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Will this computer be good for at least 2 years?

J

jibraltor

Member
***UPDATE*** I just realised that some prices have drop for the components below and I have also decided to try to build this computer myself so in total I have 175$CAN (about 150$US) that I can use to make this pc better. Tell me what I should do and keep in mind that the main goal is durability not upgradability. Thanks!


Hi! I want a new computer and here's my priorities :

- Having a computer that will be good for the next two years or ideally three years, without a need for an upgrade. After that I will buy a completely new pc.

- Having a computer that is being able to play the latest games with good graphics (1024x768) and good speed.

- Having a computer that is quiet. I don't care if I hear a little noise but I just don't want it to be distracting.

- Having a computer that is stable. I don't plan on overclocking soon but maybe in two years I would be tempted to overclock to make the pc last longer so it would be nice if I had the possibility.

- Paying less than 1800$CAN or 1500$US.


So with that said here's what I'm thinking of buying :

CPU : ATHLON 64 3400+ S754 (link) : I don't plan on upgrading so I don't care for S939.

MB : DFI LANPARTY NFORCE3 (link)

CASE : ANTEC SONATA (link) : Here's where i'm the least sure about my choice... I hope it's enough power for this computer and I was wondering if I should wait for the SONATA II.

VC : LEADTEK 6800GT (link)

RAM : CORSAIR VALUE SELECT 2x512 PC3200 (link) or 1x1024 (link) : I'm leaning toward the 2x512mb because it's CAS 2.5 instead of CAS 3 and I would save 70$CAN.

HD : SEAGATE BARRACUDA 120GB IDE (link)

FAN : ANTEC ALL CLEAR PRO 120MM (link)

I'm keeping my current speakers, dvd, cdrw, floppy drive, keyboard, mice, monitor, modem and gamepad.

I hope you have some advices or comments for me. It would be very appreciated!
 
That should deffinetly play with all settings high at 1024x768 for 2 years, but I hope you play at higher resoultions than that when you first get it!
 
Looks good, I have had my p4 3.4ghz & 9800pro rig for a year and I want to upgrade but I see no reason (yet).


Tom
 
Looks like a great setup. I have 2 comments.
1. That MB is one of the best MB's ever made. Excellent choice. OC'ing dream if you decide to do that.
2. The Sonata will give more than enough power, even if you OC. My system is very similar and my Sonata is perfect. 🙂
 
Thank you guys! Your comments are very encouraging! I think I will place my order tomorrow. If somebody thinks I should not do it please tell me!
 
Wait!

why go 754 when you can go 939 or AGP when you can go PCI-E Nforce 3 when you can go Nforce 4?
N

you are buying end of the line technology

now you say that you do not plan to upgrade but who knows in two years you might change your mind

what if you want to sell your PC to someone that wants to upgrade?

then it will be to late

I waited 5 months to build a next gen PC and I do not regret it
 
I'd actually agree with Sandersann. Get a PCI-E system in case you will want to upgrade later or you are trying to sell it to someone who would want to upgrade it.
 
Originally posted by: Kensai
I'd actually agree with Sandersann. Get a PCI-E system in case you will want to upgrade later or you are trying to sell it to someone who would want to upgrade it.
Click to expand...

I disagree. If you want to use the computer for two years, then buy a new one, then why spend the money on upgradability?

Two years from now, the most you will be able to do is get a bit of a speed bump; you still won't be able to fundamentally upgrade the system.

The system will always do what you bought it to do, and with minimal upgrading will make a great second computer or htpc after that.
 
That looks like it would be great, however I suggest you get a second HD or a bigger one as games have a habit of getting bigger and bigger.
 
Good motherboard, although one of my friends had a lot of trouble with it. If you're not planning on overclocking, take a look at the Soltek motherboard - its the fastest 754 motherboard at stock speeds!

Nice choice of case too.

If you're truly not going to upgrade, then stick with the 754.

Although one thing is really annoying me - the Vantec Stealth Fan, although its the "Stealth" model, its known to make some noise. I'd recommend the Panaflow L1A (M1A if you want some more speed) or something of the like. Another hint, if you DO change your fan - thermaltakes tend to be pretty loud, much louder than the specs that they give out.

That looks like it would be great, however I suggest you get a second HD or a bigger one as games have a habit of getting bigger and bigger.
Click to expand...
Very true. What I end up doing is reformatting every 6-8 months, or until I beat the next 'major' game. (I reformatted after beating Far Cry and Doom3 last christmas - Now I'm waiting to get HL2 and I'll probably reformat in the summer). The thing about me is I'm very anal about keeping my computer at top notch speed. Heh.

I recommend you do the same as well, if you want to keep your system at top notch speed I mean. Registry size gets bigger and bigger and your system gets slower and slower.

Good luck. You should definately be on top of those games, especially with the 6800GT.

-The Pentium Guy
 
I have a problem with that setup.

You're trying to use 2 sticks of RAM on a Socket 754 motherboard. If you insist on the s754, get 1 stick of 1gb RAM.
 
Will defninitely last you two years.

939 isn't a sure thing for upgradability since nobody knows for sure if current NF4 boards will support dual-core processors. Also, AMD boards may make the move to DDR2 and that will require a new board for sure. And who knows what AMD motherboards will bring to the table.

The only benefit of 939 right now is PCI-E and even that is dubious when there's no reason any PCI-E card wouldn't also be produced in an AGP variety. The extra cost of a 939 rig is going to even out the lower maket value of your AGP card in two years anyway.
 
similar setup to mine, will definately last 2 years but will you be able to resist upgrading, like most people on this forum, upgrading is like a hobby and is a continuous project that just drains your wallet. Thanks for the FS/FT forum anandtech.
 
I have had my P4 2.66 with Radeon 9700 pro for over 2 years now and going strong.

I am sure yours will last 2 years easy
 
Thanks again for all the answers! I understand why some of you guys like the S939 route better that the S734 but since I really don't want to upgrade this computer I really don't see the point in going with S939. When the computer will begin to need more juice I will try to overclock the cpu and the video card and finally when even that won't do it I will just a buy a brand new computer.

Don't hesitate to tell me what you think of my choice of components and if you think there are better components (staying in the S754 route of course). I will wait another day before buying because I want to have more opinions and advices just to be completely sure that I'm doing the right thing.

 
Only thing I would say is get a better video card if you want it to last that long. They are saying even a 6800U is going to be choppy in games using the unreal3 engine. Not that the unreal3 engine is the benchmark of the future, but worth noting. I only upgrade once every 2 years, but I always get the best video card available. You are buying a video card that isn't as good as my current one that I ordered 4 months ago 😕
 
Damn you guys have expensive advices! 🙂 Maybe I should have said that I have a budget which is around 1500$ US (1800$ CAN). Right now if I change the 2x512MB PC3200 for 1x1024MB of Corsair Value Select I will reach 1800$CAN. If I would change the 6800GT for a 6800U it would put me at least 150$CAN higher which is too much.

 
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