New System Build for a business.

[xazraelx]

Well, it's the restaurant my father is a manager of. Basically, he said he wanted a cheap computer (below $400) to use as a source for security camera's. That's all I know of. He said someone mentioned the glories of RAID, and he wants the RAID setup...you know...just in case

Anyway, I'm not familiar with lower-budget items much at all. I figured I'd turn to AMD, as I'm not overclocking, I just want to leave it there and let it run.

Here is kind of a semi-plan, I'd appreciate any kind of tearing through that can be done to make it better/cheaper. Remember, staying under $400 (I would tell them just to buy a cheap dell deal with a monitor, but my dad despises all the factory computers he's owned and loves the one I built for him )

DVD Burner - 25.99
Case - 59.99 (I'd really like to find a cheaper decent case, but a lot of them look trashy, not ...serious)
2x Sata HDD - 81.98
Motherboard - 67.99
Graphics Card - 26.99 w/ $10 rebate.
430W PSU - 39.99 w/ $10 rebate
RAM - 53 w/ $25 rebate
Processor 59.99

So, the total would be 415.92, minus the $45 in rebates, plus whatever SH is. So right around $400. What do you guys think? What are some ways I can cut the cost, or improve performance without sacrificing the budget?

Thanks TPU.

 

[ShadowFold]

Get this case, I love mine
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147075

Better PSU, savings from the case makes up for it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151055

Good board with On board video is cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188023

Intel Pentium Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036
Everything else looks good tho.

 

[xazraelx]

I looked at the idea of on-board video, but will that affect watching the "tapes" at all? That's kind of why I went ahead and threw the 2 gigs of RAM in. =/

I'm not really sure what kind of resource requirements a security system takes, and I don't know ANYTHING about what they have, no model numbers or anything , otherwise I could look it up. Know anything about that area, heh?

Edit: I love BTBAM, especially "The Arsonist" amazing song...

Ever heard of Prayer for Cleansing?

 

[ShadowFold]

It comes with a GeForce 7050, they were built for watching movies and simple internet stuff. I think it will use some of the ram but that wouldnt matter much if you do want a dedicated graphics card the best that I could see that would be much of a upgrade in image quality would be a HD 2400/HD 3450.

 

[xazraelx]

Awesome, thanks - I'll run this build by them tomorrow.

And I would think the integrated would be fine, but graphics cards are getting so cheap now - if they need one in the future, I can just throw one in for relatively cheap.

Here it is:
DVD Burner 25.99
Case - 29.99
2x Sata HDD 81.98
300W PSU 41.99
RAM - 53 w/ 25 rebate
MOBO - 64.99 w/ 15 rebate
E2160 - 69.99

_____
392 after shipping, before 40 in rebates, for a total of 352. Certainly not bad

 

[ShadowFold]

What about a OS? You gonna use Linux or...

 

[xazraelx]

What about a OS? You gonna use Linux or...

Is there another option?

I'm sure their software is designed for Windows XP - not saying WINE can't run it, but...I don't want to receive 3 calls a day on how to get past turning it on. Although, the more I think about it, I was just going to put a copy of XP on it to be more...friendly...but, if it's just going to sit in a corner. I'll see what they want to do

 

[ShadowFold]

Well do you have the key a key for the XP disc?

 

[xazraelx]

I always have a key

And, I think I might actually use a legit one for their company haha.

 

[ShadowFold]

Im sure you do I would use legit for a company computer tho.

 

[JrRacinFan]

You may need a few more PCI slots on the motherboard. No offense to your build Shadow, but by the sounds of things it would have be a full size ATX board.

Go with your original plans of AMD & video card to stay in budget but get this board instead only due to having 4 dimms versus 2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138077

 

[ShadowFold]

Oh are raid things like PCI or something? Sorry idk a thing about that stuff.

 

[JrRacinFan]

For the cameras, he may need as many PCI/PCIe slots as he can get.

 

[xazraelx]

You may need a few more PCI slots on the motherboard. No offense to your build Shadow, but by the sounds of things it would have be a full size ATX board.

Go with your original plans of AMD & video card to stay in budget but get this board instead only due to having 4 dimms versus 2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138077

I see your points, but why do I need 4 DIMM slots? Do you have knowledge of these systems, do they require...hefty...ram? In addition, I'm not quite sure the PCI slots needed. It will be wired internet, which is in the Intel mobo, still leaving 2 pci slots. I'm sure the security (well, not sure, but possibly) system will use a PCI slot, leaving one empty. What will I need two more PCI slots for?

I'm certainly not bashing, just curious.

Edit: You answered above me. I'll find out tomorrow the model number of the system, and maybe I can get some more specs on it and show you guys - see what is really necessary, and what can be left out.

 

[ShadowFold]

For the cameras, he may need as many PCI/PCIe slots as he can get.

Ohh yea they might use some weird hook up or something. But I still think 2 pci slots are good tho.

 

[JrRacinFan]

4 dimms in case you do end up needing more RAM later. Trust me you want to get this as "server"-ish as possible.

More PCI slots in case you want to add more cameras

Also, by internet do you mean via ethernet port? Hmmmm ....

 

[ShadowFold]

I use the onboard ethernet ports on all my rigs and they all are really good.

Altho I loath gigabyte you can get this and the X1550 if your worried about PCI slots

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128077

EDIT: Forgot link

 

[xazraelx]

I'm going to be trying to convince them to leave it off the "internet."

My dad has a personal laptop, and I see no reason for them to have this hooked up to the internet. I guess I was just talking without thinking It's getting late.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Ahhh, I see. You know, there are professionally built DVR's for this kind of work your planning. They are meant for these things.

Here check out this site: http://www.everfocus.com/default.asp

Mind you I work for a security monitoring & installation company. I know about what you are looking for.

EDIT: If you lived near me, I would say call me up later and I can give you free consultation. Normally we charge $100 non-refundable just to come out and give you a quote.

 

[xazraelx]

Ahhh, I see. You know, there are professionally built DVR's for this kind of work your planning. They are meant for these things.

Here check out this site: http://www.everfocus.com/default.asp

Mind you I work for a security monitoring & installation company. I know about what you are looking for.

EDIT: If you lived near me, I would say call me up later and I can give you free consultation. Normally we charge $100 non-refundable just to come out and give you a quote.

Unfortunately, it's a relatively new company, and they are trying to budget everything. Personally, I'm not sure if a security system is the type of thing to be budgeted , but hey, it's not my business. Well, they are also in a good part of town, and it's the kind of place where everyone-knows-everyone. So, maybe it's just one of those psychology things.

I think that the reason that website doesn't have its prices listed is the reason they want me to build a ~400 computer. I looked at the product specs files, and how it works - I agree with you, it is completely purpose-defined, and I'm sure works 4x as well as anything I can build. It would also, in all likelihood, require less set-up and maintenance in the long run.

And thanks for the offer - unfortunately, I think you're quite a ways.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Hey, at least you know what to look for and where to look. It can get pretty hectic shopping for a security camera system.

Here is an ebay auction to watch though!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Everfocus-9-cam...ryZ48629QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also, here is another awesome deal if you plan on going the DIY DVR pc build.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vissior-DVR-Car...ryZ88756QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[xazraelx]

Thanks for the ideas

I'm going to contact them tomorrow, both my dad and the owner. I am also not sure on what they have at all - they could have something similar to what you're referring to with the system as a whole, and just want a computer to hold the data - or could just have the cameras, a pci card that came with them, and software cds. *sigh* I need more information.

Thanks for all the help from both you and Shadow, I'm going to bed now, but I'll post some information on what all they have/don't have tomorrow. But, hey, at least there is some thought process going on ^^

 

[xazraelx]

samsung smo-151qn

That's what I was given Now, I would ASSUME that is inclusive of everything, cameras and receiver - but not necessarily, they bought it used from someone. It was mentioned to me that it said Class A Receiver on it, or something along those lines. Have any thoughts regarding the system? I'm currently googling it, etc.

Thanks.

Edit: It looks to me like they want to use the computer to record the data from the cameras? Does this make sense?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Makes perfect sense. Easiest way to integrate that system with a PC as a DVR is with a TV tuner/Video capture card.

Or you could talk them into going with the above and not using that system at all. This ebay item: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...et&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=its=S%2BI%2BSS

Make sure you do at least a 500GB hdd, TV Tuner/Video capture card into the build.