fairly Badass computer for under $1000

[frysad]

In defense of my topic:

I titled it "fairly badass computer...." not simply "badass computer..."

Websters 6th definition (and the one I intended for "fairly") is "moderately". In other words "moderately" badass, which obviously is a somewhat lower standard than "straight up badass." I stand by my description and the thread title as being accurate.

Also, under $1000 is not a rule I have imposed, which I know I have not made clear. I spec'd the system without a specific limit in the total cost, it just so happened that it came in under $1000. Having discovered that I thought it was interesting so I incorporated that into the title of the thread.

 

[GiGoLo]

<< 3) Do you have any idea how much noise a server room makes? A 7,000 rpm fan is nothing. Additionally, you don't need a fast fan to keep things cool. And you don't have to go with water cooling either. Besides, what are you doing with a 7k rpm fan anyway? >>



I'm not sure I understand your argument here. Comparing a cpu fan to a server room?? I mean, just because a space shuttle rocket booster is REALLY loud, doesn't mean a airplane engine isn't..... but all that aside, i've heard a server room before and you're right, a 7000rpm fan is nowhere near that loud....

BUT, i live in a 3 bedroom apartment with 2 roommates. They both had to buy 3rd party heatsink/fansfor their comps, one uses an athlon 700, the other has thunderbird 1.2ghz. and let me tell you..... those fans are LOUD. not loud enough to wake up neighbors or anything ridiculous like that, but loud enough to where when i'm sleeping in my room across the hall, i can hear their fans even with all of our doors closed and loud enough to be annoying as hell. to be able to oc with a retail fan which you barely notice is even on is a definite plus in my book

And in frysad's defense, I completely agree with his reply right above me. The title description suits it perfectly, he never claimed that this was a top of the line system or anything... and i'm pretty sure everyone here agrees that this is no lightweight system he put together. .... just my opinion tho

 

[rootaxs]

I apologize if i look like i'm thread crapping, i only started out to show another perspective of things.

Anyway, my rationale behind bringing up the noise a server room makes is that why bring up a 7k rpm fan? I have a system right beside my ear with 5 fans, none of which are 7k rpm but it makes a fair amount of noise. Additionally, what does having a 7k rpm fan have to do with the compatibility issues of an AMD or Intel chip? In short, why in the world are we talking about fans? My sarcasm doesn't come out right a lot of times i'm afraid.



<<
And in frysad's defense, I completely agree with his reply right above me. The title description suits it perfectly, he never claimed that this was a top of the line system or anything... and i'm pretty sure everyone here agrees that this is no lightweight system he put together. .... just my opinion tho >>



Agreed. I never contested that. Was merely defending the idea that there's no proven facts that either chip is 100% compatible with everything thrown at it.

 

[Dreadogg]

<< How about OS and other software? Didn't add them to your total? >>

really-warez-the damn software?

 

[tfbrown69]

TtT

 

[LarryL]

I just bought a new cpu and motherboard. I purchased it based on Toms Hardware video. I believe what I saw. I leave my computer on all the time. I don't want even the slightest chance that a dead fan will cause a melt down or worse.

I bought a P4 1.6A set it at 138 2.2gig no problem upped the voltage to 1.6, then set it at 150 2.4gig no problem. The CPU runs 104 degrees, Motherboard 80 degrees. The heat sink is not even warm to the touch.

My son just bought ( 2 months ago) an AMD 1400. I make him turn it off when he leaves.

Both systems rock

 

[rzrshrp]

I guess I'll use my first post on these forums to join the fray. ALl of you guys raise some really nice points but I keep seeing some comments that I had to reply to. First thing is reliability, I have an amd and I haven't seen any problems concerning reliability, like another user said, the average user won't see any problems b/c of their processor but rather the os/drivers. Also, I agree with frysad about not wanting to overclock the system, I've sold a system recently to one of my sisters friends and I didn't do a bit of oc. She's your average office computer user and wouldn't know a thing about that and I didn't want to be the one to explain what I've done. ANd the last point is the noise, well you guys'll probably call this blasphemy but if the processor is not going to be overclocked at all.....there's no need to get a higher grade hsf than stock. And without the higher grade fan, and amd system and an intel system'll be similar in decibels. Just my 1cent

 

[MontyBurns]

Great job putting this list together.

However, the points about leaving out certain key items (like the OS) are good points. This is not a computer for under $1000. This is a computer without a monitor or an operating system for under $1000.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

rzshrp, nice 1st post and welcome to Anandtech forums...now on to GiGoLo


<< On another note, I noticed that you chose to use the integrated sound rather than a stand alone sound card. The integrated sound works fine for normal use, such as wav's, mp3z, etc. But I've found that for 3D gaming, dvd, or connecting to digital speakers or a digital receiver, having a good sound card is a MUST. >>

hehe...what a cute comment w/out looking at the board's specs( or maybe you did and said oh well Audigy is the only way to listen ..j/k ) from Soyo's website the following info ..

<< On Board Audio Subsystem >>



<< On board CMI 8738 Audio chip to provide 6 channels audio solution >>





<< Supports optical output & SPDIF output >>

and includes the "Audio daughtercard " to make that possible. I'd put that Audigy$$ towards buying WinXP.