First Build-College PC

runbird05 · 05-24-2005, 01:26 AM

I'm heading to college this fall, and I've decided to go the build it route for my computer, partly to build a quality machine, partly to have something different than a Dell or HP, and partly just for the experience. This will be a large amount of the entertainment in my dorm room, as I plan to use it for gaming, music, and probably some movie watching in addition to normal stuff like web browsing and school work. I'm willing to spend a fair amount of money to make sure I get quality parts that'll work well and last a while, so my budget ceiling is approximately 2000USD. This is for a complete set up though, i.e. speakers, monitor, printer and everything else. That said, here is the line-up that I'm pretty set upon, but I thought I'd expose it to everybody's comments and suggestions.

CPU: AMD Athlon64 3500+, stock HS/fan

MOBO: Asus A8N-e NF4-U

RAM: pqi 512x2 DDR400

Video Card: Powercolor X800XL

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 200GB Serial ATA150

Monitor: LG L1980U

Case: Thermaltake Tsunami

Power Supply: Antec TRUE430

Speakers: Logitech Z-3e 40w (low wattage bc I don't need to disturb my neighbors too much)

In addition to the main components, a SB Audigy2 ZS, a 16x DVD-Rom and DVD burner, and other things like mouse and printer bring the total to 1900USD with shipping included, all from newegg (I realize there are other dealers, but newegg's service and prices are very hard to beat). Also, I'll be using a 9 dollar copy of windows xp pro through my school for the os.

One additional note, I don't really plan on overclocking this, so I'm getting parts that will meet my performance needs without worrying about losing part life and such, which is also why I'm using stock cooling and such.

So, please offer any comments or advice on anything from part quality and performance to pricing. Thanks in advance!

damasta55r · 05-24-2005, 02:25 AM

I would go for an AMD 64 3700+ sAN dIEGO. Better ram. Corsair 2x512 for $169. What about the case?

4W4K3 · 05-24-2005, 02:30 AM

unless you plan on overclocking getting expensive low latency RAM is a waste. ValueRAM will do just as well, and the PQi is inbetween value and overkill...so i think its perfect.

crashman009 · 05-24-2005, 02:39 AM

the case is listed
its right in ur face and u cant see it

**Praetor** · 05-24-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Corsair 2x512 for $169.

Corsair what?

Quote:

its right in ur face and u cant see it

No need to get hostile.

Have a look at the CPU101 and RAM101

05-24-2005, 01:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
runbird05 Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Central Ohio Posts: 27	First Build-College PC I'm heading to college this fall, and I've decided to go the build it route for my computer, partly to build a quality machine, partly to have something different than a Dell or HP, and partly just for the experience. This will be a large amount of the entertainment in my dorm room, as I plan to use it for gaming, music, and probably some movie watching in addition to normal stuff like web browsing and school work. I'm willing to spend a fair amount of money to make sure I get quality parts that'll work well and last a while, so my budget ceiling is approximately 2000USD. This is for a complete set up though, i.e. speakers, monitor, printer and everything else. That said, here is the line-up that I'm pretty set upon, but I thought I'd expose it to everybody's comments and suggestions. CPU: AMD Athlon64 3500+, stock HS/fan MOBO: Asus A8N-e NF4-U RAM: pqi 512x2 DDR400 Video Card: Powercolor X800XL HDD: Seagate Barracuda 200GB Serial ATA150 Monitor: LG L1980U Case: Thermaltake Tsunami Power Supply: Antec TRUE430 Speakers: Logitech Z-3e 40w (low wattage bc I don't need to disturb my neighbors too much) In addition to the main components, a SB Audigy2 ZS, a 16x DVD-Rom and DVD burner, and other things like mouse and printer bring the total to 1900USD with shipping included, all from newegg (I realize there are other dealers, but newegg's service and prices are very hard to beat). Also, I'll be using a 9 dollar copy of windows xp pro through my school for the os. One additional note, I don't really plan on overclocking this, so I'm getting parts that will meet my performance needs without worrying about losing part life and such, which is also why I'm using stock cooling and such. So, please offer any comments or advice on anything from part quality and performance to pricing. Thanks in advance!

05-24-2005, 02:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
4W4K3 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lewisville, TX Age: 20 Posts: 6,875	unless you plan on overclocking getting expensive low latency RAM is a waste. ValueRAM will do just as well, and the PQi is inbetween value and overkill...so i think its perfect. __________________ My Computer I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe. Can I eat your brain? FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

05-24-2005, 02:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
crashman009 New Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 18 Posts: 23	the case is listed its right in ur face and u cant see it __________________ Neon Pimptower #4 · Dragon ATX Case · AMD Athlon64 processor 3200+ · ASUS k8v SE deluxe Motherboard · Windows XP PRofessionel w/sp2 · 1GB DDR400 PC 3200 · 120 GB IDE Ultra ATA 7200rpm Hard Drive GeForce FX5700 256mb · Soundblaster Live 5.1 PCI Sound Card · Ultra 500 watt PSU

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05-24-2005, 02:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
damasta55r banned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hawaii Age: 18 Posts: 71	I would go for an AMD 64 3700+ sAN dIEGO. Better ram. Corsair 2x512 for $169. What about the case?