questions about pc build

Bruce SX said:

Hi smarteyeball,

I have added images of the tower I'm working on. If you need more, or better, info from me I'll do my best to satisfy.

I'm thinking that there just may be built in graphics, but by looking I just don't know. I am a novice getting inside the workings of a pc. The images may help.

Thanks for those, it's helped identify the motherboard model. (just some general info about your board)

Dell Bluford E139765 Motherboard

LGA 775 Socket (intel uses the amount of pins for the CPU to identify their boards. )
Intel X38 Chipset (That's the chip in the photo. Not overly important to know)
PCI-E 2.0 x16 (The slot type for the GPU)
Integrated Audio
Max Memory 8GB (4x2GB - will not support 4GB+ modules)

One question regarding the CPU's you have there - could you either take a picture of the top of them (where the details are) or simply the model numbers ie E8400, QX6800, QX9650 etc.

While one of them may be an extreme, the other may actually be quicker.

I have decided to get 2 2GB RAM chips. Crucial made by Dell.

By rights, the motherboard should support pretty much any DDR2 800Mhz/PC2-6400 2GB 1.8v modules.

4x1GB or 2x2GB makes no difference (unless you wish to upgrade to 8GB later on.)

The board supports either DDR2 667mhz or DDR2 800Mhz. DDR2 800mhz is faster.

I could get the following video card by Gigabyte for $10. Geforce 8500 GT 256mb GPU Video card.I have also been considring a Quadro by Dell with as high specs as I can get.

I wouldn't worry too much about a quadro - they are more intended for workstations than games and the drivers are slanted that way too. Not saying you shouldn't. Quadro or not - the faster the better.

An 8500GT should run the original Half Life with no problems. For $10 you can't go wrong grabbing one.

If nothing else, it will easily tide you over should you decide you need more grunt in the future.

There is no integrated GPU on this motherboard.

Thanks for expounding on the advantages of a second drive for the OS

You're welcome Bruce :)

I can see how it will make a difference. Even though it may take me a bit longer to finish this project I am willing to wait; if it means building one that I can get maybe 3-4 years of work from.

From your described usage intentions, there's no reason why this build should not easily last you 3-4 years. Plus there is some room to upgrade should you wish to.

It's part of the rationale behind suggesting an SSD. It really is one component you would not regret installing. To be honest, the only complaint about SSD's I've seen repeated often is "Why did I take so long to get one?"

Actually, it was while searching for my system info that I found a link to this site. I am very fortunate to have landed in the company of some well learned individuals, and am grateful for it.

KR
Bruce

And we are happy to help. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site indeed.

Bruce SX said:

Anyway I may have gone and done it. I uncovered the GPU, and probably it will need a reapplication of that silver thermal paste.....after a good cleaning with 97% alcohol.

The # numbers on the GPU are: 3574654 over 6A1886

These are the numbers printed on the Core2 extreme GPU.

Just to clarify - do you actually mean CPU and not GPU?

The CPU is the Central Processing Unit (the one in your shots)

The GPU is the Graphics Processing Unit, or the the video card. (Easy enough to mistake)

Unfortunately those numbers didn't turn up anything (Not sure what those are - they aren't the serial or batch numbers) and the thermal paste is obscuring the CPU type.

For example:



The number outlined in red is the model number I need for both chips.

Since they need to be cleaned, there is no rush supplying that detail.




And yes, you will definitely need to reapply the thermal paste. Any time the Heat Sink is removed it should be replaced. The idea behind thermal paste is that neither the top of the CPU or the bottom of the heatsink are truly flat. There are a lot of tiny scratches/imperfections. Thermal paste is needed to "fill in" those gaps to create a smooth contact in which to disperse heat evenly from the top of the CPPU and up and out of the heatsink.



Out of curiosity Bruce, where are you getting the info that one of the boards is a an Extreme and the other a normal Core2 quad etc? The sticker on the front of the tower?

(And forgive me If I'm telling you thinks you already know, I find it's easier to cover everything just in case)

No worries mate - when it comes to learning/getting used to new terms it's easy to confuse :)

And no need for a sticker photo. Since they are Dell towers, chances are they are what they say they are unless they were upgraded. Best way to find out is to look at the component itself.

When it comes to the CPU - Notice the latch on the side? Simply push it down and away from the socket (unlatching it basically) until it's loose. Then you can push the hinge at the rear and will lift out the cpu (or use a finger nail to pry).

With those intel CPU's and later, the pins are in the socket and the bottom of the CPU is covered in gold connector pads. What you want to watch out for is damaging the socket pins. Just try to avoid dropping the CPU or knocking the sockets pins. It's actually quite easy to remove the CPU.

Bruce SX said:

This is a statement that I will never have a problem with. I am a complete novice at this. I also have skin as thick as a rhino, so you do not need to be forgiven for helping me. Cheers!

KR
Bruce

To be honest, it's blokes like you who genuinely appreciate help that I'm happy to go the extra mile for. And if you learn something new - even better

We've all been where you are, starting from scratch at one point or another.

Yes it will do the job correctly most likely. You should get a aftermarket cooler since they are way better than stock.