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Computer opinions!

C

champdave

SG Sheffield Authority
OK, here is the situation. Here (at my house) we (I) are (am) currently using the following computer: (by "using" I mean "dragging along with")

-> PIII 866mhz
-> 256mb DDR RAM
-> nVidia GeForce 2 MX 32mb
-> USB 1.1 port that only works if you plug in the hardware before turning on the comp
-> DVD ROM, CD Rewriter
-> Windows XP Pro
-> 10gb, 6gb, 6gb Hard Drives
-> 17" NEC Monitor

I got quoted the following system from NEC for €1500:
-> Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.4ghz
-> 1gb DDR-RAM @ 400mhz
-> Radeon 9800 128mb
-> 120gb Hard Drive
-> DVD +- RW Drive
-> Micro ATX Mothercards
-> 19" NEC Monitor
-> Creative Labs Audigy 2 Soundcard

Could I build a computer with similar/better specs for a cheaper price? Bearing this in mind we have XP Pro and Office etc. and so we would save on the XP liscensing costs. (as when buying from a computer vendor in France you must have a Windows OS preinstalled - they have contracts with Microsoft) I was also looking to update the Radeon 9800 to an X800 or X600, or better still, an nVidia GeForce 6800 with 256mb DDR.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated! (as would websites and manufacturors that sell cheap-ish aprts) I'm going to try and overclock my (old) computer tomorrow but the hardware is outdated. To be fair I don't play that many graphics-intensive games, and surprisingly Max Payne 2 runs OK on half-minimal settings.

Thanks again in advance. :)
 
G

gian

Starting XI
since the prices there are much lower than here i can't really estimate if u can or can't.But X800 is a top card the best out now and would surely increase the cost.
 
D

Daz

Everyone's Favourite Diabetic
i'm sure you could build a computer for cheaper, with an AMD processor not an Intel
 
C

champdave

SG Sheffield Authority
I just had a slight anti-AMD feeling as my P3 866mhz works a lot faster than my mum's 1ghz Athlon.

OK, here are the parts I think I'll buy:
-> AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Retail Edition
-> (2x) Corsair 512mb XMS3200 DDR SDRAM
-> ASUS GeForce 6800 256mb (ripe for overclocking :) )
-> Seagate Barracude 120gb Hard Drive w/8mb buffer
-> NEC 3500 DVD RW
-> Gigabyte GA-K8VNXP motherboard
-> 15" LCD screen (17" if I can find a cheap-ish one)
-> 3(1/2)" Floppy Disk Drive, Optical Mouse, Generic Keyboard, Case, 2x Akasa 80mm fans, 500W power supply

If anyone can find a fault in the compatability please say, but I think it is all in order. The Athlon 64's don't support Dual memory, but does that mean I should just buy a 1gb stick of RAM rather than 2x512mb sticks?
 
D

Daz

Everyone's Favourite Diabetic
get a ATI Graphics card over a Geforce. ATI are FAR superior.

And if you've got the space, get a CRT instead of an LCD, they're a hell of alot cheaper, more reliable and they are more versatile with resolutions etc. most LCDs are set for one certain resolution and are crap at others.

Get on 1gb stick, so you have the opportunity to go to 2gb (H)
 
Á

Áļéאָ

Fan Favourite
nah. Actualy. Get the 6800 for that system. If you get a better CPU 3500+ or above, you must get an x800xt. the ATI gfx cards are faster but they need a very good CPU to show that. Also make sure the ram you are getting has good cas latency 2.5 or less (the less the better). Also I suggest that you buy a better mobo. Nforce chipset is the way to go with AMD64s. And since you are getting 2 memory chipz make sure your mobo also supports dual channel. And get a good psu. You dont want your system to shut down every once in a while while playing games.
 
D

Daz

Everyone's Favourite Diabetic
the latest Geforces need alot of power compared to the new ATIs. ATIs clock speeds are a hell of alot better than nvidias
 
P

Parra Power

Manager
Originally posted by champdave
I just had a slight anti-AMD feeling as my P3 866mhz works a lot faster than my mum's 1ghz Athlon.
Click to expand...


the P3 was a very very solid processor, and easily won out over AMD at the time.... however ATM i think that AMD has the edge :)
 
C

champdave

SG Sheffield Authority
After much deliberation I think I'm going to get the following parts, unless anyone can see anything wrong with them:

Proc: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ @ 2.0ghz (overclocking time)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8VNXP
RAM: (2x) Corsair Value Select PC3200 512mb DDR400 SDRAM (1gb total)
GFX: ASUS V9999GE 256mb Ultra nVidia GeForce 6800
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 120gb w/8mb Cache
Optic: NEC NC3500 16x DVD RW OEM
Monitor: 15" LCD w/<16ms response time
Generic floppy drive, keyboard, optical mouse (i've had a ball mouse for way too long), case, fans.

Only problem now is hoping they're all compatible, and I currently get a 400W supply with the case - I may think of getting a 500W one and some more cooling facilities if I overclock the comp.

In my PC mag I got this month the GeForce 6800's far outperformed the X800's, and are a bit cheaper too. I'd also prefer a 15" LCD to 19" CTR, I don't have that much space here, the 17" CTR I have now is a bit bulky.

About the mobo - I may get the GA-K8NNXP instead as it has the nForce3 chipset. It also supports up to 3gb of RAM and has 4 slots, so a couple more gig sticks in a couple of years time when FM0809 needs 2gb RAM (H)

This arrives at just under £1000 (inc vat) - significantly better than the deal offered by NEC!
 
D

Daz

Everyone's Favourite Diabetic
I'd still still go with an ATI graphics card over the nvdidas. Trust me, they are FAR superior
 
Á

Á&#316;é&#64303;

Fan Favourite
Dave with your current CPU it's better to buy the Nvidia card. If are willing to buy a good cooling fan and o/c much, buy the x800xt. The 6800 outperforms the x800 CPU stock speed. If you o/c about 400mghz the CPU I believe the x800 will have a clear advantage.
 
C

champdave

SG Sheffield Authority
I'm not buying the absolute top model graphics card, but a 256mb V9999GE 6800 will last me a long time. At the moment I'm not going to buy any more cooling than provided unless the temperature becomes too hot. I don't have the money, especially after buying the components. Also the magazines' reviews seem to be leaning towards the 6800 - and being a bit loyal to companies I'll update my GeForce 2 to a GeForce 6800 (H) This is added to the fact that I'll only play at a max. resolution of 1024x768 until I update my LCD further . . . basically when I move out as I don't have enough space here.

Cheapest stores: (inc vat)
dabs.com/uk - £976
dabs.com/fr - £1037 (d'oh!)
ebuyer.co.uk - £962

I'm trying to get stuff here like keyboard (QWERTY, I hate the french AZERTY keyboards) and speakers etc.
 
C

champdave

SG Sheffield Authority
FRESH DEVELOPMENTS

OK, I'm having doubts about the motherboard now. The GA-K8NNXP is based on the nForce 3-150 chipset, but I couldn't find the model on Dabs and found one based on an nForce 3-250 chipset, which I assume is better. I am very inexperienced in the way of motherboards, so can I safely assume that the nForce 250 chipsets are better than the 150s? And is it possible for a motherboard that costs <£100 to be a decent one - the ones in CPC all seem a bit expensive and someone told me his €80 ASUS is a cracking motherboard. (but wouldn't fit my Athlon 64 so I can't get it anyway)

Thanks

Sorry it came out like a BBC article, but I want to make sure I'm getting the right motherboard, as it's the most important part of the system. :)
 
P

Parra Power

Manager
Originally posted by champdave
FRESH DEVELOPMENTS

OK, I'm having doubts about the motherboard now. The GA-K8NNXP is based on the nForce 3-150 chipset, but I couldn't find the model on Dabs and found one based on an nForce 3-250 chipset, which I assume is better. I am very inexperienced in the way of motherboards, so can I safely assume that the nForce 250 chipsets are better than the 150s? And is it possible for a motherboard that costs <£100 to be a decent one - the ones in CPC all seem a bit expensive and someone told me his €80 ASUS is a cracking motherboard. (but wouldn't fit my Athlon 64 so I can't get it anyway)

Thanks

Sorry it came out like a BBC article, but I want to make sure I'm getting the right motherboard, as it's the most important part of the system. :)
Click to expand...

K8NNXP apparently has some jumper problems or something (or so the guy at the shop said when i was buying it)....... K8VNXP has been working fine for me :)

but that system is great........ go for it (Y)
 
P

Parra Power

Manager
Originally posted by Virgo
x800 xt PE > all
Click to expand...


say what? :confused:

 
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