Office setup

[Charlie7940]

I had a different thread about installing the OS, titled "First Startup" which can be found at: http://computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=11706. Now about the hardware, here's what I'm debating about:

My parents currently have a Dell 4700, and like the setup. It has a P4 2.8 Ghz with HT, 40 gig HDD, 256 pc3200 ram, and integrated graphics/sound. For office use, my dad said he wants sorta the same setup that will perform just like the dell, however he's gonna let me build a computer. Here's a decent setup I picked out, let me know the pros/cons of it. It's kinda like the ones I have built in the past:

Mobo: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241581

CPU+Fan/HS: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80698-R

Memory: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-6

HDD: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101206

Video Card: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321001

Case: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-150-017&depa=1

PSU: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270013

DVD-RW: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=170263

Well here's my main question(s):

Will this machine perform as good (if not better) than the Dell 4700? I chose AMD because it was a bit cheaper than Intel. My dad wants to be able to do some photo editing, and just have a good all around reliable office computer. Also, could I do away with a video card and just get by with the integrated graphics?

I apologize for the length of the post

 

[mgoldb2]

Is this suppose to be a upgrade from the dell? or just a secound computer? I ask because it not really worth the money to upgrade to this setup. In some cases you might even see less performance from this setup from the dell. For office use the penitum 4 2.8 with HT has a advantage because of the HT.

The setup not bad if it just for a secound computer but if you give a budget we might be able to find better for you. The 512 ram might make it perform better then the dell depending on how much your normle ram usuage is.

Also it worth considering saving a little money and get a sempron 3100+ skt 754. proberly about $10 cheaper then the athlon 64 2800+ and performs about the same.

 

[Tha Killa]

Also, could I do away with a video card and just get by with the integrated graphics?

Yes, I would just go for the integrated graphics card since he isn't gaming, and probably won't make his computer faster anyways.

I apologize for the length of the post

Doesn't matter.

 

[Charlie7940]

Is this suppose to be a upgrade from the dell? or just a secound computer?

Just a second computer...his current office pc finally died on him after 5 years.

As for the budget...we would like to keep it under $550 USD. The setup above is about $530...we already have a monitor + OS.

 

[dansilva]

i know this is off the topic...and this one goes for "Tha Killa" what is that football clip it looks like a sick challange, where did u get it from? and what match was that?

thanks

 

[Charlie7940]

Please...take that somewhere else. Send him a PM if you want.

To get back on topic:

So you guys think he could get by with integrated graphics? Also, is the difference between a P4 with HT as opposed to without it a big difference?

 

[Charlie7940]

Also, would upgrading to an AMD 64 3000 improve the performance a lot? Or at least enough to surpass the dell?

 

[Bobo]

Also, would upgrading to an AMD 64 3000 improve the performance a lot? Or at least enough to surpass the dell?

Performance would be better, but probably not by a lot. But I would go with 64-bit anyway, the world is supposed to go 64-bit mid this year, with all new software, and OSes, and all that. But, just my opinion. And, if you can afford it, don't get a sempron. It is the AMD equivelent of a Celeron. (ugh! )

 

[Charlie7940]

But I would go with 64-bit anyway, the world is supposed to go 64-bit mid this year,

Well from my understanding most P4's are are 64-bit already. Also, if I do go with the AMD64 3000 CPU, is a power supply of 400W overkill? It has a 20A off the +12V rail. Here's a pic:

 

[Charlie7940]

Well i just read PSU101 ...should of done that before. I learned I can get a better PSU that what I posted above. Under the reccomendations section, I picked out this one:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-444&depa=0

My one concern is, do I need the PFC feature? And is 370W enough to power the system? My dad uses a computer every day for work, and can't afford to have things die out on him.

(a) it creates lots of noise (be it EMI or RFI) which generically is bad and/or (b) introduces voltage drops after every peak [of the AC sine curve]. What this means in English is that the amount of available power is reduced (which is bad)

 

[Charlie7940]

Well I believe I've made my final decisions on what we are going to get:

MOBO = http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241581

CPU = http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-R

MEMORY = http://http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-6

HDD = http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101206

DVDRW = http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-039&depa=0

CASE = http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-150-017&depa=1

PSU = http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-444&depa=0

Total = $471 shipping included - forget my previous budget request, this is looking pretty good

Before I purchase this possibly later today, I still have a few unanswered questions I am concerned about:

1. Is all this hardware compatible with each other?
2. Basically is this a good system for the price?
3. Is the motherboard/cpu a good combo?
4. Do I need the PFC feature on the PSU, and I believe 370W is enough but is it?
5. Does this mobo come with integrated video/sound and will that be good enough just to run an office pc?
6. Will this pc perform as good (if not better) than the dell 4700?

 

[Charlie7940]

LoL I feel as if I'm talking to myself Can someone at least comment on the mobo? I know very little about them...is Chaintech a good brand?

 

[Praetor]

CPU+Fan/HS

Since Zipzoomfly doesnt specify the OPN code, I cant tell what the packaging info on that chip is but avoid A64s without the heatspreader.

PSU:

Weak on the 12V rail -- see the PSU101 for some superior (and cheaper) PSUs

Will this machine perform as good (if not better) than the Dell 4700? I chose AMD because it was a bit cheaper than Intel. My dad wants to be able to do some photo editing, and just have a good all around reliable office computer. Also, could I do away with a video card and just get by with the integrated graphics?

- Going with the non-integrated video allows for a lot more flexibility
- The machine will easily perform on par with the 4700

Yes, I would just go for the integrated graphics card since he isn't gaming, and probably won't make his computer faster anyways.

Do they have NF3-250 boards with integrated video? (cuz the integrated video isnt worth the shift to Via)

i know this is off the topic...and this one goes for "Tha Killa" what is that football clip it looks like a sick challange, where did u get it from? and what match was that?

Take it to a PM

Also, is the difference between a P4 with HT as opposed to without it a big difference?

Its a noticeable difference

It is the AMD equivelent of a Celeron.

Actually, it isnt.

Well I just read PSU101 ...should of done that before.

Hehe

My one concern is, do I need the PFC feature? And is 370W enough to power the system? My dad uses a computer every day for work, and can't afford to have things die out on him.

PFC is overrated. If its a $5 price delta than go for it ... if its like $40 ... dont bother. I explained it in the 101 -- lots of kickass PSUs dont have it -- like the OCZ PowerStream 520 for instance

LoL I feel as if I'm talking to myself Can someone at least comment on the mobo?

We dont live here

Well I believe I've made my final decisions on what we are going to get

Well yer gonna find that yer memory doesnt exist

and I believe 370W is enough but is it?

Read the 101 ... if the amps hold then the rest will fall inline

 

[Charlie7940]

Weak on the 12V rail -- see the PSU101 for some superior (and cheaper) PSUs

I believe I picked out this PSU from PSU101. The twin +12Vrails are additive correct? In the article it has it listed at 12V1@14A. +12V2@13A. Then when I click on the link provided the PSU it says its only +12V@14A. So I think either the text/link is wrong or maybe I'm missing something.

EDIT: I chose this one instead, also reccommended in PSU101...XClio 450W 450BL. This may sound stupid, but is 450W too much power?

 

[Charlie7940]

Man sry guys...one more question. The mobo I originally picked out does not have onboard video. I chose to shoot for this one instead:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-480&depa=1

Will the PSU I posted in my last post connect to this mobo? It says it has a 20-pin connector or something and I'm not sure what the mobo has.

 

[Praetor]

I believe I picked out this PSU from PSU101.

See which PSU im quoting (the very first one you picked) ... I went from the top of the post to the bottom of the post

EDIT: I chose this one instead, also reccommended in PSU101...XClio 450W 450BL. This may sound stupid, but is 450W too much power?

If I recall the price jump is $3 or something, might as well get the 450

It says it has a 20-pin connector or something and I'm not sure what the mobo has.

The motherboard uses 20pin

If you can fit non-integrated video into the budget, go for it (simply because there isnt, to my knowledge

 

[Charlie7940]

See which PSU im quoting (the very first one you picked)

Enermax 370W EG375PE-VE-SFMA
Cost: $40.99
Rails: +3.3V@30A, +5V@32A, +12V1@14A. +12V2@13A
Hold Time: 17ms
Cooling: 2x80mm
PFC: No
Mobo: 20pin
Comments: An affordable, quiet PSU featuring twin rails.

If you can fit non-integrated video into the budget, go for it

It's not my computer, I'm just building it for my dad. Maybe I can put like an fx5200 like I originally planned, unless you can reccommend something better or cheaper that can move office work around faster. The reason I hesitate to buy a video card is he said the dell works great for what he needs to do, and it has integrated graphics.

 

[Charlie7940]

Ahh hes not to happy with spending an extra $45 on a video card. hmm...will a 64mb card work? I understand the benefits of having a video card, but can we at least do without one and just use the onboard video? Like will the system actually run good enough for an office computer?