Forum Moderators: phranque
I am sort of webmaster, but more of a business bent of mind..and does the work of both a Biz person and a webmaster.
I am looking at buying a new PC for myself with a decent configuration and I am looking for some suggestions and Help from the experienced members here !
One of my friends suggested me this configuartion. :
1. P4 processor ( latest avaliable here )
2. DDR RAM 128 MB
3. ASUS MotherBoard
4. Sony 1.44" Floppy Drive
5. Samsung CD ROM Drive
6. 40 GB hard Disk [ Seagate(barcudda) ]
7. LG Monitor (15 Inches)
8. Multimedia Samsung Keyboard
9. Scroll Mouse ( Logitech )
10. Speakers ( Creative Inspire )
11. Creative Sound Blaster card
12. ATX Cabinet
13. UPS with AVR
My knowledge on hardware is not that great, hence i request you to give me some suggestions and help based on the above configuration !
Thanks much for your time in advance
Cheers
If you want to host web pages what you have is fine also.
If you want run databases over your website, I'd recommend going with a dual processor and about 8 times the RAM you have. At least 1GB ram.
128 MB Ram isn't really enough anymore. 256 should be the minimum, and if you can afford it, get 512 for your personal use.
And a 15" monitor is practically worthless, unless it is one of the new flat panel.
What kind of graphics card are you considering?
txbakers : I will be using it for designing purposes using photoshop, dreamweaver and may be another application or two and I will be installing PHP triad also on my system.
It will also be connected to the net ( cable connection ).
Actually i mentioned DDR RAM ( 128 MB ), which should be equivalent of 512MD SD RAM? But I am not sure..anyone can confirm this for me?
Key_Master : i will also get one CD writer along witha CD ROm, CD ROM is basically listen to music and watch some movies on my system..and i think graphics card comes inbuilt with ASUS motheroard, right?
Thanks again
Also a bigger monitor will be a necessity, min 17". More ram is always better min 256 no matter what kind.
my 2 cents
I agree with the others here - get a bigger monitor if you're going to be doing graphics and web-work. I consider a 19-inch flat-screen monitor to be minimum. The good news is that you can buy a 19-inch flatscreen for what a 17-inch cost two years ago.
I also agree on getting a CD-RW drive. This makes backing up your work and transferring files to another computer much easier. If your hard drive crashes and you have no back-up - Well, good luck... If the chassis has no room for two CD-size drives, you can use the CD-RW drive for CD-ROMs as well.
Your cable internet connection will probably require an ethernet card to connect.
The difference between SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory) and DDR (Double-Data-Rate) is the speed, not the capacity. I agree with others that 256MB is the minimum, especially if you will be running Win XP.
Jim
Thanks a lot for the valuable suggestions !
jatar_k : what graphics card would you suggest me?
jdMorgan : thanks for explaining the DDR and SD RAM thingy...okay, id go with 256 MB RAM ( DDR ) !
Okay, I'd be interested in some feedback on ASUS motherboard...and also what would u suggest..a original intel board or ASUS should do for me?
Thanks
:)
Graphics cards are cheap. One highly regarded cardmaker that makes 'em cheap and powerful is Gainward. They make great GeForce cards with 64megs of processor power. You'll need it with Photoshop.
Although when you start to run PhotoShop, as well as Dreamweaver (and your Outlook, and perhaps even IE and Netscape), you're going to need more memory. Especially when you take into account that WinXP is a system resource hog. 512 MB is my recommended amount. Anything above 512MB is subject to a diminishing returns scenario and ends up not helping you as much (according to tests).
I use 512mb, and that's with a win98 machine, and still have to shut down the computer a couple times a day when it runs out of memory. I know it's time to reboot when buttons disappear, or text becomes bold
Also, DO NOT get Windows XP Home Edition. MS has unreasonably crippled simple networking functions on it, and other things. If you expect this to last for several years (As it probably will), it's worth it to spring for WindowsXPPro.
My next computer will probably be Win2k, or I might stick with Win98 (a solid workhorse).
[edited by: martinibuster at 5:17 pm (utc) on Oct. 19, 2002]
Just a small question on CD-RW ..
If i use CD-RW to watch movies and listen to music ( play music CD's )..will it affect the core functionality of CD-RW in the long run...also, I'd like a suggestion on which CD-RW to go with..i was thinking of LG...anything else better than that?
I think, i'll stick to win98..since i may not need the added functionality and sophistication that XP offers...
WindowsPro : Never knew about this...can i know the uniqueness of this?
Also, is it okay to go with Just SD Ram ( 512 MB ) or go with DDR ( 256 MB ) ..which is quite costlier?
Thanks much again
Cheers
I would suggest posting your proposed collection of parts for a new system in the CPU and motherboard section of arstechnica dot com's open forum:
You will need to specify the model of motherboard and other parts you are thinking about. Lots of good reading there. Beware of learning so much you perpetually put off building a new system because the next latest greatest part is coming out "real soon now". This is ALWAYS the case.
Moreover, buying something that's been out for a little while that people can provide feedback on at places like arstechnica dot com is quite helpful in avoiding the clunkers out there in computer component land.
You can also search their forums for what other people have experienced with the parts you are considering for your new system.
Without going into too much detail, I will share a couple of points:
1) 128 DDR is not the same as 512 MB SDRAM. Basically, the heart of most systems are the CPU, motherboard/chipset and the memory. While DDR will generally have higher thruput benchmark scores than SDRAM due to many factors such as bus width and speed, the increased speed at whatever task you are doing does not equate to less DDR memory needed to do the same job as more SDRAM memory.
Indeed, think of memory as storage space; need more storage than you have RAM and the CPU goes to the hard drive -- MUCH slower to access something in storage on a hard drive than the difference between RAM memory types when accessing RAM storage.
2) Lots of folks feel one is better off not buying the latest greatest highest speed processor. The cost savings of going with a slightly lessor speed grade is generally quite high. And most folks won't notice the difference at all now that we're around 2 GHZ CPUs.
Heck, I feel my 1.46 GHZ AMD Athlon XP 1700+ chip is fine. I'll likely wait another year until the 64 bit AMD "Hammer" has been out for awhile. That is an Intel x86 compatible chip that will run current 32 bit programs, but is also a 64 bit chip one can compile and run x86 64 bit code upon. Should be a screamer, and not much if any more expensive than current CPUs. Time will tell, of course!
For instance, at Newegg, the price differences between different speed grades of Pentium 4 Northwood processors (512K cache, 478 pin, retail box which includes heatsink fan and longer warranty than OEM chips) is as follows:
2.26 GHZ retail box chip cost $191;
2.53 GHZ retail box chip cost $235;
2.80 GHZ retail box chip cost $466.
Note the above prices are for what they have in stock. I could have likely found an even higher priced latest greatest, fastest CPU price for you, but the above illustrates my point. FWIW, Newegg has among the lowest prices and has always been great to deal with for me, as I do build my own personal systems. I've bought almost all the parts for my last three computers from them with no problems.
FWIW, at prices like the above, I would definitely save at least two hundred dollars on the CPU by buying something less than the fastest speed grade. I would then put that money into something more useful and beneficial like a nice, easy on the eyes monitor, more memory, a faster hard drive (maybe even SCSI), or some software or books.
BTW, if you do decide to buy the parts and build your own system, and you price shop at places like pricewatch dot com or pricegrabber dot com, be sure to check out the online computer part merchant at resellerratings dot com before you order. I would NOT buy the cheapest item if it came from an online store with poor customer feedback and low ratings.
I do think most folks -- who just want one computer that works and don't want to futz with stuff or care about the "innerds" of their computer -- are better off buying a system built from a local "white box" store rather than building their own. The reason for this is simple. Lets say you have one part, like a memory stick that's bad. You put your computer together and it doesn't work. What's the problem and how do you know when you don't have parts to swap out to find out what's wrong?
You can use testing sofware like memtest86, but unless you have experience and want to build and upgrade your own boxes, the one or two hundred dollars you pay someone to build, test and guarantee the box is money well spent for lots of folks who just want to USE their computer. And if you do have to take your nonworking box to someone to get running, their labor cost will likely more than eat up what you were planning to save building your own system.
But for me, I just HAVE to build my own system and agonize over what components to choose....YMMV.
Hope this helps -- and absolute best wishes to you,
Louis
As for OS, I originally bought Windows 2000 Professional. However, I had many problems where I would have to reinstall everything. I don't know why. Most people report no problems with Windows 2000 Professional. Everything would be fine with Win2000Pro, I would shut down normally, then I could not boot up next time I used the computer -- BSOD only. This happened to me four or five times. I don't care to become a Windows expert, so I went back to Windows 98SE. Win98SE also crashes on me, but at least I can boot up afterwards instead of losing everything! So far, only one reinstall with Windows 98SE due to some software I installed that trashed everything.
An OEM copy of Win 98SE is also less expensive than Win2000 or WinXP. However, Microsoft is planning to end support for Win98SE sometime next year if I recall correctly.
Guess I better get busy and learn FreeBSD or Linux a lot better for when the Win98SE security updates end! I've heard too many things about Win XP to want to go that route. Just to share one such item, I've read that Win XP "reserves" 20% of your internet bandwidth for it's own uses (pity the dial up users on XP) -- and for what uses does Win XP need 20% of my bandwidth for that I don't initiate?
BTW, I do think 512 MB of memory is a good choice right now. If you go Win98SE, it won't use more than 512MB anyway.
Hope this helps,
Louis
Louis : Thanks for your valuable time and input, very much appreciated and its been very helpful to me.
I should say, i am almost a TRYO when it comes to hardware and system components...but yes, i do know a few things..and with the link to arstechnica...i should be able to build upon my hardware knowledge now ( I have a bent of mind on that, since I would liek to manage the system myself and be dependent on other as less as possible ). Thanks for that.
I'll also point my browser to other interesting links, you have mentioned for analysis !
I may get in touch with you, if i need any help by PM, Hope you don't mind?
Thanks a lot again
Cheers
If you want to watch movies on your computer, you might be needing a DVD-ROM drive in addition to whatever CD-RW drive you get. Most movies are on DVD, not CD-ROM.
Also, the type of memory you buy -- DDR, SDRAM or whatever is determined by what motherboard and chipset you go with. Moreover, yes, DDR cost more, but any motherboard for a Pentium 4 that uses SDRAM rather than DDR would cause one to wonder what if any other corners they might have cut to build a cheaper board for a cheaper system....
Moreover, if you are wanting to save money, do some research at the arstechnica dot com CPU and motherboard open forum I mentioned in my first post to this thread. Lots of people ask about and suggest the exact parts list one needs to build a low cost, yet plenty powerful computer there.
My last computer build cost about $600 (not including an OS or monitor I didn't require -- it's a *nix box) -- and that's with decent parts. It was/is a combination second spare machine and LAN server box. What I used isn't relevant or timely since I built it months ago and parts availability and prices have changed a lot.
Every few months or so what I would choose changes a great deal. That's why, if one is going to build or upgrade one's own computer, that one needs to learn good online resources that are up to date -- like arstechnica dot com and the others I mentioned for one buying the component parts and putting together their own machines.
Hope this helps -- suggest you check out arstechnica dot com or some other hardware review and forum sites. Plenty of them out there. I like arstechnica dot com the best because lots of folks who post there have been building many systems -- for years.
Best wishes,
Louis
I'm no expert, as I only build my own systems for home use, but feel free to PM me. I may or may not be able to help; but keep in mind most tech boards like arstechnica dot com have lots of folks posting questions and problems -- that's what folks use them for. Likely folks there who have the exact model parts you have questions about who can share their experiences and advice.
Moreover, arstechnica dot com also has some buyers guides and HOWTO's for folks building their first (or latest) systems.
Two additional suggestions I'll make since you've decided to build your own box are:
1) Beware the dangers of static electricity to computer parts! This means making sure you handle and put together parts wearing a grounding strap and/or taking other percautions to prevent static electricity from damaging the parts you are putting together. More than a few people who post about problems on hardware tech boards have problems stemming from static electricity damage that could have been avoided. For instance, I DON'T stand on carpeting when I put together a computer due to static electricity concerns.
2) Get a GOOD uninteruptible power supply. Make sure you get one and get a good one. Computers like clean steady power. Clean steady power does wonders for trouble free computing. A good UPS will likely last a few (2-3) years. I saw an APC Battery Backup 700VA UPS at Sam's for about $80 I think. That's the last model I bought for home use several months ago. Might be best to buy a UPS locally to save on shipping if you have a discount type store close by. Just make sure the outlet you plug the UPS into is properly grounded. One can get a low cost ground checker for electrical outlets at Radio Shack and other places for a few bucks.
Take care,
Louis
My next CPU is going to have at least
1) DVD RW
2) 1 GB Ram
3) At least 100 GB HD
For your PC Config, I would recommend, atleast 19" Monitor and CD-RW and DVD (/DVD-RW). You will thank me, after few months :)
[ubid.com...]
