Custom Built Computer

[Jainas27]

I'm want to get upgrade to a new computer. I have decided to have it custom built at MonarchComputers.

What do you think of the part selection? I wanted to keep it under 1500 but its slightly over not sure where I want to cut price. Do you think I should keep the parts or should I get different stuff? Is everything compatible?


Microsoft Keyboard & Cordless Mouse w/Fingerprint Reader Combo (Black) (BZ5-00002) 58.66
Monarch Furia Custom Desktop (PCI-E) 75.00 5/13/2006
Case: 100159 - NO PS - Antec Performance One P160 ATX Mi 95.99
Power Supply: 100346 - OCZ PowerStream ATX 2.01/EPS SLI Ready w/ 119.99
Case Fan: None
Motherboard: 110372 - DFI Lanparty UT NF4 SLI-DR Expert Audio/G 177.89
Processor: 120244 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core 512K Per 297.00
Thermal Grease: None
Heat Sink Fan: 800083 - None - Fan REQUIRED - except with RETAIL
Memory: 140363 - DDR (500) 4000 - 2 GB (2 pcs 1GB) OCZ Gol 189.62
Hard Drive: 150939 - SATA3G - Western Digital Caviar SE 250 GB 115.99
RAID Setup: None
RAID Controller: None
CD-RW/DVD-RW: 160227 - DVD±RW - NEC ND-3550A 16X Dual Layer DVD± 49.89
CD-RW Software: 210613 - Ahead Nero 6.6 Suite DVD+-RW Software (OE 15.99
DVD-ROM Software: 210600 - nVidia DVD Decoder 1.00.58 (OEM) 15.97
Floppy Drive: 170108 - Mitsumi Floppy 7-in-1 USB Card Reader/Sma 46.75
Sound Card: None
Video Card: 190828 - ATI (HIS) Radeon X1800 GTO 256MB DDR3/PCI 239.69
Operating System: 210111 - Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/Servi 165.72
Additional Software: None
Antivirus: None
Warranty: 800012 - Standard Tech Support, 1 Year 69.00

TV Tuner: None

 

[secretanchitman]

nice stuff! the parts are completely fine as is the custom build from monarch...any reason not to build it yourself?

edit: my bad, i forgot to WELCOME you to the anandtech forums!!

 

[Jainas27]

I have never built a computer and not sure that I have the confidence to do it. I know most people suggest it but if I were to build it and mess it up I would be out of a lot of money


Also do I need a fan I think the Processor is with the Retail box I thought it said it came with a fan but if it doesn't which one should i get? Thanks for the welcome

 

[T2urtle]

its fairly easy and everything. if anything you can always come back here and ask for help on steps you dont understand. a lot of us would be able to help out. thats how i felt before i got here. and now i've built about 4 computers.

http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html

that is a nice guide. it explains all the key points. your build might not be exactly the same but very close to it. helped me out a ton.

 

[R3LIC]

i wouldn't recommend a SLI motherboard and ATI video card. kinda defeats the purpose of the SLI mobo.

i would say get a 7600GT/7900GT or a Crossfire motherboard.

if u aren't going to be using 2 graphics cards, get the DFI nForce4 Ultra mobo

u can get Windows XP Home Edition also, not really any different.

 

[Jainas27]

Originally posted by: R3LIC
i wouldn't recommend a SLI motherboard and ATI video card. kinda defeats the purpose of the SLI mobo.

i would say get a 7600GT/7900GT or a Crossfire motherboard.

if u aren't going to be using 2 graphics cards, get the DFI nForce4 Ultra mobo

u can get Windows XP Home Edition also, not really any different.

Hmm I can change to home edition it will save some money. I am curious about the sli mother board and ati video card? when you say it defeats the purpose what exactlly do you mean? I don't understand? I was just thinking of upgrading for the future. What does SLI do increase spead? Oh and I wanted the x1800xtx but they don't offer that in the selection. x1900xtx is too expensive for my taste whats the next best video card to get if I wanted to play Oblivion and that would have good graphics for future games. I can different motherboard. I will look at all the options and list them to see which of them you think would be better.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

hmm you seem like you need to do a little more research before making this purchase. with those parts you wouldn't even know how to utilize more than 10% of its power.
no point in buying sli motherboard for ati video card. waste of 2nd slot, waste of money, waste of heat on nforce4 chipset. get an asus a8r32 mvp deluxe if u want the ati video card. if you dont understand why u shouldn't use at or even what sli is you shouldn't make this purchase. get a dell, it'll simplify your next year or so without the problems that you'll probably be having. and you say this is your first. def dont get a dfi motherboard. you're bound to have problems. good luck

 

[Jainas27]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
hmm you seem like you need to do a little more research before making this purchase. with those parts you wouldn't even know how to utilize more than 10% of its power.
no point in buying sli motherboard for ati video card. waste of 2nd slot, waste of money, waste of heat on nforce4 chipset. get an asus a8r32 mvp deluxe if u want the ati video card. if you dont understand why u shouldn't use at or even what sli is you shouldn't make this purchase. get a dell, it'll simplify your next year or so without the problems that you'll probably be having. and you say this is your first. def dont get a dfi motherboard. you're bound to have problems. good luck

One of the reasons I joined the forums was to get advise before I bought a computer. I have an old system and I really want to upgrade. I don't really want to buy a prebuilt computer with a lot of junk on it. I just wanted help designing a better one. I will do more research on motherboards as suggested cause I am not by offended that. I did not want to try and build it myself. I just want to pick the best possible parts for a custom built computer. I really am not that sure what to get. I read the article on anandtech concerning SLI NVDIA and ATI so I think I understand more why I don't need that.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

alright lemme help you out. (mostly based on my opinion)
1. ati chips tend to play games with the settings turned up better than nvidia
2. nvidia runs games a lil better when all the settings are off (lowered quality)
3. dual core cpu's allow you to run more applications at the same time but wont let you game better
4. nforce4 motherboards require a fan that is most likely going to break or cause problems, thats why i suggest the asus a8r32 mvp deluxe for a cooler and better chipset for your ati video card
5. i hope you're a gamer cuz the x1800 and x1900 series of video cards are for gamers. and i think you should get the x1800xt
6. for that hard drive you're getting ripped off, i've seen 300gb seagate hard drives for $100 shipped...
7. dfi motherboards are known to have problems. a simple search in the forums "dfi" will return many people with blue screens of death and no booting or other errors, even without overclocking
8. save some money and get windows xp home.

feel free to pm me if u have any questions

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
hmm you seem like you need to do a little more research before making this purchase. with those parts you wouldn't even know how to utilize more than 10% of its power.
no point in buying sli motherboard for ati video card. waste of 2nd slot, waste of money, waste of heat on nforce4 chipset. get an asus a8r32 mvp deluxe if u want the ati video card. if you dont understand why u shouldn't use at or even what sli is you shouldn't make this purchase. get a dell, it'll simplify your next year or so without the problems that you'll probably be having. and you say this is your first. def dont get a dfi motherboard. you're bound to have problems. good luck

I would have to agree with Louis on his conclusion. If you are really interested in a serious upgrade (ie. not a Dell), then I suggest you take some time out and do your homework before making this purchase.

Read the forums here, do searches, ask questions. Visit other websites dedicated to the computer enthusiast. It is really important for you to know what parts are even compatible, or if they are going to allow you any future upgrades. I'm not an expert, but I regularly visit this site and others, and I always Google parts for reviews. It's the best way to get familiar with today's hardware, otherwise as Louis said, you may just want to get a Dell.

One last thing. I researched and bought all of my own hardware, and then went to several sites like Monarch to see what the difference cost wise it would be to build my own, or have them do it. Replicating my new rig as best I could at these sites, it would cost at least an extra $1500.00 to have them build it. Forget that nonsense. Buy some books and read web articles on how to build your own. It's not as daunting as you would think once you know your parts and set up. I would really suggest that you don't rush into this.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I would be more than happy to help you get started in your search, and share with you how I went from looking at a Dell, to knowing what is inside. Not to mention that there is an enormous amount of people on these forums with a wealth of information. Use that to your advantage. Good Luck.

 

[pkme2]

If one was to get Win XP Pro for one's rig, one would do better than XP Home, if at worst, MCE.
If you plan just gaming and some graphics, Windows Media Center is recommended.
If you do it all, including business applications, Windows XP Pro is the best.
Windows Home Edition is slated to be phased out, so MCE would be the logical choice.
They is a good reason why many pick Win XP Pro. Its replaces Windows 2000, a longtime stalwart of Window systems, which I consider to be "bullet-proof" in its application.
Since you did your homework, stick with Win XP Pro Retail. If you ever upgrade in the future, you'll have a O/S easily transferable.

 

[pkme2]

I agree with Boyo. Taking your time and searching AT for info before getting a new system is for your benefit.

When you made your decision. you can list it on AT for any recommendations, but as I said before, your decision is yours to make.

Good building....