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Thread ID: 50627	2004-10-27 00:19:00	Building a new "Basic" computer	TonyF (246)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
285005	2004-10-27 00:19:00	Several threads recently about building new PC for hot games etc. But if the need is for tbe basic things such as Email, Web,PF1 and a few apps, what to suggest ? Anandtech had a "value" suggestion recently - what do Metla and other builders suggest ? (other than go to Wanganui and buy one !!) Cheers T	TonyF (246)
285006	2004-10-27 00:29:00	Well theres not much choice these days . Either Pentium or AMD . Or you could try ebay or something . (for 2nd hand) . BUT most PC's (whether u buy it as a system or parts, so u can make 1), now are either P4 or AMD . Even the cheapest AMD would do, if u want something basic . Just as long as u get the mobo/ram/hdd/mouse, modem, monitor, and software . Thats all u need to get onto the net, and use Email / browsing . It also depends on how much you want to spend . (And if u have any spare parts, like modem, or monitor), use them instead . It'll save u a bit of money, if u decide to build a PC .	Spacemannz (808)
285007	2004-10-27 00:45:00	If your not playing games then id reckonmend an older socket A Sempron with a nForce2 motherboard using the nForce2 IGP (if you can find one) . Throw in 512-1024mb of cheap DDR400, make sure you use 2 stick so as to enable dual channel . Dual channel is important when using the nForce2's onboard video . Grab a cheap harddrive, may aswell get SATA as the price difference is very small and the thin cables make life alot easier when building the PC . Throw in a optical drive of your choice and youve got a fully functional system . Seeing as your using onboard video and a sempron you could grab a nice mATX mobo and throw it in a nice small mATX case . It would nice and compact and small . Then depending on the budget you could get a LCD or go with an old relialbe CRT if the budget is a bitter tight . The nForce2 IGP isnt a gamers dream but would easily play games such as UT2k3 and BF1942, especially with sufficent system RAM .	Pete O'Neil (250)
285008	2004-10-27 00:46:00	Hi Tony, I've personally being putting quite a few different low-mid range PC combinations for myself . My suggestion, from what I understand you use the PC for is, aim for the lower end of reliable brands, typically theres are Asus, Gigabyte, Transcend, Legend . . . etc . So for you, I may recommend something along the lines of Intel Celeron 2 . 4/2 . 6~ish or AMD Sempron 2400 . . . 3100+ ish depending on your budget A motherboard to suit, reliable brand 80Gb hard drive as 40gb is not longer worth its value, or more if you need them 256mb ram, although more the better You should be fine with onboard video and audio, etc . floppy, keyboard, mouse the usual CD-RW (or if you need, DVD-RW) . The plain readers aren't worth the money anymore monitor will depend on your budget and preference . On a whole, for your type of need, I would think with a 17" monitor, everything should go within $800incl GST . Otherwise with 17" monitor maybe very early $1000~ zone . Asustek P4S800 648FX/963L Intel Celeron 330 2 . 67GHz Transcend Jetram 256MB PC3200 Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm Samsung 3 . 25" Floppy Drive Samsung 52x32x52x CDRW CMV CT-722A 17" LCD monitor Other than the case, mouse, keyboard, and speaker [case of personal budget and preference] . I have come to roughly $885 including GST . Which means getting it under $1000 all up should be certain .	~~~~~ s y ~~~~~ (2054)
285009	2004-10-27 00:47:00	Tony, A basic Micro all onboard Amd with DDR ram is all you should need. Sd ram is dated for a new supply board. Most of these take up to 1G ram, so the ability to keep up with the ongoing net graphic demand is there. Get a DVD dual format, possibly dual layer, should be compatable for some years. Get the AMD know all's, to give good advise on the realistic CPU for such a unit. D.	drb1 (4492)
285010	2004-10-27 00:48:00	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or you could buy a Dell But Dell's arent cool and you would instantly lose all respect for fellow geeks .	Pete O'Neil (250)
285011	2004-10-27 00:55:00	> go with an old relialbe CRT if the budget is a bitter > tight . If that's the case, you could go second hand . They are relatively cheap and easy to find . TradeMe, Trade and Exchange, and stuff like that should help . I do not think you would need SATA, DVD-RW,or more than 512 mb ram . Chances are your spending it on things your not going to need, only get the stuff you need . Chances are DVD-RW will be so fast and dirt cheap when I need it [not a long way away] . Unless your into photography and gaming, etc . you won't need more than 256mb of ram . I'm usually running quite a few windows (being the multitasker I am) and use about 170mb of ram at max . However, if your budget allows, get all you can :)	~~~~~ s y ~~~~~ (2054)
285012	2004-10-27 00:57:00	I note that you live in J'ville. There's a company not far from you that will build a PC to your specs / budget pp.co.nz Their prices are very good. Also try computerlink.co.nz in Petone for a good selection of ex-lease PCs	POTUS (5276)
285013	2004-10-27 01:03:00	> If that's the case, you could go second hand . They > are relatively cheap and easy to find . TradeMe, Trade > and Exchange, and stuff like that should help . I do > not think you would need SATA, DVD-RW,or more than > 512 mb ram . Chances are your spending it on things > your not going to need, only get the stuff you need . > Chances are DVD-RW will be so fast and dirt cheap > when I need it [not a long way away] . Unless your > into photography and gaming, etc . you won't need more > than 256mb of ram . I'm usually running quite a few > windows (being the multitasker I am) and use about > 170mb of ram at max . I wouldnt buy a CRT second hand its too risky . You never know your getting, the tube could be damaged, the colours could be screw . Ive used alot of second hand monitors and theyve be dreadful . The price of a brand new 17' CRT is cheap enough that buying second hand shouldnt even be considered . I disagree on 256mb of ram be enough, 512 really is the minimum, buying anything less will just need to be upgraded in the next few months . SATA is generally only a few dollars more expensive compared to the PATA equvilant, but i agree that a DVD-RW is overkill unless you have a specific need for one . Theres a difference between building a budget machine and a outdated relic, theres no need to sarcfise quality and performance even when restricted in terms of budget .	Pete O'Neil (250)
285014	2004-10-27 01:13:00	> Seeing as your using onboard video... Most of the nForce2 boards I've looked at haven't had a VGA connector on the motherboard so how do you tap into the onboard video? Is that for the specific IGP boards is it? What is the equivalent of the nForce2 onboard video? An MX420?	Azsen (155)
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