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red_over_blue
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Joined: 16 Dec 2002
Posts: 310
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 Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:38 am Post subject: What's wrong with this system? |
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* Changes made to this post to reflect comments/suggestions made *
Hi. I have been tasked by my friends to come up with the "best bang for the buck" system for them, as a few of them are now looking to purchase their first computer. I always seem to get this job, but I don't mind helping them out. Anyway, now I'm asking your help to tell me what you think of my suggestions, and if I am missing anything obvious, or if you have better alternatives in a similar price range. I am living in Canada, so that is definitely a factor. I don't want to suggest some components, and end up paying an arm and a leg in border fees. Anyway, to the point, here are the components I chose. Oh, BTW, they will be running Windows XP, and in no way are going to let me install Linux on their machines. I prefer it this way anyway, since they won't be calling me for tech support 
Motherboard:
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Gigabyte 7NF-RZ nVidia Socket A ATX Motherboard /Audio / AGP 8x/4x / 10/100 Ethernet LAN / USB 2.0
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1194265&sku=G452-2002
Price: $80.99 CDN = 66.56 US
Processor:
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AMD Athlon XP3000+ / 512KB Cache / 333MHz FSB / Socket A / Barton Core / Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=513326&sku=CP2-XP30003BC
Price: $202.99 CDN = 166.83 US
Video Card:
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Asus GeForce FX 5200 / 128MB DDR / AGP 8X / VGA / DVI / TV Out / Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1163910&sku=A455-7004
Price: $80.99 CDN = $66.56 US
Optical Drive:
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Plextor PX-716ASW / 4x16x DVD+RW DL / 16x8x16x DVD+RW / 16x4x16x DVD-RW / 48x24x48x CD-RW / DVD Burner
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1112233&CatId=482
Price: $150.99 CDN = 124.09 US
Memory:
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Kingston Dual Channel 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory (2 x 256MB)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=84386&CatId=1352
Price: $114.99 CDN = 93.91 US
Monitor:
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Samsung 710N-Black / 17-Inch / 1280 x 1024 / 12ms / Black / LCD Monitor
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=923567&CatId=167
Price: $361.99 = 297.50 US
Keyboard/Mouse Combo (Wireless):
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Logitech LX300 Cordless Desktop Keyboard and Optical Mouse Combo
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1022195&CatId=1482
Price: $63.99 CDN = 52.59 US
Case w/ Power Supply:
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Diablo ATX Mid-Tower Case with 450Watt Power Supply, Front Neon Lights, Front USB and Audio Ports
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=720575&Sku=D15-1010
Price: $67.99 CDN = 55.87 US
Hard Drive:
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Seagate / 80GB / 7200 / 2MB / ATA-100 / EIDE Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=520067&CatId=523
Price: $91.99 CDN = 75.13 US
Ok, so the total price is $1216.91 CDN = 993.92 US. So, what do you think? Any comments, even just to say, "Yeah, that looks good" or "You forgot the flux capacitor, your idiot!" are welcome.
Thanks.
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Last edited by red_over_blue on Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:22 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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nonotme
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Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 356
Location: on.ca
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:29 am Post subject: |
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maybe i'm just blind, but they might like a hard disk too 
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hw-tph
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Joined: 08 Jan 2004
Posts: 768
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:42 am Post subject: |
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Two 256MB RAM modules instead of a single 512MB would let you utilize the dual channel feature of the nforce2 chipset. This increases memory access performance.
I have an Abit NF7-S revision 2 board. It works well and most nforce2 boards now provide excellent bang for the buck.
Håkan |
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red_over_blue
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Joined: 16 Dec 2002
Posts: 310
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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nonotme: Thanks... I had one picked out but forgot to bookmark it, so it didn't make it into the list 
hw-tph: I took your suggestion. Thanks alot. I have to admit I haven't been able to keep up with memory technology for quite some time.
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logon
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Joined: 22 May 2002
Posts: 182
Location: Bonn / NRW Germany
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know if this is what you want to hear, but i couldn't resist. How can you suggest that ugly tower. |
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red_over_blue
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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logon 
Well, that part is subjective . I'm more interested in the fact that it comes with a 450 Watt power supply for only $55 US. It wouldn't be my first choice either, but I wanted them to have the choice of a little eye-candy if they wished.
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kaji
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 20 Jan 2004
Posts: 87
Location: Connecticut, USA, Terra, Sol, Milky Way
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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i wouold suggest newegg.com insted, they have better prices on so many items and, for the most part, a wider selection. not to mention great service. i do not know if they ship to canada but you can check it out.
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logon
Apprentice
Joined: 22 May 2002
Posts: 182
Location: Bonn / NRW Germany
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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You really think you need such a power supply for that little hardware?
Imho it's not all about the xxxW when it comes to power supplys. Of course the tower is a question of its own and when it comes to taste... But I for myself don't see the reason for such a power supply in a system like that. Or did i miss the 16TB Raid 5 Disk Array powered by this very supply?
Getting a good power supply with little noise and good stable voltage is much more important.
But maybe one of you guys can teach me the reason anyone need 500W power supplys our days. |
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bet1m
l33t
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Kosova/Prishtine
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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why fx 5200?
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red_over_blue
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Joined: 16 Dec 2002
Posts: 310
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| Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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logon: That's why I'm asking for help here. Do you think a 300 Watt power supply would be sufficient? I'm really looking for help from people with more experience than I.
bet1m: What do you suggest? Like I tried to elude to, I've really been out of the loop for a while, and simply don't have the time to keep up anymore. What would you consider the best bang for the buck in video cards right now?
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