New Home Machine After A Few Years

[woody240]

Hello All,

First post here. I found this site through Newegg.com. I have been looking around for components for a new home machine. I currently have an AMD XP 1800 machine that I built several years ago. My kids are killing it with music and video files so my hard drive is full. I'm interested in building another machine but don't know where to start. I'm not into gaming but definitely want something that will play movies or video files and allow a few browsers open at once w/o bogging down too much. I've had great luck with AMP machines, but with the new X2 stuff I'm not sure how they compare now. If possible I would like to keep as much as possible but will do what is needed. Is it possible to build anything for $400-$500 without it being a dog? Also does anyone know what "Special savings w/ combo deal, limited time offer" means at newegg.com?

Thanks in advance,

Tony

 

[mrreality13]

Try this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103733

to start with i got it in a non combo deal as well as a 2 months ago and spent $155.00 on it
i mixed it with a 7600 gs/2 gigs/250 wd hd runs great

 

[Solariscs]

AMD really can't compete with the new Intel chips, but they are still cheaper. If your on a limited budget, you'll most likely want to go with AMD as you can get more for your dollar. Plus the way you'll be using the computer you really don't need the higher priced chips

 

[emp]

I'm going to assume that you have an OS, display, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and optical drives that you'll reuse. It seems like you'll need a fair amount of space because of your kids, so I'll make that a priority.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-PN ATX2.2 500Watts Power Supply 110-120/ 220-240V UL, CSA, VDE, NEMKO, TUV, CE, CB, FCC - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774

GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2 Socket AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128043

GIGABYTE GV-NX72G128D GeForce 7200GS 128MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125068

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Total at $452 before shipping. You must understand, there's absolutely no possibility for any real gaming to be done in this computer unless you upgrade the graphics card. And the sad thing is that if you only threw in an extra $100 this would become a pretty darn good gaming machine... Oh well.

 

[woody240]

Wow,
Now that's service. Thanks for the quick replies. Correct on the re-use of all the accessories. Should I just go with the above mentioned components? I would be happy to add the $100.00, how would that change the above listed bill of goods?
Thanks again, I'm getting excited now.

 

[Solariscs]

Hey woody, I sent you a little pm about some system specs . If you're interested in spending 100 more and you have more interest in gaming, you can step up to an Intel System that will be faster, or get a better amd chip.

Also You'd need to add a Cd/DVD drive to EMP's list

 

[emp]

The only difference to that list would be dropping the 7200GS and adding a decent graphics card, such as a 7900GS or X1950Pro, like these:

EVGA GeForce 7900 GS KO / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2458745&sku=E145-7892

SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

Any of those two will run any game at pretty nice settings.

 

[woody240]

That EVGA GeForce 7900 GS KO looks like it has a dvi output?? Is that compatible with a standard flatscreen monitor?

 

[Solariscs]

Yeah, its compatible with all monitors. DVI is the new standard for digital video output to monitors. If you have an older monitor with Serial input, there will be a DVI to Serial converter module that comes with the video card so you can use any monitor.

 

[woody240]

Any more thoughts? I'm thinking of just going with the above list of components but upgrading to the Sapphire 100176L video.
Is there a cool case that will do the job w/o spending a fortune. I think my kids would like a trick looking case. Also, are the new memory sticks sold and installed in pairs?
Thanks again,

 

[woody240]

I Almost forgot to ask. The GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2 Socket AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128043 appears to hav integrated video. I have never built a machine with integrated video and then added a video card. Is there any argument for just purchasing a board w/o video on it? Any advantage of having both.
Thanks again,
Awesome site!

 

[Solariscs]

No advantage, you just wont use the graphics on the motherboard.

 

[theboomboomcars]

You may want to think about getting a 500gb hard drive over the 320 one. They are only a little more expensive and almost 200gb bigger.

 

[woody240]

Any thoughts on a "cooler" case?

 

[emp]

it depends on your definition of "cooler", my definition of a cool case in the Antec P180.

Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154

However for less traditional and sober designs, there's the Antec Nine Hundred:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=ante c%2b900

Or the Thermaltake Armor:

Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133154

These are expensive cases, but they are very well designed with great airflow. Not many people here might be able to tell you about good exteriors, because we're (At least I am) mostly concerned about airflow and not how flashy the case might be.

 

[Solariscs]

I have this case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133042

I love it. It's have lots of airflow, movable HDD cage and is super quiet.

 

[woody240]

Well after reading a couple hundred posts over the last few days here is where I'm at. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Case:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
PSU:
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-PN ATX2.2 500Watts Power Supply 110-120/ 220-240V UL, CSA, VDE, NEMKO, TUV, CE, CB, FCC - Retail $69.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037
Seaga te Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http:// www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140
$79.99
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774
$69.99



GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034
$81.99



SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061
$136.99
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
$88.99.
Looks like $577.93 w/o shipping

 

[woody240]

OK Now I have been reading about DDR-3 and "Quad core" processors. I'm rethinking my budget and would like to "future-proof" this machine as much as possible. So if I up my budget to ~$800.00 what should I be looking at?
I'm sorry to be such a PITA, I just really want to get going on this build but have fallen victim to my "Analysis Paralysis"

 

[woody240]

Anyone??

Also, is there a "Glossary Of Terms" someplace? I don't even know what SATA is.

 

[Solariscs]

Hey If you have 800 you can move to the E6750 and get a nice GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R. If you need DDR3 that is.

If you have questions msg me on aim or yahoo if you have it.

SATA is Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. It's just an interphase for data transfer.

 

[woody240]

Any issues with DDR3? Would I used DDR2 now and upgrade to DDR3 later? Software issues?

 

[Solariscs]

Nope, its all built into the board, you just plug them in like DDR2 and reboot your system. There wont be any software issues . The only issue at the moment is that they cost a lot, but offer little in the way of performance gains lol.