Need help with new system

[billyergs]

Thanks in advance.

I am looking for a new system primarily for Graphic Design and gaming purposes. I ahev looked into many high-end manufacturers such as voodoo and falcon northwest and have come to the conlusion that i'm lost.

My current computer was bult by a friend and suffers from constant overheating, therefore voodoo's Rage 2 interested me due to it's liquid cooling.

Apps that i would run frequently are basic 2d graphic design programs along with some maya, soft image, 3d studio max and possibly video editing. Games I currently play include Doom 3, FFXI and City of Heroes.

So basically what I want is a fast reliable system for around $3,000 or under with atleast a gig of memory and that doesnt overheat.

Any recomendations or should I pursue a voodoo?

Thanks Again!

[JiminElkGrove]

I bought from these guys 2 years ago and I recommend them highly. The Mach64 FX series computer would fill all of your needs. Here: http://www.boldata.com/html/prod.cfm...ist_id/369.htm
By going to the previous class of nVidia graphics cards or an ATI, you could get the PC for even less and they will still perform well for you. If you prefer an nVidia chipset, BOLData will build you a machine with that type of motherboard as well. Start at the BOLData home page to view all of the options.
Another better known custom PC builder is Velocity Micro. Start here:
http://www.velocitymicro.com/?source=webaward
Similar prices and many, mostly positive reviews on the Reseller Ratings board. Either of these will build a good quality machine for you at a lesser price than Falcon Northwest or Voodoo. You can use the extra money for new software. Jim

[sevenal]

build it yourself with your friends help for under $1800 for high end and $900 for good enough and not heat problems.
If you have a good monitor already.
Intel cpu's are less prone to overheating.
Case and powwer supply $100
cpu 2.8 P4 Hyper threading 800 FSB (front side bus) $180
Dual mode 400 MHz DDR Ram $550 for 1 gig
Intel mainboard $125 or less
extra case fans 2 at $20 ea
Audio card creative audigy $90
5 to 1 logitec speaker4s $50
good keyboard and mouse $60
the biggie is a great video card $400
XP Home $100
$1730
even if you have to pay a "GOOD" local builder $270 to build it

2grand tops for a rocket
if ya need help we can put you on the best places to buy the hardwareand the best brands and stuff

But NEWEGG.COM
could probably shipp


all this to you for $1850

good luck and if you build or buy
enjoy yur new box

[billyergs]

Thank you for the help.

I have a few more questions.

This overheating problem is really annoying me so much.
I would love to have a system that can be stable under stress.
Is liquid cooling that much better than air?

I also would like 2 gigs of RAM..Would corsair be the best choice for RAM? What other companies are reliable?

Should i consider a RAID set-up for hard drives?

Thanks again,
Billy

[bombledmonk]

Most people here will tell you that building yourself is the way to go.
Yes liquid cooling is better than air, but it is not worth it in a normal system that isn't going to be heavily overclocked. What exactly is overheating in your system? Video card? CPU? Is the case too hot?

Most of that can easily be remedied by a new heatsink or an extra case fan. Post your current specs including number of fans and anything else in your case.

As for a new computer....


ABIT "AV8" K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-181&depa=1

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor 939 Pin - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...103-463&DEPA=1

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series,(Twin Pack) 184 Pin 2GB(1GB x 2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-486&depa=1

(2x) Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...144-160&DEPA=0

Thermaltake XaserV WinGo V8000+ Silver Gaming Tower, Model "V8000+" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...133-135&DEPA=0

Thermalright Copper Heatsink for both Intel and AMD, Model "SLK948U" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...109-114&depa=0

Gainward nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card, 256MB DDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/Dual DVI, 8X AGP, Model "Ultra/2400 TV/DVI/DVI 256MB" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...128-195&depa=0

Antec 550W Power Supply, Model "TRUE550" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-910&depa=0

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...102-163&DEPA=0


Of course there are a couple other things you need like fans, cables, OS, speakers, etc., but that would be a great start on a kickass system that would be quite a bit cheaper and better than the prebuilts you were looking at. Building is a great experience and you get exactly what you want. You could even add your own watercooling in the mix if you felt comfortable. That SLK-948U is the best air cooler out there and it would be more than enough for even the most stressed computers.

[billyergs]

hey thanks.

In regards to what is overheating, I'm not too sure.
But it regularly completely shuts down and either gives the message "CPU temprature too high" or "System failed due to CPU overclocking" when i turn on again. I or my friend haven't overclocked anything which makes me even more confused.

these are the specs as far as my general computer knowledge
can list:

AMD Athlon XP 2800
ASUS NVIDIA TI4200 8X Video Card
1 gig ram (not sure what brand)
Motherboard: ASUS A7V333
Using stock CPU fan
Case: not sure what brand, it has acrylic window w/ one fan and that seems to be about it except for a power supply fan, and video card fan.

Thanks once again for your help.

Also, do you recommed any AMD 64 above 3500?

Billy

[bombledmonk]

That is still a fairly capable computer. Better than mine at least.
Do you know what your temps are? You can use monitoring software to find out or check your BIOS.
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Up to 60C is safe but the system probably won't run reliably at that temp. A good goal for the stock fan is 50C temps under load -low 40s when idle.
You can also probably set the auto-shutdown temp to a higher temperature if the temps are safe in the first place.

One thing you could try is reseating your Heatsink. Get some of this thermal paste http://svc.com/arsi5hiplsit.html and follow the directions on their site. In reality that should take care of your overheating of the CPU. If it doesn't then there is probably a faulty sensor on the mobo.

If there are more places for exhaust and intake fans I would think about getting fans to fill those up.

As for the recommendations, I personally would never buy the top of the line processors like the 3800+ or FX53, but If you want to spend that kind of cash it is the best. What I would recommend is getting a good Heatsink like this one http://svc.com/thermalright-slk-948u.html and use it with the 3500+. It is very easy to overclock that to 3800+ speeds if needed and you would have no problems with that Heatsink. Or if you want a nearly silent system you can use the nice little feature of AMD 64 CPUs called Cool n Quiet (or something like that) which automatically lowers the CPU's speed when you don't need a powerful machine allowing the CPU's fans to run slower or quit spinning all together.(safely and automatically of course)

[sevenal]

how many case fans do you have in that pc?

[maxiderm]

i say your computer is fine the way it is. a new video card of course, but if you get say a eVGA 6800 which under $300 then you will run Doom 3 and all the other 3d appz just fine. 3D appz are mostly video card anyway.

[billyergs]

Originally posted by sevenal
how many case fans do you have in that pc?

i can confirm now.. stock cpu fan, stock videocard fan. one power supply fan and 1 case fan on the window. i know, pretty bad...