My Computer Configuration: thoughts?

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NightShadeKW

Member
Jun 8, 2005
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It isn't going to be a gaming PC, and the primary concern is speed, not graphics. It won't need to be running a bunch of complex programs or anything. It doesn't have a sound card either, I believe it's build into the motherboard.

From Newegg

A-TOP XBlade AT859A-BK Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply - Retail

TOSHIBA Black IDE DVD Burner Model SD-R5372 BLK W/SW - OEM

EXCELSTOR J880 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive - OEM

CORSAIR XMS 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model CMX512-3200C2 - Retail

Fuji PLUS FP-768 2-Tone 17" 12ms LCD Monitor - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail

ASUS A8V DELUXE Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Haven't decided on a video card...do I even really need one?

Will this configuration work? My concerns are compatibility, overheating, and power consumption, but I think it all works together - but I would like some other opinions before I buy the stuff. I've never built a PC before, so if somebody could comment on if this config would work, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
 
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Alaska

Member
Apr 25, 2005
74
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1) You will definitely need a video card (AGP 4x/8x)

2) I would get the memory that geminigear recommends. It is on the QVL for that mobo.

3) I would get a Western DIgital or Seagate drive in place of the excelstor. Also a larger drive with more cahce will be faster for most common uses.

4) What will this computer be used for? (Makes it easier to give recommendations)
 
mrSHEiK124

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
11,488
2
0
Drop the ExcelStor, get an 8MB cache drive from Samsung or Seagate, get the A8N-E Deluxe over the A8V, and get a different monitor, let me pull a good LCD recommendation up.
As for graphics, get a PCI-E GeForce 6200.
 
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NightShadeKW

Member
Jun 8, 2005
77
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Thanks for the reccommendations everybody. I'm building this computer for my dad actually, and to tell you the truth he probably won't be using it for much more than surfing the internet, playing bridge games, and using spreadsheets and such. Certainly no gaming. But I do still want it to be a decent computer, but I don't want to spend an astronomical amount of money for stuff he won't ever use, but at the same time I don't want to limit him too much or anything. I intend to build a computer for myself later down the road, but I want to build this one first, as the computer I will make for mysef will be more for gaming (and thus probably significantly more expensive). For this one, I really want it to be relatively cheap, but also I think he would definitely appreciate speed.
 
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knothead34

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
381
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get him a shuttle pc. they have a socket 939 out now. has case,motherboard,sound and i think power supply but unsure. get your processor...hard drive and ram. then pick a cd rom drive and it doesnt take up much space. just a thought.
 
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KoolDrew

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
10,226
7
81
The case is ugly IMO and the PSU is not recommended. I would also get the NEC ND-3520A.

Definitely get a different drive. Seagate has a nice 80GB drive.

Get cheaper RAm and get 1GB of it. Corsair Value Select is good or some other cheap stuff from Crucial.

I don't know anything about that monitor. Someone else can comment on that.

YOu also want an NF4 mobo. Get the Epox NF4 Ultra.

For video card if you can afford it get a X800XL. If you need something cheaper get a 6600GT.

EDIT: I misread your post. I thought this computer was going to be for gaming. Since it isn't get something like this.

Epox EP-8HMMI-A
AMD Sempron 2600+
Corsair Value Select 512MB (or some other cheap 512MB stick from a good manufacturer)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB
Lite-ON SOHC-5235K DVD-ROM/CD-RW (or the NEC if he needs a DVD burner.)
In-Win Z720T
AOC LM540 15" LCD (a 15" LCD is really the same veiwbale size as a 17" CRT.)

That shouldn't cost more then $500 and would work great for his uses.
 
L

l Xes l

Banned
Feb 3, 2005
3,459
0
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if u aren't going to game.. u need intel.. it will be more snappier and faster in most apps....
and dont get dat toshiba crap.. get NEC or pioneer dvd rom..
try seagate for harddrive...
 
K

KoolDrew

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
10,226
7
81
Originally posted by: krnxpride83
if u aren't going to game.. u need intel.. it will be more snappier and faster in most apps....
and dont get dat toshiba crap.. get NEC or pioneer dvd rom..
try seagate for harddrive...
Click to expand...


For his dads uses a Sempron would be better as it would provide more bang for the buck.
 
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NightShadeKW

Member
Jun 8, 2005
77
0
0
Originally posted by: KoolDrew

EDIT: I misread your post. I thought this computer was going to be for gaming. Since it isn't get something like this.

Epox EP-8HMMI-A
AMD Sempron 2600+
Corsair Value Select 512MB (or some other cheap 512MB stick from a good manufacturer)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB
Lite-ON SOHC-5235K DVD-ROM/CD-RW (or the NEC if he needs a DVD burner.)
In-Win Z720T
AOC LM540 15" LCD (a 15" LCD is really the same veiwbale size as a 17" CRT.)

That shouldn't cost more then $500 and would work great for his uses.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. What about a video / sound card?

(By the way, space isn't really an issue, so the shuttle souldn't be necessary)
 
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leigh6

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2004
3,011
0
0
Ok.

This may sound from left field. BUT. If he is only mostly using it for internet, bridge stuff, and some spreadsheets. THIS SOUNDS LIKE ME!!!! I am a pro bridge player and do internet sales. My main computer is used for internet, bridge stuff and some spreadsheets.

Everyone here is going to scream but I would recommend a Socket A system with an Nforce 2 chipset motherboard. I have found them to be snappier on the internet then the A64 setups. AND you will save a lot!!!!

The nec burner I also would recommend
A Seagate Hard Drive. No more than 120 gigs.
1 gig of ram is ok and Corsair recommended is GREAT. BUT. You probably dont need it. I have run this setup dual channel with 2x256 pc 3200 and I do not see any difference if I run 1g for those applications.
A Barton 2600 or anything around there would be great for him (I would see if I could pick one up on the FS/FT forums here)
An Asus A7N8X and a Radeon 9200 vid card.

THIS WILL BE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR HIM!!!

SO BLAST AWAY ALL!!!!!
 
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NightShadeKW

Member
Jun 8, 2005
77
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0
Originally posted by: BigfootsMonk
I don't see why you would need the 8ms LCD if you're not going to play games on it
Click to expand...


I don't know, for some reason he just wants a LCD. That one suggested is a little steep. I don't know how much they usually cost, but like I say, he won't be playing games or anything so he won't need anything "top of the line".
 
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imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
1,788
0
0
It he does lots of spreadsheets an not much gaming, then a 3GHz pentium 4 would probably be a better choice than an athlon64. Dont get me wrong, i love my athlon, but for pure 'number crunching' Hyper Threading and a higher clock speed make more sense.

Also, DO NOT get an X800XL like someone above suggested. If he doesn't do any gaming, a 9200SE(AGP) or an X300(PCI-E) would probably be good choices.

Also, while 1GB of RAM wont make a huge difference, it doesn't cost alot more than 512MB, and it's better to get 2 sticks (2x 512MB) in dual channel now than use 4 sticks (4x256MB) later. The Corsair VS is a good choice.

RoD
 
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NightShadeKW

Member
Jun 8, 2005
77
0
0
Originally posted by: KoolDrew
EDIT: I misread your post. I thought this computer was going to be for gaming. Since it isn't get something like this.

Epox EP-8HMMI-A
AMD Sempron 2600+
Corsair Value Select 512MB (or some other cheap 512MB stick from a good manufacturer)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB
Lite-ON SOHC-5235K DVD-ROM/CD-RW (or the NEC if he needs a DVD burner.)
In-Win Z720T
AOC LM540 15" LCD (a 15" LCD is really the same veiwbale size as a 17" CRT.)

That shouldn't cost more then $500 and would work great for his uses.
Click to expand...

Oh, I forgot, it needs to be able to support wireless internet. Can I just get a wireless ethernet card and have it work?

Thanks
 
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NightShadeKW

Member
Jun 8, 2005
77
0
0
Does anybody know if that system (I assume it'd be the motherboard) supports wireless internet? I've heard that some motherboards won't let you get a wireless ethernet card for some reason, and that is important for this system.

I really appreciate all the help everybody.
 
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