Critique My Computer Choices, Please!

[RalphCaffery]

Hello, everyone! I see that this is a very helpful forum, with many helpful and knowledgeable posters, so I thought this would be the best place to go ask about my computer build.

Now that I'm here, I see that many people are also doing the same thing as me, so I hope you don't mind taking a look at one more.

All these were from Tiger Direct.

* PC Case - Cooler Master Centurion 5

* Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar SE16 500 GB

* DVD-ROM Drive - Lite-On DVD-ROM - 18x DVD-ROM, 48x CD-ROM, ATAPI/E-IDE

* Burner Drive- Sony DRU-V200S/BR DVD Rewritable Drive SATA

* Processor Cooling Fan - Masscool

* Processor and Motherboard Combo - XFX nForce 750i SLI CPU Bundle - Intel Pentium D 965 Extreme Edition Processor (OEM), Intel Socket 775 Mobo

* Memory Modules - OCZ Platinum XTC 4GB Dual Channel PC6400 Memory - DDR2-800MHz, Enhanced Bandwidth, 4096MB (2 x 2048MB)

Power Supply - Apevia Java 500-Watt Power Supply - SATA-Ready, 120mm Fan (Black)

* Video Card

* Sound Card

* Keyboard & Mouse Logitech Mouse and Keyboard

Now, here were a few questions I had. I don't have a sound or video card because as far as I understand, my motherboard has a sound and video card built in and if I'm not too particular about having 5.1 digital sound or playing the newest games, I don't particularly need either.

Also, I was considering which monitor to get, and I didn't know whether to go LCD or to try to find an older used CRT for cheaper.

I tried to make sure that all of this would work together, and be enough to last me a few years. I mainly play retro games/emulated older stuff, surf the web, listen to music, etc. etc., so I'm sure I don't need some super powerful stuff.

Thank you for your time, and of course any responses are greatly appreciated!

[glc]

That motherboard does not have onboard video.

You have bought obsolete technology. The Pentium-D is long gone and not worth a fraction of what it costs. XFX is not a quality motherboard manufacturer, and Intel processors greatly prefer Intel chipsets. Apevia does not make quality power supplies.

Tiger Direct is famous for pushing off old obsolete stock like this and making it sound fantastic in their advertising hype. If you haven't bought the components yet, let us make better recommendations still in your budget from better vendors. If you have already bought the components, why are you posting for comments now instead of before the purchase?

[RalphCaffery]

No, I haven't bought any of it yet, I guess I'm glad I didn't.

I had a friend making suggestions, but he's the type to act like he knows more than he does.

I don't have my heart set on any of these components, so feel free to suggest all you want. What I've got right now is an iBook G4 12" with 1.33 Ghz processor, 40 gb hdd and 512 ram. So, basically, I'm used to something that isn't too terribly advanced, so it doesn't have to be amazing, but this is coming out of my college trust fund now that I'm out of college, so I was trying to save as much as I could.

I won't be doing any super-advanced gaming, I think I mentioned that.

EDIT: MY total came to somewhere around 670 before tax, that was including a monitor I'd looked at briefly, but not really "decided on". The totals you suggest can be more or less than that, it doesn't really matter, just not more than, say 900 bucks.

[glc]

Okay - 900 bucks with keyboard, mouse, and monitor? What about an operating system, do you have that covered? Is the Centurion 5 your case of choice? (Excellent case for the money, by the way)

EDIT: If you need an OS, plan on ~$100 for XP Home or Vista Home Premium. Let us know if that has to be included in the $900.

[Khalil]

What ever you do, please don't buy an XFX motherboard or video card, unless you are a gambeling man. XFX=Junk.
Look into Asus they are the best and have the best customer support.
glc is right on the money, the D965 is an overheating mamoth that can be out performed by the cheapest Intel EXXX processor.
For $900 you can build an up to date system.

[jdeb]

wow

[glc]

We'll put a list together when we get the refined budget.

[RalphCaffery]

I suppose you don't have to include an OS in the costs because I can get XP from school for pretty cheap, and I've also been considering whether to pick one of those "alternative" OSes, like Linux, because I've been used to having mac OSX where I don't have to worry about viruses.

And, I'd like to spend as low as possible, but I suppose 900 dollars would be my limit. What I'd really like to do is spend less money than I would for a new MacBook, and end up with a much more powerful system that will be more easily upgradeable.

[glc]

Newegg:

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136152
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
$24.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119047
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant $54.99
$44.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136320
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
$69.99

Hanns·G Hi-221DPB Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824254035
Return Policy: LCD Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant $169.99
$159.99

SAPPHIRE 100277L Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102835
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
$99.99

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371007
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant $89.99
$69.99

Logitech EX 110 Black USB + PS/2 Standard Cordless Desktop Keyboard & Mouse Kit - Retail
Item #: N82E16823126174
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$29.99

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145184
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
$46.99

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131299
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate $129.99
$114.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115036
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
$189.99

Subtotal: $851.90
Shipping: $33.56


Grand Total: $885.46

[RalphCaffery]

Wow, what a very helpful post! I feel like you did all the work for me. That was so kind. I'll be keeping in touch as to how the putting-it-together process goes.

Geez, how can I thank you enough for the recommendations?

[12twelve12]

Take GLC's parts list seriously...the man knows his stuff. I know for a fact that the motherboard & cpu he suggested are fantastic!!!! I do prefer this HDD as it is just $5 more but has 140GB more storage and is near Raptor speeds. Newegg.com is the way to go.

[glc]

Sure - if you want to juggle things and need more storage, *any* of the WD Blacks are highly recommended - 500, 640, 750, 1T. The 750 is only 5 bucks more than the 640, as a matter of fact - but the 1T is 100 bucks. Also please look at other keyboard/mouse combos, as those are things that can be comfortable and usable for some and terrible for others. Those are things that you may want to go look at and FEEL in a store before ordering. I also assumed you liked the looks of that case, there are plenty of others out there. There are also other monitors in that general price range, but I have had excellent luck with Hanns-G in the LOW price range, and I picked a 22" as being probably the most display for the $$$ these days. You can knock about 50 bucks off going with a 19".

[RalphCaffery]

I did want to ask a few things:

1. Will i need a sound card, or is there one built in?

2. Do I need a graphics card? Remember that I won't be doing any new gaming, can I get a cheaper one? I don't think I need that much power.

Also, will I need to replace the fan on that processor? I read a few reviews saying I would, but I figure they're probably doing more intensive tasks than I will be.

[Khalil]

1. No, the motherboards have excellent sound built in.

2. You don't need a graphics card however it does enhance your experience even if you are not gaming, you can go with this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121310 if you choose not go with a video card you will need to get a different motherboard like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131332
The Stock fan that comes from Intel works well no need to waste money on a different fan.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by RalphCaffery I did want to ask a few things: 1. Will i need a sound card, or is there one built in? 2. Do I need a graphics card? Remember that I won't be doing any new gaming, can I get a cheaper one? I don't think I need that much power. Also, will I need to replace the fan on that processor? I read a few reviews saying I would, but I figure they're probably doing more intensive tasks than I will be.

stick by glc's recommendation and you are golden follow this sticky thread when building http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409 if you run into any trouble let us know.

board has sound
the card he recommended is awesome for the money, can't go wrong at all. stick with it
power supply is not all that powerful but more reliable, great quality.

[glc]

If you are NOT going to be gaming, I can see saving 60 bucks and going with the 4350 instead of the 4770. You can always upgrade down the road if your needs change.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc If you are NOT going to be gaming, I can see saving 60 bucks and going with the 4350 instead of the 4770. You can always upgrade down the road if your needs change.

I would tend to agree but that card you originally recommended (4770) is so nice for the money. I have never seen a card perform that well for so little money. It reminded me of the r4670 when it came out, just serious bang for the buck.

[Khalil]

I agree that glc's recommendation was awesome however, if OP is not going to game it would be a waste of $60+ to spend on the 4770.
Funny enough I have that 4350 in my 8 year old's computer and she plays World of Warcraft and several other 3D games without any issues.

[glc]

My grandson plays WoW with a 7600GS on an old Northwood 2.4, that's not surprising. His mom plays it on a Dell laptop with onboard Intel graphics.

[Khalil]

A lot of my guild mates in EQ2 are playing with a 7600GS and 8500GT but there are games like Vanguard that you just have to have a high end card. I remember trying to play with an 8800GT and it just couldn't cut it.

[RalphCaffery]

Wait, i dont' get it. If I get the 4350, why do i have to switch motherboards?

Because that motherboard is getting terrible reviews and people don't say it's very reliable, as opposed to glc's original suggestion.

If that's the case, I'll just go with the graphics card he suggested originally, because i don't want to end up with a crappy motherboard.

I'm really thinking i'm about to purchase those items, the only one i changed was to the 750 gb hard drive.

Another question is:

1.) Should I buy another hard drive at 10,000 rpm to load my OS from, in addition to the hd I'll be using? My friend did that and he says it's awesome and very fast.

2.) That dvd burner you linked me to, it'll also read dvds right? Cause I was looking at anohter one until my friend told me i wouldn't be able to install my os from it.

[Khalil]

You don't need to switch motherboards as long as you are getting a video card. If you are not getting a video card then you need a motherboard with onboard video that is why I suggested the other motherboard.
Newegg reviews are unreliable, they are most from people who are pretty much clueless.
I use a 10K hard drive for my OS but unless you are doing audio or video editing or gaming you don't need one. Any DVD burner will read DVDs too.

[glc]

Khalil, the chipset has some serious issues, none of the G43's are getting good reviews. The G41's and G45's are better bets if you need digital onboard video.

[Khalil]

OK, the only experience I had with the chipset was for a 78 unit system build I did for a school district last year and we had no problems at all with them.
Never used the G41 or the G45 but if you say they are better, then I am sure they are.

[jdeb]

again, stick by glc's recommendation and you will be building a top of the line pc that is stable, fast, and reliable. You could back down on the video card as he suggested as well if you want to save a little extra. I was really impressed with the msir4770 card (99.00 at the time).

[glc]

Let me rephrase that - they *appear* to be better, i.e. fewer issues.

[Khalil]

glc how do you feel about the Q43 and Q45? I had limited experience with those and I am getting ready to give out a quote on a large build with the Q43 as the base chipset and the Q45 as an option.

Ralph, Whatever you do don't buy an MSI product. They have zero support and the products are mediocre at best.

[glc]

I haven't had much experience with the Q-series chipsets - but the experience I've had has been decidedly mixed. Didn't you have a disaster a while back with an Intel Q-series board?

I think I'd trust a G-series chipset a bit more - and with Asus, the -CM suffix signifies "corporate stable".

[Khalil]

Yes I have only built less than 10 machines with the Q series, I did have an issue with one, can't remember what it was now but RMA resolved it. The chipset I had most problems with was the 965

[RalphCaffery]

Ordered! So excited! Could I just use this thread to ask any questions about the computer when I get it and try to put it together, or is it preferred that I start a new thread in the proper forum?

Thanks again for all y'all's help.