Author Topic: Im getting a new computer  (Read 998 times)

Offline infowars

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Im getting a new computer
« on: November 14, 2008, 12:09:33 PM »
I was hoping you guys could help.  I have about $500.00 to spend on a new computer.  Please help me find the best bang for my buck.  Chances are it will be purchased from Circut City.

Thanks
SWneo <==== In game name. Cpt 125th Spartan Warriors.

Offline Fulmar

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2008, 12:43:18 PM »
I was hoping you guys could help.  I have about $500.00 to spend on a new computer.  Please help me find the best bang for my buck.  Chances are it will be purchased from Circut City.

Thanks
What are you going to be using the computer for mainly?  And does that include a monitor in the price?
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Offline infowars

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2008, 12:45:49 PM »
I'll be using the computer for aces high mainly and 30sec video clips from random sites..lol

I do not need a monitor.

thanks
SWneo <==== In game name. Cpt 125th Spartan Warriors.

Offline Getback

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2008, 04:40:40 PM »
I believe that Baldegle will notice this and contribute mightily.

Let me try though: CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 E8400 - $165

                    Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347 ASUS - $82 after $15 rebate

                    Case:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 Antec 300 - $55

                    Power Supply:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005 PC Power and cooling 610w - $89 after rebate

                    Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102794 Saphire radeon 3850 - $89

                    Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024 SB Card:  $93

Total $573. Now if you can reuse your case or sound card you would be well under the $500. There are two things on this list I strongly recommend and they are the e8400 and the PC Power & Cooling power supply.
You can also go to a cheaper SB card for around $32 bucks. This also assumes you have an OS laying around.

Good luck on the build.               
« Last Edit: November 14, 2008, 04:43:23 PM by Getback »

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Offline drdeathx

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2008, 05:01:28 PM »
Infowars,

Instead of buying at circuit city who just filed chapter 11...LOL. You may get more for yor money with the suggestions here of a self build. Get in touch with Tildeath(Aces High member). If you cannot I will tell him to check this forum. He owns a computer store and can get any computer hardware and access. for at/below/close to internet cost. This will help in not having to buy anything on self build thru different companies and dealing with RMA's if you have any problems. Now, you will get many suggestions from guys posting ideas on many motherboards, cpu's,graphics cards, ect. I fell into the trap of making recommendations by searching websites for prices anyone can do this and this will help you.Tildeath will list low/mid components to get and make a high recommendation. You will probably get more for your money with a self build but remember you need to get XP or Vista that will drive cost up over components. You may have to spend just a bit more than $500 but He may be able to get you closeplus he is an Aces High member for years.
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Offline drdeathx

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2008, 05:28:34 PM »
That power supply is 1 rail vs 2 rails. It is cheaper to build but 2 rails are better.The processor has basically its very own power interface that is separated from all other power consuming devices.

http://chipcooler.amazonwebstore.com/Coolmax-700W-Nvidia-Certified-Sli-Modular/A/B000G702RI.htm

looks like this has 3 rails
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Offline drdeathx

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2008, 05:29:45 PM »
700w /3 rails $94
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2008, 06:46:48 PM »
That power supply is 1 rail vs 2 rails. It is cheaper to build but 2 rails are better.The processor has basically its very own power interface that is separated from all other power consuming devices.

http://chipcooler.amazonwebstore.com/Coolmax-700W-Nvidia-Certified-Sli-Modular/A/B000G702RI.htm

looks like this has 3 rails

Please  please please understand what you're posting about.

I copied this from the Internet because it's well stated and I didn't want to have to type all this out:

A large, single 12-volt rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the 12-volt output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail 12-volt design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply's rating. Those losses occur because power literally gets "trapped" on under-utilized rails. For example, if the 12-volt rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system.

Since the maximum current from any one 12-volt rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps (240VA / 12 volts = 20 amps), PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards continuing to grow, the multiple-rail design, with its 240VA limit per rail, is basically obsolete.

Obsolete might be a little strong but you get the idea.  This is the reason I and so many others on these BBs reccomend PC Power and Cooling as they all use large single rails.

One more thing; if you have a 20 amp rail running at 80% efficiency you're only getting 16 amps off that rail which may not be enough to power a high end video card.

[EDIT]  Infowars, it sounds like you're not up to building one yourself and want to buy pre-built.  Is that correct?  If so is there any particular reason that you want to buy it at Circuit City vs. Best Buy, Dell or anywhere else?

The best bang for the buck would be building it yourself.  Either way, you're not going to get much for $500 but let us know and we'll help as much as possible.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2008, 08:34:11 PM by BaldEagl »
I edit a lot of my posts.  Get used to it.

Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2008, 07:01:54 PM »
I believe that Baldegle will notice this and contribute mightily.

Let me try though: CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 E8400 - $165

                    Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347 ASUS - $82 after $15 rebate

                    Case:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 Antec 300 - $55

                    Power Supply:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005 PC Power and cooling 610w - $89 after rebate

                    Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102794 Saphire radeon 3850 - $89

                    Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024 SB Card:  $93

Total $573. Now if you can reuse your case or sound card you would be well under the $500. There are two things on this list I strongly recommend and they are the e8400 and the PC Power & Cooling power supply.
You can also go to a cheaper SB card for around $32 bucks. This also assumes you have an OS laying around.

Good luck on the build.               

Well, nice start but it will run better with RAM.  You might also want to add a hard drive, an optical drive and an operating system.   ;)
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Offline 1701E

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2008, 07:49:25 PM »
500$, shoot you could build my PC with that.
Runs on max settings 1280x1024, hi-res pack and AA at 60 FR drops to 50 sometimes.

Just depends on deals you find, and how serious you are about needing power.
Mine is about this: (Leaving out specifics for this)
65$ CPU AMD
90$ GPU NVidia
35$ RAM
50$ Motherboard
30$ PSU (I know I should get better but it's doing fine for now)
80$ HDD
40$ Case

Total: 390$

Now of course I have extra things:

Second HDD :90$
New DVD Drive: 30$
New Fans: 30$

New Total: 540$

However the Extras are not needed, just wanted badly. :D
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Offline Getback

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2008, 08:33:33 PM »
Ooops, I forget to add memory.

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Offline Fulmar

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2008, 09:33:59 PM »
Please  please please understand what you're posting about.

I copied this from the Internet because it's well stated and I didn't want to have to type all this out:

A large, single 12-volt rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the 12-volt output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail 12-volt design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply's rating. Those losses occur because power literally gets "trapped" on under-utilized rails. For example, if the 12-volt rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system.

Since the maximum current from any one 12-volt rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps (240VA / 12 volts = 20 amps), PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards continuing to grow, the multiple-rail design, with its 240VA limit per rail, is basically obsolete.
True, but if you have modular cables, you can select how many rails you have installed.  My 600W has 4 x 12V rails, but I only have 2 installed.
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Offline Getback

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2008, 09:59:45 PM »
I'd go with one rail. Split rails usually transfer less power as I understand it.

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Offline Fulmar

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2008, 11:44:53 PM »
If I were to go back again, I would buy a PSU with a single rail.  At the time, I couldn't pass up the deal on my PSU from newegg.
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Offline Getback

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Re: Im getting a new computer
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2008, 01:19:34 AM »
Well, nice start but it will run better with RAM.  You might also want to add a hard drive, an optical drive and an operating system.   ;)

 :rofl :rofl oops, I thought of ram the while napping. I don't think it will make that budget.

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