| The New Tido PC Project! | |
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Tido - Student  |
It's been long overdue... Way back when in 2001, I bought a computer: a Dell Dimension 8100. It was quite the rip-roaring machine for it's day. It's specs go something like this: 1.3Ghz Pentium 4 (Socket 423, 400mhz FSB) 256MB PC800 RDRAM (2x128) 40gb Maxor HDD (EIDE 7200RPM UDMA 100) GeForce2MX 32MB Video Card (With TV out, whoa!) Dell 250W PSU 56K V.92 Modem Creative Soundblaster Live! Value DVD/CDRW 3.5 Floppy Drive 1 80mm fan with one of those cheap scoop things. Oh yeah, it came with Windows Me...ahahaha Also got a Dell Keyboard, mouse, speakers, and 15" LCD, which was pretty hi-tech in '01. Little did I know I was making a huge mistake for games. Upgrades: 1.3Ghz to 1.5Ghz (people are starting to throw away computers like mine) An additional 256MB of PC800 RDRAM so now I am 4x128=512MB GeForce2 to GeForce FX 5200 128MB (another give away) Linksys 802.11g Wireless PCI Card It's had it's share of problems. It's been fried by lightening once, and also the PSU once caught fire, which was exciting to say the least. I think it cost me somewhere around $1,600. Right now I know what all of you are thinking: "how can you play jk3 on that thing?!" The answer is very carefully. I tweak the hell out of my CFGs so my jk3 resembles an Atari game. It's ok as long as you don't have more than 3 people in a room, then it gets bad. Whenever I play, I stay at 100% CPU without flinching. And don't ask me about Doom3 and HL2, I've never seen them and never will on this machine. It's time for a new rig. But the Dell beside me now is the last computer I will ever buy from someone. This time around I'm going to venture into a new world and build my own. While I have plenty of experience taking apart and putting back together computers, having my bros at the JA on my back would help alot. Goals for the new system: Can run anything currently out there, and run it well. Hold it's own for a couple years. Be very upgradable. Cost no more than $1000USD. ################################################# Concept 2 ################################################# Case Antec SuperLANboy :$79.00 (ordered!) This case gets good reviews and I also like how it has 2 120mm fans. I've worked on a few computers that had 120's and I've been a big fan (no pun intended, couldn't resist). Also I don't need 4 bays for optical drives so the savings on height work for me. Motherboard ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe :$154.00 (ordered!) The idea here was build for the future. I'm a bit bittersweet about my Dell in how quickly it's motherboard became the laughing stock of standards. This mobo should be spiffy all the way up to Athlon X2 processors, PCI-E (SLI if I wanted), and SATA2. The Deluxe has gotten mixed reviews but after talking to way too many people on the phone, I've confirmed that Asus has fixed all it's issues and the Deluxe is a solid mobo. Processor AMD Athlon64 3500+ Venice :$219.00 I'm unable to put down the fat cash for a FX-55 or an X2, so this seems good enough. The Venice core has cool things going for it (ok I'll quit with the puns already). It was built with a new process that makes it run better and cooler...also means it's very overclockable. I'm not sure if I want to take that route or not, but it's nice to know it's there. RAM 1GB (2x512) CorsairXMS PC3200 :$124.00 Going a little thin on the RAM here to save $, but the hope is to upgrade in the future and occasionally I get some amazing deals on RAM from work. Hard Disks WD Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM :$183.00 Damn I want to get 2 of these and RAID 0 them, but problem one is $ and problem 2 is risk. With RAID 0, if one of these puppies die, I lose the info on both drives. That might still be peachy if I only have stuff like the OS and programs on it and none of my personal files, but problem 1 still lingers. Seagate 300GB 7200RMP (freebie) :$0 I can get Hard Drives (other than raptors) at rediculously low prices, if not for free. No dirty dancing required. GFX Card XFX GeForce6800GT 256MB :$55.00 (ordered!) For $55, this is a no brainer. DJ-Sith is selling me is 6800GT since he is getting an OC version. The GT will last long enough until cards like the 7800GTX or even better ones are more affordable. Soundcard Creative Audigy2 ZS Platnium Pro :$55.00 (ordered!) Another card from DJ-Sith, this soundcard should be more than enough for me. Power Supply Aspire 520W :$54.00 Power supplies scare me. I hope this has enough power and enough quality that I don't have a repeat of the Dell incident. I'm still not sure on PSU's. Optical Drives DRV Dual Layer DVDRW 16x/CDRW (freebie): $0 Freebies rawk! Misc 3.5 Floppy Drive (freebie): $0 I've got piles of these, anyone want one? Total: $923.00 This is my second concept idea and is very close to what I'll end up with. Your suggestions are always welcome! This post was edited by Tido on Aug 25 2005 07:38pm. |
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| Comments |
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Bail Hope of Belouve - Student 
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Quote: Yes, thats what I do, and because of it, I've got three CRT's burning a hole in my retinas.  oh, that's cool! Never had any idea it was possible. Thanks for that tip!  _______________ Visit the Belouve Family Website! Quote: I try to have fun with my friends and try to make a difference as best I can. What does making a difference mean? Well, it can be as simple as saying hello, answering a question that seems obvious or heck, just talking. -- Vladarion
Want to know Vladarion? Read the Article about his life here. |
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Sared - Retired 
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Yes, thats what I do, and because of it, I've got three CRT's burning a hole in my retinas. _______________ I'm crazy, not stupid. |
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Bail Hope of Belouve - Student
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Quote: i just love the idea of: buy a slick arse video card now, play all the good games that it can play, then when the new games come out and i am back in the dumps of low fps hell, instead of dropping $500 on a whole new video card, just buy one the same model as your old one is, SLI that stuff and b00m! twice the power on the cheap! w00t! is that possible? to put two video cards in there, for work at the same time?  _______________ Visit the Belouve Family Website! Quote: I try to have fun with my friends and try to make a difference as best I can. What does making a difference mean? Well, it can be as simple as saying hello, answering a question that seems obvious or heck, just talking. -- Vladarion
Want to know Vladarion? Read the Article about his life here. |
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Sared - Retired
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As much as I would love to sit down and help pick out custom parts with you Tido, ya gotta admit. Alien > * _______________ I'm crazy, not stupid. |
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Tido - Student 
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Is the 10k Raptor still the best performance drive around for the $? It's been out for awhile and I'm wondering if anything else has come out that's better. |
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JK13 /// jaws. - Student 
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i just love the idea of: buy a slick arse video card now, play all the good games that it can play, then when the new games come out and i am back in the dumps of low fps hell, instead of dropping $500 on a whole new video card, just buy one the same model as your old one is, SLI that stuff and b00m! twice the power on the cheap! w00t! *edit*: now that you save munies on the video card and stuff id reccomend getting that 2nd raptor and going all RAID 0 up in that piece, i regret not doing it >_> then you can have a nice 148 gb of raid 0'd raptors and get a cheaper, slower, bigger 2nd drive for more space to put ur crap _______________ It's a false hologram, it IS artificial... This comment was edited by JK13 /// jaws. on Aug 16 2005 08:28am. |
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Jeramia Adept - Student 
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im not going to bother until next year, then Ymax and Vista will be out _______________ The Force is my ally, and a powerful ally it is. Padawan Brother to Darth Sirius |
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Senor Hat - Student 
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get a watch har har har  <.< >.> yes, that was really bad i know _______________ I have beaten The Internet. The end guy was hard. |
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SaZ - Student 
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there is even ddr3 now? omfg i cant catch up with time  _______________ playing jk3 since 30th of january (2005), member since 1st of february. [Unofficial Master to Vision and Z�diac ] If you can make a fool of yourself infront of 300 people you can do anything - Jaiko D'kana |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd 
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 _______________ A wizard did it. |
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tarpman - The Tarped Avenger 
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/me makes a mental note to post on here next time he's in the market for a new comp... this is ridiculous. _______________ Saving the world, one kilobyte at a time. |
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Tido - Student 
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Wow. Our own DJ_Sith is helping me out by selling his 6800GT and his Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro to me for a very nice price. He's getting a new vid card from work and his new system can't fit the Audigy2. XFX Video Card PVT45GUD, GeForce 6800GT, PCI-E, SLI Ready, 256bit 256MB DDR3, Dual DVI & TV Out Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro my total build price just became $868.99  This comment was edited by Tido on Aug 15 2005 07:32am. |
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Jeramia Adept - Student
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allow me to help you, just contact me asap _______________ The Force is my ally, and a powerful ally it is. Padawan Brother to Darth Sirius |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd
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/me feels useful again _______________ A wizard did it. |
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NotSoLittleCaesar - Student 
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*looks at his computer then at tido..and back and forward...*..............omfg h4x _______________ Quote: I mostly agree oh Lord of the squeezy mop
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solitude - Jedi Council 
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Quote: Thanks! But there is more to the value of money than just exchange rates  . 5 finger discounts! >.> <.< /amhide _______________ Joined 16 October 2004 | Retired 10 April 2005 | Returned 05 June 2008 | Made Staff 27 June 2008 | Made Council 18 January 2009 Padawan To Odan-Wei Belouve | Adopted into the Belouve family | Twin to xAnAtOs | Owner of the 4th Quesi sexy badge Brother To Roan Belouve, Nomad, Majno, Silkmonkey, Kensei and Jarhok Belouve
Owner Of Virtue's 1000th profile comment, Mr. Doobie's 1000th profile comment, Gradius' 2500th comment, xAnAtOs' 2500th comment, Rosered's 1500th comment, Laziana's 900th comment, Scythus' 500th comment and Echuu's 100th comment |
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Tido - Student
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Quote: And I'm frankly astounded that you managed to build a PCIe system for that price, even in expensive US dollars. Thanks! But there is more to the value of money than just exchange rates . |
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Tido - Student
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I'm gonna chill on the LCD's just a bit and wait for those fast response 19 incher's to come down in price just a bit. Until then I'll keep rawking on the 19" CRT I'm on. |
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Tido - Student
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After doing some research and talking to some knowlegeable folks, I've come to the conclusion that buying the 6800GT is actually not a good idea. ozz is right in that the 6800GT is pretty powerful, but it doesn't stack up at all compared to the 7800 line. In fact, the performance difference is so great that it would be much wiser to get a cheaper card now that can handle what's on the market atm, and when prices on the newer stuff drop then get a nice card. Spending over $300 now would just irritate me after the 6800GT drops in price. This card is half the price but is still pretty cool. eVGA Geforce 6600GT That drops my build price to $923 This comment was edited by Tido on Aug 14 2005 03:07pm. |
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Senor Hat - Student
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wow your 2001 computer is was better than this thing i'm using! /me kicks his computer out a window, onto a pile of bricks with Kensei on top _______________ I have beaten The Internet. The end guy was hard. |
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Masta - Jedi Council 
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Oh and thats one sweet card you are buying there. Definately enough to play jk3 on everything maxed out =P ...and doom3 too. _______________ Find out more about the Jedi Academy Aurochs here and more about Masta here! Married to Kain. |
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tarpman - The Tarped Avenger 
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Quote: If the board comes with on-board sound you may have minor issues when it comes to putting a PCI sound card in. I decided with mine I wanted to eventually upgrade to a nice Audigy2 card or something (which I still haven't done) so I made sure to get a board without onboard There's generally an option in the BIOS to disable onboard sound and let the PCI card do its thing. As Johnnyrico said, MSI is an excellent mobo brand. And I'm frankly astounded that you managed to build a PCIe system for that price, even in expensive US dollars. Congratulations, and if you have the money, go for it. Decide what order you want your IDE drives in before you go to put stuff together, even draw a diagram (IDE0-0, IDE0-1, IDE1-0, IDE1-1). Drive cables are my personal least favorite part of a computer's innards. Have fun. EDIT: And once you get Dual Channel going on your RAM, never let it go. _______________ Saving the world, one kilobyte at a time. This comment was edited by tarpman on Aug 14 2005 08:50am. |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd 
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Oh, if you want to save money, do it on the GFx card IMO. 6800GT? Mid Level? Hah! That's a pretty awesome card TBH. You are in the right range, but perhaps a 6600 card would be better for your interests. After all, you want this to be a $1000 machine. Also, are you still going to use that Flat Panel monitor, or get a CRT? I have and use a 17" LCD, and I quite like it. But mine is a decent gaming one with 12ms refresh rather than the 16ms which was standard at the time. Of course, now I hear word of even faster LCDs, but yeh if it's for gaming you want it to be fast, and have the ability to use the entire screen even outside native resolution (oh yeh, mine is 1280*1024 but still looks great at 800*600, so don't believe everything you hear about LCDs) but yeh, you'll probably want a CRT. Maybe you can get the monitor cheap/free, but just make sure you get one with good contrast and brightness, theres nothing I hate more than dark CRT monitors, especially for gaming. _______________ A wizard did it. |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd
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If the board comes with on-board sound you may have minor issues when it comes to putting a PCI sound card in. I decided with mine I wanted to eventually upgrade to a nice Audigy2 card or something (which I still haven't done) so I made sure to get a board without onboard and just got an au$25 bargain bin card to hold me until then. Of course, that sound card turned out to be pretty sweet (lux) so it'll be a while longer before I be upgrading that. On-Board may be enough for your needs tbh, and they have some good spec on-board sets these days. Just as long as it doesn't eat up too much of the system BUS, which won't be a problem on newer boards I should think. Other than that, I haven't had as much experience with AMD processor based machines, but they are fast. I wouldn't worry about not getting the latest, greatest processor. Getting the one a step or two back might save you a few compatability issues in the short term, and be better value for money in the long term. I think it used to be an issue whether 64bit processors would be fully compatible, but now they've been around a little while I wouldn't personally worry. Just get online on your old PC when you put that sucker together, cause if you have trouble, theres about 50 guys here who all know how to help. _______________ A wizard did it. |
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3th - Retired 
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i just won an ebay auction for a 36GB raptor drive. less than $100 delivered! with a sata cable too. so now i'll have dual drives! once i get enough cash to upgrade again i'll do raid 1 and have the whole system OS on the raid 1 and have a fat drive for apps and stuff. for now gonna do raid 0 so i have more space. should see a nice little speed bump too. already blazing start up times though. the 74 GB drives are even faster. i would recommend the raptor from my experience, worth the 4 sec system boot time alone! _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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