Rate my $1000 build :)

[deputc26]

First off this will not be a gaming computer so we'll be sticking with *gasp* integrated graphics (so long as they can handle 2x 1680x1050 screens). we're in the US.

Conditions:

1. must have 2x 22" monitors included in the price
2. must be less than $1000
3. must be as fast as possible (obviously) for non-gaming. It will be used for day trading stocks surfing the web, playing music and creating documents and lite photo editing/watching movies.
4. Overclocking not in the cards.
5. Already have mouse/keyboard and OS

my proposed build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813186165 mobo $70 Foxconn
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103471 proc $190 PhII 940
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147099 Case $55 crappy Rosewill with 400w power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227394 SSD $200 primary drive (60gb vertex)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822145233 HDD $80 1Tb storage drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145184 RAM $47 4gb ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151176 Optical d $24 Samsung
http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=4436066&CatId=2775 Monitors $300 I-ink (whateva)

TOTAL $966 (with non-free shipping on some products looking at $1000 evenish)

I'd appreciate any input, I went micro ATX for mainly cost reasons. I know the SSD is a little extravagant but I think it is worth the money in this build. I'm pretty sure the 780g will be fine with dual screens but I'd like someone to confirm that for me.

 

[M0RPH]

Dell Vostro 220
E8400 Core2Duo
4GB RAM
Vista Premium
Radeon 3450
2X Samsung 23" LCD

About $775

throw out included 80GB drive

buy SSD and 1TB drive --$280

About $1050 and you have a better computer with OS and a warranty to boot

Ask me if you want to know how I got that, but you can start here

*****/news_displayItem.cfm/165115

I tried to link this and the forum keeps changing and breaking my link.

Ok forget it, apparently I cannot show a link to techbargains?? That gibberish above is not what I typed. Whatever.

 

[Blain]

"Rate my $1000 build
building for a friend..."

* Integrated graphics to push dual monitors
* Sad power supply
* Trendy, not quite ready SSD
* HP burner
* Non-WD "Black" TB drive

For $970, I rate it 2.16 out of a possible 10.
Talk your friend into a reasonable configuration. He doesn't know what's best.

 

[deputc26]

Morph thanks for the reply, yah I'd like to check that out just tell me where to go on techbargains (or heck I'll go look for it right now, though it does bust $100)

Blain... ouch, 2.6. can you make some suggestions to make it better? instead of just stating what's wrong. What's so good about the "black" tb drives. The one I specced was second gen. Also the power supply is way more than needed for a 95w CPU, a couple HDDs and a mobo. Which optical drive would you pick? I got the HP cuz it had lightscribe.

and are you saying that the 780g won't be able to push 2 monitors smoothly (I was worried about that)

more comments appreciated thanks

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Blain
"Rate my $1000 build
building for a friend..."

* Integrated graphics to push dual monitors
* Sad power supply
* Trendy, not quite ready SSD
* HP burner
* Non-WD "Black" TB drive

For $970, I rate it 2.16 out of a possible 10.
Talk your friend into a reasonable configuration. He doesn't know what's best.

* The Sapphire 3850 would be a nice cheap alternative to drive dual non-gaming monitors @ 1680x1050
* The WD "Black" is a better drive than the Hitachi
* "Sad power supply" isn't referring to it's rated wattage output, but rather the quality of the PS.
* If your friend needs lightscribe and wants to spend more for blank media, stick with the HP.
If lighscribe is a "must have", I'd get the Samsung version

BTW, The only thing we know about this system is that it "will not be a gaming computer".
If you want accurate "ratings" from members here, you should divulge more information about how this PC will be used.

 

[M0RPH]

Just go to Dell small biz, choose the cheapest Vostro 220, then add options

E8400
4GB ram
vista premium (from basic)
160GB drive
Radeon 3450

You need to get it over $699 then use 35% off coupon GR98S37RZJ$GTH

Then add two Samsung 2333SW and use 10% off coupon VBGH?K188CBWMC

I think that comes out to $780, maybe you can get it down more.

It was a bit cheaper this morning because the Samsung 23" was part of a bundle, but that isn't working any more so I guess that's dead.

 

[deputc26]

* The Sapphire 3850 would be a nice cheap alternative to drive dual non-gaming monitors @ 1680x1050
* The WD "Black" is a better drive than the Hitachi
* "Sad power supply" isn't referring to it's rated wattage output, but rather the quality of the PS.
* If your friend needs lightscribe and wants to spend more for blank media, stick with the HP.
If lighscribe is a "must have", I'd get the Samsung version

BTW, The only thing we know about this system is that it "will not be a gaming computer".
If you want accurate "ratings" from members here, you should divulge more information about how this PC will be used.

Thanks I have updated my original post, it will be used for day trading stocks web surfing music and creating documents.

I will be switching to the Samsung Lightscribe you recomended. Thanks for the heads up.

In regards to the power supply, are you saying it won't work correctly? cuz all I need is one that works.

I am not concerned about the performance of the tb drive just going for lowest cost so I can beat $1000.

Nobody has yet told me whether or not the 780g chipset can handle dual monitors (this article suggests it can http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...s/showdoc.aspx?i=3258) you just keep suggesting a discrete solution.

WE ALREADY HAVE AN OS so that's not an issue

do we agree that PhII 940 is better value than E8400? (thinking futureproof here)
If I went Dell (I tried, I've bought alot of Dell in the past) I couldn't include an SSD with 1Tb drive and still stay under $1000, this is a hard ceiling.

again Thanks for your input

By the way Blain if you've got the time I'd like to see your 10/10 build for these needs.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I think you are good with the PhII 940BE.

The IGP can run 2 monitors:

1 LCD via DVI
1 LCD via VGA

I'm just not certain of the 1680x1050 resolution for both. I'd guess yes but can't find any backup.

You could probably save a few bucks with the PhII 720BE AM3 and not lose any processing power because of the higher stock HT.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

That's a horrible build. I put this together for $902:

Originally posted by: darkrisen2003
ok well then where can I cut cost? lol. See where I am having issues? 800-900 is not an easy budget!

Get a case from this list that is under $50.

PSU which is $49.99 AR

HDD which is $59.99

RAM $75 AR

Core i7 920 $279.99

ASUS P6T SE $205

Logitech kb & mouse $16

GTX 260 216 $144.99 AR

DVD Burner 23.99-10%=21.59


If you want it to be $900 before rebates, get this
GTS 250 for $99 AR.

TOTAL- $902.59

 

[deputc26]

Thanks booboo, wow this build is taking serious heat...

Waitingfornehalem you obviously didn't read the whole first post. COST MUST INCLUDE 2x 22" monitors and not a gaming system at all (gtx260???). I seriously considered the nehalem route but I believe the average user will see more of a benefit from an SSD than from the PhII->i7 upgrade and I couldn't have both. Getting it all in under $1000 forced me to make serious power supply and case sacfrifices cuz those parts don't affect performance. We already got a mouse/keyboard.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Originally posted by: deputc26
Thanks booboo, wow this build is taking serious heat...

Waitingfornehalem you obviously didn't read the whole first post. COST MUST INCLUDE 2x 22" monitors and not a gaming system at all (gtx260???). I seriously considered the nehalem route but I believe the average user will see more of a benefit from an SSD than from the PhII->i7 upgrade and I couldn't have both. Getting it all in under $1000 forced me to make serious power supply and case sacfrifices cuz those parts don't affect performance. We already got a mouse/keyboard.

IT WAS AN EXAMPLE!!!! Don't waste on an SSD, put that money to your CPU/Motherboard.

Get a case from this list that is under $50.

PSU which is $49.99 AR

HDD which is $55 AC

Foxconn FlamingBlade GTI LGA 1366 $180

RAM $75 AR

Core i7 920 $279.99

Galaxy 95TFE8HUFEXX GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 $35 AR

DVD Burner 23.99

2x Hanns·G Hi-221DPB Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor $280

Total-$1029

I guess it's a bit over budget but you could go with a cheaper case which I included as $50.

 

[deputc26]

Sweet! any comments on my opinion that the average user will see more of a difference from an SSD than from a PhII to i7 upgrade. I am quite sure of it but I don't own an SSD or an i7.

_Nate

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Originally posted by: deputc26

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem

Originally posted by: deputc26
Thanks booboo, wow this build is taking serious heat...

Waitingfornehalem you obviously didn't read the whole first post. COST MUST INCLUDE 2x 22" monitors and not a gaming system at all (gtx260???). I seriously considered the nehalem route but I believe the average user will see more of a benefit from an SSD than from the PhII->i7 upgrade and I couldn't have both. Getting it all in under $1000 forced me to make serious power supply and case sacfrifices cuz those parts don't affect performance. We already got a mouse/keyboard.

IT WAS AN EXAMPLE!!!!

Well for future examples please make sure it complies with the conditions in the op.

reread previous post

 

[Nathelion]

Yes, an SSD makes more sense than an i7 with your budget.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: deputc26
Sweet! any comments on my opinion that the average user will see more of a difference from an SSD than from a PhII to i7 upgrade. I am quite sure of it but I don't own an SSD or an i7.

_Nate

You will notice more of a performance boost with SSD than with Ph2 -> i7

 

[heyheybooboo]

The Biostar TA790GX XE 790GX HDMI mATX is $80 with free shipping and the IGP has 128MB Side-port memory onboard.

With your proposed uses the PhII 720BE will work just dandy and save you $40 over your original mobo/cpu.

Here is an Antec 300 Case w/ Earthwatts 380w PSU for $84 with free shipping.

 

[deputc26]

Thanks booboo that mobo is sweet! I'm switching to it. And thanks for the help guys. Though I still don't have solid confirmation on the IGP running two screens. Thanks for waying in on the SSD vs. i7 comparison as well.

 

[zerogear]

I don't know about ASUS, but on my 780G (Gigabyte) doesn't allow for dual display with IGP. bu tthere is a option called surround view, you can choose either DVI or HDMI then you can pop in another video card while leaving IGP enabled, giving you a possible 3 screen output or 2 if your video card only has 1 output.

 

[deputc26]

oooo zerogear if you are right that would be a problem, I'll call biostar and ASUS and see what the deal is.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: deputc26
oooo zerogear if you are right that would be a problem, I'll call biostar and ASUS and see what the deal is.

Stick with the Gigabyte 3850 card and you won't have to worry about IGP at all.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Blain
Stick with the Gigabyte 3850 card and you won't have to worry about IGP at all.

Why a 3850, when a 3450 would do?

 

[jae]

.


SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SH-S222A - OEM
$23.99

. .


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
-$15.00 Instant


$109.99
$94.99

. .


2 Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
-$30.00 Instant


$379.98
$319.98
($159.99each)

. .


SAPPHIRE 100248L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate14-102-794

$69.99
$59.99

. .


CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
$46.99

. .

AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX920XCGIBOX - Retail
Antec Sonata Plus 550 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 550W Power Supply - Retail

-$90.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo


$369.98
$259.98

Subtotal: $805.92

 

[MagickMan]

Don't use that Rosewill PS, if he does he'll be sorry.