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Thread ID: 97918 2009-03-04 07:01:00 Lets Build a PC March 2009 Metla (12) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
753322 2009-05-27 03:41:00 Metla wants specifics.

I don't think there is any point in listing a particular configuration though as it changes - like AMDs CPUs, I just changed my entry level one to the new ones.

I would avoid Celeron or Semprons in it for business though. Too annoying.

XP for now, Win 7 when it's out. As Vista is too annoying too.

And of course, quality parts. Including PSU. Corsair - they have a 5 yr warranty and are great and reliable. For business a 550w would do.

Some decent tasteful case, if you want it to be really posh then one of the Mid tower Lian Lis, but if price matters then any reasonable non-bling case.
The PSU matters more.

How big the drive or drives (RAID?) would depend on the businesses needs.......

And sufficient RAM, with WIn7 I'd put in 6GB. They may not need it all but why skimp?
pctek (84)
753323 2009-06-10 06:59:00 I'm trying to build my first computer, aiming to spend about $800-$1000. A dual-core seems to be the best bet (as opposed to quad-core), and I'd like to have 4GBs RAM if possible. I'm not too keen on overclocking as this the first time I've ever done anything like this.

So far, it seems like an AMD CPU and an ATI graphics card are the most affordable options. I was told to get a motherboard first and fit everything else to it. However, the details for motherboards (MoBo's?) and PSUs are completely beyond me so I'm fairly well lost.

All in all I have little knowledge of brand quality and reliability so any help would be appreciated, especially with regards to the motherboard and the case/PSU. Recommendations regarding CPUs and graphics cards would also be handy.
Ancient Engine (14673)
753324 2009-06-10 07:09:00 The more reliable mobos are ASUS. Never used a Gigabyte mobo, so dont know how reliable they are now they used to stuff up years ago. But most gigabyte mobos do have dual BIOS'es (so it'll be easier to fix it, if you stuff one up, or something hits it). I've never used any other mobo brand besides ASUS. BUT there's also ECS, MSI, and a few others (that I cant remember)!

You should be able to get an ATI system (mobo, CPU, Ram, case, videocard (if its not onboard) and an LCD monitor, for less than 1G. Where in Auckland are you Ancient? Thats right, its better (and easier), if you install the ram and CPU on the mobo, before you put them in a case. You'll have to sort out which mobo you want first, (what do yo WANT on a mobo - ie: SATA, USB2, Firewire, what kind of sound? What kind of videocard, if its onboard)? Before you decide what CPU to get
Speedy Gonzales (78)
753325 2009-06-10 08:30:00 Building a dream system? This could be something you would like the look of.

1x Lian Li TYR PC-X2000
2x ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 ~ XFX HD-487A-CDF
1x AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0GHz Quad core
4x Kingston HyperXram DDR2-800 2GB Card ~ KHX6400D2
1x GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-UD5P AMD 790FX ATX
6x Western Digital 1TB Black 7200rpm 32MB Cache ~ WD1001FALS
1x THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 1200W ~ W0133
1x Blu-ray and HD DVD Reader + DVD Writer SATA ~ LG GGC-H20L
1x Blu-ray writer and HD DVDROM Drive SATA ~ LG GGW-H20L
2x Asustek VW246H 24" 2ms HDMI DVI Speakers Full HD
1x Logitech Z-5500
1x Logitech G15
1x Logitech G9

Worth around $8000

Still looking at the case as it can't be found in NZ. Also thinking of water cooling for the cpu, north bridge, south bridge, graphics cards (needs 4 panels).
Tunez (14674)
753326 2009-06-10 08:44:00 Thanks for replying Speedy, I live in New Lynn, in Waitakere City if that's any help. I don't want an onboard card as I intend to use the pc for gaming to some degree (not hardcore, but certainly more intensive than allowed under my current 64MB onboard limits). 256MB or even a cheap 512MB card would fit the bill.

With regards to the mobo, I'm not too sure about Firewire (I have no idea what it is), and sound isn't a big deal, so onboard should be fine. I don't need a massive hard drive, 160GB or a cheap 320GB would easily suffice. Don't need many USBs; six would be plenty, though more than one in front would be handy.

In details, this is about what I'd be aiming for:

2.4GHz-2.6GHz dual core processor
4GBs RAM
512MB graphics card (at best)
320GB hard drive (at best)

I have a 19" LCD monitor, though a cheap-ish widescreen wouldn't be turned away. I do need a new keyboard and mouse too, however, these are not absolutely necessary. Also, is it only 64bit OS's that allow utilisation of more than 2GBs of RAM?
Ancient Engine (14673)
753327 2009-06-10 08:55:00 Ancient Engine I have recently built a computer for my mate on a tight budget, We managed to get this computer built for $1,166.82 with a nice 19" asus monitor here are the specs.


OC Zone
$191.84 1 x XFX PV-T98G-YHF3 Green Edition Geforce 9800GT 512MB ~ GV-N98TOC-512I
$135.95 1 x AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ socket Retail CPU ~ AMD 6000+
$38.85 2 x Supertalent DDR2 800 2gb retail pack w/ life time warranty ~ Generic

PC onlineshop
$89.39 1 x Western Digital Special 500GB SATA 7200RPM Hard Drive ~ WD Special 500GB
$44.15 1 x Generic 500Watt Power Supply Unit ~ Generic
$171.89 1 x Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+ ATX Motherboard ~ GA-MA770-UD3 www.gigabyte.com.tw
$51.59 1 x Foxconn TSAA 998a Silver & Black ATX Case ~ Foxconn TSAA 998a
$37.38 1 x Samsung SH-S223F Black Internal 22x Speed DVD Drive ~ Samsung SH-S223F
$208.08 1 x Asus VW193T 19"W 5ms DVI-D Speaker HDCP Black LCD Monitor ~ Asus VW193T

PC onlineshop shipping to auckland $32.85
OCzone ? (I picked up)
All prices are ex-gst


TOTAL $1,166.82
With out the monitor would be $932.73

32-bit systems show only 3.8ishGB of ram having more wont adversely effect the computer but if you are planing on more than 4GB of ram then yes you should look at 64 bit.
Tunez (14674)
753328 2009-06-10 09:00:00 With 32 bit, you'll only be able to use about 3.25 - 3.75 GB (not 2 GB ram).

With 64 bit, its unlimited (but it'll only support as much as the mobo can support). Some mobos I've seen support from 16 GB to 24 GB. This mobo supports 16 GB (but I'm not going to spend a lot of money, to get 1 stick of 4 GB ram, its expensive). Yup, if you want more than 4 GB, you'll have to get the 64 bit version of something (windows, or linux (which is free). But if you decide to get a 64 bit version of whatever, MAKE SURE whatever devices you've got now, has 64 bit drivers (32 bit drivers wont work in 64 bit)

Firewire (en.wikipedia.org) is similar to USB 2 but faster, and better if youre into video editing. ok, I'm in Mt Eden. You could probably get a decent system for about $600-650. Which would be a lot cheaper than an Intel system
Speedy Gonzales (78)
753329 2009-06-10 09:14:00 I didn't know they made 4gb DDR2 ram cards...?

Also the 32-bit issue explained.
blogs.msdn.com
Tunez (14674)
753330 2009-06-10 09:17:00 Dont know if they do either, I've never seen one lol. If they dont, then whats the point in having mobos with 4 slots, that support up to 16 GB?? Speedy Gonzales (78)
753331 2009-06-10 09:21:00 Haha I suppose they are trying to not get sunk into the same problem as the 32-bit issue and if at some time a cleaver bird does make a 4gb+ ram card but because they didn't have support for it beforehand they can't use it. Tunez (14674)
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