1st Time Building Own Comp, Opinions and Feedback, Welcomed

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 05:31 PM

Hey Guys,

After buying a IBM Aptiva, a some Compaq POS, i've decided to build my own pc.

I've been doing searches all over the net and have come up with a BareBones Cheapish, PC, that i think would run current games ok. (Prices are in $AUS)

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-7N400L1 $150
RAM PC3200 256Mb DDR Memory (x2) $140
CPU AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (Boxed) FSB333 (Barton Core) $170
Hard Drive Western Digital 80Gb 7200RPM IDE HDD 8MB Cache $130
Video Card Albatron 128Mb DDR FX5600P Video Card $200
Monitor LG 700S 17" Monitor $160
Sound On Board $0
Case Generic ATX $50
LAN On Board $0

TOTAL PRICE $1000

Now this is just without keyboard/mouse/cdrom/dvdrom and other stuff, but i have most of that lying around in the bedroom.

What i wanted to know does this look like an ok pc or does it look like an assbag of a pc? (Keep in mind my budget is $1000)

Please, Any help or feedback is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

AphexDash

jjmd · Dec 14, 2003, 05:35 PM

http://www.newegg.com/ Take a look here as those prices seem high to me.

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 05:54 PM

remember, these are in Australian Dollars, not American

jjmd · Dec 14, 2003, 05:59 PM

sorry didn't see that. well take a look anyways lol

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 06:04 PM

Heh, yeah i had a look thx, but unfortunatly they don't ship to Australia, only within the United States and Puerta Rico

@/2ct!< · Dec 14, 2003, 06:05 PM

Either some form of Radeon 9600 or FX 5700 instead of your 5600

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 06:08 PM

Just wanted to know if anyone knew if that would be an adequate PC for playing, UT2k3, Hidden & Dangerous 2, Unreal 2, Need For Speed Underground, etc, on MAX Detail @ 1024x768 16-Bit?

Thanks

Edit: I think it'd blow out my budget to get a Radeon 9600 or a FX5700

@/2ct!< · Dec 14, 2003, 06:12 PM

Maybe, but would be really help with extra $$$ into high end vid card for better frames.

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 06:15 PM

Hmmm, would it be worth getting a fx5700? would my cpu or mobo be a bottleneck?

I spose i could spend 300$AUS or so more on a video card, total $500AUS.

hmm, so hard... to... decide...

@/2ct!< · Dec 14, 2003, 06:32 PM

Are you sure 5700s are that much more in australia than 5600s? Here they are about same price for 5600 U and 5700 . Also, just make sure you buy namebrand ram, and should not be noticebale bottlenecks IMO, but it might be a waste to go top tier and get 5900/9800.

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 07:34 PM

Well i found a great site, with a store near me, so i think i got a winner here:

MONITOR: LG Studioworks 17" Standard CRT $160.00
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Boxed 333fsb $148.50
MOTHERBOARD: Asus A7N8X-X (nForce 2) $112.20
VIDEO: ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 256Mb $214.50
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 80Gb 7200 rpm Hard Disk $99.00
RAM: 512Mb PC3200 DDR Ram (Kingston) $141.90
CASE: H825 ATX MIDI CASE $52.00
MISC: 2x IDE Cable ATA 66/100/133 $18.00
CDRW: Liteon 52x52x32 CD ReWriter $55.00
================================================== ======================
TOTAL: $1001.10
================================================== ======================

What u think? better or worse? I like the 9600 with 256mb ram

AphexDash · Dec 14, 2003, 07:38 PM

Well, i think i'm happy with it.

I spose i may trek over later today and buy it

but i'd like to hear what u guys think

Thanks.

blade5545 · Dec 14, 2003, 08:23 PM

The second one is better.

BWX · Dec 14, 2003, 09:18 PM

Nice choices on the last one you posted-
I'd go with an Abit NF7-s But I'm sure that board is really nice too.
You should get a FLAT CRT if you can, they are SOOOO much better than those old fishbowl CRT's-

I love my KDS X-Flat 17'', It's got a nice anti-glare screen built in, and it was really cheap- I would only want a higher res w/ higher refresh, but with your budget, that's probably not a reality. But I would still try to get a Flat CRT no matter what. Even if you have to wait a few weeks.

***Veridian3*** · Dec 14, 2003, 10:18 PM

2nd system looks real nice. Let us know how you get on

Bane the ECF · Dec 14, 2003, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AphexDash
Well i found a great site, with a store near me, so i think i got a winner here:

MONITOR: LG Studioworks 17" Standard CRT $160.00
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Boxed 333fsb $148.50
MOTHERBOARD: Asus A7N8X-X (nForce 2) $112.20
VIDEO: ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 256Mb $214.50
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 80Gb 7200 rpm Hard Disk $99.00
RAM: 512Mb PC3200 DDR Ram (Kingston) $141.90
CASE: H825 ATX MIDI CASE $52.00
MISC: 2x IDE Cable ATA 66/100/133 $18.00
CDRW: Liteon 52x52x32 CD ReWriter $55.00
================================================== ======================
TOTAL: $1001.10
================================================== ======================

What u think? better or worse? I like the 9600 with 256mb ram

Your RAM needs to be either one stick of 512MB or two high quality, factory-matched sticks of 256MB (Kingston HyperX, Corsair XMS, Mushkin Black).

@/2ct!< · Dec 15, 2003, 03:15 AM

If possible, use 2 sticks for dual channel, and 9600 is better IMO than the FXs, good find. Also, what was the monitor you had with your old system, if its 17 inch than either save for a flat screen or stick with old one.

AphexDash · Dec 15, 2003, 09:40 AM

Well, i changed the Case to a better looking and cheaper one, and found this monitor:

MONITOR: Magview 17" Flat CRT Beige $165.00

the total comes to $998, so i've also got enough for a Mars bar on completion of building it

Matth · Dec 15, 2003, 09:19 PM

Does anything you want to play on it come on DVD ?

You may need to add a DVD-ROM, or go for a DVD-ROM / CD-RW combo drive instead of the straight CD-RW

WarGun · Dec 16, 2003, 06:46 AM

Ahh new PC builder

Heres a nice site to get you startedhttp://www.buildeasypc.com/index.htm I used this to help with my first build

Good Luck

Dec 14, 2003, 05:31 PM	#1
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	1st Time Building Own Comp, Opinions and Feedback, Welcomed Hey Guys, After buying a IBM Aptiva, a some Compaq POS, i've decided to build my own pc. I've been doing searches all over the net and have come up with a BareBones Cheapish, PC, that i think would run current games ok. (Prices are in $AUS) Motherboard Gigabyte GA-7N400L1 $150 RAM PC3200 256Mb DDR Memory (x2) $140 CPU AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (Boxed) FSB333 (Barton Core) $170 Hard Drive Western Digital 80Gb 7200RPM IDE HDD 8MB Cache $130 Video Card Albatron 128Mb DDR FX5600P Video Card $200 Monitor LG 700S 17" Monitor $160 Sound On Board $0 Case Generic ATX $50 LAN On Board $0 TOTAL PRICE $1000 Now this is just without keyboard/mouse/cdrom/dvdrom and other stuff, but i have most of that lying around in the bedroom. What i wanted to know does this look like an ok pc or does it look like an assbag of a pc? (Keep in mind my budget is $1000) Please, Any help or feedback is very much appreciated. Thanks, AphexDash __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 05:35 PM	#2
jjmd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In Your Mothers Closet... Posts: 1,081 Rep Power: 0	http://www.newegg.com/ Take a look here as those prices seem high to me. __________________ [COLOR=blue]Win XP Pro all updates.[/COLOR] [COLOR=blue]Asus Crosshair, Amd 64 X2 6000. 4 GB Cosair Dominator,2 MSI 7900gs 512 mg, 2 raptor 150 gig in raid 0. 22inch View Sonic LCD, 2 HP 16x dvd burners, and some other crap. HE HE HE. [/COLOR]

Dec 14, 2003, 05:54 PM	Thread Starter #3
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	remember, these are in Australian Dollars, not American __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 05:59 PM	#4
jjmd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In Your Mothers Closet... Posts: 1,081 Rep Power: 0	sorry didn't see that. well take a look anyways lol __________________ [COLOR=blue]Win XP Pro all updates.[/COLOR] [COLOR=blue]Asus Crosshair, Amd 64 X2 6000. 4 GB Cosair Dominator,2 MSI 7900gs 512 mg, 2 raptor 150 gig in raid 0. 22inch View Sonic LCD, 2 HP 16x dvd burners, and some other crap. HE HE HE. [/COLOR]

Dec 14, 2003, 06:04 PM	Thread Starter #5
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Heh, yeah i had a look thx, but unfortunatly they don't ship to Australia, only within the United States and Puerta Rico __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 06:05 PM	#6
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	Either some form of Radeon 9600 or FX 5700 instead of your 5600 __________________

Dec 14, 2003, 06:08 PM	Thread Starter #7
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Just wanted to know if anyone knew if that would be an adequate PC for playing, UT2k3, Hidden & Dangerous 2, Unreal 2, Need For Speed Underground, etc, on MAX Detail @ 1024x768 16-Bit? Thanks Edit: I think it'd blow out my budget to get a Radeon 9600 or a FX5700 __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 06:12 PM	#8
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	Maybe, but would be really help with extra $$$ into high end vid card for better frames. __________________

Dec 14, 2003, 06:15 PM	Thread Starter #9
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Hmmm, would it be worth getting a fx5700? would my cpu or mobo be a bottleneck? I spose i could spend 300$AUS or so more on a video card, total $500AUS. hmm, so hard... to... decide... __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 06:32 PM	#10
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	Are you sure 5700s are that much more in australia than 5600s? Here they are about same price for 5600 U and 5700 . Also, just make sure you buy namebrand ram, and should not be noticebale bottlenecks IMO, but it might be a waste to go top tier and get 5900/9800. __________________

Dec 14, 2003, 07:34 PM	Thread Starter #11
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Well i found a great site, with a store near me, so i think i got a winner here: MONITOR: LG Studioworks 17" Standard CRT $160.00 CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Boxed 333fsb $148.50 MOTHERBOARD: Asus A7N8X-X (nForce 2) $112.20 VIDEO: ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 256Mb $214.50 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 80Gb 7200 rpm Hard Disk $99.00 RAM: 512Mb PC3200 DDR Ram (Kingston) $141.90 CASE: H825 ATX MIDI CASE $52.00 MISC: 2x IDE Cable ATA 66/100/133 $18.00 CDRW: Liteon 52x52x32 CD ReWriter $55.00 ================================================== ====================== TOTAL: $1001.10 ================================================== ====================== What u think? better or worse? I like the 9600 with 256mb ram __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 07:38 PM	Thread Starter #12
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Well, i think i'm happy with it. I spose i may trek over later today and buy it but i'd like to hear what u guys think Thanks. __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 14, 2003, 08:23 PM	#13
blade5545 Shoots first ask's questions later Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	The second one is better. __________________ Dell Inspiron 700m 2 ghz Intel Mobile 2mb L2 cache 12.1 Ultrabrite 1.25 gig ram 80gig hdd 8x DVD-RW 4.5lbs 1.5" thick 5 hours battery DFI NF4 Ultra - D AMD Winchester 64 3200+ @4125+ 2.62ghz sold Swiftech H20-120-BB REV. 3 LIQUID COOLING KIT 2x512 OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel sold Platinum Rev 2 OCZ POWERSTREAM 520W sold ATI X700 PRO SEAGATE 160GIG SATA Windows XP PRO SP2 / PearPC - Apple OS X 10.2 Unknown "The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself."

Dec 14, 2003, 09:18 PM	#14
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Nice choices on the last one you posted- I'd go with an Abit NF7-s But I'm sure that board is really nice too. You should get a FLAT CRT if you can, they are SOOOO much better than those old fishbowl CRT's- I love my KDS X-Flat 17'', It's got a nice anti-glare screen built in, and it was really cheap- I would only want a higher res w/ higher refresh, but with your budget, that's probably not a reality. But I would still try to get a Flat CRT no matter what. Even if you have to wait a few weeks. __________________

Dec 14, 2003, 10:18 PM	#15
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	2nd system looks real nice. Let us know how you get on

Dec 15, 2003, 03:15 AM	#17
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	If possible, use 2 sticks for dual channel, and 9600 is better IMO than the FXs, good find. Also, what was the monitor you had with your old system, if its 17 inch than either save for a flat screen or stick with old one. __________________

Dec 15, 2003, 09:40 AM	Thread Starter #18
AphexDash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Well, i changed the Case to a better looking and cheaper one, and found this monitor: MONITOR: Magview 17" Flat CRT Beige $165.00 the total comes to $998, so i've also got enough for a Mars bar on completion of building it __________________ HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE=*"filter:glow(color=Green strength=12)"> <TR><TD><center> AphexDesktop</TABLE> -------------- AMD Athlon XP 2600xp ATi Radeon 9600XT 256mb @ Stock Speeds Asus NV8NX-X 1024 Pc3200 Ram 2x Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache 16x DVD-RW DL Burner HTML Code: <TABLE STYLE="filter:glow(color=Red, strength=12)"*> <TR><TD><center> AphexLaptop (Asus M6000N)</TABLE> ------------- [color=Black]Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz 2mb L2 Cache. ATi Radeon Mobility 9700 128mb @ Core: 452.25Mhz / Mem: 256.50Mhz 1024 Pc2700 Ram 15" Widescreen (1600x1050) 1x ? 5400 rpm 80gb 1x 200gb Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb Cache via FireWire 8x DVD-RW Burner [/color]

Dec 15, 2003, 09:19 PM	#19
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Does anything you want to play on it come on DVD ? You may need to add a DVD-ROM, or go for a DVD-ROM / CD-RW combo drive instead of the straight CD-RW

Dec 16, 2003, 06:46 AM	#20
WarGun DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 249 Rep Power: 0	Ahh new PC builder Heres a nice site to get you startedhttp://www.buildeasypc.com/index.htm I used this to help with my first build Good Luck