All I have is an empty (new) case, and I want to build a powerful computer, that will not be used for gaming. Budget is probably 600.00 to 800.00 Dollars. I want the extra speed for such things as defrag, scans EXC. I don't have much patience for the time it takes for these chores. I have read a lot of the threads here, and find them educational. I would like some opinions on the better brands of the components that I should use. Main Board, Processor (Dual core), DDR 2 Memory, Video card, Sata Hard Drive, Power Supply. I will have more questions later, but I think this is where I would like to start. Thanks in advance for any help.
sorry that no one got to you. Anyways, for you, all you will really need is something small, cheap, and efficient. If you don't plan on gaming, all you would really need is a nice micro ATX board. On that, do you have a proffered e-tailer or are you buying parts locally?? I generally use newegg, and i like to look at reviews before i buy something. There has been a lot of flip flopping of quality lately, it really just depends on whatever model of whatever you are buying. Anyways, back to the reviews, for every pro someone will contradict it with the same pro being a con, so i don't really pay attention to peoples opinions, but if some one has a problem with a product, they most definitely say something. So if there are a lot of DOAs or fails shortly after purchase, thats usually something to stay away from. For boards, i'd do something like this, but some biostar boards, some gigabyte boards, some asrock boards, ect, you just have to pay attention. Newegg.com - ASUS M3N78-VM AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards For a processor This will work fine Newegg.com - AMD Athlon X2 4450e 2.3GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W 65nm Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops For memory just use the same principle as everything else, if people like it, and its lasted a couple years, then you should be good to go. I've had good luck with PQI and kingston for cheaper memory, and OCZ and Corsair are always quality. Also, super talent seems to be alright as well. I like Western digital hard drives, but Seagate makes good stuff to. Optical drives are pretty much whatever, but Lite-on, Optiarc(Sony/Nec) are always good choices.
Thanks for showing up here Swansen. I am a member of two forums like this, and I posted the same post on both forums at the same time. The other forum began working with me immediately, and I am now ready to get quotes locally from 2 different suppliers. I have a better understanding of Intel products as opposed to AMD. And in some ways I regret that. Any how no offense taken, and I appreciate your effort.
To date this is where I am at....I will be adding a video card to this list. ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 8-Phase Power Optimize Stable Overclocking CrossFireX Corsair TX750W 750W ATX 12V 60A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
That's a very solid mobo, good chipset as long as you don't plan on crossfiring and ESPECIALLY if you don't plan on running in SLI (the chipset doesn't support SLI.) Great power supply, glad to see that you plan on throwin in som emoney for a quality power supply, you won't regret that. The 7200.11 500 is actually one of the fastest drives out right now, with the only downfall is that it has a fairly high mortality rate. Decent ram, as long as you plan on running XP. Be sure to check your mobo to see if you need to up the voltage to run that ram at those tight timings. Good proc. Do you plan to overclock at all? If you do you will want to buy an aftermarket heatsink and fan. Most people swear by a Freezer 7, but that's up to you. Anything from thermaltake or zalman is going to be decent. If you have the room a Tuniq Tower would do you quite well.
Yeah, that looks pretty solid there, all around. I think the 750w power supply might have been overkill for a non SLI system, but its all good. Also, have you thought about some faster memory, the boards standard is DDR2 1200, not that DDR2 800 is slow, DDR2 is pretty cheap. Yeah, i am jealous of Intel chipsets though, or even Intel systems. They have WAY more options for single slot PCIe x16 boards, as i'm not sure how i feel about multiple card set-ups lately. So, what are you looking at for an enclosure and graphics card, or do you already have a case?
Hey you guys ! Thanks for the added support...Much appreciated. The 750w power supply was suggested because the price was right. I know it is more than I need. Perhaps you could suggest some faster memory? could you provide a link? Here is the enclosure that I have purchased... Welcome to Thermaltake I am not to concerned about a graphics card I don't think I need anything all that special...But I am certainly open to suggestions. No I will not be overclocking. And yes I am going with XP
Newegg.com - DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600), 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM, Desktop Memory, Memory, Computer Hardware or DDR 1066 which has broader acceptance so its more available than DDR 1200. Newegg.com - DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500), 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM, Desktop Memory, Memory, Computer Hardware
I think I would like to go with this RAM....Will it work OK? Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit ** Not compatible with Intel P35 based motherboards ** NCIX.com - Buy Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit - BL2KIT12864AA1065 In Canada. Board specs..... ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
What? I've been using 4 Gigs of Crucial ballistix in my abit P35 board for a year or two now, best ram I've ever had. It uses the Micron chips so it is very overclockable and stable. Mines always overclocked. Awesome ram.
Hmm, I don't know, all Ican say is that it works for me and has for quite a while. Maybe it's a specific version, such as the overclocked pc 1066's or something, which it looks like you were using. I have the DDR2 800's, and they work great, even overclocked them...
