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Frozen7

Member
Jun 19, 2004
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I'm fairly new to the PC market. I've been using a mac for almost 5 years (please no flames), so I know a little bit about computers. So now it's come to time that I need a computer for college and well, a mac just isn't gonna cut it. Therefore I will be building a PC to go away with (to Ga Tech) and I'd like it to last a couple years. So here's what I've got so far:
Item: Price: Place:
AMD Athlon 3200+ (754) $270.00
MSI K8N Neo Platinum (nForce 250 GB) $137.00
Corsair 3200X 512mb memory 2x $355.00
Maxtor 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 1x $108.49
Sapphire Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB $209.00
Logitech Cordless MX Duo $75.00
Lite-On 52x32x52x16 CD/DVD Burner $46.99
NUTech 8X DVD+RW/-RW DriveDDW-082 $70.99
Cooler Master PAC-T01-EK $88.00
Antec 430W PS "True 430" $69.00
Creative I-Trigue 2.1 3300 $77.00
Monitor(LCD) $400.00
Running Total: $1,881

As you can see, I still need a case, maybe a power supply, speakers (2.1 is good enough) and a monitor. I'll be gaming a little bit on this system and maybe even running a small server with it. I'd like to spend about $1900 or less (preferably less!). Any more suggestions/comments?

Edit note: added items, everything is being bought at Newegg.com
 
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TheBDB

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2002
3,176
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The case really depends on if you want one that looks nice (side window, LEDs) or one that is just functional. Power supply might come with a case, if not go with an Antec True 380 or 430.
 
Jaxidian

Jaxidian

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2001
2,230
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Here's a decent deal on a really good case and PSU at Newegg for $79 shipped.

Edit: For your monitor, I'd recommend getting a high-quality 19" monitor instead of an LCD for college (just graduated from college a year ago). LCDs seem to grow legs often or get scratched up by people under an influence of something.
 
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Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,789
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Some very good choices there.

The motherboard is only $3 more at NewEgg. Does ZipZoomfly.com have free shipping? Are they known for hassle-free RMA's if it's DOA? I'm just asking, since I don't know anything about them.

You have a typo. You listed 1 hard drive, but gave the price for two.

Do you really need two CD drives? Do you want to get a mediocre DVD burner to save $8? Why don't you just save $40 and get a single NEC dual-layer burner and use it for everything? Or if you're not concerned about dual layer, get a Lite-On DVD burner (which can copy protected CD's a little better).

I do have to agree that a 19" screen is going to be more durable and not going to make its way into a backpack. Go take a look at a 19" NEC SuperBright Diamondtron in a store and I think you'll be more than happy to save $150 and get one instead of a $400 LCD.
 
jpeyton

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
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You are overpaying on the Maxtor. Samsungs are better SATA drives and go for much less; you'd be a fool not to get one.
 
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DSVxUltraGL

Junior Member
Jun 13, 2004
2
0
0
$216 for a 160GB??:shocked:
get the Hitachi/IBM 7K250 (model 13G0254) its way faster especially for high I/O's (for servers)and for half that price! if u don`t believe me check out storagereviews.com's review or it, its next to the old raptor in most of the benchmarks. use the extra $100 (from the hdd change) to get the enermax EG475P-VE-SFMA, it got high current on all the rails, (3.3V:34A/ 5V: 40A/12V: 31A) which is very powerful and sure will make a stable pc.
Anyway other parts are well chosen! cool system
 
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linux247

Member
Nov 29, 2002
78
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0
This is the case that I would recommend (previous post) and an Antec TruePower p/s. The 330w starts at $48 shipped and even has sata connectors.

As for a monitor, I would check out either a Samsung 955DF or the 997DF(newer model) for around $180 to $200. These are great monitors. Good luck. :)
 
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Frozen7

Member
Jun 19, 2004
28
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0
Here's an update:
I'm going for the Cooler Master PAC-T10-EK case from newegg
The Antec 430w "True430" PS - I know it's higher than you suggested, but I want to be sure I have enough power
I will be getting an LCD. There's no ifs ands of buts about this, I live in NY and will be driving down to GA so lugging a huge CRT just isn't going to happen. I'll probably end up buying a security device to keep it where I want it too.

One question tho: Should I go for the newcastle or clawhammer core? Also I might go for the 3000+ to save a bit of $ since I can always OC that to a 3200+.
 
Jaxidian

Jaxidian

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: Frozen7
One question tho: Should I go for the newcastle or clawhammer core? Also I might go for the 3000+ to save a bit of $ since I can always OC that to a 3200+.
Click to expand...

If you want to OC, look into the A64 mobiles (get the 1MB cache DTR's if you do). For me, the best deal was the 3200+ DTR although the 3000+ DTR isn't bad either. Be sure you do some homework on these chips before you decide to get one - make sure your heatsink will work with them (I can tell you now that the MSI K8N Plat will work with DTR mobiles). If you do go this route, do NOT get the 3400 DTR (it won't overclock as high as the 3200 will, so is just a waste of money). If you don't know what HSF will work with this chip, everybody says that SLK948U works very well (you might be able to find a better deal on this elsewhere).
 
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Bovinicus

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2001
3,145
0
0
Looks like a nice system, but I might spring for better speakers if I were you. Remember, speakers can last through several systems. It is a good idea to spend a little more on speakers and monitor in my opinion.
 
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Frozen7

Member
Jun 19, 2004
28
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0
Originally posted by: Bovinicus
Looks like a nice system, but I might spring for better speakers if I were you. Remember, speakers can last through several systems. It is a good idea to spend a little more on speakers and monitor in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I have a pair of Grado 80's, so I'm not too concerned about sound. However if you'd like to point me to a better pair of speakers that aren't as expensive I'd be willing to look at them.
 
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Bovinicus

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2001
3,145
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0
Originally posted by: Frozen7
Originally posted by: Bovinicus
Looks like a nice system, but I might spring for better speakers if I were you. Remember, speakers can last through several systems. It is a good idea to spend a little more on speakers and monitor in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I have a pair of Grado 80's, so I'm not too concerned about sound. However if you'd like to point me to a better pair of speakers that aren't as expensive I'd be willing to look at them.
Click to expand...

You might want to look into the Logitech Z-3e system. I'm not really sure how it compares, but it would be worth your time to look.
 
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Bovinicus

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2001
3,145
0
0
Originally posted by: Frozen7
Now all I need is a monitor and to choose either the clawhammer or newcastle.
Click to expand...

As to which A64 core to choose, just go with whichever one fits your budget better. If you can afford faster, then go for it. If spending that extra money isn't something that would rather do, then don't.

I suggest a Samsung 172 LCD. My father has one and it is an excellent monitor for the price. Also, check out BenQ. I have heard that their monitors are just as good as the one's from name brand companies at a lower price, but I don't have any personal experience.
 
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Frozen7

Member
Jun 19, 2004
28
0
0
What do you think about this one?

I've been reading that DVI is pretty much the only way to get the best out of LCD's, any comment on that?
 
S

someone16

Senior member
Dec 18, 2003
522
9
81
That mon looks good. Too bad it doesn't seem to be in newegg, but i would recommend BenQ FP737-d and Fp791 and FP781
 
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Frozen7

Member
Jun 19, 2004
28
0
0
As an update:
Case:
COOLER MASTER Praetorian Black ALUMINUM - $99
Optical:
Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive - $49.99
NU Technology Black 8X DVD+RW/-RW Drive, - $67
NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM ? $3.99 (12.99 ? 9.99)
HD:
Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive ? $107.99
KB:
Logitech Cordless MX Duo USB/ PS/2 - $75
Mem:
Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR (1GB - 512MBx2) - $170
Monitor:
SAMSUNG SyncMaster 710T-Black 17" LCD - $479
MoBo:
MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU - $127
PS:
Antec 430W Power Supply, Model "TRUE430" - $69
Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache (OEM) - $211
Speakers:
Logitech Z-3e Premium 2.1 Black Speaker - $76
Vid:
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit - $206
Cooling:
Arctic Silver Premium Silver - $7.49
Software:
Win XP (OEM) - $141
UT 2004 - $29.99

Sum: $1,927.45

Shipping: $44

Total: 1971.45

I just need a HSF and that should be all set. Any suggestions that might allow me to save $ and or get more performance? I'd also like to add a TV tuner, any suggestions on that?

Edit: price adjustment
 
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