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Thread: System onceover?

  1. #1
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    • Stoo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Mac Pro
      • CPU:
      • 2*Xeon 5450 @ 2.8GHz, 12MB Cache
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 1600MHz FBDIMM
      • Storage:
      • ~ 2.5TB + 4TB external array
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI Radeon HD 4870
      • Case:
      • Mac Pro
      • Operating System:
      • OS X 10.7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" Samsung 244T Black
      • Internet:
      • Zen Max Pro

    System onceover?

    Hey peeps, just about to build this system up for someone, and I was wondering if you guys could give it the once-over and maybe find some areas to tweak the spec?

    2 things - the case stays (specifically requested), and it must have 2 HDD's(one small boot drive and a large storage drive) and a DVD-/+RW..

    The spec:
    Code:
    Crucial 512 DDR333 PC2700 DIMM	£49.49	£49.49
    AMD ATHLON XP2500 333MHz 512 L2 Cache Barton CPU - OEM	£56.00	£56.00
    Western Digital Caviar SE 40Gb UIDE 100 7200rpm 8mb Cache Disk Drive - OEM	£37.99	£37.99
    Sapphire Radeon 9200 128MB DDR TV-Out DVI-Out Retail Box	£49.99	£49.99
    Coolermaster HAC-V81 XDream Heatsink & Fan SKT A Upto Xp2800 Speed Adjustment	£5.32	£5.32
    NEC 4x DVD DUAL R/RW IDE BURNER - OEM S/W Not included	£66.82	£66.82
    Western Digital Caviar 80Gb 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive - OEM	£41.99	£41.99
    IBM PS2 MultiMedia Keyboard Black	£5.59	£5.59
    Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical 2 Button USB Win 32bit	£14.05	£14.05
    Ebuyer Neon Bubble ATX Midi Tower 350watt PSU with Front USB & Audio in Silver	£37.73	£37.73
    Asus A7N8X-X SKT A Nforce AGP X8 Sound USB 2.0 Motherboard Retail Box	£46.08	£46.08
    Comes to a total of £487 which rounds up to a total of £500 when I add the £13 shipping charge

    £500 is the maximum budget.. what do you lot think?
    Last edited by Stoo; 21-11-2003 at 01:14 AM.
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  2. #2
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    Save a little more and get a better case - you can get a CM for around a tenner more (cent.)

    Also, the X dream is a bad HSF, in terms of space needed and noise for good cooling.
    This is far better, and is what i replaced it with for almost the same price . It really is very very quiet, and due to being 80mm has good cooling.
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

  3. #3
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    • Stoo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Mac Pro
      • CPU:
      • 2*Xeon 5450 @ 2.8GHz, 12MB Cache
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 1600MHz FBDIMM
      • Storage:
      • ~ 2.5TB + 4TB external array
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI Radeon HD 4870
      • Case:
      • Mac Pro
      • Operating System:
      • OS X 10.7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" Samsung 244T Black
      • Internet:
      • Zen Max Pro
    Can't change the case, it's the one the guy _really_ wants *shakes head*

    *makes a note about the hsf*

    Ta
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    I agree the Xdream isn't bad but is a value (like Tesco Value) part designed to take on TT's Volcanos. Speaking of which that's my vote, £15ish for a Volcano 11/12 from Dabs or CPUcity (IIRC). Unless you go for the expensive professional HS that's about as good as it gets.

    I can't see why you'd choose PC2700 when PC3200 comes in for the same price. If you were only buying RAM then Crucial's free P&P makes a lot of sense otherwise I'd seriously look to TwinMOS from CPUcity or Komplett. Rem 2x256MB if you want the Dual Channel boost (on DC mobos of course).

    I wouldn't choose WD myself as they are hotter, noisier and pricier than competitors. Maxtor, Seagate, Samsung and Hitachi would all come first in my book. I'd also avoid 40GB as that's likely to become very limiting very quickly, I'd impliment 256MB RAM before I'd go for a 40GB HD. 60GB should cost £10 more and 80GB around £20 more. I think an 80GB 5400 would be preferable to almost everyone than a 40GB 7200-8.

    £67 seems very good for the NEC DVD Writer, is that the ND1300A?

    Any reason for Asus A7N8X-X particularly? Going for the top audio, DC and extras of the A7N8X Deluxe, Abit NF7-S etc is usally worth it. Otherwise I'd go for the £37 nForce2 400 over at Dabs.

    Finally Rad9200. It's slower than the FX5200 and Rad9000PRO which isn't good. If gaming is important to this guy definitely rec he spends a little more on it for the likes of a GF4TI4200 or Rad9600PRO as buying anything less will really castrate the PC's gamability. It would make much more sense to use a TbredB/Thorton or even a Duron 1.6ghz and up the gfx card unless gaming is a small concern.

    I understand there is a budget and us techie's like to spend a little more, well, everywhere and of course upgradin later is easily done. The above PC is more than fine, just giving my opinions on each component choice. HTH!

  5. #5
    Sublime HEXUS.net
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    • Stoo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Mac Pro
      • CPU:
      • 2*Xeon 5450 @ 2.8GHz, 12MB Cache
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 1600MHz FBDIMM
      • Storage:
      • ~ 2.5TB + 4TB external array
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI Radeon HD 4870
      • Case:
      • Mac Pro
      • Operating System:
      • OS X 10.7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" Samsung 244T Black
      • Internet:
      • Zen Max Pro
    The main emphasis was the price, I'm getting £500 to build it and that's it..

    Yep it's the 1300a rewriter

    The 2 hdd thing was his request again - he doesn't like partitioning and wanted a small drive for os and a bigger drive for all the porn.. ahem, I mean "stuff" from the net lol

    Most of the other thinks were decided purely on price, but I'll definately look at the gfx card in a bit more detail..

    I was trying to get everything from one supplier to minimise multiple postage costs, mucho annoying that everywhere seems to have stopped bundle deals and free postage..
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    (")_(")

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