1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Building a new computer - thoughts on my choices?

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by Mr. Linux, Jul 17, 2007.

  1. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    Honestly for that type of application. I'd buy a discount dell. As fun as building machines is.. for the low end, unless you build complete garbage, its near impossible to beat the $400-500+ deals you find on Dells/etc when they hit their sales.

    Building your own machine has certain advantages
    - case design
    - graphics cards
    - memory design
    - lesser extent.. drive setup

    If those aren't driving factors for you in what features you want.. its certainly cheaper to buy a off-the-shelf when the price is right.
     
  2. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,396
    Likes Received:
    5
    I agree. What they are good for is free on the spot advice. They're good at pointing out compatibility issues, or alternatives. Their website is www.affinity-usa.com


    [/quote]

    While I love to support local business like these, many times, I find that when you include taxes, they can't beat the price of a major online retailer such as NewEgg or Provantage, etc. In some cases the price difference is so minimal for 1-2 components, that it's just easier getting everything from one place online. I guess it's just me... Do they have a website? Anyhow, I'll give these guys a call once I'm ready to plunk some cash down and see what they can offer. I'm open to surprises :)

    Lots of good input here folks! Keep it coming![/quote]
     
  3. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2005
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    4
    I have to agree with flynnibus. I'd also reccomend a SysteMax PC from Tiger Direct. I ran four of those plus a server for many years with NO issues. they are cheap & use off the shelf hardware so you can do your own upgrades.
     
  4. merky1

    merky1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    303
    Likes Received:
    8
    You planning on running linux on this box? I found there are issues with the nvidia APIC implementation and the current kernel in SMP machines. If your boot hangs, try passing NOAPIC as a kernel parameter to get it to boot.

    This might also be specific to AMD64, but it took me a day to get past that small issue when re-building my home workstation.
     
  5. Gun Ohna

    Gun Ohna New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2006
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for the tips Linux. I like newegg as well. I actually have an idea of what I'd like. Here is my wishlist for my computer from newegg. I am looking to keep the cost down as much as possible, but am willing to go a little higher if needed. I am just looking to mainly use this for home office stuff and maybe a little Neverwinter Nights.
     
  6. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2001
    Messages:
    3,277
    Likes Received:
    69
    Was this with a particular distro or in the main kernel? I recall reading about this issue a few months back, but it was specific to 1-2 distros which implemented some kernel patch or something.
     
  7. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2001
    Messages:
    3,277
    Likes Received:
    69
    Cncbpr, we can't get to your wishlist, since that link will only show data if we're logged in as you. There's a small workaround that I use if I don't want to set my list up as a 'public list', but still want folks I know to see it. Email the list to yourself from the Newegg website, when you get the email, copy the link inside it here. This way, we'll all be able to see it.
     
  8. Gun Ohna

    Gun Ohna New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2006
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    OOOPS. click here
     
  9. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2005
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    4
    If you can, drop the Kingston ValuRAM and go with Corsaire. I'm using their XMS2 memory with the really cool blinking lights on top! They are actually a decent troubleshooting device!

    Actually - I'd skip ANY memory with the word "value" in it. They usually leave off the heatsinks.
     
  10. merky1

    merky1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    303
    Likes Received:
    8
    I can't find the page within Nvidia at this point, so this is coming from memory. The problem was with the "stock" kernel, and I think the distros that "patch" to get around it are just dropping APIC by default.

    The only place I found APIC mentioned is in the known issues for GPU's at Nvidia's site, and they suggest disabling it for "stability" problems. There was a similar page for nforce chipsets, but it seems to have been moved :(.
     
  11. technosapien

    technosapien New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2007
    Messages:
    617
    Likes Received:
    1
    Figured this would be a good place to just ride in on the discussion.

    I've had the "same computer" since the mid-90s, and just upgraded it a piece at a time as years go on. I'm thinking it's almost time for an upgrade, and was thinking of going back to intel to get a core2duo.

    Been a while since I did all the research, so thought if you all had suggestions, I'd take 'em! Like, I'm not even sure what the newest slot/socket type is for intel processors and mobos, or what the best chipsets are for the core2duos even.... Processor and motherboard would need to be updated at least, possibly memory. The rest of my components are good to go. In the past I've favored EPoX and ASUS mobos, but am open to other makers.

    Thanks!
     
  12. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2006
    Messages:
    1,791
    Likes Received:
    136
    you better elaborate on "...the rest of my components are good to go". Do you mean you are using SATA alredy for your hard drive and DVD? And your memory would almost certainly have to be upgraded... and your video card too, especially if you want SLI capable, or a Crossfire configuration. Sound I would say you could get away with stock. And yes, I almost always stick with ASUS on the mobos, have had great results with them.

    I would say you might want to consider a combo kit of some kind.
     
  13. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2005
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    4
    There's a gremlin in my house. I just blew out a SECOND mobo in 60 days. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
     
  14. technosapien

    technosapien New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2007
    Messages:
    617
    Likes Received:
    1
    I don't need a case, memory is relatively new but I may upgrade anyway just to get more of it. I don't need SLI or Crossfire, this is a server box with some desktop functionality (I do graphics work on it) so I really just like more speed and memory to handle these graphics processing tasks and leave some cycles for the server software.
    HD is SATA but not the DVDRW or CDRW drives... didn't know those came in SATA yet, so yeh, I may upgrade them too. :)

    Thanks!
     
  15. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2002
    Messages:
    1,332
    Likes Received:
    25
    Yikes! I don't think I've ever blown a mobo. Do you have a surge protector on your comp? Might be a power problem to the case.
     
  16. brim

    brim Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2003
    Messages:
    1,339
    Likes Received:
    11
    ...or a crapbox Ultra PSU. :)
     
  17. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2002
    Messages:
    1,332
    Likes Received:
    25
    Yeah thats a good point actually. A lot of PSUs don't even provide the power they say they do. If your PSU isnt putting out enough power it could very well damage your board over time.
     
  18. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2005
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    4
    Feh! Ultra's are fine. I blame Al Gore.

    And Baby Bush.

    Oh and VP the guy - who's name can never be said.
     
  19. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,260
    Likes Received:
    34
    What's wrong with AMD CPUs, Mr Linux? =) My x2 3600 brisbane is clocking at c2d e6600 speeds for ~$61 =) The E6600 is ~$220
     
  20. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2001
    Messages:
    3,277
    Likes Received:
    69
    I've been a diehard AMD guy for over 12 years and this will be the first time I switch over to 'the dark side'. Simply put, right now, I don't think there's anything out there better than the Core 2 Duos. AMD has taken a tumble in the past 2 years and is definitely playing catchup once again.

    Add to that the fact that Intel will be releasing their new 1300Mhz FSB cpu's today at 50% the price of their current cpu's, you have a combo that's pretty hard to beat.

    As far as the speed comparison between the X2 3600 and the E6600, everything I've seen out there shows me that the Duo blows away the equivalent X2 when you look at FPS, encoding, etc. Also, it sucks down a lot less power, thus generates less heat. At least that's what I've been seeing; I'm open to be told otherwise...
     

Share This Page