Rate my pc build, etc

[Iamdan]

From http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

 

 

 

CPU: E8500 $303

 

 

 

CASE: Antec 300 $108

 

 

 

PSU: Antec NeoPower 550W $121

 

 

 

RAM: 2G-800 kingston x2 (36) $72

 

 

 

HHD: WD sata 160G x 2 (57) $114 <

 

 

 

GPU: 512M 9800GT Asus $196

 

 

 

MOBO: Asus P5QL-SE $149

 

 

 

DVD: sata pioneer 216 $31

 

 

 

MONITOR 20 5ms DVI WS Samsung 2033SW $213

 

 

 

Labour $70

 

 

 

Total: AU$1439

 

 

 

Thoughts or improvements?

 

 

 

My main concerns:

 

 

 

Is a 550W PSU over kill?

 

Not sure about the mobo choice.

 

 

 

*edit: I changed it to amd/ati, about $70 more but it seems much better.

 

 

 

CPU: ATI Phenom II 940 $389

 

 

 

CASE: Antec 300 $108

 

 

 

PSU: Antec NeoPower 550W $121

 

 

 

RAM: 2G-800 kingston x2 (36) $72

 

 

 

HHD: WD sata 160G x 2 (57) $114

 

 

 

GPU: 512M 4850 ASUS $245

 

 

 

MOBO: Gigabyte MA78G-DS3HP $144

 

 

 

DVD: sata pioneer 216 $31

 

 

 

Labour $70

 

 

 

MONITOR 20 5ms DVI WS Samsung 2033SW $213

 

 

 

$1507

[OldJoe]

Why two 160gb drives? Why not just one 320 or 500 one?

 

If you can spare 70$, go for the AMD/ATI setup. It's much more performance for the price.

 

You could get a 450w psu instead if you feel like it. The con would you have less space for upgrading and the fan will be louder than one on 550w. I would probably go for the 550 one, more room for upgrades.

 

Build looks good.

[depresins]

Waste of cash TBH. You can easily save yourself $150 on the case and psu. Save another $70 by putting it together yourself, it will take all of 15 minutes. Save yourself another $60 by going for a 320gb hdd over 2 160. Where are you buying from?

 

 

 

I managed to build a 3.1ghz quad core rig with dual HD 4670s, logitech gaming keyboard & mouse and full hd 22" samsung for under a grand, using parts from MSY & CPL. I can put together a list if you like.

[Iamdan]

I've built computers before and I would build this one except it's for my mum and brother, and I'm moving out of the state for a job. That way, my mum can [bleep] at msy instead of me if something goes wrong a year down the road. It won't be practical for me to figure out which part needs replacing over the phone.

 

 

 

Better PSUs pay for themselves in electricity consumption, + are less likely to [bleep]e and damage other parts.

 

 

 

I know 2 smaller hard drives are much more expensive, but I'm keeping 1 for software and the other for files. That way the one with software can be formatted if one of them messes it up, and they won't lose all their movies, music etc or have to back it up on 20+ DVDs. (Partitions are too complicated for my brother and I'm trying to keep it as idiot proof as possible)

 

 

 

depresins I'm getting it from msy, what changes do you suggest?

 

 

 

The extra cost of the HDDs etc aren't too big of a deal because the government will pay for half the computer. I'm just trying to get it reasonably cost efficient, and to hopefully last the 6 years I'll be gone.

[depresins]

The differences between the efficiency of an Antec and one of the cheaper psu from MSY are miniscule, especially if you go for something closer to 400 watts. Factor in the cash you will save by getting a case & psu package and it will takes YEARS to recoup the cash.

 

 

 

DO NOT get MSY to build it. I made the mistake of letting MSY build a PC for me a while ago. They don't cover squat. They will still charge you on labour for their mistakes and they will still deny being at fault and force you/your mother to go through warranty claims. Do it yourself now while you are in QLD before you leave.

 

 

 

What is it actually being used for, and what kind of performance are you after? As in, mostly movies/music? Any dx10 games? Asus make a fantastic mobo with onboard full HD video and sound that runs most source engine games & pulls playable results in crysis on high perfectly fine for about $120.