New Computer - HELP!!!

Sandok · Jan 28, 2007, 08:37 AM

Okay, I need help to build a new PC... I wanna build one myself but unfortunately, I'm desperately low on cash... I mean, REALLY low on cash.

Thus the reason for this thread, I was wondering, could ANYONE help me build a VERY cheap PC? It has to be under 1000$ and the lower the better

And I need the whole lot... HD, DVD, etc etc except for peripherals (Mouse, Kezboard, etc)

Also, I know that C2D is the absolute must have and the E6300 can easily overclock (or E4300 when it comes out) but would AMD be such a bad choice? I dunno, inspire me folks

Necrosis · Jan 28, 2007, 09:00 AM

This wouldn't be too big of a problem if you lived in the states. Where are you planning on buying the parts from?

Sandok · Jan 28, 2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

This wouldn't be too big of a problem if you lived in the states. Where are you planning on buying the parts from?

Unfortunately, I have very limited choice of where I can buy from and thus, it'd be a Swiss / French website (I've bought stuff from them before www.ldlc.ch ) but the prices aren't always the same as in the US. However, they have a huge (and I really mean HUGE) amount of choice so shouldn't be too much of a problem

BlueMak · Jan 28, 2007, 02:06 PM

If you pay for p&p you can have my x1800xt (PCIE) for 140 euros.

Sandok · Jan 29, 2007, 06:30 AM

Hmmmm I'll look into it... First though I gotta purchase a mobo for a vid card to fit into

Sandok · Feb 27, 2007, 08:06 AM

Okay I'm almost ready to buy something finally...

So what you guys think of the following?

Mouse/Keyboard: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510
Speakers: Logitech Z-4
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-520HX
Case: Gigabyte GZ-X1
Graphics Card: Leadtek WinFast PX7600 GT
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer
Hard Drive: 2x Western Digital 250 Go
DVD Burner: Lite-On LH-18A1P-488C
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
Memory: Corsair Value Select 2 Go
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3P
CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT

???

**temeteus82** · Feb 27, 2007, 08:12 AM

sounds good to me.

Sandok · Mar 2, 2007, 06:54 PM

Well in the end, I had to skimp on some things to stay within budget... However, now I got three really serious questions to ask you guys...

Number1: Is it worth having two HardDrives or should I just live with one?

Number2: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer or Audio? There is a substantial price difference and I know of no reviews on either... Any info? Do they both have EAX and all or wa?

Number3: Vista OEM purchase... 64bit or 32bit? I know 32bit is more userfriendly with drivers and all right now but 64bit is the future no?

Dyre Straits · Mar 2, 2007, 08:11 PM

I'll leave #2 and #3 for others to answer.

But, for #1, I say it's well worth having a second HDD. Place the Pagefile on this one and remove it from the system drive. It speeds things up quite nicely.

**temeteus82** · Mar 2, 2007, 08:58 PM

#2 Don't use X-fi in vista! And I don't recommend X-FI for vista now ...
#3 32-bit hands down!

Sandok · Mar 2, 2007, 09:53 PM

Hmmmm okay I then will get that second HD...

As for the X-Fi, if you don't suggest me purchasing it, what should I go with? Onboard audio? *shudders*

**temeteus82** · Mar 2, 2007, 09:54 PM

on board for now...

**kris23** · Mar 4, 2007, 11:02 PM

an X-FI barely works in vista....... the drivers are ABSOLUTE GARBAGE and thats not an overstatement..... gaming mode slows the comp down like crap, it took like 8 trys to install the drivers without it going BSOD on me.... and the sound is not as great really......

Sandok · Mar 5, 2007, 05:58 PM

Well I bought a X-Fi anyways in the end, but given that you guys say Vista and it don't gel yet, I decided to avoid Vista in that case. I mean, XP works fine right?

Anyways, my system isn't exactly what I wanted oringally but well, you can see under my name what I got

Necrosis · Mar 5, 2007, 06:12 PM

Strange I don't not having any issues w/ my X-Fi in Vista. The only problem I did have is the install disappeared one time. However, I just re-installed & it's been solid for a month.

Sandok · Mar 5, 2007, 06:42 PM

Hmmm well that's good news then

Vista Home Preium... I'm gonna get you soon enough

First though, I gotta sort out my system... Tis a mess...

Neshi · Mar 5, 2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

I'll leave #2 and #3 for others to answer.

But, for #1, I say it's well worth having a second HDD. Place the Pagefile on this one and remove it from the system drive. It speeds things up quite nicely.

how do i do this?! i wanna know!!

Sandok · Mar 5, 2007, 10:13 PM

Start ---> My Computer and Right Click properties.

Next, go under the advanced tab and under performance, click the settings button.

Here click the advanced tab and under virtual memory, click change

Enjoy

Sandok · Mar 6, 2007, 03:03 PM

Little question my lovelies... Those of you with the Core 2 Duo CPUs, do you advise turning on the Speedstep, Thermal Moniter, C1E Halt and all or should I just leave em deactivated in the bios?

**kris23** · Mar 7, 2007, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

Little question my lovelies... Those of you with the Core 2 Duo CPUs, do you advise turning on the Speedstep, Thermal Moniter, C1E Halt and all or should I just leave em deactivated in the bios?

i dont own one but if u want to shave a few watts in expense for performance then leave speedstep on, but if u want everything going full blast then leave it off.

i dont know much else about the other feature so ya

Jan 28, 2007, 02:06 PM	#4
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	If you pay for p&p you can have my x1800xt (PCIE) for 140 euros. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Mar 4, 2007, 11:02 PM	#13
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	an X-FI barely works in vista....... the drivers are ABSOLUTE GARBAGE and thats not an overstatement..... gaming mode slows the comp down like crap, it took like 8 trys to install the drivers without it going BSOD on me.... and the sound is not as great really...... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jan 28, 2007, 08:37 AM	#1
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	New Computer - HELP!!! Okay, I need help to build a new PC... I wanna build one myself but unfortunately, I'm desperately low on cash... I mean, REALLY low on cash. Thus the reason for this thread, I was wondering, could ANYONE help me build a VERY cheap PC? It has to be under 1000$ and the lower the better And I need the whole lot... HD, DVD, etc etc except for peripherals (Mouse, Kezboard, etc) Also, I know that C2D is the absolute must have and the E6300 can easily overclock (or E4300 when it comes out) but would AMD be such a bad choice? I dunno, inspire me folks

Jan 28, 2007, 09:00 AM	#2
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	This wouldn't be too big of a problem if you lived in the states. Where are you planning on buying the parts from?

Jan 29, 2007, 06:30 AM	Thread Starter #5
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Hmmmm I'll look into it... First though I gotta purchase a mobo for a vid card to fit into

Feb 27, 2007, 08:06 AM	Thread Starter #6
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Okay I'm almost ready to buy something finally... So what you guys think of the following? Mouse/Keyboard: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 Speakers: Logitech Z-4 PSU: Corsair CMPSU-520HX Case: Gigabyte GZ-X1 Graphics Card: Leadtek WinFast PX7600 GT Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Hard Drive: 2x Western Digital 250 Go DVD Burner: Lite-On LH-18A1P-488C CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Memory: Corsair Value Select 2 Go Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3P CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT ???

Mar 2, 2007, 06:54 PM	Thread Starter #8
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Well in the end, I had to skimp on some things to stay within budget... However, now I got three really serious questions to ask you guys... Number1: Is it worth having two HardDrives or should I just live with one? Number2: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer or Audio? There is a substantial price difference and I know of no reviews on either... Any info? Do they both have EAX and all or wa? Number3: Vista OEM purchase... 64bit or 32bit? I know 32bit is more userfriendly with drivers and all right now but 64bit is the future no?

Mar 2, 2007, 09:53 PM	Thread Starter #11
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Hmmmm okay I then will get that second HD... As for the X-Fi, if you don't suggest me purchasing it, what should I go with? Onboard audio? shudders

Mar 5, 2007, 05:58 PM	Thread Starter #14
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Well I bought a X-Fi anyways in the end, but given that you guys say Vista and it don't gel yet, I decided to avoid Vista in that case. I mean, XP works fine right? Anyways, my system isn't exactly what I wanted oringally but well, you can see under my name what I got

Mar 5, 2007, 06:12 PM	#15
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Strange I don't not having any issues w/ my X-Fi in Vista. The only problem I did have is the install disappeared one time. However, I just re-installed & it's been solid for a month.

Mar 5, 2007, 06:42 PM	Thread Starter #16
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Hmmm well that's good news then Vista Home Preium... I'm gonna get you soon enough First though, I gotta sort out my system... Tis a mess...

Mar 5, 2007, 10:13 PM	Thread Starter #18
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Start ---> My Computer and Right Click properties. Next, go under the advanced tab and under performance, click the settings button. Here click the advanced tab and under virtual memory, click change Enjoy

Mar 6, 2007, 03:03 PM	Thread Starter #19
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Little question my lovelies... Those of you with the Core 2 Duo CPUs, do you advise turning on the Speedstep, Thermal Moniter, C1E Halt and all or should I just leave em deactivated in the bios?