• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

New computer for G/F...

T

TripperJoe

Senior member
It's been awhile since I put together my last computer (what, like 5 months?), and I haven't been keeping up with much of the developments.
Anyway, my girlfriend wants a new computer, and I told her that I would build her one. The only reason it's important to mention my relationship is that I cannot screw it up 😉

Here are the parameters:
-Low price
-Reliable
-Quiet

I'm thinking AMD, because of the cost to jump to an intel platform (vs performance in a budget machine).

Here's what I have so far...

CPU = AMD XP1600
Mobo = ? (nforce, kt266a, sis 745)
HDD = Segate IV
CDRW = Staples Cendyne deal (thx hotdeals forum)
Floppy = Generic
Video = ?
Case/Psu = ?
HSF = ? (I use a PAL8045 because of the quiet 80mm fan, but this might be too much $$$)
Sound = Integrated
LAN = Integrated

Please, help me make good on my promise and keep from getting into trouble with a faulty system config 🙂
 
The nForce has the integrated GF2-MX video which will save you a good deal of money, not to mention good integrated audio and ethernet. You could get a retail Athlon and use the retail heatsink - I've heard that they run a bit hot but the retail fan is quiet.
 
-Low price
-Reliable
-Quiet

I'm thinking AMD
Click to expand...

I don't think thats possible for low price 🙂

Amd can be cheap, but you'll be dealing with 30 db of noise! Get a dell 😀

I have a dell 4400 p4 1.6a which i got awhile back for $900 + lcd monitor, 256 ddr, 40 gb hd...You can't even hear it! When i got a new antec case, loaded up 4 panaflo l1as, i was surprised at how loud those l1as are!

whats your budget?

 
Originally posted by: fatbaby
-Low price
-Reliable
-Quiet

I'm thinking AMD
Click to expand...

I don't think thats possible for low price 🙂

Amd can be cheap, but you'll be dealing with 30 db of noise! Get a dell 😀

I have a dell 4400 p4 1.6a which i got awhile back for $900 + lcd monitor, 256 ddr, 40 gb hd...You can't even hear it! When i got a new antec case, loaded up 4 panaflo l1as, i was surprised at how loud those l1as are!

whats your budget?
Click to expand...

I may have to agree - I hate dell's ads but my work machine, a p4 2ghz is inaudible. not quiet - I cannot tell whethre it is on by sound alone. It is also reliable.
 
Get her the Shuttle SN40 when it comes out........ it the nForce 2 version of the Shuttle mini-boxes 😀

Cheers,
Aquaman
 
Quote from fatbaby
Amd can be cheap, but you'll be dealing with 30 db of noise! Get a dell

Myth - AMD computers are loud, and there's nothing to do about it.

Fact - An Athlon Throughbred 1900+ or lower uses a lower core voltage, meaning it puts out less heat, and needing less air flow. The 1900+ has an average heat dissipation of about 45 watts, which is the same as a P4 2.0 GHz - and I doubt anyone would say the 2.0 is a frying pan.

Even the Palomino cores around the 1500+ to 1800+ range don't put out torrid amounts of heat, and can be cooled quietly.

You CAN make basically any setup quiet if you try hard enough. Find a platform that offers the pricepoint, reliability, and speed you want, and work at the cooling solution from there, be it AMD or Intel.
 
Originally posted by: Tanked
Quote from fatbaby
Amd can be cheap, but you'll be dealing with 30 db of noise! Get a dell

Myth - AMD computers are loud, and there's nothing to do about it.

Fact - An Athlon Throughbred 1900+ or lower uses a lower core voltage, meaning it puts out less heat, and needing less air flow. The 1900+ has an average heat dissipation of about 45 watts, which is the same as a P4 2.0 GHz - and I doubt anyone would say the 2.0 is a frying pan.

Even the Palomino cores around the 1500+ to 1800+ range don't put out torrid amounts of heat, and can be cooled quietly.

You CAN make basically any setup quiet if you try hard enough. Find a platform that offers the pricepoint, reliability, and speed you want, and work at the cooling solution from there, be it AMD or Intel.
Click to expand...

Yes you can run an amd at maybe 21 db, but thats with a panaflo l1a and a high performace hsf...that will cost an extra $20 so that rules out cheap...
You can also cool cheaply too with a svc gc68...only $6 but it puts out 30 db of noise, loud imho, so that rules out quiet 🙂

the amd stock hsf puts out 30 db i believe

get a dell! they have a 1.8p4 dell for $400 in hotdeals!
 
Look in the hot deals forums:

Dimension 4500 (I bought one 2 days ago), 1.8Ghz p4, 512 MB ddR (free double memory), 20GB hdd, winXP home, 48X cd-rom, geforce 4 MX, for around 500 shipped.

Tbreds may have about the same heat dissipation as a p4, but its die size is smaller. P4's can dissipate heat faster than a Tbred, so it isnt as concentrated at a given time. And yes, Dell computers are inaudible, even when its not in idle, with the following exceptions: when its reading a CD at high speeds, and the Xeon MP 1U rack servers, they have a firmware bug that makes the fans uber loud, as I have the fortune of finding out first hand.
 
The big question is, How much of a budget are you on?

If i were you, I would recomend slap some stuff into a Shuttle SS40 XPC Barebone.....

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/02q3/020710/index.html

the SS40
$300
+ HDD
+ RAM
+ CPU
+ Opitical Drive
+ FDD

Add a cheap AMD CPU, Decent Hard Drive and a decent DVD/CD-R Combo (Are you really sure she needs a CDR)...

Unless your g/f is really tech savy and plays loads of games......its more than nuff to suit her typical needs and she will appriceiate the small size and quiet operation......
 
Ok, everything arrived...

MSI KT3 Ultra (intgr sound) $80
NIC $10
XP 1600+ $70
Maxtor D740x $75
Lite-on 16x DVD $35
Aopen 32x CDRW $5
Centron 256 DDR $40
Volcano 6cu $20
Logitech Z340 $30
Codegen Charcoal Case $40
Radeon 7000 32mb DDR $35
Black Keyboard/Mouse $15
Black Floppy $10

Total comes to $465 +shipping. I think I did okay. Overpaid for the HSF, but I forgot to order it so I had to buy it in town at a jacked up price :-\

Still working on a Black 19inch monitor and a decent color printer...

Again, thanks for all the suggestions 🙂
 
Still working on a Black 19inch monitor and a decent color printer...
Click to expand...

grab the one i got listed below... i absolutely love the thing. does 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, and its really crystal clear. cheap too, if i recall, i managed to grab mine for <$300, shipping included, from newegg. hope its still there... think of all the dvd pr0n you could watch together on that thing.... :Q
 
Originally posted by: imtim83
Break up now and never worry about girls ever again. I promise you it will be the best move you ever made.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I'm heterosexual. It's hard to give them up.
 
TripperJoe well guess what i am neither. I like nothing. So i am not that ok. Sick minds. Give up anything like that. Its easy too.
 
you can get a panaflow for ~$5 plus the SVC GC68 (or get the fan from them too.. a bit more expensive), and it would be a cheap quiet solution. altho, i see you've already bought it all 🙂

btw, 16x12@75???? ewww
 
Smart choice to buy the parts instead of getting a Dell, since now she will be impressed with you putting it together and she can never breakup since you are the tech support.

I'd recommend an LCD for every human user. It's more expensive, but your gf's eyes will not be bloodshot, plus an LCD looks sexy, which is what will impress the female mind. (speaking of which, why didn't you just get her a transparent Apple since it "looks stylish").
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top