What do you think of my new setup?

[Kowalski]

Here's the machine I'm building. It's kind of a budget setup but should be a night/day difference from my laptop. I haven't built a computer in a few years, just wondering how you guys think I did.


Motherboard: 1000 mhz FSB, 2 PCIx16 1 PCIx1, 4x240 pin memory slots, max mem: 32 GB

CPU: AMD Athlon 64FX Windsor 2.8 GHZ - $403 (As a combo with the mobo)

Video Card: GeForce 7800GT 256 MB PCIx16 - $129

Memory: 4GB (4x1GB) DDR2 800 - $170

Hard Drive Seagate 320 GB 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache - $80

Display(s): 2x Samsung 204B 1600x1200 Factory Refurbs - $440

Other random stuff, Keyboard - $45, DVDRW - $30, Mid-Tower (Undecided) - $50

All together is <$1400

Thoughts? Am I nuts for getting refurbished screens?

[Bobo Fett]

I already posted this in another thread, but I found a 204B NEW (not refurbished) for $225 in a Circuit City about a month ago. The don't have it online, and I have no idea if they still have any in-store (apparently it's being dscontinued), but it might be worth making some phone calls to any local stores if you're in the US.

[Kowalski]

Thanks for the reply man. I'll definitely give em a call, but I'm not holding my breath. They probably didn't realize how nice of a screen it was when they sold it. 1600x1200 is so sexy.

[Cracka Lacka]

Use for system?

Mainly poker?

You recommend any sites or books on putting together your own cpu?

[Kowalski]

Yeah mainly poker. I dick around with CS:S and other HL2 mods every once in a great, great while. I'm sure I'll give Starcraft 2 a try when it comes out too. I really don't spend too much time playing games anymore.

I also do some systems and database programming every once in a while.

Putting together your own machine is much easier than you would think. I learned how to do it from my dad when I was about 11 years old. My younger brother and I have built > 10 systems together, as well as settin up several networks. All you need to know is what components make up your system, where they go, and what they connect with.

Just make sure you have a grounding strip on, losing hardware to static electricity is a buzzkill.

[five4suited]

You can probably find a better mobo and that cpu separately for the same price; I'm never impressed with newegg's combo deals. I usually hit froogle and pricegrabber to get an idea of the market, maybe ebay too. I bought a new monitor [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] on ebay (2001fp) and it worked out well. I'm sure you know this too, but don't skimp on your power supply, especially with the video card you're looking at.

[PokerImprov]

www.cyberpowerpc.com Im doing the megadeal III

Now, I was going to go with AMD over intel b/c of the price but after extensive research I have found that even the lowest Core 2 Duo (1.86 ghz) out performs AMD. I built my first computer with newegg and frys, but I have found that the site up there is 10x better. You get a 3 year warrenty on all parts.

GPU: I think the 7900gt goes for the same price as the 7800.

what brand is that mobo? you may wanna check out www.motherboards.org and see how it ranks up. Stay away from ECS.

[Kowalski]

What do you guys recommend for a power supply?

[Bremen]

meh, if you're going to spend that much on a proc I'd get a C2D. Personally I'd just settle for a (much) cheaper X2. This depends greatly on what you plan using it for...

Also why the heck are you getting 4GB of RAM? Normal desktop actively won't even need half that.

As for PS it can vary alot. I've had good luck with Antec (although apparently some of their series have been very bad). Enermax and Seasonic both have very good reps I believe...

[Kowalski]

How much wattage should be sufficient? 350? 450? Mooore?