Review this build...

[HM4rk]

Okay, heres the stats:

Aspire X-QPack SFF Case
MSI RS480M2-IL MicroATX Mobo
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Proc.

The rest (HDD, Gfx, ect.) is unimportant. Please advise. Thanks.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Good base to start off with. Pop a Seagate 7200.8 and a 7800GTX and you'll have one hell of a small LanParty system.

 

[shoRunner]

whats your budget and what are you using it for???

 

[Mrvile]

Why is graphics card unimportant? Otherwise it looks fine (there isn't much to critique :disgust: )

 

[Valkerie]

2 gigs of RAM would finish the mobo with a polished x800XL

 

[HM4rk]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Why is graphics card unimportant? Otherwise it looks fine (there isn't much to critique :disgust: )

Because the mobo has integrated gfx and all I'm really going to use it for is playing anime on a TV at school every other wednesday. It has to survive a bus trip on meh lap (easy feat), and has to look inconspicuous... >_>

 

[Topweasel]

Integrated Graphics and I am guess what ever extra HDD he has around. Not Much to Comment on he has one of 2 MicroATX SFFs and The only decent ATI AMD board. My question is if he is not worried to much about performance why spend the extra $30-$40 on the 3200+ instead of the 3000+.

 

[akshayt]

why are you taking that board?

 

[HM4rk]

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Integrated Graphics and I am guess what ever extra HDD he has around. Not Much to Comment on he has one of 2 MicroATX SFFs and The only decent ATI AMD board. My question is if he is not worried to much about performance why spend the extra $30-$40 on the 3200+ instead of the 3000+.

After school ends I'm going to jack it up, but right now I'm hoarding my cash for other projects. It'll become a gaming pc come next summer vacation, maybe winter.

 

[Topweasel]

Then it is over kill by far. Get a Sempron and a Shuttle and your all set. Get 2x 256MB for memory. Oh and a Decent DVD-ROM don't touch Lite-On.

 

[Topweasel]

Scratch that you going to game later with that..... Okay Looks good.

 

[HM4rk]

I've never liked Shuttle. I'd rather make the whole thing myself. I normally save a couple bucks that way too. Plus, a Sempron and 512mb isn't very exciting, nor will it be very helpful come next summer. But thanks for the input anyway. I'll consider it. It basicly needs to be a HTPC worthy of playing Halo PC at full settings, which is something I can't pull off right now without lag.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: Kensai
Good base to start off with. Pop a Seagate 7200.8 and a 7800GTX and you'll have one hell of a small LanParty system.

Agreed, except for the 7800GTX . He can pop that in once he starts gaming, but integrated will be fine for now while he uses it as an *forgets word* "computer-that-is-used-for-a-tv." MCPC (Media Center PC?). HTPC (Home Theater PC) <-- I think this is it.

Edit: Yeah it's HTPC . Blah. The guy above me posted when I was posting.

Have you looked at that Antec SFF case? The one with the Piano finish?

 

[Topweasel]

Sorry we keep typing at the same time. For the Most part it looks good might want to look at a Antec SFF but over all that should give you decent to good ability to upgrade later.

 

[HM4rk]

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Sorry we keep typing at the same time. For the Most part it looks good might want to look at a Antec SFF but over all that should give you decent to good ability to upgrade later.

The Aria? It doesn't have a handle, the included PSU is at least 100watts less than the Aspire, no windows to show off teh guts.

 

[birdpup]

It seems to me as if the OP, HM4rk, is considering purchasing a machine now for requirements that will not be needed until next year. This is not a good decision because there is an axiom regarding the purchase of computer hardware that states a computer hardware purchase decision should be based on today's needs, not tomorrow's needs.

This is due to numerous issues such as:
1) the constant decrease in computer prices. Why pay more now for something you do not need?
2) the constant introduction of new hardware. By this time next year your current system will be old and boring.
3) the possibility of the current system being damaged or possibly stolen while at school.
4) Economically speaking, due to inflation and the immeasurable aspect of having your money in your pocket for current needs, your current purchase would be even more expensive than purchasing better components next year when you actually need them.
5) It is not a good idea to consider purchasing hardware not currently needed as an investment, since it is not. Purchasing hardware that is not currently needed is a waste of good money.

My recommendation is to stick with your current needs and desires for now since it appears this is less costly than next year's needs will be.

 

[Topweasel]

There is nothing wrong with buying a machine with an eye towards upgrading it... While better techs always come out you can't focus on the posibility of increased performance and features just cause. The Fact is 939 has a long Life infront of it. If he does want to upgrade the CPU he has that ability to do so. For the most part he leaving out the most important parts of a gaming PC so he can purchase them now, its not like he is purchasing a vid card to game with even though he is not gaming in a year. The Only thing to worry about is CPU performance and I don't think it will be a problem in a year even if it was he still has an upgrade path.

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: HM4rk

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Sorry we keep typing at the same time. For the Most part it looks good might want to look at a Antec SFF but over all that should give you decent to good ability to upgrade later.

The Aria? It doesn't have a handle, the included PSU is at least 100watts less than the Aspire, no windows to show off teh guts.

So I fail to see how the X-QPack is inconspicuous...
Hmm maybe if you stick it in a grocery bag.