Great King Bowser
Property of Kaz Harai
You the man brain_stew. Everything should be here Friday, so fingers crossed I win the lottery.
linkslickdeals.net said:Dell SB has eVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB PCI Express Video Card for $200 - 20% off coupon TR3K2WXQ65?53B - 10% off stackable coupon 22X6DLMFK6K92G - $30 rebate = $114 with free shipping. Thanks fredd369
Sinn Fein said:There's a post on the NCIX page for that Mobo/CPU also that claims that board will not allow the extra cores to be unlocked or used, even if that were possible. Anyone know if that's true?
Dragmire said:Question: When I first got my setup, I was having issues with my computer taking a while to boot. I had been using that Best Buy Dynex thermal compound and I changed it to Arctic Silver 5, and now it works a lot better. It starts up a lot faster, but it still takes maybe 10-15 seconds before I see the Gigabyte bootup screen. Is that bad? And there's no beep from my computer. There never has been. Everything seems to run just fine once it starts up.
Sinn Fein said:Thanks for the info! That sounds great. I do realize there are no guarantees with the unlock at all. Either way it'll be a great chip for me.
Sinn Fein said:Hey Brain_Stew,
After looking around a good bit, I'm thinking I may just stick with the exact configuration in the OP.
CANADIAN GAF'S ULTIMATE $650 BUDGET GAMING RIG
[Motherboard/CPU combo (Gigabyte UD3 770 and X3 720)]:
[RAM (Corsair XMS2 4GB DDR2 800)]:
[GPU (Powercolour HD 4870 512MB)]:
[HDD (WD Caviar Black 640GB)]:
[DVD (Samsung 22x DVDRW)]:
[CASE ( Coolermaster 330 Elite)]:
[PSU (PC Power & Cooling Silencer 80+ 420W)]:
Caught this GPU though:
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=35105&vpn=AX4870 1GBD5&manufacture=PowerColor
Is the 1GB card worth the upgrade?
There's a post on the NCIX page for that Mobo/CPU also that claims that board will not allow the extra cores to be unlocked or used, even if that were possible. Anyone know if that's true?
Would that PSU handle a GPU upgrade in the future, or an SLI 4870 setup later on? Just curious what the upgradability would be, though it seems good.
Thanks so much brain_stew! This thread is a huge help.
ME said:US GAF's ULTIMATE $550 GAMING RIG.
[Motherboard (Gigabyte UD3 770)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376 ($65 after rebate)
[Processor (Phenom ii X3 720 2.8ghz black edition)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649 ($120)
[GPU (XFX HD 4870 1GB)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394 = ($147.99)
[HDD (Samsung 640GB SATA)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152134 ($60)
[DVD (LG 22X DVDRW)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167 ($26)
[Case (Coolermaster Centurion 5)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068 ($44.99)
[PSU (OCZ 500W Modular 80+)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016 ($39.99 after rebate)
[RAM (OCZ REAPER 4GB DDR2 800)]: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267
Gully State said:I don't know much about AMD but I found this on the frontpage of slickdeals.
How is this set for gaming?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&ItemList=Combo.213493
I'd drop the Reapers since they can get in the way of larger Heatsinks.brain_stew said:New US $550 config:
$575 + $40 of rebates which I feel is fair for a $550 budget.
I had to up the budget a little this time but you'd be passing on far too many good deals if you didn't as the components in the previous $500 bracket have all seen price rises it seems. This is now one heck of a serious gaming/multipurpose rig. Incredible value imo. This thing is absolutely suited to 1080p gaming and future releases now, the triple core, 1GB 4870 and 500w modular 80+ certified PSU are huge upgrades.
brain_stew said:New US $550 config:
$575 + $40 of rebates which I feel is fair for a $550 budget.
I had to up the budget a little this time but you'd be passing on far too many good deals if you didn't as the components in the previous $500 bracket have all seen price rises it seems. This is now one heck of a serious gaming/multipurpose rig. Incredible value imo. This thing is absolutely suited to 1080p gaming and future releases now, the triple core, 1GB 4870 and 500w modular 80+ certified PSU are huge upgrades.
brain_stew said:Yes, that GPU upgrade is worth it, especially for high resolution play.
brain_stew said:I wouldn't worry about unocking an extra core too much, if it happens its a bonus, if it doesn't you've lost nothing.
brain_stew said:No, that PSU is no good for Crossfire 4870s, though neither is that motherboard, and nor is it hardly ever a smart upgrade path either. If you're a bang for buck guy (which anyone buying that sort of rig, clearly is) then multi GPU rigs shouldn't even be a consideration. They come with a whole host of problems.
brain_stew said:ATI use that "500w" figure because a lot of PSUs are very...."generous" with their quoted wattage. The figure in itself really means very little, its the sustained output on the 12V rail that really matters, and that PSU is really good in that department. Spending more in this area definitely isn't a bad idea but it isn't wholly necessary either.
If you don't mind dealing with rebates, then I'd suggest this PSU, its modular, very efficient and will support dual GPUs just fine:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33041&vpn=OCZ600MXSP&manufacture=OCZ Technology
Firestorm said:Sinn Feinn, NCIX's sale just started and I think you might reconsider your video card at this price:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37408&promoid=1187
4890 for $199.99 after $15 MIR. 20 in stock. If that fits in the case, I think it's worth it for $25 more ($30 after mail in rebate).
There's also this Power Supply on sale:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016235&cid=PS.731
Dunno if it's good or not as I don't know what too look for in one.
Yeah when I get a computer I'm going to do that too. They both seem to have it for the same price before mail in rebate but NCIX only offers $10 while they offer $30. No use price matching I guess.Sinn Fein said:Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely check that card out.
It should fit in the case shouldn't it?
I was planning to get everything from NCIX, since I don't really have the time to assemble it all myself at the moment and as brain_stew pointed out they'll put it all together for you for a small fee.
Firestorm said:Yeah when I get a computer I'm going to do that too. They both seem to have it for the same price before mail in rebate but NCIX only offers $10 while they offer $30. No use price matching I guess.
I think it'll fit in the case but the other countries have it as a possible upgrade while the Canadian build doesn't so I don't want to speak out of turn.
Sinn Fein said:I am rushing this a bit. Normally I'd make sure I've read and understood everything, including all the power requirement stuff, but I could really use something new (for things other than gaming also) and it seems like a good time. I'm just a little short on free time at the moment.
How about it brain_stew? That card sale looks pretty good. I could consider the OCZ PSU if needed, otherwise I'd just do the other. That case seems like it should handle everything.
EDIT: Stayed up to do some specific reading about the mobo, HD 4890 and that Coolermaster case.
Everything looks like it'd check out fine. I think that PSU in the OP would be OK too if it's OK with the 4870. Definitely not looking to Crossfire ever having read more about that.
Those 4890s on sale are going so fast though. I can't order all this immediately because I don't have my own credit card! Alas. Tomorrow may be too late.
Daante said:Is it really that much of a upgrade to switch to Windows 7 if you are happy and satisfied with XP?
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/windows_7_gaming_performance/
??
Great King Bowser said:Oh god, what have I done. I attached a power cable from the PSU to a connector on the motherboard labelled PWR_FAN. Turned it on, pop of smoke. Turned it off straight away.
Now when I turn it on, it doesn't do anything. No hardware beep, nothing output to monitor. Hell, I can't even turn it off using the front power button, I have to use the one on the back. I've fucked up haven't I. Sigh.
brain_stew said:That PWR_FAN spot was where the CPU fan header was supposed to go, probably why you were getting a CPU FAN error!!
Don't panic yet, Reset your CMOS, re attach everything (correctly this time :lol ) and uhm....pray. You may need to connect your CPU fan to a different header if you've buggered up that particular header.
In future, always take your time, and check, then re-check everything, don't be afraid to ask for help during the build either, better being safe than sorry.
You can always just RMA the motherboard if worst comes to worst, it arrived like that right, *wink*, *wink*
Great King Bowser said:There's a CPU_FAN connection right next to where the CPU is. The CPU fan was correctly attached to there. I don't know what posessed me to decide to attach that cable to the PWR_FAN connection.
How do I reset the CMOS?
brain_stew said:Should be a 2 pin header on your motherboard somewhere. Cover it with something metal (like a screwdriver) when you flip the power switch. At least that's how it is on most motherboards. You could always just pull the battery though I suppose.
Just re-do everything I reckon, and then try again, its worth a go, motherbaords are usually pretty damn resilient.
Holy shit, dude! That's not good.Great King Bowser said:Oh god, what have I done. I attached a power cable from the PSU to a connector on the motherboard labelled PWR_FAN. Turned it on, pop of smoke.
CPU_FAN wasn't working before or after you blew up PWR_FAN?Great King Bowser said:Thoughts on connecting the CPU heatsink fan to PWR_FAN instead of CPU_FAN?
When it was connected to CPU_FAN it wasn't working.
Rentahamster said:Holy shit, dude! That's not good.
CPU_FAN wasn't working before or after you blew up PWR_FAN?
CPU_FAN wasn't working from the very start? Hmm, that connecter has 4 pins, right? You were using the stock heatsink and fan? That connector on the fan has 4 holes, right? If the fan connector had 3 holes, maybe you put it in the wrong way?Great King Bowser said:Wasn't working before. Even when it was booting properly I was getting CPU FAN Error, but I let it carry on and I was mid-way into installing Windows 7. When it got to the part where you reset I got the CPU Fan error at bootup and a CPU temperature warning. This was the point where I turned everything off, and had the stupid idea to attach a cable from the PSU to PWR_FAN.
Rentahamster said:CPU_FAN wasn't working from the very start? Hmm, that connecter has 4 pins, right? You were using the stock heatsink and fan? That connector on the fan has 4 holes, right? If the fan connector had 3 holes, maybe you put it in the wrong way?
These things are supposed to fit together fairly easily. You didn't force anything, did you?
Rentahamster said:Well, if the CPU_FAN header wasn't working from the start, you could have had a bad motherboard to begin with, or perhaps you shorted it out due to static shock.
Your CPU is probably safe, since there should have been safeguards to prevent your PCU from frying.
In any case, even if your mobo wasn't defective to begin with, after that PSU to PWR_FAN incident, it probably is now.
Try get an RMA or exchange. You should probably leave out the part where you connected the PSU to a fan header.
LAUGHTREY said:
LAUGHTREY said:Quoting myself because I didn't get an answer, wondering if anyone can help me.