New Computer Parts List

[pissclams]

Ok so my computer died a couple months ago and I've been trying to decide on how I want to replace it. 
Ideas so far:

Option 1)  iMac - I decided against this.  Don't want to learn something new (OSX) and they're overpriced.
Option 2)  Sony Vaio VGC-LV150J - Still might get this, overpriced and underpowered though.  Love the all-in-one design and "media center" system.

Option 3)  Custom Build- here's the parts list I've come up with-

Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-EP35-DS3L
Item #:N82E16813128337
$89.99 -$5.00 Instant $84.99

VGU   
VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Model #:900244
Item #:N82E16814129113
$269.99

PSU   
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Model #:CMPSU-650TX
Item #:N82E16817139005
$159.99 -$60.00 Instant $99.99

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
Model #:BX80570E8400
Item #:N82E16819115037
$169.99

Memory   
2 x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
Model #:F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
Item #:N82E16820231145
$97.99 -$30.00 Instant $135.98

HDD   
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Model #:WD6400AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136218
$74.99

Optical Drive
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04
Model #:DH-20A4P-04
Item #:N82E16827106228
$22.99

Subtotal: $858.92

I already have a case I want to use.

Thoughts?   

[steve dave]

Seems kinda pricey for a build.  You can have one made with arguably better components for that and get a warranty for good measure.  I don't know, just 

[Skydog]

Only nerds build their own computers...

You-------->

[pissclams]

Seems kinda pricey for a build.  You can have one made with arguably better components for that and get a warranty for good measure.  I don't know, just 

no you can't.  unless you know someone who's willing to take a loss on the components/labor.
there may be some savings found from shopping outside of newegg, i mostly put that info there to get a directionally correct price estimate

[steve dave]

Seems kinda pricey for a build.  You can have one made with arguably better components for that and get a warranty for good measure.  I don't know, just 

no you can't.  unless you know someone who's willing to take a loss on the components/labor.
there may be some savings found from shopping outside of newegg, i mostly put that info there to get a directionally correct price estimate

OK 

[pissclams]

Seems kinda pricey for a build.  You can have one made with arguably better components for that and get a warranty for good measure.  I don't know, just 

no you can't.  unless you know someone who's willing to take a loss on the components/labor.
there may be some savings found from shopping outside of newegg, i mostly put that info there to get a directionally correct price estimate

OK 

seriously, no one will build that computer for what I priced it out at, let alone upgrade components.   
i don't even know if i feel like building it but kinda feel guilty getting ripped off on a premade machine. 

[Saulbadguy]

Looks good, bro!

[fatty fat fat]

you can get cheaper 4gb ram (like, 65 bucks) and your psu is way too expensive.


dude, you are kind of rich. sheesh.

[Saulbadguy]

you can get cheaper 4gb ram (like, 65 bucks) and your psu is way too expensive.


dude, you are kind of rich. sheesh.

Quality power supply though.  Not that it really matters.

I don't like to skimp on memory.  Only thing I don't like is any computers I like to build w/ WD raptor for system drive.

[pissclams]

that ram is $68.  $98-$30 = $68.  looking at 8GB.

the PSU is $99 and worth the extra $$

[pissclams]

you can get cheaper 4gb ram (like, 65 bucks) and your psu is way too expensive.


dude, you are kind of rich. sheesh.

Quality power supply though.  Not that it really matters.

I don't like to skimp on memory.  Only thing I don't like is any computers I like to build w/ WD raptor for system drive.

already have the 74GB raptor for my system drive

[Saulbadguy]

you can get cheaper 4gb ram (like, 65 bucks) and your psu is way too expensive.


dude, you are kind of rich. sheesh.

Quality power supply though.  Not that it really matters.

I don't like to skimp on memory.  Only thing I don't like is any computers I like to build w/ WD raptor for system drive.

already have the 74GB raptor for my system drive

Buy another. Raid 0!  From the time I dropped the Windows XP disc in the tray for installation to the time I got to the desktop - 7 minutes.

[Saulbadguy]

that ram is $68.  $98-$30 = $68.  looking at 8GB.

the PSU is $99 and worth the extra $$

Might as well get 4GB but its sad the OS only addressed 3gb of it, unless of course you go Vista 64bit

[pissclams]

that ram is $68.  $98-$30 = $68.  looking at 8GB.

the PSU is $99 and worth the extra $$

Might as well get 4GB but its sad the OS only addressed 3gb of it, unless of course you go Vista 64bit

planned on Vista 64bit, not sure why you wouldn't run that.

not interested in a raid configuration.   

[Saulbadguy]

that ram is $68.  $98-$30 = $68.  looking at 8GB.

the PSU is $99 and worth the extra $$

Might as well get 4GB but its sad the OS only addressed 3gb of it, unless of course you go Vista 64bit

not interested in a raid configuration.   

y not?

[pissclams]

the raptors are overpriced and i already bit the bullet once, don't really want to again, nor do i need 900gb of HDD space.  the maintenance related to a raid configuration may exceed my tech level.  can't they be somewhat problematic? 

[dr00d]

the raptors are overpriced and i already bit the bullet once, don't really want to again, nor do i need 900gb of HDD space.  the maintenance related to a raid configuration may exceed my tech level.  can't they be somewhat problematic? 

no.

[Saulbadguy]

the raptors are overpriced and i already bit the bullet once, don't really want to again, nor do i need 900gb of HDD space.  the maintenance related to a raid configuration may exceed my tech level.  can't they be somewhat problematic? 

No maintenance needed.  You set up the "array" in the BIOS (assuming the motherboard has a raid controller built in) and it the OS sees it as one logical drive.  The only thing that sucks is if 1 drive dies you lose everything on both the disks. However if you just have your OS on there and program files you don't lose much.

[pissclams]

gotcha- i guess i thought they got screwed up more often than a regular hdd set up.  i assume that gigabyte board i listed above has a raid controller on board, be surprised if it didn't.

[Saulbadguy]

gotcha- i guess i thought they got screwed up more often than a regular hdd set up.  i assume that gigabyte board i listed above has a raid controller on board, be surprised if it didn't.

It uses software RAID which isn't as good but still not bad and better than not having it.

[pissclams]

hrm.  i might hunt one down that has an on board controller.

[ew2x4]

you can get cheaper 4gb ram (like, 65 bucks) and your psu is way too expensive.


dude, you are kind of rich. sheesh.

Quality power supply though.  Not that it really matters.

I don't like to skimp on memory.  Only thing I don't like is any computers I like to build w/ WD raptor for system drive.

Actually the opposite is true. Memory brands really don't matter at all. Just get the cheapest with the specs you want. Powersupply, however, do not skimp. This is the piece that fries computers.

[CrushNasty]

Tiger Direct has alot of deals on computer parts... www.tigerdirect.com

Don't know if you've checked there yet? Didn't read through your crap

[ew2x4]

Tiger Direct has alot of deals on computer parts... www.tigerdirect.com

Don't know if you've checked there yet? Didn't read through your crap

Tiger Direct isn't very good. Newegg really can't be beat.

[ksuno1stunner]

What about "blue-ray" drive?  Dunno.  Whatev.

[pissclams]

thought about the 'blue-ray'  but decided against it because didn't think I'd really need 1020p on a 24 inch screen

[Saulbadguy]

you can get cheaper 4gb ram (like, 65 bucks) and your psu is way too expensive.


dude, you are kind of rich. sheesh.

Quality power supply though.  Not that it really matters.

I don't like to skimp on memory.  Only thing I don't like is any computers I like to build w/ WD raptor for system drive.

Actually the opposite is true. Memory brands really don't matter at all. Just get the cheapest with the specs you want. Powersupply, however, do not skimp. This is the piece that fries computers.

Brands do not matter, but the chips that they use do, especially w/ overclocking.

[ew2x4]

With overclocking, of course. I never noticed any difference in performance or reliability with normal usage though.

[KSt8er]

Best place to buy components is www.pricewatch.com if you know what you are looking for, and it appears you do.  Also, if they quote you a different price once you talk with whomever, just tell them you got it from pricewatch and you'll get that price. 

Sound card?  I don't use one but......

[Brock Landers]

I'm not sure what most of this crap means but I'm pretty sure the loose translation to English is "I'm a total nerd and I've never seen a nekkid lady before"