Rate My Build

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April 18, 2008 - 3:49pm

spaztastic

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Rate My Build

I'm building a computer. My budget is no more than $600. All I need is the computer itself. No need for a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. So here is my build and I would like opinions on what you think about it. Also, please let me know if any of the hardware isn't compatible. So here it is:

Barebone - $174.99
Processor - $124.99
Memory - $37.99
Hard Drive - $48.99
DC/DVD Drive - $22.99
Video Card - $94.99

Price - $504.94
Shipping - $28.61
Total Price - $$533.55
Mail-In Rebate - $30.00
Final Price after MIR - $503.55

April 18, 2008 - 4:22pm

ZachHudock

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I'd recommend an ATX case

I'd recommend an ATX case instead of a barebone, though then u have to add a mobo and maybe a psu to ur list of parts.

For CD/DVD drive, stay away from LITE-ON or NEC...go with Pioneer, Memorex, or Samsung

If you can, upgrade the graphics card to the 8800GT, or upgrade the processor to the intel e8400. The e8400 or Xeon e3110 are identical, use intel's newer technology, are faster and run cooler. NCIXUS.com has the xeon e3110 for $212 US here

The PSU that comes with that barebone probably won't be powerful enough. You need at least a 450W IMHO

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 18, 2008 - 4:28pm

(Reply to #2) #3

spaztastic

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How about this for a CD/DVD

How about this for a CD/DVD Drive? The Video Card is fine as is, because I won't be using any graphic-intensive programs. As for the CPU, I would like one that stays relatively cool. Any more suggestions for a CPU, besides the one mentioned above? Also, can I buy a retail PSU to replace the one in the barebone? I prefer barebones too because I save more money. Remember, my budget is $600

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

April 18, 2008 - 5:22pm

(Reply to #3) #4

ZachHudock

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That is a decent drive, i

That is a decent drive, i got this drive for the build i'm doing.

I'd still recommend the e8400 or xeon e3110 as the processor. if you can find the e8200, you could get that instead, it's a little cheaper, built on the same new technology, just ships at a lower default clock speed (both can be overclocked to at least 3.6 with the stock heatsink).

I'm not sure about replacing the PSU from a barebone, you'd have to read up on that.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 18, 2008 - 6:40pm

(Reply to #4) #5

spaztastic

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I'll look at some of those

I'll look at some of those CPUs. I may get rid of the video card, considering I don't run anything that is graphic intensive. Plus I'd prefer not to overheat anything because in a barebone like that, the parts are all crammed into one small area.

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

April 18, 2008 - 9:40pm

(Reply to #5) #6

ZachHudock

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nothing will overheat if

nothing will overheat if done right. and even if your work isn't graphics intensive, you'd be better off getting a graphics card. that 8600 is a really nice card for a low/mid priced system

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 19, 2008 - 4:57am

(Reply to #6) #7

spaztastic

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Is there any such extension

Is there any such extension that can be added to the case to add more ventilation or air circulation? Such as a card that goes into one of the motherboard slots and just has a fan on it.

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

April 19, 2008 - 9:43am

(Reply to #7) #8

ZachHudock

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i'm not sure how many

i'm not sure how many extension slots your case has, but if you have 2 to spare, I know of a product that will do just that. The Antec super cyclone should work. You can google for other alternatives if you wish.

Edit: Just found the Antec cyclone which is a single-slot version of the super cyclone.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 20, 2008 - 9:22pm

(Reply to #8) #9

spaztastic

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I would just upgrade the

I would just upgrade the Gateway 300S that I already own but I am unsure of the socket that the motherboard supports. I found memory for it and I want to get a video card too but like I said, I am not sure what the motherboard supports. I can't really replace the motherboard because it would be hard to find a motherboard that fits the case perfectly. That's always an issue when dealing with pre-built computers.

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

April 21, 2008 - 7:55am

(Reply to #9) #10

ZachHudock

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I don't know if just

I don't know if just upgrading would be a good idea, depending on how old the PC is. Also, some of those pre-built system sellers include their own hardware modifications so certain hardware cannot be updated. If you only want to put new RAM in it, that'll be fine, but swapping other parts may cause issues.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 21, 2008 - 7:24am

#11

sergentsiler

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me...

i would have sprung for the 3.16Ghz celeron on newegg since it is faster and cheaper. no need for a micro atx case, or any micro atx crap, it is basically one step away from a laptop mobo and i would think that working with such a small board would become difficult. and considering i would build a rig that would blow that one to pluto and back for $63.55 more, i would say that you just kinda picked this stuff out at random.

i would suggest going for cheaper alternatives and an atx mobo / case.

Zoop

April 21, 2008 - 11:00am

#12

ZachHudock

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My Recommendation

Motherboard - $89.99

Case - $49.99

Case 2 - $29.99

Graphics Card - $159.99 after $30 mail in rebate

Graphics Card choice 2 - $138.99 ater $10 MIR

CD/DVD Burner - $24.99

RAM - $59.99

RAM choice 2 - $49.99 after $25 MIR

Power Supply - $59.99 after $15 MIR

Hard Drive - $47.99

Processor - i'd still recommend the Intel e8200 or e8400, or Intel Xeon e3110 if you can find a good deal.

I listed 2 choices for graphics cards, i'd recommend the 8800GT over the 9600GT, but if budget takes priority over total performance, or you won't be doing anything graphics intensive, the 9600GT is a great choice.

I listed 2 choices for RAM, there are other modules out there, some that may even suit you better, or have a better price. Look around, but be sure to stick with DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) speeds.

Highest cost (not including processor) - $495
Lowest Cost (not including processor) - $445
These are costs after rebate has been applied, and do not include shipping because of note below.

Note: Newegg may not always have the best prices, have the item in stock, or even have the best options available. This is by no means the parts you must use, just a benchmark. Look at other sites and do some research. Spending time digging around other sites saved me ~$200 when part shopping for my PC.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 21, 2008 - 11:07am

#13

spaztastic

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How about...

This is in no way a final list. I just went and looked at some stuff. Yes, I know all the items are from Newegg. I will be looking at other places to compare prices and get the best price, plus I have friends who work at the local computer store.

ATX Case - $53.99
DVD Drive - $26.99
Hard Drive - $47.99
Power Supply - $20.99
Memory - $74.99
Motherboard - $139.99
Processor - $148.99

Total Cost: $513.93
Shipping: $38.17
Final Price: $552.10

This stays within my budget of $600. If I were to settle with this build I would have to get a video card at a later time but I am sure that I can find similar parts, if not the same, at other locations for better prices. If that is the case, then I can throw in a Video Card. Plus the fact that some of the chosen components are more than what I need and if I had to, I could cut a little cost by getting other parts. But I'd rather build a rig that is more powerful than I need than build one that isn't powerful enough. Not to mention the fact that it's good to be ready for future technology. Wouldn't want to build a computer and have to upgrade it in a year because it can't run next-gen software.

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

April 21, 2008 - 11:26am

(Reply to #13) #14

ZachHudock

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For the PSU, stay away from

~~For the PSU, stay away from Sunbeam, they're pretty low quality.~~ I lied, Sunbeam is decent, but that PSU doesn't have PCI-E connectors, and your video card would need a PCI-E connection

For the RAM, you don't need 4GB, and Windows won't be able to use all 4GB unless you have a 64-bit version.

For the mobo, GIGABYTE and ABIT make some pretty decent, lower priced boards, check out the one I linked to above.

For the processor, if you aren't willing to spend the extra $50 to $60 for the e8200, e8400 or Xeon e3110, at least spend an extra $20 and get the e6550. They have a higher FSB, and are slightly newer technology than the e4000 series.

For the case, pretty much anything will do, just be sure it has plenty of ventilation. Both cases I linked to above have decent ventilation. Both cases have space for adding another fan between the hard drive tray and the front of the case, and includes a vented front panel to allow that air flow. The Rosewill case is a steal at $30

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 21, 2008 - 11:30am

(Reply to #14) #15

Bruce Pascoe

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...

Incorrect about the RAM. 4GB is the max 32-bit Windows can use. 2GB for userland apps, 2GB for the OS.

April 21, 2008 - 12:20pm

(Reply to #15) #16

ZachHudock

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If you include 4GB of RAM,

Correct that 4GB is the max, that division isn't necessarily true, and incorrect that all 4GB of RAM will be usable by Windows. If you include 4GB of RAM, Windows can not use all of it. The 32-bit version of the OS has a maximum addressing space of 4GB, but this address space gets allocated to more than just the system RAM. It is also allocated to any on-board RAM for a graphics card, and some IDE peripherals like CD/DVD burners. So Windows can really only see 3.x GB of RAM, depending on how much of the addressing space has to be given to other devices.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

April 21, 2008 - 4:46pm

(Reply to #16) #17

Bruce Pascoe

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Correct

But the computer would still be able to utilize the entirety of the 4GB in some way or another (nothing would be wasted, unlike if you included, say 5GB), which was my point.

And yes, 2GB/2GB is indeed true, as the way the OS is set up, any pointer with its high-order bit set (2GB+) by definition points into kernel memory, any pointer with it unset points into userland. Therefore no app can allocate more than 2GB of memory.

April 21, 2008 - 5:25pm

(Reply to #17) #18

spaztastic

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Yes but having 4GB is still

Yes but having 4GB is still beneficial to me because the computer will still run faster than another computer that is only running 2GB RAM. My apps would be allocated 2GB of RAM instead of the others' 1GB. I'm trying for the most performance I can get with a $600 budget.

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

April 21, 2008 - 11:51pm

#19

Lurking_Biohazard

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Mine

I am ordering an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+. I have 3Gig of DDR2 (2x1 + 2x512, all dual channel). After this system gets built I will go buy UT3!

As far as cases go, I prefer strong to shiny. I recommend a case from In Win. One from this line in particular. I own a couple of these and have built many systems with them. The front paints nicely, too. PIC

~Lurk~

April 24, 2008 - 4:48am

#20

TaffinFoxcroft

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Joined: 2006-12-14 17:24

unreal tournament

unreal tournament 3.....
still stuck with UT98, but its small enough to be good and able to fit on a gig thumbdrive. after all, the school's network isn't ofen used to it's full extent....

But there’s no sense crying over every mistake,
You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.

April 24, 2008 - 3:07pm

(Reply to #20) #21

spaztastic

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Call of Duty 4 <- Good game

Call of Duty 4

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with Windows.

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