Velocity Micro ProMagix or build help

[hyg71886]

Hey everyone i havent been on here in awhile. I go to penn state main campus now and was an IST major . But I switched to english, so my current laptop an HP Pavilion 5225 us is fine for that. I was going to get the Asus c90 but since i dont need a new laptop I just want to get a nice desktop to go with my Gateway 24in monitor. I went into bestbuy and saw the Velocity Micro ProMagix pc with a e6700 core 2 duo cpu. Here ois the system specs

Product Details

Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year limited

Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited

Product Height 17.7"

Product Width 19.3"

Product Weight 24 lbs.

Product Depth 8.3"

Processor Brand Intel� Core(TM)2 Duo Desktop

Processor Speed 2.67GHz

System Bus 1066MHz

Cache Memory 4MB on die Level 2

System Memory (RAM) 2GB

System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 4GB

Type of Memory (RAM) PC5300 DDR2

Hard Drive Type SATA (7200 rpm)

Hard Drive Size 400GB

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS

Video Memory 320MB

Personal Video Recorder (PVR) No

TV Tuner No

MPEG Yes

Audio Integrated high-fidelity surround sound

Modem None

Network Card Built-in 10/100/1000 MBps Gigabit Ethernet interface (RJ-45 connector)

Wireless Networking None

DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive Yes

DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive Speeds 16x DVD-ROM; 52x32x32 CD-RW

Recordable DVD Drive Yes, double-layer DVD�RW/CD-RW

Recordable DVD Drive Speeds Drive speeds not available

Direct-Disc Labeling Yes

Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader

Diskette Drive Yes

Diskette Drive Type 3.5"

Total Expansion Bays External: 2 (3.5"), 4 (5.25"); Internal: 5 (3.5")

Available Expansion Bays External: 1 (3.5"), 2 (5.25")

Total Expansion Slots 2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 2 PCI-E x16

Available Expansion Slots 1 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16

USB 2.0 Ports 6 (2 front, 4 rear)

IEEE 1394 Ports 2 (1 front, 1 rear)

S-Video Outputs 1

Additional Audio/Video Connectors Component video output, digital audio output

Serial Ports None

Parallel Ports 1

Game Ports None

Keyboard Description Velocity Micro multimedia keyboard with backlit keys

Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.) Velocity Micro laser mouse

Operating System Windows Vista Ultimate

Software Included None

The only thing I would add to it is a internal tv tuner and the x-fi fatality card so i can connect my 360 and pc to my onkyo ht. Should i build it myself, or should i go with this build? I have a corporate account with best buy, so i wouldnt have to pay the money up front, also il be able to pay half of it with my refund money next week.

[Alaron]

The question is what brand and model are all of the parts inside? It all sounds good, but it could be using substandard parts. For that reason, I'd build it myself.

[blue60007]

How much for that as well? I bet a self built PC would give that a run for it's money (literally).

[Katreat]

I agree with Alaron, if they dont list the parts I would avoid it. Also, you did not list a price so cant say if it is a good or bad deal. I personally started building my own because even the best systems I could find would have a part or two I did not really like. If you start replacing that crappy PSU or low quality optical you quickly lose any price advantage.

Kat

[hyg71886]

o sorry its 1,799.00. Like i said il have cash in hand but my dad has me on his best buy coprotae account. If u think i should build any suggestions with the budget 1,800? I have a monitor and speakers, id need the os

[Katreat]

Definately build yourself! you can build a top notch system for around $1200 so if you have the time I would go that direction.

Kat

[hyg71886]

for 1,200!? with wat parts, thats crazy? would u mind giving me a part list? I'm working on one now but i know its gonna be over that

[Katreat]

Try something like this:

MB- Asus P5K - $135
CPU- C2D E6750 - $205
Vid- EVGA 8800GTS 320MB - $290
HD - Seagate 7200.10 SATA Hard 320 MB - $80
Burner - LiteOn 20X SATA DVD (and CD) Burner $40
RAM - CORSAIR DDR2 800 $90
PSU - Corsair 520W PSU - $100
Case: Pick one that you like - $50 - $100
OS: You can decide if you want to get Vista or XP - $100 OEM

I did not look up each part, so price might have changed at bit, but at the time I build my new system last month those where the costs. It all comes out to around $1150. You would need to add shipping and subtract re-bates to get a final. (and tax in certain states)

Kat

[jer888]

Are you gaming? If not, you don't need a powerful video card. From what I gathered from your first post, your only going to be using it for basic things, so you really don't need to spend 1700 or even 1500 dollars. All depends on what you want to use it for.

[hyg71886]

il b playin hl2, doom 3, i plan on getting fear, games like that, especially oblivion

[hyg71886]

is the e6750 better or something then the e6700? Nice build

[jer888]

Yeah its better.
I would go with a Intel E6750, Asus P5K, 8800GTS or GTX, 2Gigs of Corsair Value Select 667, a Corsair HX520 PSU, any case, any size hard drive, Lite-on optical.

[hyg71886]

ok i used the same parts except the ram, i went xms for 104.00 and the case is gonna be either the thermaltake tsunami or the antec 900 case,. I dont know which os to go with, is vista ultimate really nice, or should i stick with xp pro which id have to buy again cuz i only can find my office cds.

[hyg71886]

o yeah the hd i choose is a SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB for 119 and the mobo is the one with wifi for i believe 159

[Gen.Ben]

Good choice on going with building your own. You can build a computer much better than a best buy computer for almost 2/3 of the price.

[hyg71886]

I see, I was going to do a review on my monitor but il wait till i get the parts for this. AHHHH i cant wait, this is great

[flanzig1]

Would stick with the Seagate HD: fast drive/good warranty.
Samsung makes good monitors but their drives are not so good.

[Gen.Ben]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Would stick with the Seagate HD: fast drive/good warranty. Samsung makes good monitors but their drives are not so good.

I agree.

[hyg71886]

Sorry it took me so long to repost but I finally got my refound check and it will hit my account tomorrow. I have a best buy corporate account so I wouldnt have to pay up front, also its 1,199. Do you think I should still build?

[Alaron]

Yes definitely. Katreat's build list is very nice.

[The Village Idiot]

Out of personal preference I would still build, as the ram, motherboard etc will be value items, no matter how much you pay for a pre built computer. With a pre built computer you have limited upgrade options like the Power Supply is usually just fitting for the computer so if you go more powerfull on anything, your stuck.

The hard drive will probably be Hitachi, which are far less superior to Seagate. While the RAM is quite slow, Katreat gave you a good rig which is quite a bit better than the pre built one your suggesting.

Personally I would like to build my own as you know exactly whats going in it, as well as if anything does go wrong, its incredibly easy to fix in comparisson as you know what parts have gone in and internet shops are less tight on getting refunds/fixing things.

[hyg71886]

good point, I'll have to wait a month or 2 but it will be worth putting together myself, i have a question, i run my gateway 24in monitor at its default res 1920x1200, should i get that vid card at 320mb or the 640mb 1?

[Alaron]

With a large resolution like that, the 640MB would be a better choice.

[hyg71886]

also, i dont plan on upgrading for awhile and was having trouble between these 2 mobo's listed below. And being that I always wanted this case since its conception I was thinking this case

CM CM Stacker 830 Evo(black)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119122

evga
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188013

asus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131073

[hyg71886]

Also i was thinking of adding the X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional, I have an Onkyo HT-S790 7.1 hometheater system, how would I hook that up to get surround sound? Is it worth getting that card?

Also this is my final build without the sound card, please give comments/tweaks

Total price-$1,641.40

case- COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 Evolution RC-830-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

psu- PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply - Retail

mobo- EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

cpu- Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail

hd- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

vid card- EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Floppy/media reader- MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive - OEM

Dvd drive- LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM

I was also thinking of a new keyboard and mouse both wireless, any recommendations? Also should I use my windows vista business or stick with xp?

[Alaron]

Pretty good list. We generally discourage SLI. The reason being that for most people, by the time they are ready for a second card, there are new models that blow the old ones out of the water. History has proven this correct. Check out the Asus P5K boards.

If you do want SLI, you'll need an SLI-certifed PSU: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html and I'd use the Asus board over the eVGA.

Swap that LiteOn with a model that comes with Nero.

Everything else looks good. Check out Logitech peripherals. I'd use XP myself.

[hyg71886]

Ok I'll check that p5k out, il post the updated list when im back from class

[Katreat]

I went with Vista home premium on my newest build and so far it is working fine with every game I have thrown at it. I just really wanted to see the 10X eye candy that is beginning to appear in new games and did not feel like trying to set up a duel boot.

From what I have read in gaming mags it appears Vista is slowly picking up support since most of the early bugs seem to have been worked out.

Alaron already made the case for not going SLI and I see that you have changed MB so I wont chip in on that issue. List looks good.

Kat