Building a CPC (Companion PC)

[Bokranator]

Hi, i need some advice...

im looking to build a pc that will survive a gud 5 if not 10 yrs and still be a force to be reckoned with. it doesnt HAVE to be the most uber thing (however if thats what is needed for this task so be it) but i have 2 designs laid out...

MATX DESIGN

Thermaltake Hardcano 13

Inno3D GeForce 8800 GT iChill Edition (if it fits loool)

Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R iG33 Express
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, S775, 3.0 GHz
Samsung SH-S203P/RSMN Lightscribe SATA
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32Bit
520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU, ATX, EPS12V
Thermaltake Lanbox VF6000BWS Lite Black Gaming Cube
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
750 GB Seagate ST3750330AS Barracuda 7200.11, 7200 rpm, 32MB Cache


OR

ATX DESIGN (NEEDS A MOBO HELP REQUIRED)

Thermaltake Hardcano 13

Inno3D GeForce 8800 GT iChill Edition

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, S775, 3.0 GHz
Samsung SH-S203P/RSMN Lightscribe SATA
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32Bit
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream VA3000BWA Black
520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU, ATX, EPS12V
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
750 GB Seagate ST3750330AS Barracuda 7200.11, 7200 rpm, 32MB Cache


As you can see the 2 r similar but come in different sizes but primary uses are mediocre gaming, watching hd content, music, uni essays ...

the idea is it being a stable build with few bottlenecks and if pushed will do well...


so erm help? lol

[screwballl]

First thing, there is no such thing as a computer that will maintain its "high end" status for more than 6 months. If you look 5 years back, we are looking at the Socket 478 from Intel with its Pentium 4 series, the high end was around a 2.4GHz or AMD with its Socket A and introduction of Socket 754. these topped out with the AthlonXP 3200+ and just releasing some of the Socket 754's with the same ratings.

Granted, I myself have a SocketA 3000+ still running strong nowadays but it is nowhere near to the task of handling most programs released in the past year or so. It is barely able to play counter-strike: source at a decent framerate.

My personal thought is pretty much retire it to an internet only machine after 3 years.

[Zambini]

What I would suggest is planning on spending a bit of money every X months, such as a video card upgrade every year, mobo/cpu upgrade after 2 years, etc.


That is, unless of course you will be releasing it out of your hands and into a non-builder's hands, in which case I can't much that screwball hasn't said already...


I like the way you're headed with the ram and the video card though. Although to be honest, I'd rather get an eVGA because of the warranty. It'll allow you to possibly OC that card in case a really really high tech game comes out

[simple_inhibition]

if your planning on doing any overclocking, i would recommend DDR2 1066 as the E8400 hits high FSB with relative ease. could get away with it, but i just like having the assurance that my ram wont be the limiting factor in my overclock.

[Bokranator]

thing is i want to have the choice to oc should a new game or what not require it, and as i go along i will upgrade as i go but i mean i wanna start running so to speak.

i need some help with picking a mobo for the atx as i think i may be heading that way an i might change the ram

[Bokranator]

btw the card comes with 3 years warranty and i would like an x38 board as they do support the 1600 cpu heights ... well the Maximus Extreme does from what ive read.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Bokranator

thing is i want to have the choice to oc should a new game or what not require it, and as i go along i will upgrade as i go but i mean i wanna start running so to speak.

i need some help with picking a mobo for the atx as i think i may be heading that way an i might change the ram

No game requires you to OC.

3 years is far from lifetime, too. eVGA service has been known to be excellent.

[Hitman]

The expected life cycle of any PC is about 5 years, after that hardware has a higher failure rate, and can no longer run some newer software. The computer isn't totally worthless anymore, just no expect it to be a great performer that it once was.

[Bokranator]

hmm then there is no need for the x38? and is their a marked improvement/difference between using the g33 and x38 chipsets when using them for normal computing/ media processing i.e. encoding mp3s?

[screwballl]

If you want to use the x38, that is still suggested, it is still a great board, just do not expect to get several years out of an overclock and still expect the system to be running strong after a few years. I apologize of that did not come out right before.
When comparing the G33 and X38 directly, there will be a decent amount of increased performance using the X38 but also for future upgrading, the X38 will likely be able to take newer hardware for at least a year or two until Intel gets rid of the LGA775 socket.
One option you may want to look into is the X48 chipset based boards as they are DDR3 based which should hold over for at least 3-5 years until DDR4 (or some other major memory type) is released. The down side to that is that the DDR3 memory itself is at a price premium now. Granted the X48 is just a slightly modified X38 but there are specific differences. The X38 can handle DDR2 and some lower DDR3 speeds whereas the X48 is still fairly new but is primarily DDR3 only and can handle higher speed DDR3 plus the option for BIOS upgrades to use faster memory and newer processors. If you are looking towards the future, DDR3 is definitely the way to go. If you are looking to save $50-150 right now then the X38 with DDR2 is the way to go.

It all depends on what it will be used for and what you are looking for going into the future.