Opinion Needed

[King_Nothing]

Hello all, I was looking at getting a new cpu real soon, and was looking at this pre-made system at a computer store, I just wanted to get some suggestions on it first: ($989.00 CAD)

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (AM2)
Cooling Fan: AMD H/D B/B CPU Fan
Motherboard: Asus (M2N-E) (NForce 570 ULTRA) AMD Socket AM2 / 2000MT/S FSP
Memory: PC2-5400 1024MB DDR2 667
Hard Drive: 250GB (7200 RPM) (SATAII / 16MB)
Optical: 16x DVD +/- R/RW (Dual Layer) Writer (Black)
Floppy: 1.44MB Floppy Drive
Video: Leadtek (Geforce 7300GS) 256MB DDR / PCI-Ex16
Audio: 8 Channel Audio (O.M.B.)
Lan: 10-100-1000 Mbps (O.M.B.)
Keyboard: Lite-On (SK-900) (Retail-Black) PS/2 Multi-Media / Internet Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech Optical Scroll Mouse (Black)
Speakers: Luxor (SK-608H) (Black) 5.1 Speaker System (1600W PMPO)
Case: Cooler Master (Centurion 5)(Black/Silver) High Performance ATX Tower Case w/ 380w True Power Supply

Monitor: Optional
Software: MS Windows XP Home (OEM w/ CD) & Corel Office 12 (OEM w/ CD) / Corel Cretaive (w/CD) & Panda Anti-Virus 2006 (w/ CD)
Miscellaneous: 2nd 80mm Case Cooling fan

[Kat]

Hi there,

I don't know about the prices for computers in Canada, but I can give my opinion o the bundle:

• I would go for a better CPU for a "real" computer, I use the 3300+ CPU in my laptop and it is far from enough. Perhaps you can look for one out of the X2 series as that are Dual Core CPUs but not as expensive as the FX ones.
• Perhaps a bit more memory?
• A second optival device? I don't think anybody needs a floppy any more, so you can change that into another burner...
• I don't know if you do authoring jobs or a lot of gaming, but I'd go for 512 MB PCI-Express graphic

So, that were just my two cents, but perhaps I am just a little picky

[Fadingtoblack]

If you're going extra drives and devices you'll want more power than 380 Watts as well, a 7600GT graphics card is more but also a lot better too.

You'd for sure want a better processor if you want to play games/encode etc. Dual core is pretty cheap right now so if you want an AMD a X2 4200 go for that, thats about 270 aussie right now. Best option get a intel Conroe.


Absolute best option though would be to find a mate with the know how to build the thing for you and then buy everything separately, it'll be far better value for money and you'll probably get better stuff.

That's how I know that much, I got a mate advising me at the moment as I'll be upgrading soon

[Speed Damage]

Don't have time to read this whole thing, but regardint the CPU/Processor, buy a dual core!. I bought my Athlon X2 3800+ for $300 in May. Over the summer, all the AMD prices were cut, and the 3800 is not $160! Dual Core is the future, and buying anything else right now is not worth it it. Its like having two processors at the same time.

I can post the rest of my computer's spec that I built over the summer later. It cost me around $1000.

[Breadfan_GER]

I am not a car freak and i am not a CPU freak. I don't care about the fights between AMD and INTEL fans. But this round goes to INTEL, so get a Core 2 Duo and 2GB RAM.

[CreepingDave]

Just a comment on the anti-virus [Panda Anti-Virus 2006 (w/ CD)], i've had that for a couple of years, and though I always liked it, it was pretty bad. Recently had to get a new one because it kept on blocking my home network! All the reviews in the magazine don't rate it very high either.

[sjmike]

Avoid XP Home, get XP Pro instead. It costs more, but well worth it.

Definately recommend a larger power supply as well, around 450W or more. A dual core processor is definately the way to go.

[Speed Damage]

Specs with prices:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ (cost me $300, down to $160 now)
Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 Motherboard ($150)
PSU: ANTEC SmartPower 500W ATX 12V V2.0 Modular Power Supply ($65)
Memory: CORSAIR XMS 2 x 1GB DDR 400 Memory ($100 after rebate)
Hard Drive: 250GB Western Digita SATAII ($80), 120GB Maxtor (from old pc)
Video Card: XFX PVT42EUDE3 6800 XTreme 256MB Video Card ($95 after rebate)
Sound Card: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio Plantinum ($100 after rebate)
Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05 ATX Case ($50)
Speakers: Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers ($60)
Keyboard: Logitech Navigator Keyboard (from old pc)
Mouse: USB Wireless Optical Rechargeable Mouse ($20 off brand, works great). Planning on getting a Logitech G7 Wireless Laser Mose

All in all after everything, my new build cost $1,041.70. With the drop in prices, its around $900 now.

I run Windows XP Pro, and use Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 (anti-virus-spyware-hacker-etc). Norton just uses too much memory and doesnt work as nice.

[King_Nothing]

Thanks for the input guys!
I will have to do some tinkering to the list there.
Speed, your system seems pretty solid, I should see how much something similar to that would run over here.

The Panda Anti-Virus is shit Ill agree, I intend to remove that from the package if it can save cost, I already have 3 antivirus programs here anyway.

[sorrowman]

I haven't had time to put together a whole system for ya, but I'd say go for an Intel based system this time around that features the new Core 2 Duo processor.