Author Topic: Kinda Shoppin' Around (Read 896 times)

Enduro · « **on:** July 20, 2007, 04:49:24 AM »

I'm shopping around for my next home desktop to get me through the next several years of AH and Microsuck Flight Sim. And, I noticed this barebones box with a dual core Intel and 4GB of RAM.

I've never heard of Visionman, nor do I care about the name really. Any thoughts on the system specs, though?

Not sure yet which video card I'd buy for it.

Thanks folks!

Avaro · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:59:13 AM »

You can build it cheaper?

Fulmar · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2007, 09:54:30 AM »

If you're lazy or need to build a lot of computers in a short amount of time these are good options. However, they usually ship these kits with cheap motherboards that are old and outdated and the ram is cheap stuff.

Do yourself a favor, pick out your own parts, post what you selected here and a number of people can give u advice.

Enduro · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2007, 10:25:55 AM »

Okay...thanks, guys. Will do.

humble · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2007, 11:21:02 AM »

The board is actually a good 1...except its a 680i board.

P5N32 $209

CPU $223

The memory has no heat spreader nor is any real detail given so as mentioned its 99% junk...we'll put in quality "value" memory
4G $230

Case $45 after rebate

PS $35 (after rebate). No detail on PS...the 580W is an odd number. Personally I'd put in a topend PS but for comparision I put in a very good "budget" PS.

memory reader $8

So your looking at about $700 in parts +/- based on the memory & PS

The build cost is roughly $250 to $400 based on those variables. You could build out a very nice system (with 2xHD and VC) for that total budget.

If you took a "budget" P-35 board MB $120 You'd have plenty of room for VC and a couple of smaller HD's set up as a system and data drive. These are actually very good HD's btw...obviously a bigger drive(s) or other brand is optional. I'm trying to get as much from the $1049 as I can...

MB = $120
VC = $350 (after rebate)
HD = $75
PS = $35 (500W roswell, after rebate)
MR = $8
Ca = $45 (after rebate)
Mem = $230
CPU = $223

total =$1061

Enduro · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2007, 02:44:37 PM »

how much do you charge to build it, humble?

humble · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:59:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Enduro
how much do you charge to build it, humble?

You should be able to find a shop that will build to spec for $100 or so...

Fulmar · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2007, 05:21:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by humble
The board is actually a good 1...except its a 680i board.

The 680i's aren't a bad board. There are cheaper boards that bench just as well.

I stand corrected on the barebones kit. It does seem to be not bad. ESPECIALLY for a Tigerdirect kit.

As humble pointed out though, and it stands true with my first post, replace the power supply. Kits always used cheap no name power supplies. Always buy name brand one. These little boxes are supplying electricity to $1000 in parts. A 5 cent capacitor can blow and fly a motherboard etc. The kit just say "580W power supply." Which isn't an odd wattge, some other brands use that rating.

Anyways, the rule on power supplies.

1) Don't use no name brands
2) Don't use power supplies that come in barebones kits unless you know the brand name and ITS LISTED
3) Don't use power supplies that can with new computer cases you buy.

Enduro · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2007, 12:51:35 PM »

Okay, thank you very much guys.

Once I find a nearby shop to fit the CPU to the moboard--that's the only thing I don't quite trust myself with, yet--I'll be set.

I'll stay away from the barebones kits.
Will purchase my own parts.

I haven't been reading up on hardware; so, your input will come in VERY handy.

Thanks again.

Avaro · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2007, 05:22:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Enduro
Okay, thank you very much guys.

Once I find a nearby shop to fit the CPU to the moboard--that's the only thing I don't quite trust myself with, yet--I'll be set.

I'll stay away from the barebones kits.
Will purchase my own parts.

I haven't been reading up on hardware; so, your input will come in VERY handy.

Thanks again.

~~You don't need a shop.. I can guide you through step by step with a mic if you want.. Saves you money.~~

Enduro · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2007, 10:00:53 PM »

Thanks for the offer, Avaro. It's probably best to spend the extra few bucks to make sure the fragile pieces (the CPU) are installed properly, though.

Could definitely use suggestions on quality parts, though.

Avaro · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2007, 10:14:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Enduro
Thanks for the offer, Avaro. It's probably best to spend the extra few bucks to make sure the fragile pieces (the CPU) are installed properly, though.

Could definitely use suggestions on quality parts, though.

~~No offence but to screw up installation you have to be an idiot.. No offence to you. Its quite easy just line up the triangles..~~

Fulmar · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2007, 10:22:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Avaro
No offence but to screw up installation you have to be an idiot.. No offence to you. Its quite easy just line up the triangles..

Read the tomshardware forums. You'd be amazed at how many threads start with "URGENT HELP NEW BUILD WONT BOOT"

And so on. Baby steps. Better be safe than sorry.

Avaro · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2007, 10:39:07 PM »

Its up to him. I'd list the parts btw.. I knew someone that got ripped of geting their stuff built by a store. I'd go with a well known store. I agree better safe than sorry.

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2007, 10:33:41 AM »

Enduro,
I would do as Avaro has suggested in putting it all together your self.
once you do this, you will never need to take your PC anywhere to have things looked at or fixed, for the most part.

you will know everything about your PC and how you set it up because you built it from scratch.......just take your time in putting the 1st one together, do not rush it and hurry yourself because you can't wait to load up AH and check your FPS rate, lol.....

it is very easy.....no different than building a house or shed, measure( check) twice............cut ( install/plug in) once.......

building.putting it together yourself, setting up the BIOS & installing the OS yourself, then you know your system..letting someone build it and install everrything, then you do not know how they did it or how they set it up......

if you decide to pay someone to do it ( a local PC repair shop for instance ), then ask them if you can watch them build it so you can learn how it is done, and see that your parts are not switched out ..........not that it happens on a constant basis, but I have known friends and family who took PC parts to be installed or PC's to be built, and a year down the road or so they find out they do not have what they bought in their PC's........they have used or lesser quality products vs what they dropped off at the PC shop, to be installed.....