Attention System Builders

[MysteryX]

Originally posted by: NukaCola
Would getting a Quad-Core really "future-proof" your system? I mean, by the time other new parts come, there will be better quad-cores out there. Am I right?

As time goes on, better technology will arrive. While processors will have higher frequency it all depends on how programs are written to know true performance. I would expect cores to jump as time goes on. I believe when dual cores started really becoming available my friend at Sun told me they had octo cores so dual is nothing special. I would expect Intel and AMD to release octo cores in the future.

As for my current low budget build for the summer, I decided to buy my parts locally. I will list the prices and where I purchased it.

Intel C2D E4600 (2.4GHz) Retail Box + ECS GF7050VT-M Combo ($99.99 - Fry's electronics)
2x2GB Corsair ValueSelect DDR667 ($21.99 each after MIR of $15 - Fry's electronics)
OCZ 500W StealthXStream ($24.99 after $25MIR - Microcenter)
Hitachi 500GB SATA II HDD ($64.99 - Microcenter)

Possible upgrades:
BFG 512MB GeForce 8500GT ($29.99 after $20 MIR - Fry's electronics)
Intel C2D E7200 (2.53GHz) Retail Box + ECS GF7050VT-M Combo ($119.99 - Fry's electronics)
Intel C2D E6750 (2.66GHz) Retail Box + ECS GF7050VT-M Combo ($129.99 - Fry's electronics)

I listed the upgrades because I considered those when browsing. The E4600 combo is being phased out for the E7200 and E6750 combos as my local store has stopped with the E4600 after the weekend I bought it and replaced it with the following two weekend after weekend. The BFG 512MB Video card is tempting but for now I will probably rely on the onboard GeForce7.

This isn't too bad a build for cheap. After all rebates you can get a computer up for 234 before tax and without OS. This assumes you have another windows CD lying around you can use the code from since most builders have an OEM cd they can use. Optical drives are also assumed. If you want to get a new one, they usually have them for $30 but sometimes you get lucky and find it for 20 after MIR.

 

[BDawg]

I'm getting ready to get the green light from the wife for a new computer. How much longer would I have to wait for Nehalem? Is there any recent news?

I'm using a P4 2.4GHz with an x800XT, so it's not like I can't wait any longer.

 

[Special K]

Good thread :thumbsup:

Hopefully this one will stay updated. I'm not planning for a new rig until early next year, but this thread has at least got me thinking ahead.

 

[EvanAdams]

How about a thread like this for laptops.

Perhaps:
Gaming Laptop
Mobile Laptop
Student / Basic Work Laptop

 

[wynams]

IF PRODUCT PAGE IS BAD, CHECK BACK ... GOING IN/OUT OF STOCK BUT THESE PRICES ARE IN THE AD THRU 9/14

not to get in to a big OS discussion, but here are two links for bang for the buck vista licenses:

$80 + tax and ship for either the x386 or 64-bit version of Vista Home PREMIUM
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0294708
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0294709

the good:
full version, not upgrades, premium, cost

the bad:
oem - means if you are a system builder, YOU, not MS ... support the users Windows issue (as I understand it, please correct if mistaken)

cheers

 

[Dougmeister]

Originally posted by: p1tin
Thanks for this modoheo! I was able to narrow down on what I want as of now after reading this!
A quick question:
you had mentioned:
ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131273
--> will this run HDTV(1080p) , HDrip movies and clips smoothly with the onboard video?
or
should I get a video card to put on this to play movies n stuff at that resolution - i plan on buying a 22" display later next month?

members, i request you input on this!

Your link is dead.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: wynams
the bad:
oem - means if you are a system builder, YOU, not MS ... support the users Windows issue (as I understand it, please correct if mistaken)

OEM versions of windows are sold to system builders to bundle with the hardware they are putting together. They are sold under the understanding that they are then sold or used with new hardware, they are not intended to be standalone copies of the software. It does not mean the system builder takes any share in liability or any responsibilty to respond to software issues that are normally within Microsoft's purview.

 

[calyco]

Thanks for the info, very useful for people like me who wants to build a system but havent been keeping with the hardware.

 

[DaveR]

Quick question...why is the E8600 not mentioned? Is it because of the price, or is the E8400 almost as good for the price difference?

 

[nickisonfire]

thanks for the post

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: DaveR
Quick question...why is the E8600 not mentioned? Is it because of the price, or is the E8400 almost as good for the price difference?

The topic of the thread is "Recommended low/mid/high end builds as of August '08".

So I guess that if an hardware is not mentioned it means that for the time being it is Not Recommended.

 

[DaveR]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: DaveR
Quick question...why is the E8600 not mentioned? Is it because of the price, or is the E8400 almost as good for the price difference?

The topic of the thread is "Recommended low/mid/high end builds as of August '08".

So I guess that if an hardware is not mentioned it means that for the time being it is Not Recommended.

Well, I guess I was just wondering why the E8600 was not mentioned. Perhaps it is because of the price point, but I believe they are all E0 stepping...if that matters.

 

[modoheo]

At it's current price point, there's very little to recommend about the E8600 in my mind. Even at stock speeds, very few people would find an extra .33 GHz worth over 100 bucks (vs. the E8400). Plus, a monkey could go in the BIOS and bump the FSB of the E8400 to make it faster than the E8600, and they're not even likely to need to bump any voltages to get it to 3.4, even with stock cooling.

 

[DaveR]

Thank you.
Yes, it is a shame that the E8600 is so much more, but I believe it does have E0 stepping. Fry's had the E8400 for a great price a few days ago but it was C0. However, considering that I want to build this for my wife (no gaming) I am sure it is good enough...especially at the $145 price point. Need to look for a dual DVI video card for her and MoBo. I should be able to OC it a little for her.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Uh, I thought the ASUS M3A78-EMH was the defective one that wouldn't take the Phenoms. I would replace that with the Asus M3A78-EM. Or, some people like the Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H.

I would vote to put Thermaltake M9 as a good case as well.

I would also vote to put the ZALMAN VF1000 followed by the ZALMAN VF900 ? CU coolers for video cards.

And I would suggest the Samsung SH-203B and Optiarc AD-7200S as acceptable DVD-RW.

And for budget cases, the Coolermaster Elite 330 or 335, Thermaltake Wing RS 101 followed by the Gigabyte GZ-X3.

 

[DaveR]

Since 4GB of RAM is suggested, shouldn't there be a note that if you are using a 32 bit OS, you may only see 3GB?

 

[coolpurplefan]

Originally posted by: DaveR
Since 4GB of RAM is suggested, shouldn't there be a note that if you are using a 32 bit OS, you may only see 3GB?

Maybe I'm not the one who should reply to this but I would say from what I've read lately it's more like 2GB for XP, and maybe 4GB for Vista but it's not necessary. 2GB I read would allow you to play 1080p video but games like BF2 in Vista work better with 4GB.
BTW, it's 3.2 GB that Windows sees (32 bit).

 

[AtlantaBob]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: TripleAAA
Newegg seems to be the gold standard for computer parts in general. There will always be other companies with certain components for less, but I think the OP was just giving people a "starting point". They can get a general idea of the prices for everything and then pick and choose where they get their stuff from.

:thumbsup:

And their customer service is outstanding. Lord knows I complain enough about companies that perform poorly. Newegg is fantastic!

 

[TKHDebater]

Awesome thread. Thank you. I found it very helpful for those of us who have taken a couple years off.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Originally posted by: TKHDebater
Awesome thread. Thank you. I found it very helpful for those of us who have taken a couple years off.

I'm in this club. ty for your help.

 

[survivor1940]

I understand where you are coming from on the topic of building a system and asking questions,but what about the average person who just wants to build a good system without overclocking or gaming? I just looked at your thread for components which is great but a little out of the average persons needs.I know it is very time consuming for anyone to do what you have done and is appreciated by all, but do you think that in the future there may be a list of low>mid and high range components for the average home user not into gaming ot overclocking? I am not trying to critizise here just wondering.Thanks

 

[survivor1940]

Just looking for someones opinion on whether to get the Windows 32bit Xp Pro or the Vista 64 bit OS? I know the 64 will have all future programs 64 bit compatible.If I go with the Vista will I still be able to run all my present progarms? I fi do go with Vista will all drivers be updated? I will be using this for home build so thinking of going oem.Thanks

 

[modoheo]

Originally posted by: survivor1940
I understand where you are coming from on the topic of building a system and asking questions,but what about the average person who just wants to build a good system without overclocking or gaming? I just looked at your thread for components which is great but a little out of the average persons needs.I know it is very time consuming for anyone to do what you have done and is appreciated by all, but do you think that in the future there may be a list of low>mid and high range components for the average home user not into gaming ot overclocking? I am not trying to critizise here just wondering.Thanks

I hear you. The thread is mostly designed for people who want to build a mid-to-high end performing computer, mostly for gaming, but is also useful for those who need to do a lot of graphics/video editing type work.

If you're not going to be playing high-end games, then the bang per buck you get out of building your own computer goes way down. If all you want is a nice tidy rig to surf the internet, wordprocess, do light photo editing and spreadsheet stuff, and listen to mp3's, it's hard to beat just ordering a 400 dollar computer from Dell by building it yourself.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: survivor1940
I understand where you are coming from on the topic of building a system and asking questions,but what about the average person who just wants to build a good system without overclocking or gaming? I just looked at your thread for components which is great but a little out of the average persons needs.I know it is very time consuming for anyone to do what you have done and is appreciated by all, but do you think that in the future there may be a list of low>mid and high range components for the average home user not into gaming ot overclocking? I am not trying to critizise here just wondering.Thanks

"Average home user" who wants a widescreen monitor, warranty and a copy of windows is more often than not better server by buying something from Dell, or the Dell Outlet.

Originally posted by: survivor1940
Just looking for someones opinion on whether to get the Windows 32bit Xp Pro or the Vista 64 bit OS? I know the 64 will have all future programs 64 bit compatible.If I go with the Vista will I still be able to run all my present progarms? I fi do go with Vista will all drivers be updated? I will be using this for home build so thinking of going oem.Thanks

99% of the programs you use on XP will work on 64-bit Vista. I've personally had no problems except on one very specialist toolkit that no home user would use. All the drivers you need for any build you'd come up with now, would be available as digitally-signed x64 versions on the manufacturers' websites. The only problems you run in to are when you try and get new drivers for a 4-year old parallel port scanner and other old hardware.

 

[wviperw]

This post has been *so* incredibly helpful in choosing out parts for my new PC. Thanks for taking the time to put all of this useful information together!