Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: steelguitarist on July 14, 2009, 01:55:48 PM
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This is my first posting to this forum.
I built my own compter abut 6 years ago with a Gigabyte GA-7VRXP mother board and an AMD Athlon 1800 1.53 GHZ. I have 2 60 GB hard drives running in RAID mode 1. Now the computer won't sometimes start until I tap the motherboard or pull and reinstall the power plug from the power supply and even this does not make it start sometimes. I think I need a new motherboard.
I am looking for advice for a new motherboard and CPU combo. I don't play games on my computer. I use it as a recording studio and to go on the net. I have not keep up to date on the new CPU's and mother boards available so I am seeking advice on what I should get. I will need the following:
New computer case for ATX not higher that 16 inches.
Reliable Motherboard for ATX power supply with RAID mode 1 (I do not intend to overclock the system) Asus P5Q?
Quad core CPU (I think)
4 GB ram DDR2
7200 RPM HD eventually
USB2 on board
Firewire on board
Fast chipset
Reliability is the most important aspect of my requirements.
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Sounds like you've had a great rig so far, but after 6 years it can be handy to have an excuse to upgrade! ;)
I can help you better with the following info:
1. What's your budget?
2. You need an ATX case <16" tall, are you also constrained with case width?
3. Is a mATX (smaller w/ fewer expansion slots) motherboard a possibility (makes the case requirements easier to meet)?
4. Are you concerned with case aesthetics? (flashy vs. classic vs. either)
5. Is there a reason why you are attached to your current PSU?
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My budget would be up to $800
My present case is 17" high and I can live with the same size to get the full size motherboard in there.
Not concerned with aesthetics although it would be nice to have at least one USB and SD receptacles on the front.
I don't need to keep my current ATX PSU.
Don
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Ok, I have two options for you. The first one will be just above your listed budget, the second, well under. Both builds have many of the same parts, chosen for both quality and value and ease of use/assembly. If you really need the computing power of the first option, but the budget constraints are inflexible, it will be possible to choose less expensive items to brin it under budget, but the individual part quality will likely suffer. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Case (15" high) $88.88
LIAN LI PC-A05NB Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112218
Very high quality, very thoughtfully constructed with the end user in mind, highly rated.
Case Accessory USB and audio ports $14.99
SILVERSTONE SST-FP32-B Aluminum USB/1394/Audio Panel ( Black ) - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813999356
Above case has USB and audio ports on top, you had a preference for front.
Video Card $79.99
XFX PVT96OZDFU GeForce 9600 GSO 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150340
Solid card, very budget oriented, can handle dual or large resolution monitors
PSU $109.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001
Modular - helpful with the smaller case, highly reliable product, plenty of power.
Option One: $860 before MIR and shipping (price includes parts common to both builds)
This option has the new Nahalem chip with 4 cores PLUS 4 hyperthreaded (virtual) cores. For heavy/time consuming CPU oriented work this is the preferred processor.
CPU $279.99
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
Motherboard $199.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375
RAM $84.99
mushkin SP 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226063
Option 2: $620 before shipping and MIR (price includes parts common to both builds)
Not as much processing power, but still very fast and a better value.
CPU $189.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115057
Motherboard $89.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372
RAM $49.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
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I'm looking at your suggestions Aardobard.. Would not go for the Intel i7 yet. The first gigabyte board you recommended seems to have bad reviews.
By the way, I have a Nvidia GE Force 2 MX400 in my old system. It's driving a Samsung P2250 LCD monitor at 1920 X 1080 67.5 hz 60hz pp right now. I should be able to use it in a new sysytem.
Anybody else on this forum have any more combo suggestions?
Don
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I have the tremendous socket 775 brother of that Gigabyte board and missed the bad reviews associated with the X58. My apologies. The Foxconn Bloodrage board at $230 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186169) would have been my first choice for that chip but I was already woefully over budget trying to wedge the i7 in.
It's great that you have a video card you can salvage. If you have any other questions or concerns let me know.
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I'm not sure if he can actually salvage that video card.
Is that video card AGP or PCI?
If AGP, then forget it. All new motherboards have one or more PCI-Express x16 slots for video cards now, and an AGP card won't fit in a PCIe slot of any size.
If the board has enough PCI slots left, then you could use the video card, but I think even onboard video would be better than a GeForce 2 MX400...
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I believe it's a PCI (not express) card, so he should be just fine with it.
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It's in the AGP slot.
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and an AGP card won't fit in a PCIe slot of any size.
I think the card fitting in the slot would be the least of the incompatibilities.
killerb255 is right... a modern motherboard's on-board graphics completely destroy the Geforce 2MX, and even as a PCI card it isn't really worth the effort to install into a new machine. Instead, if budget is an issue, I'd go for on-board graphics and upgrade when funds allow later on.
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Thanks guys. I'll get a new card.