looking @ new computer

[Aeroscout]

I'm looking for a new computer. I have looked at the XPS model by dell http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_410?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

What i'm wondering, given my current system, would it be more cost effective to build my own? I'm looking at about $1,300 for the dell, so less than that would be prefered. On my current system, i have a 250 GB 7200rpm hard drive. However, it uses EIDE connection. Can i even find a motherbord that supports that any more. do i have to get a new drive? I'd like to not spend more than i have to. and is there a major difference between the two connections? (EIDE and SATA)

 

what i want in my computer:

Dual core processor, >2.2GHz each

NVidia 256Mb 7300 or 7900 (peferably the 7900)

A max of 4 gigs of RAM, min of 2Gb

IEEE 1394 card.

 

Is all this cost effective? or should i go with the dell?

 

Thanks

[3Sqn_Fudd]

Hrmmm lets see real quick, these are lightly researched suggestions

 

Motherboard - Gigabyte DS3 - 132$

CPU - Intel E4300 - 170$

Ram - pc5300 2x1gig - 220$

GPU - Wait on Nvidia Dx10 8300 or 8600 - 180$

Hard Drive - You already have one and difference b/w EIDE and Sata arent great at all - 0$

Power Supply - Corsair HX520w - 100$

Monitor - You already have one - 0$

Operating System - 130$

Firewire card - 30$

Case - 80$

Small tube of artic silver 5 - 6$

Shipping for all of these components from Newegg.com - 60$

 

You're golden, and have 200$ to spare... build away my friend and watch it blow that Dell out of the water!

 

Edit: When i said lightly researched i meant this, upon further review the Ds3 has only one IDE socket, no big deal though, just pick one that has two (one for HD and one for optical drive.)

 

I'm looking for a new computer. I have looked at the XPS model by dell http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_410?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

What i'm wondering, given my current system, would it be more cost effective to build my own? I'm looking at about $1,300 for the dell, so less than that would be prefered. On my current system, i have a 250 GB 7200rpm hard drive. However, it uses EIDE connection. Can i even find a motherbord that supports that any more. do i have to get a new drive? I'd like to not spend more than i have to. and is there a major difference between the two connections? (EIDE and SATA)

 

what i want in my computer:

Dual core processor, >2.2GHz each

NVidia 256Mb 7300 or 7900 (peferably the 7900)

A max of 4 gigs of RAM, min of 2Gb

IEEE 1394 card.

 

Is all this cost effective? or should i go with the dell?

 

Thanks

[Kuky]

Building your own system is better then buying pre-built from Dell or HP (and other companies).

 

Reason 1: it's cheaper

Resaon 2: while in process of doing reseach of what you should by etc, you will learn a lot about PC hardware

Reason 3: You will have better options for future upgrade because in many cases companies like Dell have their own motherboards or PSU, or some sort of hardware that won't be compatible with "normal" PC stuff.

 

I never bought any pre-built system, I've always built my own, and helped friends and family do the same or I'd do it for them :D

[walternowi]

Reason 4: Overclockability. The BIOS that comes with Dell or HP do not have options that let you overclock your system easily. On the other hand, latest BIOS for motherboards from companies like ASUS, Gigabyte, ... have tons of adjustment options.

 

Buy a budget processor (Core2 E4300 or E6300), overclock it beyond 3 GHz = MORE bang for the buck!

 

Good luck!

[Aeroscout]

Ok, thanks. I'm hoping to keep as many things from my current dell as possible. (like the case, the power supply, if sufficient. and the optical drives.) and do you have links to that mother board on newegg that is compatable with EIDE?

 

Thanks, I'll check it out!

[VMFA-Blaze]

I'm looking for a new computer. I have looked at the XPS model by dell http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_410?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

What i'm wondering, given my current system, would it be more cost effective to build my own? I'm looking at about $1,300 for the dell, so less than that would be prefered. On my current system, i have a 250 GB 7200rpm hard drive. However, it uses EIDE connection. Can i even find a motherbord that supports that any more. do i have to get a new drive? I'd like to not spend more than i have to. and is there a major difference between the two connections? (EIDE and SATA)

 

what i want in my computer:

Dual core processor, >2.2GHz each

NVidia 256Mb 7300 or 7900 (peferably the 7900)

A max of 4 gigs of RAM, min of 2Gb

IEEE 1394 card.

 

Is all this cost effective? or should i go with the dell?

 

Thanks

 

Hi:

 

Well first off there's a reason for building your own PC, it usually to customize the PC to fit your needs..

 

Now this isn't actually going to help you economize the build, as once you start to compile the parts that you'll need you'll most likely will wind up spending more...

 

As far as EIDE you can still use these, there's an adapter that's available...

 

If your going to use your PC for gaming I also recommend that you DYI and stay away from Dell..

 

The specs that you listed above are fine with one exception, 4 GIGs of memory is very difficult to get to function properly even for Guy's that have a high level of computer knowledge...

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[Aeroscout]

Ok, thanks, i'm searching Newegg for stuff and i've found this mother bord.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138046

It's real cheep, Has EIDE, DDR2 Dual chanel RAM, PCI express slot for a 7900 Video card, and supports Core 2 duo processors. The other one I like is this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131039

It's more expensive, but is it really that much better?

 

still looking, but thanks.

 

EDIT: Oh, is a new power supply necessary? or should I stick with the one I have?

[VMFA-Blaze]

Ok, thanks, i'm searching Newegg for stuff and i've found this mother bord.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138046

It's real cheep, Has EIDE, DDR2 Dual chanel RAM, PCI express slot for a 7900 Video card, and supports Core 2 duo processors. The other one I like is this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131039

It's more expensive, but is it really that much better?

 

still looking, but thanks.

 

EDIT: Oh, is a new power supply necessary? or should I stick with the one I have?

 

I personally would only buy from Newegg if I couldn't get parts from somewhere else...

They tend to be more expensive there. Use biz rate or another on line comparison shopping service ...

 

I bought my Asus Commando from them (Newegg) and paid about 100.00 more then I should have ...

 

I had returned a Asus P5B32E SLI to Mwave.. This was about 2 weeks ago and at the time all of the asus MoBo's were sold out...

 

I had been waiting about a week for a replacement and the Commando had just been released so I jumped at it.. Actually though I was really looking for the Asus Striker which was also not available at that point...

 

Anyway I always use Asus motherboards, but there seems to be a lot of difficulty (besides 4 GiGs of ram) to get the 680i chip set to function properly, I mean that you really have to have a good working knowledge of computers to deal with these issues...

 

As far as a power supply, I'm not sure what your running now, but I would recommend a MoBo thats capable of running SLI, just in case you want to go there in the future...

 

I would recommend that you get a good quality PS such as Antec with about 650 W...

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[Aeroscout]

Ya... right now, according to the owners manual, it is:

 

DC power supply:

Wattage: 200W or 250W

Heat Dissipation: 682 or 853 BTU (fullly loaded computer with out monitor)

Voltage: 100 to 120V at 60 Hz; 200 to 240 at 50 Hz

Back up battery: 3-V CB2032 coin cell

 

If i do get a new one, it will have SLI, if the mother bord I get supports it.

[Aeroscout]

OPk, after some hours of research, i'v found this:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131046

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134045 (I need 2 of these)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=38&N=2010380048+1068309611+1069609641+106790717+1067923220&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48 (one of these... any sugestions? Or should i go with the GT rather than the GX?)

 

It totals arround $650 - $700

 

BTW, what is the difference betwn the white HDTV port thingie on the back of the video card and the blue one on the monitor that i have? (bescides the obvious) what i mean to ask really, is there an adaptor I can get? Because my monitor cant plug into one of those.

[3Sqn_Fudd]

Some things...

 

- Is your budget actually 1300$ or is it 700$?

- Absolutely that power supply will not be enough, go for the HX520w from corsair

- That Dell has a good chance of being a BTX style case, which means the ATX motherboards you've selected will not fit into the case. BTX motherboard afaik arent common and may lack features, best to buy a new ATX case.

- Why not buy 2x1gig Ram in a matched set? Doing so could save money and uncomplicate potential issues with the motherboard.

- If you can, wait a month or so for the 8600 or 8300 from Nvidia, they will be Dx10 capable cards, something that MAY come into the play over the life of this computer

- The white thingy and blue thingy..... The white on the card is a DVI port, the Blue on the back of your monitor is an analog jack... an adapter (usually comes with a video card) can let the vid card interface with the monitor,) but be aware that your signal will be analog... should not be an issue (research that though) since im guessing you're using a CRT monitor and not a LCD.

- This board you have selected (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131046) is a micro-atx board, and will only fit into a case that supports micro-atx

 

Aero... get back to us with your actual "I can not go higher than this" budget and we'll go from there.... Researching this stuff can royally suck, but i happen to enjoy it greatly... use our knowledge :thumbup:

 

Edit... One sticking point as we try to get this hashed out is the lack of two EIDE ports on the 965p chipset (a desirable chipset)... may mean we trash old hard drive and pickup a new Seagate Perpendicular drive for 70$...

 

And Blaze.... you lied... you said you'd get back to us with Max FSB for that Commando you bought.... lol

 

OPk, after some hours of research, i'v found this:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131046

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134045 (I need 2 of these)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=38&N=2010380048+1068309611+1069609641+106790717+1067923220&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48 (one of these... any sugestions? Or should i go with the GT rather than the GX?)

 

It totals arround $650 - $700

 

BTW, what is the difference betwn the white HDTV port thingie on the back of the video card and the blue one on the monitor that i have? (bescides the obvious) what i mean to ask really, is there an adaptor I can get? Because my monitor cant plug into one of those.

[Aeroscout]

Ok, i'd prefer to not go over $1000 but for a whole new computer $1300 seemed ok. I like to go cheep, so the $600-$700 range is good.

 

Yes, i'' look into getting the RAM as a set. thanks, I should have chosen that.

 

I am going to wait for the prices to drop a little, so i will definitaly wait a few months before I actually buy.

 

A single IEEE port is fine for what i need.

 

I looked at my mother bord today, and I dont see why it wouldnt fit. Every thing is fine except for this:

 

My current mother bord has 2 EIDE ports. the one i'm looking at has only one. I need two. one for my hard drives and one for the CD/DVD ROM drives. are there adapters? (EIDE-SATA?) other than that, i have the green light to go.

 

BTW, do you reccomend Vista? right now, i want it so that MSFSX will run better whith DX10. (FSX sucks right now) and i would also know which version is reccomended.

 

Thanks.

 

BTW, would a pic of the interior of my computer help at all?

[3Sqn_Fudd]

Ok copy that... 1000$

 

Here's one issue, keep educating yourself, but if you're not going to buy for another few months then put this conversation on a bit of a hold until then. Use these months to hash out the technology and select parts right when you need them...

 

Yeh, your mission is to find a nice motherboard with a good chipset and two 2 EIDE ports. Although... good hard drives are extremely cheap these days.

 

Looking at the board you have is fine, but DO verify that there is no BTX/ATX conflict.... as it stands... you can get a new case for 50$ that will give you much better cooling. The more 120mm fans the better!

 

One more thing... In these three months, learn how to overclock. Yes the adage "If you cant afford it, dont break it" stands, but its nearly impossible to break stuff given some simple knowledge.

 

Cheers ~ Fudd

 

Ok, i'd prefer to not go over $1000 but for a whole new computer $1300 seemed ok. I like to go cheep, so the $600-$700 range is good.

 

I am going to wait for the prices to drop a little, so i will definitaly wait a few months before I actually buy.

 

I looked at my mother bord today, and I dont see why it wouldnt fit. Every thing is fine except for this:

 

My current mother bord has 2 EIDE ports. the one i'm looking at has only one. I need two. one for my hard drives and one for the CD/DVD ROM drives. are there adapters? (EIDE-SATA?) other than that, i have the green light to go.

 

BTW, do you reccomend Vista? right now, i want it so that MSFSX will run better whith DX10. (FSX sucks right now) and i would also know which version is reccomended.

 

Thanks.

 

BTW, would a pic of the interior of my computer help at all?

[Aeroscout]

Ya, i dont anticipate over clocking the drive.

 

The reason i was posting now was to get an idea of what things were like and what was necessary. I have a good idea now. so thanks a whole lot! :D

[Aeroscout]

OH SHOOT! hope you didnt ignore this thread by now. I'm just curious, what is the big difference btwn DDR2 and DDR? is it signifigant?

 

Thanks...

[3Sqn_Fudd]

It's not significant in terms of performance i think, for your building it will be, DDR1 will not work in the DDR2 motherboard you'll be buying... here's a little reading on the subject...

 

http://www.archmemory.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=76

[Aeroscout]

Ok, thanks

 

over and out.

[3Sqn_Fudd]

 

Yeh, your mission is to find a nice motherboard with a good chipset and two 2 EIDE ports.

 

ding ding ding!!

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142

 

This could be your target, bookmark it, research it, own it