Build/Buy: I just want the *%$# to fly!

[Goet]

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE BETWEEN BUILD PIECE BY PIECE OR BAREBONES BUILD/PACKAGE DEAL.

Here it is. I really only want an internet, work-at-home pc. I don't need to burn cds, make movies, game the night away, or anything seriously taxing. I, however, want the damn thing to instantly MOVE when I click. I am just so fed up with lag and crashing!

Cheap budget... as cheap as possible.
I've never built one before, but I'm sure I could figure it out.

Basic requirements:

1) Office stuff, spreadsheets, pwpt, etc.
2) Internet capable, high speed. I want the pics to fly when I click.
3) I run 3-8 open programs/windows at once, so I need a system that can handle my mutlitasking. Unfortunately, I find that the slower the system, the more windows I have to have open to keep myself busy---> thus, more crashing.
4) Upgradeable, thus very little integrated junk.

I would really appreciate anyone telling me what I should be looking for parts-wise. Again, I'm just looking for a VERY capable office platform. I have no idea what chip I should even start with.

Signed,

BSOD-Weary

 

[mgoldb2]

you did a good job of telling us intent but your definition of cheap would be helpful. It hard to make recomendation till we know a ball park figure of how much money you willing to spend.

Most likly if the budget high enough you want a pentium 4 with HT.

2) Internet capable, high speed. I want the pics to fly when I click.

webpages can only go as fast as the internet connection so we can only tell you that the computer can handle high speed not if it will go fast.

 

[Goet]

ballpark, more than a hundred, less than a thousand. Really, I'll save for what I need-- just don't want to spend more than needed.

BTW, I've had dsl and cable modems on a SLOOOOOW computer and it made little difference if the graphics couldn't keep up with my clicker finger. It will be connected to cable, so it will be fast. I'm just wanting it to handle many pages, as fast as possible with as little lag time (i.e. loading pages from the top down in pieces--like this pos I'm on does.
So, if it's cheaper and can keep up with 6 active browsers loading heavy graphics and several programs, hallelujah.


I should probably just ask a simple question. What chip, basic setup should I start with?

 

[flame1117]

you say less then 1000? is that like 950$ or like way less then 1000?

going very very fast and being cheap kind of contradict each other.

 

[Goet]

LOL

By fast, all I'm asking is that it load graph/pics quickly and not crash with multiple programs.

And cost--the lower the better, but I'll save for what is necessary.

 

[mgoldb2]

You proberly can get a pentium 3.0GHZ(200fsb) with HT for $1000.

well let see what I can come up with for $1000 or less

Asus skt775 motherboard $102
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-529&depa=0

pentium 4 3ghz $180
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-200&depa=1

1gb DDR ram $146
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-513&depa=1

video card x300 $76
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=14-125-148&DEPA=1

harddrive 200GB $122
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-148-032&DEPA=1

cd drive $36
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-979&depa=1

floppy $10
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-152-005&depa=0

Case and psu of choice under $200

Total: $872

Am more of a amd guy so if any one can do better go ahead but I think this would be a solid machine that good for bussiness and mutitasking. I try to keep the budget as low as possiable and maintain good performance.

you can save some money on harddrive by getting smaller if you dont need such a big one. case and psu proberly cost alot less then 200 togeather but in the total I put it as if you was spending 200 on it.

 

[Goet]

What would you change if you were to go AMD? I'd probably get a smaller drive. Don't have that many pics.

I'm just clueless when it comes to matching part with part. Wouldn't want to have a kickbutt chip, motherboard, etc, and then have it bottlenecked because of some mediocre other piece.

 

[mgoldb2]

What would you change if you were to go AMD? I'd probably get a smaller drive. Don't have that many pics.

Well if I went amd the difference would be motherboard and cpu of corse. everything else would still work with amd. For your needs intel better choise. The hyperthreading in intel is a advantage when you mutitasking. The reason am more familiar with AMD is because most people I deal with are making gaming computer which amd excells at.

 

[flame1117]

i would go for a AMD, and if all you need is things to load quickly and not crash i would just buy a PC.

 

[Lax]

Stick to Intel like Mgold said. Intel is good with processor intensive stuff (like multitasking and opening many windows). As for the memory you might want to look for a little high BUS capable like Kingston or Crucial. The GEIL and Corsair are good for AMD systems but not so much for Intel. And as always I recommend ZZF if you are in NJ, CA, or any other place where NewEgg has a shipping facility.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80803-1
176$ Free Shipping (3.0Ghz Prescott)

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80097-20
191$ but you're paying for the name and extra speed

For a mobo it depends on if you want stability or the ability to OC. As what you've been saying it looks like you want stability and in that case I'd say Intel, but I don't have much experience with their boards, I've only heard from others.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101212-315006-1
200Gb 110$ with round cable, New

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=370441
64.99$ 480W (always changeable but 400-450W is standard in my mind)

Video card looks ok to me, you can't really beat that price.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=170630
LiteOn 52x32x52 burner 27.75$

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141503
Generic mid tower case with a PSU (which you don't HAVE to use) 29.99$
That's the only thing that would cost shipping because of the weight.

That looks about it, The grand total would be around 650-700$ somewhere.

 

[Goet]

awesome! thanks
Quick question: considering all I'm doing is internet, office junk, how important is a video card? I don't want integrated junk... just wanting to know how high to go and what kind of effect they would have on my needs.

thanks again

 

[mgoldb2]

awesome! thanks
Quick question: considering all I'm doing is internet, office junk, how important is a video card? I don't want integrated junk... just wanting to know how high to go and what kind of effect they would have on my needs.
thanks again

Video card not important at all for what you doing. The radeon x300 will handle what you doing perfectly fine.

 

[Adam Warren]

Video card not important at all for what you doing. The radeon x300 will handle what you doing perfectly fine.

agreed

 

[Funzo6785]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-218&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-464&depa=1 (You'll fly with that!)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-161-627&depa=1 (3-7 programs=no problem )

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-186&depa=1 (good budget card)

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-106-818&DEPA=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-162-027&depa=1 (if demands change, psu will be solid)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-398&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=24-116-330&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=36-150-014&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-152-001&depa=1

$877.38
the proccesor is just slight overkill, but if it can fit your budget, hey, why not have a lightning fast CPU?

 

[Lax]

A. Never heard of Wintec
B. Would never trust an Epox board
C. He has no need for an AMD that will get 200FPs on games he won't be playing.
D. No need for a sound system if he's in an office environment (unless he's doing a lot of sound editing).
E. No need for a monitor cause he prolly could buy one for cheaper near him (shipping from newegg would be astronomical).
F. What's the point of buying a floppy drive when you can buy a CD-RW for 10$ more?
and G. Why buy a more expensive system from Newegg when he can get something almost exactly the same from ZZF?

P.S. That graphics card would be fine for running normal programs and such but the X300 would be better for graphical and video editing.

 

[sho95]

As far for the ram go with this http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-440&depa=1
they work great in dual mode.

 

[Praetor]

i would go for a AMD

Hmmm why?

and if all you need is things to load quickly and not crash I would just buy a PC.

Ok nevermind I see im not gonna get anywhere

but you're paying for the name and extra speed

The extra speed wont be noticeable by humans man ... not if yer loading webpages

64.99$ 480W (always changeable but 400-450W is standard in my mind)

Contrary to what I may have reccomended in the past, Tt doesnt know how to make power supplies. 18A on the 12V rail is piddly (rest of the specs can found here http://www.dealsonic.com/thw0xasipu482.html. Ironically the PSU which claims ATX 1.1 and ATX 2.03 compliance violates the spec:
- ATX 2.03 requires two +12V rails with a tolerance of ±5% ... the Tt has one +12V rail and a tolerance of ±10%
- ATX 1.3 specifications provide a minimum efficiency of 70% .. that comes in at 65% (not as big a deal though)


Funzo6785:
- you do realize you just reccomended an EPOX K8T800 motherboard......
- you also realize you reccomended a dual channel kit for a non-dual channel CPU ....

the proccesor is just slight overkill, but if it can fit your budget, hey, why not have a lightning fast CPU?

Because the Intel box is more suited for it.

Never heard of Wintec

Nothing fancy, basic memory company similar to Apacer etc

Would never trust an Epox board

There's like one exception to that rule (and this isnt that exception case )

 

[Lax]

The extra speed wont be noticeable by humans man ... not if yer loading webpages

Good point on that, base (generic) memory would be fine for it if he's not doing anything intense.

Contrary to what I may have reccomended in the past, Tt doesnt know how to make power supplies. 18A on the 12V rail is piddly (rest of the specs can found here http://www.dealsonic.com/thw0xasipu482.html. Ironically the PSU which claims ATX 1.1 and ATX 2.03 compliance violates the spec:
- ATX 2.03 requires two +12V rails with a tolerance of ±5% ... the Tt has one +12V rail and a tolerance of ±10%
- ATX 1.3 specifications provide a minimum efficiency of 70% .. that comes in at 65% (not as big a deal though)

I always thought Tt made some nice power supplies but it seems I won't be buying from them again. Would Enermax, Antec, and Artec still be some safe choices?

 

[Praetor]

I always thought Tt made some nice power supplies but it seems I won't be buying from them again. Would Enermax, Antec, and Artec still be some safe choices?

I always thought they made overpriced, bling-bling PSUs but at least they had looks and performance ... and then i used a multimeter and found out otherwise Enermax and Antec are still generally good (do note the Antec TrueBlue is nothing like the Antec TruePower) .. not familiar enough with Artec

I should note that, while theres nothing wrong with 18A on the 12V rail ... for a name as reputable as TT I would have expected more...

 

[xDarkWizardx]

I always thought they made overpriced, bling-bling PSUs but at least they had looks and performance ...

Whats life without bling bling

If all you wanted to do was surf the web and use programs like Excel and such then I would buy a Dell. They are offering deals with everything you need in a computer and a monitor for $399 after rebate. Your not gonna beat that price by building a computer yourself.