Update: How about these Monarch, ABS, Velocity systems?

[ip]

ASPIRE X-Infinity Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model"ATXB6KLW-AL/350" -RETAIL
$56

DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL $106

POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9600PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R96A-C3N" -RETAIL $118

AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail $193

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM $135

Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive, Model SP1614N, OEM Drive Only $89

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3500A S W/SW, OEM with software $64

Total of $761 plus $21 shipping. What am I missing aside from speakers, keyboard, mouse, OS? Anything you would change here?

How can I add Firewire into this? Do I need a Firewaire card or can it be with one of those internal multi-card readers?

This is priced at Newegg but I see that they charge tax to CA while Tigerdirect does not. Is Newegg worth it taking reliability into account?

Many thanks.

 

[dnuggett]

What are you wanting to do with the system?

 

[ts3433]

You can buy a PCI card or simply get a board with onboard 1394.
If you're just a casual gamer, the 9600Pro'd be fine, but anything more and you should consider something better.

The only thing I'd worry about is your generic case--you can get a quality Antec SLK3700AMB for not much more.

If Newegg's a bit too much for you with tax, consider shopping at Monarch (reputable, based in Georgia).

 

[dnuggett]

The card is a concern if you want to game w/ FPSers in the future.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
What are you wanting to do with the system?

General use with some video editing. I need it to last for at least 2-3 years with some expected upgrades like DVD burner, adding a HD, etc. No gaming.

ts3433: thanks for the Monarch tip, I'll check their prices. I thought they only built systems.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
The card is a concern if you want to game w/ FPSers in the future.

Would you say that the card is fine if I had to ask you what FPS was?

Is there another card at that price that's better performance?

 

[ts3433]

A used 9500 Pro would actually be a little better than a 9600 XT, but you don't need to worry about this stuff when you're not gaming.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: ts3433
You can buy a PCI card or simply get a board with onboard 1394.

Here's a dumb question: If I get a firewire card, how do I avoid having to scoot down behind the computer to plug things in? How do the front built-in firewire ports attach to the card or mobo?

 

[ts3433]

I don't know for sure if you can do this with a card (I'd check our Dell, which has a card, but it's in use), but the case itself comes with wiring connecting power/reset buttons, LEDs, and the front ports to pins on the motherboard. You simply connect the wire running from the front port to a 1394 header on the board (it should be labeled).

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: ip

Originally posted by: dnuggett
The card is a concern if you want to game w/ FPSers in the future.

Would you say that the card is fine if I had to ask you what FPS was?

Yes.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: ip

Originally posted by: ts3433
You can buy a PCI card or simply get a board with onboard 1394.

Here's a dumb question: If I get a firewire card, how do I avoid having to scoot down behind the computer to plug things in? How do the front built-in firewire ports attach to the card or mobo?

okay, that motherboard has an onboard firewire controller, all you have to do is plug the firewire cable running from the case(provided that case has firewire connections on it) and plug them into the appropraite spot on the mobo

oh, and look around for deals on the 9600xt, it should be the same price as that, wiuth better performance

 

[ip]

Here's an update on what I'm looking at.

1) Am I missing anything aside from speakers, keyboard, mouse?

2) Anything you'd change without increasing price much?

3) Which case would you take? I'd prefer one of the cheaper ones if it doesn't make a difference.

4) Anything I should know of in buying an OEM hard drive as opposed to a retail one?


Cooler Master Centurion 5 Blue/Black ATX Mid-Tower Case with Side Window and 350W PSU, Model "CAC-T05-WBL" -RETAIL$87

ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with Side Window Panel, Swiveling Front Control Panel features LED Display, Model "P-160WF" - Retail $115

AMS Gmono Black Mid-Tower Case, with 350W PSU, Model "CF-2029SW-BK" - Retail $64

MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8N Neo Platinum" (MS-7030) -RETAIL $103

AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, - Retail $193

ELSA ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "FALCOX 960XT" -RETAIL $135

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3500A S W/SW, OEM with software $64

Seagate 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3160021A, OEM Drive Only $87

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM $135

PRINCETON LCD1700 17" LCD Flat Panel Display -RETAIL $194 after $80 MIR

Many thanks.

 

[dnuggett]

Have you done your homework on that Princeton? I'm not saying it's bad, just wondering if you have researched it.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
Have you done your homework on that Princeton? I'm not saying it's bad, just wondering if you have researched it.

Coulda sworn it had DVI, must've mixed it up. How's this one:

PRINCETON SENERGY 714 17" Dual Input Flat Panel Display w/ Stereo Speakers -RETAIL

$223 after rebate.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mordantmonkey]

first off dump the socket 754 and go with 939, you can get a decent 939 mobo for the same price and you can get a 939 athlon for about the same price as well. you will thank yourself down the road since 939 will be around much longer and it will be easier to upgrade your processor or mobo in the future.
second i learned the hard way about cases. looks only mean so much. look at the ventilation options, and it's better to get a seperate PSU unless you've got a decent one included in your case (antec,enermax etc.) Antec cases may not look flashy, but 2 120mm fans provide excellent cooling, and i like the understated look anyway. those damn lights get annoying after awhile! plus you'll want to have good power in your system, remember you NEVER get as much power as is rated.
third. retail hard drives are for suckers! if you order OEM from a reputible dealer, i.e. newegg, then you won't have a problem.

Also depending on your gaming needs you may want to upgrade to at least a 9800pro or better. well worth the extra $'s

 

[Edward Lee]

1) Your case should be all Aluminum for best heat reduction. I recommend a Cooler Master, Lan Li, or The Thermaltake "Tsunami Dream"
2) Upgrade your graphics card. The graphics card is the single most important componant in your system. You should get the best for your budget. I recommend the Radeon 9800 Pro, Geforce 6600 GT, or the Geforce 6800.
3) The DFI "LANPARTY" is a good MOBO but you can save yourself some money and get a Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR for almost $20.00 less and it's a slightly faster MOBO.

AMD Athlon 64 3200 - I prefer to save $50.00 and get the 3000 Socket 754 it's up to you
Corsair Value Select 2x512 - GOOD CHOICE
Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive - NOT BAD (if you look around for deals you can find 120 Gig for $40-$50)
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive - GOOD CHOICE

Unless you plan on upgrading every 6-12 months (most people prefer to use their money for other things) I recommend sticking with the socket 754 AMD processors instead of buying a 939. The S754 are a little cheaper more stable have better support at this time and will give you a running start with very little trouble.

Good Luck.

 

[mordantmonkey]

i just built a 939 for my friend and had no problems, but whatever works i guess.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
1) Your case should be all Aluminum for best heat reduction. I recommend a Cooler Master, Lan Li, or The Thermaltake "Tsunami Dream"
2) Upgrade your graphics card. The graphics card is the single most important componant in your system. You should get the best for your budget. I recommend the Radeon 9800 Pro, Geforce 6600 GT, or the Geforce 6800.
3) The DFI "LANPARTY" is a good MOBO but you can save yourself some money and get a Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR for almost $20.00 less and it's a slightly faster MOBO.

AMD Athlon 64 3200 - I prefer to save $50.00 and get the 3000 Socket 754 it's up to you
Corsair Value Select 2x512 - GOOD CHOICE
Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive - NOT BAD (if you look around for deals you can find 120 Gig for $40-$50)
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive - GOOD CHOICE

Unless you plan on upgrading every 6-12 months (most people prefer to use their money for other things) I recommend sticking with the socket 754 AMD processors instead of buying a 939. The S754 are a little cheaper more stable have better support at this time and will give you a running start with very little trouble.

Good Luck.

1) Ok, I changed it to a Cooler Master with 350W. Cooler Master Centurion 5 Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "CAC-T05-UWA" -RETAIL
2) Point taken about the graphics card. I had changed it to a ELSA ATI Radeon 9600XT. As a non-gamer, is it worth the upgrade from there ($135) to one that you pointed out in the $200+ range?
3) I'd really like to get a mobo with Firewire. How's the MSI nForce3 250 (K8N Neo Platinum) I linked to above?
4) I chose the 3200 processor b/c I don't plan on upgrading for at least 2-3 years and don't want to get left behind. Still would go for the 3000?

Thanks to all, it's appreciated.

 

[Edward Lee]

Regarding the graphics card. The 9600XT is on it's last leg. If you're planning to upgrade in 2-3 years you're better off getting at least a 9800 Pro or 6600 GT (I've seen 9800 Pro's for $150.00 on sale think CompUSA)

I hear the MSI is very good. Go for it.

The $50.00 difference between the 3200 and 3000 is not worth it. The 3000 are easily clockable to 3200 speed with little effort.

Remember when you put it together to update all the drivers first. 90% of the work will be installing the right drivers. And remember to lock the CPU before you lock the Fan and heatsink... Man I almost crushed my CPU when I forgot to do that....

Good luck

 

[CPA]

If you want a firewire plug up front, get an Audigy 2 ZS Platinum sound card. Circuit City has it for $99 after rebates. Now you'll have great sound, plus a firewire plug up front.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
Regarding the graphics card. The 9600XT is on it's last leg. If you're planning to upgrade in 2-3 years you're better off getting at least a 9800 Pro or 6600 GT (I've seen 9800 Pro's for $150.00 on sale think CompUSA)

Good luck

I really appreciate all the help and sorry if I'm harping on this one item but I'm wondering if I will see any difference b/w even a $50-$75 video card and a $180 6600GT being that I've never played a video game in my life.

I trust the judgement of you folks here so if you tell me that it still will make a big enough difference for my purposes then I'll go ahead with it. But if not, maybe there's somewhere else the $ could go to (maybe my pocket )

Thanks.

 

[blackinches]

blackinches thinks you should get the 6600gt and start playing video games. it is good for your health.

 

[Edward Lee]

In layman's terms... Pictures will draw faster on your computer screen. So it will increase your speed and performance.

 

[ip]

Ok, got it.

So how's this?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooler Master Centurion 5 Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "CAC-T05-UWA" -RETAIL $86

MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8N Neo Platinum" (MS-7030) -RETAIL $103

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $150

Chaintech nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB DDR3, 128-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, PCI-Express, Model "SE6600G" -RETAIL $189

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM $135

Seagate 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3160021A, OEM Drive Only $87

Sony Internal 16X DVD+/-RW / Double Layer Drive Black, Model DW-D22A-B2, OEM $64
(The NEC just went out of stock)

PRINCETON SENERGY 714 17" Dual Input Flat Panel Display w/ Stereo Speakers -RETAIL $223 after $75 rebate

Logitech X-230 2.1 Black Speaker System -RETAIL $45

Logitech Cordless Desktop Optical Keyboard & Mouse -OEM $35
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About $1240 shipped after the rebate. A bit more than I hoped for but it's doable.

Is this really everything? Fans, coolers, grease, wires, whatever? Is it all (except DVI cable, or is that included somewhere?) included in the boxes?

Anything look out of place?

 

[ts3433]

If you're not playing games, you don't need a 6600GT! [[EDIT: I didn't notice that before--especially not that one, which is PCIe! We had a post on here recently where someone tried to cram an AGP 6800GT into a PCIe slot, so please don't end up in that same situation.]] It's not going to make images draw any faster on your screen. Fillrate = jack sh!t when not talking about gaming. Also, though aluminum cases can have better heat dissipation, you don't really need to worry about that--my steel SLK3700AMB is fine for my overclocked XP-M. (This Antec is a much better value than the Cooler Master--though they do make nice cases, that's a bit expensive, and I'm not too sure about the quality of their PSUs.)

I like those speakers you've picked out--probably the best value out there for $40.