New Computer.....self built? Mac? Dell? - Page 4

divine · 26-01-2009, 22:37

Artic Cooler Freezer 7 or the supplied Intel Heatsink if you get a Retail CPU instead of OEM will both have thermal paste preapplied if that worries you.

The most annoying part of a S775 build is the pushpins for the heatsinks as its very easy for them to seem like they're in properly but not actually quite be in.

The rest of it is standard fare, plug the relevent cables where they need to go, if it fits, it probably goes there etc.

If you can do lego, you can do a PC

Once it's built and works then just whack in a Windows CD (might need to change boot order in BIOS) and then format the hard drive and possibly partition it if you want and then install Windows and you're on your way.

Jhadur · 26-01-2009, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feek

Yes, I think that's what I was trying to say - Didn't mean to say insinuate that you were buying crap, Mic

No problems Feek

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine

Artic Cooler Freezer 7 or the supplied Intel Heatsink if you get a Retail CPU instead of OEM will both have thermal paste preapplied if that worries you.

The most annoying part of a S775 build is the pushpins for the heatsinks as its very easy for them to seem like they're in properly but not actually quite be in.

The rest of it is standard fare, plug the relevent cables where they need to go, if it fits, it probably goes there etc.

If you can do lego, you can do a PC

Once it's built and works then just whack in a Windows CD (might need to change boot order in BIOS) and then format the hard drive and possibly partition it if you want and then install Windows and you're on your way.

Have to agree with all of this. I built a PC for someone at work that was just spending £300 and it was the first S775 CPU I've installed. Took me ages to get the heat sink seated properly.

Thermal paste as Divine said is already applied to most heat sinks nowadays and definitely if you buy a retail version of the CPU.

Mark · 27-01-2009, 00:40

If you're just after a typical mass-market spec, then pre-build is cheaper every time. If you want to do something a bit more 'special' then that's where self-build starts to take over.

Freezer 7 is dead easy to install. If I can manage it, anyone with a decent amount of intelligence and care should be able to do it. As divine suggested, as long as you take care to line up the heatsink correctly first time and push the pins all the way home, it's a doddle.

I agree with all the above specs - Q6600, Gigabyte motherboard and 4GB OCZ or Corsair RAM. I run mine, overclocked, with a 430W Antec PSU. Works fine.

As for the sound issue, unless ATI's drivers are knackered, then Vista (and presumably Windows 7) should cope fine. Vista is much better than XP at managing multiple sound outputs (I've run my laptop briefly with USB speakers, USB headset, and internal sound card all working).

Garp · 27-01-2009, 01:04

That said, I'm half tempted to buy a prebuilt system this time around. Shipping costs for components to Hawaii can be daft, depends on how places ship things.

NokkonWud · 27-01-2009, 03:26

On the topic of Mac's being brilliant for images etc... I find it completely the opposite. I find apple applications to be over elaborate and long-winded... a lot like iTunes.

I would take the way Vista sorts images out over OSX, but each to their own.

I also really didn't like the lack of a RMB on the Mac mouse.

Psymonkee · 27-01-2009, 03:44

But you can use command + click

!

/runs

divine · 27-01-2009, 04:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by NokkonWud

On the topic of Mac's being brilliant for images etc... I find it completely the opposite. I find apple applications to be over elaborate and long-winded... a lot like iTunes.

I would take the way Vista sorts images out over OSX, but each to their own.

I also really didn't like the lack of a RMB on the Mac mouse.

I think the 'better for images' was always more related to the PowerPC days and the fact Photoshop was coded primarily for the mac and then adapted to the PC, so it ran far better on Mac than it did on PC. Same went for various popular video editing apps.

Since Apple went Intel, it's no longer the case really, in fact, for the money, a PC would probably be quicker considering the improved hardware you could probably buy.

Stan_Lite · 27-01-2009, 06:33

I agree with the rest of the guys. A PC is relatively simple to build. Pretty much everything will only fit where it's supposed to go. If you follow the advice in the motherboard instruction manual, you won't go far wrong.

One piece of advice would be to fit as many things to the motherboard as you can before screwing it into the case (especially the 4 pin power connector, which tends to be in an inaccessible spot next to the CPU, and the front panel connectors) as things get a bit fiddly once it's in place. I always fit the CPU/heatsink, RAM, 4 pin power connector, front panel connectors and any fan connectors before screwing it in.

If you decide to build your own, there are plenty of us here who have built many PCs in the past who would be more than happy to give advice if you need it

I've toyed with the idea of buying pre-built systems in the past but I always end up building my own for the reasons divine stated above - most pre-built machines will have a cheap, barely powerful enough PSU, cheap motherboard (quite often with a proprietry BIOS which doesn't allow overclocking) and usually cheap RAM. With a self-build, I know the quality of the components going into it and I can tweak it however I want, rather than be limited to what the system builder allows me.

Aboobie · 27-01-2009, 09:54

If you do build your own I'd also consider just sticking a free copy of Windows 7 Beta 1 on for now. It will last until August 1st and you can evaluate your options then. Save a few squids and I've found it problem free and faster than Vista this last few weeks.

Stan_Lite · 27-01-2009, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aboobie

If you do build your own I'd also consider just sticking a free copy of Windows 7 Beta 1 on for now. It will last until August 1st and you can evaluate your options then. Save a few squids and I've found it problem free and faster than Vista this last few weeks.

I agree with this. I'm using it on my netbook atm and it's better than Vista imo. Not much point paying for Vista now when there will be a better version along in a few months.

26-01-2009, 22:37	#31
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Artic Cooler Freezer 7 or the supplied Intel Heatsink if you get a Retail CPU instead of OEM will both have thermal paste preapplied if that worries you. The most annoying part of a S775 build is the pushpins for the heatsinks as its very easy for them to seem like they're in properly but not actually quite be in. The rest of it is standard fare, plug the relevent cables where they need to go, if it fits, it probably goes there etc. If you can do lego, you can do a PC Once it's built and works then just whack in a Windows CD (might need to change boot order in BIOS) and then format the hard drive and possibly partition it if you want and then install Windows and you're on your way. __________________

27-01-2009, 00:40	#33
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	If you're just after a typical mass-market spec, then pre-build is cheaper every time. If you want to do something a bit more 'special' then that's where self-build starts to take over. Freezer 7 is dead easy to install. If I can manage it, anyone with a decent amount of intelligence and care should be able to do it. As divine suggested, as long as you take care to line up the heatsink correctly first time and push the pins all the way home, it's a doddle. I agree with all the above specs - Q6600, Gigabyte motherboard and 4GB OCZ or Corsair RAM. I run mine, overclocked, with a 430W Antec PSU. Works fine. As for the sound issue, unless ATI's drivers are knackered, then Vista (and presumably Windows 7) should cope fine. Vista is much better than XP at managing multiple sound outputs (I've run my laptop briefly with USB speakers, USB headset, and internal sound card all working). Last edited by Mark; 27-01-2009 at 00:42.

27-01-2009, 01:04	#34
Garp Preparing more tumbleweed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 6,038	That said, I'm half tempted to buy a prebuilt system this time around. Shipping costs for components to Hawaii can be daft, depends on how places ship things. __________________ Mal: Define "interesting"? Wash: "Oh, God, oh, God, we're all gonna die"?

27-01-2009, 03:26	#35
NokkonWud BD Recruitment Officer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Smogville Posts: 3,880	On the topic of Mac's being brilliant for images etc... I find it completely the opposite. I find apple applications to be over elaborate and long-winded... a lot like iTunes. I would take the way Vista sorts images out over OSX, but each to their own. I also really didn't like the lack of a RMB on the Mac mouse. __________________

27-01-2009, 03:44	#36
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	But you can use command + click ! /runs __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

27-01-2009, 06:33	#38
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	I agree with the rest of the guys. A PC is relatively simple to build. Pretty much everything will only fit where it's supposed to go. If you follow the advice in the motherboard instruction manual, you won't go far wrong. One piece of advice would be to fit as many things to the motherboard as you can before screwing it into the case (especially the 4 pin power connector, which tends to be in an inaccessible spot next to the CPU, and the front panel connectors) as things get a bit fiddly once it's in place. I always fit the CPU/heatsink, RAM, 4 pin power connector, front panel connectors and any fan connectors before screwing it in. If you decide to build your own, there are plenty of us here who have built many PCs in the past who would be more than happy to give advice if you need it I've toyed with the idea of buying pre-built systems in the past but I always end up building my own for the reasons divine stated above - most pre-built machines will have a cheap, barely powerful enough PSU, cheap motherboard (quite often with a proprietry BIOS which doesn't allow overclocking) and usually cheap RAM. With a self-build, I know the quality of the components going into it and I can tweak it however I want, rather than be limited to what the system builder allows me. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

27-01-2009, 09:54	#39
Aboobie Vodka Martini Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Beverley Posts: 749	If you do build your own I'd also consider just sticking a free copy of Windows 7 Beta 1 on for now. It will last until August 1st and you can evaluate your options then. Save a few squids and I've found it problem free and faster than Vista this last few weeks. __________________