*Guide to Choosing Parts*

[jbakerlent]

Intel P43
Much the same as the P45. These boards will have slightly less OC ability, no crossfire, no DDR3. If you will not overclock and just want a budget LGA 775 board, this is the line to look at.

Small note, but some P43 boards do support DDR3.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131395

 

[Proximon]

Well there you go, I trusted some reviewer instead of going to the source... wish I could remember which, was probably here or Anandtech.

Looks like the only real difference these days is the extra PCI-E lanes and virtualization support, and some vague reduction in overclocking ability due to reduced tweaking tools.

I just finished reviewing quite a bit of material on it, so I'll update in a day or two as I can. Thanks for the catch.

 

[Proximon]

Revised and shortened and links added, also a complete reset was done by deleting most of the post and saving it.

Hopefully this will be easier to edit now.

 

[tecmo34]

Proximon,

You have my "Recommended Builds by Usage" listed twice (Under Other General Guides and right above your Assembly section).

Also, check out this assembly guide created by DRIVERHEAVEN. It looks to be pretty current and informative.

 

[jbakerlent]

Under the AMD CPU Chipsets, maybe make it more clear that, in addition to the 790GX, the 780G and 785G boards have onboard graphics as well. Also, thanks for adding a link to my guide

 

[Proximon]

Thanks, fixes made and links changed. I'm thinking of starting a new comprehensive tiered PSU list, from scratch. 5 tiers, then an "unknown" list and finally a "probably trash" list... the last being the only place where I would mention entire brands rather than specific models.

If I started such a thread it would be a big commitment though... lot's of support would be needed *wink-wink*.

 

[jbakerlent]

Sounds like a good idea, here's a link Shadow703793 pointed out to me that you could check out for starters:
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=589708

Seems to be along the same lines as what you're considering, but not as comprehensive.

 

[marraco]

Thanks, fixes made and links changed. I'm thinking of starting a new comprehensive tiered PSU list, from scratch. 5 tiers, then an "unknown" list and finally a "probably trash" list... the last being the only place where I would mention entire brands rather than specific models.

If I started such a thread it would be a big commitment though... lot's of support would be needed *wink-wink*.

I found on some places, how to connect 2 cheap PSU to emulate one more powerfull, but was not brave enough to risk my system on it.

Basically, all you need to do is to join the green and all black cables on the power supply connector.

I would love to see tomshardware experiments (covering reliability and longevity of the hacked PSUs), but still did not achieved to convince some tomshardware/Anandtech dude 🙁

 

[Proximon]

Two bad PSUs do not make a good one.

 

[atomicdumpling]

I found on some places, how to connect 2 cheap PSU to emulate one more powerfull, but was not brave enough to risk my system on it.

Basically, all you need to do is to join the green and all black cables on the power supply connector.

Oh heck no he didn't just say that... Or did he?

 

[rockyjohn]

I just noticed that your video card section links to the THG September Guide. While you did mention that it is updated every month, and if you are not going to update the link, you might want to provide a more specific suggestion for readers to go look for the update and maybe a link to the Graphics a page that normally includes a link to the latest article. Or maybe I am just nit picking here to much.

 

[Proximon]

There was no October article, so yes, I am 3 days late updating it 😉 Thanks for the catch.

 

[zakk21]

pls kindly take a look at my computer build..

processor: i7 920

mobo: asus rampage 2 gene

vcard: evga gtx 260

ram: OCZ Gold 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel - 7342

powersupply: ocz stealth x stream 600w

chassis:thermaltake element g

hdd: seagate 500 gb sata

cd player: any dvd-r

monitor: 19'' samsung widescreen

cpu temp monitoring: thermaltake hardcano 6 7 II temp monitoring

avr: any 1000w


can someone pls tell me if all these parts are compatible with each other, especially with my psu.. pls reply! thanks a lot

 

[Proximon]

Please start your own thread, following the guidelines in the other sticky:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[Proximon]

minor update

 

[BlueCat57]

From: 10-20-2008

nVidia boards
(750i, 780i, 790i, 980a, etc.)
I do not recommend any nVidia chipset boards at this time. Not for Intel or AMD builds.

Proximon: Since this comment was written in 2008, has your opinion changed? And why?

Please forgive me for not reading through the entire thread before posting this question. I tried to skim through and find updated information but there was just too much "noise" for skimming to work. Appreciate all the effort the regulars put in on Tom's. Thanks.

 

[Proximon]

All of my encounters with nVidia chipset boards continue to be negative. I don't think there have been many revisions or updates since that was originally written either.

AMD and Intel chipsets continue to be superior to any others, and since Intel at least has SLI compatibility now, there is even less reason to use nVidia chipsets.

 

[akula2]

I am very much disappointed by reading this on this thread => http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/267801-28-buyer-guide

"The LGA1156 platform is suspended from recommendation due to reports of faulty sockets not providing enough contacts, and frying CPUs under heavy load. The faulty sockets are manufactured by Foxconn, but they are used in almost all p55 motherboards. At the moment, most failures have been on highly overclocked systems, but until the extent of the problem is known, this CPU (and socket) will be off the recommended list."

Kindly suggest should I wait till January 2010 or not, it's matter of $1400 plus planned investment 🙁


Thank you very much,

~Akula2

 

[Proximon]

Well, as you noticed I have a similar note. The issue was identified and remedied by Foxconn, all unofficially of course. The question is, have all the old sockets moved through the system yet or will there still be a possibility of getting one?

The safest bet, especially with 1400 bucks, is to use LGA 1366.

 

[akula2]

The issue was identified and remedied by Foxconn, all unofficially of course. The question is, have all the old sockets moved through the system yet or will there still be a possibility of getting one?

Could you please share that unofficial remedy for the sake of confused buyers like me 🙁

The safest bet, especially with 1400 bucks, is to use LGA 1366.

I considered LGA 1366 option but that's going to blow my budget targets...actually I've planned to build a new custom PC sample machine (gaming/workstation usage) based on i5-750 processor. The reasons are:

a) Review the new PC and subject to few tests and evaluate them (1 week)
b) Based on the performance results, am planning to build 20 PCs by Jan 2010 end (am not a re-seller at all)
c) I don't live in the US, need to import all these components from a portal like Newegg or Tigerdirect etc (whoever willing to ship to my country with reasonable rates). It's going to be messy if something goes wrong...because we people don't have the kind of advantage like you guys (easy ordering, cheap shipping etc).

Now my entire plans are in doldrums 🙁 Someone on this board recommended me in another thread:

i) To use a EVGA MOBO: am not confident at all on spending $30,000 plus based on a new MOBO which i never tried 🙁
ii) On extremehardware forum or somewhere: Members were discussing that new Gigabyte A series has LOTES sockets? I don't know whether it's true or not...

Please suggest me what to do...should I wait till Jan 2010 or should I take risk and go for Gigabyte new A series etc?

Thank you,

~akula2

 

[tecmo34]

akula2,

Please start a specific thread on this subject instead of posting the same questions in three stickies. You will get better feedback by doing so and have all info. in one thread.

Thanks,

Doug (Tecmo34)

 

[marraco]

Two bad PSUs do not make a good one.

I accept your post just as an opinion.

But I want to see real world tests.

Came on, they ruined an Phenom just to see if it worked on an older socket, and burned many mothers and processors doing overclocking articles.

A dual PSU article would be amazing, even if it ends in "but we burned the mother at the end" .

Oh heck no he didn't just say that... Or did he?

Yes. just google it.

 

[shovenose]

i love intel, and i think they're much better than AMD but im looking at bulding myself a new pc. i would use only the cheapest components, and this is one of the things i chose:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=A-K8MC51G-3200-K1&cpc=RECOM
i know its AMD but they're like half the price! and i dont plsn to overclock!

 

[srones]

Awesome thread for a first time (officially) builder. Thanks for your work.

SR

 

[eeliza]

Great post.......