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Perry | Posted: May 2 2006, 02:11 PM | ||||||
Like an eagle! Group: SITE OWNER Posts: 8,014 Member No.: 1 Joined: Sep 15th 2002 Location: San Leandro, California | UPDATE: May 10 2006 Just ordered all the parts in newegg.com Here are my setups:
I ended up paying 170 dollars more than my budget. But I guess it's worth it with these setup. I particularly like the case Apex Carver suggested. Big thanks go to Apex Carver for helping me so much. The package should arrive by Friday hopefully. I'll take pics and update this thread by then. ---------------------------------- Long story short, the Fujitsu laptop I've owned for 3 years finally giving me problems. Last Saturday, I couldn't boot into Windows no matter what. At the start up screen, it said something about /Windows/System32/Config/ folder being corrupted and needs to be repaired. I put in the Windows XP startup disc and get into the Recovery Console but it frozed right there. I even tried formatting it, but it freeze up everytime it tries to "search for previous version of Microsoft Windows." The only option I have now is to transfer the data from the laptop to a new desktop with a 2.5" to 3.5" harddisk converter which I already ordered. Then get a new laptop harddisk and replace it. But doing all these would mean I would have a period of time which I don't have access to computer, since I need access to computer everyday, I needed a new computer urgently. I gave up on laptop, it can't handle heavy and extensive computer users like me. So I was looking for a new desktop. On Sunday, I went to Fry's Electronics and just picked a pre-built machine on the shelf. It was a HP. I got it for $1,100 (including tax.) The Tower: http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4814220 ($779 - $50 rebate) The Monitor: http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4416446 (Combo Special - $249 - $30 rebate) After rebate, I only have to pay $1,025 including tax and all that. Question: Does it worth to pay that much for these specs ?
I've already talked to Apex Carver about my 'temporary" desktop, and he believes I am paying way too much for those specs. He suggested I should go with the AMD setup instead of Intel. Anyways, I am posting this up for reference. I have 15 days before I can return this machine with all my money back. If you can, please post up the list of specs that you think it's the best for the $1,000 ~ $1,200 budget range. I still prefer Intel, but I am biased. I am mainly using this desktop for : Images Processing, Video Processing/Encoding and Gaming. Therefore, I need a robust harddisk and a handful of USB slots / Flash Drive memory slots. I'll update this thread when there are any updates. Thanks for your contributions in advance. This post has been edited by Perry on May 10 2006, 01:56 AM | ||||||
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PhantomaZero | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:07 PM |
I hate this map Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,874 Member No.: 2,007 Joined: Jun 13th 2004 Location: LOL, CA | If you bought this from Dell, it would have been around the same price. However, you could certainly have gotten more for less at that price. Assuming you don't set gaming as a priority, you could nab this Athlon 4000+ rig off Newegg for a mere $700, which easily tops the HP's performance and a slight difference in price, aside from the integrated graphics. |
Möbius | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:21 PM |
IDW Top Poster Group: Advanced Members Posts: 33,844 Member No.: 3,524 Joined: Oct 2nd 2004 Location: Update Profile | OK, I got this quick comparison off newegg to show how much that would have cost if assembled by yourself : Case: Antec Sonata II ( Nice case, and includes a decent PSU ) http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?...N82E16811129155 US$93.99 Mobo: MSI 945PL Neo-F http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813130531 US$76.99 CPU : Pentium D 930 Dual core ( this is actually better than the one on the HP ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819116238 US$212.99 RAM : G.Skill Extreme 2 x 512MB PC4200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820231041 US$72.00 Vid Card : eVGA Geforce6200 LE TC ( not sure if this is higher or lower than the 6200SE ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814130006 $38.00 HD : Maxtor DiamondMax 200GB SATA http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16822144012 $83.00 Floppy + card reader : Mitsumi combo drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16821104104 US$19.99 Optical drive : NEC ND-350A http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?...N82E16827152055 US$38.00 ( combo with case ) Artic silver 5 US$5.99 Total including shipping + taxes : 740.76 Not that much lower, but you get a nice case, a better proccy, and gigabit ethernet. But of course, an AMD for the same price will outperform that, will be back to post that later. |
Perry | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:23 PM | ||
Like an eagle! Group: SITE OWNER Posts: 8,014 Member No.: 1 Joined: Sep 15th 2002 Location: San Leandro, California |
Mmm.. I know I didn't set gaming as priority, but I think I would need a better graphics card than an integrated ATi card for video/images processing, I had that for my laptop and it sucked. Thanks though. | ||
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BOZZ | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:35 PM |
IDW Posts A Freaking LOT Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 28,412 Member No.: 1,414 Joined: Mar 9th 2004 Location: Update Profile | Well for video processing it was a good choice to take Intel, as I've heard that they are just better at video encoding and such over the AMD. However as Apex Carver mentioned, you could have saved a bit by doing it yourself or having it built for you. I know my current setup (AMD64 X2 3400+ Dual Core, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, GeForce 6600GT) ran me about $1500 Canadian, which is about $1,358.94 USD. |
Möbius | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:36 PM | ||
IDW Top Poster Group: Advanced Members Posts: 33,844 Member No.: 3,524 Joined: Oct 2nd 2004 Location: Update Profile |
Where did you get a 3400+ X2? Is it like a pre-production enginneering sample? | ||
BOZZ | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:41 PM | ||
IDW Posts A Freaking LOT Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 28,412 Member No.: 1,414 Joined: Mar 9th 2004 Location: Update Profile |
Sorry my bad, I keep forgetting it's 3800+ | ||
Möbius | Posted: May 2 2006, 05:50 PM | ||
IDW Top Poster Group: Advanced Members Posts: 33,844 Member No.: 3,524 Joined: Oct 2nd 2004 Location: Update Profile |
Thought so... Working on the AMD build, will post it soon... | ||
Perry | Posted: May 4 2006, 03:09 PM |
Like an eagle! Group: SITE OWNER Posts: 8,014 Member No.: 1 Joined: Sep 15th 2002 Location: San Leandro, California | A little update on my situation. I got my 2.5" to 3.5" harddisk converter yesterday. Hooked it up to the temporary desktop and got all my data back. Though, I can't boot back to Windows on the laptop. Can't format it neither. :\ Maybe I should just go for a new laptop harddrive. This post has been edited by Perry on May 4 2006, 03:12 PM |
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Legend of Speed | Posted: May 4 2006, 03:47 PM |
IDW Goldmember Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,999 Member No.: 1,483 Joined: Mar 21st 2004 Location: CA | Looks good Perry, but I'm not a big fan on Intel at the moment, but it's still a nice PC. I do agree that it would have been better if you build your own PC. At least you got a new PC while I'm stuck on this 1999 HP... |
PhantomaZero | Posted: May 4 2006, 06:57 PM |
I hate this map Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,874 Member No.: 2,007 Joined: Jun 13th 2004 Location: LOL, CA | LOVE the tower you made there Perry! |
Dat Chau | Posted: May 4 2006, 08:00 PM |
Can you believe the idiots I deal with? Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,190 Member No.: 6,608 Joined: Apr 11th 2005 Location: Update Profile | You could do a repair install, because the Windows XP that's already on your HDD isn't used to the chipset in the HP computer. So you'd have to repair install XP and re-install the chipset drivers in order for that version of XP to work. EDIT: Also you may have to re-activate the copy of Windows XP since it does not recognize the parts/perhipherals inside the HP tower. This post has been edited by Dat Chau on May 4 2006, 08:06 PM |
Perry | Posted: May 10 2006, 01:51 AM | ||||
Like an eagle! Group: SITE OWNER Posts: 8,014 Member No.: 1 Joined: Sep 15th 2002 Location: San Leandro, California | UPDATE: Look at the first post. New computer purchased along with specs.
Mmm, I didn't build that tower dude.. I got it straight off the shelf.
The problem was I couldn't even get to the Windows logo loading screen. It just told me one of system folder was corrupted and needed to be repaired. And everytime I tried to repair the corrupted folder in Recovery Console, it freezes up. Now that I've connected the laptop harddrive with the HP computer, I managed to manually replace and overwrite that corrupted folder. Now I can get to the Windows XP welcome screen. However, still no sign of letting me sign in. This post has been edited by Perry on May 10 2006, 01:52 AM | ||||
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r3d$unz | Posted: May 10 2006, 06:03 AM |
GRRRR...YO! Apachai daio~!! Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,369 Member No.: 1,533 Joined: Mar 28th 2004 Location: Update Profile | ^-- I think PZ meant the tower you made to hold the hard disk up Pear |
lance | Posted: May 10 2006, 07:36 AM |
This is my Destiny Group: Advanced Members Posts: 4,173 Member No.: 2,330 Joined: Jul 22nd 2004 Location: UK | ive got the A8N-E mobo too it need s abit updating, coz it keeps showing blue screen of death (well it did on mine ) |
vincentrichter | Posted: May 10 2006, 09:05 AM | ||||
When's Eronight? Group: Advanced Members Posts: 833 Member No.: 4,815 Joined: Dec 30th 2004 Location: East Bay, California |
You could reset the password manually from a Knoppix disc (ISO at kernel.org) after burning the latest image. You can try to "wing it" or contact me for details about locating and properly resetting the SAM file.
I wouldn't be surprised if Perry meant the hard drive support. | ||||
Dat Chau | Posted: May 10 2006, 11:56 AM |
Can you believe the idiots I deal with? Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,190 Member No.: 6,608 Joined: Apr 11th 2005 Location: Update Profile | Well which version of XP does he have? It's easy breaking the password for both versions, just two different ways for two different versions. EDIT: You really didn't need to buy thermal grease/paste because usually if you use the stock fan it should be on the bottom already. This post has been edited by Dat Chau on May 10 2006, 12:03 PM |
Möbius | Posted: May 10 2006, 05:08 PM | ||
IDW Top Poster Group: Advanced Members Posts: 33,844 Member No.: 3,524 Joined: Oct 2nd 2004 Location: Update Profile |
Yes you do... AS5 cuts the CPU temps by at least 5 degrees Celsius... The stock stuff is crap... | ||
BOZZ | Posted: May 10 2006, 05:35 PM |
IDW Posts A Freaking LOT Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 28,412 Member No.: 1,414 Joined: Mar 9th 2004 Location: Update Profile | Nice new setup Perry, I like the CPU and Motherboard you choose. |
crazyman | Posted: May 10 2006, 08:46 PM |
savage as F-U-C-K Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,433 Member No.: 7,882 Joined: May 19th 2005 Location: Bay Area | sick build meyn |
vincentrichter | Posted: May 11 2006, 01:56 AM | ||
When's Eronight? Group: Advanced Members Posts: 833 Member No.: 4,815 Joined: Dec 30th 2004 Location: East Bay, California |
Actually, Arctic can cut it by a lot more than 5 degrees if you don't go by the Apple practice of slathering it on like so much Jergen's at an orgy. It works optimally in a single, THIN coating between the processor and heatsink. | ||
Möbius | Posted: May 11 2006, 05:18 PM | ||
IDW Top Poster Group: Advanced Members Posts: 33,844 Member No.: 3,524 Joined: Oct 2nd 2004 Location: Update Profile |
Dude, I'm not exactly new to this... My overclocked FX-55 is running below 40C load, thank you very much... "At least 5 degrees" means something like "5+ degree drop" That, and the stock temps on the AMD64's are not bad to begin with... BTW, if you apply a thin coating of AS5 on your proccy, you already messed up the application... | ||
PhantomaZero | Posted: May 11 2006, 05:30 PM | ||
I hate this map Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,874 Member No.: 2,007 Joined: Jun 13th 2004 Location: LOL, CA |
I meant, the tower you made to support the hard drive hanging out! | ||
logan510 | Posted: May 11 2006, 07:22 PM | ||
Trolling the 1% Group: Advanced Members Posts: 4,609 Member No.: 5,831 Joined: Feb 27th 2005 Location: Chicago |
Maybe we're having a communication gap here...but I don't understand what you mean by your last comment..could you explain please? Casey | ||
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Möbius | Posted: May 11 2006, 07:26 PM | ||
IDW Top Poster Group: Advanced Members Posts: 33,844 Member No.: 3,524 Joined: Oct 2nd 2004 Location: Update Profile |
On newer proccy's with IHS, the proper way to apply the AS5 is to put a dab of the proper size right in the middle of the IHS, then tighten the heatsink down. This ensures a uniform layer of AS5, free of air bubbles. Spreading the AS5 ( although it was a necessity with older proccy's that did not have IHS ), will result in air bubbles being trapped in it, and lowering the performance. | ||
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