New Build, please look over

Here is my new pc, please look it over for compatibility, etc. It started on a budget of $600, let me know what you think of the cpu and gfx card choice, and if it will all fit with the case and mboard selected. I have a 630w PS to use so I don't need that. I think that covers everything, and will I lose anything by having to use a DVI adapter for my VGA CRT monitor? I might also try to hook all this up to my HDTV at 1080p or 1080i. Wishlist New Build, please look over
Why on earth are you using an 8800GTS card on a CRT monitor? That's like hooking up a Blu-Ray DVD player to a black %26 white set from the '50s.New Build, please look over
As opposed to LCD screens? I thought lots of people stayed away from LCDs. To me, they cost way more and just look worse. Unless a lot has changed with them lately.
[QUOTE=''SaiTokoKeimei'']As opposed to LCD screens? I thought lots of people stayed away from LCDs. To me, they cost way more and just look worse. Unless a lot has changed with them lately. [/QUOTE]There have been a lot of advances in LCD technology over the past few years, and at this point I'd say a good LCD can equal or even surpass a CRT monitor in most aspects people look for in a good monitor. Three years ago, you'd be pretty much right, and five years ago, definitely. Right now though, I'd say LCD screens definitely have the edge.
[QUOTE=''RayvinAzn''] [QUOTE=''SaiTokoKeimei'']As opposed to LCD screens? I thought lots of people stayed away from LCDs. To me, they cost way more and just look worse. Unless a lot has changed with them lately. [/QUOTE]There have been a lot of advances in LCD technology over the past few years, and at this point I'd say a good LCD can equal or even surpass a CRT monitor in most aspects people look for in a good monitor. Three years ago, you'd be pretty much right, and five years ago, definitely. Right now though, I'd say LCD screens definitely have the edge. [/QUOTE]CRT's can still be good monitors. I'd get lower timing R.A.M. 5-5-5-15 is rather high and maybe spend more for a case but cases are a personal choice; however, I'm a fan of front and back 12mm fans which keeps my rig cool.
[QUOTE=''roulettethedog'']CRT's can still be good monitors. I'd get lower timing R.A.M. 5-5-5-15 is rather high and maybe spend more for a case but cases are a personal choice; however, I'm a fan of front and back 12mm fans which keeps my rig cool.[/QUOTE]Oh, they're excellent for graphics work. Still, a good LCD is definitely preferable for most people.
Anyone else think the same about the ram?Just realizing the max resolution on this monitor is 1280 x 1024 with 60hz refresh, and I can't handle 60Hz it drives me nutty. So how do I go about fitting a new monitor into the budget? Might as well make it LCD..Anyone know of a good.... CHEAP monitor? lol
[QUOTE=''SaiTokoKeimei'']Anyone else think the same about the ram?Just realizing the max resolution on this monitor is 1280 x 1024 with 60hz refresh, and I can't handle 60Hz it drives me nutty. So how do I go about fitting a new monitor into the budget? Might as well make it LCD..Anyone know of a good.... CHEAP monitor? lol[/QUOTE]The 19'' Hanns-G widescreen monitor is only around $160 I believe. Cut that graphics card back to something like the 7900GS/X1950Pro/X1950GT/8600GTS, change the motherboard to the Intel P35 board, cut the processor back to an E4400, and you should be just about there.
The resolution on that isn't much higher than my monitor now. How bad is it using this great computer at 1024 x 768 resolution? Considering if I have to get a monitor with at least 1600 something resolution this rig might not be so great anymoreUsing this computer on my HDTV seems like a good idea of course, but the whole keyboard and mouse thing doesn't work so great
Also of note is that I found I don't own a copy of windows, just restore discs. :roll:
So now I'm not sure what to do to avoid buying a new copy of windows, I guess buying an IDE/SATA adaptor or buying a new dvd drive that's sata would be cheaper, since the mboard only has 1 IDE slot and both my HD and DVD are IDE. My whole thing is falling apart
or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....
[QUOTE=''brainiac24'']or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....[/QUOTE]that's what I'm saying, my current HD is IDE. My DVD drive and HD are BOTH IDE and the new motherboard only has 1 IDE slot.-Anyone know a way around this problem?-And will NOT getting the seagate HD slow my whole system down?-Still waiting to see if I should stick to my 1024 X 768 monitor.When I settle those things I'll be good
[QUOTE=''SaiTokoKeimei''][QUOTE=''brainiac24'']or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....[/QUOTE]that's what I'm saying, my current HD is IDE. My DVD drive and HD are BOTH IDE and the new motherboard only has 1 IDE slot.-Anyone know a way around this problem?-And will NOT getting the seagate HD slow my whole system down?-Still waiting to see if I should stick to my 1024 X 768 monitor.When I settle those things I'll be good[/QUOTE]I'm not sure, but I think that some IDE cables are double-sided, so you can connect 2 items to the one slot on your motherboard. And are you sure your hard drive isnt SATA?
[QUOTE=''SaiTokoKeimei''][QUOTE=''brainiac24'']or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....[/QUOTE]that's what I'm saying, my current HD is IDE. My DVD drive and HD are BOTH IDE and the new motherboard only has 1 IDE slot.-Anyone know a way around this problem?-And will NOT getting the seagate HD slow my whole system down?-Still waiting to see if I should stick to my 1024 X 768 monitor.When I settle those things I'll be good[/QUOTE]



The ATA/IDE interface supports two devices (Master and Slave). Therefore, your system will work, although you would get much better performance from your DVD drive if it was on its own channel.



And I definitely agree that you could use a new monitor, but you need to take some things into consideration:



- Do you do any professional graphics work? If so, forget LCDs. They're great for everything else, but only the highest models ($1000+ range) can produce the image quality or color depth of a CRT.

- If you're going to get an LCD, do not buy anything but widescreen. It's supported by damn near everything these days, and it will only get better from here. A widescreen display will make life on the desktop a lot easier.

- Avoid models that use OverDrive or similar technologies, which is essentially a cheap means of improving latency at the cost of horrendous discoloration.

- Don't be fooled by response time! 12ms or under works perfectly fine for gaming.

- Refresh rate is not the same thing as response time! Refresh rate is the number of times per second the display can draw an entire screen. Response time is how long it takes for a pixel to fully change states, either from white to black, or grey to grey.

- Higher refresh rate is critical. Even if your graphics card is pumping out 100+ frames per second, it won't make any difference if your display can only draw 60 of them.

- Most importantly, read product reviews and take advertised specs with a grain of salt. Many (many, many) products don't actually match their advertised specs. In fact, sometimes, they even exceed them (but don't count on it).
[QUOTE=''brainiac24'']or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....[/QUOTE]i had a thread on doing this before and apparently it won't work, i'ld still have to re-install windows
There is no SATA on my current motherboard, unless my HD has SATA and IDE then no it's not SATA.I just want the monitor for games really, but color is important tooWill connecting my HD and DVD drive as stated above slow my pc down much? even if it slows my DVD drive down like stated before, I really don't use a DVD drive much, just for installing and burning of course.But, will not upgrading the HD to a fast seagate drive slow my rig down? If I can use my current HD effectively then all that's left is to get a monitor so I'm getting close... was still set on buying a fast HD though, and I need input on whether 1440 x (something) resolution is enough to upgrade my monitor to, or if I should stick with my 1024 x 768
[QUOTE=''markop2003''][QUOTE=''brainiac24'']or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....[/QUOTE]i had a thread on doing this before and apparently it won't work, i'ld still have to re-install windows[/QUOTE]Using the HD I have now won't work?
[QUOTE=''JN_Fenrir'']The ATA/IDE interface supports two devices (Master and Slave). Therefore, your *current drives* will work, although you would get much better performance from your DVD drive if it was on its own channel.[/QUOTE]



Sorry, should have been more specific.
[QUOTE=''SaiTokoKeimei''][QUOTE=''markop2003''][QUOTE=''brainiac24'']or you could just use your current hard drive with XP on it already....[/QUOTE]i had a thread on doing this before and apparently it won't work, i'ld still have to re-install windows[/QUOTE]Using the HD I have now won't work?[/QUOTE]have a look at my old thread: http://uk.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=25718051
I read through that post and I still don't see why it won't work. I've reused a hard drive before and it had no problems. You just have to go through and install all the new stuff, the OEM windows that's already on it will be set up for your old computer yes.. but it's not like you can't uninstall the old stuff.