Hardware recommendations
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Hardware recommendations
G'day All,
This one has been done before, but computer technology changes faster than anything else.
I am about to replace my 5 year old computer and would like some advice about which hardware would suit. I was thinking of building it myself but after buying all the hardware and the OS it may be cheaper to have my usual tech build it for me. Only trouble is he does not supply an OS Disk, just a copy of the setup files on the HDD. Not too sure what style of software this is, OEM or Dodgy Bros.
Said techie built my last system, which seemed to handle most of what I do with occasional bottlenecks but fairly stable. I dont think it needed a reboot for about the first six months. OS is MS Win Me.
System Manufacturer VIA Technologies, Inc.
System Model VT82C692BX
Jetway V693AS
700 megahertz Intel Celeron
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
128 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Physical Memory 256 MB (2 x 128 SDRAM) PC133
TNT 2 Video card (been replaced GE Force 5200 128MB)
CMI8738/C3DX PCI C Media Audio Device
1 x CD ROM
1 x CD-RW
I mainly use MS Office programs, email, internet and photo editing.
I have been doing a bit of trawling on the net and the options seem endless. Do I really need 64bit computing. I have no idea, but this new system will probably serve me for the next 4-5 years so it may be a worthwhile option now.
I would like to have (onboard) RAID 1 with SATA drives. I understand this will keep a mirror image of my data on each of the drives, and in case of HDD failure, the data can be rebuilt from either of the drives.
I would also like 1 GB of dual RAM. I already have a spare ATI Radeon 9550 video card with 256 MB ram, and an USB ADSL modem. OS should be MS XP Pro. I guess what I really need is a MOBO, HDD and memory recommendation. Any advice appreciated.
Price range excluding video card, around the $1000-$1200AU mark.
Regards,
Two Dogs.
This one has been done before, but computer technology changes faster than anything else.
I am about to replace my 5 year old computer and would like some advice about which hardware would suit. I was thinking of building it myself but after buying all the hardware and the OS it may be cheaper to have my usual tech build it for me. Only trouble is he does not supply an OS Disk, just a copy of the setup files on the HDD. Not too sure what style of software this is, OEM or Dodgy Bros.
Said techie built my last system, which seemed to handle most of what I do with occasional bottlenecks but fairly stable. I dont think it needed a reboot for about the first six months. OS is MS Win Me.
System Manufacturer VIA Technologies, Inc.
System Model VT82C692BX
Jetway V693AS
700 megahertz Intel Celeron
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
128 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Physical Memory 256 MB (2 x 128 SDRAM) PC133
TNT 2 Video card (been replaced GE Force 5200 128MB)
CMI8738/C3DX PCI C Media Audio Device
1 x CD ROM
1 x CD-RW
I mainly use MS Office programs, email, internet and photo editing.
I have been doing a bit of trawling on the net and the options seem endless. Do I really need 64bit computing. I have no idea, but this new system will probably serve me for the next 4-5 years so it may be a worthwhile option now.
I would like to have (onboard) RAID 1 with SATA drives. I understand this will keep a mirror image of my data on each of the drives, and in case of HDD failure, the data can be rebuilt from either of the drives.
I would also like 1 GB of dual RAM. I already have a spare ATI Radeon 9550 video card with 256 MB ram, and an USB ADSL modem. OS should be MS XP Pro. I guess what I really need is a MOBO, HDD and memory recommendation. Any advice appreciated.
Price range excluding video card, around the $1000-$1200AU mark.
Regards,
Two Dogs.
Plastic PPRuNer
It's a reasonable low-end system.
This is not kosher. "Dodgy Bros" as you put it. Lots of people do it mind, but you won't be able to reinstall if things go wrong.
"I mainly use MS Office programs, email, internet and photo editing."
Why not make the move to Linux? Ubuntu Linux - http://www.ubuntu.com/ - will let you do all of those things (a lot better than WinME!), costs nothing, has a full MS compatible office suite (OpenOffice 2.0), a secure browser and email client, an excellent photo-editor and much more.
You can use and access all your old data.
And it's legal (if you care).
Linux does things a little differently (though moderm Linuxes don't look too different from Windows) - It'll take you a week or so to get used to it (just like it took you to get used to Windows) but it's pretty plain sailing. And you can stop worrying about worms and viruses.
PS: User error and data corruption is a much bigger threat than HDD failure these days. RAID 1 won't save you from that. And a controller failure just means that both drives are now inaccessible. By all means have a second disk, but put it in a removable drive tray and periodically mirror the first drive to it. Store it in the shed when you're not using it. That way, if it all goes pearshaped you just swap the drive and you're back in action.
"Only trouble is he does not supply an OS Disk, just a copy of the setup files on the HDD."
"I mainly use MS Office programs, email, internet and photo editing."
Why not make the move to Linux? Ubuntu Linux - http://www.ubuntu.com/ - will let you do all of those things (a lot better than WinME!), costs nothing, has a full MS compatible office suite (OpenOffice 2.0), a secure browser and email client, an excellent photo-editor and much more.
You can use and access all your old data.
And it's legal (if you care).
Linux does things a little differently (though moderm Linuxes don't look too different from Windows) - It'll take you a week or so to get used to it (just like it took you to get used to Windows) but it's pretty plain sailing. And you can stop worrying about worms and viruses.
PS: User error and data corruption is a much bigger threat than HDD failure these days. RAID 1 won't save you from that. And a controller failure just means that both drives are now inaccessible. By all means have a second disk, but put it in a removable drive tray and periodically mirror the first drive to it. Store it in the shed when you're not using it. That way, if it all goes pearshaped you just swap the drive and you're back in action.
Last edited by Mac the Knife; 5th Feb 2006 at 07:26.
TheVillagePhotographer.co.uk
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Life is a bit of a pain at the moment, with Vista around the corner (allegedly) and another performance leap in hardware to go with it.
A pragmatic view might suggest that whilst you can currently buy a 64 bit machine that is going to be Vista ready and oozing performance, you are certainly going to pay for it. I am just organising a new PC for friends and they have the same problem as you, in wondering which way to leap.
My own feelings are that you can get a good little cheapo now, which will leave your existing machine for dead and then buy again in about twelve months, when the new performance levels are becoming more mainstream and you are not paying a hefty premium for it.
What is more, you will get a faster machine then and in all probability, it will be so much cheaper as well, that you will almost pay nothing for your "pragmatic" PC now.
a 3,0Ghz P4 based system now, (Or equivalent Athlon - I would) can be picked up for peanuts and will still be eminently usable in 18 months as a second level machine - maybe a dedicated Ppruning platform.
I know that a vaiation of this argument can be applied almost any time with PCs but it is only marketing hype about 64 bit that is selling anything at the moment, as people wait for Microsofts next bag of bolts..Just think about it.
Conan
A pragmatic view might suggest that whilst you can currently buy a 64 bit machine that is going to be Vista ready and oozing performance, you are certainly going to pay for it. I am just organising a new PC for friends and they have the same problem as you, in wondering which way to leap.
My own feelings are that you can get a good little cheapo now, which will leave your existing machine for dead and then buy again in about twelve months, when the new performance levels are becoming more mainstream and you are not paying a hefty premium for it.
What is more, you will get a faster machine then and in all probability, it will be so much cheaper as well, that you will almost pay nothing for your "pragmatic" PC now.
a 3,0Ghz P4 based system now, (Or equivalent Athlon - I would) can be picked up for peanuts and will still be eminently usable in 18 months as a second level machine - maybe a dedicated Ppruning platform.
I know that a vaiation of this argument can be applied almost any time with PCs but it is only marketing hype about 64 bit that is selling anything at the moment, as people wait for Microsofts next bag of bolts..Just think about it.
Conan
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Things have come a long way in 5 years but the basic tasks you are after are still the same. Photo editing is the only thing you seem to do do that would perhaps need higher level equipment than an entry level computer, and if your Celeron is handling your needs now, a new computer of any sort should be at least as good.
Apart from Dell still insisting on offering 256Mb RAM as the entry level, I suspect they would provide everything you need. Go to the web page, check out their current specials, start with the entry level poota and option it up with extra RAM and whatever you need in graphics upgrades and you should still come out with a very serviceable computer for no more than $1200. FWIW, my advice is to save money on extended warranties; whatever goes wrong with a computer seems to happen in the first few months; after that it's nearly always blamed on software you've added, which is not covered. If you do a HDD or similar in a couple of years, new components are cheaper than the warranty anyway.
I speak from the point of view of a relative dork, but I've found that's often the best advice people can get if they are closer to the bottom of the ladder than the top. Mate of mine puts together computers and says he can't do it for a better price than Dell. The OS will be XP Home, not Pro, unless for some unknown reason you want to pay more for Pro.
I've had several Dells; it's a fairly easy way of doing things. Feel free to PM me if there's anything else I can add.
P.S. I agree entirely with Conan too!
Apart from Dell still insisting on offering 256Mb RAM as the entry level, I suspect they would provide everything you need. Go to the web page, check out their current specials, start with the entry level poota and option it up with extra RAM and whatever you need in graphics upgrades and you should still come out with a very serviceable computer for no more than $1200. FWIW, my advice is to save money on extended warranties; whatever goes wrong with a computer seems to happen in the first few months; after that it's nearly always blamed on software you've added, which is not covered. If you do a HDD or similar in a couple of years, new components are cheaper than the warranty anyway.
I speak from the point of view of a relative dork, but I've found that's often the best advice people can get if they are closer to the bottom of the ladder than the top. Mate of mine puts together computers and says he can't do it for a better price than Dell. The OS will be XP Home, not Pro, unless for some unknown reason you want to pay more for Pro.
I've had several Dells; it's a fairly easy way of doing things. Feel free to PM me if there's anything else I can add.
P.S. I agree entirely with Conan too!
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G'day Two Dogs!
I'm not sure where "in front of my computer" is for you these days, but can you get to an Aldi store? www.aldi.com or www.aldi.com.au
Here in Oz (and, one presumes, elsewhere in the world where they proliferate) their electronic specials are fabulous. In computers (brand name MEDION) they seem to be able to deliver to the average user well above what the average user wants for about 2/3 what the average user is prepared to pay elsewhere for an average system. They may be just behind leading edge in processors, but other specs and bundled software create an absolute bargain for anyone but those requiring the ultimate in everything in a name brand - at 2/3 the price.
If you're who I think you are and back with the same employer as I am, you can salary sacrifice a laptop that's as good as or better specced than many desktops, meaning you get it, after Aldi deal and sal-sac tax advantages, at about 50% of the cost of a regular name-brand equivalent but with much more software.
Even if you want a desktop (which you can't salary sacrifice with my/our employer) no-one else comes close in quality/performance/value for money, IMO.
I have 4 Aldi computers
PM me if you like.
AA
I'm not sure where "in front of my computer" is for you these days, but can you get to an Aldi store? www.aldi.com or www.aldi.com.au
Here in Oz (and, one presumes, elsewhere in the world where they proliferate) their electronic specials are fabulous. In computers (brand name MEDION) they seem to be able to deliver to the average user well above what the average user wants for about 2/3 what the average user is prepared to pay elsewhere for an average system. They may be just behind leading edge in processors, but other specs and bundled software create an absolute bargain for anyone but those requiring the ultimate in everything in a name brand - at 2/3 the price.
If you're who I think you are and back with the same employer as I am, you can salary sacrifice a laptop that's as good as or better specced than many desktops, meaning you get it, after Aldi deal and sal-sac tax advantages, at about 50% of the cost of a regular name-brand equivalent but with much more software.
Even if you want a desktop (which you can't salary sacrifice with my/our employer) no-one else comes close in quality/performance/value for money, IMO.
I have 4 Aldi computers
PM me if you like.
AA
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Acer Veriton 7800
G'day,
Did a bit more searching and found this on the Acer website. This sounds like it will more than meet my requirements. This is the monthly special with $300 off RRP. I also went to the local Acer dealer and was told I could change the mainboard to include RAID 1 for a small increase in price. Any opinions appreciated.
MODELVeriton 7800 Series
* Intel 945G chipset
* Choice of integrated Intel GMA950 or PCI-ex16 VGA
* Tool-less desktop housing w/ intrusion detection switch
* 7x bays, 2 x PCI (2.3) slots, 1x PCI-ex1 slot, 1xPCI-ex16 slot
* 1x serial, 1x parallel & 8x USB 2.0
OPERATING SYSTEMMicrosoft® Windows® XP Professional
CPU Intel® Pentium® D Processor 820 (2.8GHz 2x1MB L2 cache 800MHz FSB) MEMORY 1024MB DDRII-SDRAM 533MHz Dual Channel
HARD DRIVE 160GB S-ATA hard drive (7200 RPM)
HARD DRIVE 2 160GB S-ATA hard drive (7200 RPM)
OPTICAL BAY 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner
GRAPHICS Integrated Intel GMA950
NETWORKING Integrated 10/100/1000 LAN
AUDIO Integrated ALC880 with Intel High Definition Audio
KEYBOARD Black/Silver USB Keyboard
MOUSE Acer USB optical mouse (black)
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE Microsoft Works 8.5 FREE 60-day trial - Microsoft® Office® Small Business Edition
DESKTOP WARRANTY 3 Years Onsite Parts & Labour Free upgrade to 3 Year Onsite Warranty.
MONITOR Acer AL1916B 19" LCD Monitor Black Acer LCD and CRT monitors carry a standard 3 year limited onsite pickup warranty.
Regards,
Two Dogs
Did a bit more searching and found this on the Acer website. This sounds like it will more than meet my requirements. This is the monthly special with $300 off RRP. I also went to the local Acer dealer and was told I could change the mainboard to include RAID 1 for a small increase in price. Any opinions appreciated.
MODELVeriton 7800 Series
* Intel 945G chipset
* Choice of integrated Intel GMA950 or PCI-ex16 VGA
* Tool-less desktop housing w/ intrusion detection switch
* 7x bays, 2 x PCI (2.3) slots, 1x PCI-ex1 slot, 1xPCI-ex16 slot
* 1x serial, 1x parallel & 8x USB 2.0
OPERATING SYSTEMMicrosoft® Windows® XP Professional
CPU Intel® Pentium® D Processor 820 (2.8GHz 2x1MB L2 cache 800MHz FSB) MEMORY 1024MB DDRII-SDRAM 533MHz Dual Channel
HARD DRIVE 160GB S-ATA hard drive (7200 RPM)
HARD DRIVE 2 160GB S-ATA hard drive (7200 RPM)
OPTICAL BAY 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner
GRAPHICS Integrated Intel GMA950
NETWORKING Integrated 10/100/1000 LAN
AUDIO Integrated ALC880 with Intel High Definition Audio
KEYBOARD Black/Silver USB Keyboard
MOUSE Acer USB optical mouse (black)
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE Microsoft Works 8.5 FREE 60-day trial - Microsoft® Office® Small Business Edition
DESKTOP WARRANTY 3 Years Onsite Parts & Labour Free upgrade to 3 Year Onsite Warranty.
MONITOR Acer AL1916B 19" LCD Monitor Black Acer LCD and CRT monitors carry a standard 3 year limited onsite pickup warranty.
Regards,
Two Dogs
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Given what you have been using and what you say do with it, I think your proposed sytem will prove, well, shall we say, satisfactory. I doubt it will ever raise a sweat.
I think, given the photo editing you do, I would go for a respectable graphics card rather than the on-board graphics, but without research of what's currently around I can't make a suggestion.
Just a thought.
AA
I think, given the photo editing you do, I would go for a respectable graphics card rather than the on-board graphics, but without research of what's currently around I can't make a suggestion.
Just a thought.
AA
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Thanks for the replies. I forgot to include the price for this system, AU$1646. Pretty good value I thought. I could never build one for this price, and it includes a three year onsite warranty.
Ausatco, I agree the only thing missing is a good graphics card. Pity it has no AGP slot for my spare Radeon video card. I'll have to do a bit of research the difference between on PCI-ex and PCI-ex16, and cards available at a reasonable price. Whilst "building" a system online, (gee, that's nice, I'll add one of those), it's surprising how quickly the price can escalate.
Regards,
Two Dogs
Ausatco, I agree the only thing missing is a good graphics card. Pity it has no AGP slot for my spare Radeon video card. I'll have to do a bit of research the difference between on PCI-ex and PCI-ex16, and cards available at a reasonable price. Whilst "building" a system online, (gee, that's nice, I'll add one of those), it's surprising how quickly the price can escalate.
Regards,
Two Dogs
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Two Dogs,
At $1646 for all that I'd spend the extra on a graphics card. Why cripple a good system, especially when it's in the area you're specifically interested in?
Well, it probably wouldn't be crippled, but I'm thinking it would be less than optimal and if you can get a good deal on a graphics card as part of the package that's the way I think I'd go.
If the graphics card is going to cost as much now as it would in a few months then maybe try out the on board graphics first. If they're ok for you then you've saved a bit. If you need better then you've lost nothing if you buy a card later.
Good luck
AA
At $1646 for all that I'd spend the extra on a graphics card. Why cripple a good system, especially when it's in the area you're specifically interested in?
Well, it probably wouldn't be crippled, but I'm thinking it would be less than optimal and if you can get a good deal on a graphics card as part of the package that's the way I think I'd go.
If the graphics card is going to cost as much now as it would in a few months then maybe try out the on board graphics first. If they're ok for you then you've saved a bit. If you need better then you've lost nothing if you buy a card later.
Good luck
AA
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These cards were offered as options. I didn't really want to spend too much on a graphics card, as I don't do a LOT of photo editing or do any gaming, but they may well be a good buy compared to retail.
Sapphire X600Pro 128MB VGA DVI-in TV-out PAL w/ +$279.40
SPX600Pro 9C45 256MB VGA 128Bit TVO+DVI+DSUB +$308
ATI PCIE Radeon X700 256MB 11VGCPR41ABND3 FH +$390
The intended use is as a home office machine with moderate computing power needs. My last system as described previously is about 5 years old and cost me about $2300, which I hope was a reasonable price at the time. The hardware is now so cheap that a bit more performance is within reach of most people. In the last few days, I've seen entry level systems for around $600. Most would be the equivalent or slightly better than my current setup. I'm prepared to pay around $2000 for a machine, but that's about it. Anything above that and I have trouble justifying it to myself, let alone Mrs. Dogs. She growls.
Regards,
Two Dogs
Sapphire X600Pro 128MB VGA DVI-in TV-out PAL w/ +$279.40
SPX600Pro 9C45 256MB VGA 128Bit TVO+DVI+DSUB +$308
ATI PCIE Radeon X700 256MB 11VGCPR41ABND3 FH +$390
The intended use is as a home office machine with moderate computing power needs. My last system as described previously is about 5 years old and cost me about $2300, which I hope was a reasonable price at the time. The hardware is now so cheap that a bit more performance is within reach of most people. In the last few days, I've seen entry level systems for around $600. Most would be the equivalent or slightly better than my current setup. I'm prepared to pay around $2000 for a machine, but that's about it. Anything above that and I have trouble justifying it to myself, let alone Mrs. Dogs. She growls.
Regards,
Two Dogs
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Ordered a system
G'day again,
Finally specced a system. As mentioned in a separate thread, the HD now has several bad clusters and a decision had to be made. I went back to the same techie that built my old system. He's a Frenchman, very garrulous, opinionated and rude. However he seems to know his stuff.
I think it will be a vast improvement over the old system
AMD 64 3200+ 939 socket
MSI Neo 4-F This board seems to have the lot. http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...il.php?UID=652
1 G DDR 400
WD SATA 120G 8M Cache
Nvidia 6600 PCI-e 256 M ram
DVD/RW Liteon 16X
DVD Liteon 40X16X40
8 x Card reader
MS key board and optical mouse
400W pwr supply
LG LCD 17" 8ms display
2 yrs on site warranty
$2000 no change
Any opinions appreciated.
Regards,
Two Dogs
Finally specced a system. As mentioned in a separate thread, the HD now has several bad clusters and a decision had to be made. I went back to the same techie that built my old system. He's a Frenchman, very garrulous, opinionated and rude. However he seems to know his stuff.
I think it will be a vast improvement over the old system
AMD 64 3200+ 939 socket
MSI Neo 4-F This board seems to have the lot. http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...il.php?UID=652
1 G DDR 400
WD SATA 120G 8M Cache
Nvidia 6600 PCI-e 256 M ram
DVD/RW Liteon 16X
DVD Liteon 40X16X40
8 x Card reader
MS key board and optical mouse
400W pwr supply
LG LCD 17" 8ms display
2 yrs on site warranty
$2000 no change
Any opinions appreciated.
Regards,
Two Dogs
TheVillagePhotographer.co.uk
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Two Dogs, if you are heavily into photo editing, or into heavy photo editing, (or video editing, for that matter) then 2GB of RAM will make life easier, for just a few dollars more. Just upgraded myself from 1GB but because there are now, often only two slots on the Mobo, you don't end up with 2 x 512MB sticks of DDR400 leftover, like ermmm.... Me.
Mind you, I am sure that I will end up using or losing them somewhere...
Conan
Mind you, I am sure that I will end up using or losing them somewhere...
Conan
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However he seems to know his stuff.
Let's face it, you don't seem to need a Cray-2 - you have a five-year-old Celeron - so either get the deal de jour from an established company or beat down a local supplier and keep the guts of what you already have. Two grand is far too much (I built something similar with twin 500GB disks for 450 pounds - about 1250 dollars).
BOFH
PS if you need a competitive system builder in SYD please PM me. I receive no kickbacks as (a) I don't need them and (b) he's too cheap. The only reason I'd recommend him is that he went into his shop on a Sunday in 1994 to sell me a 2x CD reader. It cost $400.
