|
|
 |
|
|
Pages: 1
Needs some wisdom on computer buying
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: bLaCkOuT
I'm fairly computer illiterate as far as parts go and what goes with what. I've put a computer together, but only after my dad bought the pasrts.
I'm going to recieve about $700 this Christmas for vacation/sick time that my wife says I can use to build a new computer. I'm working with a total budget of probably around $1000 for pretty much everything but the video card (GF3), CD(48x), and CD-RW(40x-12x-36x or something like that). The more I save though, the better. So I need:
Processor
MotherBoard
RAM
Hard Drive
Win XP Home
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Sound Card
Speakers
Case (Going to buy locally for $70)
What do you guys suggest for a gaming system as far as these?
I'm thinking:
AMD 2100+ - $100
ASUS KV7333 (But I hear mixed reviews) - $120
Crucial 512 -$190
WD 80Gigi -$110
XP Home - $95
Logitech Deluxe Access Keyboard - $13
Logitech SBD69 Optical Mouse - $11
SB Live! - $35
Altec AVS 3-piece Speakers - $35
Case - $70 local
That leaves me with about $500 left for a monitor, hopefully by Christmas I can find a decent LCD 17" or maybe even 19" (Lets be optimistic) for $600ish.
Any ideas/comments/wisdom from people that actually have done this before? I wanna be sure before I go to buy anything that it should all work together and be decently speedy.
Posted by: Null Actor
Looks pretty decent so far, but I'd recommend if you are computer illiterate to go with an Intel system. AMD systems are not easy beasts to get running perfectly. So unless you are willing to learn to swim by jumping in some white water rapids... 
However, if you decide to go with the AMD system, don't forget to allocate 50$ or so towards a good quality heatsink and fan for the CPU (unless you are buying the retail box, in which case you don't have to worry about it, since they come with one).
If you buy your own heatsink and fan, make sure they are AMD approved for your processor. Also make sure you get at least a 300W powersupply (and best to make sure that is also AMD approved). Most generic cases come with crap power supplies.
Posted by: bLaCkOuT
I plan on buying the retail.
I'm computer illiterate in the component compatibility part, I've never had to buy the parts before so compatibility is the issue for me more so than getting it to run. I feel confident in being able to put it together and get it running.
Other question is, am I going to screw myself over in being able to run stuff. 1.8GHz ain't all that fast now-a-days seeing as how we've already hit 3Ghz and better publically. By the time I get this computer, how long until I have to upgrade yet again?
Posted by: Null Actor
Well, 1.8 ghz is no slouch, you'll probably get a good year out of that at least.
Posted by: ZeRo_MaXwInG
This new comp of yours will be your main computer. What do you do most on it?
Posted by: redwench
well, if you read other threads, youll notice that 1.3Ghz is kinda getting obsolete. a 1.8 wouldnt be far behind. unless you want to replace your cpu and mobo in about a year or so, id suggest getting around a 2.4Ghz. they arent that pricey -- around $180 for a retail box (intel that is).
for ram, youre going to want at least 1G of ddr, 333 or better. and youre going to want a larger hard drive than that. and probably a 350W ps or larger. hold off on buying a sound card, if you arent going to get an audigy 1 or 2. onboard sound is almost impossible to avoid now, and is better than before. it might do for you.
oh, current LCD monitors arent good for gaming, although they are great for other things. just keep your monitor from your current computer, unless thats going elsewhere.
Posted by: Freak
I agree, nothing special about an LCD monitor except the space saving issue.
And don't skimp on the soundcard. Live! technology is 2 generations ago.
Maybe you would consider an NForce2 since it has built in LAN, sound, video(GeForce4 MX core, decent, but not top of the line). And you can always plug in the GeForce 3 because it comes with an AGP port. NForce2 motherboards are for AMD processors. On a related note, looks like NVidia is gonna have to jump ship to Intel now. haha.
And hmm..Everything else looks decent. The processor is indeed midrange now, not even close to top of the line, but it should get you at least 2 years of good gaming out of it. And 512 DDRam is sufficient for most of today's applications. Get a large dedicated swap file.
If I were you, I would just by average keyboard and optical mouse because expensive ones don't really give you that much of an edge in gaming. I have a Logitech optical mouse for a year now and its been great. Cost only CAN40 at the time, so it must be cheaper. Instead, use the money you save on keyboard and mouse to get a larger hard drive, and possibly switch motherboards to one that has a RAID feature.
The KV7333 ..... I'm not sure if its a good board to pair with your 2100+. I can't remember if the higher bus speed is supported by 2200+ chips or does it start at 2100+.
And yeah, nothing wrong with Intel DDR mobos now. With DDR2 etc etc you should do fine with an Intel machine.
Posted by: pakenney38
I say stick with AMD. In my opinion, AMD knows where the computer markets are headed better than Intel, especially the Home PC market. AMD deserves the money more for not being insane about their releases. Get the fastest AMD processor you can find. 1.8GHz is nice, but it will be outdated in one year and slow in two years. The motherboard's fine. If you get an SB Live!, get an SB Live 5.1 Digital. If you plan on playing Doom III when it comes out, I recommend a digital 5.1 speaker set. My preference is either Logitech or Altec Lansing. Best bang for the buck for either of the two.
Posted by: bLaCkOuT
Sorry y'all, gave my parents-in-law a night away from their kids so I wasn't here Friday/today till now.
 Quote:
|
This new comp of yours will be your main computer. What do you do most on it?
|
Gaming. So I'll probably need better. I do all my other computer stuff during downtime at work so really other than checking whats at the movies, gaming.
Quote:
|
I agree, nothing special about an LCD monitor except the space saving issue.
|
Space was my original issue, but now we're getting a house so my desk space won't be as bit of a problem as it is in this dinky apartment. I'll probably just get a 17-19" reg monitor.
Quote:
|
Maybe you would consider an NForce2
|
What restrictions does this board have as far as chips go? Sorry, I'd look it up but I gotta go to sleep 
Quote:
|
youre going to want a larger hard drive than that
|
For what? I have trouble filling up my 20Gb as is.
Thank you all for your input, I look forward to hearing more. Now for some sleep. Its amazing how tirde 2 little kids can make you.
Posted by: redwench
nforce boards are for amd. if you decide on an amd, you will want to consider an nforce chipset. keep in mind that there is no track record however.
Posted by: ZeRo_MaXwInG
If it's for gaming.
AMD 2400+ or higher (Probably the last AMD speeders)
1 GB RAM
GeForce 4 Ti 4600 or NForce chipset.
Posted by: Bored
Well, the specs is really dependent on your budget, so it has nothing to do with wisdom. What I can offer you is some business related advice.
1, Who to buy from?
Do NOT go to Computer Heaven(if there is one in your area), or any other small or medium sized company. They tend to just pick up and leave, ignoring existing client's warranties, etc. I know from personal experience 
Go to Gateway, Dell, or make it yourself. Since I happen to work for Gateway I know that I am a little biased, but I can't imagine anyone having a better warranty or service. However I am aware that the only difference between Gateway and Dell is the name really. They get the exact same parts from the exact same suppliers at the exact same price, so don't be fooled by any stupid rumors. Go where the prices and warranties are best!
2, When to buy?
Wait until February of 2003. I know 3 months is a long time, but there is the final step of phasing out old school PS2, Serial, and Parrallel ports that will be completed by then. Motherboards at that time will be ENTIRELY color-coded USB for all integrated peripherals: Video, Sound, Mouse, Keyboard. Additionally, all Boards will have an extra 3-5 USB ports integrated. Which means that through the use of hubs you could have up to 127 sets of speakers, 127 sets of monitors, and 639 additional USB devices attached to your PC without the use of expansion cards.
Finally, and this part is STRICTLY unconfirmed, supposedly PCI expansion slots are about to become obsolete. They have been around for over ten years now, and are past due for upgrading if the past generations of buses are a reliable example of bus lifetime. Very soon they are going to be replaced by better buses that have much, much faster data transfer and can draw far more power.
Posted by: redwench
its extremely doubtful the pci slots will become obsolete. if anything, the bus speed of pcis will increase, meaning old hardware will probably work in new mobo, but new hardware wont work in old mobos. but firewire or some other bus wont be replacing them anytime soon, those decisions are made and announced publicly a year or more in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
