S
Stacey
Cyde Weys wrote:
Matrox
Matrox
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C
Cyde Weys
I'm working on building a PC for a friend. He has some of the parts
already (mainly a floppy drive, keyboard/mouse, 3X ATA hard drives).
Here's what I've spec'ed out so far:
----
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $227
(Socket 754)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...103-424&catalog=343&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
ASUS K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V
Deluxe" -RETAIL $155.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-131-473&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM $84 ea., 2X
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...146-532&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power
Supply,With Window, Model "ATXB4KLW-BK/350" $50
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-144-026&depa=0
Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser
Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply $58
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-007&catalog=58&depa=0
----
We're still looking for a video card (he's not into games, so it doesn't
have to be a good 3D card, but it does have to have 2 outputs because he
wants to run a dual monitor setup). I also still haven't spec'ed a DVD
burner and CD reader. Did I forget anything? Are all of these
components compatible? What do you guys suggest? Thanks a lot.
already (mainly a floppy drive, keyboard/mouse, 3X ATA hard drives).
Here's what I've spec'ed out so far:
----
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $227
(Socket 754)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...103-424&catalog=343&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
ASUS K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V
Deluxe" -RETAIL $155.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-131-473&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM $84 ea., 2X
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...146-532&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power
Supply,With Window, Model "ATXB4KLW-BK/350" $50
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-144-026&depa=0
Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser
Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply $58
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-007&catalog=58&depa=0
----
We're still looking for a video card (he's not into games, so it doesn't
have to be a good 3D card, but it does have to have 2 outputs because he
wants to run a dual monitor setup). I also still haven't spec'ed a DVD
burner and CD reader. Did I forget anything? Are all of these
components compatible? What do you guys suggest? Thanks a lot.
C
Cuzman
" We're still looking for a video card (he's not into games, so it doesn't
have to be a good 3D card, but it does have to have 2 outputs because he
wants to run a dual monitor setup). I also still haven't spec'ed a DVD
burner and CD reader. Did I forget anything? Are all of these components
compatible? What do you guys suggest? Thanks a lot. "
The motherboard supports the CPU and the RAM you specified. The case has
great cooling so the AMD CPU HSF will be fine, and the 480W PSU is plenty.
You also specified having a number of ATA hard disks, but you didn't specify
their capacity, potential array and the OS you will be using.
As for CD / DVD drives, you may as well buy a CD-writer with that
DVD-burner, as companies like Lite-On make cheap and reliable ones nowadays.
I take it that your DVD writer will support both DVD+ and DVD- media, as the
dominance war is still raging.
As for a 3D graphics card, you didn't specifiy the extent to which
3D-intensive programs are to be used. Matrox dual-output hardware has been
the best around for a long time, but you will need to look into their range
extensively to find the correct one for his needs. You should be better off
with dual-DVI for future support, but be careful as a Matrox overkill can be
very expensive.
As for stuff you may have forgotten, much of it is common sense. Round
cables will help cooling. Connect up the USB 2.0 sockets on the case to the
motherboard headers. If more ports are needed, then the spare headers can
be fed to a 3.5" bay, 5.25" bay or a PCI slot depending on other needs or
potential upgrades. http://www.frontx.com/ have some good products to help
with that.
One good thing to do would be to read the customer reviews on Newegg for
each of the products. The best advice comes from people who have used the
stuff already.
have to be a good 3D card, but it does have to have 2 outputs because he
wants to run a dual monitor setup). I also still haven't spec'ed a DVD
burner and CD reader. Did I forget anything? Are all of these components
compatible? What do you guys suggest? Thanks a lot. "
The motherboard supports the CPU and the RAM you specified. The case has
great cooling so the AMD CPU HSF will be fine, and the 480W PSU is plenty.
You also specified having a number of ATA hard disks, but you didn't specify
their capacity, potential array and the OS you will be using.
As for CD / DVD drives, you may as well buy a CD-writer with that
DVD-burner, as companies like Lite-On make cheap and reliable ones nowadays.
I take it that your DVD writer will support both DVD+ and DVD- media, as the
dominance war is still raging.
As for a 3D graphics card, you didn't specifiy the extent to which
3D-intensive programs are to be used. Matrox dual-output hardware has been
the best around for a long time, but you will need to look into their range
extensively to find the correct one for his needs. You should be better off
with dual-DVI for future support, but be careful as a Matrox overkill can be
very expensive.
As for stuff you may have forgotten, much of it is common sense. Round
cables will help cooling. Connect up the USB 2.0 sockets on the case to the
motherboard headers. If more ports are needed, then the spare headers can
be fed to a 3.5" bay, 5.25" bay or a PCI slot depending on other needs or
potential upgrades. http://www.frontx.com/ have some good products to help
with that.
One good thing to do would be to read the customer reviews on Newegg for
each of the products. The best advice comes from people who have used the
stuff already.
K
kony
The case has
great cooling so the AMD CPU HSF will be fine, and the 480W PSU is plenty.
Yes, 480W is more than enough. In fact, Thermaltake are (other than
cosmetically, colors and a cable sheath) same as Enlight, almost 50%
savings could be seen going with Newegg's Enlight 420W model,
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-604
That's not to suggest it's a "good" PSU... either Thermaltake or Enlight
are mid-grade, far better than generics but a notch below Antec,
Sparkle/Forton, PC Power & Cooling et al. With either Thermaltake or
Enlight it might be good to check, possibly replace the fans, especially
the rear exhaust to prolong lifespan. Also it's not loud, but not exactly
quiet either... again a rear fan swap can be beneficial.
The case is somewhat flimsy. That's about the starting range for a
base-model Antec/Chieftec case w/o PSU, so the question is how much the
fancy front panel and acrylic is worth, since essentially the same case
can be had for $30 without those features, sometimes even less $.
It only has decent cooling if the stamped-in fan grills are cut out.
Otherwise the cooling isn't too good, yet if the rear fan grills are cut
out it will further reduce structural integrity of the case due to the
thin metal... probably .6mm sheeting, .8mm at most. Then there's
personal preference- I'd rather have a semi-gloss, subtly textured
finish, which doens't show fingerprints or other dust nearly so much as
this gloss black. One fellow I know has a similar model and the top of
the case has the paint peeling off, though I suppose that might've just
been a bad batch, insufficient data to draw a conclusion about the paint.
In other words, the case looks better on display than it really is. At
least the wise decision is being made to buy a different power supply, as
the one that comes with that case is almost certainly junk.
G
George
I wouldn't put too much credence in the reviews on NewEgg as they cull out
ALL bad reviews (you can figure it out from the difference between number of
reviews submitted and number of reviews posted...they even have a disclaimer
to that effect) so you'll never read anything with more than even a hint of
negativity in it. They do allow through reviews that say something arrived
DOA and NewEgg was great in replacing it or that something was slightly less
than expected in some manner but was still a great deal due to price. OTOH,
if you see something where most or all of the reviews are posted then it is
most likely a great product with many happy customers. Just be aware of
WHAT the reviews mean...
George
ALL bad reviews (you can figure it out from the difference between number of
reviews submitted and number of reviews posted...they even have a disclaimer
to that effect) so you'll never read anything with more than even a hint of
negativity in it. They do allow through reviews that say something arrived
DOA and NewEgg was great in replacing it or that something was slightly less
than expected in some manner but was still a great deal due to price. OTOH,
if you see something where most or all of the reviews are posted then it is
most likely a great product with many happy customers. Just be aware of
WHAT the reviews mean...
George
C
Cuzman
" As for a 3D graphics card, you didn't specifiy the extent to which
3D-intensive programs are to be used. Matrox dual-output hardware has been
the best around for a long time, but you will need to look into their range
extensively to find the correct one for his needs. You should be better off
with dual-DVI for future support, but be careful as a Matrox overkill can be
very expensive. "
I just found this interesting article:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20040216/index.html
3D-intensive programs are to be used. Matrox dual-output hardware has been
the best around for a long time, but you will need to look into their range
extensively to find the correct one for his needs. You should be better off
with dual-DVI for future support, but be careful as a Matrox overkill can be
very expensive. "
I just found this interesting article:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20040216/index.html
C
Cyde Weys
Stacey said:Cyde Weys wrote:
Matrox
Matrox doesn't seem like it's going to work. The only Matrox videocard
that's even in his price range is this one,
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-106-143&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
which only has two VGA-outs. He's planning on getting a flatpanel
monitor, so he'll need at least one DVI-out.
The next step up is this,
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-106-154&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
Which is quite expensive at $212. Isn't there some mid-range video card
that should work? I know my current Radeon 9500 has one VGA-out and one
DVI-out. Would it be possible to hook up two monitors to it and run a
dual-screen mode?
C
Cyde Weys
Cuzman wrote:
He has 3 ATA hard drives (250, 200, and 200), and may be getting more in
the future. No plans on running them in an array. But the mobo has
built-in RAID and SATA for possible future upgrades. He'll be running
Windows XP.
No, he doesn't really need a dual-format. He's primarily getting a DVD
burner for use with his computer. We are college kids, you know, and
the new trend is to make your computer the "entertainment center" as a
way of saving space. Hence the need for a TV tuner card (he's already
got one). As long as he can burn data to a DVD and then watch it in
that same drive it'll be fine. He's also planning on using DVDs to
store data, because it's cheaper per gigabyte than hard drive storage.
So the cheapest moderate-quality fast-speed single-format DVD burner
will work for him.
I'm starting to think Matrox isn't the solution he's looking for.
Matrox is pretty expensive, and if he can get away with a low-end Radeon
or GeForce that has VGA-out and DVI-out and can do a dual-display off of
that, it's fine.
Okay, I've put the rounded IDE cables into the order. Not sure what
kind of cables are used to connect USB 2.0 sockets on the front of the
case to the motherboard headers, though. Can you please point me to a
NewEgg category where that kind of stuff is listed? Also, he has a USB2
hub, so he shouldn't need any more connectors.
Yeah, I've been checking the reviews.
The motherboard supports the CPU and the RAM you specified. The case has
great cooling so the AMD CPU HSF will be fine, and the 480W PSU is plenty.
You also specified having a number of ATA hard disks, but you didn't specify
their capacity, potential array and the OS you will be using.
He has 3 ATA hard drives (250, 200, and 200), and may be getting more in
the future. No plans on running them in an array. But the mobo has
built-in RAID and SATA for possible future upgrades. He'll be running
Windows XP.
As for CD / DVD drives, you may as well buy a CD-writer with that
DVD-burner, as companies like Lite-On make cheap and reliable ones nowadays.
I take it that your DVD writer will support both DVD+ and DVD- media, as the
dominance war is still raging.
No, he doesn't really need a dual-format. He's primarily getting a DVD
burner for use with his computer. We are college kids, you know, and
the new trend is to make your computer the "entertainment center" as a
way of saving space. Hence the need for a TV tuner card (he's already
got one). As long as he can burn data to a DVD and then watch it in
that same drive it'll be fine. He's also planning on using DVDs to
store data, because it's cheaper per gigabyte than hard drive storage.
So the cheapest moderate-quality fast-speed single-format DVD burner
will work for him.
As for a 3D graphics card, you didn't specifiy the extent to which
3D-intensive programs are to be used. Matrox dual-output hardware has been
the best around for a long time, but you will need to look into their range
extensively to find the correct one for his needs. You should be better off
with dual-DVI for future support, but be careful as a Matrox overkill can be
very expensive.
I'm starting to think Matrox isn't the solution he's looking for.
Matrox is pretty expensive, and if he can get away with a low-end Radeon
or GeForce that has VGA-out and DVI-out and can do a dual-display off of
that, it's fine.
As for stuff you may have forgotten, much of it is common sense. Round
cables will help cooling. Connect up the USB 2.0 sockets on the case to the
motherboard headers. If more ports are needed, then the spare headers can
be fed to a 3.5" bay, 5.25" bay or a PCI slot depending on other needs or
potential upgrades. http://www.frontx.com/ have some good products to help
with that.
Okay, I've put the rounded IDE cables into the order. Not sure what
kind of cables are used to connect USB 2.0 sockets on the front of the
case to the motherboard headers, though. Can you please point me to a
NewEgg category where that kind of stuff is listed? Also, he has a USB2
hub, so he shouldn't need any more connectors.
One good thing to do would be to read the customer reviews on Newegg for
each of the products. The best advice comes from people who have used the
stuff already.
Yeah, I've been checking the reviews.
C
Cyde Weys
Cuzman wrote:
Check out the photo album for the mobo, particularly #3
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage...73-05.JPG/13-131-473-04.JPG/13-131-473-02.JPG
It looks like it comes with a PCI-slot FireWire port and a PCI-slot 4X
USB2. How would I go about connecting the USB headers on the mobo to
the USB slots that come in the front of the case?
So anyway, here's what the list I currently have. It has everything
except for the USB header cables or whatever. And I need to
double-check that the video card I picked can support dual-monitor
output. That's about it. Anything I forgot? If not, looks like I'll
be placing this order soon.
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $227
(Socket 754)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...103-424&catalog=343&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
ASUS K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V
Deluxe" -RETAIL $155.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-131-473&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM $84 ea., 2X
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...146-532&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power
Supply,With Window, Model "ATXB4KLW-BK/350" $50
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-144-026&depa=0
Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser
Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply $58
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-007&catalog=58&depa=0
Antec Cobra A26 Round 133 ATA Cable, Model "77226" -RETAIL $10 ea., 2or3X?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...105-001&catalog=317&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
LITE-ON BLACK 16X DVD ROM Drive, Model XJ-HD166/XJ-HD 165H, OEM $25
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-603&catalog=55&depa=0
Lite-On Black DVD-RW/+RW Drive, Model LDW-411S BLK, OEM $94
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-921&catalog=5&depa=0
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X
AGP -Bulk -OEM $102
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-295&catalog=48&depa=0
As for stuff you may have forgotten, much of it is common sense. Round
cables will help cooling. Connect up the USB 2.0 sockets on the case to the
motherboard headers. If more ports are needed, then the spare headers can
be fed to a 3.5" bay, 5.25" bay or a PCI slot depending on other needs or
potential upgrades. http://www.frontx.com/ have some good products to help
with that.
Check out the photo album for the mobo, particularly #3
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage...73-05.JPG/13-131-473-04.JPG/13-131-473-02.JPG
It looks like it comes with a PCI-slot FireWire port and a PCI-slot 4X
USB2. How would I go about connecting the USB headers on the mobo to
the USB slots that come in the front of the case?
So anyway, here's what the list I currently have. It has everything
except for the USB header cables or whatever. And I need to
double-check that the video card I picked can support dual-monitor
output. That's about it. Anything I forgot? If not, looks like I'll
be placing this order soon.
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $227
(Socket 754)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...103-424&catalog=343&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
ASUS K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V
Deluxe" -RETAIL $155.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-131-473&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM $84 ea., 2X
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...146-532&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power
Supply,With Window, Model "ATXB4KLW-BK/350" $50
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-144-026&depa=0
Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser
Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply $58
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-007&catalog=58&depa=0
Antec Cobra A26 Round 133 ATA Cable, Model "77226" -RETAIL $10 ea., 2or3X?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...105-001&catalog=317&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0
LITE-ON BLACK 16X DVD ROM Drive, Model XJ-HD166/XJ-HD 165H, OEM $25
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-603&catalog=55&depa=0
Lite-On Black DVD-RW/+RW Drive, Model LDW-411S BLK, OEM $94
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-921&catalog=5&depa=0
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X
AGP -Bulk -OEM $102
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-295&catalog=48&depa=0
P
Pepperoni
Cyde Weys said:How would I go about connecting the USB headers on the mobo to
the USB slots that come in the front of the case?
So anyway, here's what the list I currently have. It has everything
except for the USB header cables or whatever.
The USB on the case should be wired already. You just plug the cables into
the MB pins.