|
|
|
|
 |
|
January 31st, 2007, 10:36 PM
|
|
First Lieutenant
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 731
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
OT: Building a new box
Yes, it's that happy time. Time for a new computer!
I have built my own several times before. In fact, only twice have I ever bought pre-built systems, and those were the two most troublesome computers I ever owned.
The big issue, of course, is compatibility.
Some time ago, I saw a website which contained pre-designed and pre-tested system configs. Not that anything was for sale there, this was purely an information site. Just that the editors had designed, assembled, and tested a variety of different systems. And these were listed for viewing.
Do any of you good folks know of this site, or any similar site?
|
February 1st, 2007, 03:04 AM
|
 |
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Southern CA, USA
Posts: 18,394
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
The only things you really need to worry about are getting a motherboard that supports the processor you want, and making sure you get the AGP vs. PCI-E matchup right for the video card (you will generally be getting PCI-E if you aren't trying to build a budget box). Other than that, hardware incompatibility is largely a thing of the past. You _might_ have issues if you buy cheap no-name parts, but if you buy anything from decent companies, you shouldn't have any issues with a sound card not working with a video card or such.
I suggest this as a good source of info:
http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/...ide-200612.ars
It was written a month ago, and contains info on good parts for 3 levels of PCs, ranging from the budget to the "god box." Each part usually has 2-4 alternatives listed as well.
Among places to shop for parts, newegg.com usually has decent prices, and the try to ship things out quickly, unlike certain south american-jungle type sites.  |
February 1st, 2007, 03:26 AM
|
 |
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 15,630
Thanks: 0
Thanked 30 Times in 18 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
I know if I was to build a new box I would want a good CPU, a good video card, a solid MB, and lots of ram. But what these parts would be I have no clue. I just don't know enough.
__________________
Creator of the Star Trek Mod - AST Mod - 78 Ship Sets - Conquest Mod - Atrocities Star Wars Mod - Galaxy Reborn Mod - and Subterfuge Mod.
|
February 1st, 2007, 03:59 AM
|
 |
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: CHEESE!
Posts: 10,009
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
I tend to just ask the computer store tech. I'm not too informed on hardware.
__________________
If I only could remember half the things I'd forgot, that would be a lot of stuff, I think - I don't know; I forgot!
A* E* Se! Gd! $-- C-^- Ai** M-- S? Ss---- RA Pw? Fq Bb++@ Tcp? L++++
Some of my webcomics. I've got 400+ webcomics at Last count, some dead.
Sig updated to remove non-working links.
|
February 1st, 2007, 04:59 PM
|
|
Major
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Biddeford, ME, USA
Posts: 1,007
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
I have done this at Tigerdirect.com many times. They have very reasonable 'barebones' units that you can generally add whatever you want to them. Their barebones units usually come with a case, PS, matched CPU and mobo, as well as RAM; usually a good place to start and then add your video, HD, etc. to taste.
You also don't need to buy any OS with them but you can if you wish.
I have been quite happy with them.
|
February 1st, 2007, 05:37 PM
|
|
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Southern CA, USA
Posts: 18,394
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
How do their prices compare to newegg.com? They also offer various barebones systems.
|
February 1st, 2007, 11:13 PM
|
|
General
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,205
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
I get a "Service Unavailable" message from that link Fyron.
AT, I'd suggest 2 gigs of RAM instead of just 1.
__________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow".
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future.
Download the Nosral Confederacy (a shipset based upon the Phong) and the Tyrellian Imperium, an organic looking shipset I created! (The Nosral are the better of the two [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Grin.gif[/img] )
|
February 2nd, 2007, 12:54 AM
|
|
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Southern CA, USA
Posts: 18,394
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
They've been upgrading the forum software recently. It seems to be working now.
|
February 2nd, 2007, 01:58 PM
|
 |
Major
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Union, SC
Posts: 1,166
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
Looks good AT, though I agree with Renegade to make sure you get a second gig.
What OS? Are you going to get Vista on it?
__________________
Caduceus
|
February 2nd, 2007, 04:31 PM
|
|
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Southern CA, USA
Posts: 18,394
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
|
|
Re: OT: Building a new box
You might want to spring an extra $30 to get a Chaintech AV 710 sound card. Your ears will thank you for not subjecting them to onboard audio needlessly. |
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|
|
Hybrid Mode