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Upgrade Suggestions?

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  • 15-06-2004 5:57pm
    #1
    Belfry
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭


    Hey, feel like spending a bit andwould like some suggestion as to what to get!

    My current system looks sumtin like :

    Chieftec Dragon MidiTower, w/Door, Black, Case w/360W power, DX-01B-D, P4/AMD (UK)
    AMD Athlon XP2400+ 2.0 GHz 266 MHz bus, Socket A (Thoroughbred) processor OEM
    MSI KT4V mainboard for Socket A Retail, KT400, ATA133, ATX, USB2.0, AGP8X, Sound
    Gainward AGP GeForce4 MX440SE 64MB DDR, "PRO/450TV"TV-Out, Retail
    Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 80G ATA/133 HDD, IDE
    Seagate Barracuda V 80GB IDE 7200RPM, IDE, hard disk 2MB cache ST380023A
    Western Digital Caviar 160GB S-ATA, Special Edition 8MB cache 7200RPM
    Samsung CD recorder IDE 40X/12X/40X, SW-240BEAB, Black design
    LG DVD drive IDE 16x/48x (GDR-8161BB)
    DDR-DIMM PC2700 512MB DDR CL2.5, Generic memory 184-P (for DDR-PC333MHz)
    Sunsway/ST Lab PCI FireWire 2+1 port, Controller, w/Ulead Video software v5.0
    VideoLogic ZXR-200, Subwoofer and 2 monitor speakers
    NEC Floppy Drive Black 3,5" 1,44MB, Floppy Drive Internal
    CNET Modem 56k V90/92 Internal PCI
    Cooler Master CPU fan Socket A/7/FCPGA, CP5-6J31C, to 1,4GHz, upto XP2800+


    I want to spend around E700 (maybe more/maybe less). I wana get a flat screen 17/19inch monitor & graphics card, also some more RAM. Would like other suggestions?

    I have previously bought most of my stuff through komplett.ie and haven't found anywhere else online. Would really appreciate any help you guys can give!!?


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    #2
    Belfry
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Belfry


    Have spent the past few hours reading and looking at prices! Can't really find anywhere with the same overall value that komplett offers! (If it weren't for the high cost of DHL(don't trust their other crowd) I might have ordered by now!)

    So far I have

    Crucial PC2700 DDR-DIMM 512MB CL2.5 6ns Unbuffered, Non-parity, 2.5V, 64Meg x 64 @ €98.01
    or
    Corsair Value S. PC2700 DDR-DIMM 512MB Unbuffered, Non-parity, 64Megx64, CL2.5 @ €96.80

    Anyone tell me the difference? :confused:

    Samsung 19" CRT Syncmaster 957p TCO99 Monitor @ €193.60

    Logitech Z-640, 5.1 5 Satellites and Subwoofer 50W RMS @ €87.73

    Ain't got a clue bout the grapics card! So many types out there I'm confused :(

    __________________________

    Any help is really appreciated!


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    #3
    Col_Loki
    Registered Users Posts: 2,754 ✭✭✭Col_Loki


    Firstly have a bit of a look at this thread for a few hardware tips ..... http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152842

    Whats your main usage? Are you happy with the CPU performance? When you say flat screen you mean the CRT (bigger monitors) with a flat glass or the TFT (slimline screens)?

    There is alot you can get with €700 ill give you a few examples and you can see what might be important.......

    Sound : Audigy 2 & Speakers
    CPU/Motherboard : AMD64 / P4 / XP barton.
    Graphics : Med gammer 9600XT , Big Gammer : 9800pro, Extreme gammer : X800pro
    DVD Burner
    Silent Computer
    Smaller computer / incl TFT screen
    Extra Memory / Hard Disk space

    What would most interest you?


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    #4
    Belfry
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Belfry


    Main usage is Gaming anda lot of dl from torrents and the like. I have bout 200Gb of TV/Movies/Games etc. Was leaning toward make this upgrade for everything but motherboard and CPU, hope to do them again in September. I have also been looking at both CRT and TFT. Really wanted a slimline. But nonein my price rangseem good enough for gaming!? I was also thinking of getting a good speaker set, but have the sound cardon a new motherboard later, good idea/bad idea?? My case may aswell be a server one so space shouldn't be an issue however soonesaid that my power supply is in really need of improvement?

    Thanks
    Belfry


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    #5
    Col_Loki
    Registered Users Posts: 2,754 ✭✭✭Col_Loki


    Well how about .........

    9800pro Graphics Card -> €195 ......... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=161_104&products_id=14064
    DVD Burner Lite-On -> €75 .......... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=153_108&products_id=15841

    AND ...........

    Mabye a 17" TFT Screen , have a look at some of the 14ms ones for €370 .......... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/default.php?cPath=163_66

    OR

    A 19" CRT -> €150 ............. http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/default.php?cPath=163_25
    Creative Audigy 2ZS 7.1 -> €75 ................ http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=160_18&products_id=14324
    And a set of nice 5.1-7.1 Speakers .......... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/default.php?cPath=160_44&page=1&sort=2a


    Jes Computers are a nice ammount cheaper than komplett and have a bigger range. Its a little more awkward to pay (via bank draft or Paypal) but i think its definetly worth it. If your upgrading again in sept then dont get another 512mb of Pc2700 Ram, as you wont be able to use it in your new rig unless you take a serious performance hit.
    Sept will be a much better time to buy hardware like that then it is rite now.
    If you are going to get ram anyway then get Pc3200, it will run at Pc2700 no probs and is still cheap. try www.pchealth.ie for the cheapest ive seen (€65 for 512mb Pc3200).

    Edit aswell the DVD burner is soooo handy for backing up your Work, making DVD's etc etc and its pretty damm cheap.


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    #6
    Belfry
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Belfry


    Thanks for the input! Big help, I'm almost sold, just wondering bout the TFTs, would really like one for the style and space factor but have constantly heard that if I game(which I most certainly do) then their no good!??


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    #7
    Col_Loki
    Registered Users Posts: 2,754 ✭✭✭Col_Loki


    It depends alot on responce time and quality of the screen. The higher responce time TFTs have a degree of ghosting when playing games. Ones with low times liek 14ms should be perfect.

    I must admit im not the worlds best on TFT specs with reguards gaming etc. See if you can find some reviews on some of the ones in your price range.

    There are a good few people who use TFT's for gaming and find them brilliant, and these are big into gaming and know there stuff. TFT's are fine for gaming and i doubt you will notice any difference providing you pick a decent one (AFAIK responce time is most important).


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    #8
    Col_Loki
    Registered Users Posts: 2,754 ✭✭✭Col_Loki


    Good info and help can be found here..........

    http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=195630

    http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=203663

    Has info on how gamers find TFT's , what to look for etc............ hope its some help !!


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    #9
    Belfry
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Belfry


    Looks like I'm gona go with:

    21'' Samsung SyncMaster 1100P+, 115kHz € 339,00

    DVDR IDE LiteOn LDW-851S 8x speed Retail € 75,99

    128MB Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro Lite-RTL € 195,99

    LS Logitech Z-5300 € 157,89

    Only thing now is to decide how to pay and delivery Qs!?
    Paypal is quoted at € 26, I haven't looked at the "pay first" option. Has anyone used Jes before/regularly? What have you found best? Finally what are they like for delivery and what option should I chose, what does it generally cost?

    (Thanks COL_LOKI for the info,you're a goldmine!)


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    #10
    Belfry
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Belfry


    Forgot that I needed to look at a power supply upgrade too! Had a look at what Jes have andthey don't seem to list any ofthe name brands COL_LOKI mentioned in the sticky on Power? :(


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    #11
    Col_Loki
    Registered Users Posts: 2,754 ✭✭✭Col_Loki


    If you pay in advance you dont get charged any extra (paypal is 3% - fecker), the bank draft takes about 3-5days to clear and they send it to you ........ another 3-5 working days and you should have your order.

    On the delivery side of things jes use the same GLS no matter what you pick so dont worry, pick the cheapest.
    Had a look at what Jes have andthey don't seem to list any ofthe name brands COL_LOKI mentioned in the sticky on Power?

    Jes have a funny way with there PSU's, they actually do have some really good ones.

    For €63 theres the Be-quiet 400w ........... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=167_28&products_id=14756
    For €80 theres the Tagan 480w ............ http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=167_28&products_id=15055
    For €99 theres the ThermalTake 480w (fancy lights one ;)) ......... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=167_28&products_id=14691

    The 400w Be-quiet is going to be very quiet, good rails and very good power and will power your system with ease. It will prob also be fine for your upgrade unless your planning something a little mad. The tagan also has the adapters so it can power the Dual Xeon / Opertron systems (if you want them to) , it also is pretty quiet. Either one of those are excellent PSU's and will work perfectly for you !!

    Other than that your choices look excellent ...........


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