Opinions Wanted On New Computer I Plan To Build

Forums › Desktop computing › Opinions Wanted On New Computer I Plan To Build

ryanja

52 posts

Master Geek

#24412 23-Jul-2008 12:28

Hello everyone! I've been lurking here for a while, using the site to gather info for a new computer I plan to build soon. I've got a good idea of what I want, and have come up with a list. I'd now like to get a few other opinions on it before I make my purchase.

The computer will be mostly used for internet, office, some gaming, and perhaps some video processing. I plan to dual boot with Kubuntu (or Ubuntu) and Windows XP.

Here's the list, as sourced from Ascent:

Case: Cooler Master Elite 330 ATX Mid Tower Case, 420W PSU, Black/Silver
Motherboard: Asus M2N-MX SE Plus Motherboard, Socket AM2+, 2000MHz FSB, 2xDIMM, DDR2, PCIe-16, 2xPCI, 0xPCIe-1, 8xUSB2, Audio, Video, ATA, RAID, M-ATX
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0 GHz, Socket AM2, Retail pack with fan
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tracer, 2x1GB, DDR2-800, PC2-6400, CL4, DIMM
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAKS Hard Disk Drive, 500GB, 7200rpm, 16384KB Cache, SATA-2
Video Card: Asus EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/512M Video Card, GeForce 8600 GT, 512MB, DDR3, PCIe-16, TV out, DVI, HDTV
Monitor: Samsung 2232BW Monitor, 22" LCD, 1680x1050, DVI, Black
DVD: Asus DRW-2014L1 DVD Writer, DVD 16R/20W/8RW, CD 48R/48W/32RW, Internal, IDE, Black, Retail, LightScribe
Wireless Card: NetGear WG311, Wireless PCI Adapter, 54Mbps, 802.11b/g, PCI
Keyboard: Logitech NewTouch 200 Keyboard, USB, Black, Retail
OS: Kubuntu & Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3, for x86 (32-bit) systems, DVD, OEM

Should all of this work together? Can anyone see any issues using this hardware under Kubuntu? Am I forgetting anything?

Cheers,
Ryan

eXDee

4033 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1070

Trusted

#150693 23-Jul-2008 16:55

Just some thoughts here...
I'd want a more powerful CPU and Video card personally, but i suppose you're limited by budget.
I'd go for the 640gb 32mb WD hard drive, its got a better $$$ per gb ratio and is faster.
For wireless card check out the CNET one from C1com, its rated very high and its cheap as.
Make the DVD drive SATA not IDE.
All that should work perfectly fine.

Where do you plan on buying from?

ryanja

52 posts

Master Geek

#150790 23-Jul-2008 22:41

Yeah, this system tops out my budget at around $1500. I plan to purchase as much as I can through Ascent, using their 1.5% and 2% discounts for direct deposit and system building.

Thanks very much for your tips on the Wifi card and DVD player. I checked the Ubuntu supported wificard list, and the Cnet card is listed there. That saves me a few dollars. I'd overlooked the option of running the DVD drive as SATA simply because I've never built a system with SATA before. This frees up the IDE cable to run two old hard drives. Very nice!

Ryan

eXDee

4033 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1070

Trusted

#150803 23-Jul-2008 23:05

More thoughts...
I see the M2N-MX is one of the cheapest motherboards you can buy. Personally i'd go for something a bit better but i know nothing of AM2 chipsets except the 690/780g. It is what everything connects into, so you do want it to be fairly decent.
If you plan on playing newer games and want a bit of future proofing consider the 9600GT, its almost as good as an 8800GT, but very good value. Playing new games are 1680x1050 is going to be fairly taxing on the 8600GT.
I see you've gone for fairly expensive RAM (CL4), which would suggest you are overclocking? Usually you only need CL4 RAM for overclocking, apparently the difference between CL4 and CL5 is negligable otherwise. This could potentially save you a few bucks.
Samsung monitors used to be very good with Samsung panels in them, now they use Cheimei panels (S vs C) for all 22" models apparently, which don't have as good colours. LG and BenQ apparently are good options, but i dont know too much about these.
Sorry i cant give you hard facts for some of these, since i've picked them up from reading other forums and might not be remembering 100%.
Kubuntu should auto detect everything fine if you're lucky also.

Also make an identical build from C1com to compare the price, ascent are known for good service but apparently they have got a bit more expensive than they used to be.

ryanja

52 posts

Master Geek

#150918 24-Jul-2008 12:21

Thanks again for your suggestions.

I swapped the mobo for an Asus M2A-VM. It looks like it has a few more features and will be better supported by Linux.

I changed the monitor to a ViewSonic VX2235wm 22". I saw one of the Samsungs in Dick Smiths last weekend and wasn't too impressed by the colors. The ViewSonic looks to be getting good reviews on NewEgg and is cheaper to boot.

I think I'll stick with the 8600, as I'm really not much of a gamer. I only plan to run Lego Indiana Jones, with the Half-Life Orange Box and Spore to be possible purchases down the road. I can't really justify spending $100-150 more.

I went a step lower on the RAM, but will still go with Crucial CL4. I've been using Crucial for years and have always been happy with them.

I'll also have a look at C1com to see if I can get it cheaper there.

Ryan