My New Computer - Questions 2. Also, How The Hell Do You Overclock?

[Lord Krunk]

Maybe the Escapist should set up an FAQ/User Advice/Whatnot section for this stuff.

For those who don't know already (see my Computers [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.78053?page=1] thread), I am building a new computer, looking to cost me around $1500 AUS (at the moment, about $1000 US).\

Anyway, here's a list of what I am looking at getting; some might change depending on your own recommendations:

-$175 CASE: ANTEC 900

-$215 MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P5E3

-$280 CPU: PENTIUM Q6600

-$99 RAM: (2 x 1GB) DDR3 G. Skill 1333MHz

-$94 HARD DRIVE: 500GB SATA SEAGATE

-$240 GPU: ASUS 9800 GT 1GB

-$150 PSU: GIGABYTE 720W

Add another 300+ on there for the Logitech G5 and Razor Lycosa Keyboard (two luxuries that I am looking at with great zeal), a new Monitor (advice please!) and a network card (don't know much about these either), and you have about $1500 worth of a new computer.

As a side-on, I would like to ask; how do I overclock my Q6600? I have been recommended this for its overclockability, but apparently it runs hot. So alongside this, what cooling systems should I look at?

More questions on the way; don't hesitate to put up the components of your own computer, much like last time.

 

[darkless]

You dont! ever! you will melt your pc i swear it will catch fire...but if you really wanted to you would need a liquid cooling system to keep the inside of your computer super cold to keep it running at maximum effiency eventually though it will burn out and wham you go over clocking its easier with a computer with an adjustable fan speed

 

[[Gavo]]

Maybe the Escapist should set up an FAQ/User Advice/Whatnot section for this stuff.

For those who don't know already (see my Computers [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.78053?page=1] thread), I am building a new computer, looking to cost me around $1500 AUS (at the moment, about $1000 US).\

Anyway, here's a list of what I am looking at getting; some might change depending on your own recommendations:

*snip*

More questions on the way; don't hesitate to put up the components of your own computer, much like last time.

Well, I would recommend a better GPU, a 1GB 4850 or a 4870, or a 9800GTX+ if you're a Nvidia man.

Also, you might want to consider a sound card, onboard audio kind of...sucks.
$99 for 2 GIGS OF RAM?! You can get a much better deal on Newegg...
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289
This is DDR2, though.
Speaking of, are you buying from Newegg?

 

[darkless]

-specification snip-

If you could add another 2GB of RAM to that and bump the graphics card up to an ATI Radeon HD4850, you'd be looking at a fairly nice system. Have a look at Eggo's spreadsheets as well.

He already got four gigs of ram and thats the max a single CPU can handle anything over that is wasted.

And note if you overclock your warranty is void so if it dies in the process of being over clocked they wont replace it.

 

[darkless]

-specification snip-

If you could add another 2GB of RAM to that and bump the graphics card up to an ATI Radeon HD4850, you'd be looking at a fairly nice system. Have a look at Eggo's spreadsheets as well.

He already got four gigs of ram and thats the max a single CPU can handle anything over that is wasted.

And note if you overclock your warranty is void so if it dies in the process of being over clocked they wont replace it.

Single CPU WinVista and UNIX-like (inc. Linux) 64-bit operating systems have been handling more than 4GB of memory for ages. It's the difference between 32-bit addressing and 64-bit addressing that causes older operating systems to only recognise 4GB of memory as a maximum as opposed to any inherent limitation of a single CPU.

oh it is a 64-bit processor my computer died a few months back and i got a crappy second hand laptop to replace it until i could fix it i'm living in the freaking dark ages of technology here it's rather depressing

 

[Lord Krunk]

Newegg doesn't ship to Australia, and if it didn, I would have to multiply everything by 1.554 to get the amount that I have to pay. The Aussie Dollar isn't doing well at the moment, you see.
I was recommended DDR3 RAM, as I will probably not see myself needing 4GB (I'm going to run XP, you see) and I have been told that the faster the RAM, the better.
I will take a look at different keyboards, it seems that I should look at something instead of the 9800GT, and I will look at a different PSU.

Seeming as you guys are interested, I am getting my prices off MSY, a bunch of computer hardware wholesalers.
You can find their price list here: http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

well actually, I don't know how much use this would be to you, but I have been racking my brains over this little knob on my pc did, and recently found out it is part of this http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=514&l4=0&model=1767&modelmenu=1

EN8600GT OC GEAR. Apparently is useful especially when paired with another graphics card, and is a hardware-based real-time external graphics overclocking device, and apparently has a much lower chance of cremating your pc. Maybe you should check it out.

 

[superbleeder12]

Maybe someone can help me out with something that's been bugging me. Why would you have a video card with more than like 512MB of RAM? I mean, the card shouldn't be storing anything really. It should be firing the output right to the monitor. I'd rather a GPU with a higher clock speed over Lots of video memory.

But maybe I'm wrong.

 

[darkless]

Maybe someone can help me out with something that's been bugging me. Why would you have a video card with more than like 512MB of RAM? I mean, the card shouldn't be storing anything really. It should be firing the output right to the monitor. I'd rather a GPU with a higher clock speed over Lots of video memory.

But maybe I'm wrong.

EDIT: Because my response was actually really stupid

 

[Lord Krunk]

Buy the Logitech G5 by all means, but don't waste the money on the Razer Lycosa. It's a standard rubber dome keyboard with a load of key macros and some key backlighting - it's not worth the cost. It isn't worth buying a rubber dome keyboard that's much more expensive than a standard USB keyboard, in my opinion. If you were going to splash out a lot of money on a keyboard, the only option worth considering is buckling-spring mechanical technology, as in the Unicomp Model M and Das Keyboard designs. The Model M keyboards in particular are a great investment, as they're solid and fairly indestructible.

A good idea, and I like the look of that Das keyboard, but my main issue is comfort.

Will I be able to use this keyboard for long periods of time without getting my palms sore? Just a question.

There is also an issue about availability. Remember; I'm Australian.

 

[Nimbus]

Wouldn't the video card's RAM hold textures, shaders, models, meshes and all that other visual stuff?

 

[Enigmers]

You dont! ever! you will melt your pc i swear it will catch fire...but if you really wanted to you would need a liquid cooling system to keep the inside of your computer super cold to keep it running at maximum effiency eventually though it will burn out and wham you go over clocking its easier with a computer with an adjustable fan speed

You don't need a liquid cooling system to run an overclocked computer; only a brain.
Remember, on your graphics card, you can overclock your fan as well as your graphics card, and you can overclock it ranging from a little bit to a lot - obviously if you don't overclock it by much you won't get amazing results, however the conclusion "overclock = melt your pc" is kind of a wierd assumption to make.

I don't know very much about overclocking CPUs except that, at least the one I have, doesn't heat up much when overclocked, according to tomshardware.

"Thanks to its low power dissipation even when overclocked, buying a new cooling solution is unnecessary."

Source [http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-overclocker,1708-31.html]

I honestly have no idea where you got "it will melt your pc" and "it will catch fire"

 

[darkless]

-Snipped-

I've seen it happen although the guy doing it was a complete and utter fool maybe that was the problem.

 

[Lord Krunk]

RAM which is faster than your CPU FSB has absolutely no effect to computing. I hate that there are people out there who are telling new users this.

You will want 4 GBs of RAM, even if you are using XP. Although, if you are building a new PC, I highly recommend Vista 64. There's no reason for you to hold all that memory back from yourself.

I'll go look at that website in a bit and see if I can come up with more specific recommendations for you.

All right. Although, all the experiences I've had with Vista so far have been somewhat annoying.

And thanks for your help Eggo, it's appreciated.

 

[EvilEngineNumberNine]

You dont! ever! you will melt your pc i swear it will catch fire...but if you really wanted to you would need a liquid cooling system to keep the inside of your computer super cold to keep it running at maximum effiency eventually though it will burn out and wham you go over clocking its easier with a computer with an adjustable fan speed

This is someone who knows nothing about overclocking.
Do not listen to him. He will only give you bad advice based on stories he heard from friends.

If you really want to know how to overclock the Q6600 there are many sites like Anandtech and TechReport that can give you step by step instructions on how to do it.
It's simple, fun, and pretty safe if you play by the rules (don't crank the vdimm or vcore voltages too high, incremental stability testing, keeping an eye on your temps, thigs like that).

And no you don't need any kind of fancy phase change or watercooling setup to O.C. if you aren't going for 4-5 Ghz. You shouldn't need more than a nice $50-70 heatsink like the Thermalright Ultra 90 or Ultra 120 with a good fan and you'll almost make it to 4Ghz with decent temps.

Anyway, sounds like a pretty cheap and capable rig you got there. Remember to do all of your research before attempting to O.C. anything. Better safe than shelling out another 1200 bucks for new hardware because you firied everything by cranking your Vcore to 2.5 volts.

 

[Enigmers]

-Snipped-

I've seen it happen although the guy doing it was a complete and utter fool maybe that was the problem.

Well, yeah, there is a risk of your computer being damaged, however if you remain cautious about it and have a half-decent CPU fan, you should be alright.

 

[Dys]

If you have to ask how to overclock I still wouldn't recomend doing it.
Read through your manuals and warranties before you start tweaking, because once you've broken something you can't unbreak it.
That said it can be done through bios or through windows program, gigabyte has a few that should come with your graphics card. ATi catalyst will also let you do it and nvidia control panel can, but you need to do some tweaking.

 

[Lord Krunk]

-Snipped-

I've seen it happen although the guy doing it was a complete and utter fool maybe that was the problem.

Well, yeah, there is a risk of your computer being damaged, however if you remain cautious about it and have a half-decent CPU fan, you should be alright.

Hence the Antec 900. I might get a 120mm fan to go with it, though, just in case.

 

[Lord Krunk]

You dont! ever! you will melt your pc i swear it will catch fire...but if you really wanted to you would need a liquid cooling system to keep the inside of your computer super cold to keep it running at maximum effiency eventually though it will burn out and wham you go over clocking its easier with a computer with an adjustable fan speed

This is someone who knows nothing about overclocking.
Do not listen to him. He will only give you bad advice based on stories he heard from friends.

If you really want to know how to overclock the Q6600 there are many sites like Anandtech and TechReport that can give you step by step instructions on how to do it.
It's simple, fun, and pretty safe if you play by the rules (don't crank the vdimm or vcore voltages too high, incremental stability testing, keeping an eye on your temps, thigs like that).

And no you don't need any kind of fancy phase change or watercooling setup to O.C. if you aren't going for 4-5 Ghz. You shouldn't need more than a nice $50-70 heatsink like the Thermalright Ultra 90 or Ultra 120 with a good fan and you'll almost make it to 4Ghz with decent temps.

Anyway, sounds like a pretty cheap and capable rig you got there. Remember to do all of your research before attempting to O.C. anything. Better safe than shelling out another 1200 bucks for new hardware because you firied everything by cranking your Vcore to 2.5 volts.

Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU.

I am only really looking at 3.0 Ghz though, so what would be the best thing to do in regards to cooling?

Also; what exactly is a heatsink?

 

[DigitalShinigami]

Hello all, long time reader of these forums but it's your thread that finally encouraged me to post. ^_^

you've got enough advice on hardware already so i won't touch on that except to say that a lot of people have a lot of preferences and you'll often hear "productA is rubbish and unreliable, get productB". I assure you most of these people are fan-boys, the best way to decide what you should and shouldn't get is to read articles on websites like El Reg rather than just rely on the opinions of people on forums (even one as awesome as this).

As for overclocking, well it just so happens that I've been doing my Degree Dissertation on just that. it can seem a little overwhelming at first but once you understand the basics of PC architecture you'd be amazed how simple it is to comprehend (i was at any rate). just grab my xfire username off my profile and I'll gladly talk you through the process and explain it all over IM (if you use xfire that is). Suffice to say that you don't just overclock your processor (not if you know what your doing anyway) but rather you have to strike a balance of several things. And don't be afraid to try it either, so long as you go in tiny increments overclocking is pretty safe.

As for cooling, well theres really little point in liquid cooling unless you want your PC to be both cool and quiet, if it's just cool your worried about then in my experience air cooling works just fine. The Antec 900 is a good case for that, but if your willing to splash out a little more and go for say, the Antec P182 (the 900's big brother, and one monster of a case) then you'll be absolutely jim dandy.

Oh and one last thing, about your monitor, it's just my opinion but rather than getting one big expensive one, get two smaller ones. Most modern graphics cards can support multiple monitors and overall you get more screen real-estate, not to mention it can be seriously handy to have a game on one screen and a browser on the other (<--- see this is that fanboy thing i was talking about *slaps forehead*)