A good choice??

[Muaz]

Hi, This post of mine is very knowledgable and may enhance the information of the viewers , however I would like some specific information for myself. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

[stevo1210]

Re: A good choice??

Hello Everyone,

I know it's been a while since this thread was last active.... but I have now finally finished the two projects. The gaming PC and the Linux PC.

The gaming PC is 95% complete.... and this is what it has....

* Asus P5K-E WIFI edition motherboard
* Intel Pentium D 920 series CPU (2.8Ghz, 4MB cache, 800MHz FSB)
* 2Gb DDRII 667MHz RAM
* ATi X300 128Mb graphics (soon to be upgraded because this is my old, temporary card)
* Seagate 200Gb SATA HDD (soon to be upgraded as well as this is also old)
* Thermaltake XP550 NP 430W dual fan PSU
* Thermaltake Mambo series ATX case.
* Pioneer DVD+/-RW optical drive.
* Windows Vista Ultimate

If anyone is wondering why my CPU is only a Pentium D.... it's because that was my christmas gift. I'm happy with it because it's fast enough for everything I need to do.

Now to the Linux PC.... I've got everything but it needs to be put together....

* AMD Athlon 64 3400+ socket 754 CPU
* Asus K8N (needs a cap replaced)
* 1Gb DDR400 RAM
* Sony DVD+/-RW optical drive.
* Nvidia MX4000 128Mb graphics card.
* Netcomm wireless card.
* 350W Dell/Delta PSU.
* 2x Samsung 8.4GB ATA HDD
* Raidmax ATX gaming case.
* Linux Fedora Core 5

Anyway.... just giving an update to anyone who is curious about my project that I was supposed to have finished over 6 months ago.

Thanks.

[zandrax]

Re: A good choice??

If anyone is wondering why my CPU is only a Pentium D.... it's because that was my christmas gift. I'm happy with it because it's fast enough for everything I need to do.

It should work fine if you put at least a mid-high level graphic card (such as Geforce 7800, 7900, 8800 families or Ati X1800, X1900, HD2900 and HD3670 series): you may get a 2 years ago top gpu for a today middle level card price and they can still play games at medium to high settings.
Care a lot your psu and airflow: Pentium Ds have a low performance-for-watt ratio and, though somewhat competitive, they draw a lot of current and heat the same. An high performance gpu is another "wattage alcoholic", so get a beef psu: in fact I fear your psu is the weak ring (Xbitlabs' review wasn't much impressive).

* Asus K8N (needs a cap replaced)
* Nvidia MX4000 128Mb graphics card.

Repair your Asus mobo and install nVidia proprietary drivers: your MX400 isn't a performance monster, but works nicely for 2d and low 3d jobs.

Zandrax

[stevo1210]

Re: A good choice??

Care a lot your psu and airflow: Pentium Ds have a low performance-for-watt ratio and, though somewhat competitive, they draw a lot of current and heat the same. An high performance gpu is another "wattage alcoholic", so get a beef psu: in fact I fear your psu is the weak ring (Xbitlabs' review wasn't much impressive).

Regarding the airflow, I have fans installed in every fan mounting port.
About the Thermaltake PSU.... I got the XP550 NP 430W recently.... it was very expensive so a new beefier PSU is out of my reach for now. I also have a Dell 350W 24 pin PSU... but my father needs it for his own PC, so I only have the Thermaltake one for use.

Thanks.

[zandrax]

Re: A good choice??

Regarding the airflow, I have fans installed in every fan mounting port.

Speaking about airflow, you (me too) may get some hint by reading the Big heatsinks thread.

About the Thermaltake PSU.... I got the XP550 NP 430W recently.... it was very expensive so a new beefier PSU is out of my reach for now. I also have a Dell 350W 24 pin PSU... but my father needs it for his own PC, so I only have the Thermaltake one for use.

Well, use it: you have no choice.

Zandrax

[stevo1210]

Re: A good choice??

Speaking about airflow, you (me too) may get some hint by reading the Big heatsinks thread.

Well, regading big heatsinks, I bought an aftermarket CPU cooler for my system. My new cooler is the Cooler master Vortex 752 series. The Vortex 752 has a huge copper block heatsink and also comes with a 120mm CPU fan which runs whisper quiet.