Laptop died, got refund, building new PC

[Vagrant0]

Also, contrary to what Vagrant said (no offense) I can't find a single motherboard that supports quad channel RAM. They're obviously out there, but they're apparently quite rare. I might be misunderstanding something.

It's not quad channel RAM, it's two pairs of dual channel RAM. As far as I know, no motherboard supports quad channel.

 

As far as the videocard goes, I'm probably wrong, but believe a 2.0 motherboard will work, it just won't be able to make use of all the potential of that card. One of the many reasons why buying the newest and best videocard is not always a good idea, not only is the interface not as reliable, but the drivers are often also a bit wonky. Any DX 10 card with more than 1GB ram should be more than suitable for playing most games that are released in the next year on high or ultra high detail. If later, you feel that one card isn't doing it, you can always buy 2 cards and mount in crossfire/SLI. Two midrange cards are still better than 1 high-end card for most things.

 

The bottom line is this... If you are wanting a high-end rig, almost every component will need to be high-end. A mega videocard and super quick RAM doesn't help much if your motherboard can't support it, or if your processor is lacking. Just as how a fast processor with many streams still won't make a system better if the videocard and RAM are lacking. And of course, a high end system can easily cost you well over $3000 when all is said and done.

Edited December 20, 2009 by Vagrant0

[Retribution]

Well, I already have everything picked out except for the motherboard, and it came out to about 1800, accounting for a 300 dollar motherboard. I really can't find a motherboard with a PCI-E 2.1 slot.

[Illiad86]

There's only a few 2.1 PCI-E graphics cards about, and no motherboard I've seen has a PCI-E 2.1 slot yet. There's almost no difference between 2.0 and 2.1 and the card will work in 2.0 interface with little or no drop in anything. I wouldn't suggest getting a top of the line graphics card for the same reasons Vagrant said. Why buy top of the line and spend $3,000-5,000 dollars just for it to be obsolete in a few months? Buy something that has been out for awhile, all the "kinks" are out of it, don't have to spend an outrageous amount of money, and still have a great computer for years :)

 

I'm still using a 7950GT :P Plays new games actually rather well at 1280x1024. Finally getting a new card though for Christmas from my boyfriend ;D Thinking of either a GTX 260 or a 5770 :)

[Derkins]

I recomend not getting the most amazing video card out there

I my self am using a 260 bought it for 190ish I belive and its amazing my moniter uses a HDMI connection for video and it looks amazing I had slightly lag problems in COD MOD2 but thats for other reasons as I had 20+ other windows open and an ok wireless signal strength.

Save your money buy mid level hardware I understand you want the best of the best but you really wont need it. Also are you building this system your self or giving it to a friend to build?

[Vagrant0]

Well, I already have everything picked out except for the motherboard, and it came out to about 1800, accounting for a 300 dollar motherboard.

Yes, but this is also why you aren't finding a motherboard that can support all of your hardware or wants. If you're going for a mid range processor, you'll also need to go with a mid range motherboard. A mid range motherboard won't be particularly fast, may not support higher end memory as well, and may not fully utilize a higher end graphics card.

 

Even if you manage to stick a Corvette engine inside a Nissan, you still won't be driving a Corvette. This is one of those reasons why techno geeks are always stressing out about bottle necks. They can upgrade the hell out of one or two components, overclock it, but still be held back by some of the components that aren't up to snuff, often requiring them to rebuild from scratch just to be "the best". A system is more than just a few components, a system is the sum of all components and checking for optimum compatibility between them. A compatible mid-range system can often perform better than a system with high-end parts that aren't particularly compatible.

[Retribution]

I'm not getting a mid range processor. I'm getting an i7 920. All of the components I'm getting are high range. Apparently, there are no motherboards with PCI-E 2.1 slots, so that makes finding a motherboard easier.

[Illiad86]

could save yourself a chunk of change if you wanted to go for the high end AMD processor and motherboard, if that's what you're going for.

 

Talking from building multiple PCs over the last 6 years, don't go and buy ultra high end. Stability is a huge issue.

[LHammonds]

This is one of those reasons why techno geeks are always stressing out about bottle necks.

Hey, who you callin techno geek? :geek:

 

A system is more than just a few components, a system is the sum of all components and checking for optimum compatibility between them. A compatible mid-range system can often perform better than a system with high-end parts that aren't particularly compatible.

This is why I take so long researching each and every component before I build a system. I usually build systems that are one step below top-notch. The PC I am building this time however is all about aligning the best-of-the-best with an emphasis on reduced bottlenecks. ;) Hopefully, my PC will out-perform those built by game PC makers such as Alienware and Falcon.

 

But as Vagrant0 has already said, it is best if you make sure all your components are "fitted" together...such as RAM speed matching the specs of the mobo, hard drive matching the specs of the onboard controller, etc.

 

Once the hardware is optimized, you then have to configure the system for optimal use such as partitioning and being smart about where you place your OS, temp files, applications/games and data files. Then protect it by using security software and using the PC in a smart way and make backups often (preferably automated)

 

LHammonds

[Vagrant0]

I'm not getting a mid range processor. I'm getting an i7 920. All of the components I'm getting are high range. Apparently, there are no motherboards with PCI-E 2.1 slots, so that makes finding a motherboard easier.

Hate to tell you, but http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115202 is not high range. It's technically the lowest of that series that you can mount in that socket type. More of a "good until I can afford better" processor than being an end-all "will last me 4 years" kinda thing. It's still plenty fast, and utilizes newer architecture, but is not as good as others of the same series and socket type.

 

I'm actually tempted to think that you were better off with the 860 instead. Faster speed, more reliable architecture, lower power needs (runs cooler), at the cost of L2 cache and an older socket type. But not an expert then it comes down to the nitty-gritty of computer specs.

[Retribution]

The next step up costs almost 250 dollars more, though.