Building a PC

Rod

Rod

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 4, 2001
Messages
10,696
Location
Southern California
First Name
Todd
It's time for a new PC, so this time I'm building it from scratch. I've decided on the hardest part finally (the case :) ). Going with the Antec 900 case. My biggest problem is determining which motherboard to go with. Way too many to choose from. I want the top of the line. I've ALWAYS owned Intel, never have I owned a AMD based PC. Would like to stick with Intel, unless I can be convinced otherwise. Will be loading Win7 64 bit, so I'm planning on going with 8 GB RAM.

What motherboard should I get and why? :)
 
Antec cases rock. I have this case. The 200mm fan on top is great. You can adjust the speed of several fans. Of course you should put in a Antec power supply since they are top notch.

As for the mother board. That really depends on what you want it for. I think my mother board is the Intel 940 I7 core board and it rocks. I've sent you a PM Rod. Let me know and we can go from there. :thumbs:

I put 6 gig ram in mine and its great. I also have the Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit as well. I haven't had a problem with it yet and if you have heat issues, something is seriously wrong. The Antec 900 case took me a little bit to get used too. But I am glad I purchases it. :D

Edited to add: My Antec case is the 900 two. The difference is that mine is black on the inside versus the silver color on just the 900 version.
 
I've been AMD for a few years now and at the top of the line I really doubt you will be able to see and differences. That said, work with what you are comfortable with. I think the Video card is more important.
 
I used to be a huge AMD fan. I even built a AMD 64 bit system. I had plenty of things good wrong with it. I went Intel and haven't looked back. I just talked to my brother and he said he worked on more AMD systems than he has with Intel in it. :thumbs: But always stick with what you enjoy.
 
I have been an Antec fan for years, but on my last build I bought an Antec 300 and I am not satisfied. They are not built like they once were. On my next build I will scrap the system in my Lian Li, just to use the case.

As for system, I was once an Intel fan but switched over to AMD a build or three back. There are still a couple of Intel builds running in my house, but the last two or three have been AMD based.

The last build (I went for a price/performance blend):

Board: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 - AM3
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB
HDD (back up): Western Digital Caviar Black 250GB
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W
Mem: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) 1.65v
CAS:7 tCL: 7 tRCD: 10 tRP: 10 tRAS: 24
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE 3.4 (200x17)

If you OC:
Test (211x18) = 3.798 OK Test (200x19) = 3.8 OK

Leave CPU clock (FSB) at default: 200MHz
CPU frequency: x19.0
CPU voltage: 1.3875-1.40v
NB@ 2600MHz
NB voltage: 1.275v
HT Link at default: 2000MHz

Final config (12/27/2010):
CPU: 202x19 = 3851MHz (This MoBo rounds the FSB up 2/3, so 202 = 202.66)
NB: 2657MHz
DDR: 1624MHz

In the end I came up with two configurations that were both stable. High HTT speeds and lower RAM speeds and another overclock with a lower HTT speed and higher RAM clock. My final best HTT OC was 250x16 (4000MHz) with the RAM at DDR3: 1349MHz.. But I stuck with the final OC quoted above.

YMMV.
 
Rod said:
investandprosper said:
Get a Mac :D
Click to expand...

I have a MacBook Pro, but need a new desktop. After seeing the HP Envy, I may sell the MacBook for that! :D
Click to expand...

Ok Rod...just for you. I haven't figured out how to get a good picture of my computer while the light is off.

What you really need to do is decide what kind of applications you want the desktop for. Is it for gaming or what. Then for from there. It gets much easier when you decide what you want it for.

DSCF0956.jpg

DSCF0955.jpg

DSCF0954.jpg
 
Rod,

If you wanna save some cash on your build, I have a barely used Intel Core i7 920 processor, with an EVGA X58 mobo sitting in a box here at home. I have spare parts galore right now.... PM me if you're interested at all.
I also have a few 1TB HDDs, and a couple WD 300GB 10k Velociraptors as well. I could also hook it up to be water cooled if you wanna have a near silent PC. I am pretty knowledgeable at this stuff, so If you need any help, you know where I'm at!!

-Billy
 
B.HOBS said:
Rod,

If you wanna save some cash on your build, I have a barely used Intel Core i7 920 processor, with an EVGA X58 mobo sitting in a box here at home. I have spare parts galore right now.... PM me if you're interested at all.
I also have a few 1TB HDDs, and a couple WD 300GB 10k Velociraptors as well. I could also hook it up to be water cooled if you wanna have a near silent PC. I am pretty knowledgeable at this stuff, so If you need any help, you know where I'm at!!

-Billy
Click to expand...

The Antec 900 is pretty quiet. And it already has the 2 spots in the back for the Water cooling system. But this case doesn't need it due to the 3 120mm fans and the 200mm on top. A 4th one can be put on the side. Heat isn't an issue with this case nor sound. All the fans you can adjust the speed of the fans and you don't even need to go into the BIOS to change them. Only way I can tell if my computer is on is that its so damn bright. With the LED lights on the memory sticks and what not. :laugh: I have most of the fans on the lowest setting. If they are set on high, then it does make some noise.
 
AMD here. Never owned an Intel PC, Laptops on the other hand... only Intel.

I've had MSI motherboards in my last 4 PCs and have never had a problem with any of them.
 
Thanks for the feedback and offers!

All around desktop PC, will be editing hi-res graphics in PS.

I have everything identified, just trying to decide on a good MB.
 
Bleh ASUS... just make sure you buy one of the top of the line ones if you do go that way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top