Should I buy - or build my new computer?

Rocksteady · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject:

It's ok, 2dad. I'm still weighing ideas, and after I see what the upgrade cost & practicality is for that option, I'll be able to decide. I've heard of the Smithfield core, that's a good idea... is that also a dual core?

This is why I asked, guys - eventually we'll all narrow it down to the Perfect Computer, kinda like a franken-baby created by all of our ideas, tossed around on the forum.
HEY, Then we could get some foreign country to build them for us and sell them right on Tweaknews, LOL,, call it Tweaked Computers Inc. ,,

TCI for short,,,
_________________
♫ Josh Awards=+12 -5 =7 ~HaM=3~ Ж=3 ~Zero_Fresh=3~Burgundian Award=1~JW=4 ~ ÿ =1~Sean=1~Dene=3 ~Putale Kudos=1~GMoney=4~Sally Grommit Award=1~Bunni & Badger=2 Gold Stars ♫

Google · Sponsor

Rocksteady · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject:

EEEEEEEeeeeeeeeek! There's not as much room as I thought....Check this pic from 2005..

(Perhaps an external hardrive is another option for the DT....?)
Ahhhhh, this is fun!

My aunt gave me the money for showing her how to edit pictures withmy ArcSoft PhotoStuido 5 (not the new 5.5, but the better older program) She's a sweetheart, just sent me a fat check for $600. 3 days ago. Very Happy

_________________
♫ Josh Awards=+12 -5 =7 ~HaM=3~ Ж=3 ~Zero_Fresh=3~Burgundian Award=1~JW=4 ~ ÿ =1~Sean=1~Dene=3 ~Putale Kudos=1~GMoney=4~Sally Grommit Award=1~Bunni & Badger=2 Gold Stars ♫

Rocksteady · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject:

OH NO, I corrupted the screenwidth, LOLOL, I rest my case, ,,,

sorry....

_________________
♫ Josh Awards=+12 -5 =7 ~HaM=3~ Ж=3 ~Zero_Fresh=3~Burgundian Award=1~JW=4 ~ ÿ =1~Sean=1~Dene=3 ~Putale Kudos=1~GMoney=4~Sally Grommit Award=1~Bunni & Badger=2 Gold Stars ♫

2old2care · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:44 pm Post subject:

Why yes, you did expand the screenwidth....I seem to need more width myself nowdays. Think

Yes, the D820 is dual core, as well as the D805 is also a Smithfield core.
The D805 has been the favorite of the "tweaker" for some time because of the low cost and OC capability.
But, since the Conroe's came out, the price drop on the D820 makes it only $12 more, so the price factor has changed things IMO.

I built one as an inexpensive xmas puter gift, and it performs well for the money.
_________________
.
Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
.

sickofsoyo · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject:

if your upgrading your desktop, get an X-FI. I have it hooked up to my audio system, and the difference from onboard to the X-FI is amazing. You'll notice the difference as soon as you turn on the computer. I love mine. My music as they say "came alive" I would also throw in a better vid card, hdd, or external as you might need, and why not put it in a new case so you start to get experience doing it yourself
_________________
P4 3.2ghz
lanparty pro875b
Enermax Liberty 500 Watt Modular PSU
Sony 52X CD-RW
Samsung 120gig SATA hdd
Maxtor 100gig SATA hdd
Powmax Demon case
ATI X800 XL AIW, 525 Core, 525 mem
Creative X-Fi Platinum
PDP systems Patriot Ram 2,3,2,5 timings

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

...theres room for a HDD in there....
_________________

Xal · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:04 am Post subject:

HoseB · SirTweaksabit Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 260

[quote="Rocksteady"]

HoseB, thanks for checking that out, here's a list of stuff I wanted on a 9200.. I skimmed it down to $1012, still too high.. :

Looks like you want spend $600 with about $300 allocated for software.... there's no way to do it on balance.

Rocksteady · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

Xal · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:53 pm Post subject:

OMG!! Who voted sony?!?!?

That had to be a joke lol

External hard disks are becoming more common these days but in my opinion are not worth it if you don't plan on switching the drive from machine to machine fairly often. You'd be better off getting a nice big internal drive for data storage at a later date. 250gb is a lot bigger than the drive you currently have, I'm guessing arround 5 times the size (if you have a 40gb as I suspect with your model dell). I doubt you will fill that with pictures in a hurry unless you have a 10 mega pixil camera and take photos that get printed billboard size

Your average pic these days is about 1mb so you could fit +/- 250000 of them on a 250gb drive, I doubt you will ever have that many

Wait for some of the other guys to thumbs up or down my AMD suggestion, I don't use AMD so I have no idea what cpu and chipset combo would be best for you, I just found a good brand mobo with onboard graphics and it happened to have a combo special available for it

Its good to see someone putting so much thought into their purchase before going out and buying. I have had so many clients come to me with no idea what they want, its always refreshing when the client knows what they want and have put in the effort to research. Saves me having headaches with them later when:

Client: "oh, it won't play Doom 3, my nephew needs to play doom 3 on it, you sold me a crappy puter"

Me: " Well, when I asked you what you wanted it for you said internet and word processing, you also said cheap, What you want will cost an extra $XXX"

Client: "What a ripoff, I'm taking my business elswhere."

Me: "Thats up to you, good luck."

Two days later

Client: "I'm sorry, I didn't realise there was so much to consider when buying a PC, could you sell me the grifik thingy so my nephew can play games"

Me: " Sorry, that model is out of stock now, the best I can do for you will cost $XX more than the last option I gave you."

Client: "Hrmf, OK, I'll come collect the PC tomorrow...."

Familiar to any of you other techs

Good for you RS

_________________
Phenom II x4 955 @ Stock
Asus M3N78-EM
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667 @ 800
1gb Powercolor Radeon HD 5850 @ Stock
X-fi Extreme Audio PCI E
Nexus 600W Silent PSU
Nexus Fans
Custom case

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Another option for a case.......

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811165017

I have this one, and it's an excellent case, just not all that fancy looking. Review on it is here:

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/istarusastorms8/

Great cooling, tool free, the works, and it's not too expensive. You'll need to add a 120mm fan to the rear, but those don't cost too much. If you're really strapped, I can send you a nice Arctic Cooling exhaust fan for free.

AMD or Intel is up to you, the prices are competitive. With the cheaper Intels 2old mentioned, you get dual core, while the cheaper AMD's are single core, so for my money I'd be looking at Intel. You might not get a bundle deal, but use TN's shopping link, and you'll find a good deal.

I also agree with Xal, external drives are great for backup, or if you have a large amount of files to work from home, but for a normal home user, they're not really worth it. You can get a much larger internal drive for the same price, and have better performace.
_________________
Big enough to scare you

2old2care · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:05 pm Post subject:

External drive is really a catch22 for you RS. Your current computer is USB1.1 while an ext drive needs a USB2 connection. So...if you get a new comp (build or buy) you'll get the USB2, but it'll have or can be built to have a big internal drive already.
_________________
.
Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
.

mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

OK, here's my AMD solution for you. I just built a system very similar to this one for a family member in much the same situation as you, Rock. I've used the majority of these components in the past. This system should be more than ample for your needs. Here goes, with notes:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813136159
A nice board with good overclocking ability. Good onboard sound. Can be easily pencil-modded for SATA II and SLI.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103622
Great chip, overclocks well and fast enough at stock for most anything. 1MB L2 cache.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820146883
I use this memory in many builds.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140
Good, fast dependable drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130052
Good as any for the price. Research just before buying as some great deals are starting to appear.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811147057
Cheap and free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817159040
Good quality, underrated PSU for the money.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152076
Good drive for the money You can also use what you have now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116169
XP home W/Vista cupon, for what that's worth.

Around $650 shipped. + incidentals. Careful shopping can pare it down a bit more. This is what I'd do on a budget, if you don't mind AMD (which I don't.)

mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Then, here's a sempron for $10 AR. Confused

Rocksteady · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject:

I'll start with the Sony vote, Xal... It was ME,

who ELSE would vote for Sony???

?

I figured it was the one I originally wanted (before checking with TN) because I read some good reviews on the performance & low repair rate, so it deserved one vote..It got a comment, which was what I was waiting for, tho not the one I expected, LOL..

WHY do they charge so much if it's a POS? The cheapest one is over $2k, there has to be something good about it, right....?

Right, guys?

Ok, I'm on my way out right now, but will properly absorb all your answers & check each link carefully when I get back late this evening. Mojo, Xal, FnF, HB, 2dad, TH, SoS, thanks so much for coming to my rescue!

What a bunch of cool Knights in shining armour you guys are, this is going to be fun --- instead of scary! My cousin Brad (the one who installed the new MB in my laptop) has also offered to walk me thru any installs by phone too, so when the time comes, I'll be able to do it myself - I think. I hope!

I prefer starting fresh, leaving my old rigs alone in a way, but after all info is weighed & thought out, I'll be able to decide exactly what to do. Right now it's between a memory upgrade for the DT and building a new rig from scratch.

2dad & HB (by PM) have talked me out of an external HD, so that's no longer in the picture. HB, I also have to agree about the laptop being weak, so I'll leave that alone for now too. I may mess with the LT's memory upgrade later for fun, tho.

That last rig that Mojo has put together looks interesting, and I'll compare that to Xal's links tonight to see the prices etc.

Wow, $650 is not bad! And I really do want to build one. It would be the coolest thing I ever built, a REAL puter, wheeeeeeeee!

I have to do something right one of these days, as I've never learned how to cook. Remember how popeye opens a can of spinach and just eats it? That's me, LOL

You guys will all be kept posted each step of the way, and I'll check out all your suggestions, thanks so much for helping me decide..

.... Main thing is for it to be upgradable later, with lots of room for improvement if I do decide to build. Very Happy

_________________
♫ Josh Awards=+12 -5 =7 ~HaM=3~ Ж=3 ~Zero_Fresh=3~Burgundian Award=1~JW=4 ~ ÿ =1~Sean=1~Dene=3 ~Putale Kudos=1~GMoney=4~Sally Grommit Award=1~Bunni & Badger=2 Gold Stars ♫

Xal · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

No problem RS

Oh, and I would recomend you go with Mojo's recomendation, he knows AMD far better than I do.... Plus he has a bigger beard than me

_________________
Phenom II x4 955 @ Stock
Asus M3N78-EM
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667 @ 800
1gb Powercolor Radeon HD 5850 @ Stock
X-fi Extreme Audio PCI E
Nexus 600W Silent PSU
Nexus Fans
Custom case

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Mojo's got a bigger beard than everybody..............

His recommendation looks good, though. I don't know if I'd go with Vista just yet, so grab XP while you still can.
_________________
Big enough to scare you

sickofsoyo · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:00 pm Post subject:

yeah, I agree, vista will have alot of bugs in the beginning, best to leave others to find them and have microsoft fix them.
_________________
P4 3.2ghz
lanparty pro875b
Enermax Liberty 500 Watt Modular PSU
Sony 52X CD-RW
Samsung 120gig SATA hdd
Maxtor 100gig SATA hdd
Powmax Demon case
ATI X800 XL AIW, 525 Core, 525 mem
Creative X-Fi Platinum
PDP systems Patriot Ram 2,3,2,5 timings

Rocksteady · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:03 pm Post subject:

Rocksteady · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject:

sickofsoyo · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:34 pm Post subject:

Rocksteady · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject:

You guys are so sweet , I couldn't find an emoticon that was batting eyelashes, but this was as close as I could find,,,

Thanks SoS, I need all the help I can get! I'm in the process of sifting through components that everybody has suggested, plus I'm going to ask Mom tonight if she'll spring for another 5 or $600 for a new Dell,, hee hee,,, we'll see what she says, but I doubt if she will. Gotta try tho, ..

_________________
♫ Josh Awards=+12 -5 =7 ~HaM=3~ Ж=3 ~Zero_Fresh=3~Burgundian Award=1~JW=4 ~ ÿ =1~Sean=1~Dene=3 ~Putale Kudos=1~GMoney=4~Sally Grommit Award=1~Bunni & Badger=2 Gold Stars ♫

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Rocksteady · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject:

Oh, ok FnF .. Yeah, d*m noobs,

Update: A good friend of mine (the one building my 2 custom guitars) called tonight and mentioned Shuttle computers, and I've never heard of them. He's a computer freak too, and builds them also, but is impressed with these Shuttles. He said they're solid & they have radiator-like cooling systems... wow.. They look so different.. Anybody know anything?

He also said Samsung guarantees each pixel to work properly, and I might consider buying the monitor separately.

Oh btw, NEWSFLASH< lol--- Very Happy

Mom has matched my aunt's check plus another $100, so I now have $1300. to play with. Get this, Dell says I qualify for a $1500. loan too, so I'm a bit bewildered (in a good way Very Happy

) but also don't want to do anything too quickly.. Nice & slow, so I don't make mistakes.

HB, I was all ready to get that Dimension 9200 with XP-Pro, but I'm told that I don't need XP-Pro + it costs more.

On my way out, if anyone has time, please look at these Shuttles and see what you think, ok,, Thanks!

,,,,And a Happy, Happy, SAFE New Year to you all!!!

http://us.shuttle.com/
_________________
♫ Josh Awards=+12 -5 =7 ~HaM=3~ Ж=3 ~Zero_Fresh=3~Burgundian Award=1~JW=4 ~ ÿ =1~Sean=1~Dene=3 ~Putale Kudos=1~GMoney=4~Sally Grommit Award=1~Bunni & Badger=2 Gold Stars ♫

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Shuttles are nice, SFF cases, but I wouldn't consider one for a main rig. They're very limited in expandability, usually topping out at one HDD, one FDD, and two opticals, one video card (or onboard graphics) and only a couple of PCI slots. Great for a media PC, but not so good for your main workhorse rig. Stick with a full-size desktop.
_________________
Big enough to scare you