upgrading new computer

[ATARI800XLfan]

What are you using to monitor the temps? Are you looking at the temps in the BIOS or software that came or was made for the motherboard? If you're using third party software to monitor the temps, there's a chance that it's listing the CPU temp as something else, or it could just be flat out wrong.


Like I said, just stay away from fanless video card models. The GPU will have it's own fan, it'll cool itself just fine. And depending on the model, it probably wont add any heat to the case. A lot of the higher end video cards have their own air duct and exhaust heat from the video card directly out of the case. Even when they don't, they should add too much heat to the case, if any at all.

Just wondering, been awhile since I have hooked up a motherboard, where exactly is the CPU power pin connector(4 or ? is it near a square resistor that say R1 on it? if so I think mine is just 4 which means I would only be able to upgrade to another Dual core correct? if so Phenom II X2 I guess.

[Ziggy]

The CPU power connector is by the CPU, it can be located in different spots from mobo to mobo, but it's always near the CPU socket.

http://www.techaddicts.net/reviews/gp550/gp550.10.jpg

That's what the 4-pin plug looks like, and it should only be able to plug into one thing on the mobo, so it shouldn't be hard to locate. The 8-pin is literally the plug in the above pic only doubled.

As far as not being able to use certain CPUs with a mobo that only has the 4-pin plug versus the 8-pin plug, you'd really have to look that up. I'm assuming that the more high-end CPU has greater power requirements, but I'm really just assuming.

[ATARI800XLfan]

The CPU power connector is by the CPU, it can be located in different spots from mobo to mobo, but it's always near the CPU socket.

http://www.techaddicts.net/reviews/gp550/gp550.10.jpg

That's what the 4-pin plug looks like, and it should only be able to plug into one thing on the mobo, so it shouldn't be hard to locate. The 8-pin is literally the plug in the above pic only doubled.

As far as not being able to use certain CPUs with a mobo that only has the 4-pin plug versus the 8-pin plug, you'd really have to look that up. I'm assuming that the more high-end CPU has greater power requirements, but I'm really just assuming.

that's about what it looked like, could not see it real well thanks to the power supply, only difference was that it was black/brown.
going to get information about the motherboard now, it is a M4A78LT-MCM1730/DP_MB

Here is the information about it
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM ... ifications

Based on the information which CPU is better for gaming, such as RPG's RTS and racing, is L3 that important with new games?

[Cronozilla]

L3 is important for everything.

It gives a common pool for all the cores allowing tasks to be ran anywhere, not just on specific cores.

The Phenom II X6, even is not that expensive. It's like a $25 increase over the cheapest PIIX4 (it's only $10 more than the next X4 Phenom II up).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819106012

When it's only $25-$50 difference, you might as well just max out the CPU. End up saving you $100 or more (or not being able to even find a replacement) in a couple years.

I wouldn't skimp on a CPU cache if I had the option. It's one of the most beneficial pieces of hardware available.

For RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145356

That's your best all round bet, if you go higher you have to overclock the bus on that board. It can take four of those. (Sadly, if the system didn't come with a single 8GB stick already, you'll end up replacing what you already paid for)

[ATARI800XLfan]

L3 is important for everything.

It gives a common pool for all the cores allowing tasks to be ran anywhere, not just on specific cores.

The Phenom II X6, even is not that expensive. It's like a $25 increase over the cheapest PIIX4 (it's only $10 more than the next X4 Phenom II up).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819106012

When it's only $25-$50 difference, you might as well just max out the CPU. End up saving you $100 or more (or not being able to even find a replacement) in a couple years.

I wouldn't skimp on a CPU cache if I had the option. It's one of the most beneficial pieces of hardware available.

For RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145356

That's your best all round bet, if you go higher you have to overclock the bus on that board. It can take four of those. (Sadly, if the system didn't come with a single 8GB stick already, you'll end up replacing what you already paid for)

So you are saying I should get the Phenom series but something more like the X4, still surprised my motherboard can handle a 125W CPU, the CPU power connector for the board is only a 4-pin, always thought you needed a 8-pin for something that high. What is your opinion of G.Skill for ram and HIS for Graphics?

[RyaNtheSlayA]

that high. What is your opinion of G.Skill for ram and HIS for Graphics?

G.Skill is fine for ram. HIS is okay for graphics. Stay away from PowerColor.

My PowerColor 6850 is terrible. The build quality doesn't feel good and the cooler can't do it's job. I game with my GPU in the high 80s. I'm going to try an RMA it since it's still under warranty.

My friends PowerColor also failed on him after about a month, and his new one was DOA.

I'm sure there are plenty of okay PowerColor units, but, from personal experience I'm not impressed.

[sabrage]

Powercooler? I stick with XFX for their amazing lifetime warranties.

[gtmtnbiker]

that high. What is your opinion of G.Skill for ram and HIS for Graphics?

G.Skill is fine for ram.

I have G.Skill ram in my HTPC. No issues whatsoever.

Assassin (assassinhtpcblog.com) has been recommending them for some time.

[Cronozilla]

So you are saying I should get the Phenom series but something more like the X4

No. You should get the Phenom II, for sure. It's just not that much of a difference in price for noticeably better performance. The Athlon II is missing an ENTIRE level of cache, after all.

But if you go Phenom II, the cheapest X4 chips is $125 ... the Phenom II X6 (which is the maximum the board can support) is only $25 more. So there's no point in NOT getting the X6. It's $25 ... and that's only if you get the CHEAPEST Phenom II X4 chip! If you get the next one up, the difference is even more negligible at $10. Just get the X6 it'll last you significantly longer and the price difference is so ridiculously small.

still surprised my motherboard can handle a 125W CPU, the CPU power connector for the board is only a 4-pin, always thought you needed a 8-pin for something that high. What is your opinion of G.Skill for ram and HIS for Graphics?

Yeah and the X6 I linked is only 95W (projected), so it'll be fine.
The 8-pin CPU connectors were usually for boards that supported chips up to 140W, junk like that. This board is 125W, and the chips have gotten more efficient. It was mostly for stability for chips that could be core unlocked, as far as I know.

There just isn't any reason to NOT get an XFX card for Radeon HD GPUs. The support length is just ridiculous. Best you're going to get other wise is a 2 year warranty, unless you pay quite a bit for a Diamond card, in which case they offer 5 year sometimes.

Brands of ram is whatever. It's not really that important. As long as you don't go with some horrible manufacturer (PNY) it's fine. They all use the same chips, after-all, and most have the same type of warranty (lifetime) and the sticks are around for a LONG time, so the lifetime actually means lifetime (lifetime means as long as the product is sold, usually)

And ... again ... I gave a direct link to the RAM I suggested, which is cheaper than G.Skill's stuff. There's no reason to get ultra-expensive RAM. You might get a better CAS timing ... but it's not really worth it if it's $50 more or something.

[ATARI800XLfan]

would this Power supply fit, trying to get a semi modular to keep down on cables.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151095

or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139031