I'm back from Dell Hell and I need a computer

[MattRiddle]

I got the case today and should get everything else tomorrow.

I've been researching what I need to do online and have come across some really good resources.

The case is really nice, and has usb slots in the front! I had to run a usb extender around the front of my old computer.

The extra power supply was a good choice, wasn't it? Thankfully newegg.com allows for refunds if I find it's not needed.

 

[WerdNerf]

How'd it all turn out? I'm about to do my first build for my girlfriend and I could use the input of your experience. I've been thinking on and off for about 10 years about doing a build, but for my last desktop I went for a new system, and for my recent upgrade I went with a notebook. So, now I get to experiment with her upgrade.

I'm really most curious about the BIOSTAR TForce TF570SLI Motherboard. Have you been pleased? I've been considering it because Biostar has a great rebate going on it right now, but I think layout issues and the general negativity towards the company are scaring me away. Also, I've had to do a tiny bit of convincing to get her to let me set up an upgrade for her, and I don't want to make things difficult by taking chances. A bad board and a difficult install could complicate things...so to speak. With that in mind I'm actually leaning towards paying $20 more for the Gigabyte version of the 570: GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4. It seems to have a little better layout, and GB tends to have a better rep.

But if your experience has been good, maybe I'll shift back. The Gutt says Biostar, but the head says Gigabyte, and to paraphrase High Fidelity sometimes my Gutt's are "Full of $h1t"

PM'd as well

 

[MattRiddle]

Hi!

It was a success, but there are things I still want to upgrade now that I have some more cash.

The biggest problem I have right now is overheating. I'm not overclocking anything, but the computer gets massively hot (still) when I play certain online games and I have to take off the side and blow air in for it to not turn off my computer.

I think my problem is two fold.

I have no fan on the front blowing in air. I didn't realize I needed one until recently.

My application of thermal gel was faulty. I believe what I did was put down a small glob, and use a plastic bag with my finger inside to spread it out all over the processor (someone suggested I do it that way in one thread on some forum). The more I read online, the better way of doing it is to just put a half a pea size glob in the middle and the contact of the heatsinc to the processor will do all the work (spread it out for me). Can anyone back this up as a good way of doing it?

I finally have some money again, so I am looking to upgrade the following items.

Case
Memory
Video Card
Heatsinc

This is the case I like so far:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
It has a lot more fans, and a big fan on top that can suck the heat off the processor.

I like this heatsinc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186019
It has two fans back to back, which means no fan sticking out the case. I feel 2 fans could better circulate the hot air away from the processor.

I like these memory pieces:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
My computer only has 2GB of ram, and I definitely feel a need to upgrade to 4GB. I don't want 4 sticks of 1GB each, because that leaves no slots to addon to in the future, so I will add on 2 sticks of 2GB each, and then replace the 1GBs later with more. Can someone check and see if I can equip all 4 pieces, or are they not the same type, or whatever problem?

I like this video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
I am surprised at what I cannot play now. I just got done with a trial of Left4Dead (FPS) and on normal settings, it was so laggy I couldn't even play it. I had to turn all the settings to low before I could play it without any lag. I don't like that. I don't want to play games on MAX settings, but normal settings need to be possible. Other games like Warhammer Online, I can't show all effects on everyone, because the game lags too much. I have to set it to just effects on me showing for it to run fine.

So, these 4 items would be upgraded/replaced.

Any thoughts on these items? Suggestions for better items?

Any help is SUPER APPRECIATED!

How'd it all turn out?

 

[B-Unit]

Yes, letting the downpressure from the HSF do the spreading is the best way to apply.

EDIT: Just looked over your component selections, all look good except the GPU. Im assuming you got the 8800GT now? The 9800GTX is a rebranded 8800GTS, which is only marginally faster than your 8800GT. If your looking for an upgrade, you really have to look at at least a GTX260 or 4870.

EXTRA EDIT: Just saw you got the 256MB version of 8800. Major suckage man, the 8800GT is still a reasonable card when armed with 512MB. The card you linked would be better, but I would still try and get something bigger.

 

[MattRiddle]

Thanks for the reply!

Any suggestions on video cards? I just went to newegg and sorted by what was the highest rated cards.

 

[MattRiddle]

I decided not to get the video card. I decided to get 1 stick of 1GB ram to go along with my other 2GB. I am still going to get that case and I chose another fan after finding many more than would fit my AM2 processor slot.

 

[MattRiddle]

Okay, so I finally got my new stuff in and transferred all the hardware from my old case to my new case.

I think I did much better this time than when I first made a computer.

When installing the new heatsinc (it was HUGE), I put about a pea/half a pea right in the middle and just set the heatsinc on top of it. The heatsinc was very easy to hook onto the motherboard, much easier than my old one, and even though it is huge, it doesn't seem to budge at all.

I did make one mistake when installing stuff. The front compartments where hard drives go slides out through the front, and I slid one out to put the HD on and slid it back in, and pushed it too hard and one of the cords that control the speed of the fan attached to that compartment was cut in half. So, I didn't hook that fan up to power in fear that a live wire could lead to problems. I will probably contact an electrician or the manufacturer and see if I can get it fixed.

I think the hardest part was finding the right way to coordinate the wires. I had wires coming from the top of the case and needing power from the power supply installed at the bottom of the case. I think I did it good, though. I am still learning which ties are better. I like the white ones better than the black ones with holes and notches in it.

I haven't tested my new configuration out in video games yet. I am still worried that my processor will overheat again. I don't think I made any mistakes in the installation of it, and with so many fans, the air supply should be top notch.

I'll test it out sometime and get back.