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| Thread ID: 43920 | 2004-04-01 00:45:00 | Component purchase advice | Miami Steve (2128) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 226359 | 2004-04-01 00:45:00 | Hi all, Thanks to all the encouragement I received in an earlier thread regarding assembling my own PC, I have decided to go ahead and do it. B-) I have decided on the following components, and would appreciate any comments regarding their suitability for a machine that will be used for internet, video editing (from a Mini DV camera) as well as some games (Rise of Nations, Myst, Flight Simulator etc). M/B - AsusTek P4P800 Deluxe CPU - P4 2.8GHz FSB800 Video - LeadTek FX5900 MyViVo 128Mb Disk - 2 x Seagate SATA-150 120Gb (probably using RAID 0) Memory - 2 x Transcend DDR400 512Mb RAM O/S - Win XP Pro Qustions. 1. Is this overkill for the intended use? It is within budget, so I am quite happy to have it future-proofed. 2. I am looking at getting a fairly basic case with a 350W power supply. Will this be enough? Is there any benefit to getting a more expensive case? 3. Other than the obvious "other bits" (keyboard/mouse, floppy drive, modem, DVD-ROM and CD/RW) are there any components that I have forgotten? TIA Miami |
Miami Steve (2128) | ||
| 226360 | 2004-04-01 01:44:00 | i would change XP pro to XP home. save yourself a few $$$$ (unless you really need XP pro ie connecting to corprate network) do not skimp on cases and power supplys. a good 350 watt will be ok, cheapos can be more hassle than its worth. have you got a screen? |
tweak'e (174) | ||
| 226361 | 2004-04-01 01:51:00 | My only advice is get a good case with good ventilation. But you also need good sound proofing. My original PC Direct PC at home has been upgraded over the years with new mobo, video card, hard drives, PSU, CDRW. Only the screws and the case are originals :P But because of the huge dual fans I put inside to cool the video card, the system can be quite loud. |
nzStan (440) | ||
| 226362 | 2004-04-01 02:07:00 | Looks nice. I agree with me tweak'e and nzStan. Go a goodish case along with a good power supply, one with adustable rpm fans would be nice. Stock cooler for the cpu will be fine but re the noise issue a really good, efficent heat sink with a quiete, adusible, fan will do wonders for your sanity. Cheers Murray P |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 226363 | 2004-04-01 02:16:00 | > 2. I am looking at getting a fairly basic case with a > 350W power supply. Will this be enough? Is there any > benefit to getting a more expensive case? Buy the PSU separately. Unless you spend a lot on the case, the PSU included wont be great (but adequate for most people). I'm a fan of enermax PSUs, but there are other good brands too. Cases around $100 are fairly good, I am happy with my icute. |
bmason (508) | ||
| 226364 | 2004-04-01 04:20:00 | > > have you got a screen? > Yeah, I've got a Sony 17" LCD sitting all ready to go. :D Cheers Miami |
Miami Steve (2128) | ||
| 226365 | 2004-04-01 04:34:00 | > Stock cooler for > the cpu will be fine but re the noise issue a really > good, efficent heat sink with a quiete, adusible, fan > will do wonders for your sanity. > > Cheers Murray P Hi Murray P, Do you mean that the fan supplied with the CPU should be removed and replaced by a heat sink? ?:| If so, is that possible without damaging the CPU. How is the standard fan attached to the CPU? And is that just a suggestion for noise reasons, or because I will probably need the cooling? Cheers Miami |
Miami Steve (2128) | ||
| 226366 | 2004-04-01 05:30:00 | My suggestion: 1. Buy a Lian-Li Case or Thermal-take case and buy a 500W or 450W TT Power supply. it's very important. Make your system more powerful and stable 2: Use P4 3. 0 or P4 2.8 Prescott 3. Powercolor ATi Radeon 9800XT XR98T-D3 (412/730MHz), 256M 256-bit DDR, Retail Box, CRT+DVI-I+S-Video Out, Free Full Version Tomb Raider VI www.qmb.co.nz 4. Winfast TV/FM Tuner (TV2000XP expert) PCI Internal Capture Card with Remote Control www.qmb.co.nz |
crazymagi (4724) | ||
| 226367 | 2004-04-01 06:02:00 | > My suggestion: > > 1. Buy a Lian-Li Case or Thermal-take case and buy a > 500W or 450W TT Power supply. it's very important. > Make your system more powerful and stable > A Lian Li or Thermaltake case are overkill, buy a basic case and if its that gets on your nerves because its ugly buy a new one later once you have your system up and running, a good PSU isnt overkill, but remember all PSU's arent built equally, wattage isnt everything. Enermex makes a nice 350w PSU for around $150ish and the thermaltake PSU's are pretty good aswell. > > 2: Use P4 3. 0 or P4 2.8 Prescott There shouldnt be any difference in the price difference between a northwood or prescott but it should be know that prescott doesnt preform aswell as the northwood core in its current configuration. When intel shift to their new socket and release their new chipset it should out preform the Northwood, but that will require a motherboard upgrade. At the moment the Northwood is the best value for money. > > 3. Powercolor ATi Radeon 9800XT XR98T-D3 > (412/730MHz), 256M 256-bit DDR, Retail Box, > CRT+DVI-I+S-Video Out, Free Full Version Tomb Raider > VI > That is an awsome card but is really expensive, i reconmended in an early post a Geforce FX5900XT these are now under $400 and offer awsome preformance, but if you want to go ATI the Powercolour Radeon 9600XT Bravo is good, slightly faster than a stock 9600XT > 4. Winfast TV/FM Tuner (TV2000XP expert) PCI Internal > Capture Card with Remote Control that once again is overkill |
Pete O'Neil (250) | ||
| 226368 | 2004-04-01 06:10:00 | > > My suggestion: > > > > 1 . Buy a Lian-Li Case or Thermal-take case and buy > a > > 500W or 450W TT Power supply . it's very important . > > Make your system more powerful and stable > > > A Lian Li or Thermaltake case are overkill, buy a > basic case and if its that gets on your nerves > because its ugly buy a new one later once you have > your system up and running, a good PSU isnt overkill, > but remember all PSU's arent built equally, wattage > isnt everything . Enermex makes a nice 350w PSU for > around $150ish and the thermaltake PSU's are pretty > good aswell . > > That is pretty much what I thought . > > 2: Use P4 3 . 0 or P4 2 . 8 Prescott > There shouldnt be any difference in the price > difference between a northwood or prescott but it > should be know that prescott doesnt preform aswell as > the northwood core in its current configuration . When > intel shift to their new socket and release their new > chipset it should out preform the Northwood, but that > will require a motherboard upgrade . At the moment the > Northwood is the best value for money . > > Certainly, according to the April PCW mag, the Prescott is outperformed by the Northwood despite having a 1Mb L2 cache . I did consider the Prescott, as the price difference was negligible, until I read the PCW review . :D > > 3 . Powercolor ATi Radeon 9800XT XR98T-D3 > > (412/730MHz), 256M 256-bit DDR, Retail Box, > > CRT+DVI-I+S-Video Out, Free Full Version Tomb > Raider > > VI > > > That is an awsome card but is really expensive, i > reconmended in an early post a Geforce FX5900XT these > are now under $400 and offer awsome preformance, but > if you want to go ATI the Powercolour Radeon 9600XT > Bravo is good, slightly faster than a stock 9600XT > I think crazymagi must work for QMB, having looked through his/her previous posts . Yes, that is way outside my budget (or even needs) for a graphics card . > > 4 . Winfast TV/FM Tuner (TV2000XP expert) PCI > Internal > > Capture Card with Remote Control > > that once again is overkill Again, outside of requirements . I have a TV . :D Cheers Miami |
Miami Steve (2128) | ||
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