Anybody ever ordered pre-built from Ascendtech? / Question about using old case

[wchang99]

Has anybody ever ordered a no-OS system from Ascendtech? I know they have a pretty good reputation on resellerratings.com, and I have read positive references to them in this forum, but was wondering about their matching and quality of components in their pre-built systems.

For example, I was looking at their Phenom II X3 710 systems:

http://www.ascendtech.us/Custo...asp?kc=DTPCPHIIX371001

It's $245 shipped now, and I think I saw it for $225 a few days ago (same config I think).

It seems almost too good to be true. I assume the case is really basic, but typically do they use ones that are equal to the rest of the system and have enough amenities not to be awful? (think the case fan is extra.) And, the HDD, memory, and to lesser extent cd-rw, do they use reasonably decent ones?

They don't even give a wattage rating for the default PSU, unfortunately.

(Memory is a little low on this particular config.)

Alternatively (and this is another question).. if I build myself instead of ordering from Ascendtech, I might use my old case. It's a Micron Millenia case (http://www.pcworld.com/reviews...w/millenia_ts_pro.html ) that houses the 1Ghz system in my sig (the cpu and mobo are stock for the case I think). I believe so far it's ATX (will have to confirm). Does anyone know if it will be good enough to house the Phenom triple core above, or a Phenom II X2 550, or an Athlon 7750 Dual-Core? There's no fan in the front, and the one in the back is ~75-85mm (I'm assuming it still runs well enough, it's about as loud as when I got it secondhand 4 yrs ago, and airflow out the back, just feeling w/my hand, doesn't seem worse than that out the back of the newer Dell dual-core system in my sig). I don't plan to do any overclocking atm, and don't plan to add an add-in videocard yet (may eventually add a 4850).

Many thanks for any help!

 

[Lunyone]

Well the case/PSU combo for ~$29 before shipping, just throws a big RED flag up for me. I'd be it's a 300-350w "listed" PSU, but in reality it's not worth $10!! I wouldn't even consider buying a system with that kind of PSU in it. You are better off getting a quality PSU in the $40-50 range than risking your system on a cheap PSU. If you don't have solid and stable power for your system, you will be sorry!! May not happen today or tomorrow, but will likely happen.

I'd consider opting for your own build. Here is a good combo deal on a mobo/CPU/memory package:
$160 - $20 MIR's = $140!!!
AMD x2 7850 Kuma Black Edition/ECS Black 8200 HDMI mobo/4 gb's OCZ DDR2 800mHz RAM
There are other combo deals, but that is a pretty good one. I personally prefer the 780g or 790gx chipset mobo's when dealing with AMD systems. I'm sure the ECS 8200 mobo will work out just fine.

Add this Case/PSU combo:
$90 shipped!!
Antec 300 case w/380w Earthwatts PSU

Now all you need is a HD/DVD drive and your set. The total at this point is ~$250 - $20 MIR's = $230!! Now that is basically the same price as the pre-built, but doesn't have the CDRW drive or the HD with it. It's up to you, but I'd just build my own and then you know what you have and what upgrades you can put in the system.

 

[wchang99]

Those item descriptions were actually clickable for more details, my bad.

You are absolutely right, after looking around, I found that good parts aren't far off those Ascendtech prices, at all, accounting for the fact that some Ascendtech parts are not known, and there are combo deals on the good parts. The PSU in the Ascendtech system is actually a house brand, it turns out, and so is the next one up. Not for me.

Thanks for the recommendation on the mobo/cpu/memory combo. It was really tempting, but, I think I'm going to keep one of the higher non-Phenom X2's, which are more toward the low end of what I'm thinking of, as an option in case I can't use my old case and don't have as much $$ to spend. I am not using the new system for anything much hardcore, *except* rendering, so I am thinking of a 3-core maybe if it's not too much more.

Thanks for the link for the Antec case and PSU combo as well. It's a similar situation, since I'm hoping to use my old case. But if I can't, I've read of Antec being really good, and I actually personally like the "look" of the 300.

I'll be able to use my old DVD if I get a mobo that has still IDE (thank god for those). That'll help bring me closer to the prices you outlined.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Lunyone]

Glad that I could help you. There are more and more deals to be had all the time, so if you have anything specific that you want to get, let us know and we'll try and help you find a good deal on them. Do you have a build together yet??

 

[wchang99]

Thanks for the offer! That's very kind. I don't have a build together yet -- I'm just starting to read about mobos, cpu's, cases, psu's, haven't done this before. I don't want anyone to hold their breath. :laugh:

There are some insane deals flying around right now, like the Phenom II X4 940 w/mobo for $180, but I think I better know what I'm doing first.

Thanks.

 

[Lunyone]

Research is your friend. Not all information is accurate, but any information good or bad will help you to decide on what is good for you. Prices will change, but generally Case and PSU prices don't change much. With that being said, if you find a good deal on a case or PSU, I'd snatch it up. Generally I like to buy all of my parts at once, this way if I have problems with any part, I can find the faulty part and ship it back for replacement. Most online places have a 30 day return policy, so that is why I try and buy all parts at the same time. Cases and most PSU's are usually good, so if you wait a bit before testing them out, you not usually out too much.

 

[wchang99]

Thanks! Yeah, I have been able to learn a lot fairly quickly by looking at the right sites (like here, the reviews here, to some extent sharky's, and, some others whose names I can't remember right now).

Thanks for the advice on the cases and PSU's. It's a good thing, because I think I will have to start from that, and will have to allow for it in my budget. Trying to figure out how much to shave off.

Your advice to try to buy all the parts at once: I do tend to be on the cautious side of buying things, but that's just one reason more, and I haven't thought of that before. So, thanks. So many things to coordinate to have a good, smooth build going, and I know I will be as picky or almost as picky as some of the people who have been doing it, once I get going. :laugh:

Thanks again.