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I need to build a work computer, and am looking for the following:
A graphics card with dual monitor support (preferably two DVI outputs)
Will dual boot windows xp/debian so preferably nVIDIA chipset.
Would like a dual core.
I don't have AC in my apartment, and summers are hot, so I need a case with good airflow.
I would like to fit under $1000 US dollars.
I am currently in Poland - Prices I list below are in Polish zloty. Zloty to USD is 3 to 1 (3 zl = $1).
To check prices of suggested components look here:
Komputronik ( Translated by Google to English )
Here are my ideas so far:
Monitor:
2x Samsung SyncMaster 943nw - 400-500 zl/monitor
I have a problem here because on the samsung site this monitor is listed as having DVI outputs - but the retailers say it only has D-subs! Who to believe? Is this a good monitor?
Case:
I am looking at either:
Antec Gaming 300 EC - 240 zl link
or
CoolerMaster Elite 334 Series - 160 zl (something like link )
AMD:
Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-M61PME-S2P - 180 zl
Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ BOX (Socket AM2, 65W) - 150 zl
Video Card:
No clue?
HD:
Samsung SpinPoint F1 160 GB (SATA II, 8MB cache, NCQ) - 160 zl
Is there a better harddrive ?
CD/DVD/RW
Sony / NEC (Optiarc) DVD+/-RW AD-5240S bulk black - 90 zl
Power supply
Chieftec (GPS-350EB-101A) 350W - 160 zl
Should I go for a different brand? Im guessing I wont need more than 350 W but I will calculate the load when I get close to a better spec.
RAM:
??
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I really have no idea how the prices match up in Europe but for $1000 you can build a much much better computer in the US. Is there a place equivalent to Newegg or even Amazon so that everyone here can better help you on choosing the best parts? Also I don't think 350W will be enough for that, and you should just go 450W to be safe.
I think this might be able to help you, should go above what it says at least 50 to 100 watts just to be safe.
link
Answers to some of the questions you asked:
Video Card: Since this is a work computer, what kind of work will you be doing? A midrange card like a 9600GT would serve just fine if all you do is light office work. This card will support dual monitor and most versions have 2DVI and an S-Video output.
Hard Drive: That seems like a good harddrive to have, however I really recommend maybe spending a bit more and get the Seagate 7200.12 series. The 500GB specifically (These are 500gb platters so go for 500gb or 1TB to get the full potential) These drives are incredibly power efficient and performances are near that of the WD Raptors series. (I realize this is a work computer, so if for budget reasons, you can just get something like a Hitachi Deskstar if you don't want to get the 7200.12 series. There are some stigma against the Deskstars (nicknamed the Deathstars, due to their high failing rate, but thats only due to them being extremely sensitive to heat. Keep the drives cool and you should experience no problems.)
PowerSupply: Recommend Coolermaster, they are a great brand and I've been using them in all the PCs that I assembled over the years, not a single one has failed me yet. Antec is another big name out there, but I'm not fond of them due to lack of experience with their products.
RAM: RAM are mostly just prefered brand name since most people don't even look at the specifications on them. Just look for something with acceptable CAS or Timing (samething) and acceptable voltage. (try for 2.1 or lower for DDR2, 2.2 is kinda pushing it and I usually don't like doing this. No use wasting power anyway.)
If you can provide a website or an online version of the place(s) youre planning to buy from, I can help provide more informations on most products.
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why buy a crappy athlon only to replace it 6 months later?
grab a 550 e phenom II or 720.
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For under $1000 you can get a quad core. Maybe not an i7, but at least a quad core.
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2048 ram +
dual core 2.6ghz or better
1024+ video card
That is all u need.
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Zurich15325 Posts
Well hardware prices are usually the same in Euro and USD so stuff here is more expensive. With 2 monitors in the setup (> 200 Euro) you won't get far with ~700 Euro.
Without the monitors you could get a much better system. Get a better CPU ffs, do you want to play SC2 or not? Get a Phenom II X2 550.
Don't buy into the Quadcore crap you will most likely not need one. Uhm, what will you be doing with your PC anyway?
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On August 17 2009 21:09 zatic wrote:
Uhm, what will you be doing with your PC anyway?
Basically my 5+ year old laptop has finally started to break down and I need a replacement. I'm done with school and would like a desktop instead. It will be used for development (coding) and occasionally editing large high-dpi images in Photoshop/Illustrator/Inkscape.
I promised myself I wouldn't play SC2 but given my track record with quitting SC1 this probably is a huge lie. Given this would a 9600GT be ok?
GeForce with CUDA 9600 GT Asus Magic 512MB (PCI-E) - 300zl
On August 17 2009 19:43 v[1.8]c wrote:
If you can provide a website or an online version of the place(s) youre planning to buy from, I can help provide more informations on most products.
Komputronik ( Translated by Google to English )
Looking at the advice - I will probably go for either of these two:
Seagate 500 GB Barracuda 7200.12 - 200 zl
Seagate 160 GB Barracuda 7200.12 - 160zl
I really have no need for storage as I already have a 500 gb external...
Is that Samsung Monitor I posted worth it?
So far:
HD: 160 zl
VC: 300 zl
Monitors: 1000 zl
If I get the Phenom II X2 550 ( 500 zl ) than that will leave me with 1000zl ( ~300$ ) for memory, PSU, network card, CD/RW which is probably a bit low...
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I promised myself I wouldn't play SC2
Ahahahahaha, oh man... Come on now, why make a promise you can't keep? 
SC2 is like weed - everyone will at least TRY it.
If I get the Phenom II X2 550 ( 500 zl ) than that will leave me with 1000zl ( ~300$ ) for memory, PSU, network card, CD/RW which is probably a bit low...
Well, not really, CD/RW's are dirt cheap, you don't need a network card because every mobo these days has one, so that leaves you with maybe $280 for PSU and memory which can easily be accomplished. Get 2x2 GB DDR2 ~ 250zl and a 400-450W PSU which shouldn't cost more than 350zl
Phenom II X2 550 is a good proc, so go with that.
The 9600GT is a bit dated but still a good card that will run SC2 well enough. If you have leftover money though, I'd consider buy a better video card.
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You could go with a lower video card for now and upgrade it once sc2 comes out.
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On August 17 2009 22:32 StorrZerg wrote:
You could go with a lower video card for now and upgrade it once sc2 comes out.
Anything Lower than 9600gt = money thrown away.
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get an athlon ii 250 it costs 20% less than the 550 and only a ~5% performance difference.
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1. GeForce with CUDA 9600 GT Asus Magic 512MB (PCI-E) (DDR2) 309,00 zł
2. Corsair Twin2X DDR2 2x 2GB 800MHz CL4-4-4-12 DHX Technology 285,00 zł
3. Antec Gamer Three Hundred Case 255,00 zł
4. Seagate 160 GB Barracuda 7200.12 (8MB, Serial ATA II) 159,00 zł
5. AMD Phenom II X2 550 BOX Black Edition 399,00 zł
6. Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3P nVidia Zawiera: karta sieciowa, karta muzyczna 195,20 zł
7. Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 460W PFC 234,00 zł
Total thus far: 1 836,20 zł
Thinking there might be cheaper RAM? Also I put an Athlon II 250 (AM2+, AM3), but the website told me the mobo wasn't compatible (even though it supports AM AM2+ AM3)....
Feedback!!!
Still need a processor fan and some cheap but quiet case fans!
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I built the following system this weekend:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 (C1), 4x 2.83GHz
Corsair XMS3 DIMM Kit 4GB (DDR3-1333)
Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870, 1024MB GDDR5
2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB in RAID0 for OS/Programs/Games
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 750GB for Data
Powerded by a Corsair TX 650W ATX 2.2
in a sound dampened NZXT HU-001-B case
I paid 830€. If you buy DDR2 instead of DDR3 RAM (and an appropriate mainboard!) and make do with one single hard disk, I'm sure you can easily fit two monitors into your budget.
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what's the point of 2 screens
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On August 18 2009 06:13 Pakje wrote:
what's the point of 2 screens
Its useless for a regular computer user - but when you're coding two desktops = more space = less tabbing between windows.
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On August 18 2009 06:38 yenta wrote:Its useless for a regular computer user - but when you're coding two desktops = more space = less tabbing between windows.
and multi tabling poker
also, when watching streams or whatever there is usually IRC chat too, kinda sucks tabbing through that too.
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On August 18 2009 05:56 Scorch wrote:
I built the following system this weekend:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 (C1), 4x 2.83GHz
Corsair XMS3 DIMM Kit 4GB (DDR3-1333)
Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870, 1024MB GDDR5
2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB in RAID0 for OS/Programs/Games
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 750GB for Data
Powerded by a Corsair TX 650W ATX 2.2
in a sound dampened NZXT HU-001-B case
I paid 830€. If you buy DDR2 instead of DDR3 RAM (and an appropriate mainboard!) and make do with one single hard disk, I'm sure you can easily fit two monitors into your budget.
Thats 3500 zl + for just the computer xD Thats like double my budget!
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Any advice on those monitors?
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After some suggestions, I now have:
300 zl Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
375 zl AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE
311 zl ASUS PCI-E GeForce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 256bit EN9600GT/HTDI/512M/A
289 zl Patriot 4GB (2x2GB)DDR3 1333MHz Viper CL9 PVS34G1333ELK
239 zl Antec Gamer Three Hundred B/Z
144 zl Seagate 160GB 7200rpm 8MB ST3160318AS
234 zl Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 460W PFC
100 zl Samsung SH-S223F Black
-------------------------------
1992 zl TOTAL
Well and monitors.
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You're RAM is currently $90 if I'm understanding the conversion correctly? That sounds really expensive even if stuff is more expensive in Europe. I don't know what site you are shopping on since I use newegg which is US only but I'd advise shopping around for cheaper RAM because I know in the US you can get decent 2x2GB of RAM for under $40 pretty easily.
I have an Antec 300 case (not the gamer kind but I figure it's similar) and it is pretty good. Also, dunno how much you plan on storing but 160GB isn't too big for a main HD. For $20 you could get a 500GB and not have to sweat space, but if you don't plan on storing any media like music/movies I guess it isn't needed.
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On August 19 2009 06:21 Jonoman92 wrote:
You're RAM is currently $90 if I'm understanding the conversion correctly? That sounds really expensive even if stuff is more expensive in Europe. I don't know what site you are shopping on since I use newegg which is US only but I'd advise shopping around for cheaper RAM because I know in the US you can get decent 2x2GB of RAM for under $40 pretty easily.
I have an Antec 300 case (not the gamer kind but I figure it's similar) and it is pretty good. Also, dunno how much you plan on storing but 160GB isn't too big for a main HD. For $20 you could get a 500GB and not have to sweat space, but if you don't plan on storing any media like music/movies I guess it isn't needed.
Its DDR3 and I can't find any cheaper 2x2GB kits  This kit retails for $85 on newegg so I guess $5 markup isn't that bad considering we have 22% "sales tax"
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I think i'm going to go with the a lower frequency - 1066 Hz, The Patriot memory seems to have problems :/
240 zl Kingston 4GB(2*2GB)DDR3 1066MHz CL7 KVR1066D3N7K2/4G
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Oh I guess the price increase from DDR2 800MHz to DDR3 1333MHz/1066MHz is pretty significant so nvm.
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I thought you only achieve the 1066/1333 frequency when you overclock?
Default Kingston will often default to 800.
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Not that it matters since you are going with DDR3.
I personally think that you've being ripped off on the price. Surely you can get it cheaper.
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Pick a screen which can pivot. (rotation).
For coders, depth is more important than width.
The Seagate harddrive is pretty crap to be honest. I know you are shopping for cheap but seriously spend a bit more and get something better.
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So give us the final config that you've put together so far.
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300 zl Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
375 zl AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE
311 zl ASUS PCI-E GeForce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 256bit EN9600GT/HTDI/512M/A
240 zl Kingston 4GB(2*2GB)DDR3 1066MHz CL7 KVR1066D3N7K2/4G
239 zl Antec Gamer Three Hundred B/Z
144 zl Seagate 160GB 7200rpm 8MB ST3160318AS
234 zl Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 460W PFC
100 zl Samsung SH-S223F Black
I was told to get the 7200.12 series of Seagate? Why is that a crap drive? explain?
Default Hz is 1066
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My mobo supports:
DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600)
DDR3-1066 (PC3-8500)
And reading up you need to overclock to 1333 and 1600, 1066 should be detected w/o a problem.
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I can't find cheaper 2GB DDR3 sticks :/
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I was told to get the 7200.12 series of Seagate? Why is that a crap drive? explain?
Because right now the cheapest cost/gigabyte of storage is at about 750-1000 GB size of hard drives.
In other words for something like a 30% cost increase you could potentially have 100% + of storage increase.
You may think that you dont need 1 TB right now, but it's always good to have spare space than to run out. Also 1TB drives have higher density platters, which result in higher transfer speeds.
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In that case, What kind of transfer rate/cache should I be looking for? What companies are reliable ie I won't have to worry about my disk at all for 3-4 years?
How do the other components look?
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Latest Build:
300 zl Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
375 zl AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE
311 zl ASUS PCI-E GeForce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 256bit EN9600GT/HTDI/512M/A
240 zl Kingston 4GB(2*2GB)DDR3 1066MHz CL7 KVR1066D3N7K2/4G
239 zl Antec Gamer Three Hundred B/Z
199 zl Seagate 500 GB Barracuda 7200.12 (16MB, Serial ATA II) ST3500418AS
234 zl Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 460W PFC
100 zl Samsung SH-S223F Black
= 1998 zl~
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Well If you have a whole extra 1000zl left over still you could upgrade your 9600GT to a Radeon4870 or GTX260/280. For probably an extra 300-400zl. If you do that you might want a 550W Power Supply though but I'm not 100% certain if that'd be needed or not but cost wise it would be a minor increase.
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On August 20 2009 08:07 Jonoman92 wrote:
Well If you have a whole extra 1000zl left over still you could upgrade your 9600GT to a Radeon4870 or GTX260/280. For probably an extra 300-400zl. If you do that you might want a 550W Power Supply though but I'm not 100% certain if that'd be needed or not but cost wise it would be a minor increase.
Radeon + Linux = yay I have a crazy video card but no drivers!
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Are you using Linux? stick with Nvidia (even if they suck but they suck less than ATI).
The post above me is what I've got (different mobo and graphic card) and it works flawlessly under Linux (Ubuntu, heavily customized). E8400 is a good performer at a good price. But your AMD setup is great for future upgrade paths. Phenom II 770 is better than E8400.
I would seriously advise getting a dedicated sound card for Linux. My onboard card did not do software mixing. If you have any trouble, just get a XFI.
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On August 19 2009 23:59 yenta wrote:
In that case, What kind of transfer rate/cache should I be looking for? What companies are reliable ie I won't have to worry about my disk at all for 3-4 years?
How do the other components look?
i dont know about the 500gb 7200.12 but the 1tb is a good drive. it performs nearly as well as the 10krpm wd raptor in real world apps in the benches i've seen.
also since you are getting a 550 consider the 720 which is a triple core and virtually the same otherwise except for clock speed. it's about $20 mroe which is a pretty decent price to pay for an extra core .
Phenom II 770 is better than E8400.
that's not necessarily true. if the software isnt optimized for more than two core the e8400 will run with (often beats) high end quads. though for gaming the 720 is the new bargain chip i guess since most games only utilize up to 3 cores and the phenom ii architecture matches the i7s in gaming performance.
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and with luck you can unlock the fourth core!
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When you factor in the total cost of ownership (remember that socket 775 is out of date now) then 720 becomes a very attractive chip.
I don't think it will matter very much for games. The OP is going with a mid range 9600GT and is probably not going to play anything other than SCII. Extra cores however will potential save time on code compilation etc.
Like I said, the strength of AMD Phenom II is the relative low price and offers great upgrade path for the future.
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EPT
