Advice for building computer

padraigmyers

I am thinking about building myself a new computer and I was looking for some advise on the components that people would recommend.
The computer will be used for both Linux (Fedora) and Windows. Mostly it will be used for development, but also I want to be able to play games, do video editing and some graphic design. From the point of view of games, I don't need to be able to run stuff at the highest resolution but I do want to be able to run the likes of Half Life 2 without any problems.
I already have hard drives, network card and sound card from my old computer so I do not need these again.
I want to be able to connect this computer to my TV and use it as a media centre.
Another requirement is that it runs completely silently, I would even consider water cooling if this is the only option for zero noise, but other suggestions for low-noise fans or cases are welcome.
The main components that I need help with are the processor (I'm not fussy about whether its Intel or AMD) and the graphics card (I really don't know much about the different high-end ones).
Thanks in advance.

Ri_Nollaig

i think nvidia work better in lunix or atleast have supported drivers (not sure and might have changed since)
the nvidia 7800gtx is king atm in graphics cards but the ati x1800XT (r520 gpu) is on the way and id wait to c how it plays out (more then likely it wll b about the same but dearer and in short supplies, the other version like XL might b much better value)

iggyman

i would recommend you to get the xfx 6800gt its a very good card and not to expensive it would be perfect for graphic editing and will definetly be able to handle half life 2 without a sweat...now if your willing to spend a lot more then you might want to look at the new 7800 gtx thats a whopper but very expensive..
An amd processor would better suit you because you want it for gaming ..amd are better than intel for gaming purposes..a good processor would probably be the amd 3500+ its very cheap for the power your gonna get but you may have a bit more to spend so the 4000+ is another recommendation but its up to you ..you may even want a dual core processor that has two processing units such as the 4400+ etc. but these are alot dearer

Stevomcs

7800GTX is 500e+

get a 6800 GT 256m for 270 of komplett.

or a 6600 GT 256mb for 230. " "

no need for a 7800GTX if u wont use it to the max.

padraigmyers

Thanks for the replies.
I think the graphics card I will go for is the Gainward GeForce 6600GT 256MB
As for the case, I was looking at the Antec Sonata II or else the Antec Performance One P180, has anyone used these before, are they as quiet as they say they are? Probably leaning towards the Sonata because it includes a power supply.
Now the board and processor, I was thinking of an Intel Pentium D 820 and a MSI 915P board. The Pentium dual cores seam to be cheaper than the AMD's and the cache is bigger. I know AMD are meant to be better on games, but I don't think I'll be playing enough games to justify the extra cost.
Now its just the memory to decide on.....
What do ye think of these choices? Any advise on memory would be appricated.

art

padraigmyers wrote:

Intel Pentium D 820[/URL] and a MSI 915P board. The Pentium dual cores seam to be cheaper than the AMD's and the cache is bigger. I know AMD are meant to be better on games, but I don't think I'll be playing enough games to justify the extra cost.
Now its just the memory to decide on.....
What do ye think of these choices. And any reccomendations for memory appricated.

The Pentium D is cheaper because it is not as well designed as the AMD - Intel rushed it out to be before AMD and the architecture is not designed to utilise the two cores properly. Intel is presently working on a new one to replace the "D". So the AMD X2 is a far better choice all round. (However, for just gaming, a single core is probably as fast generally anyway).

A Radeon card would be better than a 6600 - uses less power, runs cooler.

Khannie

Nvidia driver support is far far far superior on linux. The 6800GT will be more future proof than the 6600GT, though the 6600GT will still play HL2 perfectly well.

For silence (I like silence) water cooling = pure silence. For air though, check out silentpcreview.com and also have a look at the bequiet psu's on hitide.ie - I have one and use multiple fans at low speed to keep the noise down but airflow up.

iggyman

seriously dont get an intel processor...get an amd one you dont need dual core ...just get the 3500+ its equal to a 3.0 p4 processor but better ,,go for corsair or crucial ram