Build me a computer.
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Originally Posted by chrism9232
i build my computers. if you buy a store bought computer first thing you need to do is format it so you can get rid of all that oem software. i hate the way them come with all that software that is free for 30 days!!if you build one buy a cool case with a lot of fans in it. i got 5 80mm and 1 120mm fans in mine
If you already have the software, save money and order it plain. No OS and No software.
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From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by PSS-Mag
If you already have the software, save money and order it plain. No OS and No software.
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From: Joplin MO
Larry, why would you use a GeForce 8800? It looks to me like this is a CAD box, not a gamer. The Fire series cards are optimized for OpenGL. If you want to use a Nvidia card, use a Quadro.
I'd even get a second monitor - once you use dual displays for CAD, you will never go back.
I would stick with 2gb ram until you are ready to upgrade to a 64 bit operating system - standard XP can't really do too much with more than 2gb. That board has 4 slots and 2gb will only use 2 - a future upgrade is possible.
I doubt his power supply is ATX 2.0 if it's an AGP system.
I'd even get a second monitor - once you use dual displays for CAD, you will never go back.
I would stick with 2gb ram until you are ready to upgrade to a 64 bit operating system - standard XP can't really do too much with more than 2gb. That board has 4 slots and 2gb will only use 2 - a future upgrade is possible.
I doubt his power supply is ATX 2.0 if it's an AGP system.
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From: Somewhere in the Kootenays
glc, what I was trying to say was if I was building it for myself I would go with nvidia and more ram because I do game a bit.
Good idea on a second monitor. Or at least go to a nice 23" widescreen or something. Two of them would be even better.
Good idea on a second monitor. Or at least go to a nice 23" widescreen or something. Two of them would be even better.
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From: Joplin MO
Sure - if you are planning on gaming, a DX10 card such as a 8800, 4gb ram, and 64 bit Vista is a good choice for somewhat futureproofing yourself. All that is gonna blow this guy's budget though.
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From: Your moms house
Originally Posted by Tical84
I used to be up on all the newest hardware out there and what was good for the money but that was 3 years ago when I bought my last computer and we know how fast computer technology changes.
Something on my computer is about to take a dump, not sure if its the HDD or graphics card but I've decided to buy an entire new computer anyways.
Price isn't really an option but as always, the cheaper, the better, however it does need to run my CAD software so the processor has to be quick and I'm thinking at least 2G of RAM. My old desktop has only 512Mb and my laptop has 1G and the both run, just not exceptionally well.
I don't need a case, sound card, speakers, keyboard or mouse, monitor, and depending on what the issue is on my current computer an HDD. I will need a graphics card regardless as this one is only AGP and I might as well upgrade to PCIX.
TIA
Something on my computer is about to take a dump, not sure if its the HDD or graphics card but I've decided to buy an entire new computer anyways.
Price isn't really an option but as always, the cheaper, the better, however it does need to run my CAD software so the processor has to be quick and I'm thinking at least 2G of RAM. My old desktop has only 512Mb and my laptop has 1G and the both run, just not exceptionally well.
I don't need a case, sound card, speakers, keyboard or mouse, monitor, and depending on what the issue is on my current computer an HDD. I will need a graphics card regardless as this one is only AGP and I might as well upgrade to PCIX.
TIA
NewEgg dot Com
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From: Joplin MO
Very few US-based vendors will ship international. The ones that do hit you with a big shipping charge, there can be customs delays up to a month, and then you have to pay duty to get the stuff on top of that. It's cheaper to use vendors in your country and you get the stuff a lot faster.
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From: Your moms house
Originally Posted by glc
Very few US-based vendors will ship international. The ones that do hit you with a big shipping charge, there can be customs delays up to a month, and then you have to pay duty to get the stuff on top of that. It's cheaper to use vendors in your country and you get the stuff a lot faster.
...but it's Canada.
They're Americans with some tact.
I dunno, I think it sux if you ask me.
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Originally Posted by chrism9232
true. i dont know i just like buliding it myself you get it the way you want. my computer is my toy. im not saying building one is right for you. i just like playing with it
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From: Your moms house
Originally Posted by PSS-Mag
Yea I know and understand, if I had spare time and nothing better to do, and some spare money, and didnt depend on the computer, then I'd build again for fun. There is a strange sense of gratification to ordering each piece and assembeling it yourself.
Yep.
Kinda like a model car, but not.
The first one I built......took me forever. Then the bastard wouldn't boot. It acted like it wanted to , but wouldn't. I troubleshot the biznitch till I was blue in the face.
Friggin power supply.
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From: Joplin MO
Must have been a cheap power supply. That's one of the highest failure items in a computer. If it's less than 50 bucks, it's suspect.
My own computer has been homebuilt for over 10 years, and I actually bought very few components. I use parts that my customers toss when I do upgrades, then I use them to upgrade mine and recycle my old parts to needy people. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard. I don't need the latest technology, all I need is one that works and runs the software I need to run. It doesn't take a powerhouse to run MS Office 97, surf the web, and do e-mail. It is strong enough to do multimedia stuff - 2.53 GHz and a gig of ram. My laptop is a 7 year old Thinkpad that does what I need very well when I'm on the road. 700 MHz and 512 ram. I even use it as a GPS in the truck, I have Streets & Trips and a USB GPS receiver.
My own computer has been homebuilt for over 10 years, and I actually bought very few components. I use parts that my customers toss when I do upgrades, then I use them to upgrade mine and recycle my old parts to needy people. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard. I don't need the latest technology, all I need is one that works and runs the software I need to run. It doesn't take a powerhouse to run MS Office 97, surf the web, and do e-mail. It is strong enough to do multimedia stuff - 2.53 GHz and a gig of ram. My laptop is a 7 year old Thinkpad that does what I need very well when I'm on the road. 700 MHz and 512 ram. I even use it as a GPS in the truck, I have Streets & Trips and a USB GPS receiver.
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Originally Posted by glc
Must have been a cheap power supply. That's one of the highest failure items in a computer. If it's less than 50 bucks, it's suspect.
My own computer has been homebuilt for over 10 years, and I actually bought very few components. I use parts that my customers toss when I do upgrades, then I use them to upgrade mine and recycle my old parts to needy people. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard. I don't need the latest technology, all I need is one that works and runs the software I need to run. It doesn't take a powerhouse to run MS Office 97, surf the web, and do e-mail. It is strong enough to do multimedia stuff - 2.53 GHz and a gig of ram. My laptop is a 7 year old Thinkpad that does what I need very well when I'm on the road. 700 MHz and 512 ram. I even use it as a GPS in the truck, I have Streets & Trips and a USB GPS receiver.
My own computer has been homebuilt for over 10 years, and I actually bought very few components. I use parts that my customers toss when I do upgrades, then I use them to upgrade mine and recycle my old parts to needy people. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard. I don't need the latest technology, all I need is one that works and runs the software I need to run. It doesn't take a powerhouse to run MS Office 97, surf the web, and do e-mail. It is strong enough to do multimedia stuff - 2.53 GHz and a gig of ram. My laptop is a 7 year old Thinkpad that does what I need very well when I'm on the road. 700 MHz and 512 ram. I even use it as a GPS in the truck, I have Streets & Trips and a USB GPS receiver.
That sounds like my last computer, a mix match of parts I had. Used the same case for 10 years but nothing stayed the same. It was always a beast, and always free, I called it my frankenstien.
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From: San Diego
For me, the reason I choose to build myself is I can control the quality of each component--it will be better quality than a brand-name computer, no question about it. I expect to pay more doing it this way, but that is my preference. Exceptions would be some of the specialized gaming rigs, alienware, etc.
I am into water-cooling in a big way (MB, video card, chipset, etc.) and no mainstream computers offer that.
GLC made some good recommendations in terms of what the thread-starter asked for.
I am into water-cooling in a big way (MB, video card, chipset, etc.) and no mainstream computers offer that.
GLC made some good recommendations in terms of what the thread-starter asked for.