[Bad News Rogers]

Originally by Powerslide
LET'S MAKE THIS WORK PEOPLE!

Okay, now as anyone could see there are HUNDREDS of tech threads floating around in CD - ranging from questions about graphics hardware, to questions about pricier graphics hardware and other tech such as monitors, hard drives and Processors to announcement threads of new technology and more. (I accede - I'm not being very eloquent here

Any questions you have, tech news or ANYTHING related to buying/selling/information/announcements of new hardware should go here.

For example, if you come to the forums to ask "What is the better graphics hardware" or "What sort of RAM should I put in my PC?" then it should go here - I'm a little hazy, I know - but please keep all those graphics card and tech questions to one thread! Please!
So here's the summary, all:

• Announcements and queries on new or unreleased tech
  
• Benchmarks and results of hardware/discussion
  
• Questions on what sort of hardware you need/want for your machine
  
• Questions about existing tech and/or function
  
• Pricing and recommendations

Should be kept to THIS THREAD.

This has been A-okayed by CCNA for all who were wondering - it's up to you to stop filling CD with the same topics again and again that ask what the most powerful card in existence is so you can (not) buy it.

If you feel you have a question or can answer one - please feel free to do so.

Also, this is a great thread for you PC newbs, for learning more about your PC and hardware. http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=258050&st=0&p=4626051&#entry4626051

Also, a useful site for a frame of reference (not actual numbers), http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=476&model2=477&chart=174, and http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html?modelx=33&model1=519&model2=547&chart=211


Thanks all.
Adding more links shortly, thank you for your patience.

(Threads 1-74 have been all pruned, may they rest in peace)

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1036256
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1043406
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1046279
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1050067
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1053812
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1057002
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1060245
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1064983
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1069729
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1073705
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1076918

Do I also have to put a big glowing neon sign to this in my signature? THERE ARE TOO MANY TECH THREADS - THIS IS NOT A FORUM FOR YOUR TECH WOES!

But we will gladly help you anyway.

Honour list:
Nottheking
Lord Athanar (SUPER-PINK!)
Insaneturbo13
Anothercanadian
Tig Ol' Bitties
Dogsbody (Moderator)
CCNA (Moderator)
N??h?ggr
wolfpup
Wierd
Softnerd
wingus

Oh and PLEASE, if you want us to "Build" you a PC, please indicate the following:
1.) your budget in your country's currency
2.) what country you reside if not listed in your avatar area
3.) pre-assembled PC? ...or can you build your own?
4.) what is needed other than the PC tower? Monitor, speakers, mouse, keyboard, Windows OS disc? All these can jack up the price.
5.) product preferences, preferred seller, and intended aim

but please, no "I want teh superererest Peecee evar1!!!!11!1", because really, only Bill Gates has that much moolah.

And, speaking of building your own PC, two good how-to videos from Newegg (thanks to SpankyTheElf for finding these):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CStOC0hET8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buj5cIh2Bs&feature=related

Other useful links
http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=1&front_id=12
http://tools.corsairmemory.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472
http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
http://entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm
http://www.irfanview.com/
http://www.knoppix.org/
http://www.jonnyguru.com/
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/
http://tftcentral.co.uk/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark06/
http://www.fraps.com/

[Terry]

Just gonna repost two unanswered questions from the last thread for the last time.

The only moniter I have for my PC is a HDTV. I hook it up through the HDMI port. So the resolution I want to display at is 1920x1080. I have a MSI 9600GT. If I go into the Nvidia Control Panel and select that 1080p resolution, it displays on my TV, but all the edges are cut off. I lose about an inch off of every side. I'd say it's about the size of the windows taskbar thingy at the bottom of the screen, because I can't see it and it appears to be right below the cutoff point.
With the "Adjust Desktop Size and Position" thing I can set my resolution manually to 1808x1016, which fills out my screen perfectly.
What I wanted to know is, what's causing this? Is there a way I can fix it so I can use my TV's native resolution?

Why is it that I can play Mass Effect in windowed mode with 1808x1016 resolution and get 20+ fps, but trying to run the same resolution fullscreen gives me below 10?

EDIT: my specs real quick.

Pentium D 805
MSI 9600GT 1GB
2GB DDR2 RAM
Windows XP Pro SP3

Ravin

[Cat Haines]

Oh and PLEASE, if you want us to "Build" you a PC, please indicate the following:
1.) your budget in your country's currency
2.) what country you reside if not listed in your avatar area
3.) pre-assembled PC? ...or can you build your own?
4.) what is needed other than the PC tower? Monitor, speakers, mouse, keyboard, Windows OS disc? All these can jack up the price.
5.) product preferences, preferred seller, and intended aim

Please help me help one,

1) 2000 Singapore dollars
2) Singapore
3) Self-build
4) Needs (in order of importance)
A) Mobo
B) Gfx Card
C) Processor
D) Ram (my previous Ram are DDR2, wants DDR3)
I'm thinking of reusing my 500W PSU, please advice if it is enough, otherwise, E) PSU
I'm a bit lacking in hardware knowledge, my HDD are a few years old, can they be reused? Are there new standard of connection? Otherwise, F)
G) Casing
My LCD is DVI connection, needs upgrading?
5) for Adobe (print Photoshop and Premiere) and gaming

Thanks. ^_^

[Sabrina garzotto]

Just to let y'all know, new NVidia drivers came out today.

196.75 is the version.

You can thank me later when you get that sweet headshot

[Luis Reyma]

Right, a question.

I would like to upgrade my hardware but I'm debating on what I should do. Currently have the trusty old 775 setup with a Core 2 E7300, 4GB DDR2 800 RAM and a Radeon HD 4770 graphics card. The crossroads that I am at is whether or not I should get a new 775 CPU and graphics card or should I throw the towel in and get a i5 or i7 rig.

Wanting to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 so it's going to take a decent PC to run it. I'm thinking 5870 as the graphics card but I'm unsure on what to do about the processor.

Suggestions?

[Lexy Corpsey]

Please help me help one,

1) 2000 Singapore dollars
2) Singapore
3) Self-build
4) Needs (in order of importance)
A) Mobo
B) Gfx Card
C) Processor
D) Ram (my previous Ram are DDR2, wants DDR3)
I'm thinking of reusing my 500W PSU, please advice if it is enough, otherwise, E) PSU
I'm a bit lacking in hardware knowledge, my HDD are a few years old, can they be reused? Are there new standard of connection? Otherwise, F)
G) Casing
My LCD is DVI connection, needs upgrading?
5) for Adobe (print Photoshop and Premiere) and gaming

Thanks. ^_^

Never shopped around Singapore before unfortunately. I'll continue to look around for some reasonable prices at different sites, but it seems many are suggesting to go to the eletrical malls in your country like Sim Lim Square and Funan DigitaLife Mall. I'll take a look more into the store websites they have here and see how the pricing goes. Will get back to you.

Right, a question.

I would like to upgrade my hardware but I'm debating on what I should do. Currently have the trusty old 775 setup with a Core 2 E7300, 4GB DDR2 800 RAM and a Radeon HD 4770 graphics card. The crossroads that I am at is whether or not I should get a new 775 CPU and graphics card or should I throw the towel in and get a i5 or i7 rig.

Wanting to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 so it's going to take a decent PC to run it. I'm thinking 5870 as the graphics card but I'm unsure on what to do about the processor.

Suggestions?

It's up to you if you really want to go the Core i5/i7 route. There are still some very capable CPUs in LGA775 to get some more life out of your PC. The E8500 CPU is a very fast CPU even now. The Q9400 and up are still available if you want a quad. If you were just getting a new PC because your setup is eons old, then the i5/i7 choice would be easy to suggest. But your rig is still strong and there are still fast options for the LGA775 platform at reasonable prices. Core i5/i7 means new mobo and new RAM...eating more into budget. I myself am still on LGA775 using a E6750 OCed to 3.2GHz with a 1GB Radeon 4870...I have not found a need to upgrade yet. When I do, I feel only a video card will be needed....the CPU industry is rather stagnant.

The Radeon 5850 is about $100 cheaper and can be OCed to 5870 speeds rather easily.

[Kristian Perez]

What's a good hard drive (external or otherwise) for $60 or less? Sorry, not much money coming in lately.

[Shelby McDonald]

What's a good hard drive (external or otherwise) for $60 or less? Sorry, not much money coming in lately.

Well, $60 can get you this internal one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358&cm_re=caviar_green%2d%5f%2d22-136-358%2d%5f%2dProduct

External ones are limited on choices due to budget. This is $10 over:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136417

[Danial Zachery]

The Radeon 5670 would already be a considerable step up. The Radeon 5750 and 5770 are even better. That's probably about as far as I would go with a Athlon 7550

So my setup can really take that much of an upgrade? And I'd just have to get a PSU capable of handling a 5750?

Sorry.... I may be a bit giddy over here...

[Danielle Brown]

Does anyone know why whenever I play music on this computer, it stutters and skips excessively?

[Lloyd Muldowney]

Does anyone know why whenever I play music on this computer, it stutters and skips excessively?

What sound card do you have?
It sounds like you are having buffer under/overruns.

[Emma Pennington]

Well, $60 can get you this internal one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358&cm_re=caviar_green%2d%5f%2d22-136-358%2d%5f%2dProduct

External ones are limited on choices due to budget. This is $10 over:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136417

Thanks Tig, do I need to throw a dxdiag up to see if my computer can fit the hard drive, or does one size fit all? Also, do I need to transfer everything from my current hard drive to this one, or can I have multiple hard drives?

Sorry, never done a hard drive purchase before.

[Stephanie Kemp]

Right, a question.

I would like to upgrade my hardware but I'm debating on what I should do. Currently have the trusty old 775 setup with a Core 2 E7300, 4GB DDR2 800 RAM and a Radeon HD 4770 graphics card. The crossroads that I am at is whether or not I should get a new 775 CPU and graphics card or should I throw the towel in and get a i5 or i7 rig.

Wanting to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 so it's going to take a decent PC to run it. I'm thinking 5870 as the graphics card but I'm unsure on what to do about the processor.

Suggestions?

My q9550 (@ 3.5) is still a champ. (I lucked out and got it for $60 Can. through a friend who builds rigs for a profession. Well, turned out to be $100, as UPS charge their "highway robbery fee" known as brokerage fees. :stare: )

The I series CPUs do not have much of an improvement on games (There are exceptions.) over the older 775. If your F@H, or doing stuff that will maximize the I series, ok, but for gaming alone, not worth it, yet.

You would need a new mobo, RAM, and the CPU. Staying with 775, all you need is the CPU. (Find the best deal you can.)

The 5870 is a beast, I love mine.

[Heather Dawson]

So my setup can really take that much of an upgrade? And I'd just have to get a PSU capable of handling a 5750?

Sorry.... I may be a bit giddy over here...

Pretty much...

Thanks Tig, do I need to throw a dxdiag up to see if my computer can fit the hard drive, or does one size fit all? Also, do I need to transfer everything from my current hard drive to this one, or can I have multiple hard drives?

Sorry, never done a hard drive purchase before.

So long as your PC case is not some sort of slimiish design, standard 3.5" hard drives should fit in normal cases.

For the second question, depends on what you're intending to use the HDD for. If for storage, you just have to install it and enable it. If you're trying to transfer everything to it including the operating system, then a format of your old drive and reinstall to the new one is typically necessary to avoid problems. I've never been succcessful trying to just move everything from one drive to another when it involves the operating system as well. Something always gets borked.

[Chase McAbee]

What sound card do you have?
It sounds like you are having buffer under/overruns.

I'm assuming it's in there somewhere.

Sound Devices-------------            Description: Realtek HD Audio output Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0882&SUBSYS_1458F603&REV_1001        Manufacturer ID: 1             Product ID: 100                   Type: WDM            Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5998 (English)      Driver Attributes: Final Retail            WHQL Logo'd: n/a          Date and Size: 12/8/2009 21:03:00, 6017568 bytes            Other Files:         Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.         HW Accel Level: Full              Cap Flags: 0x0    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0              HW Memory: 0       Voice Management: No EAX™ 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes   I3DL2™ Listen/Src: Yes, YesSensaura™ ZoomFX™: No               Registry: OK      Sound Test Result: Not run---------------------Sound Capture Devices---------------------            Description: Realtek HD Audio Input  Default Sound Capture: Yes  Default Voice Capture: Yes            Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5998 (English)      Driver Attributes: Final Retail          Date and Size: 12/8/2009 21:03:00, 6017568 bytes              Cap Flags: 0x0           Format Flags: 0x0            Description: Realtek HD Digital input  Default Sound Capture: No  Default Voice Capture: No            Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5998 (English)      Driver Attributes: Final Retail          Date and Size: 12/8/2009 21:03:00, 6017568 bytes              Cap Flags: 0x0           Format Flags: 0x0-----------DirectMusic-----------        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002    Acceleration: n/a           Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal        Registry: OK     Test Result: Not run

[Kelly John]

It's up to you if you really want to go the Core i5/i7 route. There are still some very capable CPUs in LGA775 to get some more life out of your PC. The E8500 CPU is a very fast CPU even now. The Q9400 and up are still available if you want a quad. If you were just getting a new PC because your setup is eons old, then the i5/i7 choice would be easy to suggest. But your rig is still strong and there are still fast options for the LGA775 platform at reasonable prices. Core i5/i7 means new mobo and new RAM...eating more into budget. I myself am still on LGA775 using a E6750 OCed to 3.2GHz with a 1GB Radeon 4870...I have not found a need to upgrade yet. When I do, I feel only a video card will be needed....the CPU industry is rather stagnant.

The Radeon 5850 is about $100 cheaper and can be OCed to 5870 speeds rather easily.

My q9550 (@ 3.5) is still a champ. (I lucked out and got it for $60 Can. through a friend who builds rigs for a profession. Well, turned out to be $100, as UPS charge their "highway robbery fee" known as brokerage fees. :stare: )

The I series CPUs do not have much of an improvement on games (There are exceptions.) over the older 775. If your F@H, or doing stuff that will maximize the I series, ok, but for gaming alone, not worth it, yet.

You would need a new mobo, RAM, and the CPU. Staying with 775, all you need is the CPU. (Find the best deal you can.)

The 5870 is a beast, I love mine.

Sweet, cheers guys, socket 775 CPU it is.

Another question, the difference between a Q9400 and a Q9550. Obviously there is the small speed difference but the other one is the fact that the Q9400 has 6mb of cache and the Q9550 has 12mb of cache, is that going to affect performance much at all?

[Nims]

Please help me help one,

1) 2000 Singapore dollars
2) Singapore
3) Self-build
4) Needs (in order of importance)
A) Mobo
B) Gfx Card
C) Processor
D) Ram (my previous Ram are DDR2, wants DDR3)
I'm thinking of reusing my 500W PSU, please advice if it is enough, otherwise, E) PSU
I'm a bit lacking in hardware knowledge, my HDD are a few years old, can they be reused? Are there new standard of connection? Otherwise, F)
G) Casing
My LCD is DVI connection, needs upgrading?
5) for Adobe (print Photoshop and Premiere) and gaming

Thanks. ^_^

Ok, I'm rather limited here on online sites to shop at, but there is one that's been rated #1 online PC component etailer in Singapore, so I'll use that as a reference. I suggest you to take a look at those electronic malls you got there because you may get better deals. Here is an example build:

CASE: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=8
CPU: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=1
MOBO: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=2&type=LGA1156%20/%20ATX%20/%20Intel%20P55%20Chipset
RAM: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=4&type=DDR3%20/%20PC%2012800
HDD: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=5&brand=Western%20Digital
PSU: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=9
GPU: http://www.bnhcomp.com.sg/Public/Product.aspx?ProductID=128
OS: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=16
DVD: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=7&type=Internal%20DVDRW

That runs just under S$2K. They only provide Intel based setups here, which is fine if that's all you want. I suggest you to look around for AMD AM3 based products as well...the Phenom II X4 955 BE is a nice chip along with a simple Asus or Gigabyte AM3 motherboard. The Radeon 5850 is linked from a store that is found through Sim Lim website listing of stores....B&H was about the only store that actually provided any insight on what they sell, but there are many other stores in that mall supposedly selling PC parts for reasonable Singapore prices.

Optional SOUNDCARD: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=11


For the other questions...

- PSU...give the brand and model and we can determine if it's decent or a piece of junk.

- HDD....a few years old HDDs can still be used, even if only for storage. SATA 3Gb/s is the standard these days for HDDs. If your HDDs are SATA based, you should be fine. If they are IDE, make sure the motherboard has the amount of IDE connections you would need. The board I suggested only has one IDE slot. There are also such a thing as IDE-to-SATA adapters...dunno if it's common in your country though.

- LCD...DVI and HDMI are the norm these days. Your LCD is still usable. Quality of it compared to newer stuff depends on brand and model.

Sweet, cheers guys, socket 775 CPU it is.

Another question, the difference between a Q9400 and a Q9550. Obviously there is the small speed difference but the other one is the fact that the Q9400 has 6mb of cache and the Q9550 has 12mb of cache, is that going to affect performance much at all?

Both CPUs are excellent. The extra cache does come in handy if you're doing any sort of video editing or rendering. Multitasking will be better on the Q9550 as well. For games, there may be a 5-10% increase in performance. I'd personally go with the Q9550 especially if you're gonna overclock...the Q9550 has a higher multiplier. Here is a benchmark that may help you decide if it's worth it:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=50&p2=76

[Tiff Clark]

Both CPUs are excellent. The extra cache does come in handy if you're doing any sort of video editing or rendering. Multitasking will be better on the Q9550 as well. For games, there may be a 5-10% increase in performance. I'd personally go with the Q9550 especially if you're gonna overclock...the Q9550 has a higher multiplier. Here is a benchmark that may help you decide if it's worth it:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=50&p2=76

It's going to cost me a bit over 100 USD to take the step up to the Q9550, could you justify it for that much?

[Steph]

Pretty much...


So long as your PC case is not some sort of slimiish design, standard 3.5" hard drives should fit in normal cases.

For the second question, depends on what you're intending to use the HDD for. If for storage, you just have to install it and enable it. If you're trying to transfer everything to it including the operating system, then a format of your old drive and reinstall to the new one is typically necessary to avoid problems. I've never been succcessful trying to just move everything from one drive to another when it involves the operating system as well. Something always gets borked.

Well I've been meaning to try out the Linux OS, how can I put that on a hard drive with absolutely nothing else on it though?

[dell]

I'm assuming it's in there somewhere.

You've got onboard sound, same as me, I've looked through everything and it doesn't seem to have a buffer setting- you could try a couple of things, first look for updated drivers on realteks website, download the K-Lite codec pack, and see if there are buffer settings or audio performace settings in each individual application you run, and play around with them to see if they make a difference.

[Anthony Rand]

It's going to cost me a bit over 100 USD to take the step up to the Q9550, could you justify it for that much?

Over $100 is a bit steep. If it was $50-$75 more ,then I feel it's justifiable.

Well I've been meaning to try out the Linux OS, how can I put that on a hard drive with absolutely nothing else on it though?

Not too familiar with Linux, so hopefully someone who is can provide more insight. If the installation procedure is anything like Windows, then it's a matter of going into your BIOS upon initial boot (usually by pressing the Delete key, but may vary with certain boards) and setting your boot order to your CD/DVD drive, where the Linux disc will be. I'm sure this should give the majority of the information you'd need:
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/gs/gs.html

[Josh Trembly]

Not too familiar with Linux, so hopefully someone who is can provide more insight. If the installation procedure is anything like Windows, then it's a matter of going into your BIOS upon initial boot (usually by pressing the Delete key, but may vary with certain boards) and setting your boot order to your CD/DVD drive, where the Linux disc will be. I'm sure this should give the majority of the information you'd need:
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/gs/gs.html

Thanks so much Tigs.

[Makenna Nomad]

Okay so I have gotten this a few times now and I wanna know why. When I boot up my computer the first thing I see on the screen is: "Backup BIOS Checksum ERROR! BIOS Image Recovery Attempt"

Today it did this twice. The second time followed by a long shrieking beep about 5 to 7 seconds long.

So to be frank, what the hell is going on and how do I prevent it from happening in the future? I've had it almost 4 or 5 times since I got this computer almost 2 years ago

[Saul C]

Ok, I'm rather limited here on online sites to shop at, but there is one that's been rated #1 online PC component etailer in Singapore, so I'll use that as a reference. I suggest you to take a look at those electronic malls you got there because you may get better deals. Here is an example build:

CASE: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=8
CPU: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=1
MOBO: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=2&type=LGA1156%20/%20ATX%20/%20Intel%20P55%20Chipset
RAM: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=4&type=DDR3%20/%20PC%2012800
HDD: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=5&brand=Western%20Digital
PSU: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=9
GPU: http://www.bnhcomp.com.sg/Public/Product.aspx?ProductID=128
OS: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=16
DVD: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=7&type=Internal%20DVDRW

That runs just under S$2K. They only provide Intel based setups here, which is fine if that's all you want. I suggest you to look around for AMD AM3 based products as well...the Phenom II X4 955 BE is a nice chip along with a simple Asus or Gigabyte AM3 motherboard. The Radeon 5850 is linked from a store that is found through Sim Lim website listing of stores....B&H was about the only store that actually provided any insight on what they sell, but there are many other stores in that mall supposedly selling PC parts for reasonable Singapore prices.

Optional SOUNDCARD: http://www.googoo.com.sg/shopitem.asp?id=11


For the other questions...

- PSU...give the brand and model and we can determine if it's decent or a piece of junk.

- HDD....a few years old HDDs can still be used, even if only for storage. SATA 3Gb/s is the standard these days for HDDs. If your HDDs are SATA based, you should be fine. If they are IDE, make sure the motherboard has the amount of IDE connections you would need. The board I suggested only has one IDE slot. There are also such a thing as IDE-to-SATA adapters...dunno if it's common in your country though.

- LCD...DVI and HDMI are the norm these days. Your LCD is still usable. Quality of it compared to newer stuff depends on brand and model.



Both CPUs are excellent. The extra cache does come in handy if you're doing any sort of video editing or rendering. Multitasking will be better on the Q9550 as well. For games, there may be a 5-10% increase in performance. I'd personally go with the Q9550 especially if you're gonna overclock...the Q9550 has a higher multiplier. Here is a benchmark that may help you decide if it's worth it:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=50&p2=76

Thanks a lot, I will take these into consideration. I usually buy boards with inbuilt sound, since I am tone-deaf, a good sound card makes no different for me.

Looks like I may need to get a new HDD, mine are IDE. I believe SG has those IDE-to-SATA as well.

My PSU is by Silverstone.

[Ice Fire]

Okay so I have gotten this a few times now and I wanna know why. When I boot up my computer the first thing I see on the screen is: "Backup BIOS Checksum ERROR! BIOS Image Recovery Attempt"

Today it did this twice. The second time followed by a long shrieking beep about 5 to 7 seconds long.

So to be frank, what the hell is going on and how do I prevent it from happening in the future? I've had it almost 4 or 5 times since I got this computer almost 2 years ago

Try going into the BIOS (Tap the Del key on boot.) and find the "Use default settings". See if that helps.