[luceberg]

That 4 pin socket supplies the cpu. The 8 pin one that comes on your psu will fit on it in a certain position, I believe.

[unc13bud]

QUOTE

The PSU I am getting does not have that, is there a way to make it work?

i have this psu, purchased on similar deal from newegg, that is one of the reasons i recommended it -- i am using it right now! the eight pin connector actually has a clasp on it, it separates into two four pin connectors. the cx400 (i also own, i just buy good power supplies as backup all the time anyway) had the same feature. the silverstone 50etf needed an adapter though, that came supplied with the kit. have you swapped CPUs before? there are plenty of videos on youtube...

[New2Gta4]

Good then it should work fine. Now any recommendations on the best way to clean off the old thermal compund from the heatsync?

[luceberg]

For cleaning the heatsink/cpu, the best stuff is isopropyl alcohol, otherwise known as electrical contact cleaner or af spray. Spray some on a tissue and use it to wipe off the old thermal grease.

[New2Gta4]

isopropyl alcohol? Isn't that rubbing alcohol?

Now at some point I do want to do a true from scratch custom build, how much should I save up before I attempt to do that?

This post has been edited by New2Gta4 on Sunday, Mar 25 2012, 20:53

[unc13bud]

QUOTE

sn't that rubbing alcohol?

no, they are different, and if you go to a drugstore/superstore, you can get 91% isopropyl
just look at the videos on youtube. i need to mention because i don't know the condition of your computer... be careful lifting the heat-sink fan up - i have seen it pull the CPU out with it. if that happens, sticking it inside a bag, putting it in a freezer and using dental floss to separate them worked.

QUOTE

Now at some point I do want to do a true from scratch custom build, how much should I save up before I attempt to do that?

what resolution do you want to play at?

[luceberg]

QUOTE (New2Gta4 @ Sunday, Mar 25 2012, 18:51)

Now at some point I do want to do a true from scratch custom build, how much should I save up before I attempt to do that?

For an Intel i5 and 570 GTX rig, about $800 including windows.

[New2Gta4]

QUOTE (luceberg @ Sunday, Mar 25 2012, 22:55)

QUOTE (New2Gta4 @ Sunday, Mar 25 2012, 18:51) Now at some point I do want to do a true from scratch custom build, how much should I save up before I attempt to do that? For an Intel i5 and 570 GTX rig, about $800 including windows.

What are your thoughts on this: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...o=2202111&csid=

Plus the 570 GTX?

[luceberg]

That looks quite good. The ssd is about the right size for operating system and games. You would need also say a 1Terrabyte hard drive for other data. The power supply Ultra 550watt I have never heard of. May be ok, but best to stick to known brands, antec, corsair, seasonics etc.

[yojo2]

Ultra isn't a noname brand, though there aren't many reviews of these PSUs. Might be okay, might be below average.

[New2Gta4]

IMO 1TB is overkill I think I would probably just keep thr 160GB HD from my HP and that should be fine. I priced out buying each part individually except getting no hard drive and getting a 550W Corsair PSU. Thats came out to about $540, not counting any sales tax or shipping. The vid card would be another $300 on top of that. Then you'll figure another 100 or so for windows.

[luceberg]

Sounds about right. I would fit an aftermarket cpu cooler also, which is best to fit during the build as the support bracket fits under the motherboard usually. Very easy to overclock to 4Ghz+, should you wish.

[New2Gta4]

I installed the X2 and I turn on the computer and get nothing, just a blank screen like the computer isn't even on...not sure if the CPU is borken of if its something else. Based on my searching it seems thats a common problem if a bios upgrade is needed, but the only bios upgrade I can find seems to state it only fixes minor issues when comming back from sleep or hibernate, not anything compatablity wise. And the 4 pin CPU connector from the PSU is securly connected. Not sure what else it could be, any ideas?

I decided to go cheap and order on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...cvip=true&rt=nc

I wonder if it is bad becuae it was sandwiched between two peiced of foam taped tightly together, placed in an antistatic bage then put in a bubble mailer sent USPS. Not the best packign job so I'm thinking it might have been damaged in shipping or something perhaps? Any ideas should I look to return this?

This post has been edited by New2Gta4 on Saturday, Apr 7 2012, 00:06

[luceberg]

cpu's are fairly robust, so unlikely to be damaged in the post.

I would try a bios update.

[New2Gta4]

QUOTE (luceberg @ Saturday, Apr 7 2012, 00:08)

cpu's are fairly robust, so unlikely to be damaged in the post. I would try a bios update.

I can try but the fact the bios update description seems to make it seems like its a few minor mizexes with blue screens, I wasn't sure if it would work. But I suppose I should try first. Just wondering if anyone else had any other ideas.

Tried the BIOS update. That worked.

Raised the resolution to 1024x760 set textures to med the rest on low max traffic density view distance 10 view detial 5 and I'm getting 30fps and 97% cpu useage.

The the clear culprit appears to have been the CPU though the new vid card doesn't hurt. Now hopefully I can have the money saved up for a new system by the time GTA V comes to PC because that will need it lol.

This post has been edited by New2Gta4 on Saturday, Apr 7 2012, 02:15

[luceberg]

Good to hear you got it working.

Is that with the zotac 9800GT graphics card?

[unc13bud]

QUOTE

rest on low max traffic density

why are you maxing traffic density on a dual core CPU? it should be set to 1
and for a dual core cpu? yeah its going to be 97%