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From: Paul on 23 May 2010 18:20
me(a)privacy.net wrote:
> I'm an engineering student in need of good desktop.
>
> Never built my own before but have been eyeing the
> desktop kits that New Egg sells.
>
> Would like to spend no more than $800 including monitor
>
> Any opinions on New Eggs DIY kits?

Do you have a URL for the one you're interested in ?
I might make more sense to give us a starting point,
to discuss.

Paul
From: me on 23 May 2010 18:52
Paul <nospam(a)needed.com> wrote:

>Do you have a URL for the one you're interested in ?
>I might make more sense to give us a starting point,
>to discuss.

Ooops sorry....

Here is one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.391735

This is just one example....seems to be a LOT of DIY
kits on there...

Problem is I'm not a hardware guy at all and have NOT
kept up on latest hardware....so have no idea what to
get. I do know I want a good case, well made....and
NOT a gamers case with all the crazy cutouts and light
and such

As far as CPUs....don't have a clue!! I know Intel has
new "i" core processors but don't know diffs between
them

I would be using this desktop for some mild engineering
type app's such as modeling app's and math software
too. And would also like to put a TV tuner in it to
record TV programs for later playback....yada yada...
From: Steve on 23 May 2010 22:15
In article <lc0jv557t74v47inq8luuqdar4e1lp2bi1(a)4ax.com>,
me(a)privacy.net says...
>
> I'm an engineering student in need of good desktop.
>
> Never built my own before but have been eyeing the
> desktop kits that New Egg sells.
>
> Would like to spend no more than $800 including monitor
>
> Any opinions on New Eggs DIY kits?

Didn't like the answers the last time you asked this question?

Ok, how long is this computer going to last? The term? A couple of
years? Until you graduate?

What's the most serious software programs that you are going to run
on it?






s
From: Paul on 23 May 2010 23:00
me(a)privacy.net wrote:
> Paul <nospam(a)needed.com> wrote:
>
>> Do you have a URL for the one you're interested in ?
>> I might make more sense to give us a starting point,
>> to discuss.
>
> Ooops sorry....
>
> Here is one
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.391735
>
> This is just one example....seems to be a LOT of DIY
> kits on there...
>
> Problem is I'm not a hardware guy at all and have NOT
> kept up on latest hardware....so have no idea what to
> get. I do know I want a good case, well made....and
> NOT a gamers case with all the crazy cutouts and light
> and such
>
> As far as CPUs....don't have a clue!! I know Intel has
> new "i" core processors but don't know diffs between
> them
>
> I would be using this desktop for some mild engineering
> type app's such as modeling app's and math software
> too. And would also like to put a TV tuner in it to
> record TV programs for later playback....yada yada...

$560.98 after rebates. (If one of the rebates come from Gigabyte,
check their record on rebating.)

1. Intel Core i5-650 Clarkdale 3.2GHz Socket 1156 73W Dual Core Integrated Graphics Processor (Model: BX80616I5650)
2. GIGABYTE Socket 1156 Intel H55 Express Chipset HDMI Micro ATX Motherboard (Model: GA-H55M-UD2H)
3. G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Model: F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL)
4. Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB 7200RPM 32MB cache SATA II 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (Model: ST31500341AS) - OEM
5. OCZ StealthXStream 700Watt ATX12V/EPS12V SLI & CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply (Model: OCZ700SXS)
6. Lian Li Lancool Black 0.8mm SECC Plastic/Mesh Mid-ATX Tower Case (Model: PC-K62)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_i5_microprocessors

Core i5-650 3.2GHz CPU, 733MHz int. GPU, 73W, dual core, 4MB L3 cache
Since it has an internal GPU, you don't need to buy a video card.

http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=42912

Has Hyperthreading (shows four processor traces), has VT-X virtualization
for WinXP mode in Windows 7 or for other hardware virtualization environments.

Only gotcha with LGA1156, is problems with contacts burning on the socket
if you overclock. And that is due to a certain brand of socket (soldered to
each motherboard), not making contact properly on all 1156 contacts on the processor.

*******

These are the reviews on the motherboard. The motherboard has a rebate from
Gigabyte, and you'd want to check the record on getting to see that money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128421

The Northbridge is inside the processor, which is why you only see a
Southbridge on the motherboard. The processor connects to the Southbridge
via 2GB/sec DMI.

The motherboard has an "either-or" PS/2 connector. The color scheme is
meant to indicate you can connect either a PS/2 mouse or a PS/2 keyboard,
but doesn't suggest you can do both at the same time. I currently am
using a motherboard which only has PS/2 keyboard, and wish it had PS/2
mouse, as I never had any trouble with that.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/13-128-421-Z02?$S640W$

Both common monitor connectors are there, a VGA and a DVI.

The manual says the two video card slots are wired x16 and x4. The x4 lanes
come from the Southbridge. That would be suitable as an expansion slot for
a RAID card for example.

The board has one floppy connector and one IDE connector, suitable for
emergencies where you need one of those. Nobody really likes floppies, but
if you needed one to do an install, you could temporarily fit one until
the job is done.

So the only question about the board, is whether the reviews indicate
a problem generally with it.

*******

There are a few dropouts on the RAM. If I was shopping for RAM,
I'd sort the search results by "highest rating" and see what
pops out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

*******

Now, the included disk is a show stopper for me. If you read the reviews
on Newegg in general, there is evidence they don't pack hard drives
properly, and the defect rate is too high for just the manufacturer
of the drive to be responsible.

I buy drives locally, from a retailer I trust. I avoid the "UPS truck"
by buying the drive from my retailer, and they take the (OEM) drive
right out of a larger shipping container. So the drive is never thrown
into an oversized box with a few Styrofoam peanuts for company.

As for the size of drive, I'm still suspicious of drives over 1TB
in size. Some of the large drives, don't use standard 7200 RPM operation,
and may have speeds such as 5900 RPM.

The first two review comments here aren't encouraging.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337

It appears to be a real 7200 RPM drive according to this.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=st31500341as-barracuda-7200-11-sata-32mb-c-1.5tb-hd&vgnextoid=511a8cf6a794b110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=47f281f8c0f43110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&reqPage=Model#tTabContentSpecifications

*******

The power supply is a bit overkill at 700W max capacity. So now
the question is, what's wrong with it ?

The Newegg advert for the supply, shows it has a rebate. And OCZ
is OK for rebates (I've got two from them). The thing is, you can get
in contact with them, and expedite, if your rebate doesn't show up.
It'll still take a lot of weeks to get it, but you do get it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

Reviews for that power supply are not good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

The advert here mentions it has Active PFC. Whether that is a factor
in the failures or not, is a good question (mixing active PFC with
cheap UPS boxes).

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_700w_stealthxstream_power_supply

*******

Lian Li case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239

The power supply location appears to be bottom-mounted.

The pictures on Newegg, need to be re-shot. They're too dark to be of
any good. The pictures are also available on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Lian-Li-PC-K62B/dp/B002JF1CXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274668620&sr=8-1

It looks like the lower trays are side-mount, which I like. (My Antec
Sonata had some like that, and I like it better.) The only issue with
using the side-mount, is things like SATA data connectors need to be
"right-angle" type. Otherwise, you can't get the side to fit onto the
case. For IDE drives, it wasn't too bad, because IDE sits flat. The
Molex power was a bit of a tight fit, and the computer case side might
be pressing on the wires of the power connector.

(Sata cables come in right-angle, left-angle, straight. You have to be
careful when shopping, to order the right type.

*******

OK, now the summary.

What can we learn from this ?

1) The more items in a bundle, the higher the odds that one
item will stink. On the one hand, they have to move merchandise
that isn't selling. But if the "trouble rate" for an item is too
high, do you look forward to returning it ?

2) I'm not going to do the pricing for you. If you believe the bundle
is cheaper than individually purchased goods, then you're ahead.

3) If I was doing it, I might aim for a smaller bundle, leaving
me the freedom to pick more demanding items on my own. I like
to use the customer reviews, up to a point. Motherboards are now
so bad, you can't really find any stellar examples of boards, which
stand head and shoulders above others. At one time, you could find
boards with exceptional ratings. Now, there is more of a mediocrity
in terms of ratings. Almost as if people aren't willing to give
a five star rating to anything.

On computer cases, I like SECC steel, pretty heavy material (as some
are a bit thinner). I don't like fancy fasteners, such as screwless
clamps. Because I really don't know if they work right. So when I
see an exotic fastener inside, I usually pass on it. Computer cases
are also a "taste thing", so what I like, will be completely different
than what you like. If you can live with that Lian Li case, then, enjoy.

HTH,
Paul
From: larry moe 'n curly on 23 May 2010 23:20


Steve wrote:
>
On May 23, 3:52 pm, m...(a)privacy.net wrote:
>
>http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx%3FItemList%3DCombo.391735&usg=AFQjCNEFtI1AmFVtWf61XFDgVJVrUjizkw

Windows not included? Do you plan to run Linux?

If you want decent video speed for action games, you'll need to buy/
steal a PCI-E graphics card.

Test the memory very thoroughly because heatsinks almost always hide
no-name chips (named chips = Samsung, Micron, Nanya, Hynix, Elpida,
not G.Skill, Corsair, Patriot, or Kingston) that are actually rejects.

Have you checked Frys.com for their mobo/CPU combos? Because they had
an i7 930 with Asus P6T SE for $310-330. OTOH if you don't need
speed, they've been running a $30 CPU/mobo combo almost every week,
with the CPU ranging from an AMD LE140 to an Intel E3300.
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