Hardware help

Savanah · 08-29-2009, 03:40 AM

Ok so my new boyfriend's friend says he can build me a computer for $600 Canadian and these are the specs he gave me:

* Intel Core2Quad Q8200(D)
* 2.33GHz Quad Core
* 4 GB DDR2 RAM
* 22x LG DVD Writer
* 1 TB (TeraByte) Hard Drive
* Nvidia GeForce 9400GT 1GB(1024mb) Video Card
* 5.1 CH Windows® Vista™ Premium Level HD Audio
* ASRock G31M-S Motherboard
* USB, Ethernet, Power cord
* Supports PCI-E

Is this good for $600?? He works in a computer store and already has it pre-made for me if I want it... But I wanna ask you hardware Guru's first.

Love ye lots , and thx for the help

Oh and will this play Starcraft 2 , or Diablo 3 ??

gcavan · 08-29-2009, 09:01 AM

I would have to say that 600 just covers your friends costs. I priced out what your parts at NCIX.com (vancouver) and at canadacomputers.com (Markham, ON). Both come out around 525 for parts alone (not including MIR's). Add taxes and shipping and you're at 600. Assembly usually runs another 50 bucks.
Note that you don't list a case or power supply. I assume then, that you intend to reuse your current ones. I would still recommend a new power supply, though, unless you are absolutely sure of the one you have.

As far as your games go . . .

Starcraft II and Diablo III -Neither of these have been released (according to their respective websites) and the companies are not stating system requirements but from the estimates I've read, you should be good to go.

FYI: I recently built a similar unit (using AMD/Gigabyte) for a neighbour. Total parts (including case, psu and Windows) came to a hair under 800 shipped.

**grimx133** · 08-29-2009, 09:14 AM

Speaking of ncix, they have an Asus 9600GSO on for 40 bucks after rebate, in their weekly surprise sale.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...9&promoid=1058

edit - and yes, I ordered one. Just for a little extra Folding at Home points per day.

Savanah · 08-29-2009, 07:42 PM

Is this a good computer tho... from the reviews I have read the Nvidia GeForce 9400GT 1GB Video Card is not as good as its predecessors... could / or should i upgrade that or ask if he can swap it out for another one thats better and pay the difference?

And is this machine worth the money.. I would like it to last a little while seeings as alot of new games are making new source engines that require better hardware.

I don't have a case hes including that to.. and he didn't mention what type of power supply he is using... but I can find that out

And this doesn't include windows cause I was thinking of putting Windows 7RC on it... or I have access to a copy of Windows XP... seeings as I am not sure if Windows 7RC is compatible with all game apps

Thanks

**wrench97** · 08-30-2009, 04:40 AM

Old topic but for gaming the faster clock speed of the E8500 is better then the extra cores of the Q8200, Games run better on faster clock speed since they do not fully multi-thread all the cores.
The Power Supply is a important factor as is the video card, I would want at least a 9500GT if not better and a Quality 500w-550w PSU or higher.

**Tyree** · 08-30-2009, 07:37 AM

Ask what PSU is included. Hopefully it's not one included with a case.

08-29-2009, 03:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Savanah Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp sp2	Hardware help Ok so my new boyfriend's friend says he can build me a computer for $600 Canadian and these are the specs he gave me: * Intel Core2Quad Q8200(D) * 2.33GHz Quad Core * 4 GB DDR2 RAM * 22x LG DVD Writer * 1 TB (TeraByte) Hard Drive * Nvidia GeForce 9400GT 1GB(1024mb) Video Card * 5.1 CH Windows® Vista™ Premium Level HD Audio * ASRock G31M-S Motherboard * USB, Ethernet, Power cord * Supports PCI-E Is this good for $600?? He works in a computer store and already has it pre-made for me if I want it... But I wanna ask you hardware Guru's first. Love ye lots , and thx for the help Oh and will this play Starcraft 2 , or Diablo 3 ??

08-29-2009, 09:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
gcavan Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 302 OS: Win XP, Vista 64, "Intrepid" Ubuntu My System	Re: Hardware help I would have to say that 600 just covers your friends costs. I priced out what your parts at NCIX.com (vancouver) and at canadacomputers.com (Markham, ON). Both come out around 525 for parts alone (not including MIR's). Add taxes and shipping and you're at 600. Assembly usually runs another 50 bucks. Note that you don't list a case or power supply. I assume then, that you intend to reuse your current ones. I would still recommend a new power supply, though, unless you are absolutely sure of the one you have. As far as your games go . . . Starcraft II and Diablo III -Neither of these have been released (according to their respective websites) and the companies are not stating system requirements but from the estimates I've read, you should be good to go. FYI: I recently built a similar unit (using AMD/Gigabyte) for a neighbour. Total parts (including case, psu and Windows) came to a hair under 800 shipped.

08-29-2009, 09:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,153 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Hardware help Speaking of ncix, they have an Asus 9600GSO on for 40 bucks after rebate, in their weekly surprise sale. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...9&promoid=1058 edit - and yes, I ordered one. Just for a little extra Folding at Home points per day. __________________ Last edited by grimx133; 08-29-2009 at 09:16 AM.

08-29-2009, 07:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Savanah Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp sp2	Re: Hardware help Is this a good computer tho... from the reviews I have read the Nvidia GeForce 9400GT 1GB Video Card is not as good as its predecessors... could / or should i upgrade that or ask if he can swap it out for another one thats better and pay the difference? And is this machine worth the money.. I would like it to last a little while seeings as alot of new games are making new source engines that require better hardware. I don't have a case hes including that to.. and he didn't mention what type of power supply he is using... but I can find that out And this doesn't include windows cause I was thinking of putting Windows 7RC on it... or I have access to a copy of Windows XP... seeings as I am not sure if Windows 7RC is compatible with all game apps Thanks Last edited by Savanah; 08-29-2009 at 07:47 PM.

08-30-2009, 04:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,659 OS: Win7	Re: Hardware help Old topic but for gaming the faster clock speed of the E8500 is better then the extra cores of the Q8200, Games run better on faster clock speed since they do not fully multi-thread all the cores. The Power Supply is a important factor as is the video card, I would want at least a 9500GT if not better and a Quality 500w-550w PSU or higher. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-30-2009, 07:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,686 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Hardware help Ask what PSU is included. Hopefully it's not one included with a case. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.