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The Official PC building thread!
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Praetor
Moderator
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13. May 2004 @ 06:12 |
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Whats the budget? (in USD or CAD)
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Kamran
Member
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13. May 2004 @ 08:04 |
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well under £200 without monitor
I have seen all the components from ebuyer.com for round 180 and it was a duron 1.8 80gb hard drive 128 ram mother board with onboard sound, video and lan and a cheap case with the fan for the cpu
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Praetor
Moderator
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28. May 2004 @ 18:21 |
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MOBO
ASUS A7V8X-X (100CAD)
An excellent all-around mobo -- it's not nForce2 but it's functional.
PROC
AMD XP2500+ (130CAD)
A sweet chip with a lot of OC headroom
VIDEO
Radeon 9200SE 128MB (65CAD)
No comment. I have bad issues with ATi. With my more open-minded personality: a seemingly good card for a good price.
HDD
Maxtor 80GB 7200 2MB (90CAD)
Your basic, run-of-the-mill hdd.
CASE
The cheapest crappies case this side of the galactic node has to offer (30CAD)
No comment.
Net Cost: $495CAD (£198.36) -- I even saved you some money. If you want more stuff or something you're gonna have to cut back: id suggest you look either at dropping the proc or the hdd before you consider anything else.
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shenfo
Junior Member
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29. May 2004 @ 20:41 |
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I wanted to start a business out of building custom computers and selling them.
first off I know pretty much what I need but im not sure of every little detail. Can someone please list every detail of the computer that you will need.
secondly I would like to know where to get all these parts very very cheap so I could sel them and make alot of cash.
basically I only want p4's no off brands cpus.
and then I just want like a suped up computer.
it definitely has to be quiet though, but it has to be extremely fast.
thanks for all your help guys!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29. May 2004 @ 20:42
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Praetor
Moderator
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29. May 2004 @ 20:46 |
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First a word from out sponsers....
NO ALL CAPSING
NO ALL CAPSING
NO ALL CAPSING
NO ALL CAPSING
NO ALL CAPSING
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Can someone please list every detail of the computer that you will need.
Advertising is against forum policies.
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secondly I would like to know where to get all these parts very very cheap so I could sel them and make alot of cash.
Confused.... you want to semm me a computer but you want me to find the price for you?
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basically I only want p4's no off brands cpus.
and then I just want like a suped up computer.
it definitely has to be quiet though, but it has to be extremely fast.
Ok you definitely got the personal preference end of things, you got the noise vs performance thing but you forgot the most important thing (as you note above) ....whats the budget? We can reccomend parts but we cant do so effectively without a budget.
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thanks for all your help guys!
You're welcome. :)
Oh and a word of advice: I've been selling computers as a hobby/self-employment for 8 years now .... it's better off making a bit of money off a single computer sale and walk away with an extremely satisfied customer than to make a killing off one dude. You'd be surprised what kind of references get thrown around by your customers ... and as for where I get my parts? ... well, that's classified.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29. May 2004 @ 20:48
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shenfo
Junior Member
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29. May 2004 @ 20:49 |
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Its a pretty big budget, remember I want to start a business so I have money to invest.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29. May 2004 @ 20:49
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Praetor
Moderator
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29. May 2004 @ 20:50 |
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1. One more all caps response and you're gone.
2. I took the time to reply to your post -- take some time to answer my questions so I can better help you -- it's your investment remember?
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shenfo
Junior Member
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29. May 2004 @ 20:52 |
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what question do you have
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Praetor
Moderator
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29. May 2004 @ 20:54 |
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1. Look at my first and second quotes -- you obviously didnt take time to clearly convey your intentts ... I cant help you spec out a system unless I have an idea of what its for and/or who its for
2. Define big budget -- I'm making a competition grade system now and its got a budget of ~6K ... thats huge for a personal system but nothing for a business comp.
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shenfo
Junior Member
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29. May 2004 @ 20:57 |
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its probably gonna be one of those 3.4 ghz 2 gis of ram, gaming kinda computer. its gonna be for someone who needs alot of power and performance. i probably want to spend 1000-1500 on one computer that has no monitor
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Praetor
Moderator
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29. May 2004 @ 21:24 |
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Ok that gives me something to work with :) although for a killer gaming proc, 1-1.5K isnt a big budget to work with ... hehe when I asked I was thinking you had a 3-4K budget in mind (complete with phase-vapor cooling) hehe
PROC
Intel P4EE 3.4 ($1100 USD)
Who said performance was cheap? Tell them I want a refund :P If this is a little steep for you you can always take the P4EE 3.2 for $200USD less. Course if you're buiding an Intel-based competition gaming system, this is a must must for the winner circle ;-)
Intel P4-3.2 ($300 USD)
While its not the Canterwood 3.4Ghz, (a) you can OC this baby just the same and (b) No sane human being (okay, even allowing for the fact you are buying Intel :P) should be paying $150 for an additional 200MHz.
MOBO
ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe ($180 USD)
A solid mobo, the P4C800 line demolished the compeition when it came to the Canterwood showdown. You wont be dissapointed. http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4c800-e_d/overview.htm
HSF
Thermaltake DIY Tower112 ($50 USD)
You said you wanted quiet. This is quiet. Just make sure you get two Silentboost fans to actually cool the damn thing. (above price includes one fan). http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/comboCool/cl-p0024tower112/cl-p0024tower112.htm
RAM
Corsair XMS Pro TwinX XMS2048-3200 3-3-3-8 (2GB set) ($630 USD)
A sweet pair of sticks, I got the 1GB for my gaming/last-year's-competition rig, this is the 2GB big brother complete with massive heatspreader and LEDs.... who said fancy RAM was cheap? We need to give them a wedgee :P http://www.corsairmicro.com/corsair/products/specs/twinx2048-3200pro.pdf
Corsair XMS TwinX2048-3200 3-3-3-8(2GB set) ($560 USD)
This is almost the same as the above set except (a) they arent patched (matching occurs on P4C800 btw) and (b) the stable/OCd latencies are prolly higher and (c) there isnt an effective heat solution on it http://www.corsairmicro.com/corsair/products/specs/twinx2048-3200.pdf
VID CARD
GeForceFX 5950U ($235 USD)
Surprisingly (quite) cheaper than the ATi flagship card and IMHO, better performance.
SOUNDCARD
Soundblaster Audigy ($95 USD)
Your run of the mill basic staple of a soundcard/
By the time you finish reading this line you should prolly realize that your expectations are too high for a 1-1.5k budget. Something has to go at the least. Note that I havent spec'd out HDD, opticals nor case and PSU. Narrow down your search and I can narrow down a spec for you
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shenfo
Junior Member
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29. May 2004 @ 22:34 |
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i decided that i dont want to sell them and make them but i might want to buy one for myself from you.
how much is a:
p4 3.0 ghz 800front bus side speed ht technology
2 gigs of ram
128 mb graphics card
5.1 suround sound
dvd-rw
80 gb hd
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Praetor
Moderator
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30. May 2004 @ 05:56 |
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Quote:
I decided that I dont want to sell them and make them but I might want to buy one for myself from you.
why thank you! (i guess :p) however insured shipping and payment would be a pain in the arse .... I had considered doing this as a new business kinda deal witha couple of friends but none of them have the committment needed to get the ball rolling on that.
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first off I know pretty much what I need
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p4 3.0 ghz 800front bus side speed ht technology
2 gigs of ram
128 mb graphics card
5.1 suround sound
dvd-rw
80 gb hd
Please note that these "specs" mean jack all nothing. I can make a system that satisfies them that costs $1100 and I can make one that costs $4500. Some of the entries can be ambigious like the DVDRW, CPU and the HDD and maybe even the soundcard but the RAM and vidcard need to be explicitly spec'd (heck at least we need to know preferences, ATI/nVidia and brandname ram vs stock).
CPU:
p4 3. 0 ghz 800front bus side speed ht technology
Nothin fancy hear, $250 USD
RAM
Corsair XMS TwinX2048-3200 3-3-3-8(2GB set)
A decent set of RAM, you'll prolly want a better cooling solution than the one that comes with it, $560 USD
MOBO
asus p4c800-e deluxe
a solid mobo, the p4c800 line demolished the compeition when it came to the canterwood showdown. You wont be dissapointed, $180 USD
SOUND
Soundblaster Audigy
Nothing fancy hear, your basic 24bit soundcard, $95 USD
VIDEO
Not enough Information
DVDRW
LiteOn Dual 4X
Again nothing too fancy hear, $100USD
HDD
Maxtor 80GB 7200 8MB
Nothing too special here, $88USD
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first off I know pretty much what I need
So far Ive got the systemt o $1273 but thats without spec'ing the video, case, HSF, PSU or any peripherals. You said you know what you need but you just some more details -- well lets us know what you know! We cant give details from thin air!
:)
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aXidburn
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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3. June 2004 @ 19:23 |
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if you need a comp for a business u should get a dual xeon....they are pretty powerfull
AMD athlon 64 3200+
ATI 9800 pro all in wonder
Memorex dual x format
ps2 v10, Magic V 5K6
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Praetor
Moderator
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3. June 2004 @ 19:44 |
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Regarding Xeons, Xeons are really only effective in a highly clustered environment utilizing largescale SMP -- now unless the people running the business know (or have hired someone who knows) how to manage a cluster of Xeon procs then they have problems. Of course if you are into that kinda deal you prolly/should have people who know what to get and how to deal with it.
If we are talking about a quiet business that just needs a stable machine to operate as a light server or to maintain a small network or something small then perhaps Dual Xeons are effective however cost/performance/lifespan-wise, Opterons will do a better job. My two cents.
:)
Now that ive reread the posts and realized why you said that about business systems, I can reinforce my point that Xeons are really only effective in quantities and I suspect it isnt the intention he has in mind.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. June 2004 @ 19:50
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BoumTime
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12. June 2004 @ 11:45 |
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Hi Praetor I have a couple of questions for you if you can spare a few minutes of your time. I am about to build my first PC in the next few weeks and after trawling several forums like this for advice have come up with my hardware spec. However as you really seem to know what your talking about I would like to run a few things past you before I part with my hard earned cash lol. Ok here's what I plan on going for.
CPU Pentium4 3.2GHz with 1Mb L2 Cache.
Mobo Asus P4C800
Graphics Card ATi Radeon 9600Pro
RAM 2 Sticks of Geli 512Mb DDR PC3200 400Mhz with Aluminum heat spreader.
The case is a 5619 Matrix Aluminum Chasis, here's the link if you want to check it out http://www.armadacomputers.co.uk/show.pl?product=1316. Ok now to the questions
I noted in an earlier post of yours you didn't reckon P4's above 2.8GHz were worth the extra cost for the performance gain, is this even if they have 1Mb L2 Cache as opposed to 512Kb?
Secondly I was going to go for a Asus P4C800 E-Deluxe Mobo but as far as I could see the only difference between it and the P4C800 was that the deluxe supported Raid (which I doubt I will ever need). Are there any other differences? Is it worth me paying the extra for the Deluxe?
How about my RAM? Is Geli Ram any good? (It seems very cheap in comparrison to Crucial or Corsair Ram). What about my type of Ram? I just went for the biggest number thinking it was the best lol, is PC3200 the best option for me?
And finally what would you suggest for cooling?
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BoumTime
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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12. June 2004 @ 11:49 |
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Oops forgot my HDD's I have already got 2 Western Digital 120Gig HDD's 7200Rpm and 8Mb Cache which I put into my existing Comp so I will just transfer them to the new one.
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Praetor
Moderator
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12. June 2004 @ 13:46 |
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Quote:
I noted in an earlier post of yours you didn't reckon P4's above 2.8GHz were worth the extra cost for the performance gain, is this even if they have 1Mb L2 Cache as opposed to 512Kb?
I dont follow Intel that much so I cant remember but if you are comparing a P4-2.8 (512K) against a P4-3.2 (1MB) there's no contest for obvious reasons. Now if you have the option of a P4-2.8(512K) versus a P4-3.2(512K) then I would reccomend you go with the 2.8Ghz because its not worth the money jump. Now if we were comparing P4-2.8(1MB) versus a P4-3.2(1MB) then I would take the 2.8GHz model.
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Are there any other differences? Is it worth me paying the extra for the Deluxe?
I personally rarely go for the Deluxe models because, as you've pointed out, there's just shit I dont need. There are a few more differences with those two mobos namely support for wireless and some frontpanel thingy. All in all, probably not worth the price jump.
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How about my RAM? Is Geli Ram any good? (It seems very cheap in comparrison to Crucial or Corsair Ram). What about my type of Ram? I just went for the biggest number thinking it was the best lol, is PC3200 the best option for me?
Not sure which PC3200 module you chose but the GL5123200U ( http://www.geilusa.com/proddetail.asp?linenumber=10 ) is a very nice set for $180 apiece with 2-3-3-6 timings at PC3200.
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And finally what would you suggest for cooling?
Have a go at the Official Cooling Thread ( http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/81431 ) a lot of ideas there both for silent and not-so-silent solutions (mainly forced air though).
As for the case, it's mostly up to you and what you want as far as utility, size, noise, cooling and aesthetics go. In general I'd reccomend a case with a minimum of three 80mm hardpoints available (either 1xfront, 2xback or 1xfront,1xside,1xback). Furthermore, you might be interested in a pair of active/passive drive coolers for your drives.
Oh and dont forget to get a good PSU (and for godsake dont get a PSU designed for "quiet" environments unless you absolutely must have a quiet computer and if not your world will shatter or something like that -- the PSU is arguably one of the top 3 heat producers in your case).
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 12. June 2004 @ 13:49
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Dkarn
Newbie
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16. June 2004 @ 14:32 |
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Hi there, i have read through most of the posts in this fourum and am still a little bit confused! I am going to be building my own PC from scratch and i dont know where to start. I have trawled the internet for information about AMD Vs Intel and Prescott against Northwood... If i see another benchmark chart i think i will scream! What i really want is a Pc that will last me this year and hopefully still be able to run the best games in a year. I was looking at something like this:
Athlon 64 FX-53 -or- (Prescott) Intel 3.4 (1mb)
Something by Abit/ASUS? -or- Chaintech 9CJS
(256bit good?) Graphics Card... I was going Radeon as they appear to have the best reviews, but i would like to get the most compatible one for the mobo/processor.
1G RAM (again whatever suits the mobo/processor)
SATA HDD Western 80G
+ Optical drives
I have been searching for a well constructed case, roomy and well ventilated with a lockable front panel. I havent been able to find any for sale in the UK. If anyone knows of anything apart from Thermaltake could you let me know!
I would appreciate as much help as anyone can give, I have spent hours looking and am leaning towards AMD, but i hear stories of bad drivers and compatibility issues ect. The same with Radeon cards. Any help is much appreciated!! Thank you.
Ohh yeah, i have a budget of about 2000quid, however less is good. Price isnt my main issue, i just would just like to have a system that i know will work without internal conflict! Cheers!
It's not where your running to that matters... It's what your running from that counts!!
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Praetor
Moderator
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16. June 2004 @ 17:30 |
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Quote:
Athlon 64 FX-53 -or- (Prescott) Intel 3.4 (1mb)
Well when you are shelling out that kind of money it doesnt really matter that much. I assume you wont be using the 64bit functionality otherwise it wouldnt be a decision to make.
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Something by Abit/ASUS? -or- Chaintech 9CJS
Abit or ASUS naturally. Chaintech seems to cater to those who want to make "tricked out looking computers" which dont have all that much performance
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(256bit good?) Graphics Card... I was going Radeon as they appear to have the best reviews, but I would like to get the most compatible one for the mobo/processor.
Aside from bragging rights and pissing contests it doesnt really matter all that much as both companies make excellent products.
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1G RAM (again whatever suits the mobo/processor)
Goes down to personal preference I guess but i'd reccommend Corsair and OCZ
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SATA HDD Western 80G
No such drive. They make a 74GB drive however.
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Optical drives
What kind of functionality do you need from your drives?
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If anyone knows of anything apart from Thermaltake could you let me know!
Hehe I wasnt aware Thermaltake made good cases ;-) Have a go at http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/86944
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Ohh yeah, I have a budget of about 2000quid
And that would be..... ;-)
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Jehar
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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16. June 2004 @ 19:51 |
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Hello.
I have a $1k budget, and use it for CAD\everydayuse\games.
So far I have ordered a jpac gothic case\500wpower\fans and an abit nf7s motherboard.
I am about to decide on a processor. I really want to have dual-processesors, but I do not to go overbudget. any help here would be hot, along with any general tips.
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Praetor
Moderator
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16. June 2004 @ 21:11 |
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Well the NF7-S mobo doesnt support dual procs and certainly doesnt support Intel chips. So you are pretty much restricted to XP chips. In that case I'd reccomend you get the XP2800+ ... an excellent all around chip whether you OC or not.
As for cooling head on over to the cooling thread, lots of ideas there both for loud and quite configurations.
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Dkarn
Newbie
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17. June 2004 @ 01:55 |
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Cheers for the reply Praetor,
What i am really looking for is other people's preferance. I.e if you were to use an Athlon FX53 what motherboard would you use? Is there something just as good and cheaper (student alert!)? I appologies about the HDD, got a bit of a crossed wire on my facts. You get the idea about the set up though... Just to keep firering off the questions, would you have any preferance about graphics cards. Like i said, i want one that will handle top of the range games for at least the next year, possably 2. I am wondering if there is something new gen about to come out though... dont wanna buy something and have then release a brand new one for the same price but twice as good! (Beyond the speed of the industry now that is).
Sorry if i am a bit vauge, i am still trying to build up a bit of a list of what people generally find the best products. If all else fails, go with the flow! Haha, Thanks you your help!!
It's not where your running to that matters... It's what your running from that counts!!
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Praetor
Moderator
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17. June 2004 @ 05:10 |
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Quote:
Sorry if I am a bit vauge, I am still trying to build up a bit of a list of what people generally find the best products
I think I understand kinda what you are getting at. For a discusson and look at the best of the best have a look at http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/87039 however with a student budget in mind, neither processor is really within your grasp unless you are a seriously rich student hehe. The Ultimate Dream PC thread has the corresponding mobo/proc combinations
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would you have any preferance about graphics cards. Like I said, I want one that will handle top of the range games for at least the next year, possably 2
That's not happening. Even these vaunted X800/6800s are going to be highly obsolete within the year.
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Dkarn
Newbie
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17. June 2004 @ 05:29 |
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Sound cards moving on that fast huh? Bummer! Having had a look through the dream computer thread a couple if time i think i know what i am aiming for. since i am just bursting with questions, and you full of information ;) i thought i would add a couple to my list! PCI Express... is it worth waiting till christmas to see what develops, and what is with this new form fractor that is being whispered about here and there BTX or something? Enyone know what is happening with that, and if i buy a case and PSU now, will i be able to upgrade?
To cut to the crux, is it worth buying a FX53 now, with a 256 grfx card and lots of RAM? Or am i better off sticking to a 3200+ XP Barton with a 128 card and lots of RAM? I am either going to get all this at once, or i will build up gradual like... but i need to know if it will be worth upgrading my mobo in the next few months because of pci express or a new chipset. Wasting money makes me break out in uncontrolled bursts of sorrow. Please forgive my annoyingly overlapping questions.
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however with a student budget in mind, neither processor is really within your grasp unless you are a seriously rich student hehe
I will be buying the parts in Thailand, I have family there and thats where all your componants are made, or Malaysia, which i can drive to... so cost isnt so much of a problem as i will have to look when i am there.
It's not where your running to that matters... It's what your running from that counts!!
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