Please Help! Qoute for new desktop PC...

[Slaptjips]

Hi there! I'm in the market for a nice new desktop gaming system, and my budget is somewhere between R7000-R8000. :)

Here is some of my desired specs:

---Intel Pentium 3.4Ghz
---1024mb ram
---80-120gb hard drive
---NVidia Geforce 6600GT 256mb
---Shiny new case
---excluding monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers (basically just complete tower including motherboard, etc.)

What do you guys think? :confused: Know of any better deals? Any recommended changes or people/places I can contact for a cheap but decent deal?

Thanks for the help!

[killadoob]

MAKE SURE YOU GET SATA HDD'S NOT MUCH MORE
and go for pci e express card because the cheapness of the card makes up for the expensive board

and buy amd rather

[RVFmal]

Slaptjips you have PM.

[daevor]

I agree with killadoob: get amd 64 bit processor and pci express. amd REALLY kicks ass!!

Slaptjips r u in Cape Town? Perhaps I can assist you...

[rburley]

It is actually stupud to by intel now, AMD is by far better ATM

[Slaptjips]

The only problem is, I need a PC that can multitask quite well, and by recent experience, that rules out AMD. Am I wrong in assuming this?

Secondly, I recieved quite a nice qoute from Prophecy online shop. Anybody heard of them and what is their reputation? Basically, can I trust them not to rip me off?

Then, in response to daevor, yes, I am in Cape Town, and I would appreciate it if you could help me out. What price would you be able to conjure in regard to my required specs in the beginning of the thread?

Thanks for all your help and replies!!!

[mbs]

The only problem is, I need a PC that can multitask quite well, and by recent experience, that rules out AMD. Am I wrong in assuming this?
Very definitely. Multi-tasking for the user is usually evidenced by the ability to do more than one thing at the same time, which is an operating system and application-driven capability. Multi-tasking at a hardware level is something else entirely, and characterised by n-way board processors, multiple bus channels, and so on - none of this would be of any consequence to your situation, as I understand it. Get an AMD board, PCI Express and SATA drives, as recommended by other forum members...

[rburley]

If you want multitasking get dual core, the AMD X2.
It will multitask very well and you dont need a fancy mobo
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6022_1-6217968-1.html

[P0tenc]

I have to agree go with AMD at this stage, the duel core amd64 chips will multitask nicely indeed. But make no mistake the single core chips amd64 are'nt bad as well.

The price difference between a 80gb and a 120 can be big, but the differenece between a 120gb and a 160gb can be very small. So make your choice between a 80gb and a 160gb. Also make sure they are SATA as previously mentioned and also make sure they have 8mb cache.

Get a PCI-E main board.

Make sure you get a quality case with good cooling.....not the cheap crap that cuts you when you work with it.

good luck with your new system.

[Slaptjips]

Thanks for the advice everybody! I am still hunting for the the best price quotes, but these are the two systems I'm currently looking at:

Amd socket 939 athlon64 3200+ (2000mhz) - 128k L1 + 512k L2 ; 20
R1 645.80
Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-SLI - nForce4 SLI AMD Socket 939 d
R1 142.74
PowerColor X700 256MB
R1 211.68
Corsair® 1024MB DDR400 184-Pin ValueSelect Desktop Memory
R970.37
Seagate® Barracuda™ SATA 200GB Drive - 8MB cache + NCQ
R1 109.54
CHENBRO® SILVER Gaming Bomb - 300W PSU 20-pin - Side Vending Air
R376.66
Liteon® Dual Layer DVD-ReWriter - 16X DVD+R, 16x DVD-R - Black
R446.88

Total: R6 903.67


or, otherwise, if I go with Intel, it would be...


Abit AA8XE - Intel 925XE Intel LGA775 motherboard
R1 275.52
Intel 640 - 3.2ghz bx80547pg3200F box cpu , hyper-threading , 90
R1 910.09
Gainward GeForce 6600 256MB (CRT+TV+DVI) : PCI-E (Ultra/1780PCX
R1 317.66
Corsair® 1024MB DDR400 184-Pin ValueSelect Desktop Memory
R970.37
CHENBRO® SILVER Gaming Bomb - 300W PSU 20-pin - Side Vending Air
R376.66
Liteon® Dual Layer DVD-ReWriter - 16X DVD+R, 16x DVD-R - Black
R446.88
Seagate® Barracuda™ SATA 120GB Drive - 8MB cache + NCQ
R759.70

Total: R7 056.88

PS. The reason I'm not to keen to go dual-core right now, is that it seems both AMD and Intel will be releasing new architecture next year, so at that point one upgrading would need to buy a new motherboard with their CPU anyway, so basically unless I am upgrading to dual core within a year, then no need to pay more for a dual-core mobo which will be replaced with new architecture anyway.

PPS. These prices I recieved from the Prophecy online shop. Are they decent prices? And does anyone know what the reputation of Prophecy is, or has anyone had experience with them in the past?

[RVFmal]

Prophecy's prices are not bad. Short of finding someone to give you it at cost I doubt you will find it much cheaper (maybe on one or two of the components).

I could do it abou R 200 cheaper, but I am in Gauteng and you are not. The shipping would negate the saving.

Opt for a case with a bigger PSU BTW. 300W may not give you any problems now, but if you start adding more components you will in all probability need to upgarde it later anyway.

[Luke7777]

Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-SLI - nForce4 SLI AMD Socket 939 d
R1 142.74
PowerColor X700 256MB
R1 211.68
I don't understand the reasoning here. Why "waste" money on a SLI mobo, when you opt for a non-SLI card ?

[RVFmal]

I don't understand the reasoning here. Why "waste" money on a SLI mobo, when you opt for a non-SLI card ?

Obviously not recommended, but some clients insist on buying the SLi enabled MoBo for in the event they upgrade to an SLi card in the future.

[werner]

for the intel build I highly recommend finding a 24pin psu, conforming to the atx2.0/2.01 spec, with 16amps on the independent 12v rails (12v1 and 12v2).

[RVFmal]

for the intel build I highly recommend finding a 24pin psu, conforming to the atx2.0/2.01 spec, with 16amps on the independent 12v rails (12v1 and 12v2).

The Chenbro he has been quoted on comes in a 24 Pin as well. I am surprised that Prophecy quoted him on a 20 pin actually.

[werner]

probably because sometimes you can get away with using a 20pin psu...
but for the love of g_d, if it has a 24pin connector (which the intel 925 has), use a 24pin psu:-)
do the right thing....flowers will grow better, your wife will love you more etc...

[RVFmal]

probably because sometimes you can get away with using a 20pin psu...
but for the love of g_d, if it has a 24pin connector (which the intel 925 has), use a 24pin psu:-)
do the right thing....flowers will grow better, your wife will love you more etc...
Absolutely agree, however I don't know about flowers growing better or wives loving you more.;) ;)

[Katysha]

Why did you choose a Liteon drive? The nice folks at Computer Mania in Canal Walk (CPT) recommend either an LG or the Sony. LG seem to have a lot of firmware updates. Not sure of Liteon.

The Chenbro looked good and one feature is that it can take a bigger fan if you need it in future. You can also pick your own PSU.

[Slaptjips]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies! Based on your, and a few other, suggestions, I am opting for the following system:

Abit AA8XE - Intel 925XE Intel LGA775 motherboard
R1 275.52
Intel 640 - 3.2ghz bx80547pg3200F box cpu , hyper-threading , 90
R1 910.09
2x Corsair® 512MB DDR400 184-Pin ValueSelect Desktop Memory
R970.36
Seagate® Barracuda™ SATA 120GB Drive - 8MB cache + NCQ
R759.70
XFX GeForce 6600GT 256MB
R1 966.27
Liteon® 52x32x52 CD-RW + 16x DVD Combo Drive - Black
R287.28
CHENBRO® GREEN Gaming Bomb - 300W PSU 24-pin - Side Vending Air
R504.34

Total: R7 673.56

The transaction will be done with Prophecy online shop.

Is this a good final buy? :o

[Claymore]

I would still go for the Athlon 64 - faster, cheaper, runs cooler, and uses less power.

300W will not be enough - the 6600 cards use a fair bit of power, and 300W will not cut it. I speak from personal experience.

Why a DVD combo drive instead of a DVD writer? The DVD writers havedropped a lot in price, and should be more than an extra R150.

[werner]

I have built and send for magazine testing, sent to microsoft for validation, sent to intel for validation yada yada yada many times the following config

intel 3.4ghz 2mb cache
250gb sata
intel 925mb
6600gt gfx
optical etc
2 tv tuners
7.1 sound card
2 x 512mb ddr

on a 250w psu. One that actually puts out 250watt. How many problems? zero. zilch. nada. I wish, however, we all stop using watts for how big our e-psu's are..as the figures are misrepresented. 12v rail folks...always look at the 12v rail...

[DGremlin]

on a 250w psu. One that actually puts out 250watt. How many problems? zero. zilch. nada. I wish, however, we all stop using watts for how big our e-psu's are..as the figures are misrepresented. 12v rail folks...always look at the 12v rail...

Finally someone who else !

[Silent_Bob]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies! Based on your, and a few other, suggestions, I am opting for the following system:

Abit AA8XE - Intel 925XE Intel LGA775 motherboard
R1 275.52
Intel 640 - 3.2ghz bx80547pg3200F box cpu , hyper-threading , 90
R1 910.09
2x Corsair® 512MB DDR400 184-Pin ValueSelect Desktop Memory
R970.36
Seagate® Barracuda™ SATA 120GB Drive - 8MB cache + NCQ
R759.70
XFX GeForce 6600GT 256MB
R1 966.27
Liteon® 52x32x52 CD-RW + 16x DVD Combo Drive - Black
R287.28
CHENBRO® GREEN Gaming Bomb - 300W PSU 24-pin - Side Vending Air
R504.34

Total: R7 673.56

The transaction will be done with Prophecy online shop.

Is this a good final buy? :o


where are you situated?

I have come up with these prices compared to the prophecy shop, they will also charge you like R150 as a "buliding fee"

here are my prices (it will be a few different brands though as my suppliers dont supply Abit etc: (all prices include vat)

BIOSTAR I945P-A7 / INTEL 945P+ICH7R (it has 4x DUAL CHANNEL DDR2 667, realtek 8+2-CH codec audio and realtek gigabit lan onboard,
4X sata 150 and 2x Ata100. 1xPCI-E X16 and 1x PCI-Extreme slot, 3 PCI, 8xusb V2, SUPPORTS HP technology and dual core cpu
(so the other parts you want will run nicely on this board)
http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/mainboard/board.php?name=I945P-A7
take a look at the full specs
R1102.50
------------------------------------------------------------------
Intel 640 - 3.2ghz bx80547pg3200F box cpu , hyper-threading , 90
R1810
------------------------------------------------------------------
2x Legend 512MB DDR2-533 RAM
R815
------------------------------------------------------------------
Seagate® Barracuda™ SATA 120GB Drive - 8MB cache + NCQ
R 735.32

PALIT GEFORCE 6600GT 128MB PCI-E (trying to get you the chaintech card but need to find if they have in stock now or not)
you were going to go agp! WHY! AGP is being faded out, you will loose money when you want to sell it due to it being agp
and upgrading becomes so much harder
R 1,487.38
------------------------------------------------------------------
LG 52x24x52x CD-RW, 16x DVD Combo Drive - Black
R 283.86
------------------------------------------------------------------
Antec solution series SLK3000B , Black (no PSU)
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=93000
R471.96

i cant get the chenbro unfortunaly

if you dont like it, i can get a different case, if you want a shiny case with carrybag, 2 fans etc then take
a look at the superlanboy (i have one, very nice!) They are R745.56 which is a bit more but will make the final
price still alot cheeper than prophecy's prices
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15001
------------------------------------------------------------------
300W P4 Power Supply
R 168.20
------------------------------------------------------------------
Building Fee: R50 (if you want the pc in parts thats ok with me)
------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------
Total : R6924.22 INC VAT
------------------------------------------------------------------
Please PM me or post in the forum if you are interested. All products except the case and power supply have a warranty.

there we go. hope you like the prices etc.

And this pc is a good final buy!

*All prices are subject to change

[DigitalSoldier]

This is a stupid question but can some1 tell me what SLI is ? ??

[Scooby_Doo]

This is a stupid question but can some1 tell me what SLI is ? ??


The nvidia solution to have dual graphics cards in one system....

Here is an idea get a recton trading licence and buy from them... most of the stuff u looking at is R100-300 cheaper on each item. :D :D... Be warned that if u do u have to do tax returns just put nothing and send it in.

[rburley]

This is a stupid question but can some1 tell me what SLI is ? ??

google it :confused:

[Silent_Bob]

the public are not supposed to be able to buy from rectron scooby, as in life, people run companies to make money. I just make a lot less on each sale than the prophecy shop, but i sell in quantity

[Scooby_Doo]

the public are not supposed to be able to buy from rectron scooby, as in life, people run companies to make money. I just make a lot less on each sale than the prophecy shop, but i sell in quantity

Sorr, i know plenty of people that buy from rectron. lol. my bad.

[RVFmal]

Here is an idea get a recton trading licence and buy from them... most of the stuff u looking at is R100-300 cheaper on each item. :D :D... Be warned that if u do u have to do tax returns just put nothing and send it in.

This sort of defeats the object of a person running a business who's main focus is the selling of components and built-up systems.

By reccommending that every TD & H go and get sale agreements with all the distributors, it means that less people will be buying from the retailers. This is the reason why Rectron and other distributors do not sell directly to the public - it is not and should not be their main focus of business.

Whilst I understand that PC's and components are not cheap, to make the retailer/reseller get the short end of the stick will only make matters worse from an economic perspective.

[Scooby_Doo]

Well i'm not going stop...

[killadoob]

rectron have a new system in place finally

u need to have a letter from the company
a buying order

finally because everyone knows someone at rectron and alot of public buys direct from which is killing the pc stores

about time the figured out about the fruad

[RVFmal]

Well i'm not going stop...

You are more than welcome to continue, but be aware that the time will come when companies like Rectron will start clamping down on transactions like this and I hope that the penalties will be severe on both parties involved.

I hope that one day, if you should ever own your own business (if you do not already) that something such as this will affect you. Only then will you understand the implications that it can have.

[ZeroIndex]

make sure you get 2 x 512mb in dual channel, not single channel 1024mb...

[photonman]

no make it 2X 1024 Dual channel