Comments on hardware selection, please

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RoganDawes

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So, it's been a LONG time since I tried to put a new system together. These seem to be decent parts, but I'd appreciate comments from those who do this regularly.

1 x Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda 7200.11 SATA300 32MB 7200RPM Hard Drive
2 x Corsair DDR3-1333 4GB (2x2GB) XMS3 Memory Module Kit
1 x Asus M4A785TD-V EVO AMD 785G Motherboard w/A8 + G + LK + FWa + SATA2 RAID + DVI + HDMI
1 x AMD Phenom II X4 945 Processor - 3.0GHz AM3, 2MB L2, 6MB L3 - Boxed

I already have a case and power supply for an existing computer, which I plan to reuse (but see below). Does anyone have better suggestions for a machine that will primarily be used for things like VMWare, etc?

I'm not a big gamer, so graphics performance is not critical to me. I have heard that the Phenom II is not really worth the extra bucks over the Athlon II. Any strong feelings?

Regarding my existing PC and power supply, I actually have a concern. The PC itself won't switch on, although it was working fine previously. I can see a green light on the motherboard, indicating that power is reaching the board, and the first time I press the power switch after I have connected the power cable, the CPU fans spins for a second, then stops. Subsequent presses have no effect. Does this sound like the power supply is dead/dying?
 
You'll be much better off with a new Core i5 2400 (eg. Core i5 2400 @ R 1,703.00) + H67 chipset motherboard (eg. Intel DH67BL @ R 982.00) in terms of performance than you'll get from that AMD X4 CPU, but it would cost slightly more.
See these Multi-Tasking benchmarks: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/9

For Virtual Machines, you'll actually want to get the Core i7 2600K and 8GB of RAM.

If the CPU fans are spinning, then it is not a PSU issue AFAIK, but I may be wrong too.
Ensure that the RAM are installed correctly and that the CPU heatsink is properly seated.
 
The PSU problem I have seen when there is no memory in the rig. Perhaps they wiggled free. Give everything a check to make sure its making proper contact. Let us know what that does for you.

As to the selection, I would much rather go Sandy Bridge as suggested. The memory can stay the same for this config.
 
Look at the Intel Sandy Bridge stuff. You could probably get a much better system for the same price or a few rands more.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions! I'll check out the new Sandy Bridge stuff, and go from there.

Thanks also for the suggestion to check the RAM. I'll let you know if that was it.
 
Pada said:
You'll be much better off with a new Core i5 2400 (eg. Core i5 2400 @ R 1,703.00) + H67 chipset motherboard (eg. Intel DH67BL @ R 982.00) in terms of performance than you'll get from that AMD X4 CPU, but it would cost slightly more.
See these Multi-Tasking benchmarks: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/9

For Virtual Machines, you'll actually want to get the Core i7 2600K and 8GB of RAM.

If the CPU fans are spinning, then it is not a PSU issue AFAIK, but I may be wrong too.
Ensure that the RAM are installed correctly and that the CPU heatsink is properly seated.
Click to expand...

Any opinions on the DH67GD? Seems quite full featured, and only a little more expensive than the one you mentioned.

Also compatible with the i5 2400 you suggested.
 
I'd say stick with the one I mentioned.
You can have a look at the comparison between the 3 entry level Sandy Bridge motherboards from Intel here
Basically the one you've mentioned has Firewire + DISPLAYPORT extra.
 
Ya, if you want Sandy Bridge you're gonna have to wait until around April. Intel is talking to the major manufacturers today to see how they will sort out this mess.
 
Archer said:
Ya, if you want Sandy Bridge you're gonna have to wait until around April. Intel is talking to the major manufacturers today to see how they will sort out this mess.
Click to expand...

What alternatives exist? Or is it best just to wait patiently?
 
RoganDawes said:
What alternatives exist? Or is it best just to wait patiently?
Click to expand...

Um... buy it now and then suffer through the recall if it happens? Just wait until tomorrow when everyone should know whats going to be done about this. Will be easier to make a proper decision then
 
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