Desktops: Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System
Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System
by digitall565 - 2/28/07 12:00 PMKay, here's the deal. I've asked here and on other sites before, but I've yet to relieve responses I'm happy with.
I'm looking for a nice Vista PC, within my budget. I'm not a gamer, but I am looking to do a bit of gaming, not hardcore. Perhaps World of War, definitely my Star Wars games, some other RPGs.
I don't need VERY good graphics or sound, just acceptable features. Good memory, graphics sound, speed is a must, I often have open various applications including image editors, torrent downloaders, and large apps.
I'm not being too demanding, just a good Vista system (probably Home Premium), that can run on a budget system.
My basic question is, what is the best I can get for a maximum $1,500 (preferably $1000-$1200). Of course, I'm including a cheap keyboard and mouse since this system will be passed on to a sibling. For Vista, is a new monitor necessary?
I'd like for someone to please put together a cheap system on Newegg, or preferably a website such as CyberPowerPC that can deliver a custom-made pc cheap.
As I said, I've received several pieces of advice before as to how to pick parts for my computer, but most of the time I don't have the slightest idea what I'm doing, and for so much money, I'd rather not take the chance and build it myself.
Any help is much appreciated, thank you!
Ouch? Vista and gaming.
by R. Proffitt
- 2/28/07 12:16 PM
In reply to: Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System by digitall565
From what I've seen this means you need to double the ram and same for the video card since you selected Vista. That blows that budget in my mind.
Any chance of sticking with XP?
Bob
$1000 gaming pc for vista
by ramarc - 2/28/07 2:24 PM In reply to: Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System by digitall565here's a config that can handle casual gaming in vista.
mobo, $112: gigabyte ga-965gm-s2
cpu, $185: core2duo e6300
2gb ram, $165: corsair vs2gbkit667d2 2x1gb ddr2-667
250gb hard drive, $80: seagate st3250824as sata
mid-range video, $155: sapphire radeon x1950gt 256mb
dvd burner, $40: any lg/lite-on/sony 16x-18x retail
keyboard/mouse, $42: microsoft 69n-00013s wireless combo
vista premium oem, $120
newegg total: $899
case/power supply $125: antec sonata ii w/450w power supply from circuit city/best buy/compusa
(i always buy cases locally so i don't wind up with a damaged unit; price is about the same since shipping is pretty expensive.)
grand total: $1024
if you want a nice monitor, here's an acer 20" widescreen for $225: http://www.buy.com/prod/acer-20-widescreen-lcd-monitor-1680x1050-600-1-8ms-dvi/q/loc/101/203390155.html
here's a couple of articles on what to expect when gaming in vista.
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2090571,00.asp
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2096940,00.asp
Seems Good
by digitall565 - 3/1/07 9:27 AM In reply to: $1000 gaming pc for vista by ramarcThat seems like a pretty good system from what I know.
Contrary to my first post, I'm now more confident in simply ordering the parts from a non-custom computer builder. I found a small shop nearby that for $75 will put it together for me.
x1950pro is same price after rebate
by ramarc - 3/1/07 10:08 AM In reply to: Seems Good by digitall565i tried to stick closely to the $1000 budget without resorting to rebates. for about the same money you can upgrade to an x1950pro since they have $20 rebate now.
Comments
by digitall565 - 3/1/07 10:21 PM In reply to: x1950pro is same price after rebate by ramarcRamarc:
I'm really pleased with your system specs. as I learn more about picking out components for computers. If you will, please answer some questions for me that I have about your choices.
Motherboard: Fine, I'm not too knowledgeable about them but it has good ratings.
CPU: I noticed it was only 1.8GHz, I've read about suggestions of a minimum of 2-2.2 and up. Could this be a problem with Vista?
RAM: Fine, perfect.
Memory: Perfect.
Video: I'm not too familiar with video cards either but I've heard of Sapphire before. Would I have to buy a new card for future DirectX10 support?
DVD Burner: I picked the "SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black IDE Model SH-S182M/BEBE - OEM" for $33.99. Is one drive good, or should I have a cheaper second one?
Keyboard/Mouse: Not so sure about wireless tech, it came with my computer and I thought it was horrible. I'm currently on a simple black Microsoft keyboard and mouse. Is there any advantages to your pick?
OS: On Newegg, I added to my wishlist "Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM" Is this the one you intended, the system builders OEM DVD? Also, is the 64-bit option a compatibility liability?
I might be asking a bit much for my budget, and it's okay. I'd just like to clear some things and learn something along the way.
Thanks, in advance.
New Build
by digitall565 - 3/1/07 11:21 PM In reply to: Comments by digitall565Having considered all my options, this is the build I have put together on Newegg:
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $122.99
Video Card: EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $109.99
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail $183.00
RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail $159.99
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3250824AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $74.99
DVD Burner: SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black IDE Model SH-S182M/BEBE - OEM $33.99
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM $119.99
Speakers: Logitech X-230 32 watts RMS 2.1 Black Speaker System - OEM $39.99
Price Before Shipping: $839.93
Now, there's some questions I have about it, and you may have noticed some components missing.
CPU: Is 2.13GHz enough? I know I'm on a budget, but I've read about 2.2 being a minimum for Vista. I suppose I could overclock, although I have no idea how to go about doing that.
Video Card: Am I going to have good average gameplay? And, am I going to need to upgrade later for DirectX10 Support?
DVD Burner: I read that a second drive of some sort is recommended for burning ease, but is not required. Since I'm on a budget, what do you guys recommend?
OS: 32 bit or 64 bit? I have no idea what I'm doing here.
Keyboard/Mouse: I've tried wireless before and it's okay but a hassle sometimes. Right now I'm on a simple black corded Microsoft mouse and keyboard. I save little money, but is cordless worth it?
Final Comments:
I'm split on a monitor and case/PSU. I heard I should buy a case nearby as it can easily get damaged during shipping, and the selection is so much I don't know how to choose. A monitor should be cheap, but more modern than what I'm using now (an hp pavilion mx70 17" inch).
Ideas on New Build
by rsternb - 3/2/07 6:32 PM In reply to: New Build by digitall565My personal choice would be a 550w power supply or larger.
Case - what looks good to you - ATX - and it would be nice
to have front I/O plugs - usb, headphones, ,
Usually the case outlasts a number of upgrades and most can
be had in the $50 - 70 range includeing shipping.
I have never had damage on any shipment of cases - even when
purched via ebay.
Monitors - now theres a fun trip - there are as many as there
are mother boards or video cards and the price is all over the
place.
figure what you want to spend - then check out whats avail.
I usually stick with mitsubishi, nec, asus, which are a little
more spendy - but the mitsu 17in I am useing right now I got in
hmmmm bout 92 or 93.
my next will prob be 20 to 24 in nec or ( am debateing ) a
mitsubishi 32 lcd tv hahaha helluva price diff hahaha
good luck
ted
OS
by Penguin Warlord - 3/3/07 11:12 AM In reply to: New Build by digitall565Definately go with the 32bit operating system as many programs will not work on the 64bit. Also Intel processors don't support 64bit. So you'll be el screwdo if you buy 64bit.
(NT) Many Intel processors do indeed support 64-bit OS'es.
by linkit - 3/3/07 11:23 AM In reply to: OS by Penguin WarlordDX 10 Video card
by spike56532 - 3/2/07 8:10 AM In reply to: Comments by digitall565There is currently only ONE video card available with DX10 support, the NVidia 8800, prices vary, from a GTS, at $300, to a top of the line GTX for a little over $600.
Expensive
by digitall565 - 3/2/07 8:20 AM In reply to: DX 10 Video card by spike56532I suppose I can hold off on that and upgrade later, being on a budget.
Is the rest of the build okay?
yup, your changes are good
by ramarc - 3/5/07 9:13 AM In reply to: Expensive by digitall565if you want dx10 (there's no *need* for it now since no dx10 games are out), then going with an inexpensive video card is a good choice. you can then upgrade in a few months to a $200 card that will be as fast as $300 cards now.
definitely get the 32-bit vista unless you have specific need of 64-bit (like adobe photoshop). you can easily upgrade to 64-bit for practically nothing, but you can't downgrade from 64 to 32bit without doing a complete re-install.
i just threw in the cordless keyboard/mouse to show that they're not that expensive and the microsoft combo is very good.
a core2duo e6300 is a very fast cpu. from your initial post, it should handle your usage nicely.
as for the case, just visit your local circuit city/best buy/compusa. the case is purely a matter of your preference. as for the power supply, get a good name-brand unit (antec, enermax, coolermaster, thermaltake, seasonic, etc.) or one with a good reviews from a hardware site (tomshardware.com, anandtech.com, hothardware.com, etc.). a 450W power supply from a name-brand is sufficient for all video cards, even a geforce 8800gtx. i spec'd antec since their power supplies are good and the case is quiet.
Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System
by ashekumar - 3/2/07 5:06 AM In reply to: Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System by digitall565I recently decided to assemble my own system. I found that mwave.com has the best prices. Listed below my list of purchases. The key was a 64 bit CPU with AM2 socket and a matching motherboard. I still have to add Graphics card, case and power supply, DVD RW and most likely a high end flat screen. Good luck
SKU QTY Description Item Price Ext. Price
AA36090 - - 1 WD 250GB WD2500KS SATA300 16MB 7200RPM (Bare drive)
• EXT.SATA ENCLOSURE OPTIONS
• DATA CABLE OPTIONS $67.50 $67.50
BA23131 -BA23083 -BA23391-BA23391 - 1 ASUS M2R32-MVP ATI RADEON XPRESS 3200 CHIPSET SERIAL ATA300 ATX FORM FACTOR 2xPCI-E(X16)/2xPCI-E(X1)/2xPCI/4xDDR W/SATA2 RAID,LAN(Gb),1394A,USB 2.0 & AUDIO (CPU TYPE:AMD - SOCKET AM2)
• AMD ATHLON 64 X2 5200+ - WINDSOR
• MWAVE 2GB DDR2 667
• (1GB x 2)
• TESTING OPTIONS $472.55 $472.55
Thank you for choosing mwave.com Sub-Total $540.05
Shipping & Handling Fee $11.74
Sales Tax (CA only) $0.00
Order Total $551.79
Shipping Information
You have selected the following shipping method:
Ground - Approx. 5-6 business days
Your order will be processed within one business day.
Please be sure to check your e-mail for any updates or progress regarding your order.
Getting a Vista PC At a good price
by bluewee - 3/3/07 4:35 AM In reply to: Needing Pro Help in Putting Together System by digitall565You need to go to Maximumpc.com; they can show you step by step on how to buld a good gamming vista system for about 1,200. I looked at that and Down graded it to about a $900. system. It works about as good as theirs. I hope this helps you out.
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