A New Desktop

[Katsuro]

I am looking to upgrade to a better computer. My current one is quite lacking, it's a Sony Vaio all-in-one.. Any feedback/comments/tips are welcome, that's the whole reason behind this post. :) I want me next computer to be one that can last a good couple years.

It's specs are;
Intel Pentium E5200 @ 2.5GHz
4GB DDR2 RAM
Intel G45/G43 Express Chipset
20.1'' Built-in monitor @ 1680x1050 resolution
Uh.. Yeah, idk what kind of mobo it has, can't really open it up to take a peak.

The computer I am looking to get can be found here;
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saving/show.asp?id=2053362

Or if you don't want to go to the link, here's the specs in a wall of text;




* *BASE_PRICE: [+1005]
* CAS: NZXT Zero 2 Crafted Series Steel Full Tower Case (Black Color Trim)
* CASUPGRADE: 12in COLD CATHODE NEON LIGHT [+10] (BLUE COLOR)
* CS_FAN: Maximum 120MM Color Case Cooling Fans for your selected case [+15] (Blue Color)
* POWERSUPPLY: 850 Watts Power Supplies [+51] (Thermaltake TR2 RX-850 PSU (850w modular 80+))
* CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366
* FAN: XtremeGear Ultra Triple Heatpipes Cool Copper Heatsink CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent at 20dBA & Overclock Proof) [+13]
* MOTHERBOARD: Asus P6T SE Intel X58 Chipset CrossFireX Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA,GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio
* MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module [+40] (Corsair Dominator [+36])
* FREEBIE_RM: None
* VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX280 1GB 16X PCI Express [+96] (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA [+5])
* VIDEO2: None
* VIDEO3: None
* VC_GAMES: FREE GAME - Battle Stations ** Pacific **
* MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
* MONITOR: NONE
* MONITOR2: NONE
* HDD: Single Hard Drive (1TB (1TBx1) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+26])
* HDD2: NONE
* USBHD: NONE
* CD: (Special Price) LG 22X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (BLACK COLOR)
* CD2: NONE
* SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
* SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers [+15]
* NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
* MODEM: NONE
* KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
* MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
* TEMP: NONE
* WNC: NONE
* FLASHMEDIA: None
* VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
* PRINTER: None
* PRINTER_CABLE: None
* IEEE_CARD: NONE
* USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
* FLOPPY: NONE
* OS: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1 [+104] (64-bit Edition)
* OS_UPGRADE: None
* FREEBIE_OS: FREE! (Halo 2) Game
* TVRC: None
* CARE1: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution [+19]
* CARE2: Professional Wiring for All WIRING Inside The System Chasis with High Perormance Thermal Compound [+19]
* SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
* RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
* _PRICE: (+1454)



The monitor I want to get is here;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254040

Also, I found another build I have some interest in. It's got a few more goodies than my other one.

Here's the specs and link;

Link - http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saving/show.asp?id=2053366

Specs;

* *BASE_PRICE: [+1565]
* CAS: Thermaltake Spedo Advance Full Tower Case w/ Side-panel Window
* CASUPGRADE: NONE
* CS_FAN: Maximum 120MM Color Case Cooling Fans for your selected case [+15] (Red Color)
* POWERSUPPLY: 850 Watts Power Supplies [+51] (Thermaltake TR2 RX-850 PSU (850w modular 80+))
* CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366 [-290]
* FAN: Asetek Liquid CPU Cooling System (Extreme Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
* MOTHERBOARD: Asus P6T SE Intel X58 Chipset CrossFireX Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA,GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio [+11]
* MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module [+40] (Corsair Dominator [+36])
* FREEBIE_RM: None
* VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX280 1GB 16X PCI Express [+56] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
* VIDEO2: None
* VIDEO3: None
* VC_GAMES: FREE GAME - Battle Stations ** Pacific **
* MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
* MONITOR: NONE
* MONITOR2: NONE
* HDD: Single Hard Drive (1TB (1TBx1) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
* HDD2: NONE
* USBHD: NONE
* CD: Lite-On IHOS 104 4X Blu-Ray Player
* CD2: (Special Price) LG 22X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (BLACK COLOR)
* SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
* SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers [+15]
* NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
* MODEM: NONE
* KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
* MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
* TEMP: NZXT Sentry LX Aluminum High Performance Fan Control, Clock, & Temperature Display [+69]
* WNC: NONE
* FLASHMEDIA: None
* VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
* PRINTER: None
* PRINTER_CABLE: None
* IEEE_CARD: NONE
* USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
* FLOPPY: NONE
* OS: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1 (64-bit Edition)
* OS_UPGRADE: None
* FREEBIE_OS: FREE! (Halo 2) Game
* TVRC: None
* CARE1: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution [+19]
* CARE2: Professional Wiring for All WIRING Inside The System Chasis with High Perormance Thermal Compound [+19]
* SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
* RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
* _PRICE: (+1606)


Any opinions on which I should get?

[mostwantedbmw]

you can spend MUCH less money by Building your own computer... If you know how. i just spent $800 and built one of the fastest computers on the market, sporting an AM3 Phenom II processor. Computer companies WAAYYY overprice PCs.

[ivybat]

you can spend MUCH less money by Building your own computer... If you know how.

It's easy, too!

[Joco]

I agree with previous posters, build your own, it is quite easy and you can customize the pc to fit your needs. If you are a gamer you will especially want a good Video card, if you mostly use your pc for media then audiocard is the priority, etc.

[cool_clint_15]

Well seeing how your looking into the core i7 personally I would go for something like this motherboard, its just a tad bit smaller but it still can do its job. The only reason why I am suggesting this motherboard is because its small and compact and it will support 2 way sli or crossfire and you will not need 3 or even 4 pci-e slots seeing how your not doing sli or crossfire already.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188051

The video card is looking good, but a bit out dated, thou its cheaper now which is why I am finally getting a pair of 260 GTX's but still it will do its job and at one time it was one of the best video cards out there. So in other words its a pretty decent build but as everyone else said its cheaper to build it yourself and yes it is easy seeing how I built my first when I was 14 I believe. All it is really to make sure you have all the parts, connect them to the correct port or slot, connect the power supply, and install windows and the drivers.

[Katsuro]

Thanks for the replies. :)

I was thinking about building my own computer, but I am not 100% certain I would be able to yet. I just don't know as much about them as I probably should... I was thinking about buying a custom built one and then tinkering/upgrading it after I got it so I could learn a little more.

Though, your remarks about how easy it is to build one is getting me a little interested in trying...

I will just save up a good bit of money, that way I have time to think about which path I want to take. :)

I would also like to ask, could someone possibly put together a shopping cart with parts equal or better than those so I can compare how much more/less it costs to build your own vs. buying from a vendor? :) (btw, if you do.. Please stick with i7 and nvidia graphics card)

Thanks for all the info. :D

[ivybat]

hi Katsuro, I don't really have the time to build you up a shopping cart, but there's nothing stopping you from doing it for yourself ;)

If you're nervous about building a computer, I would say you should just go on youtube and search "how to build a computer". There are a lot of tutorial videos, and you'll see how easy it really is. All you're doing is plugging things in where they fit and screwing in a few screws.

It's worth looking into-- it's fun, and you really know what you're getting in your computer.

[Katsuro]

Thanks for the reply. :)

I built a shopping cart on newegg with similar components and this is what I got, w/ monitor included;
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=11374952

Anything you would suggest adding/removing/replacing?

[cool_clint_15]

For some reason I couldn't see your shopping cart but heres what I came up with

NZXT ZERO: $139.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146029

Corsair 850 Watt: 139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

EVGA 121-BL-E756-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX : $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188051

Intel Core i7 920: $279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

XFX GeForce GTX 275: $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150387

Western Digital 1TB hard drive: $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler: $44.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Sony Optiarc Black Blu Ray Internal Drive: $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118013

With the grand total of: $1,184.91

[Katsuro]

Here's my wishlist, I forgot that I posted the link to the saved version and not the public one. ^_^ http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11374952

Thanks for taking the time to look up parts for me. :)

I am looking at the mobo you listed, it's the same price as the one I chose but, the only difference I see is that worries me is the memory standard. The one you provided only shows DDR3 1600, but the one I want goes up to DDR3 2000.

It seems we chose the same cpu cooler. :)

The Gfx card though.. I was thinking about the EVGA 290, because the only 280 (a friend highly recommended it), but the only one they had was recertified, so I may choose EVGA 275...

[mafkees]

You can save money on your operating system as well mate.
Linux is completely free, and (I propably shouldn't be saying this) there are alot of unattended windows versions on the usenet.

[Katsuro]

You can save money on your operating system as well mate.
Linux is completely free, and (I propably shouldn't be saying this) there are alot of unattended windows versions on the usenet.

I am more of a windows man. :) I perfer buying Vista so I can get a free W7 upgrade later. D: I loved W7 when I got to mess with the RC. :)

Also, Cool_Clint.. Awesome job finding that PSU. :) I thought I did a good job finding a 700W for that price, but you found an 850W for even less. :D

[mafkees]

Yeh I bought windows XP and got a Vista voucher with it. So I got the Vista upgrade dvd, and it didn't work. Then downloaded an unattended version of Vista, which worked absolutely fine. Removed it after 2 days again though, back to XP lol.

[cool_clint_15]

All in all the parts you got in your wish list are good now all you need to do is save up and build it...it shouldn't be hard, if you need help just ask around here im more then sure someone will be able to help if not point you in the right direction