Craigslist Computer Help

[happy4154]

Hi,
I am thinking of purchasing this computer http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/sys/2623108971.html off craigslist, I was wondering if it would be ok for moderate gaming/video editing?
Is it a good deal?
Thank you!

 

[happy4154]

Or would this be a better deal? http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/sys/2622967565.html

 

[Pyree]

Number 2

 

[4745454b]

For $100 more I agree that option 2 is better.

The CPU is Pentium 4 with Hyperthreading running at 3 GHZ. That means when running applications that support hyperthreading, like Photoshop, or video games, the CPU will act like a Duel Core CPU. It will show two CPUs in the Hardware Monitor, like a true duel core. The trick is the clock cycle. Normally the CPU processes instructions on the tick part of the clock cycle. Hyperthreading allows a second set of instructions to be processed on the tock part of the cycle, imitating two cores.

I'm tempted to say don't buy either because he wrote this stupid statement. That's not even close to how HT works. That's how they "pump" the FSB.

 

[Pyree]

The only tick tock I know from intel is their tick tock model of intel cpu release cycle.

Pump the FSB, can you explain that? I don't know that one.

Edit: Nevermind, googled it and found out tick means rise and tock means fall of the cycle.

 

[4745454b]

Ahhh, the power of google. That's how intel and AMD did double pumping. (Intel jumped straight to quad pumping actually.) That's also how DDR works. Again, its not even close to how hyper threading works.

 

[happy4154]

Hi guys,
I just got the one you recommended for $200, its good but really loud, is there a way to switch cases?
Wanted to change to a gaming case.
Thank you!

 

[4745454b]

What exactly is loud? If you can figure out what is loud you can probably find a way to quiet it.

 

[happy4154]

The huge fan he installed on the side of the computer is loud. He installed it because the computer was running hot.
The computer is still running a little hot I was wondering if it would be worth it to switch over to a gaming case with more air flow?
Is it easy to switch cases?
Thank you!

 

[Pyree]

If you can withstand the noise and if the computer don't overheat to throttle/shut down/BSOD, you don't have to move and change case. So what temperature when you mean a little hot?

IMO, if you paid $200 for this computer, you don't want to pay a huge sum relative to its price on component which will not improve its performance.

 

[4745454b]

I would figure out why the computer is running hot. Perhaps spending $30ish on a Hyper 212+ because it will carry over to a new build is a good idea. If someone else built it then perhaps he just sucked and you simply need new thermal paste.

 

[happy4154]

The Cpu runs around 120-130 Farenheit and the graphics card run around 150-160 farenheit (8800 gts) , without doing any gaming or video editing.
Is it possible to break the computer by switching cases.
Thank you!

 

[4745454b]

Fahrenheit? Sigh.....

So the CPU runs up to 55C, and the GPU can hit 71C. Neither of these are HORRIBLE temps, though the CPU is hotter then I'd want. If your using a stock HSF, its pretty normal.

Wait, without doing any gaming or video editing? What are your load temps?

 

[happy4154]

Hi Guys,
I picked up the Antec 300 (Its a lot quieter) and did a switch over. The Cpu stays around 45-52 C and the graphics card 55-62 C (Without load). Cpu 62-67 C And graphics card 69 C (While only playing for five minutes), while running the two fans the case came with, are these temperatures normal?
There are three more 120 mm fan slots, should I use them? Should i get a new HSF?
Thank you!

 

[4745454b]

Your idle is really high. CPU load is nearly to the max as well. Is the heatsink clean? I'd try to redo the paste, and if that doesn't work get a new heatsink.

 

[happy4154]

Hi Guys,
Temps are a lot better now, idle the cpu stays 45-50 C and under load it stays around 50-55 C and the graphics card idle 55-58 C and under load 55-68 C.
Should i still install extra fans?
Thank you

 

[4745454b]

What did you do now that temps are better? Idle temp is still pretty high, but the load temp is ok.

 

[happy4154]

Nothing, it just got better a couple days after switching the case, not really sure why. What do you recommend doing to lower the Cpus temp?
Thank you!

 

[4745454b]

Do you even read the answer given to you?

Is the heatsink clean? I'd try to redo the paste, and if that doesn't work get a new heatsink.

That's three things I would do, in order.