Hello everyone,
first let me thank you very much for taking your time and reading this topic. It indeed is very long, but I tried to be as clear about my needs and options as possible. In your suggestion, please be clear and try not to be very biased
. Please take a look at the compatibility issues regarding CPU/Motherboard/RAM. Thank you again so very much for all your input.
I am going to be building 2 computer next week, one for me and one for my dad.
My dad's computer is just gonna be regular use (no gaming, no oc'ing, just checking e-mails and stuff like that). I 'll refer to this computer as Comp#1 from now on.
Mine, on the other side, is going to be used for Video Editing (sport, meeting, weddings, etc) and my personal use. Now, I tend to keep my computers long time, so everytime I want a new computer, I'd like to get good quality parts with good stock performance so that it won't be outdated in half a year or so. The most important thing to me is RELIABILITY, not Overclocking. I have personally never overclocked, and do not have the intentions of overclocking (maybe later down the road when my comp is considered too old and slow). I NEED something that performs well at stock speeds. This comp will be refered to as Comp#2
1) CPU:
For both of the computers I am going to get AMD 64 3200+ (socket 754)
2) Motherboard:
Comp#2 is going to have DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250GB. For long time I could not decide between this or the ASUS K8N-E Deluxe. But the DFI seems to have more features, and in the future if I do decide to overclock, this board has more potential then the ASUS. However, I am new to this hardware stuff, so for someone like me is DFI a better choice and as far as performance and reliability goes?
Comp #1 is going to have a Chaintech VNF3-250 based on the good things I have heard about it.
Any good alternatives to this?
3) RAM:
This is the treaky thing. Being a complete newbe about all the performance data out there about the CL timings, overclocking, etc I find myself a little lost. Wondering if it is worth to pay extra dollars to get a Ram that is Cas2 versus Cas 2.5. One thing that I do know is that Crucial Ballistix is a great RAM, so please don't suggest me that, cause I am not gonna pay $140 (Crucial website) for a stick of RAM.
For both computers I need to get 2x512mb RAMs. At first I was thinking of getting PC3200 for both comps. But after shopping around I came across Rams offered by Kingmax (Newegg). Newegg offers the PC3500 Cas 2.5 for $83, PC3700 Cas 3 for $86, and finally Kingmax TSOP PC4000 Cas 3 for $99.
The first question that came to my mind was, WHY SO CHEAP? Eventhough I read reviews on NEWegg and people seem to like them. WHAT do you guys think about any of these and the BRAND? Are they reliable and do they perform well? IF you think they are good RAMS, which DDR rating would you suggest?
Before I came across Kingmax, for Comp#1, I was thinking to get 2x512 MB GEIL value or Corsair Value Select. They both are PC3200, have CAS2.5, have good reviews, and are $82 and $80 respectivaly. Which one is the best choice among these 2 and the 3 Kingmaxes I mentioned.
For the Comp#2, I have added few more alternatives. Now, don't laugh at me, but remember I am a newbe, don't know much about RAM, and I need something that performs above average at stock speeds and is reliable. NO Overclocking, (maybe, maybe in the future)
OK here they are:
a)OCZ Enhanced latency Series PC3200 CAS 2-3-3-6 1T $112 ($224 for two sticks)
b)OCZ Performance Series REV3 PC3200 CAS 2.5-3-3-6 $104 ($208 for 2)
c) Mushkin 1GIG (2x512mb) PC3200 Level One Dual Pack Cas 2-3-2 $225
d) Corsair XMS Extreme Memory series with Platinum Heat Spreader PC3200 Cas 2-3-3-6 T1
model TWINX1024-3200C2PT --------- $220
Now I am still considering the Kingmax Rams (any of the 3 mentioned, whichever you suggest), The Geil and the Corsair Value rams for Comp#2, but if any of the 4 mentioned above are going to give me a noticable performance at stock levels, I 'd rather pay the extra money and get them. The Kingmax, I have to say is looking very attractive, I am just not so sure about the brand and performance.
Also, please remember the I am getting an AMD 64 3200+ (Newcastle something) so the Rams that you suggest I get have to be compatible and have to work fine with the CPU and the DFI and Chaintech motherboards.
4) Hard Drives:
Comp#1 is getting one 120GIG SATA Seagate 7200RPM 8mb cache. Should I go with 160GIG (or the bigger it is, the more problems might start poping out?)
Comp#2 is getting two of the same HD's. (one for video stuff, one for other stuff)
Seagate seems to get great reviews plus is backed by 5yr warranty, but Samsung is still a good alternative. A frieand of mine has them, and he says they are extremely quiet. So I wonder what I should do. I highly doubt that Seagate is mucy noisier then the Samsung. What do you guys think?
5) Video Card:
Comp#1 is getting an ATI Radion 9600 Pro (more then enough for my dad)
Comp#2 is getting an ATI RAdion 9800 Pro
5) Power Supply and CASE:
Comp#1 - ANTEC SONATA with 380Watt PSU.
Comp#2 - ANTEC 1028AMG full tower with 430Watt TruePower PSU.
I think these PSU's should be plenty for each comp and Antec is a good brand to go with, don't you think? (plus I like how their cases look)
6) Monitor:
Comp#1 is getting my old monitor (Viewsonic).
Comp#2- I'd like to get a 17" LCD but the cheapest one I found was like $290 with shipping made by CTX. I have never heard of this company, and the known ones are $360 and up. Is cheap the cheap CTX worth a chance? or should I go with 19" Flat Screen Viewsonic Or Samsung SincMaster?
7) Other:
Well the above mentioned things are the most imporant things. Please be precise and clear in your responds, and if you suggest an item please give me make and model number. the RAM is still my biggest concern.
THANK YOu very much for reading this topid and for your advice. Any input is very very appriciated and valued. Thank YOu very much.
first let me thank you very much for taking your time and reading this topic. It indeed is very long, but I tried to be as clear about my needs and options as possible. In your suggestion, please be clear and try not to be very biased
. Please take a look at the compatibility issues regarding CPU/Motherboard/RAM. Thank you again so very much for all your input.I am going to be building 2 computer next week, one for me and one for my dad.
My dad's computer is just gonna be regular use (no gaming, no oc'ing, just checking e-mails and stuff like that). I 'll refer to this computer as Comp#1 from now on.
Mine, on the other side, is going to be used for Video Editing (sport, meeting, weddings, etc) and my personal use. Now, I tend to keep my computers long time, so everytime I want a new computer, I'd like to get good quality parts with good stock performance so that it won't be outdated in half a year or so. The most important thing to me is RELIABILITY, not Overclocking. I have personally never overclocked, and do not have the intentions of overclocking (maybe later down the road when my comp is considered too old and slow). I NEED something that performs well at stock speeds. This comp will be refered to as Comp#2
1) CPU:
For both of the computers I am going to get AMD 64 3200+ (socket 754)
2) Motherboard:
Comp#2 is going to have DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250GB. For long time I could not decide between this or the ASUS K8N-E Deluxe. But the DFI seems to have more features, and in the future if I do decide to overclock, this board has more potential then the ASUS. However, I am new to this hardware stuff, so for someone like me is DFI a better choice and as far as performance and reliability goes?
Comp #1 is going to have a Chaintech VNF3-250 based on the good things I have heard about it.
Any good alternatives to this?
3) RAM:
This is the treaky thing. Being a complete newbe about all the performance data out there about the CL timings, overclocking, etc I find myself a little lost. Wondering if it is worth to pay extra dollars to get a Ram that is Cas2 versus Cas 2.5. One thing that I do know is that Crucial Ballistix is a great RAM, so please don't suggest me that, cause I am not gonna pay $140 (Crucial website) for a stick of RAM.
For both computers I need to get 2x512mb RAMs. At first I was thinking of getting PC3200 for both comps. But after shopping around I came across Rams offered by Kingmax (Newegg). Newegg offers the PC3500 Cas 2.5 for $83, PC3700 Cas 3 for $86, and finally Kingmax TSOP PC4000 Cas 3 for $99.
The first question that came to my mind was, WHY SO CHEAP? Eventhough I read reviews on NEWegg and people seem to like them. WHAT do you guys think about any of these and the BRAND? Are they reliable and do they perform well? IF you think they are good RAMS, which DDR rating would you suggest?
Before I came across Kingmax, for Comp#1, I was thinking to get 2x512 MB GEIL value or Corsair Value Select. They both are PC3200, have CAS2.5, have good reviews, and are $82 and $80 respectivaly. Which one is the best choice among these 2 and the 3 Kingmaxes I mentioned.
For the Comp#2, I have added few more alternatives. Now, don't laugh at me, but remember I am a newbe, don't know much about RAM, and I need something that performs above average at stock speeds and is reliable. NO Overclocking, (maybe, maybe in the future)
OK here they are:
a)OCZ Enhanced latency Series PC3200 CAS 2-3-3-6 1T $112 ($224 for two sticks)
b)OCZ Performance Series REV3 PC3200 CAS 2.5-3-3-6 $104 ($208 for 2)
c) Mushkin 1GIG (2x512mb) PC3200 Level One Dual Pack Cas 2-3-2 $225
d) Corsair XMS Extreme Memory series with Platinum Heat Spreader PC3200 Cas 2-3-3-6 T1
model TWINX1024-3200C2PT --------- $220
Now I am still considering the Kingmax Rams (any of the 3 mentioned, whichever you suggest), The Geil and the Corsair Value rams for Comp#2, but if any of the 4 mentioned above are going to give me a noticable performance at stock levels, I 'd rather pay the extra money and get them. The Kingmax, I have to say is looking very attractive, I am just not so sure about the brand and performance.
Also, please remember the I am getting an AMD 64 3200+ (Newcastle something) so the Rams that you suggest I get have to be compatible and have to work fine with the CPU and the DFI and Chaintech motherboards.
4) Hard Drives:
Comp#1 is getting one 120GIG SATA Seagate 7200RPM 8mb cache. Should I go with 160GIG (or the bigger it is, the more problems might start poping out?)
Comp#2 is getting two of the same HD's. (one for video stuff, one for other stuff)
Seagate seems to get great reviews plus is backed by 5yr warranty, but Samsung is still a good alternative. A frieand of mine has them, and he says they are extremely quiet. So I wonder what I should do. I highly doubt that Seagate is mucy noisier then the Samsung. What do you guys think?
5) Video Card:
Comp#1 is getting an ATI Radion 9600 Pro (more then enough for my dad)
Comp#2 is getting an ATI RAdion 9800 Pro
5) Power Supply and CASE:
Comp#1 - ANTEC SONATA with 380Watt PSU.
Comp#2 - ANTEC 1028AMG full tower with 430Watt TruePower PSU.
I think these PSU's should be plenty for each comp and Antec is a good brand to go with, don't you think? (plus I like how their cases look)
6) Monitor:
Comp#1 is getting my old monitor (Viewsonic).
Comp#2- I'd like to get a 17" LCD but the cheapest one I found was like $290 with shipping made by CTX. I have never heard of this company, and the known ones are $360 and up. Is cheap the cheap CTX worth a chance? or should I go with 19" Flat Screen Viewsonic Or Samsung SincMaster?
7) Other:
Well the above mentioned things are the most imporant things. Please be precise and clear in your responds, and if you suggest an item please give me make and model number. the RAM is still my biggest concern.
THANK YOu very much for reading this topid and for your advice. Any input is very very appriciated and valued. Thank YOu very much.
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