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how is this computer?
- Thread starter A-Team
- Start date
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- Jan 13, 2008
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- 41
I had to upgrade my new tower that came with an integrated GeForce 6150 that was not cutting it. It ran TF2 okay, but I had to run it at 800 x 640, no AA. Having seen the way it ran on a friend's system, I HAD to upgrade my video card. Otherwise though, it looks okay. Hard drive is pitifully small compared to what you get on an entry level PC from DELL et al. No OS is kinda blah. But you can get both a sizeable HDD and passable Vid card for pretty cheap.
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- Feb 18, 2008
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Keep in mind that the $350 to get that shipped to you does not include the OS. I assume you want to be legal, so that will run you at least $80-90.
I gave you those specs before. If you want, we can discuss a different setup that is a bit cheaper but should still perform well.
I gave you those specs before. If you want, we can discuss a different setup that is a bit cheaper but should still perform well.
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- Feb 18, 2008
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Alrighty A-Team. I spent some time this morning pouring over Newegg trying to find the best components to make an inexpensive build. I did my best to make sure that the system would be more than capable to run TF2 and be rock solid while remaining as cheap as possible. Here's what I've come up with:
The cost is higher than the eBay system by $153.15. However, that cost difference gives you a much better system. In all honesty, I don't think you'd be very satisfied with the eBay system.
This build gives you a good graphics card. There are definitely better cards, but this gives you good gaming performance for $60. The other build didn't have a card at all; instead, it relied on built-in graphics on the motherboard. This would have severely hurt your gaming performance.
This build also gives you a dual core processor that runs at 2.5GHz. The other build has a single core that runs at 1.8GHz. That chip might work for today, but it will be a leash on your performance in not too long.
This build also has double the memory running at DDR2 800 speeds. The other build doesn't indicate what speed its RAM is.
I really have no idea what kind of power supply they have in the system you listed. It indicates a 480w power supply, but that could mean anything. As I've said before, the PC Power & Cooling power supplies are top-notch. $80+ probably seems like a lot when you consider that some power supplies are thrown in on the case, but $80 is a small price to pay to protect your components and provide rock-solid stability (no reboots and fewer blue screens of death).
This build has a 250GB SATA drive as opposed to a 80GB IDE drive. The SATA drives are capable of better performance. I don't think I have to tell you the value of having that extra space. You can save some money by getting a cheaper drive, but the 250GB is a great value. An 80GB Seagate drive will run you a little more than $49; that's nearly $.62 per GB. The 250GB runs about $70; for a cost of $.28 per GB. The 250GB is definitely the better value.
This build has a high-speed DVD burner. The other build only had a DVD reader. I looked up the price for the specific drive used in the other build, and it costs about $22. So, for $6 more, you get the ability to burn CDs and DVDs.
Note: Just like the eBay build, this system does not have an OS. As I've said before, that will run you at least another $80.
Tell me what you think.
- *ASUS M2N-E AM2 nForce 570 Ultra MCP $99.99
*AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz 65w $84.99 (I run the same chip.)
*G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 Dual Channel Kit $46.99 (I run 4GB of this stuff. It's great and nearly half off with free shipping right now.)
*XFX GeForce 8400GS 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI-E x16 $59.98
*XION Solaris XON-403 Black with Green LED Lights $39.99 (Same case)
*PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470w $83.21
*Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATA II w/ 16MB cache $69.99
*Samsung Black DVD Burner $27.99
The cost is higher than the eBay system by $153.15. However, that cost difference gives you a much better system. In all honesty, I don't think you'd be very satisfied with the eBay system.
This build gives you a good graphics card. There are definitely better cards, but this gives you good gaming performance for $60. The other build didn't have a card at all; instead, it relied on built-in graphics on the motherboard. This would have severely hurt your gaming performance.
This build also gives you a dual core processor that runs at 2.5GHz. The other build has a single core that runs at 1.8GHz. That chip might work for today, but it will be a leash on your performance in not too long.
This build also has double the memory running at DDR2 800 speeds. The other build doesn't indicate what speed its RAM is.
I really have no idea what kind of power supply they have in the system you listed. It indicates a 480w power supply, but that could mean anything. As I've said before, the PC Power & Cooling power supplies are top-notch. $80+ probably seems like a lot when you consider that some power supplies are thrown in on the case, but $80 is a small price to pay to protect your components and provide rock-solid stability (no reboots and fewer blue screens of death).
This build has a 250GB SATA drive as opposed to a 80GB IDE drive. The SATA drives are capable of better performance. I don't think I have to tell you the value of having that extra space. You can save some money by getting a cheaper drive, but the 250GB is a great value. An 80GB Seagate drive will run you a little more than $49; that's nearly $.62 per GB. The 250GB runs about $70; for a cost of $.28 per GB. The 250GB is definitely the better value.
This build has a high-speed DVD burner. The other build only had a DVD reader. I looked up the price for the specific drive used in the other build, and it costs about $22. So, for $6 more, you get the ability to burn CDs and DVDs.
Note: Just like the eBay build, this system does not have an OS. As I've said before, that will run you at least another $80.
Tell me what you think.
Nice set up Chris ^^...psu seems good just that some of the reviews seem to say ti runs hot since the whole design of bringing in air...but A-Team if you'd like an alternative for the psu here's one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012 - $83.21
OCZ is a good brand, this psu is 500w...i dont know the actual output but its usually within 10 watts to that. Doesn't have as good warranty but still its a pretty good psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012 - $83.21
OCZ is a good brand, this psu is 500w...i dont know the actual output but its usually within 10 watts to that. Doesn't have as good warranty but still its a pretty good psu
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2008
- Messages
- 616
[quote1201661943=SubArtic]Nice set up Chris ^^...psu seems good just that some of the reviews seem to say ti runs hot since the whole design of bringing in air...[/quote1201661943]
The person who posted that review doesn't know how cooling or power supplies work. The PSU doesn't draw air in, it expels air. It would seem logical that the system would be hotter because of the smaller fan (80mm versus the typical bottom-mounted 120mm), but the reason they have the setup this way is actually quite intentional. In order for PSU manufactures to get a 120mm fan to fit in the bottom, the have to chop off most of the usable area of the heatsinks. The PC Power & Cooling power supplies have full-size heatsinks to ensure that the crucial components of the PSU stay properly cooled. Most PSU instabilities in better quality units is from a lack of proper heat dissipation, this isn't an issue for PC Power & Cooling supplies however.
There is a downside however. Many people rely on the PSU to act as a secondary cooler for their processor. It is true that the ATX spec specifies that power supplies are to help ventilation, but they were never intended to ensure proper ventilation for the CPU. The best way to ensure that there isn't a deadspot of air under your power supply is to get a case that has a 92mm fan, at minimum, exhausting air out the rear of the case rather than relying on the power supply to do that work for you at the expense of the PSU's own cooling abilities.
A-Team, you are more than welcome. Let me know if you have any questions.
The person who posted that review doesn't know how cooling or power supplies work. The PSU doesn't draw air in, it expels air. It would seem logical that the system would be hotter because of the smaller fan (80mm versus the typical bottom-mounted 120mm), but the reason they have the setup this way is actually quite intentional. In order for PSU manufactures to get a 120mm fan to fit in the bottom, the have to chop off most of the usable area of the heatsinks. The PC Power & Cooling power supplies have full-size heatsinks to ensure that the crucial components of the PSU stay properly cooled. Most PSU instabilities in better quality units is from a lack of proper heat dissipation, this isn't an issue for PC Power & Cooling supplies however.
There is a downside however. Many people rely on the PSU to act as a secondary cooler for their processor. It is true that the ATX spec specifies that power supplies are to help ventilation, but they were never intended to ensure proper ventilation for the CPU. The best way to ensure that there isn't a deadspot of air under your power supply is to get a case that has a 92mm fan, at minimum, exhausting air out the rear of the case rather than relying on the power supply to do that work for you at the expense of the PSU's own cooling abilities.
A-Team, you are more than welcome. Let me know if you have any questions.
