Massassi Forums Logo

This is the static archive of the Massassi Forums. The forums are closed indefinitely. Thanks for all the memories!

You can also download Super Old Archived Message Boards from when Massassi first started.

"View" counts are as of the day the forums were archived, and will no longer increase.

☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → Time to upgrade my computer.
Time to upgrade my computer.
2008-02-11, 10:31 PM #1
Well, my computer has finally decided its too old. Crappy compaq from 2001. >_>

Anyway, I want to build a new computer, and was reading some other recent threads here, but they aren't really what I want. I would like to keep the cost around $700. I don't need the latest thing, but would like to get the current best value. Gaming isnt all that important to me. I do play games, but I'm currently pretty happy with my geforce FX5200, so whatever I get will be a buttload better anyway.

Any ideas, or websites that have this type of thing already outlined?

o.0
2008-02-11, 11:04 PM #2
700 bucks? For the complete rig or just the case+innards? Can you reuse your harddrive, optical drives?

Answer these questions for me real quick. If I'm thinking right you can get a smashing good gaming rig. If you want a monitor then I'm just gonna laugh and walk away (well if you want a decent monitor. Widescreen is pretty much the standard nowadays).
D E A T H
2008-02-11, 11:09 PM #3
[url]www.newegg.com[/url]

or

[url]www.tigerdirect.com[/url]

if you are lucky

http://www.woot.com/
Back again
2008-02-11, 11:21 PM #4
Already have a 22" widescreen lcd.

I just want the case+parts for 700. I'll be grabbing a mouse and keyboard too, but thats a nonissue.

Need new optical drives, and I have a 250 gig harddrive, though I'd like to add another 500 or so. I've torn through this one pretty quick.

Warlockmish - I already know about newegg and such. I'm looking for websites that will tell me what parts I need to buy to build the whole thing.

o.0
2008-02-11, 11:53 PM #5
Budget Box

how to build your own computer
Back again
2008-02-12, 5:10 AM #6
8 months ago i bought

asus mobo
AMD x2 64 athlon 4000+
160GB HDD
1.5GB RAM
ati x1600 256MB RAM
DVD burner
case
450W power supply (it was on sale)

including tax it was $730.

8 months later i'm sure you can do much better for the same price.
2008-02-12, 8:52 AM #7
Okay warlock's kind of an idiot, so just ignore him over there.

ONE: Look in your PC. What do you see? Motherboard, processor, PSU, case, video card, maybe a sound card, RAM, optical drives, harddrives.

TWO: Parts list...
Case + PSU
Processor
RAM
DVD Burner
Motherboard
Video Card

Should have a bit of room left over. 500gb drives are about 100 bucks or so. Up to you if you want to trim some fat to fit one in, but I'd be happy with 250 for now--this computer should be good enough to last you a while (just wish you had about 50 more bucks to spend so you could get an 8800GT) and, as long as you're not overclocking (which I doubt) should be quiet and cool.

Happy trails.
D E A T H
2008-02-12, 1:11 PM #8
$744 after mail-in rebates. Added in a 500 gig harddrive and a new mouse. Still need OS.

Wow, vista is expensive. What version should I get?

o.0
2008-02-12, 1:23 PM #9
Don't get XFX anything. They're a horrible brand quality-wise and I've heard bad stories from their customer support.
D E A T H
2008-02-12, 1:27 PM #10
Ah. I'll go back to the VisionTek then, I didn't realize the OS would be so expensive.

o.0
2008-02-12, 1:29 PM #11
Originally posted by Greenboy:
Ah. I'll go back to the VisionTek then, I didn't realize the OS would be so expensive.

Yeah. The 3850 isn't a bad card, the 8800GT is better but not by a gigantic amount. A bit of a sacrifice, but ah well.

Also, get Vista Home Ultimate or whatever UPGRADE, install it from disc, don't enter a serial code/number/whatever, then upgrade using your code. Props to NoESC for this one--free install and cheaper OS.
D E A T H
2008-02-12, 1:30 PM #12
Originally posted by Greenboy:
$744 after mail-in rebates. Added in a 500 gig harddrive and a new mouse. Still need OS.

Wow, vista is expensive. What version should I get?


Buy a cheap OEM version of XP? The extra money doesn't really get you anything of value.
2008-02-12, 1:48 PM #13
Greenboy's idea of a computer upgrade is probably equiping it with a bong.

Just sayin.
2008-02-12, 1:50 PM #14
No. I'd run it off of a diesel generator running vegetable oil.

o.0
2008-02-12, 4:03 PM #15
And use a wooden case. :v:
2008-02-12, 4:16 PM #16
One piece badly carved?
nope.
2008-02-12, 6:40 PM #17
A wooden case would be awesome. I will have to do that once I actually have woodworking skills/tools. Sounds like a nice cabinetry project. >___>

o.0
2008-02-12, 7:00 PM #18
Be sure to get a liquid cooling system - not for the computer's CPU but for the wood case. Wet wood doesn't catch on fire so easily :P
The cake is a lie... THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!
2008-02-12, 7:39 PM #19
Being a wooden boat hippy I would slather it in linseed oil, pine tar, and gum turpentine. And surfaces that go together and won't be regularly recoated would get a few coats of red lead.

o.0
2008-02-12, 7:47 PM #20
Who ever said you needed to buy windows....
Just use the one you have, Vista isn't uber fantastical must have or life is worthless. It is however a good OS.
2008-02-12, 7:53 PM #21
Poops, that video card is sold out.

Would this work as a replacement? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103049

I dunno what brands are good. >_>

o.0
2008-02-12, 8:15 PM #22
WTF Diamond is still around? Holy crap.
2008-02-12, 8:17 PM #23
Yeah, that honestly shocked me. I had a Diamond Voodoo 2 card.
2008-02-12, 9:26 PM #24
Originally posted by Cool Matty:
And use a wooden case. :v:

Someone actually made one of these. Looked neat.
D E A T H
2008-02-12, 9:28 PM #25
Originally posted by Baconfish:
One piece badly carved?


You know it would be cool is if he did it with as few pieces as wood as possible, and steamed and bent the wood.

I have this highchair in the attic my great grandfather made by hand by steaming and bending the wood. It's really neat, really sturdy.
2008-02-12, 9:38 PM #26
with newegg i put together i decent system with a moderate video card, vista and keyboard mouse for $743 and change. all with free shipping. i think you can do it easily enough.
My girlfriend paid a lot of money for that tv; I want to watch ALL OF IT. - JM
2008-02-12, 10:18 PM #27
Originally posted by Dj Yoshi:
Okay warlock's kind of an idiot, so just ignore him over there.

The Ars system guides are great, but he did a nice job of linking to one that's a year old.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-02-12, 10:44 PM #28
Originally posted by Rob:
You know it would be cool is if he did it with as few pieces as wood as possible, and steamed and bent the wood.

I have this highchair in the attic my great grandfather made by hand by steaming and bending the wood. It's really neat, really sturdy.


http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/62/1/

Couple of cool ones there.

o.0
2008-02-12, 11:00 PM #29
But they still put those ****ing stupid glowing neon light thingies in there.

That **** kills. It's so ****ing stupid!
2008-02-12, 11:09 PM #30
Originally posted by Cool Matty:
WTF Diamond is still around? Holy crap.

They merged with S3 Incorporated in 1999, renamed to SONICblue in 2000, sold the graphics chipset business to a joint venture between VIA and SONICblue called S3 Graphics, then after SONICblue filed for bankrupcy in 2003, Best Data acquired the rights to the Diamond Multimedia name.

phew :psyduck:
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-02-13, 10:14 AM #31
I'm building a new machine for around 650 and throwing the AMD's Phenom with it.
obviously you've never been able to harness the power of cleavage...

maeve
2008-02-13, 10:38 AM #32
I thought Core2Duo had better price for performance.. :/
2008-02-13, 11:13 AM #33
Originally posted by Rob:
I thought Core2Duo had better price for performance.. :/

It's about on par, phenom's are a bit cheaper. Have they fixed the cache issues they were having yet?
D E A T H
2008-02-13, 11:15 AM #34
WTF It's not on par, what are you smoking? And no, as far as I'm aware they still haven't released the new fixed CPUs.
2008-02-13, 11:21 AM #35
Originally posted by Cool Matty:
WTF It's not on par, what are you smoking? And no, as far as I'm aware they still haven't released the new fixed CPUs.

Price/performance? Yeah, it's about on par. The new chips aren't as powerful as the newest conroes, but you gotta look at prices too.

And as of right now, Marlboro Smooths :colbert:
D E A T H
2008-02-13, 12:06 PM #36
Intel Q6600 > Phenom 9600 (by a large amount, oftentimes 15% or more)

Price difference? $36.
2008-02-13, 12:15 PM #37
I think Yoshi is saying that they are close enough to probably not matter for most people.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-02-24, 5:13 PM #38
Well, I received the parts and put everything together. My hard drive was defective though, so I'm currently in the process of getting a replacement from newegg. Still waiting on vista from amazon. Oh well, I'm glad it was just the hard drive that was defective, would have sucked to remove the motherboard or processor.

o.0
2008-02-24, 5:46 PM #39
Just for people that are interested, the TLB issue on the phenom's has been fixed.

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=382

if you are looking at getting one make sure you get a B3 revision from around mid Feb.
People of our generation should not be subjected to mornings.

Rbots
2008-02-24, 7:15 PM #40
Oh damn, thanks for the link JB. Also, while Phenoms may not perform as well, they do overclock like CRAZY. 1.5 ghz oc's with stock cooling is not unheard of, which is just nuts.
D E A T H

↑ Up to the top!