Help K2 build a new computer/fix an old one

[K2]

I don't feel like making two threads so I'm just putting these topics together.

My main computer for the past ~2.5 years (a laptop) is having some bad FPS issues that one of you can hopefully help me with. First a little history that may or may not be related: for about a year and a half my computer will overheat and shutdown if I play a 3D game for more than 10 minutes. I assume one of my fans broke at some point since I'll hear odd fan noises on occasion. I went out and got a cheap laptop stand/external fan and haven't had any real problems since (as long as I remember to turn on the external fan before playing stuff).

Anyway, my main problem started a few months ago, then stopped for a while, and now it has started up again in the past couple weeks. Basically I'll be playing TF2 fine with 40-50 fps, and then after a map change it'll drop down to around 7-20 fps. Sometimes it'll happen after playing for an hour, sometimes right when I start playing. And sometimes it'll come and go, alternating between 1 minute of normal fps and 10 seconds of shitty fps. Lowering the graphics doesn't change anything, and I recently tried installing new video drivers to no avail. Restarting my computer gets my fps back to normal, but it usually drops back down again after a map change or two. Also I've had this happen when playing Bad Company 2 and the APB beta so it's not just a Source engine thing.

Here are my current specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 2.00GHz
2GB Ram
NVidia GeForce 8600M GT
120GB Hard Drive
Windows 7

---

Regardless of whether or not I can fix that problem, I'm looking to build myself a new desktop this summer. I don't have any specific parts in mind as of yet, but I'm thinking around $1000-1200 budget, and I'll need a monitor and a cheap keyboard in addition to all of the main components. I'll probably update this post soon with a Newegg wishlist that you guys can look over to make sure I'm not fucking this up.




UPDATE: Here is my current build (rebates and combos knock down that total by $78.25). I didn't include processor and motherboard because I'm still not sure whether to go with Intel or AMD. Going with AMD will save me $66 -$20(see bottom); however,  I've heard really good things about the i5-750; however, I've also read that the difference is negligible with regards to gaming performance. If anyone has any opinions on that or on anything else in my build I would love to here them.


UPDATE UPDATE: Grand Total (w/ MiRs) - $1098.46

[Vandamguy]

sounds like ram

try me out an experiment , get a usb drive and use it for 'Readyboost' let me know what happens

[Surf314]

Just check the mobo's QVL and make sure the RAM you have picked out is supported.

[K2]

sounds like ram

try me out an experiment , get a usb drive and use it for 'Readyboost' let me know what happens

I tried this at TFT tonight and it ran fine, so I guess it's RAM.


I updated the OP with my current ideas for my build.

[Vandamguy]

lol , im surprised and happy it worked for you

[K2]

Updated OP again with more RAM, different monitor, and different HDD. If no one has anything bad to say about the case, power supply, or HDD I'm probably going to order those soon because they have deals that expire today.

[Kirby]

Between the CPU's, at that price point vs performance, it's p.much user preference, if you want to go strictly by the numbers, the AMD would technically be faster given it's clockspeed, but we all know that clockspeed != performance in every situation.

[Versus]

intel

[Didzo]

amd

[copulatingduck]

personally i say intel, runs cooler and with better stability, but either one will do you right tbh

[K2]

Ordered the case, power supply, and hard drive last night. I wake up this morning to find that the combo I was using for the Intel mobo/processor no longer exists. However, there is now a combo deal with the same processor and this motherboard, and with a new coupon there is now only a $10 difference between AMD and Intel. So I think I'll go with Intel.

I just checked, and apparently my AMD combo is gone too, so I'm definitely going with Intel. I'll probably order the rest of the parts tonight.

[Versus]

nice

[Didzo]

'Grats!

[K2]

Just bought the rest of the parts. Spending nine hundred seventy-five dollars and seventy-six cents with one click is kind of scary.

edit: Oops, credit card was declined. I guess I exceeded my daily spending limit or something. I'll try buying half the parts tonight and half tomorrow.

edit edit: Oops oops, I also forgot to add the mobo and processor as a combo, so I guess it's a good thing my card was declined. Canceled the old order and re-ordered with the combo and a different card.

[copulatingduck]

good stuff, let us know how it goes!

[Vandamguy]

Just bought the rest of the parts. Spending nine hundred seventy-five dollars and seventy-six cents with one click is kind of scary.

edit: Oops, credit card was declined. I guess I exceeded my daily spending limit or something. I'll try buying half the parts tonight and half tomorrow.

edit edit: Oops oops, I also forgot to add the mobo and processor as a combo, so I guess it's a good thing my card was declined. Canceled the old order and re-ordered with the combo and a different card.

dont spam your card too much  , bad things will happen ><
you  can call the CC company and let them know you're putting a big purchase on there

[K2]

[quote author=K2 link=topic=4752.msg161708#msg161708 date=1278049081]
Just bought the rest of the parts. Spending nine hundred seventy-five dollars and seventy-six cents with one click is kind of scary.

edit: Oops, credit card was declined. I guess I exceeded my daily spending limit or something. I'll try buying half the parts tonight and half tomorrow.

edit edit: Oops oops, I also forgot to add the mobo and processor as a combo, so I guess it's a good thing my card was declined. Canceled the old order and re-ordered with the combo and a different card.

dont spam your card too much  , bad things will happen ><
you  can call the CC company and let them know you're putting a big purchase on there
[/quote]

Yeah, I got an automated call the next morning asking me to confirm not only this purchase, but also every purchase I made this week; and with the Steam sale, there were a lot of them.