Urgent PC build

[JrRacinFan]

I like the build and all but why a video card when there is no gaming involved? Why not 4GB and a board with 4 dimms? Then again, not my build so I am leaving it at that.

[ChromeDome]

oh i thought get a vid card since its only $20 and might give some better options for monitor enhancements over integrated. and its DX10 in case a jump to Vista is ever made

lol i didn't notice the mobo restrictions with mem slots until after i chose it. i didn't feel like picking another :/

its inexpensive and 2 gigs sounds like enough memory for what the unit will be used for. so two slots is plenty i suppose

[newtekie1]

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147073
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371006
MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500006
CPU+/-fan or HS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231207
VGA: Onboard is good enough
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288
ODD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136149

$501.69 after Shipping. With 4GB of DDR2-800 and a Q6600, the machine should handle video editing just fine.

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by nocrapman

I dont know exactly what happened.
But he gets the black BIOS screen on bootup... he's not very tech savy. I will be able to figure out once I actually get there next weekend. My guess is probably a failed HDD!

probably tried flashing the bios or the video card went bad, or he tried reseting the bios, there is a jumper on the board that controls that, i suggest changing that to reset everything then place it to default before powering up. Read the Manual on the motherboard for the proper settings.

[nocrapman]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

I like the build and all but why a video card when there is no gaming involved? Why not 4GB and a board with 4 dimms? Then again, not my build so I am leaving it at that.

I agree. At this point after considering all the suggestions, I am going to keep it simple.
No games... no VGA.

4GBs of RAM (or room for that), since although I am installing XP for now, he might upgrade to Vista later.

I am still looking for a compact-ish case, that has good circulation, yet is not big. Since I am not installing gaming card/sound card or other goodies... I would like to keep it small on size without running into major heat issues.

[Mussels]

have a look at the antec solo/P150.

They're not that cheap, but they're a well cooled, quiet(silent if you use good fans) case that isnt unnecessarily large.

[nocrapman]

Thanks!
Any idea where I might find decent SATA cables without paying twice the money for shipping?

[Mussels]

sorry no clue. I have piles of them, since i get free ones with every new motherboard.

I'd just have a look in local stores, you might get some bargains.

[Paulieg]

Originally Posted by nocrapman

Thanks!
Any idea where I might find decent SATA cables without paying twice the money for shipping?

PM me. I've got a TON of SATA cables. I'll sell them cheap, and shipping should be very reasonable.

[ChromeDome]

Originally Posted by nocrapman

I agree. At this point after considering all the suggestions, I am going to keep it simple.
No games... no VGA.

4GBs of RAM (or room for that), since although I am installing XP for now, he might upgrade to Vista later.

I am still looking for a compact-ish case, that has good circulation, yet is not big. Since I am not installing gaming card/sound card or other goodies... I would like to keep it small on size without running into major heat issues.

well then a DX10 vid card would be desirable. otherwise Vista Premium (Aero) isn't going to be so great

just sayin'. for $20 its a good investment imo

[Mussels]

the AM2 780G board mentioned earlier, had full DX10 support (and therefore, full vista support)

[ChromeDome]

damn

ignore post above...above post

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by ChromeDome

damn

ignore post above...above post

I made sure to mention that when i was originally reccomending the AM2 board over the intel versions suggested, purely because of the added features of the onboard video card. (Vista, blu ray)

[newtekie1]

You don't need DX10 to run any part of Aero. DX10 has nothing to do with Aero, and is only going to come into play in games, which he alreadys said isn't a factor.

[ChromeDome]

yeah i figured that out already thanks

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

You don't need DX10 to run any part of Aero. DX10 has nothing to do with Aero, and is only going to come into play in games, which he alreadys said isn't a factor.

Indeed you dont, but compared to the intel offerings and their poor performance, the AMD onboard is a world faster for no more cost increase.

If the option was powerful onboard graphics, or spending more cost for a weak dedicated card in the event of upgrading... for a non gamer, the powerful (overkill) onboard is the best choice.

[ChromeDome]

i learn something everyday here

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by Mussels

Indeed you dont, but compared to the intel offerings and their poor performance, the AMD onboard is a world faster for no more cost increase.

If the option was powerful onboard graphics, or spending more cost for a weak dedicated card in the event of upgrading... for a non gamer, the powerful (overkill) onboard is the best choice.

ya he wouldnt need to spend a extra 30 dollars on a video card when he has a built in unit.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

ya he wouldnt need to spend a extra 30 dollars on a video card when he has a built in unit.

just to clarify my key point, he wont need to spend money on a new video card for current OR future purposes.

He could have got an intel GMA 950 onboard now, and been fine in XP, but suffered crappy aero performance if he went vista. Its spending the same money not just for the current purposes, but hedging your bets against possible future uses as well. Thats why i mentioned blu ray support, cause in a few years this PC could well end up a media PC like many older systems do today.

[eidairaman1]

well looking at alot of the boards on NE, those AMDs do have good feature set, for today and tomorrow, if he decides he wants to game, he can always slap in a good videocard and be on his way.

[newtekie1]

Originally Posted by Mussels

Indeed you dont, but compared to the intel offerings and their poor performance, the AMD onboard is a world faster for no more cost increase.

If the option was powerful onboard graphics, or spending more cost for a weak dedicated card in the event of upgrading... for a non gamer, the powerful (overkill) onboard is the best choice.

Why would he need a more powerful solution? The intended use of the machine isn't going to be helped in any way by the improved graphics solution. However, it is going to hindered by the weaker processor. Video Editing/Encoding is a lot heavier on the CPU than the GPU, the GPU goes virtually unused.

You speak of Blu-Ray player support, but do you really think they are going to be slapping a Blu-Ray drive in a $500 budget build? I don't. And if the time ever comes that Blu-Ray playback is needed, a $20 graphics card can be added that will get the job done.

But for right now, the Intel builds with the better CPU fit the intended uses of the computer better. The AMD builds would be better overall, but he doesn't want a better overall computer, he wants a computer to fit a purpose.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Why would he need a more powerful solution? The intended use of the machine isn't going to be helped in any way by the improved graphics solution. However, it is going to hindered by the weaker processor. Video Editing/Encoding is a lot heavier on the CPU than the GPU, the GPU goes virtually unused.

You speak of Blu-Ray player support, but do you really think they are going to be slapping a Blu-Ray drive in a $500 budget build? I don't. And if the time ever comes that Blu-Ray playback is needed, a $20 graphics card can be added that will get the job done.

But for right now, the Intel builds with the better CPU fit the intended uses of the computer better. The AMD builds would be better overall, but he doesn't want a better overall computer, he wants a computer to fit a purpose.

yes, you have a valid point. It boils down to two things: The intels would require further investment down the road (extra video card) whereas the AMD would not. The goal was a budget build for someone who is not a gamer or overclocker - so just saying 'we can throw a better one in later' is very inconvenient to that kind of person.

I thought of the same thing you just spoke of, and decided it was an inefficient way of doing it. The AMD method is very close to as powerful, whilst leaving itself open to changes in purpose WITHOUT any hardware changes required to go with it.

(note that i said 'in a few years' on blu ray. they'll be dirt cheap in a year or two, and if the owner requires a more powerful encoding PC, then having this one more versatile helps with resale value to achieve that goal)

[nocrapman]

This is a very interesting decision making process. I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions.

Here's where I am at this point and I know I need to wrap up quickly, so I can order by tonight:

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131324
It gives me inbuilt video, helps keep it simple for now, but has the scope for upgrade.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103211
I know.. what am I thinking. But for the price-performance ratio, I just find this unresistable at $60. Later on, when the Phenoms are selling this cheap, I can upgrade the proc and relegade it to a media server.

PSU : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010
lots of headroom for any upgrade and future proof.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098
For XP, this should be sufficient!

ODD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106265
Cheap and free shipping.

Total at this point: $255.

I still need a decent case and do I need a CPU cooler/HS if I am not OCing this thing?
Please suggest...

What do you guys think? I might get away with this under for $350!!!

[newtekie1]

Originally Posted by Mussels

just to clarify my key point, he wont need to spend money on a new video card for current OR future purposes.

He could have got an intel GMA 950 onboard now, and been fine in XP, but suffered crappy aero performance if he went vista. Its spending the same money not just for the current purposes, but hedging your bets against possible future uses as well. Thats why i mentioned blu ray support, cause in a few years this PC could well end up a media PC like many older systems do today.

The GMA950 doesn't have any problem with Aero. The Aero performance is no where near "crappy" on it. This statement makes it pretty obvious that you have never actually used Aero on a GMA950.

Originally Posted by Mussels

yes, you have a valid point. It boils down to two things: The intels would require further investment down the road (extra video card) whereas the AMD would not. The goal was a budget build for someone who is not a gamer or overclocker - so just saying 'we can throw a better one in later' is very inconvenient to that kind of person.

I thought of the same thing you just spoke of, and decided it was an inefficient way of doing it. The AMD method is very close to as powerful, whilst leaving itself open to changes in purpose WITHOUT any hardware changes required to go with it.

(note that i said 'in a few years' on blu ray. they'll be dirt cheap in a year or two, and if the owner requires a more powerful encoding PC, then having this one more versatile helps with resale value to achieve that goal)

The only thing that would require a better video card down the road would be Blu-Ray support. And with both builds that WOULD require a hardware change. With the AMD build, a Blu-Ray drive would need to be installed, or at the very minimum an external drive. The Intel build would require a video card also. By the time Blu-Ray drives are dirt cheap, so will the video cards that are required to play Blu-Ray movies. Heck you can already pick up a video card capable of Blu-Ray playback for under $30...

[ChromeDome]

Originally Posted by nocrapman

This is a very interesting decision making process. I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions.

Here's where I am at this point and I know I need to wrap up quickly, so I can order by tonight:

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131324
It gives me inbuilt video, helps keep it simple for now, but has the scope for upgrade.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103211
I know.. what am I thinking. But for the price-performance ratio, I just find this unresistable at $60. Later on, when the Phenoms are selling this cheap, I can upgrade the proc and relegade it to a media server.

PSU : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010
lots of headroom for any upgrade and future proof.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098
For XP, this should be sufficient!

ODD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106265
Cheap and free shipping.

Total at this point: $255.

I still need a decent case and do I need a CPU cooler/HS if I am not OCing this thing?
Please suggest...

What do you guys think? I might get away with this under for $350!!!

i don't like the processor too much. i mean i do, but if building something new....maybe consider spending a little more....for a little more?

and this power supply is less money before rebate on your unit and just $15 more after

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703015

i think its a better choice for the money and a good compromise as you don't have to wait for a rebate. its top notch, the OCZ StealthXStream is fairly average and under load the PCP&Cooling could prolly outperform it. 500w or no.

so, just $15 more. or $15 less right off the bat, no rebate to wait on

and i still like my 8450 Tri Core choice for the processor. i mean its not a quad, but its not priced like one, either.

but if keeping the price ultra low ($350) i suppose you're doing a good job

if nothing else consider the PSU

oh, and i still like my build at the bottom of the last page better. just dump the vid card and match it with your chosen mobo. right there you've almost made up the difference in price. the RAM is cheaper, and the processor makes it a more dynamic build for your dads purposes. you can upgrade the PSU if you like, i suppose. but i doubt it will ever need a 600w PSU


just my two cents....