New Computer

[bigal40]

hey,
i am looking to get a new computer that will last 4-5 years without upgrading. i have been looking at buying one from monarch. i am going to put in a 9600xt turbo aiw that i already have. i plan on upgrading to a fx-55 but i dont want to have to mess around with it alot to make it last 4-5 years. laet me know what you think.
Code Product Price/Ea. Total
260922 Viewsonic 19" E90-3 Monitor $199.00 $199.00
220201 Mitsumi PS/2 104 Keyboard $9.00 $9.00
230412 Elements 820PS2 2 Button Scroll Mouse PS/2 $4.99 $4.99
800063 Monarch GT64 Custom PC/WS (Athlon 64/FX 939) $49.00 $49.00
Cases: 100495 - PS 400W - Enermax CS-5171LBFS-S Mid-Tower $58.00 $58.00
Power Supply: None
Case Fan: 100933 - 80mm - Thermaltake 80mm Case Fan w/Flashi $12.80 $12.80
Monarch Logo Stickers: 270642 - Monarch GT 64 Logo
Motherboards: 110182 - Abit AV8 K8T800 Audio/Gb-LAN/IEEE/USB/SAT $109.00 $109.00
Processor: 120467 - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K (939) (Retail Bo $365.00 $365.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease (Cools CPU $13.00 $13.00
Heat Sink Fan: 130123 - Thermaltake VENUS 8+ for AMD Opteron/64/F $25.00 $25.00
Memory: 140693 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) OCZ $188.00 $188.00
2nd Memory: 140693 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) OCZ $188.00 $188.00
Hard Drive: 150824 - IDE - Samsung (SP1213N) 120 GB/7200-RPM/8 $103.00 $103.00
2nd Hard Drive: 150824 - IDE - Samsung (SP1213N) 120 GB/7200-RPM/8 $103.00 $103.00
RAID Setup: 80011 - RAID 0 (Zero) $25.00 $25.00
CD/DVD-ROM: 160827 - CD-RW - Lite On LTR-52327S 52X32X52 CD-RW $32.00 $32.00
CD-RW/DVD-RW: 160393 - DVD-RW - Artec VOM-12E48X DVD±RW 12X-DVD± $99.00 $99.00
Floppy Drive: 170508 - TEAC 1.44 MB 3.5" Floppy Drive $15.00 $15.00
More Storage: None
Sound Card: None
Video Card: None
TV Tuner: None
Modem: 200102 - QuickConnect 56K V.92 PCI Modem $19.00 $19.00
Operating System: 210112 - Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (2002 V $89.00 $89.00
Network Card: None
RAID Controller: None
Case Function Add-On: None
Noise Killer: None
Round Cables: None
Warranty: 800007 - 1 Year - Parts & Labor - Barebone (No Sof
Hot Rush: None - Standard Order ( ships within 8-13 business
Antivirus: None
Additional Software: None
Far Cry Promotion: 270846 - FREE Full DVD Version of Far Cry - $39.95
Wireless Network Card: None
Subtotal for 800063 with your selected options: $1,492.80
Order Total: $1,705.79
i put down a raid 0, would i have to have a raid controller for that? also do you think i could oc the 3500 to 2.5ghz with 3 case fans and a cpu fan?
thanks for looking

 

[mkahn5]

1. will it last 4-5 years: id say no
2. spring for the LCD
3. elements $4.99 scroll mouse sounds like it will last 6 months if your are lucky
4. if you are trying to oc then the more fans the merrier

 

[Quasmo]

Honestly the only way to make a computer last 4-5 years (and still be reasonably acceptable at the end, is to go with a multi-processor system. Thats where all workstations are leading to. (With dual core chips comming out) I built a dual athlon MP system 2 years ago and it DEFINATELY competes with my athlon 64 3200, so if you got the $$$ up front, I'd go with duals.

Or you wait 4 months and get the newer socket 939 motherboards that have PCI-Express on them.

Also check the "Hot Deals" Part of the forum. I know for a fact that you can get 200gb SATA Seagates for $106 from dell which is ALOT better deal than those samsungs.

 

[bigal40]

how long do you think it would last? I know the mouse is a p.o.s. but i'll probably just take the one im using now and put that cheap one on this pc. have you ever bought anything form monarch, are they going to sell me quality stuff.

 

[bigal40]

I heard that for gaming dual processor didn't make a big difference.(i forgot to say i will use this mostly forgaming and just regular stuff lik internt and word processing) what is PCI express?

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: bigal40
how long do you think it would last? I know the mouse is a p.o.s. but i'll probably just take the one im using now and put that cheap one on this pc. have you ever bought anything form monarch, are they going to sell me quality stuff.

Monarch is AWESOME, they test all their motherboard CPU combos before they ship. I actually purchased my previously mentioned setup from them for a good deal. Monarch usually has the best prices on Mobo CPU combos. I'd say search around for different parts though. Don't limit your self to one store, and remember always check reseller ratings

 

[Quasmo]

PCI express is the new PCI that offers a much larger bandwidth. Most video cards are eventually going to goto the PCI-Express standard. Secondly I'd say that dual processors are alot more useful than you'd think. You really can multitask and not feel it. Such as game purely with one and shrink a DVD with the other. I'm just saying that within the next 4-5 years, there are going to be ALOT more programs written to support a multi-processor environment.

 

[MrChad]

What do you mean by "last 4-5 years"? Will it operate 4-5 years from now? Certainly. Will it remain state of the art? No. Will it still be able to play the newest games? Hard to predict, but likely no.

When properly maintained, computers can last a long time. Games are constantly pushing the state of the art, however, and as a result hardware is outdated within months of being released. We haven't reached a point in the industry where hardware advancements have plateaued, so anything you buy today will be outdated and outclassed shortly.

 

[bigal40]

by last i meant in 5 years will it be like a bottom of the line dell that you can buy for 500 bucks. Will it be able to do ordinary thijngs and mabye play a new video game at minumum quality.

I know how long a computer can last. i got a 188mhz pentium pro dell that is used until 2 1/2 years ago. it still runs but it has trouble loading webapages with any knid of animation

 

[Bovinicus]

If you play a lot of games, then probably not. At least the gameplay experience in a game that is released 5 years from now will most likely not be acceptable. I foresee being forced to play in very low resolutions and with visual quality set at the lowest settings on an advanced engine released 5 years from now. However, it should be suitable for almost any other type of application for many years to come.

A better question is, is it possible for any system to last 4-5 years?

 

[Dewey]

I don't think 4 or 5 years is reasonable. Yes, it will operate, but will be behind the times. I think you have to decide if you really want to be on the cutting edge or not. If not, spend half the money on a value system and the other half 2 years from now. That would get you 4 years of a decent computer.
The cutting edge is cool, but it's a waste of money.
For the average joe, I think today's super value Dell could be purhased every 18-24 months and get a good computer value.

 

[bigal40]

ok thanks for the responses about how long it will last but what do you think of the pc . Is it a good eal,is there anything else i should add on to it.

 

[mechBgon]

I don't see a power supply, unless it comes with the case? If it does, beware... Enermax cases may come with scummy L&C /Power-Up power supplies. And if you want a 5-year lifespan, then I would suggest over-engineering it and go with a very powerful PSU from a high-quality maker. PC Power & Cooling, Antec TruePower or NeoPower, upper-end (real) Enermax, and don't hesitate to go into the 450-500W range, is my advice. You want long-haul durability, then get the towing package

 

[mechBgon]

I just noticed you have WinXP Home Edition listed too. Make that Pro, you'll get Windows Update patch support through the last day of 2008, rather than 2006. There are other benefits too.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: bigal40
Will it be able to do ordinary thijngs and mabye play a new video game at minumum quality.

Can your pc from 5 years ago, without any upgrades, play Far Cry or Doom III?

 

[Tiamat]

4-5 years is tough - especially if you are a gamer. My radeon 8500 was great until Farcry, Doom III came out. I bought the radeon 8500 back in late 2001... so, basically if you buy a top of the line graphics card now, it will probably be barely able to play games at minimal quality in 3 years.

In 3 years, PCI-express will probably be normal, so you probably want to wait until PCI-Express is offered for AMD processors. Also, get a Socket 939 board/chip. Worse comes to worst, you will need to upgrade your processor and graphics card in 2.5, three years.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Man what was a computer like 5 years ago? I just fixed a friend's computer who bought her's in 2000. Her specs:

AMD K-6 (Duron?) 350MHz
64MB PC100 SDRAM
AGP 1X SiS Onboard video 8MB Shared
SiS 530 chipset

If I recall, that wasn't too bad when it came out...

So I have a feeling yours will be near obsolete in 4-5 years. All in all, that computer kicks ass at the moment. I would definitely go for a high-end video card though, if you want it to be a gaming machine. 9600xt is not really a top of the line card at the moment.

 

[RussianSensation]

It's MUCH MUCH better to get 6800 ($270) or even 6800GT ($380) and A64 3200+ ($200) and then later on upgrade the cpu and motherboard. Spending $850 on FX55 is pointless considering that in 1 year you could buy A64 xxxx + for $200 more + new mobo $100 that will be faster. Basically what I am saying is:

1) dont spend so much money on a cpu because you wont upgrade often, making cheaper spread out cpu upgrades down the line much more efficient, especially since they will cost just as much if not less combined.

2) your videocard is slow and it already doesnt play games reasonably, so I doubt it will play any new game even at 640x480 in 2 years.

Think about it, the only people who buy top of the line upgrade very OFTEN so to always have top of the line. Otherwise it is just much better to upgrade for cheaper time and time again. Initially you wont have a top of the line computer, but after 1 year it will be faster than the top of the line $5000 comp 1 year ago, and after 2 years even faster and so on.

 

[trexpesto]

5 years ago: Dell P2 450MHz, 384 MB RAM, and a 64MB PCI graphics card, 17 in monitor $2200. Beige. It still works great - keeps my girl off my box!

 

[fsstrike]

It will NOT last 5 years forsure, by 2009 it will be extremely outdated and will not be able to play any new games. It will run, and play all current games great. By the 3rd year it will be old but still usable, by the 4th is will begin to become utter crap, and by the 5th consider it useless as a gaming PC.

My, P4 1.5
512mb RDRAM 800
GeForce3

Was top of the line 3 1/3 years ago, but now its just good for CS, Q3 engine games, and other normal applications. I wouldnt dare even try to run D3 on it as it would be completely horrible. Far Cry actually ran OKAY considering its age. I ran it at 800x600 Medium no AA no AF and got between 20 and 30 FPS.

Bottom line, no computer will be *good* in 5 years.

 

[Bovinicus]

The only items I ever recommend buying top of the line are peripherals: monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, etc. These items may very well last you 5 years, which is why more can be invested into them. The actual PC, however, is not going to last nearly as long. You can usually get 80% of the performance of flagship products for 50% of the cost by going with cheaper equipment, or something of the sort.

My opinion is to go with the Sempron 3000+ and save yourself $240 at the cost of maybe 20% performance in totally CPU limited applications. However, in most games the video card is the bottleneck.

Go with the cheapest nForce3 250 chipset based motherboard which supports all the features that you require. I like the Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR, but no one ever talks about it. This motherboard comes with support for four SATA drives and 6 PATA drives for about $100 shipped. The Gigabyte GA-K8NS PRO is another motherboard I like for about $20 more, which comes with a higher quality onboard audio solution and is backed by a more reputable name.

2GB of memory is overkill. Unless you use some seriously memory hungry applications, don't bother wasting your money. Buy a 1GB stick right now and upgrade with another 1GB stick down the road when memory prices bottom out.

 

[cy7878]

$15 for thermal grease????? am I the only one to think this guy sis getting Ripped off???


I think it is insane these days to spend THAT much money on a desktop, period. I agree with other posts that for some items, that you don't tend to upgrade (monitor, KB) you guy the best possible. Thing like MB, CPU, RAM, HD, video which you will WANT to upgrade every 1-2 years, just buy what seems to be sweetspot items. You don't pay top dollars for something that will drop quickly in price in the next 6 months, but enough performance to get you going. Why pay $365 for a 3500+ prcessor, when you can get a slightly slower processor for $150?

If it was my money, I buy the Dell at $325, add my own DVDR, video, HD and RAM. At less than $800, I will have a good enough system to run all programs I need and play a few games in between.

 

[stevty2889]

If you want it to last you 4 or 5 years, and use if for gaming, why would you use a video card that is already outdated? A 9600xt isn't much of a good gaming card now, let alone 4-5 years from now. If your gonna spend that much on your system, you should get a decent video card for it. An A64 3500+, 2 gigs of memory, and an outdated video card??

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

this will be able to play games at lowest quality for 2 years probly with that vid card. as for 4-5, it depends what you mean by last, i still use a 6 year old dell for internet when i'm at home, but it sucks for even that.

it is cheaper/ better to get 2 mid range comps over the 5 years

 

[Gumby16]

Sad as it is, I just finished building a new rig, upgrading my computer from a 600 MHz Duron. It was not top of the line when I got it, and it lasted me 4+ years. I'm not on for top of line premium prices. Only thing I upgraded was the video card after 2 years. I think any computer can last 4-5 years as long as you're not a hard core gamer. My Duron is still perfect for email, Office apps, and everyday tasks. The new box is a gaming rig, since the old one wasn't able to keep up anymore.

So the answer is yes. It won't be *good* as compared to newer products, but it will be functional, and that's mor eimportant it, like me, you're on a budget. Unless you're planning on playing the newest games at the highest resolutions with all the eye candy and a bazillion fps, then it will last you a very long time.