New PC Build : Please HELP!

[fxit_man]

Hi all, im looking to build a new PC as I have been in need of an upgrade for a while now but want to spend the least amount of money possible (I still want somethings that kicks ass though! :-D ).

I would appreciate any advice from anyone regarding this build as I know alot about computers, but not enough. I would also like to know if all components i have chosen are compatible with each other etc.

My current system is a premade system from Fujitsu Siemens - Scaleo 600 .

Here are the basics:

CPU : Intel Pentium 4 3 GHZ HT processor
GPU: ATI Radeon 9200 SE AGP :'-(
Memory : 512 MB DDR RAM
-DVD WRITER
-Memory Card Reader

I want a system that can run ALL the latest games at high quality and those games to come so i dont have to fork out for an upgrade anytime soon...With the upcoming release of Vista and in-turn , Direct3D10 , i thought it would be wise to look at the following option for a new system:

New System:

Motherboard : MSI S775 Intel 975X ATx Audio Lan power Up Edition
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ctedId=11143&NavigationKey=11143&v=2#infoarea

could not find this in SA so will have to get it from UK

= £102.94 (R1421)


CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Processor
(I am looking for a Dual Core processor, and this one seems as if it could handle all games and future games to come)
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/112706/product_info/rb/23048039341

=R1990 (CyberDyne)

GPU: Nvidia 8800 Series : MSI NX8800GTX 768Mb DDR3 PCI EXPRESS + TV Out + Dual DVI
(It is Direct3D10 compatible, therefore no need to upgrade when Vista comes out as well as the new games)
http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product...a?seriesId=730995&productId=731022#openLarger

=R 6150 (CyberDyne)

Memory : Corsair XMS2 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 Memory Kit (1GBx2 - MPN: TWIN2X20486400)
(It will be able to handle all games with ease and all future games to come)
http://www.prophecy.co.za/index.php...0&category_id=248&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=6

=R3 057.94 (Prophecy Shop)

PSU: Antec NEO HE 500W Modular PSU With 80mm Low Speed/noise Fan 18db PSU
(Silence is of great importance to me in this project)
http://www.ngrcomputers.co.za/antec-500w-eps12v-high-efficiency-with-advance-p-2845.html

Hard Drive : Western Digital Caviar ® RE 250.0Gb 7200RPM + 16MB Buffer SATA300
= R810 (CyberDyne)

Case : Antec P180 EU Aluminium Super Miditower - No PSU
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=91721

=R 1142 (NGR Computers)

TOTAL:= R14570.94

;-) Thanks in advance for your help and concern.

 

[Franna]

There is no harddrive listed.

To shave R1000 off the price take the 6400 CPU instead of the 6600. The 2MB versus 4MB L2 cache is not going to make a huge difference. Then in 2 years time simply replace the CPU with a "Core 2 Quad" one, which will then probably cost around R2000.

 

[fxit_man]

There is no harddrive listed.

To shave R1000 off the price take the 6400 CPU instead of the 6600. The 2MB versus 4MB L2 cache is not going to make a huge difference. Then in 2 years time simply replace the CPU with a "Core 2 Quad" one, which will then probably cost around R2000.

i already have a 120 GB hard drive on my PC now...thats just with normal cables not with SATA...should i rather buy a SATA one? I suppose it is faster and will add one to the list...

With regards to the CPU..i initially chose a E6700 and downgraded it to a E6600... that is beacuse i liked the performance, but chose the E6600 because it is practically identical except for the speed which was only 300 Mhz less... i dont know much about L2 caches etc etc so could you plz explain to me what they do and if i would really notice the difference between the E6400 and the E6600 with regards to speed...

thanks for your help, i will add a hard drive and a case now...

edit: added the case and the HD..woud someone kindly tell me if the case will fit everything and if the HD i selected is compatible? I see it is SATA 2...

thanks

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

You can also shave around R1000 off the price if you choose a less powerful graphics card like a 8800GTS.

 

[daysleeper]

I really don't want to rain on your parade. That computer is going to cost closer to R15 000 landed in SA.

Those prices you quote are all overseas. I doubt that you could pick up a E6600 locally for less than R3000.

Go and check www.wantitall.co.za for example, they work it out at approx R12 to the USD.

That computer is going to cost serious cash, and you still need a LCD and lazer mouse and so on.

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Ja, why are you taking a bunch of pound prices and just converting them, it doesn't really work like that. And shipping for those big parts will be very expensive. Its a much better idea to at least get the case (if not the whole PC) in SA.

Oh also i see you are a mxit fan, so alternatively you could just shoot yourself in the face and get it over with. might seem harsh, but I hate mxit.

 

[fxit_man]

I really don't want to rain on your parade. That computer is going to cost closer to R15 000 landed in SA.

Those prices you quote are all overseas. I doubt that you could pick up a E6600 locally for less than R3000.

Go and check www.wantitall.co.za for example, they work it out at approx R12 to the USD.

That computer is going to cost serious cash, and you still need a LCD and lazer mouse and so on.

hi, appreciate your concern... i constantly visit the UK and have people visiting me from the UK... the parts arent necessarily heavy are they? I could just bring them back with me in my hand luggage even! Heaviest thing would be the hard drive and thats what...1 kg 2kg? I could just purchase the case here...

As for the mouse and LCD and speakers etc..

i currently already have a:
LG L1980Q Flatron Slim 19 inch LCD Monitor
Creative 6.1 6600 Surround Sound Speaker System which i am happy with
An optical mouse which i am happy with

So the stuff i have quoted on is all the stuff i need really..

edit: okaay okaay,

GFX card = 2.14 kg
250 GB HD = 1.3 kg
PSU = 2.3 kg

Total Weight:= 5.74 kg...thats nothing

as i said, buying the case here...so Mobo, Memory, and CPU (0.8 Kg) hardly weigh anything!

 

[mic_y]

hehe, the GFX card is probably the heaviest part, though the CPU will also weigh, since it comes with a cooler. The case in a box is huge, and weights around 16kg, so no, hand luggage will not work (was quite exciting getting it into a 3 series BMW's boot).

 

[fxit_man]

I could just purchase the case here...

So the stuff i have quoted on is all the stuff i need really..

minus the case, it will be alot lighter, i have carried stuff this way before

dont worry about the price of importing etc..just the prices i have quoted on

thx ppl

 

[fxit_man]

You can also shave around R1000 off the price if you choose a less powerful graphics card like a 8800GTS.

as for the GFX card, i was actually considering moving it back to a GTS... it still supports DX10 and still is a monster

thx

 

[Kompete]

If you are considering doing it the "legal" way , check out PCInternational for qoutes, I have looked around and found them to be the most competitive when I recently built my pc.

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4, 2x1GB DDR2 667 Mhz, Intel 965 Lamont MB, 250GB SATA HDD, TTake 500 case, 256MB 7900GT, DVDRW, 19” BENQ LCD, and other peripherals for R11,550 incl VAT

see thread http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=50302&highlight=Good+deal

 

[fxit_man]

If you are considering doing it the "legal" way , check out PCInternational for qoutes, I have looked around and found them to be the most competitive when I recently built my pc.

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4, 2x1GB DDR2 667 Mhz, Intel 965 Lamont MB, 250GB SATA HDD, TTake 500 case, 256MB 7900GT, DVDRW, 19” BENQ LCD, and other peripherals for R11,550 incl VAT

see thread http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=50302&highlight=Good+deal

thanks, ill check that out

 

[fxit_man]

Ok guys i have made alot of changes mainly to price...

I got quotes for all my items from SA itself..Except for the motherboard .. i thought a bit more realisticly..... can anyone find that motherboard for me here?

Please would some1 tell me if all the components i have selected are compatible with each other as i really am not sure.. i would greatly appreciate it.

I would also appreciate it if any1 could tell me where i could get better prices from the ones i have been quoted on above (Only in SA, JHB)

I would really appreciate your help once again.

Thanks in advance

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Hmm.. that ram is a bit expensive.. wouldnt cheaper stuff be okay for you?

Its costing more than your chip and HDD together.

I guess if you really want quality ram then thats about the price, but you could get normal stuff for R750 or so cheaper.
Actually if you went with CyberDyne Super Talent ram you could get 2 GB DDRII 667 for R1760, thats alot less than Corsair, its up to you if R1300 is worth it for Corsair memory.

 

[Brawler]

lol.
Should be nice jump in performance from 9200SE to 8800GTX!
Seriously a 8800gts is more than powerful enough and im sure by the time it cant handle the latest games neither will the gtx.

With the savings get a logitech G15 & G7. Never skimp on the accessories they will last longer than ur cpu, gfx ect.

And maybe more ram when vista comes out?

 

[fxit_man]

thats wat i want u guys to tell me! im not a HECTIC gamer so i dont think ill be needing those accessories...but i like perfromance and sheer quality when im playing something.. i am really wondering whether to go with the GTX or the GTS... i cant make my mind up

however, i could only find the GTX in SA, not the GTS and for the price of the XFX 8800 GTS offered here http://www.ngrcomputers.co.za/geforce-8800gts-640mb-ddr3-pcie-dual-p-3329.html (R6040) , i might as well get that GTX for R60 more Plus, if im gonna get that card, i would only consider MSI or eVGA brands...

@Ekhaatvensters: With regards to the memory..i want something high performance..something that will last..something 800Mhz...good quality stuff..
is there anything else cheaper than the one i selected that meets those requirements? if there is, please let me know..thanks!

p.s. that amount of RAM is ok for the moment Brawler, even when Vista does come out. dont u think so?

thx ppl

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Ja, I think 2Gb is more than enough even for Vista, I mean Vista is coming out in 3 months, and is already leaked, people would be making noise if it needed close to more than 2GB.

Well have you seen the MSI 8800GTX for only R6150 at Cyberdyne? btw, how do those guys work, the cash prices are insane.. do they deliver around the country?

EDIT: Oh right not including VAT for a start, and no delivery, insurance or handling costs. But I guess some of those prices are still good.

 

[fxit_man]

Ja, I think 2Gb is more than enough even for Vista, I mean Vista is coming out in 3 months, and is already leaked, people would be making noise if it needed close to more than 2GB.

Well have you seen the MSI 8800GTX for only R6150 at Cyberdyne? btw, how do those guys work, the cash prices are insane.. do they deliver around the country?

im not entirely sure...i contacted them with regards to a quote..basically what they told me was...

Quote:

Thank you for your email.

In reply, CyberDyne's pricing has always been extremely competitive because we import all our product
from the respective manufacturers and sell direct to the end user cutting out the middleman in
the process, however our business is about a lot more than simply price. There are many companies
who offer lower prices than CyberDyne, however they do not offer the same quality of product
or service. CyberDyne business is about the best value for money - not the lowest price. We are the
the only hardware distributor in South Africa that offers a unique No-Quibble policy (See www.cyberdyne.co.za
for details) and companies trading purely on the basis of the cheapest price are unable to
offer such service because when you cut the price to the bone, more often than not the quality and
service goes out the Window.

We therefore are more than happy to assist you, however my suggestion is that you download a price
guide from www.cyberdyne.co.za and note that the items you require, we have available, but
some of them in different brands (Mainboard's we sell are only from MSI - same as the display adapter
products - also only MSI, memory would be KINGSTON and Super Talent).

1. Should the quote be accepted how do you plan to pay as this will determine
what pricing your are quoted - namely STANDARD or the lower C.O.D. pricing ?

2. Do you require shipping / delivery ? If so, what is the physical address ?

NB: Kindly note that we only ship / deliver product to a physical address
during business hours. Product can not be shipped to a postal address due
to numerous problems experienced in the past with the postal services
in Southern Africa. Delivery via CyberDyne's vehicles or that of a 3rd
party courier are during business hours only, Monday thru Friday.

3. Do you require assembly of the products or require only the components ?

To assist you in providing us this information please will you complete
and return the attached EXCEL document and we can then provide you a final
quotation.

In terms of our banking details for Direct Deposits and Electronics Funds
Transfers, they are as follows:

Bankers: First National Bank (FNB)
Account Name: CyberDyne Systems S.A. (Pty) Ltd.
Branch Code: 25-03-55
Account Number: 61-882-042-355
Account Type: Current
Branch: Rivonia

NB: Kindly quote your name as your reference when making an EFT so we can reconcile your
payment promptly and avoid delays in the release of goods due to our warehouse awaiting
payment.

We trust that this is in order and look forward to receiving your feedback so
that we may then be in a position to tender a quotation.

Yours Sincerely,
Melanie Viviers
(Customer Services)

for

CyberDyne SA


They are situated in Roodepoort so i guess i could go and collect my stuff from there without them having to deliver and me having to pay extra

just checked their site... http://www.cyberdyne.co.za/NoQuibble.aspx ..Free deliver if you reside in the greater area of JHB cool

only thing is i want 800Mhz memory (2GB) and CyberDyne dont have that...they have 1GB..is the 2GB the same as buying 2 x 1GB sticks? Cos that would work out to 2 x R1375.00 = R2750 (SUPER TALENT ORIGINAL - never heard of them in my life before)..which is practically the same price as the Corsair ones.

It all depends on what my budget is how much Daddy shells out

if i really had to, i guess i could go for the DDR2 2Gb PC5300 667Mhz (Kit of 2 pieces 1Gb DDR2) from CyberDyne which is 667Mhz and R2115 .. would save about R940 which aint too bad

edit: just saw on computersonly they got the XFX 8800 GTX for R7000! thats insane considering the MSI is much better when it comes to performance etc...i looked it up on the net..

 

[fxit_man]

Guys i had an idea..could i purchase these items from Newegg.com and have them shipped out here?

I can pay with American Express cos no int credit card accepted..but is there any way to get items here?

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

www.wantitall.co.za do that for you, well their service is buying the items from newegg on your behalf and then shipping them as well themselves. But it does up the price alot on newegg's quoted price. Can turn out better than SA prices sometimes.

I'm not sure if you can do this on your own though, it depends if newegg do international shipping.. which I assume they dont, and it will be very expensive.