Buying a new computer -- Help needed!

[sammyunltd]

Hi! I will probably buy a new computer in the following weeks and I was wondering if I could get your advices...

My current computer is a Pentium 4 1.7 GHz with a 9800 PRO, with 512 MB of SDRAM. So... it was due! This computer is partly for gaming (but not too heavy, as I'm focusing more on school), and partly for multi-tasking (downloading/Word/Excel/music/Internet Explorer with 5 tabs, SIMULTANEOUSLY, thing I can't do right now with my quite-limited computer).

I want something that can last a bit (not 6 years), and that will be easily upgradeable (aka change the CPU (same socket), change the GPU....). My budget is, well, under $1500 CAD or approx. under $1300 USD.


CASE: Antec P182 ($141 CAD)
*Power Supply: Corsair HX520 CMPSU 520W ($110 CAD)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 ($217 CAD)
*Motherboard: ASUS P5K Deluxe ($241 CAD)
*Video Card: eVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320 MB ($330 CAD)
*Memory: OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-12 ($90 CAD, MIR)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB SATA 2 ($90 CAD)
DVD Writer: Samsung SH-S203B SATA ($39 CAD)
DVD Drive: LG DVD-ROM 16X ($20 CAD)
*OS: Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64 Bit OEM ($126 CAD)

Total: around $1400 CAD, barely under the limit. The * indicates that I'm not too sure about the choice of the specific part.

- Do I need more than 520W? Like, say 620W?
- Is the P5K Deluxe really that necessary, over a P5K? Is there a better P35 motherboard than this?
- Is 320MB for the 8800GTS enough? I'm not a hardcore gamer, but for once, I'd like to max out some "visual settings" in my games. But I'm not a maniac of the eye-candy thing. I just want something nice (not above (1680x1050) and fluid.
- Is the RAM ok? Are the timings good? I don't know, I'm not an expert in these things. I know that I may overclock some day, but like I said, I'm more casual.
- Vista, Vista, Vista. 32 or 64 Bit? The thing is that I don't wanna change OS next year. The OS I'm buying NOW, I'll stick with it for 2-3 years, at least. Are programs having that many difficulties adapting to Vista? Cause, I've heard it's far more stable than XP.

I really thank you all!

Your input is welcome!

 

[bamacre]

PSU is fine. I would go with a cheaper motherboard, especially if you can squeeze into a 640MB GTS. I'd stick with 32bit Vista.

 

[Piuc2020]

In the states the 620HX can be found for a minimal difference over the 520HX, might want to check that.

About the OS, get the 32 bit edition and you are golden. You won't need 64bit for a long long time still. Vista is a great OS, some people will try to convince you its not but for the most part, its a pretty peachy OS.

 

[Sinn707]

Corsair 520HX would be fine even if you had a GTX in there
I agree with the person above me, get Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R instead for $150CAD,
put the money saved into the video and get 640MB version of 8800 GTS.

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: Sinn707
Corsair 520HX would be fine even if you had a GTX in there
I agree with the person above me, get Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R instead for $150CAD,
put the money saved into the video and get 640MB version of 8800 GTS.

exactly, get the 640mb version, especially if you want to keep it for a while without upgrading at 1680x1050

 

[sammyunltd]

So, 520W will be enough, even if I put 2 8800GTS inside the beast?

Talking about SLI, will it be possible in a near future to enable SLI into these P35 motherboards?

Which 8800GTS should I take? The BFG or the eVGA KO? (The BFG, given the instant rebate and the MIR is substantially cheaper)

What about the RAM? Is it OK? What's the deal with the timings?

Isn't 32 Bits a little bit outdated? I mean, isn't 64 Bits the future. I surely don't want to buy another OS in a year.

Thank you for your answers!

 

[sammyunltd]

Help is needed. Please, I really need help.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: sammyunltd
So, 520W will be enough, even if I put 2 8800GTS inside the beast?

Talking about SLI, will it be possible in a near future to enable SLI into these P35 motherboards?

Which 8800GTS should I take? The BFG or the eVGA KO? (The BFG, given the instant rebate and the MIR is substantially cheaper)

What about the RAM? Is it OK? What's the deal with the timings?

Isn't 32 Bits a little bit outdated? I mean, isn't 64 Bits the future. I surely don't want to buy another OS in a year.

Thank you for your answers!

520 should float you.

I've been preferenced to BFG, but from my expereince they are both excellent companies. If you want a lil extra juice, go the KO.

The ram is good, even for a lil overclocking

Get 64bit if you want. I only have one application (VMWare Server) not completely work well with it, all my games work fine with it. VmWare will support Vista 64 bit fully with Windows Server 2008 comes out. I run SmartFTP 64 bit version (I handle a special 20GB archive comprised of 138,529 files ranging from 78kb to 30MB) that I upload quite often. The laptop handles 100 connections very well when paired with a powerful router. I believe the 64 bit is a little more stable and efficient on here then the 32 bit.

In the end, if you look at your software and see no issues, go 64 bit hands down.

 

[sammyunltd]

Thank you for your answer!

What's better? Put $100 CAD more into a motherboard (ABIT IP35 PRO, ASUS P5K DELUXE) or in a 8800GTS 640 MB?

Also, I also read about new WD's hard drives being faster and quieter than Seagate's? Can someone confirm this?

Finally, can someone recommend me a good DVD Burner? Fast and quiet, something good overall but not too cheap?

Thank you!

 

[JustaGeek]

I would get 640MB Video Card.

Seagate drives always worked better for me, and you can't beat the 5 year warranty with no questions asked.

I have always used LG DVD burners, and believe that they are solid across the lineup.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: sammyunltd
Hi! I will probably buy a new computer in the following weeks and I was wondering if I could get your advices...

My current computer is a Pentium 4 1.7 GHz with a 9800 PRO, with 512 MB of SDRAM. So... it was due! This computer is partly for gaming (but not too heavy, as I'm focusing more on school), and partly for multi-tasking (downloading/Word/Excel/music/Internet Explorer with 5 tabs, SIMULTANEOUSLY, thing I can't do right now with my quite-limited computer).

I want something that can last a bit (not 6 years), and that will be easily upgradeable (aka change the CPU (same socket), change the GPU....). My budget is, well, under $1500 CAD or approx. under $1300 USD.


CASE: Antec P182 ($141 CAD)
*Power Supply: Corsair HX520 CMPSU 520W ($110 CAD)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 ($217 CAD)
*Motherboard: ASUS P5K Deluxe ($241 CAD)
*Video Card: eVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320 MB ($330 CAD)
*Memory: OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-12 ($90 CAD, MIR)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB SATA 2 ($90 CAD)
DVD Writer: Samsung SH-S203B SATA ($39 CAD)
DVD Drive: LG DVD-ROM 16X ($20 CAD)
*OS: Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64 Bit OEM ($126 CAD)

Total: around $1400 CAD, barely under the limit. The * indicates that I'm not too sure about the choice of the specific part.

- Do I need more than 520W? Like, say 620W?
- Is the P5K Deluxe really that necessary, over a P5K? Is there a better P35 motherboard than this?
- Is 320MB for the 8800GTS enough? I'm not a hardcore gamer, but for once, I'd like to max out some "visual settings" in my games. But I'm not a maniac of the eye-candy thing. I just want something nice (not above (1680x1050) and fluid.
- Is the RAM ok? Are the timings good? I don't know, I'm not an expert in these things. I know that I may overclock some day, but like I said, I'm more casual.
- Vista, Vista, Vista. 32 or 64 Bit? The thing is that I don't wanna change OS next year. The OS I'm buying NOW, I'll stick with it for 2-3 years, at least. Are programs having that many difficulties adapting to Vista? Cause, I've heard it's far more stable than XP.

I really thank you all!

Your input is welcome!

Casual to me means you'd be happy with a pre-built system....which most of the non-overclocking world is. No worries, no bluescreen problems, no wondering if you got the right PSU, and you can typically save lots of $....and there's someone else to call if there are any issues with it.

Dell's got their 9200 with Quad-core 6600 (granted, no overclocking) 2.4 for $649 or $619 with 2GB/80GB; add $230 for an 8800GTS/320, and you're in business....add $100 for a 500GB HDD if you like, and you'll save about $300-$400 over building it yourself.... (prices are US$). They should also have a higher-speed dual-core setup if you're OK with just 2 cores.

I'd stick with 32 bit for now unless you feel you need more than 3.3GB or so of RAM. Aside from RAM there is no clear advantage to 64 bit at this time.

 

[sammyunltd]

I'm not so sure about pre-built computers, since the one I use right now is pre-built. And, I'm not too satisfied...

I want to try and build it by myself.

About the motherboards, doesn't the Gigabyte P35-DS3 look cheap and lacking features, especially compared to the ASUS P5K?

What about only one Video Card slot for the Gigabyte? That's a major hurdle right here, isn't it?

 

[sammyunltd]

Help needed, please!

 

[dclive]

Dell Quad-core, 2GB, 80GB, 9200 case, 965-motherboard chipset boxes Q6600 are now $609 (or were last night). That's pretty much impossible for Joe Builder to beat. It's a wonderful and, typically, very quiet machine.... slap an 8800 in there and you're good to go...

 

[sammyunltd]

The thing is that it's not easy to add components to pre-built computers. I want to have a full control on my computer. I don't want Dell to put some cheap a*s motherboard or memory.

Can you NOW please help me, as in answer my questions?

Is that motherboard good for the price : Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P? The only problem is that it's Crossfire-enabled.

Thank you