Computer Assistance?!
Delirium — Thu, 12/25/2008 - 13:03
I'm trying for the first time to build a comp, if this set-up does work it'll be a HUGE upgrade from my current computer. Of course I'm trying to keep costs low, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Don't laugh too much!
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9655612
Apparently you can view it when you log in :P
Ok, I think I've decided on
Delirium — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 15:08Ok, I think I've decided on the 300, while the 500 would be nice... I'm on a tight budget.
I do have one question though, if I wanted to later on, could I use the video card from the 500 dollar setup on the 300 one?
Thank you so much!
Delirium — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 18:55Yeah, I'm going to stick with the onboard graphics for a bit. I do get what you're saying I was just asking mainly for further down the road, really.
As for the memory, Star, I probably will go for more... just because the price difference is so small. I'll be ordering a piece here and there over the course of a month. I just ordered my case just an hour ago, the mobo next week... then the processer and so forth. As it stands now, 2g of memory will be a huge upgrade from my current comp. 4g will be outrageous!
Thank you Mori for speccing those two out for me.
Thanks Star for the extra advice!
All of this was a HUGE help, and I appreciate it greatly!
.......now I can't wait to have the finished product........ ARGH IMPATIENCE!
Yeah, both computers mori
starstalker — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 15:54Yeah, both computers mori specced out are great options Del.
Although I would still reccomend the 2x2gb instead.
With http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148160 , the difference is $7.
video card
moriella — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 15:47yes, you can use that video card on the 300.00 machine. However, if you really want the video card upgrade, I can pick you out a M/B without the on board graphics and save you maybe 20.00 on the m/b - IF you are going to buy it at the same time. Hope that makes sense.
Otherwise, use the onboard graphics for a while, then treat yourself to a video card in a few monhts - they will just continue to drop in price - allowing you to get an even better video card for teh same money in 3-6 months.
The 300.00 machine is gonna run rings around what you are used to, no matter how you slice it.
It's not that I'm really
Delirium — Thu, 12/25/2008 - 23:12It's not that I'm really committed to Intel, I've just heard better things about Intel in general, but I may have been misinformed. I've not been a fan of windows since XP came out. Maybe it's because my computers since have been lacking or whatever, I'm just willing to try another OS out. I've been thinking about Linux, as another way of cutting the cost that much more. (Every little cent helps!) In case that factors into what goes into the comp. If Linux turns out to not be right for me, it shouldn't be too hard to switch to windows instead, would it?
As far as memory goes, I thought I had chosen 2x2g. I may have chosen 1 by mistake. When it comes to Video cards I've no loyalty there either really, it's just that every video card I've ever bought has been an nVidia and I've never had a problem with them.
Oh my monitor is rather old as well, but it should be fine... right? :P
It's the HP v72
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00039593&lc=en&dlc=...
300.00 computer
moriella — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 12:13I'd spnd my money like this if I were in your shoes.
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=5765809
Discussion :
I kept the same case as you selected, as cases can be highly personal
I went with an AMD chip as I believe in the low end market, AMD still shines over intel dollar for dollar. Mid and hi end, I'm intel all the way.
I selected a ASUS motherboard with plenty of expansion options. This motherboard comes with built in HD3200 ati graphics which have been tested and reviewed as quite adequate for gaming at the resolutions you will be playing at.
I selected a different HD to get you a higher data xfer rate. I have two 500g HD's in this model line in my box and they are extremly quiet and reliable
Building this system gives you lots of flexibility. You can pull the cpu out at anytime and upgrade it all the way into the phenom line in the future. You have two more RAM sockets available for expansion. You can (if you feel you need it), add another GPU in the future - but this on board GPU will run Call of Duty 4 at 50 fps so you may never have a need.
Currently there is a combo deal on this MB+CPU which will save you another 15.00 which is not shown in the wish list price. With that savings you could double the ram to 4g and still come in right at 300.00
Hard to do ALOT better at this price point
For less than 500.00 you can build something smoking however....
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=5765829
This system gives you one of the fastest intel two core chips, running at 65w - for gaming two cores is about all you need. While I choose a quad core over this chip, I do lots of multitasking and video conversion. For most ppl you will get better performance out of this chip simply due to the clock speed.
This combination is certainly worth of a high end video card - but the one I selected is very nicely in the upper 1/3 currently. Bang for the buck, it's a good price point. Spending 2x as much on a GPU wont get you anywhere near 2x the power - so I'd keep it right here. In two years with this build you can get a new GPU and still be ok. The other 300.00 build will need more upgrades in two years but can still be viable.
Bottom line, up too you. If budget is important, the 300.00 machine is sweet and will be a HUGE improvement over what you have, and should be significantly better than what you originally specced.
Hope this helps
speccing you a new system
moriella — Thu, 12/25/2008 - 22:24Are you comitted to intel or would you consider a low end amd x2 chip if you get much more bang for the buck?
With a budget of 375-400 we can put a much better machine together than you specced. Let me know your monitor resolution and if you have brand loyalty to any particular thing or chipset and I'll get to work for ya.
a quick look reveals
moriella — Thu, 12/25/2008 - 15:50You are buying ONE memory chip. This is a problem. Instead of 1x2g ram module, you need 2x1g ram. Memory is always run in pairs, not single chips
THe motherboard you selected only has two slots for ram however, so you will not be able to add more ram after this. I'd recommend a motherboard with 4 ram slots. If you only propigate two fo them now, that leaves you room to add more ram in the future.
On a video card, I'd recommend a radeon 4650, it's now available around the 60.00 price mark and blows an 8600 out of the water
Also, I'd suggest getting a
starstalker — Thu, 12/25/2008 - 16:39Also, I'd suggest getting a different brand of motherboard than an ECS.
The Asus P5KPL-CM uses the same chipset as the board you chose, but comes from a better manufacturer imo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131288
Still has only 2 ram slots though...but stays within what I think is your price range, as well as being micro ATX.
Memory is not always ran in
starstalker — Thu, 12/25/2008 - 16:35Memory is not always ran in pairs. It can be run in single channel mode if necessary, you just take a perfomance hit. Also, the price difference between 2x1gb and 2x2gb right now is very, very small. I understand you wont have a 64bit OS atm, but with prices the way they are, just get the 2x2gb and save yourself some time in the future.
And the 4650 video card is worth every penny.
All I Have to say is 3
HBK — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 16:46All I Have to say is 3 letters AMD
I live buy it :)
As far as everything goes it
Ewiges — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 18:10As far as everything goes it looks good. Like others said with the ram issue, make sure you get on that. I'm running 4x 1gig sticks. Seems 4 gigs is fine for gaming PCs. As far as the case go I haven't really looked into cube cases. But for about the same price you can get an Antec900, which is the best air cooled tower I've been able to find, though it'll turn out to be nearly twice the dimension of that cube case.
But to go into the motherboard, try and find an EVGA MoBo. They are the best company I've been able to work with and I love talking to the guys at that company. Also, try and get the same manufacturer for both the MoBo and the vid card. I went with EVGA graphics card and EVGA MoBO, this way if you ever need to call the company they have all the information already for compatibility and trouble shooting information.
he better have vista if he
Caronte22 — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 19:28he better have vista if he has 4gigs
since xp only counts 3gigs
Re-read my earlier post
starstalker — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 22:39Re-read my earlier post caronte. It doesn't matter that he would be using XP (if he was). The difference between 2gb and 4gb is $7. Who knows what it will be in a year or 2 when (if) he decides to change OS's. I remember when ram prices quadrupled in the span of 9 months a few years ago, and with DDR3 being phased in, there's really no guaruntee the price will stay this low, with more manufacturers cutting or eliminating their ddr2 production.
Its a very small price to pay.
VISTA
moriella — Fri, 12/26/2008 - 22:28he allready mentioned linux, ubuntu I think. 4g of ram will work fine.
Why are you ordering it seperatly? It's gonna cost you an extra 100 in shipping to do that