New desktop on a budget, opinions please

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GMHLJ

30 posts

Geek

#24246 18-Jul-2008 21:12

Hi,

Im looking at building a new desktop, for all round use and application development.

Case:             microATX 350watt
Motherboard: Gigabyte G31M-S2L
CPU:              Intel Core 2 Duo (E6550) or similar?
RAM:              2GB (3-4GB later) DDR2 800MHz, any recommendations?

HDD: 320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 16mb cache

Graphics: Something with 2xDVI out, via PCI-E/PCI, any recommendations?

Also: Wifi PCI Card, DVD Writer

This is my first attempt at a build, any advice/opinions would be great.

Thanks.

eXDee

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#149368 19-Jul-2008 00:53

Do you have any price you want to work towards or keep under?

Going through what you have chosen, just my thoughts.
Case: Sure you'll fit everything you need in a microATX case? What you have chosen will fit easily, but its whether you choose to expand hard drives/dvd drives etc in the future
Motherboard: Looks ok, but if you are getting a graphics card onboard graphics isn't necessary.
CPU: $20 more over the e6550 gets you an e8200 which is a lot more up to date and faster.
RAM: Pretty much any dual channel 2gb kit will be fine if you don't plan on overclocking.
HDD: This is fine if you only need 320gb. But consider something like the western digital 640gb which is very fast if your budget allows.
Graphics: Nvidia 8600GT perhaps? It'll play quite a few games well and is cheap.
Wifi card: This card doesn't look like much, but is cheap and is highly recommended by quite a few people.
DVD drive: This one should suit you fine. It has a beige bezel if your case isnt black also.

Nirodha

80 posts

Master Geek

#149382 19-Jul-2008 05:49

I built my own PC's for years. However, this time around I bought a Dell Vostro 200 mini-tower, and couldn't be happier with it. Therefore, I'd suggest forgoing the build-it-yourself route and buying a Dell. Also, Dell's prices can't be beat.

Here are URL's for the Vostro 200 line, if you're interested:

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/vostrodt_200mt?c=nz&cs=nzbsd1&l=en&s=bsd

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/featuresdetails.aspx/vostrodt_200mt?c=nz&l=en&s=bsd&cs=nzbsd1&~lt=popup&~tab=highlighttab

No, you wont be able to overclock a Dell PC, unless you swap out the motherboard or pin mod the CPU. But, you also wont have the hassle of building and tech supporting the thing yourself if something goes wrong - it will eventually.

I realize some people get pleasure from and take pride in doing their own builds. But, after doing it for years on end, I'm no longer one of them.

Best

GMHLJ

30 posts

Geek

#149384 19-Jul-2008 07:50

Hi, thanks for the replies.

eXDee: Do you have any price you want to work towards or keep under?

I dont have a firm price, i think around $700 for a box and $700 for dual 22" screens.

Case: Sure you'll fit everything you need in a microATX case? What you have chosen will fit easily, but its whether you choose to expand hard drives/dvd drives etc in the future

I had a think about that and i dont thinki will need any other cards, would it be better to get a ATX case instead? Dois microATX fit in ATX?

CPU: $20 more over the e6550 gets you an e8200 which is a lot more up to date and faster.
RAM: Pretty much any dual channel 2gb kit will be fine if you don't plan on overclocking.
HDD: This is fine if you only need 320gb. But consider something like the western digital 640gb which is very fast if your budget allows.
Graphics: Nvidia 8600GT perhaps? It'll play quite a few games well and is cheap.
Wifi card: This card doesn't look like much, but is cheap and is highly recommended by quite a few people.
DVD drive: This one should suit you fine. It has a beige bezel if your case isnt black also.

Thanks for the CPU tip il have a look spend a bit more for a newer one. 320GB is plenty for now (only have 90GB atm).

I built my own PC's for years. However, this time around I bought a Dell Vostro 200 mini-tower, and couldn't be happier with it. Therefore, I'd suggest forgoing the build-it-yourself route and buying a Dell. Also, Dell's prices can't be beat.

Hi Best,

I had a look at Dell but for the extra dell screen and and dual DVI card it comes to about $2300, however it does have a OS loaded and is all done... Thanks for the advice.

eXDee

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#149447 19-Jul-2008 13:11

Dell is okay for a full build, but its probably cheaper when you already have all the OS etc just to buy a box. I don't like OEM os preinstalls anyway, too many 'craplets'.
Heres a build i made from C1, its $40 over budget sorry. The case i chose is microATX as you wanted, its a bit of a placeholder. However this meant limiting the options on motherboards quite a bit. ATX cases will fit MATX easy, but you're better off going ATX for the extra card slots etc, and sometimes more features.

GMHLJ

30 posts

Geek

#149500 19-Jul-2008 17:45

Thanks for the reply eXDee, im not sure what to do, I dont have an OS so the dell looks like a good option, also it comes all finished and 500GB, 4GB, warrenty, and no hassle for $2300.

It will prolly be about 700(box)+700(monitor)+200(OS)+mouse,keyboard,wifi = about $1800 prolly, could be more.

Although I dont really like the OEM OS either its not that much of a issue, is there any reason not to get the dell?

eXDee

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#149531 19-Jul-2008 21:54

Which dell package in particular do you have in mind? Even with purchasing say Vista for $150 it might be still cheaper to build yourself. For low end (sub $1200 package inc everything) dell is usually cheaper. For high end, building is usually cheaper.
Depends if you have the time, patience and skills also.

GMHLJ

30 posts

Geek

#149536 19-Jul-2008 22:24

The Dell i was looking at was this one nirodha suggested,

http://dellstore03.dell.com.au/public/cart/configurator.jsp?prd_id=650561&sr_no=1

Vista Bussiness
Dual 22" Screens
E8300
500GB HD
4GB 800MHz RAM
256MB Graphics w Dual DVI out
Wireless N

$2300

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eXDee

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#149555 19-Jul-2008 23:25

That's pretty good value from dell actually, if you don't want to build, thats a pretty good option

Though since you've pretty much given me a challenge heres what i've picked in roughly the same budget,
Improvements include:
Faster processor
Higher quality RAM
Possibly faster hard drive (32mb vs 16mb thats probably in the dell)
DVD-RAM compatible DVD writer.
Probably higher quality Wireless N card
Similar graphics card with 512mb vram and a better cooler.

I'm not saying this is a better option, the dell might be a better idea for you, but just showing what the same thing will buy.

GMHLJ

30 posts

Geek

#149574 20-Jul-2008 04:25

That is a mint build thanks, what about if i tick C1s Build and Install option? Will it be all ready to run?

Could change the screen to AOC 210V, save a lil and looks nicer, also throw in some PC2-8500?