OK guys, I'm new here (TT Forums) but not new to computers. Do not take this as I am an expert, but I've been building systems since I was 9 and have an avid interest in reading all I can. I am also the type of person that does not necessarily want someone to tell me step by step how to do something, but I do want to know before I'm going to do something incredibly stupid/ill-advised/dangerous, etc.
With this being said, I would like to say hello to everyone and tell you about my new system. I just ordered an Albatron PX845PEV Pro with a P4 2.4B and 512MB of PC2700 DDR. I also bought a Radeon 9500 Pro and am excited about what I can do with this new system compared to my old clunker (533 celeron, 448 SDRAM, GeForce2 GTS). I want to know what you guys do to get a baseline score for the purpose of having something to compare to once I have OCed my comp.
What I have in mind is to install everything, backup, then reformat and do a fresh install of XP Pro. Here's where I come across my first question: should I run all the benchmarking and everything before I install all the other programs I plan on Installing? (Office, games, etc.) or should I install everything like I normally would, then benchmark, or both? I am also curious as to how many fans you guys consider enough? What should my goal be for system temp? I am not going to go crazy with watercooling or anything else, but I do plan on having relatively good airflow without too much noise hindrance. Right now, I am planning on 1 intake (front) 1 exhaust(back) and another exhaust up top. The case I am buying has a side panel fan, should this be intake or exhaust? I think this should be fairly adequate as far as air movement goes. I also am thinking about replacing the stock P4 HSF, but that depends on how well the stock one performs. Anyways, let me know what you guys think and I will adjust my plans accordingly :). Thanks a bunch in advance.
With this being said, I would like to say hello to everyone and tell you about my new system. I just ordered an Albatron PX845PEV Pro with a P4 2.4B and 512MB of PC2700 DDR. I also bought a Radeon 9500 Pro and am excited about what I can do with this new system compared to my old clunker (533 celeron, 448 SDRAM, GeForce2 GTS). I want to know what you guys do to get a baseline score for the purpose of having something to compare to once I have OCed my comp.
What I have in mind is to install everything, backup, then reformat and do a fresh install of XP Pro. Here's where I come across my first question: should I run all the benchmarking and everything before I install all the other programs I plan on Installing? (Office, games, etc.) or should I install everything like I normally would, then benchmark, or both? I am also curious as to how many fans you guys consider enough? What should my goal be for system temp? I am not going to go crazy with watercooling or anything else, but I do plan on having relatively good airflow without too much noise hindrance. Right now, I am planning on 1 intake (front) 1 exhaust(back) and another exhaust up top. The case I am buying has a side panel fan, should this be intake or exhaust? I think this should be fairly adequate as far as air movement goes. I also am thinking about replacing the stock P4 HSF, but that depends on how well the stock one performs. Anyways, let me know what you guys think and I will adjust my plans accordingly :). Thanks a bunch in advance.
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