Check this system for me before I buy

[Dreaming]

Well, I'm getting my girlfriend a PC, have spoke to her for a while about, and it goes as follows:

- Socket AM2 Abit NF-M2 nView WiFi

- AMD AM2 Athlon 64 3800+ Windsor Core OEM

- Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro

- 1Gb Micron Major, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)

- 160 Gb Western Digital WD1600YS Caviar RE

- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32Bit

- Logitech Ultra-X Media Black/Silver Keyboard

- Logitech UltraX Optical, 800 dpi

She already picked her case out in advance, and I'm going to give her the 19" Hanns G Monitor I have. She's going to buy herself a webcam at some point, so that's about the system.

I'm also getting myself a 22" Mirai monitor to replace the Hanns G, although it's budget compared to a dell it seems alright.

Last thing, she doesn't play games (except rollercoaster tycoon 3 and the sims 2), and I'm hoping the 6150 onboard will be able to at least run Aero until dx10 comes so I can get her a low range discrete graphics card. Looking on benchmarking websites, it seems it should be able to run the games. I know it's a bit low on ram, but she wanted to keep the cost down, so will upgrade with another gigabyte later on. In the meantime I can just get her a usb turbocache thing.

Also, the psu that came with the case is only 270w, (enermax efficient one though), is that going to be enough for her needs? According to the wattage calculator it should be, she should only need around 220w (give or take a bit depending on usb devices, i said 3 which is keyboard, iPod and webcam).

It's going to be basically a computer for her PC usage. So office goes on there, but also want it to be easy to use (Vista), and be adequate for watching films. Since we both watch films together on my 19" atm fine I'm sure that should be fine.

Also been discussing whether she wants a TV card, but she's not sure as she has a tv anyway. But for uni it might be useful, but that's a good couple of months down the line, and I'll be working over the summer so can treat her to some upgrades. Performance isn't the main thing with this computer, which has been different lets just say from my usual perspective, it's been about price and functionality. So I got the cheapest dual core I could for multitasking, the minimum amount of RAM to start off with, wireless, integrated HD sound, even using integrated vga to start with.

Tried to keep the noise down so am using sharkoon fans for the case (2x80mm) (would use nexus but scan don't stock them and the noctua are too expensive). It's a uATX case (enermax venus) so I'm slightly concerned whether the CPU cooler will fit or not.

Her birthday is March 14th so will be ordering around then.

[menthel]

Should be fine. I played World of Warcraft on a 6150 based compy for a little while and it coped at low settings.

[staffsMike]

another good budget monitor for you would be the daewoo 22" on scan at the moment.

Other wise your system seems ok. Obviously you have gone AMD to keep the costs down so as long as too much isn't expected from it..it should be really good.

Good luck with the build.

[Dreaming]

I saw the daewoo, the only reason I went for the mirai over it was because of the colourscheme lol. I will check comparitive reviews though

[Biscuit]

any reason for 32bit? i havent looked into it much but i assume 64bit still has compatability issues or something?

[staffsMike]

64bit will still have lots of driver issues..much like xp x64..

32bit is a safer option for now.

[Martin87]

Are you buying OEM or retail vista?

[Dreaming]

Oem.

[DecomposingStar]

Looks like a fine system, if the graphics suck, slam in an old ATI card such as an x550/600. It's generally adaquet and you can grab them for about £10 on eBay usually (oem versions).
I used to play CS:S and HL2 on one for a good while on mid-settings.

32-bit is a safe bet, there won't be much benefit for anyone having 64-bit at the moment, and i don't think she will ever benefit from having 64-bit.

[Dreaming]

I think it may be possible to upgrade to 64 bit at some point, if you use someone elses CD. Don't quote me though, but I think the key is only tied to the version, not the bit version if you get me.

[DecomposingStar]

Nah, OEM versions are specific. If you buy retail you can just reinstall it, but at twice the price, just stick with OEM.
I think what Microsoft mean by "upgrade" is "give us money when you realise you cocked up, you OEM buying cheapskate"



(i have OEM 32-bit Premium, by the way)

[Dreaming]

Yea, I have 32bit premium too.

Just scared in case one day I need 64 bit. But I expect I should be ok until the next OS. Vista is just a cosmetic upgrade anyway, Microsoft have said it's not a 'major' release somewhere.

*crosses fingers*

[aidanjt]

Microsoft has made a number of underpinning changes to the Vista kernel. Which breaks things, but way too much time was spent obsessing on UI tarting imo.

[DecomposingStar]

I've heard all the arguements for "Vista is an XP tart" but I don't actually beleive them. Vista is extremely efficient, and after reading how the graphics drivers in DX10 and DX9L/e work I am convinced that this integration is well worth the upgrade for any gamer, besides that it is a cool interface and just generally makes more sense to anyone whos not a "1337" computer user.

The only major downside to Vista is that the seperate developer support from 3rd party companies SUCKS. Drivers are scarce, however they are growing in number. The same thing happened to every version of Windows, dev's don't get their **** together intime for release and then casually bring out buggy beta versions. But oh well, i barely use XP anymore (I'm running Dual Boot).

[aidanjt]

I've heard all the arguements for "Vista is an XP tart" but I don't actually beleive them. Vista is extremely efficient, and after reading how the graphics drivers in DX10 and DX9L/e work I am convinced that this integration is well worth the upgrade for any gamer, besides that it is a cool interface and just generally makes more sense to anyone whos not a "1337" computer user.

The only major downside to Vista is that the seperate developer support from 3rd party companies SUCKS. Drivers are scarce, however they are growing in number. The same thing happened to every version of Windows, dev's don't get their **** together intime for release and then casually bring out buggy beta versions. But oh well, i barely use XP anymore (I'm running Dual Boot).

I wouldn't say efficent, I had a horrible time playing back DVDs and DVD res mpeg 4 video, especially with audio breaking up. It would seem to me that the OS doesn't make proper use of process priorities with it's userspace driver services. It could do with more priority slots as well. High - Medium - Low doesn't exactly cut the mustard when you move stuff into userspace.

[DecomposingStar]

I've never had any problems, but then I have Dual Core so that does well in those circumstances.
I agree that maybe a priority percentage slider would benifit more that high-mid-low.

Suspiciously i read somewhere that MS announced a Service Pack for Vista before it was even released... Admitting it was broken before they even released it? Or is that just general maintanance.
(rhetorical question)