need stability. I'm willing to pay for stability.
P.S. I know the new Intel processors are coming out soon, but I really can't wait until then.
-----
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Some games, mostly just WoW right now. Probably Warhammer when it comes out.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$800 or so for CPU, mobo, RAM, and HD. Willing to go higher as necessary.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Nope.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
GPU: EVGA 8800GTS 512MB
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V
Monitor: Acer 22" LCD
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yep.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default speeds; stability is much more important than speed.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Next week or so.
-----
Here's what I've got so far:
CPU: Core 2 Duo E8400
Mobo: P5Q Pro or P5Q E
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB
RAM: ??
Existing components:
GPU: EVGA 8800GTS 512MB
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V
Monitor: Acer 22" LCD
I have a few questions:
1. Will everything work together? Including what I already have?
2. Which mobo is better? There's only a $10 or so difference in price, and the only difference I can find is in the LAN controller. Which I know nothing about.
3. I'm lost when it comes to RAM. My impressions from reading these boards: DDR3 isn't worth it; DDR2-1066 is probably overkill; G.Skill/Mushkin are good. These (DDR-1066) are on ASUS's QVL, but these (DDR2-800) are faster and aren't on the QVL.
4. I've got Vista 32-bit. I'm not going to upgrade to 64-bit in the near future, mainly because I have to find someone to buy me the Chinese version from Taiwan and ship it to me. I know about the 4GB limitation in 32-bit -- should I buy 3x1GB sticks or 2x2GB sticks?
I know this is long, and I thank you for reading any/all of it and offering your advice.