Advice on current PC trends and costs.

[==Troy==]

Was thinking of attempting to build myself a new desktop computer, nothing of VERY end-line, but somewhere high at the top.

I am interested in AMD Phenom II trio, or quad core (or maybe even tri to quad motherboard unlock), and PREFERABLY Nvidia card, rather than ATI with SLI/crossfire support for the mobo.


Any advice is very wellcome, and thank you.

[Kaine]

Was thinking of attempting to build myself a new desktop, nothing of VERY end-line, but somewhere high at the top.

Why get something new when you can get something old?  I personally would recommend an early Victorian pedestal desktop... rather fetching, and sturdy to boot!

[==Troy==]

Was thinking of attempting to build myself a new desktop, nothing of VERY end-line, but somewhere high at the top.

Why get something new when you can get something old?  I personally would recommend an early Victorian pedestal desktop... rather fetching, and sturdy to boot!

thanks. fixed.

[Demolution]

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706
-or-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704&cm_re=amd_quad-_-19-103-704-_-Product

Overclocking these to 3.2Ghz should be fairly easy. AMD ftw.

Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145
-or-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190

[KamikOzzy]

fuckin' lol'd, Kaine

[Bissig]

Well, depending on the software you want to use, I'd suggest at max a triple core. High clocked dual core would get you more action out of most software though.

So, maybe a Black Edition of one of the dual core AMD cpus. Either one with or without L3 cache. Some dual and triple cores have been overclocked up to 3.7-4GHz without the temperature going up too high.

SLI isn't really useful, you should rather get a medium ranged board and get a maybe a little bit more expensive gfx card instead. You will benefit much more.

Unless you plan to use a linux distribution, you should consider/test the new 5xxx series from AMD. It really seems like a great layout. Nvidia doesn't seem to be very competitive with its recent series. But, I know that's more of a choice of brand sometimes than it is a choice of logic.

[Demolution]

Well, depending on the software you want to use, I'd suggest at max a triple core. High clocked dual core would get you more action out of most software though.

For now, sure, but wouldn't he be better off with investing in a quad for future upgrades and such? 

SLI isn't really useful, you should rather get a medium ranged board and get a maybe a little bit more expensive gfx card instead.

I'm also interested in building a pc, albeit later on in time. Do you happen to have a model/brand in mind?

[kevlarman]

Unless you plan to use a windows 7, you should consider/test the new 5xxx series from AMD. It really seems like a great layout. Nvidia doesn't seem to be very competitive with its recent series. But, I know that's more of a choice of brand sometimes than it is a choice of logic.

fixed, catalyst has caused me no issues on linux, but the (last time i checked) lack of opengl support in windows 7 is pretty painful.

[gimhael]

I got a 5770 and it runs fine on windows 7 (up to 1000 fps in ATCS  ).

[Thorn]

I got a 5770 and it runs fine on windows 7 (up to 1000 fps in ATCS  ).

I get that on my 7600GT... What are you boasting about?

[Bissig]

Well, depending on the software you want to use, I'd suggest at max a triple core. High clocked dual core would get you more action out of most software though.

For now, sure, but wouldn't he be better off with investing in a quad for future upgrades and such?  

Nope. Simple reason: Prices fall and technology improves too much to even look beyond a horizont of 2-3 years. When quadcores really become useful in the majority of default configurations/software usage, then it might be time to give a general advice about using at least quadcores. This seems to be at least 2-3 years away - in my opinion it will take about five years before developers learn the benefits of smp aware software.

SLI isn't really useful, you should rather get a medium ranged board and get a maybe a little bit more expensive gfx card instead.

I'm also interested in building a pc, albeit later on in time. Do you happen to have a model/brand in mind?

I aquired a Biostar motherboard. I don't know though under what brand or under which model numbers they are sold in your country.

http://www.biostar-europe.com/v4/app/de/t-series/introduction.php?S_ID=418

It has a decent set of features without too much crap. And it was relatively cheap ~50 Euro/~70$. Its for Socket AM2+ though. AM3 boards cost a bit more.

If you are asking for a gfx card. I would suggest some 5xxx model from ATI, in the price range of about 150-170 Euro/~210$. Anything else is not cost effizient enough. Also, if you feel the card isn't up to your gaming needs, you could still sell it and get another one in that prise range. My personal opinion is that moderate upgrades make much more sense than to buy the top model each 3-4 years -> waste of money unless for you: time = money.