Geeking Out

I will be completing my new pc build this week:

Here's what I got;

MSI AMD AM2 Mobo nVidia 560 chipset
AMD AM2 64X2 2.5Ghz 65w processor
MSI 512mb nVidia chipset gForce 8500 video card
G-Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) Ram
Segate 160GB SATA II hdd
Segate 320GB IDE hdd
Lite-On DVD Burner w/Lightscribe SATA
EMU-1820 soundcard and dock

Op Sys: Windows XP Pro
Software: Winamp & OtsDJ Boombox

Trial Software: Virtual DJ

Nice, if I may ask why AMD? Is there a specific reason? Sometimes system builders will pick a chip for a specific reason.

Personally two out of the three laptops I own use an AMD chip. I love my AMD run systems.

Groovielou

Well here is a new system I am building at present that I thought I can use

Processor:
Intel Pentium Core Duo E4500

Motherboard:
Intel All in One MB, ATA133, SATA2, DDR2*2, PCIE-16x*1, PCI*2, 1000Mbps LAN, USB 2.0*6, PS/2*2, Serial*1.

Video Card: (on board)
256MB 3D Video Display (Shared Memory, Integrated)

Sound: (on board)
3D sound integrated AC'97

Memory:
1GB DDR2 PC5300(667MHz)

Case:
ATX Midi Tower 350w PSU

Hard Drive: (Extra cost)
OS: HDD 80Gb 7200rpm 8Mb SATA Seagate/WD
Storage: HDD 320Gb 7200rpm IDE 16M Seagate/WD

just for me (I get specials a lot) cost: $350.00
the system without the HDD is a barebone system so its great so cheap
if I dont need to use it for Audio or Graphics then this is ok

Nice, if I may ask why AMD? Is there a specific reason? Sometimes system builders will pick a chip for a specific reason.

Personally two out of the three laptops I own use an AMD chip. I love my AMD run systems.

Groovielou

For me I've always had good luck with AMD... they are very stable and run cool even under a heavy loads and overclocked.... they are also usually less expensive then the Intel equivalant. Price isn't really why though if Intel ran as stable and cool as the AMD I'd go that way.

One reason I always build my own is because I don't have to deal with all the integrated poop they put into the mobo's.

My system does have an integrated sound card (complete doo doo) and an integrated nic card and the other usual suspects. No video integration. The problem usually with integrated video is it usually shares the memory with the installed ram... this is not an ideal situation for video production.... causes stutters and system slow downs duriing highly graphical programs, games and video. Not a big deal if you are just surfin' the web or doing word processing activities.

Another good reason to build your own is you get a level of customization that allows you to add pieces that suit your needs better....

Sure the video card I got is overkill for my current use (Winamp AVS and AVI display) but I'm looking to the future with this system in that I may start doing video and maybe HD video on down the road.

Even if I hadn't gone with such a mondo video card with a custom system I can later yank that card and put the latest and greatest in later... can't do that with an integrated mobo... sure you can add one but then you still have the old one in possible causeing conflicts.

I got my new Acer a couple weeks ago -- almost forgot I had it -- haven't even pllugged it in yet :sqerr:

Got a modular power supply for it, and a dual head 512 MB video card -- they're still in the boxes too...


Sounds like a good project for today... :sqbiggrin:

All Vista from now on -- have to use what my customers do, for development work.

I got my new Acer a couple weeks ago -- almost forgot I had it -- haven't even pllugged it in yet :sqerr:

Got a modular power supply for it, and a dual head 512 MB video card -- they're still in the boxes too...


Sounds like a good project for today... :sqbiggrin:

All Vista from now on -- have to use what my customers do, for development work.

I can understand that... even though I personally think Vista is poo poo and has been forced on the general pc buying public just like millenium was... full of flaws and problems.... just because it's the latest and not-so greatest....

For me I'll remain XP until it is completely unsupported by both windows and the software I use.

I was reading recently, I think it was on ZDNET that adoption rate of Vista is only at about 10% for business.

SP1 release will be out in a few weeks :)


I haven't had any major problems with Vista, just annoying little things, but almost all can be turned off.

The adoption rate seems to be about the same as XP was when it first came out -- everybody hated it, and swore they would stick with 2K for eternity :sqwink:

You either go with the latest, or get left in the dust... :sqbiggrin:

So, I got the new Acer up and running with Vista Home Premium. I have Enterprise Unlimited, but figured I'd give the home version a shot for S&G.

Took about 40 minutes to get up to speed (it was installed at the factory, but not configured). Required virtually no effort on my part, it did everything itself, rebooted a couple times, etc.

No internet connection at all for this machine.

Thing is honkin' fast!

Boots up much faster than XP, and runs great on an AMD 64 X2 4400, with 2 gig of RAM. I haven't put in the new power supply or video card yet.

Lot easier to setup than the Enterprise Edition of Vista -- in fact, I didn't have to do anything but type in a user name and password :)

My 'puter guru told me to go AMD cuz they run cooler and are more stable than the Intels.

Mine had a ASUS m/b, which took a dirt nap, and was replaced with a MSI equivalant. So far its been working flawless.

What I'm hoping is since both my Mobo and my video card are MSI using nVidia chipsets that they will work together like peanutbutter and jelly....

I was just looking at my new video card and it's one of those fanless ones... so instead of having a fan it has one big arsed heat sink on it....

Right now I'm just installing this in a basic black case but when I get the time I'm ordering this... http://www.xoxide.com/moneual-lab-m550f25-case.html that 250mm side fan outto keep things cool...

Then I will proudly display this on top of my DJ table...

For those that would care to see what goes into putting a pc together I'll post some step by step pics.... as I get going.

I'm in heaven..... most of my new system parts came in today and the last item the most important one the CPU will be here on the 13th.... I just might shoot some short video's for ya all. So ya can geek out with me.... lol

As promised here are a few short video's of the new system setup...

Overview....

New PC Overview

Pre-install/CPU Installation...

CPU Pre-Install

CPU Guidelines for Installation...

CPU Install Part II

Fan Installed Problems?

Installing Ram

Video Card Installation...

Video Card Install

Finalization of installation..

Complete Installation

I'm in forkin heaven....

I just got my EMU-1820 installed along with Ots DJ Boombox.... got all my effect presets going and the sound would make most audiophile drewl...

mmm nice - done hundreds of these systems in 4x months so nothing new lol

lots to do have a server to setup with a sata raid system to install over the weekend
so have fun all