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[Computer Build Thread] - Haswell? More like Has...damnit, I had something for this...

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  • YallYall Registered User regular
    Magus` wrote: »
    Well he said he got it for 'free' so.. yeah. But yeah, get a SSD if you can manage it.

    Free upgrade from the 3 SLI MSI one included with the default config not "free". 20 rebate, plus another freebie with the upgrade that I was going to buy anyway. If I never use it, it's no big deal.

    I've actually been wanting a good SSD for a while, but I think last year they just hit the 1$/GB mark. I think once I can get 512 for 200 or so, I'll finally get one and install windows on it, as well as my most used games/software.

    So back to my original question; that upgrade should yield some noticeable results, yes?

  • MyiagrosMyiagros Registered User regular
    New PSU and I'm back in business. Except that when I was trying to troubleshoot I reset my CMOS and it messed with my RAID settings, had to rebuild it and reinstall Windows.

    iRevert wrote: »
    Because if you're going to attempt to squeeze that big black monster into your slot you will need to be able to take at least 12 inches or else you're going to have a bad time...
    Steam: MyiagrosX27
  • Ashaman42Ashaman42 Registered User regular
    With the way prices are in Europe and the fact that you want a new legit OS, £400 is a very restricted budget.

    You can build something that will easily embarrass your current system with that money, but it still isn't going to be very spectacular.

    Noted, perhaps the question I should ask is what should I budget to get something decently solid and an OS on top? There's no reason I can't save a bit longer if it's worthwhile to do so.

  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    I feel very stupid for asking this due to the potential for the answer but if I'm running windows XP home 32 bit, can I use 4 gigs of ramm in my desktop?

  • DyasAlureDyasAlure SeattleRegistered User regular
    I feel very stupid for asking this due to the potential for the answer but if I'm running windows XP home 32 bit, can I use 4 gigs of ramm in my desktop?

    You can install 4 gigs, but you end up with 3.? I forget exactly. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but that should be close. Over 4 no.

    My%20Steam.png?psid=1My%20Twitch%20-%20Mass%20Effect.png?psid=1=1My%20Youtube.png?psid=1
  • SarksusSarksus ATTACK AND DETHRONE GODRegistered User regular
    The operating system will only be able to address 4GB of system and video memory. So if you have a video card with 512MB of RAM you'll only be able to use up to about three and a half gigabytes of system RAM.

  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    So it ...takes my 2 gigs of system ram, and what ever my video card ram is, and adds them.......?

  • SarksusSarksus ATTACK AND DETHRONE GODRegistered User regular
    The operating system considers all of the RAM your computer is using. This includes regular system RAM (the sticks slotted into the motherboard) plus RAM used by your video card which is embedded in the card itself. As long as both your system RAM and video RAM doesn't total above 4GB you're good to go.

    So if you have 2GB of system RAM installed you can have up to 2GB video RAM. You can't have 4GB of system RAM because that would leave you with no video RAM, so what happens is your available video RAM subtracts from the total possible system RAM you can effectively use. You can install 4GB, it won't break anything, but your operating system won't be able to use all of it because you have video RAM using up part of the 4GB limit.

  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    So running 2 gigs and this 4850, I have 2.5 gigs? when I could be running 3.5?

  • SarksusSarksus ATTACK AND DETHRONE GODRegistered User regular
    Yes you could have up to three and a half gigabytes of system RAM with that card.

  • DyasAlureDyasAlure SeattleRegistered User regular
    Oh, thanks for pointing out video ram. I forgot that part.

    My%20Steam.png?psid=1My%20Twitch%20-%20Mass%20Effect.png?psid=1=1My%20Youtube.png?psid=1
  • MyiagrosMyiagros Registered User regular
    You can always use 64b Windows XP as well. The same product key will work for 32b and 64b.

    iRevert wrote: »
    Because if you're going to attempt to squeeze that big black monster into your slot you will need to be able to take at least 12 inches or else you're going to have a bad time...
    Steam: MyiagrosX27
  • tsmvengytsmvengy Registered User regular
    So glad I bought Windows 7 when it went on presale for $50. Does XP 64-bit have better driver support now? I remember that being a concern back in the day.

    steam_sig.png
  • XeddicusXeddicus Registered User regular
    edited July 2013
    I really doubt it.

    Xeddicus on
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    edited July 2013
    @Yall: you can get SSDs in the $0.60/GB range right now. You have to be actively looking, but I see SSD sales to that price level about twice a month.

    @tsmvengy: in short -- no

    @RoyceSraphim: take a look at this -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_GB_barrier Also, check out http://computer.howstuffworks.com for more general understanding of computer hardware. It's the site I started with when I first wanted to learn more about computers (~12 yrs ago).

    Mugsley on
  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    edited July 2013
    thx, I'm no slouch when it comes to hardware, but I am somewhat humbled I could have built big blue and overlooked this information.

    edit:So at 2 gigs on my motherboard and half a gig on my video card, I should get a 3rd stick of 1 gig of ram to go in my motherboard alongside the other two? and no more than that one gig?

    RoyceSraphim on
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    In short, anything over 4GB is a waste until you get set up with a 64-bit OS. That being said, pushing to 4GB isn't "always" the right thing to do, depending on what you are trying to do. This is because RAM runs faster in dual channel mode. If you have an odd number of sticks (or, depending on the motherboard, more than two sticks) of RAM, your memory will be downclocked to single channel mode.

    I personally prefer additional RAM to faster RAM because I don't do much more with my computer than web surf and play WoW. I would care more about fast RAM if I did anything like photo manipulation, video work, or other compute/RAM heavy tasks.

  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    So I should locate two half gig sticks of ram?

    Install 1 stick of 1 gig ram?

    Stick with two 1 gig sticks?

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Samsung 840 Non-Pro 250GB SSD on sale today $175 US ($0.70 per GB) with code EMCXNXM25 at Newegg.

  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    So I should locate two half gig sticks of ram?

    Install 1 stick of 1 gig ram?

    Stick with two 1 gig sticks?

    I take it you have a 32-bit processor? Cause if you have a 64-bit one, stop using Windows XP. :P

  • tsmvengytsmvengy Registered User regular
    So I should locate two half gig sticks of ram?

    Install 1 stick of 1 gig ram?

    Stick with two 1 gig sticks?

    What's your current setup? Do you need DDR2 or DDR3? Honestly I don't think there is a downside to getting more than your computer can address if you need DDR3, since you can use that in a future build.

    steam_sig.png
  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Samsung 840 Non-Pro 250GB SSD on sale today $175 US ($0.70 per GB) with code EMCXNXM25 at Newegg.

    Is this a good deal? What's the difference between Pro and not Pro? Do SSDs keep stable performance over time since I don't have my other parts yet but.. I do want a SSD eventually.

  • GaslightGaslight Registered User regular
    Magus` wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Samsung 840 Non-Pro 250GB SSD on sale today $175 US ($0.70 per GB) with code EMCXNXM25 at Newegg.

    Is this a good deal? What's the difference between Pro and not Pro? Do SSDs keep stable performance over time since I don't have my other parts yet but.. I do want a SSD eventually.

    The difference between Pro and non-Pro is immaterial for almost any daily use for a normal person. There is no real difference in practical terms unless you're doing tons of huge writes to the SSD every day. And yes, they should keep stable performance just as long as any platter HDD at least.

  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    edited July 2013
    tsmvengy wrote: »
    So I should locate two half gig sticks of ram?

    Install 1 stick of 1 gig ram?

    Stick with two 1 gig sticks?

    What's your current setup? Do you need DDR2 or DDR3? Honestly I don't think there is a downside to getting more than your computer can address if you need DDR3, since you can use that in a future build.

    I currently have two sticks, 1 gig each, .


    and since you people have me now thinking about my next build (5 years, where does the time go?), how much of a bottleneck would getting a pentium g620 or a i3 - 2100 prove to be a year down the line (or five years judging from my current big blue).

    RoyceSraphim on
  • DuriniaDurinia Evolved from Space Potatoes Registered User regular
    Hey compy thread. I'm starting to poke around looking at putting together some kind of really basic HTPC/Steam Box, and I'm curious what people think a good sweet spot is for:

    * Plays most mid-level games (examples: XCOM, Civ V, CK2, etc.) with somewhat reasonable graphics quality (doesn't need to be high, but should run smooth at 1920x1280)
    * Small form factor / quiet / low power
    * Cheap

    Basically, I could see possibly spending the minimum amount for the first bullet, but don't want to spend more. (I've got a ridiculous main system already for pushing top-end limits)

    Are Haswell's on-chip graphics any good? Would an APU be a better fit here? Give me some ideas...

    For business reasons, I must preserve the outward sign of sanity.
    --Mark Twain
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    My understanding is the Haswell onboard chip is quite passable for most lower end games, but I suggest you look for some reviews and benchmarks to see where it lies in relation to others.

    As for form factor, etc. I suggest you look into mini-ITX builds. You can get fairly robust boards for the form factor, and some cases can even handle a full sized PSU. As for sound, I think that is more based on what you decide to put in it.

  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    edited July 2013
    Durinia wrote: »
    Hey compy thread. I'm starting to poke around looking at putting together some kind of really basic HTPC/Steam Box, and I'm curious what people think a good sweet spot is for:

    * Plays most mid-level games (examples: XCOM, Civ V, CK2, etc.) with somewhat reasonable graphics quality (doesn't need to be high, but should run smooth at 1920x1280)
    * Small form factor / quiet / low power
    * Cheap

    Basically, I could see possibly spending the minimum amount for the first bullet, but don't want to spend more. (I've got a ridiculous main system already for pushing top-end limits)

    Are Haswell's on-chip graphics any good? Would an APU be a better fit here? Give me some ideas...

    Haswell's best built-in gpu isn't available as a desktop chip yet, it will be R designated ones when they do sometime Q2'13, and they're rumored to be only released as a soldered to motherboard unit.

    AMD's Apu's are ok, and can do some games at 1080P at med settings with around 30fps, the next gen of them Kaveri is due to be out by the end of the year, and should have a good boost in gpu power.

    If you can't wait to see what Kaveri looks like, the A10-6800k is the current top APU, here's some benchmarks to give you an idea on performance:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a10-6700-a10-6800k-richland-review,3528.html

    and just a note that memory speed matters a lot for APU builds, so your going to need to buy ddr3-2600 or better(but 2600 is probably the right spot as ram prices jump a lot after it) ram for it

    Foomy on
    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • Professor SnugglesworthProfessor Snugglesworth Registered User regular
    These were my current specs as of last week:

    ATI Radeon HD 5770

    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1

    4096MB RAM

    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz x2 ~3000MHz

    On the suggestion of the Steam Box thread, I upgraded my GPU to a Geforce GTX760.

    Despite the boost in performance, I feel ready to overhaul the rest of my PC now. On the recommendation of @chrishallett83 I was given this list of components:

    Budget bits (great for gaming on a single monitor with a nice card like a GTX 750, with a 760 it would be a beautiful machine)
    Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157387 $80
    CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116895 $190
    RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422 $64
    Total: $334

    Reasonably priced rig (will smash any game you throw at it on a single monitor with a card like a GTX 770, can handle a multi-monitor setup nicely)
    Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157378 $105
    CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899 $240
    RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186 $74
    Total: $419

    Stupid stuff (slap a pair of 780s in this and play two entirely different games at the same time, each on three monitors fpr 6 screens total...)
    Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131976 $250
    CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116901 $350
    Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104351 $153
    Total: $753

    I'm thinking of rolling the second option, though I wrote back over the possibility of swapping one of the Tier 3 items with the Tier 2 ones in order to get a truly optimized experience. I have no interest in running multiple games in different monitors or any other kind of crazy setup, but I would like the best possible single-user experience. I want to be able to play stuff like a souped-up Skyrim with a solid 60 fps.

    So if anyone has any further recommendations, I'd like to hear them. Otherwise I'll probably base my final decision on this list here.

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Semantics and all that, but we just finished Q2 2013.

  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Semantics and all that, but we just finished Q2 2013.

    well that was the last given date Intel gave on the R desktop chips, so who knows when they'll be out.
    http://ark.intel.com/products/76641

    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • GaslightGaslight Registered User regular
    Foomy wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Semantics and all that, but we just finished Q2 2013.

    well that was the last given date Intel gave on the R desktop chips, so who knows when they'll be out.
    http://ark.intel.com/products/76641

    "Status: Launched" :P

  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    Gaslight wrote: »
    Foomy wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Semantics and all that, but we just finished Q2 2013.

    well that was the last given date Intel gave on the R desktop chips, so who knows when they'll be out.
    http://ark.intel.com/products/76641

    "Status: Launched" :P

    It's a lie, no one has anything with the chip in it for sale, Intel is just being crazy.

    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • DuriniaDurinia Evolved from Space Potatoes Registered User regular
    Foomy wrote: »
    If you can't wait to see what Kaveri looks like, the A10-6800k is the current top APU, here's some benchmarks to give you an idea on performance:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a10-6700-a10-6800k-richland-review,3528.html

    and just a note that memory speed matters a lot for APU builds, so your going to need to buy ddr3-2600 or better(but 2600 is probably the right spot as ram prices jump a lot after it) ram for it

    Thanks, that link helped a lot. It actually looks like that 6700 might be enough for my purposes - especially given the much more attractive TDP.

    None of the miniITX mobos I found on newegg had support for 2600 DDR3, though - I think 2400 was the highest. The review did show that you want at least 2133 in there.

    For business reasons, I must preserve the outward sign of sanity.
    --Mark Twain
  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    The current richland apus are nice. But im just wary of them as the specs of kaveri are looking so much better on the gpu side. Its going to use the new gcn graphics cores, and include a gddr5 controller. So if gddr5 prices continue to drop, and they should as more products use it, we could see fm2+ motherboards with hopefully 4+ gb of it built in.

    But doing the whole wait for next gen shit always makes you crazy. So go with what makes you happier.

    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • DuriniaDurinia Evolved from Space Potatoes Registered User regular
    Foomy wrote: »
    The current richland apus are nice. But im just wary of them as the specs of kaveri are looking so much better on the gpu side. Its going to use the new gcn graphics cores, and include a gddr5 controller. So if gddr5 prices continue to drop, and they should as more products use it, we could see fm2+ motherboards with hopefully 4+ gb of it built in.

    But doing the whole wait for next gen shit always makes you crazy. So go with what makes you happier.

    Yeah, haven't really hashed out the exact timeframe yet, so we'll have to see. I might get a Roku as a stopgap that I would later transfer to a different TV... we'll see.

    For business reasons, I must preserve the outward sign of sanity.
    --Mark Twain
  • Day of the BearDay of the Bear The Qun demandsRegistered User regular
    Hey any of y'all brits that might be around, whats a good place to shop for parts over there? I'm trying to advise a buddy on a tight budget and i'm not sure where the best options are in the UK

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  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    SSD ordered. I wonder what the fastest way to install Windows 8 on it would be without having an optical drive.

  • Day of the BearDay of the Bear The Qun demandsRegistered User regular
    Bootable USB drive.

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  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    Do you mean flash drive? Cause yeah I think I still have that from my last install. It's only USB 2.0 though so it'll take awhile.

  • Day of the BearDay of the Bear The Qun demandsRegistered User regular
    eh it'll be a bit. 2.0 usually seems to go faster than just off a dvd in my experience. I've been pretty much exclusively using bootable usb drives for my installs lately

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This discussion has been closed.