Upgrade and Computer-Building Advice Thread

[aliquidparadigm]

Since I often find myself lacking somewhat vital information when trying to help folks asking for upgrade assistance, I figured I'd jot down a template for people to hopefully use so they can get better responses from us/me.

If you want to just reply in this thread rather than start a new one, that will work too; I've set up an instant email subscription, so I may reply very quickly--at worst within a couple of days, should no-one else get to it first.

Template:

Copy and paste this to begin:

PHP Code:

1. [b]Make and Model[/b]: 
a. [b]Motherboard[/b]: 
b. [b]CPU[/b]: 
c. [b]Case Form Factor[/b]: 
d. [b]PSU[/b]: 
e. [b]GPU[/b]:

2. [b]RAM[/b]: 

3. [b]Disk Drive(s)[/b]: 

4. [b]Optical drive(s)[/b]: 

4. [b]Image Quality[/b]: 

5. [b]Case+[/b]: 

6. [b]BUDGET[/b]: 


Explanation:

1. Make and Model(if applicable):

If no make and model:

a. Motherboard:

b. CPU:

c. Case Form Factor--ATX/microATX:

d. PSU--overall wattage and, if possible, +12v amperage:

e. GPU--your current video card, if applicable:

2. RAM--total number of sticks and type (DDR, DDR2, DDR3):

3. Disk Drive(s)--total number, type (IDE/SATA/SCIC/SSD) and speed (5400, 7200, 10000, 15000):

4. Optical drive(s)--total number and type (CD/DVD/BD):

4. Image Quality--resolution you intend to play at, as well as whether or not you care about AA/AF (anti-aliasing/anisotropic filtering) and/or high texture quality:

5. Case+, specifically how many fans you have, LEDs, or other bullshit bells and whistles that some people like which will suck up power:

6. BUDGET (lest we forget):

If you find that you're having issues locating this information, most of it can be gathered from CPUz, except the PSU info, which is always written on the side of the PSU. If you see +12v1, +12v2 (etc.) make sure to note that; there's a very, very large difference between (1 x 30A) and (2 x 15A).

7. Are you in the USA or Canada (and thus able to purchase from Newegg)?


Example:

1. Make and Model: lolz i builded it myselfs
a. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4
b. CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
c. Case Form Factor: ATX
d. PSU: 750w, +12v = 1 x 60A
e. GPU: 2 x 4870

2. RAM: 4 x DDR2

3. Disk Drive(s): 4 x 7200rpm SATA drives

4. Optical drive(s): 1 x DVD, 1 x HD-DVD

4. Image Quality: 1920x1200, max possible AA/AF and texture quality

5. Case+: 6 x 120mm fan, ~1-3 USB items plugged in at a time

6. BUDGET: I AIN'T GOT NO MONEY, BITCHES--but let's pretend I want to upgrade to a pair of 5870s or a pair of 5970s and money isn't an issue.

Using that information--assuming no over-clocking, I can determine that the high-end power consumption (90% overall system load) of the listed components is going to be around 300w, leaving me with 450w to devote to video card use.
If we throw in the two video cards I own (4870s), the approximate power consumption is 600w; since I have a single-rail PSU, there are no worries with how shit is connected, thus I still have 100w before I even need to start worrying about power consumption.
If I wanted to upgrade to a pair of 5870s, I'd be looking at an additional 76w at peak draw. The 676w being drawn would be 90% of the rated power available from this power supply, but that's not so much a worry as the peak is 825w; one thing to note is that some companies market the peak power of their unit... and these PSUs are almost always shit.
Given that I am only left with 75w with two 5870s, it's obvious I do not have enough power available on my current PSU to support a pair of 5970s, so my decision is easy.

Now I just need to get the damn money for it.