Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Hey..I'm going to buy a new computer sometime soon and I figured you guys would have some good ideas on where to look. Do you guys recommend that I purchase components and just hook them together or buy something whole (like from dell)? Do I really save any money or get better stuff from buying pieces individually? I'm not really interested in external appearance at all, so don't worry about that! Also, for shipping it internationally, is that going to be a big deal with a desktop? I was looking at notebooks, but only because they are easier to take with me (just carry it, haha). Once I'm there though, I won't be needing to move it at all. Any decent websites to look at for buying this stuff cheaply? I don't have very much money to spend, so cheaper is better! Used stuff is ok, as long as it works of course.. Sorry, I'm helpless with this crap, hahahaha. Thannnkkksss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest emp_newb Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 For the most part, buying the pieces seperately and putting them together saves you insane amounts of money really. I would recomend just browsing and finding what your needing. Buying a whole pc is usually for the rich, or at least wealthy. So from my experience piece it toger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackwilly21 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I got a nice machine off www.newegg.com for 400 bucks. A 2.2ghz processor, a gig of ram, a good motherboard, a 320 gig hard drive, and a dvd burner, AND a case with power supply. A pretty sweet machine. Only thing is, I got the wrong processor, and have to swap it out for the right one, which is cheaper, so yeah, about 375 bucks for my machine. I'd definatley try it out, and see what you can come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Why are the 'slower' processors more expensive? I'm thinking they aren't really slower, but I'm not really sure about it..for example: Intel Xeon E5320 1.86GHz Socket 771 Active or 1U Processor - Retail 1066MHz FSB 65 nm Clovertown 2 x 4MB L2 Cache $495.00 Intel Pentium D 935 3.2GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail 800MHz FSB 65 nm Presler 2 x 2MB L2 Cache $143.00 edit: probably has to do with this dual-core stuff, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackwilly21 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Pentium D is lower quality than the Xeon. Go with AMD, AMD kicks way more ***. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindflayer Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Go with AMD' date=' AMD kicks way more ***.[/quote'] Agreed, especially for graphical applications. But we're mudders people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chayesh Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 The Xeon processor has the larger front side bus and twice the data cache size, you'll notice. It is capable of moving more data, but moves it more slowly than the pentium. It should also be asked if you're going for a desktop machine or a laptop. Newegg.com is great. And yes, AMD is a much better chip than the Intel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cycel Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I am of the opinion that there is never a reason to not build anything at least desktop-sized yourself. Not only will you save 15-50% of the cost, but many of the components have a lifetime warranty, if not only for a year. It certainly beats having to ship the whole computer to Dell if one thing wears down. Whats more, vendors will frequently use inferior components that don't have popular brands to save money. Why are the 'slower' processors more expensive? I'm thinking they aren't really slower, but I'm not really sure about it..for example: Intel Xeon E5320 1.86GHz Socket 771 Active or 1U Processor - Retail 1066MHz FSB 65 nm Clovertown 2 x 4MB L2 Cache $495.00 Intel Pentium D 935 3.2GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail 800MHz FSB 65 nm Presler 2 x 2MB L2 Cache $143.00 For one, the Xeon procesor is generally reserved for servers, or large databases. Like Chayesh said, the Xeon is better for moving lots of data, not necessarilly doing anything fancy with it. I'd also warn against buying a Pentium D. For a single-core processor (which are quickly leaving the market), it produces obscene amounts of heat. In a battle between AMD and Intel, it really depends on what you're looking for. AMD's X2 series are excellent processors, and amazing for overclocking. I have an overclocked 4600+ myself. But the Intel Core 2 Duo's easilly match the X2's, and the higher end Duo's surpass all but the new X2 6000+. So. if you can afford AMD X2 6000+, go for that. If you can't afford that, but you feel comfortable overclocking a procesor, go for a different X2 (at least a 4600+). If you don't feel comfortable overclocking, go for an Intel Core 2 Duo. If even that is above your price limit, then settle for a lower level X2, or maybe even an AMD Athalon 64. I built my current computer with parts entirely from www.tigerdirect.com. I love Newegg's selection though, and have heard nothing but good things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rensvert Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 When buying a computer plain and simple it is so much cheaper to buy the parts and put them together yourself. I would recomend newegg.com just because they are probably the cheapest and definitly have the biggest selection of parts. As for a processor I love AMD to death however I have not been impressed with their latest line of processors personally I would go with an Intle Core 2 Duo (the E6600 is a good choice) they are pretty cheap and a wonderful processor. If you are looking for something you can play games on in the future you would have to go with a DirectX10 video card which would be the GTX8800 or their lower grade model kinda an expensive card but if you want to be able to play games on it (besides the mudd that is) then that is the way to go. Plus you can tell all of your xbox360 buddies that your video card almost has as much memory as their entire system. Do not go with anything less than one gig of ram I would probably recomend two gigs just to be on the safe side for any future up-grades. But over-all if you do not need a power-house of a computer and just want something to type on and surf the web with a cheaper computer is the perfect choice. Rens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Ibuypower.com. I got a nasty machine for $1500. Of course, I pulled out all the stops. I have dual DVD burners, more RAM then anyone could possibly ever need, 6 UBS ports (I can only find 4 of them), it has a pretty sweet looking case with LEDs and other stuff that proves how huge of a loser I am. But I don't care, my computer looks like a samurai...yours looks like a box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rensvert Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Also as for taking a computer with you internationally is not a problem, customs might have to look at everything but they will let you take it with you. However if you do get a notebook you can not take it on the plain with you anymore. Kinda stinks that they do not allow it any longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead Voodoo Doll Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Newegg.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Alright, I have a list of components now based on your advice so far (for a desktop). My big questions here are if everything is compatible and if the powersupply that comes with the case will be enough to run this thing. Did I forget anything? Any other thoughts? Also, for the international shipping, I am more worried about the shipping cost and fragility of a computer, not so much the customs. Also, any way to hook up a playstation 2 to run through a computer monitor? Ok this is what I'm thinking: Case + Powersupply: IN WIN IW-Z589T.J350BFU2AD Black Best Performed SECC Japanese Steel metal ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811108025 Motherboard: MSI K9A Platinum Socket AM2 ATI CrossFire Radeon Xpress 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130057 Video Card: EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130082 Processor: AMD Opteron 1212 Santa Ana 2.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819105016 Memory: A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820211061 Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136053 Input Devices: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823109156 Monitor: SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824112006 DVD/CD Media: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner With LightScribe Technology - OEM http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151141 Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102006 Cooler: ZALMAN VF700-CU 2 Ball VGA COOLER - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118117 Speakers: Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836121006 Price ~1300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 It seems alright. Your speakers could be better, but if your computer isn't going to double as your stereo like mine does it won't really matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Questioner Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 jesus christ you have a lot of spare time on your hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Can you recommend another set of speakers (it WILL double as my stereo!)? Not dream-quality ones though (unless cheap!) haha... As for the time, I'm just trying to spend some time before I go and buy stuff so I don't need to spend time returning it all and buying different stuff later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Also forgot to mention that I'm just going to rip out whatever network card is in this computer, so I'm not planning on buying one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I have some LogiTech Z-640s. 5.1 Surround. Basically if I turn it up all the way and turn the bass all the way up I can't stand in the same room as it. I have no idea how much they would cost on the market, I got it as part of a package with my monitor. It's actually probably far more speaker than anyone would actually need for a computer. Who needs an 8'' sub on their computer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackwilly21 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Ibuypower.com. I got a nasty machine for $1500. Of course' date=' I pulled out all the stops. I have dual DVD burners, more RAM then anyone could possibly ever need, 6 UBS ports (I can only find 4 of them), it has a pretty sweet looking case with LEDs and other stuff that proves how huge of a loser I am. But I don't care, my computer looks like a samurai...yours looks like a box.[/quote'] I have dual DVD burners, will have 2 gigs of ram, a badass motherboard with onboard firewire, a sick case with blue leds and a fan, 6 usb ports, and yeah...all that good stuff. And it only cost me 400 bucks. Well 480 for two gigs of ram. You my friend, got ripped off. Oh, and a wicked little hard drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackwilly21 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Alright, I have a list of components now based on your advice so far (for a desktop). My big questions here are if everything is compatible and if the powersupply that comes with the case will be enough to run this thing. Did I forget anything? Any other thoughts? Also, for the international shipping, I am more worried about the shipping cost and fragility of a computer, not so much the customs. Also, any way to hook up a playstation 2 to run through a computer monitor? Ok this is what I'm thinking: Case + Powersupply: IN WIN IW-Z589T.J350BFU2AD Black Best Performed SECC Japanese Steel metal ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811108025 Motherboard: MSI K9A Platinum Socket AM2 ATI CrossFire Radeon Xpress 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130057 Video Card: EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130082 Processor: AMD Opteron 1212 Santa Ana 2.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819105016 Memory: A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820211061 Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136053 Input Devices: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823109156 Monitor: SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824112006 DVD/CD Media: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner With LightScribe Technology - OEM http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151141 Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102006 Cooler: ZALMAN VF700-CU 2 Ball VGA COOLER - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118117 Speakers: Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836121006 Price ~1300 Thats a badass machine. If you've got 1300 for it, I'd do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 If I want to burn DVDs to each other, will I need two burners, or can I just burn it to the hard drive and then to the dvd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lemming Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 If I want to burn DVDs to each other' date=' will I need two burners, or can I just burn it to the hard drive and then to the dvd?[/quote'] If you get a program that allows you directly copy a DVD even around a copyright, then a DVD+/- burner and and a DVD ROM is more than fine. Having two is completely unnessessary in my oppinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celerity Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 If you get a program that allows you directly copy a DVD even around a copyright' date=' then a DVD+/- burner and and a DVD ROM is more than fine. Having two is completely unnessessary in my oppinion.[/quote'] Thanks, that was what I was thinking too, but I've never actually done it. Any recommendations on programs? Ok, I've been researching how to hook up my ps2 to my computer. Apparently I need to buy something called a TV box. I'm a bit confused after that though, haha. I'm looking at these three pictures: TV box: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=15-153-007-02.jpg,15-153-007-03.jpg,15-153-007-04.jpg,15-153-007-05.jpg,15-153-007-06.jpg,15-153-007-07.jpg,15-153-007-08.jpg,15-153-007-09.jpg&CurImage=15-153-007-04.jpg&Depa=1&Description=ENCORE%20ENXTV%20VGA%20Interface%20New%20External%20TV%20Box%20-%20Retail Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=29-102-006-01.jpg,29-102-006-02.jpg,29-102-006-03.jpg,29-102-006-04.jpg,29-102-006-05.jpg,29-102-006-06.jpg,29-102-006-07.jpg&CurImage=29-102-006-02.jpg&Depa=0&Description=Creative%20Sound%20Blaster%20X-Fi%20XtremeGamer%207.1%20Channels%2024-bit%2096KHz%20PCI%20Interface%20Sound%20Card%20-%20Retail Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=14-130-082-08.jpg,14-130-082-02.jpg,14-130-082-03.jpg,14-130-082-04.jpg,14-130-082-05.jpg,14-130-082-06.jpg,14-130-082-07.jpg&CurImage=14-130-082-02.jpg&Depa=0&Description=EVGA%20320-P2-N811-AR%20GeForce%208800GTS%20320MB%20320-bit%20GDDR3%20%20PCI%20Express%20x16%20HDCP%20Video%20Card%20-%20Retail Ok, so I plug my monitor and ps2 AV cables into this TV box...now how can I get it to plug back into the PC? Can I run the ps2 audio through my PC or just the video? Is this even the thing I want to buy? Do I need S-video for anything? Reallllly out of my league here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 I got ripped huh? oh well. I love my computer and my grandma bought it for me cause all the grandkids get a comp when they start college. She got ripped. I'll let her know, but I doubt she would care. Copyright crackers are easy to find and they are pretty effective for the most part. I know I personally have a blockbuster shelf worth of movies on my comp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chayesh Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 You should be able to find an adapter to hook your ps2 video feeds into your monitor without the extra box I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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