Computer Advice

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Advice

The OEM version of vista is tied to that computer/motherboard so if you got rid of this computer and built a new one, you aren't supposed to reinstall the same OEM vista on it. You could do a new install on a new computer with a retail copy that you previously installed. Also you'll be your own tech support...as if you aren't with a retail copy either.

You probably won't get cables with the OEM drives, but they will come with the mobo.

Nothing jumps out at me other than the visiontek 650 pci is at best buy for 25% off this week for 97$. The remote that comes with it does the basics in vista media center (change channel/volume, arrow keys, back, and info), but doesn't have any of the shortcut buttons working so you might want a 30$ media center remote if you plan on using media center a lot.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Advice

Sorry I do have another question.

Out of these three video cards which one is best:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...075&Tpk=2600xt

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161178

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102703

All three are versions of the 2600XT. The last two are 512MB instead of 256MB.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Advice

The two 512mb cards, specially considering after rebate they come out cheaper than the 256. The extra memory will help with large textures in games. The difference between the two 512 cards? Not sure, they appear to be the same specs...could just be paying more for the brand.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Advice

I found a thermaltake psu pretty cheap after mail-in rebate. How does this stack up? It looks to be Tier 3 on that website posted earlier. Obviously it has more watts but is it any better than the SeaSonic one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153042

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Advice

I think either one would be fine, both brands have good power supplies.

You don't need 600 watts for the parts you have listed, but considering the thermaltake is cheaper after rebate, I'd probably jump on the thermaltake. If you ever wanted to add a second video card, overclock, and add a crap load of hard drives, you'll be set with 600 watts.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Advice

I think either one would be fine, both brands have good power supplies.

You don't need 600 watts for the parts you have listed, but considering the thermaltake is cheaper after rebate, I'd probably jump on the thermaltake. If you ever wanted to add a second video card, overclock, and add a crap load of hard drives, you'll be set with 600 watts.

Dumb question but will having too much power hurt anything?

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Advice

No.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Advice

Sorry got another one for you....(Hope you aren't getting sick of this yet)

I found this memory for 26 after rebate and I have seen other people use this in their builds....do you know anything about it?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=OCZ2G8002GK

My other choice is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

About what I was originally going to spend after rebate but a name brand. I would rather go with the OCZ since it is cheaper but if it is not very good I'll go with the Corsair.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Advice

OCZ and Corsair both make good ram. Timings are the same on both so they should perform the same. The ocz has a higher voltage so in theory it should be able to handle more heat and handle overclocking better. That doesn't always translate into real life though. Either of those is good, I would go with either of those over the wintec ampo you had earlier. 2 gigs of ocz for 25 after rebate is amazing.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Advice

Mudtiger, thanks for all your help/explanations on the different components. I placed my order now the waiting game begins. Hopefully I wasn't too much of a pain with all these questions. In case you were wondering here is what I finally went with.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor <o></o>
Motherboard: ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard <o></o>
Video Card: HIS Hightech H260XTF512DDN-R Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card<o></o>
Video Capture: VisionTek TV Wonder 650 Combo PCIe HDTV Tuner PVR w/Remote 900192 PCI-Express x1 Interface<o></o>
Memory: OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G8002GK
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Optical Drive: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM<o></o>
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 - Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case with Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports<o></o>
Power Supply: Thermaltake Purepower W0129RU ATX12V 600 W Power Supply
Operating System: Vista 64-bit Home Premium OEM



Thanks again for all your help. I really appreciate it.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Advice

No problem, looks like you're going to have a very good computer.

Now the real fun begins Putting the hardware together isn't too bad, but the real scary part comes when you flip that switch for the first time wondering if the thing will even respond Installing windows can be a pain, but my vista 64 install was actually quite smooth. Once you get vista going, don't forget to put your chipset driver, lan driver, and audio driver on the computer. Those will be on the cd that comes with the mobo.

From there you should be set other than vid card driver and then adding the tv tuner (I'd get the comp working first before adding the tuner card).