New Computer - Opinions

**trickster** · 07-26-2003, 10:03 PM

Hey guys,

I have to build a new computer for my dad's brother in law, for his business. He wanted a really good computer (and didn't wanted to go through Dell, though I suggested it.)

So this is what I am thinking:

http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=371142

What do you guys think? is the price good?

**martin** · 07-26-2003, 11:21 PM

Looks good, except a few personal preferences.
For cd(r-rw) I prefer Sony.
Harddrive, I like Western Digital. Seagate seems to have a few issues to work out; unless your going to have a SCSI hd(which might not be a bad idea for a business).
Lately, AMD has been outperforming pentium. Plus they just released there 64 bit processor.

CP · 07-27-2003, 01:30 AM

I've had quite a few friends have problems with Aopen CDR drives. 2 of my flatmates have had them replaced, and another guy I know has had his replaced. I'd agree about the HD as well. If you can get it, go for the 40GB Western Digital Special Edition. It has an 8MB cache and a 3 year warranty.
Just my .02c
CP

**Ashcrow** · 07-27-2003, 01:55 AM

Looks nice! I would stay with the HD, I've heard nothing but good reviews on Barracuda.

**Kernel_Killer** · 07-27-2003, 02:49 AM

I have that exact HDD model, and has been holding up great for the past 3 years.

Not a fan of Gigabyte or Intel due to the price for performance. The Intel chipset is ok, but leaves much to be desired. A VIA chipset would do the trick. In place of the Intel, I would personally go with an AMD, save some cash, and gain some performance.

**TeRG** · 08-02-2003, 03:52 AM

seagate all the way.

id get amd over intel, cheaper, and though, intel might be faster, im not sure anymore, you get a lot more bang for the buck.

as far as the case goes, i have a similar one, only blue, and you will love it.

MSI makes a kickass motherboard if you go amd for $90, and you can get an athlon 2600+ for $100. then with the extra money you can boost the ram or the video or something. oh. and for video, a radeon 9000 or 9500 would do ya better then the mx440

08-02-2003, 06:54 PM

why did you include a floppy drive - I don't know of any computers sold these days which still ship with floppy drives - please help me kill those damn things...

the PSU is a good investment - 450W, that should buy you some headroom for upgrades.

Also getting a Canterwood and 2 memory sticks is a good decision.

But I can't help but think that it doesn't seem like he has the need for that beefy a machine - I mean it has no good GFX card, and not much HD space.. It looks like a standard "mom and pops" machine and for that purpose it seems overpowered - I would get a VIA C3 Eden board, a good HD and some good RAM for that instead.