Which computer for less than or equal to $2,500?
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From: Garden Grove, CA
Originally Posted by honda606,Aug 11 2004, 03:47 AM
Ok. I need some help on RAM here.
If one has a "CAS Latency" of 3-3-3 and one has 3-3-3-8 which is the optimal choice?
What about one that is 2-3-2-6?
If one has a "CAS Latency" of 3-3-3 and one has 3-3-3-8 which is the optimal choice?
What about one that is 2-3-2-6?
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From: The Empire State
Okay do a google search for that mobo and OCZ RAM, I forget the exact model but some ASUS boards do not like OCZ. As for timing and RAM type. Your not overclocking so get tight timings from the start (this is REALLY important if you were OCing)
I would recommend Corsair XMS ram but thats just my taste, you could easily get away with Corsair Value RAM, dont let value fool you at around $160 a gig this stuff is great ram if your not Ocing, which I really dont suggest you do until you get more comfortable with computer.
You dont need a SCSI or a 10k RPM HDD for what your doing. As for graphics I think that is wayyyy to much to spend ($300) on a 9800 Pro. If your gaming get a 6800 plain (not GT, deffinetly not Ultra) for that price and you'll be happy. If your not gaming you dont need a card anywhere near $300. More like $120 so seriously think about this.
Why the extra network card, the onboard one is way bette than the added one. Just for your info, if you didn't already know that has both Wifi and normal cable networking. With a built in firewall.
Look for RAM that is 2.5 first number (thats as low as a AMD chip will allow, Intel will allow 2) dont get it with a start number of 3 if you can. Here is the Value select Notice the first reviewer says his timings which are realitively good for that ram, except he put the numbers in the wrong order.
Another thing about that Mobo, Do you really need it? you could get the Abit board and save $40 on stuff you may or may not need. If you have WiFi then disregard this statement.
Also you did not configure that system at www.cyberpowersystems.com you did it at www.cyberpowersystem.com go to that first link and you'll see why I got so confused trying to respond.
I would recommend Corsair XMS ram but thats just my taste, you could easily get away with Corsair Value RAM, dont let value fool you at around $160 a gig this stuff is great ram if your not Ocing, which I really dont suggest you do until you get more comfortable with computer.
You dont need a SCSI or a 10k RPM HDD for what your doing. As for graphics I think that is wayyyy to much to spend ($300) on a 9800 Pro. If your gaming get a 6800 plain (not GT, deffinetly not Ultra) for that price and you'll be happy. If your not gaming you dont need a card anywhere near $300. More like $120 so seriously think about this.
Why the extra network card, the onboard one is way bette than the added one. Just for your info, if you didn't already know that has both Wifi and normal cable networking. With a built in firewall.
Look for RAM that is 2.5 first number (thats as low as a AMD chip will allow, Intel will allow 2) dont get it with a start number of 3 if you can. Here is the Value select Notice the first reviewer says his timings which are realitively good for that ram, except he put the numbers in the wrong order.
Another thing about that Mobo, Do you really need it? you could get the Abit board and save $40 on stuff you may or may not need. If you have WiFi then disregard this statement.
Also you did not configure that system at www.cyberpowersystems.com you did it at www.cyberpowersystem.com go to that first link and you'll see why I got so confused trying to respond.
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From: The Empire State
Okay you owe me for this one.....
Damn that site is longer than it needs to be.
# *BASE_PRICE: [+770]
# 2ND_USB: STANDARD 2 USB PORT CONNECTORS
# CABLE: NONE
# CAS: (NEW !!!) TURBO X-INFINITY Case 420W W/ WINDOW & LCD Temperature Display [-41] (BLACK COLOR [+0])
# CD: COMBO DRIVE (16X DVD-ROM & 52x32x52 CD-RW) [+19] (BLACK COLOR [+0])
# CDRW: NONE [-22]
# CASUPGRADE: NONE
# CPU: (939-pin) AMD
Damn that site is longer than it needs to be.
# *BASE_PRICE: [+770]
# 2ND_USB: STANDARD 2 USB PORT CONNECTORS
# CABLE: NONE
# CAS: (NEW !!!) TURBO X-INFINITY Case 420W W/ WINDOW & LCD Temperature Display [-41] (BLACK COLOR [+0])
# CD: COMBO DRIVE (16X DVD-ROM & 52x32x52 CD-RW) [+19] (BLACK COLOR [+0])
# CDRW: NONE [-22]
# CASUPGRADE: NONE
# CPU: (939-pin) AMD
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From: USC
Originally Posted by autechre,Aug 10 2004, 04:55 PM
If I had unlimited funds, I go with an L Computer. www.go-l.com
They're so insane that a lot of people were calling
on their products, saying they don't even exist. But they do...and my dream computer comes to about 40,000 bucks. 
They're so insane that a lot of people were calling
on their products, saying they don't even exist. But they do...and my dream computer comes to about 40,000 bucks. 
Thread Starter
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From: houston
ninethreeeleven,
Thank you very much for your advice. I'm glad you mentioned taking off the 3COM NIC card as it will save me $30. Do you really think the 480PS is worth the extra $80 over the 420 the computer will come with?
In regards to RAM I'm leaning towards the Kingston HyperX. I've used their memory in the past and it performed flawlessly. I guess it really doesn't matter though...I priced the Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, Muskin, etc. and they're all about the same price.
I purposely left off the speakers because I have a Klipsch 5.1 system coming in the mail.
Thank you very much for your advice. I'm glad you mentioned taking off the 3COM NIC card as it will save me $30. Do you really think the 480PS is worth the extra $80 over the 420 the computer will come with?
In regards to RAM I'm leaning towards the Kingston HyperX. I've used their memory in the past and it performed flawlessly. I guess it really doesn't matter though...I priced the Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, Muskin, etc. and they're all about the same price.
I purposely left off the speakers because I have a Klipsch 5.1 system coming in the mail.
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From: LA, CA - Durham, NC
How come you're not considering a notebook computer? The system you're getting is overkill for what you're looking to do. They're plenty fast enough and will play games, just not the newest ones as well as a desktop.
Since you already have a desktop, a notebook would be a great addition.
Check out the 2379DXU from IBM. It's a T42 with the 15" flexview screen which just looks great. You can brag to your friends about it having carbon fiber AND titanium. It runs within your price range as well. ~$2200. Pentium M processors are fairly new processors from Intel that are comparable with Athlon 64s clock for clock. IE, a 2.0ghz Pentium M is about as fast a 3.2 GHZ Pentium 4 or a Athlon 64 3000+. You can ask anyone about IBM making the best notebooks, bar none. Support is good as well, compared to a system from a small company or a build it yourself.
I've built several of my own computers and I still recommend this notebook over building myself one. IBM's support is head and shoulders above what I've experienced with my Dell or Toshiba notebooks.
I've noticed that many people have suggested spending a large amount on the video card. I think that's one of the worst choices I've made in the past. I never utilized it, wasted $400, and had an obsolete card in about 6 months. Unless you're planning to play Doom 3 or Half Life 2, you don't need to spend 4-500 on something that'll be considered slow before you know it. Buying the top CPU was also one of the worst choices I've made. Paying a $300 premium for 5% performance is a waste. Spending money on the hard drive is much more worth it.
Enough ranting, let us know what you decide on.
Since you already have a desktop, a notebook would be a great addition.
Check out the 2379DXU from IBM. It's a T42 with the 15" flexview screen which just looks great. You can brag to your friends about it having carbon fiber AND titanium. It runs within your price range as well. ~$2200. Pentium M processors are fairly new processors from Intel that are comparable with Athlon 64s clock for clock. IE, a 2.0ghz Pentium M is about as fast a 3.2 GHZ Pentium 4 or a Athlon 64 3000+. You can ask anyone about IBM making the best notebooks, bar none. Support is good as well, compared to a system from a small company or a build it yourself.
I've built several of my own computers and I still recommend this notebook over building myself one. IBM's support is head and shoulders above what I've experienced with my Dell or Toshiba notebooks.
I've noticed that many people have suggested spending a large amount on the video card. I think that's one of the worst choices I've made in the past. I never utilized it, wasted $400, and had an obsolete card in about 6 months. Unless you're planning to play Doom 3 or Half Life 2, you don't need to spend 4-500 on something that'll be considered slow before you know it. Buying the top CPU was also one of the worst choices I've made. Paying a $300 premium for 5% performance is a waste. Spending money on the hard drive is much more worth it.
Enough ranting, let us know what you decide on.
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From: Seattle, WA
Yeap, get a T42 and forget all this other crap. You'll thank us later .
Pentium M's are not comparable with Athlon64's....I dunno where you're getting that from. They barely compare to P4's. Either way, the T42 is the way to go. It's powerful enough to do just about anything, will handle almost any game (minus the new ones, ie Doom3, HL2), and is light and portable. It's my fav. lappy of all time!
.Pentium M's are not comparable with Athlon64's....I dunno where you're getting that from. They barely compare to P4's. Either way, the T42 is the way to go. It's powerful enough to do just about anything, will handle almost any game (minus the new ones, ie Doom3, HL2), and is light and portable. It's my fav. lappy of all time!
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From: The Empire State
I dont think that much power is neccessary at all, I put it in there because I know thats a good power supply. If you can find out what thier stock one is (who makes it) then it may or may not matter. If your putting that kind of exquipment together dont skimp on the PSU.
I dont need a laptop so I cant comment on them, as I know nothing really.
RAM sounds good, and I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the speakers and get some money back, so I just left them in.
I dont need a laptop so I cant comment on them, as I know nothing really.
RAM sounds good, and I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the speakers and get some money back, so I just left them in.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Vienna, VA
just be advised that laptops with "intel extreme graphics" will not play the newest games AT ALL! make sure you get something with at least a ati mobility 9600 or nvidia 5600.
also, the athlon64 is much better than the pentium M clock for clock. The PM is a good chip, better than the P4 (that's why intel is dumping the P4 and going with a PM based chip for the new generation), but it's strength is power saving, not all out performance.
also, the athlon64 is much better than the pentium M clock for clock. The PM is a good chip, better than the P4 (that's why intel is dumping the P4 and going with a PM based chip for the new generation), but it's strength is power saving, not all out performance.
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From: Germantown, MD
Originally Posted by Elistan,Aug 9 2004, 05:59 PM
Based on what you want to do with it, you could easily get by with a $1000 range computer.
Jean