Great deal, but at what cost?

[Lexxon]

Here, on Tigerdirect.com, appears to be a great deal with a good motherboard and a good AMD Socket 939 processor, which is much more upgradable than what I was going to get in a Socket 754. Also, the built-in Wi-fi will save $30-40 bucks later.

But I do not like the looks of the case..or the PSU. The Power Supply looks to be...well..not that great. I was planning to buy This Antec case before, as I know Antec PSUs are good.

I also don't trust the case. Think it's a good enough deal to dump the case/PSU for an Antec, or will it suit my needs? I plan to have a Radeon 9600 Pro (later to be upgraded), 1GB RAM, Just one CD Drive(probably a burner), 1 Hard drive, with an Athlon 64 processor.


Thanks, you guys rock!

 

[akira34]

Soyo=BAD idea...

Where do you see 'built-in Wi-fi' in that bundle??

I'd highly recommend NOT getting that bundle. If you really want a bundle, get JUST a mobo and processor package. Personally, I get each item by itself and do all the assembly. I might get the several components from one vendor, but then source out others from another vendor or two. It might not save me any more money over the bundles, but it gives my many times over that in choices/options... I hate being locked into getting specific items.

 

[Lexxon]

The built-in WiFi is part of the motherboard.

I haven't found a socket 939 processor for any less than $200, and that mobo is pretty good, too. I hate to pass it up.

Maybe I'm just missing them, but yeah, I really don't like that case or PSU.

Ahh, I probably don't know what I'm doing anyways..time to look at more kits!

 

[Tiamat]

I would be very very cautious with soyo products.

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: Lexxon
The built-in WiFi is part of the motherboard.

I haven't found a socket 939 processor for any less than $200, and that mobo is pretty good, too. I hate to pass it up.

Maybe I'm just missing them, but yeah, I really don't like that case or PSU.

Ahh, I probably don't know what I'm doing anyways..time to look at more kits!

I looked high and low and ONLY read "WiFi-Ready" not enabled about that mobo. No mention of an antenna included (need it to use WiFi) so I believe you're getting your chain pulled if you think it comes 802.11b/g installed and ready to rock from day 1.

Plus, that price is after a MAIL-IN rebate that expires on 12/31/04. IF you don't mail in the form within 30 days, and they accept how you filled it in, you're boned/out the extra $100. Also, I wouldn't trust the heatsink they're bundling any more than I could eat it.

I agree with Tiamat on the soyo items... I'm very cautious around them, as I walk around them to get at the GOOD product that I'll be purchasing.

I also have to wonder why you're so gung-ho on 'kits'... Chances are extremely high you'll get at least one thing that you don't want, or will need/want to replace very soon. In the end, you'll save $0 or even spend MORE than if you just picked the items yourself...

Oh, and that mobo in the kit has a 1 year warranty... The MSI board that beats the hell out of it has a 3 year warranty...

 

[Operandi]

Don't go cheap when it comes to the case and PSU. Antec makes pretty good cases; personally I wouldn?t even consider anything lower then that for a system I build.

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Don't go cheap when it comes to the case and PSU. Antec makes pretty good cases; personally I wouldn?t even consider anything lower then that for a system I build.

Don't forget, a 350W PSU is a joke these days. Especially one with a soyo brand on it. I won't use smaller than a 400W in any system I build (from the start of 2004 forward). Even if I have to make less on the system build, I'll use a >400W PSU in it, that's made by a reputable company (not soyo).

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: Operandi
Don't go cheap when it comes to the case and PSU. Antec makes pretty good cases; personally I wouldn?t even consider anything lower then that for a system I build.

Don't forget, a 350W PSU is a joke these days. Especially one with a soyo brand on it. I won't use smaller than a 400W in any system I build (from the start of 2004 forward). Even if I have to make less on the system build, I'll use a >400W PSU in it, that's made by a reputable company (not soyo).

A 350 watt Soyo PSU is joke, but not a well built one. A 350 watt Seasonic or Antec would have no problem running your system. Even the most power hungry SLI systems can barely approach 350watts.

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: Operandi
Don't go cheap when it comes to the case and PSU. Antec makes pretty good cases; personally I wouldn?t even consider anything lower then that for a system I build.

Don't forget, a 350W PSU is a joke these days. Especially one with a soyo brand on it. I won't use smaller than a 400W in any system I build (from the start of 2004 forward). Even if I have to make less on the system build, I'll use a >400W PSU in it, that's made by a reputable company (not soyo).

A 350 watt Soyo PSU is joke, but not a well built one. A 350 watt Seasonic or Antec would have no problem running your system. Even the most power hungry SLI systems can barely approach 350watts.

That's probably true, but a 350W is less 'future proof' than a 400W+ PSU...