where to get info for processors...

Double Helix

Double Helix

New Member
I want to build a computer ( desktop ) from scratch but want to read up on the best processes, motherboards, ram ETC...

Any good websites anyone can recommend that has done reviews ?
 
Tom's Hardware usally has good reviews.

Here would be good as well. We can help you build the best rig within your budget. :)
 
^ SysMark is somewhat flawed, IMO. Notice how the .13GHz difference in the i7 965 and 975 made a bigger difference than the two cores, 4 threads, .5MB L2 cache, and 4MB L3 cache that the 980X adds. Also, the i5 670 beat the i7 860...wtf? And how the heck are the E8500 and E8600 up so high?

I'd take Passmark over that any day...
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
 
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Drenlin said:
Tom's Hardware usally has good reviews.

Here would be good as well. We can help you build the best rig within your budget. :)
Click to expand...

Simply all i want to do is build 2 work stations,nothing crazy no gaming just surf the web, write up invoices...etc

Its for a friends business who's running on a 8 year comp, i told him computers are like dog years...your outdated :)
 
Double Helix said:
Simply all i want to do is build 2 work stations,nothing crazy no gaming just surf the web, write up invoices...etc

Its for a friends business who's running on a 8 year comp, i told him computers are like dog years...your outdated :)
Click to expand...

So, what is your budget?
 
^ That

And what are you planning on doing with it work-wise? If it's just office apps you'll be fine with a low-power computer, but if it's actually a workstation, as in an editing machine or something, then you'll want something considerably more powerful.
 
Drenlin said:
^ That

And what are you planning on doing with it work-wise? If it's just office apps you'll be fine with a low-power computer, but if it's actually a workstation, as in an editing machine or something, then you'll want something considerably more powerful.
Click to expand...

no editing or gaming, just surf the web, check email, transfer pictures...etc
 
I'd go for these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220021

The atom 330 is a dual-core version of the Atom found in netbooks. With hyperthreading, that makes it kind of like a little brother to the i3...2 cores, 4 threads. The ION platform combines that with the GeForce 9400M GPU chip. This is PLENTY of power for what's being done. This platform can even handle many games.

The real bonus, though, is that they'll use probably 30W each at the very most...usually more like 10-15. That will save a whole lot on the power bill versus running 2 full-size desktops.

The only thing they lack is disk drives, so at least one of these would be good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106329
 
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Drenlin said:
I'd go for these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220021

The atom 330 is a dual-core version of the Atom found in netbooks. With hyperthreading, that makes it kind of like a little brother to the i3...2 cores, 4 threads. The ION platform combines that with the GeForce 9400M GPU chip. This is PLENTY of power for what's being done. This platform can even handle many games.

The real bonus, though, is that they'll use probably 30W each at the very most...usually more like 10-15. That will save a whole lot on the power bill versus running 8 full-size desktops.

The only thing they lack is disk drives, so at least one of these would be good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106329
Click to expand...

Ive seen another ASUS version of this and its pretty nice...its pretty much like a laptop, but i was hoping to build a PC, so i can eventually swap the graphics card..cant do that with this. but def a awesome part
 
" The real bonus, though, is that they'll use probably 30W each at the very most...usually more like 10-15. That will save a whole lot on the power bill versus running 8 full-size desktops. "

Whats a normal PC use ? or a gaming built PC
 
I see...yeah, no GPU swaps with those, lol. The problem here is that unless you already have an OS somehow, you really only have $300 to work with...that's difficult. This is the best I can come up with:

Drenlin said:
*
CPU- Athlon II x3 425- $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103726

Motherboard- ECS Black Series A785GM-M- $95 ($20 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135241

RAM- 2Gb Giskill DDR3 1333- $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231252

Hard Drive- Samsung Spinpoint F3 250Gb- $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152226

Cd Drive- Asus DVD burner- $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Power Supply- OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W- $71 ($25 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Case- Rosewill R223-P-BK- $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147109

OS- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 OEM- $96 (#10 rebate)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011180

Total cost- $486 shipped, $431 after rebates



Possible upgrades:

CPU- Athlon II x4 630- $100 (+ $30 over the 425)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

OS- Windows 7 Pro 64 OEM- $130/$10 rebate (+ $34 over Home Premium)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011182

RAM- Kingston 2x2GB DDR3-1333- $95 (+ $40 over the 2GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134792
Click to expand...

The HD 4200 IGP is actually surprisingly potent. It can handle light gaming at stock speeds and overclocks very well...especially with the massive heat sinks on that board.
 
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^ The ECS Black series mobos are a far cry from the lower end models. Someone on here had one...Bomber I think...and was rather impressed with it. It's got all solid caps, excellent cooling, good build quality, and great features. It's even got a clear CMOS button, an LED display, and, of all things, a built in Linux OS that can use Flash and supports all major IM protocols..
 
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The build by Drenlin looks to be a pretty good option as it allows for a fair amount of upgrading.

I have the motherboard he listed and am quite happy with it. It has some pretty nice features for the price. Also, their tech support responded to any e-mail I sent within a day, even if my issue was the fault of my Linux installation.

I was not clever enough to get the links posted by daisymtc to work, but looking at the pre-built Acer computers on NewEgg I noticed that the $400-$500 range has a 220W power supply that appears to be a form factor different than the standard ATX. If you plan on swapping in a video card in the future that power supply will limit your options. Also, the Acer would require low profile expansion cards further limiting your video card options.

A pre-built computer is still an option, but if you plan to upgrade and modify then Drenlin's build is going to be hard to beat.

Andrew
 
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i ran with the suggestions Drenlin had and it came out pretty well, runs fast and for the person i built it for they were happy afterwards, Thanks everyone
 
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