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Did I get screwed?

D

DingDong

n00b
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
7
Hello, This is the first time, I'm going to be buying a computer that has to be pieced together. I've been buying Compaq, HP, Dell, and Apple since my first computer. Right now I've been using a mac mini G4. I was told by my friend that I can get a cheaper but better computer by buying everything separate and piecing it together. He also choose the parts. I wanted a computer to replace my current Mac Mini G4, but also play games in the future. My Budget is $500 - $600 CAD

My question are:
1. is this computer better than something I can get from best buy or one of the other big box name stores?

2. Also how will this compare to the Apple Mac Mini G4.

3. If I add a video card. Is it good for games?

4. If yes to question 3, What video card do you think is best around the $200 - $300 CAD.

Please Critique My Computer.
-Samsung SH-203B Black SATA DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 INT DVD Writer OEM W/ Vista SW | $25.99 CAD
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB Hard Drive SATA2 7200RPM 11MS 8MB Cache 5YR MFR Warranty | $53.59 CAD
-Mushkin SP PC2-4200 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit | $88.88 CAD
-Cosair CMPSU - 450VX 450W ATX 12V 33A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan | $69.99 CAD
-Antec Solo Quiet Mini Tower Case ATX Silver Black 4X5.25 4X3.5INT NO PS | $75.83 CAD
-ASUS P5E-VM HDMI mATX LGA775 G35 DD2 PCI-E16 2PCI E1 PCI SATA2 RAID Sound HDMI VGA | $138.99 CAD
-Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.2GHZ 800FSB 2MB Retail | $125.84 CAD
Total - $579.41 CAD
 
That's not a bad deal at all. All quality components. Right ratio of CPU to RAM IMO.

Adding a video card will make this computer a gaming monster.


One change I'd suggest is to go with a bigger HD. 500GB is very cheap right now. Go with a Western Digital hard drive if you want something quiet. I have a Seagate 7200.10 and it's the loudest thing in my case by far. My 3 other hard drives, all various WD drives, are whisper-quiet in comparison to every other HD I've owned.
 
What monitor do you have? What is resolution on the monitor you're using? And which games are you planning on playing with this computer?

While the setup that you've posted in your OP is not a bad deal, trying to fit a video card into your budget may be the deal-breaker.
 
kumquat said:
That's not a bad deal at all. All quality components. Right ratio of CPU to RAM IMO.

Adding a video card will make this computer a gaming monster.


One change I'd suggest is to go with a bigger HD. 500GB is very cheap right now. Go with a Western Digital hard drive if you want something quiet. I have a Seagate 7200.10 and it's the loudest thing in my case by far. My 3 other hard drives, all various WD drives, are whisper-quiet in comparison to every other HD I've owned.
Click to expand...

I went with the cheapest hard drive. I don't think I will ever fill the 500GB. All I plan on having on this computer is Office and games.

tiraides said:
What monitor do you have? What is resolution on the monitor you're using? And which games are you planning on playing with this computer?

While the setup that you've posted in your OP is not a bad deal, trying to fit a video card into your budget may be the deal-breaker.
Click to expand...

1. Westing House 24inch
2. Resolution is 1920X1200.
3. Call of Duty 4, Crysis

I don't need a video card right now. I was thinking of picking one up in 1 - 2 months. Just wondering what is a good video card to play those games.
 
DingDong said:
I went with the cheapest hard drive. I don't think I will ever fill the 500GB. All I plan on having on this computer is Office and games.



1. Westing House 24inch
2. Resolution is 1920X1200.
3. Call of Duty 4, Crysis

I don't need a video card right now. I was thinking of picking one up in 1 - 2 months. Just wondering what is a good video card to play those games.
Click to expand...
The 8800GT is the only relatively inexpensive card that is going to have a shot at COD4 at that res. Crysis at 1900x1200 is just not going to happen. You can of course drop the res and have it playable at 1440x900 or maybe 1680x1050 with lower detail settings.

As for the hard drive, go with a Western Digital 160GB drive. Should only be a couple of bucks difference, max. They really are quieter though.
 
kumquat said:
The 8800GT is the only relatively inexpensive card that is going to have a shot at COD4 at that res. Crysis at 1900x1200 is just not going to happen. You can of course drop the res and have it playable at 1440x900 or maybe 1680x1050 with lower detail settings.

As for the hard drive, go with a Western Digital 160GB drive. Should only be a couple of bucks difference, max. They really are quieter though.
Click to expand...

I went to go look at the 8800GT. I'm kinda confused why is there such a big price difference? What one were you talking about that can play those games?
EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GT Superclocked 650MHZ 512MB DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out DIRECTX10 Video Card | $289.99
EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB KO 675MHZ 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out DIRECTX10 Video Card | $339.99
EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GT 600MHZ 512MB 1.8GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card | $208.99
 
They're all effectively the same, really. The overclocked cards are NOT worth that big of a price difference.

A stock vanilla 512MB 8800GT is what you need. You can install RivaTuner or nTune and overclock it if you want (they overclock very well... most stock 8800GTs are able to easily go from 600MHz to 650-700MHz with no physical changes).

The $208.99 one is perfect. Good deal, too. I paid $269 for the exact same piece 3 months ago.
 
I agree that it's a good list, but you'll need to spend some $$ to play games adequately at 1920x1200. Like others have said, an 8800GT 512 is the minimum worth considering.
 
DingDong said:
Hello, This is the first time, I'm going to be buying a computer that has to be pieced together. I've been buying Compaq, HP, Dell, and Apple since my first computer. Right now I've been using a mac mini G4. I was told by my friend that I can get a cheaper but better computer by buying everything separate and piecing it together. He also choose the parts. I wanted a computer to replace my current Mac Mini G4, but also play games in the future. My Budget is $500 - $600 CAD

My question are:
1. is this computer better than something I can get from best buy or one of the other big box name stores?

2. Also how will this compare to the Apple Mac Mini G4.

3. If I add a video card. Is it good for games?

4. If yes to question 3, What video card do you think is best around the $200 - $300 CAD.

Please Critique My Computer.
-Samsung SH-203B Black SATA DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 INT DVD Writer OEM W/ Vista SW | $25.99 CAD
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB Hard Drive SATA2 7200RPM 11MS 8MB Cache 5YR MFR Warranty | $53.59 CAD
-Mushkin SP PC2-4200 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit | $88.88 CAD
-Cosair CMPSU - 450VX 450W ATX 12V 33A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan | $69.99 CAD
-Antec Solo Quiet Mini Tower Case ATX Silver Black 4X5.25 4X3.5INT NO PS | $75.83 CAD
-ASUS P5E-VM HDMI mATX LGA775 G35 DD2 PCI-E16 2PCI E1 PCI SATA2 RAID Sound HDMI VGA | $138.99 CAD
-Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.2GHZ 800FSB 2MB Retail | $125.84 CAD
Total - $579.41 CAD
Click to expand...

Wow are such a liar, ha ha. You lie about your [H]ardness! You and I built your first computer in grade 8. The only Compaq you owned was a server (back in the day). And the only Dell you have is an XPS laptop. You have a pretty sweet media box (which you built). And you know a G4 is as slow as hell :p
 
mindstormsguy said:
Wow are such a liar, ha ha. You lie about your [H]ardness! You and I built your first computer in grade 8. The only Compaq you owned was a server (back in the day). And the only Dell you have is an XPS laptop. You have a pretty sweet media box (which you built). And you know a G4 is as slow as hell :p
Click to expand...

Who are you? I think you have me confused with your buddy. Can't believe you would come here and say i'm a liar.
 
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