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Thread ID: 96400 2009-01-09 06:05:00 Building a New PC - Are these components good or a waste? sinclair27 (14502) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
736682 2009-01-09 06:05:00 I'm building a computer around the $1100 to $1300 price range.
It's to be used as a casual gaming computer and also run universtity engineering programmes.

Are any of the following components rubbish and not worth wasting money on? (also don't hold back if you know some of the components are not compatible) I am open to all advice!

Here are the components I am considering on getting:


-----CPU-----
- Intel Core 2 Duo E8200, 2.66GHz ($270)
or
- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3.00GHz ($330)

-----Motherboard-----
- Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P (Intel P45) ($236)

-----Graphics Card-----
- GeForce 9800 GT 512MB ($225)
or
- Geforce 9800 GT 1GB ($260)
or
- GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB ($320)

-----RAM-----
- 2x 2GB DDR2-800 SDRAM ($60-$90 is it worth buying branded RAM?)

-----HDD-----
- Western Digital 640GB, 7200rpm ($120)

-----CDD-----
- Samsung SH-S223F 22x DVD-RW ($35)

-----PSU-----
- 450W or 500W?? (not sure on which brand!)(Is 500W even enough?)

Not quite sure on a case yet but to me that's low priority.
Not too keen on overclocking either, unless you can convince me otherwise.


Thanks!
sinclair27 (14502)
736683 2009-01-09 06:09:00 I would say most people would say WD are crap. Get Seagate

Dont know how good Samsung are, never had anything by Samsung

I would get Asus,. Never had a GB mobo. So dont know how good they are

I dont think it matters if you buy branded ram or not.

Last brand i brought was PQI, or something. It works, its not faulty, or doesnt crash. So I use it.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
736684 2009-01-09 06:09:00 All adequate, if in good condition and not salvage items. PENTIUM (426)
736685 2009-01-09 06:14:00 Just to mention - buying all parts BRAND NEW. sinclair27 (14502)
736686 2009-01-09 06:40:00 u can get that 4 $1300?
wow
pcuser7895 (12979)
736687 2009-01-09 07:18:00 - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3.00GHz ($330)
- Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P (Intel P45) ($236)
- GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB ($320)
- 2x 2GB DDR2-800 SDRAM ($60-$90 is it worth buying branded RAM?)
- Western Digital 640GB, 7200rpm ($120)
500W?? (not sure on which brand!)(Is 500W even enough?)

Those. But I prefer Seagates 5 yr warranty to WDs 3 yr.

PSU should be a Corsair or Enermax.
I'd get a 650w.

Branded RAM? Like?
I use
Corsair
Kingston
mostly but I'd use
OCZ
Geil
Crucial
G.Skill
as well.

I wouldn't use Apacer or Adata.
pctek (84)
736688 2009-01-09 09:15:00 You are aware that Seagate Desktop HDD like the 7200.11 range from January nolonger have a 5 year warranty. Its down to 3 years :stare:

Doesn't affect retail/boxed hard drives or Cheetah etc.. Combine that with some of the firmware failures of Seagate (like in the 1.5terabyte drive) and a few performance issues Seagate are loosing their edge of the likes of Western Digital. For several years I pretty much solely purchased Seagate Drives but that will change now price and user reviews will come into it now.
razzarphenix (2626)
736689 2009-01-09 09:19:00 And Western Digital now have a range of "Black" HDDs that have a 5 year warranty. CYaBro (73)
736690 2009-01-09 18:51:00 You are aware that Seagate Desktop HDD like the 7200.11 range from January nolonger have a 5 year warranty. Its down to 3 years :stare:


I can't find that anywhere. Wheres the link?

I don't dislike WD. They are the 2 I am happy to see.
I do not like Maxtor, Fujitsu or Hitachi.
pctek (84)
736691 2009-01-09 22:26:00 Heres a link (www.datastor.co.nz)

Or here (blogs.zdnet.com)

Like you I hate Hitachi and Maxtor (shiver) hard drives high failure rate and annoying metallic humming sounds from them. Of course Seagate purchased Maxtor awhile back now so maybe maxtor hard drives arent so bad anymore? Wouldn't know don't buy them.

WD have been getting better and better since they are generally cheaper I might just start buying those and see how it goes. I have the odd WD drive in circulation now and no problems so far.
razzarphenix (2626)
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