New Computer Recommendations

[HotPotato]

Well my computer is 4 years old now. I have a 2800+ Semptron AMD (I might have spelled that incorrectly), so I am at 2G, which really sucks. I got a Chaintech CT-7BJL6, a new SATA drive, 1 g of RAM and a 17" CRT monitor.

So I am ready. I have the full Adobe package of products and I will be doing web design work again. I do now do computer repair work. But I had to get W3 Web compliant, my web design software was real old. So I am learning CS3 Fireworks and Dreamweaver. I am learning them on lynda.com.

I only paid like $450.00 for my current machine from Tigerdirect. I put it together myself, I done that so many times before.

I found a Viewsonic VX2255WMB LCD monitor at Coscto for $299.00, you cant beat that price. So I think I am going with that monitor. They also have 22" Samsungs too. They have a 216BW Samsung. But the Viewsonic is horizontal movable. I care less for the camera and speakers, I figure they suck.

Now as far as the CPU is concerned I am confused. I love AMD, but which one to choose. I do like the AM2 socket, but dual, quad, I don't know. I quess quad is an overkill. I like Abit motherboards, I did a number of them for customers. I think a mid tower footprint would be good for me.

I currently have a FX 5200 video card which just works great on DOD and on any graphics stuff. I am not a big gamer other than DOD, I love DOD, I love Halflife. But I am really at minimum requirements for Halflife2 stuff.

I like XP Professional, should I consider the Vista Premium, I don't know. I studied the Vista product, and have not been impressed. XP Pro is only $135.00 OEM. Like to get some input here.

So tell me what you think. I don't think I have to pay more than $600 for the whole computer. I like to hear what cases that you might recommend.
I currently have an Ultra case which is cool. I don't want anything glowing, not a gamer case, but something nice.

Now which harddrive do you guys like. I hate Maxtor, hate them. I have replaced so many Maxtors I almost went blind. (lol)

I am a kingston man for RAM but there is some new ram out there, hmmm

So let's hear from you guys. I have an account with tiger and newegg, is there anyone else I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.:clock:

[syriquez]

Mwave has always been reliable for my family.

[TheTryHard]

Gave it a go.


COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower
$39.99 -$5.00 Instant $34.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel
$99.99 -$10.00 Instant $89.99

MSI NX8600GT-T2D256EZ GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3
$89.99 $89.99

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470 ATX ATX12V Ver 2.2 470W Power
$79.99 -$5.00 Instant $74.99

Intel Pentium E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
$69.99 $69.99

Update OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
$53.99 -$5.00 Instant $48.99

Update Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$59.99 $59.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B -
$29.99 -$3.00 Instant $26.99

Update Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
$89.99 $89.99

Update ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
$36.99 -$10.00 Instant $26.99


Subtotal: $612.90


Crucial Ballistix 2x1GB 800mhz ram would be much better. It's $64.99-30mir=$34.99

[danlo]

I posted this link in another topic too.

http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/16040-AMD_KickOff_Raffle

Free AMD computer raffle going on through Sunday. No monitor included but other than that it's quite a good rig. I don't know much about computers so I couldn't really compare specs or prices but you should check it out at least.

[TheTryHard]

3870 X2... Me want!

Scratch the MSI vid card, for...

http://www.overclock.net/online-deals/302015-deal-79-99-evga-8600gt-ssc.html

Lifetime warranty with step-up program.

[HotPotato]

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower
$39.99 -$5.00 Instant $34.99 [Nice case, similiar to the Ultra, but I like some of the features here]

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel
$99.99 -$10.00 Instant $89.99

MSI NX8600GT-T2D256EZ GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3
$89.99 $89.99 [Good price, I need to review this card some]

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470 ATX ATX12V Ver 2.2 470W Power
$79.99 -$5.00 Instant $74.99 [Wow, this power supply blew me away, never seen or heard about it before - thanks]

Intel Pentium E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
$69.99 $69.99 [Intel 1.6 Ghz, what, are you in deep space? - Intel is pricing and I wanted more than 2 G, what the hell am I going to do with a 1.6 Ghz, run windows 95?]

Update OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
$53.99 -$5.00 Instant $48.99 [I have been researching these RAM sticks with metal grids, but they seem to need fans around them to cool them. The price is a killer, where did you get the price? or is it 2 x 48.99?. Still a good price. I really like Kingston for the lifetime guarantee, they ask no questions. Never heard of this manufacturer.]

Update Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM [hmm, have not look at this particular model before, thanks for the update]
$59.99 $59.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B -
$29.99 -$3.00 Instant $26.99 [SATA DVD Burner, this is cool, but there is no software bundled with it] I mostly use nero Essentials, are they any recommendations here?

Update Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
$89.99 $89.99 [So you don't like Vista either, is that what you are saying?]

Update ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
$36.99 -$10.00 Instant $26.99


[I]Thank you for the input, any recommendation on AMD CPU and motherboard? 1.6g was real low, need at least 2.4 I think.

[TheTryHard]

The 2140 is comparable performance wise to amd 3800x2. Also, clockspeed isnt everything. Link to proof... http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

Besides, you should OC that mofo.

When you get the funds get a e8400 or a q6600. I run a e8400 at 4005mhz. My e8400 only cost $199.99.

The ocz ram is from newegg(all of the build is). http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227089
If you can spare it grab the ballistix with the mir.

PC Power makes top of the line PSU's. I have a PCP&C 750 silencer.

Threw xp up there, because it was 20bux cheaper. I use V Premium 32 on my Vaio and V Premium 64 bit on my desktop.

[YO_MA_MA]

some of my opinions:

XP still is better then vista, though when/if vista does a few updates it might get up there, and vista has Dx10 >.>

I prefer intel over AMD. because of how their chips are designed, intel is much better at multi tasking though AMD is suppose to be better at running single tasks. Intel is creating better and faster chips while AMD is trailing behind (though this wont be an issue cus you arent going top of the line)

if you are planning on going for some extra gamming power, a videocard is a must. nvidia just released its 9 series (well 1 chip sofar) it comes in better then the 8800gt but might be a little to pricy for a $600 build. i have been a fan of XFX video cards, none have failed on my sofar and usually have some of the higher clock rates (Best bang for buck) the 8800GT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229)

RAM ive had crucial (ballistix) in my last 2 builds, no bad chips, all have worked flawlessly. get at least 2 gigs worth, maybe up to 4 depending on how you work.

Every hard drive i have bought was a Western Digital and i have only had one fail on me (out of 7, totaling about ) and that was my own fault, went to plug it in and i feel forward while holding the power cable cracking the chip on the underside.

sorry if its a little lengthy, ill answer any other questions if i can. (im not really an over clocker so i cant help there)

[TheTryHard]

I strongly recommand Intel, at this time. Socket 775 is where it's at. Intel is leaps and bounds ahead of AMD right. No sense in being a fanboy. Get the best bang for your buck. Buy that cpu(e2140) now and upgrade later to a quad or w/e.

WTH, the same place I bought my e8400 for $199.99 has them for $259.99 now.

OT:
My old 3dmark06 score was 13k with the quad at 3.4. At 4.4 on my new one I score 13k.

[YO_MA_MA]

My old 3dmark06 score was 13k with the quad at 3.4. At 4.4 on my new one I score 13k.
not bad i barely break 12k... i have the Q6600 stock @2.4 and 8800GTX >.> what do you have get 13k? sli or just overclocked like mad?

[TheTryHard]

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower
$39.99 -$5.00 Instant $34.99

BIOSTAR TA770 A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard -
$79.99 $79.99

XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16$94.99 $94.99

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470 ATX ATX12V Ver 2.2 470W Power
$79.99 -$5.00 Instant $74.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor Model
$99.99 $99.99

OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8002GK - Retail
$53.99 -$5.00 Instant $48.99

250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$59.99 $59.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
$26.99 $26.99

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
$89.99 $89.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
$29.99 -$10.00 Instant $19.99
Subtotal: $630.90


My 13k run..

E8400@ 4.4 (9x489)
ASUS P5E
4x1 Ballistix 8500@ 978 4-4-4-12
Sapphire 3870(single) oc'ed to 860/1300

I seem to have deleted the link. I'll re-run it in the coming days.

[HotPotato]

Wow, I am freaked out. You guys really blasted AMD.

I was looking at the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail for $99 buckolas. Or the 4800+ @ 2.4 GHz. So you say Intel, so I will have to look at Intel.

You guys really fried my potato.

[HotPotato]

I finally watched that youtube. I dont know what game they were playing but they got together and one guy murdered another. And it happened a second time. Well I hope none of us DOD players get together, at least in Russia.

[YO_MA_MA]

bla bla bla

ever heard of the edit button?

yeah its a sad day when stuff like that happens

[Silent-Er@sEr]

one note the black edidtion on a amd chip means that it is unlocked and can be overclocked quite nicely

[HotPotato]

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, and I just used the edit button.

[TheTryHard]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122&SubCategory=147&SortField=0&PageSize=10&page=1

Go ahead grab 4GB, you know you want to:hitit2: Also, save a couple bux with AMD CPU combo buy.

[ghost911]

Do not buy any graphics card as of now. the new ati 400's are comng out soon. as well as new nvidias.

dont buy any new chips as of now. because intel is lowering there price soon because of the new 45nm chip series.

memory i would go with reapers. dont buy ddr3 there still in beta releases. waist of money as of now. because there is no need for it as of now. and buy the time you want new memory is when they will be good to get and cheaper.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr2_pc2_8500_reaper_hpc_edition



And for motherboard wise i would go with a Asus Maximus Formula x38

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQxNCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

i have been in and out of motherboards for the past month because i got shitty boards. and by far this board is the shit for the money. totally recommend it and i know youll like it. and great for the future.