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

[343guiltymc]

Is it worth getting a 5.1 sound card if I only have some crappy pair of speakers.

[Bhamid]

Lol no, you will only get the benefits of 5.1 surround sounds if you have 5.1 speakers, you won't get any improvement from 2.0 to 5.1 if you only have a pair of stereo speakers.

[NullZero]

The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. That applies to audio.

Therefore, no, don't bother.

[343guiltymc]

So if I improved sound, I need improved sound I would need both a sound card AND a new sound system, not only one of them?

[Warsaw]

Yes, that is correct. In some instances even, you won't hear much improvement over integrated because the speakers themselves aren't good enough, so don't get an el cheapo set of 5.1 speakers either. I recommend the following sets:

In order of increasing price:

Logitech X-30 (if you can find it) or X-540
CreAtive T-6100
Logitech G-51
Logitech Z-5300e
Logitech Z-5500 (pricey)

[AAA]

Wrong.

No, I'm pretty sure he's right.

Elaborate, please.

[Timo]

Yes, that is correct. In some instances even, you won't hear much improvement over integrated because the speakers themselves aren't good enough, so don't get an el cheapo set of 5.1 speakers either. I recommend the following sets:

In order of increasing price:

Logitech X-30 (if you can find it) or X-540
CreAtive T-6100
Logitech G-51
Logitech Z-5300e
Logitech Z-5500 (pricey)

I have the Logitech X-230 2.1 set - produces really nice sound and good bass for its price ($80NZD).

[Warsaw]

X-230 is just a 2.1 version of the X-530, which I have. But yes, it is exceptional sound quality, especially considering I got the set for a mere $65. =D

Kaiser, careful with power. The recommended wattage is always way over what it actually takes, and given that your CPU is 89W instead of the 130W that they are probably expecting, you have some elbow room. I seem to remember posting a link to a chart with power draw for all GPUs from the GeForce 6 series' time to present.

[Varmint260]

I bought a newer processor for my computer (Acer Aspire AM1201 with AM2 socket, only a few months old) and I'm upgrading from a single-core Athlon LE-1620 to a dual-core Athlon 64 X2 5600+ AM2, and I just realized I need to know a couple of things.

First off, what is the likeliness of my motherboard accepting a single-core processor but not a multi-core? I seriously doubt it since the computer's only a couple months old, but I figured it'd be important to ask.

Secondly, does a processor replacement EVER require an OS reinstallation? I've had mixed responses on this and since this is my first processor upgrade, I'd rather not assume anything.

[Warsaw]

It shouldn't require OS reinstallation, since Vista is locked to the motherboard, and not the CPU. It might, however, require OS reactivation. As for not accepting dual cores, this shouldn't be an issue, and even if it is, it's nothing a simple BIOS flash won't fix.