Newbie New Build

[SuperSilicon]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
i'm fairly sure that you have to have a video card to run the computer if you get a mobo with no graphics integrated...

I seen a guys microATX setup & a eVGA 7800GT PCI-E in it so its possible.

 

[purpleparalyzer]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
i'm fairly sure that you have to have a video card to run the computer if you get a mobo with no graphics integrated...

Biostar Tforce comes w/ integrated graphics - thats why im getting it over the EPoX nForce4 Ultra (939) EP-9NPA+Ultra (it still has an expansion slot for a vid card when i upgrade)

SuperSilicon-
No i hadn't considered mini ATX... should I? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the term but it just means smaller mobo/case right? Anyways I figured I would get a nice spacious full or mid tower case with good air flow. (thermaltake xaser armor series is very appealing)

 

[purpleparalyzer]

Originally posted by: TriggerHappy101

Originally posted by: purpleparalyzer
Hello everyone I've been browsing online and these forums for my next computer. I have a crappy emachine thats just about dead - but hey it was free so I'll take it. I've made some decisions about what I would like but I welcome your expert opinions.
This comp will mainly be used for multitasking - photoshop/itunes/aim/mozilla/antivirus etc...
but I would like the option to upgrade to gaming. I wont be overclocking any time in the near future. Here is my current selection of hardware:
(I won't be purchasing a video card right now cause I wont be gaming)

*edit* ~updated selection (thanks for all your help!):

Biostar Tforce 6100 939
Athlon 64 X2 3800
Patriot Signature 2x1gb DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Aspire ATX 500W (24-pin Dual +12V)
WD Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 SATA 3.0

Still undecided on the case:
Thermaltake Tsunami
or
Thermaltake XASER armor series


Lastly I wanted to mention I have a gift certificate at Fry's that I would like to use towards this build. If anyone has a suggestion of which item I would be least ripped off by at Fry's that would be greatly appreciated (150 to spend)

First off using a web browser, listening to music, and having an antivirus program running in the background does NOT qualify for multitasking. Multitasking would be something along the lines of? having a FTP client uploading files to a server, decoding a DVD, running a bitTorrent program, encoding some MP3s, and playing a game.

Currently dual core processors are only really good for multitasking tasks like above.

Very few people actually multitask, if they have two browser tabs they think they are multitasking, but according to the CPU it could care less.

I suggest going for an AMD Athlon 64 2700+. For the extra 120+ bucks you will save you can upgrade your mobo to EPoX nForce4 Ultra (939) EP-9NPA+Ultra
http://labs.anandtech.com/search.php?q=...rce4+Ultra+%28939%29+EP-9NPA%2BUltra+3
according to the following article it is the best bang for the buck.
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2465&p=1
If you don?t want to spend that much get the Chaintech mentioned in the article (or one of the others they mention.)

Then again, I haven?t done any research on the mobo you posted ? it might be good enough.

2 Gigs of ram is rather unneeded for what you do. You should squeeze by 512mb or at the MAX 1 gig. I suggest the corsair valueselect.

Do not skimp out on the PSU. Get a nice brand name one, like Fortron.

If you plan on gaming and getting a video card, a great medium-high video card is the Geforce 6800GS. Very nice, and cheap video card. If you?re a little more serious get the Geforce 7800GT.

After though: If all you are going to do is check your email the Athlon 64 2800+ i posted would be overkill. A AMD Sempron 64 (754) 2800+ 256KB Palermo would do just fine. (not for gaming though) Then you can get a cheaper socket 754 mobo and a weaker PSU. Now you are looking at a budget PC. lol.

I do plan on burning DVD's while running photoshop and painter and scanning along with the regular tasks already mentioned- dual core may still be overkill but keep in mind I would like the option to upgrade to gaming. All of that aside- its a christmas present computer so there's no need to save on cash that isn't mine - (i wouldn't get the extra cash saved anyways). I would cut down the budget and add in some speakers or an lcd or something if I hadn't already gotten that stuff for my birthday.
But thanks for explaining ur previous post - very useful info on the different processor (some of which I considered originally)

One more question for you guys- It was already mentioned I should get a CPU cooler by one member, I'm just looking for more imput. I have considered getting some kind of heatsink -(xp-90 or a zalman of some kind) but do i really need one if im not gonna OC?

 

[purpleparalyzer]

How about this Fortron 450W for the PSU?