Building a computer? Need advice/suggestions? Come here!

[Cortexian]

Since upgrading my 8800 GTX to the GTX 285, my PC has been emitting a high pitched squeal or whine when running intensive 3D applications. Crysis and 3DMark Vantage are the worst, though the issues is almost non-existant in older games (see: Halo). By listening to the PC, it seems that the whine is actually coming from my PSU and not the graphics card (the sound was louder near the PSU than the card) and I'm just wondering if anyone knows what this is? From what I've read via Google it has something to do with "capacitor whine", though that means dick all to me, since I just want to fix it. Should I invest in a new, quality, PSU to see if it is indeed the PSU? Or should I RMA my graphics card?

What would you all recommend for a quality modular PSU? I was looking at the ABS Tagan series for it's bling factor, but from what I've read they also whine under pressure. I also looked into the reviews of the Silverstone PSU that Xet recommended, and it looks like the reviews are split when it comes to mentioning PSU whine.

Willing to spend up to $300 to make this annoying sound go away.

[343guiltymc]

Hey 343guiltymc, do you know what kind of MoBo a Dimension E520 has? Also what specs do you have for it? I have the same comp., and I plan on upgrading it aswell but I need more info. than what the dell website tells me.

After doing a little investigating, I found upgrades for our comp.

4GB Ram

700 watt PSU

Intel Core Duo E7400

250 GB HDD

HIS Radeon HD 4870(I'm not sure if it can fit.)

Why do you need PC2 4200 RAM? The E520 supports PC2 5300 AND 6400.

[Warsaw]

Maybe he wants really good timings?

Also Freelancer, PSUs are always emitting a high pitched frequency. Under load or due to age, it tends to get louder (as it approaches audible range of humans). A better quality PSU can fix this though. I would swap the PSU, since the GTX285 uses a lot more power than the 8800GTX did. Hearing a whine in a PSU to me is a sign that it is getting old and needs replacing, since system crashes usually follow not to long after you start hearing the whining.

[Lex1337]

Because on the dell website, it says that the E520 supports DDR2 533 Ram.

[343guiltymc]

Because on the dell website, it says that the E520 supports DDR2 533 Ram.

That PSU is going to work with the Dell motherboard?

[Cortexian]

Also Freelancer, PSUs are always emitting a high pitched frequency. Under load or due to age, it tends to get louder (as it approaches audible range of humans). A better quality PSU can fix this though. I would swap the PSU, since the GTX285 uses a lot more power than the 8800GTX did. Hearing a whine in a PSU to me is a sign that it is getting old and needs replacing, since system crashes usually follow not to long after you start hearing the whining.

Darn, the PSU is only three years old... I was kinda hoping that the GameXStream wouldn't start going until 5+ years... Oh well... Suggestions for a GREAT quality modular PSU?

[Warsaw]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817153038

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817814015

That cover it?

[343guiltymc]

Would the 4850 or 9800 GTX plus be able to run under the PSU I posted earlier? I went into the Tigerdirect store and they told me both video cards need a 600 watt power supply, I can't find any PSU at that wattage that would be Dell compatible. Also what are the differences between all the brands that sell the video cards? I've seen a lot of builds that uses the ASUS 4850 but looking at the reviews people seem to get a lot of issues with the card.

[Warsaw]

You know, as long as you have enough amps on the 12V rail, have a good efficiency rating, and you aren't doing SLi or Crossfire, 450W is enough to cover the 4850 or 9800GTX+.

As for the brand difference, scrutinize the specifications closely. There are often small clock alterations, etc., though the biggest differences are what comes in the box along with the card, i.e. PCIe 6-pin power adapters, drivers, screwdrivers, etc. For ATi, I recommend Sapphire or XFX. For nVidia, I recommend eVGA or XFX. XFX is good because, even though prices are usually higher than the others, they give you a lifetime warranty.

[343guiltymc]

You know, as long as you have enough amps on the 12V rail, have a good efficiency rating, and you aren't doing SLi or Crossfire, 450W is enough to cover the 4850 or 9800GTX+.

As for the brand difference, scrutinize the specifications closely. There are often small clock alterations, etc., though the biggest differences are what comes in the box along with the card, i.e. PCIe 6-pin power adapters, drivers, screwdrivers, etc. For ATi, I recommend Sapphire or XFX. For nVidia, I recommend eVGA or XFX. XFX is good because, even though prices are usually higher than the others, they give you a lifetime warranty.

35 amps is enough? The 4850/70 don't seem to tell me what amperage it needs, only the wattage.....What if I try to OC it?