The X Workstation

[cleathco]

I've been out of the PC building thing for a while (got married, focused on a lot of other stuff). Now it seems I may be opening up a small PC shop with a couple of good friends. I've got the networking skills (A+, Sysco, MCP, MCSA, and MCSE certifications all got updated this year), Scott has the know how on older systems ( we're talking pre-486) as well as current, and Dan has extreme networking knowledge, easily configuring Linux, Win98, WinNT, XP, OSX, OS2, AND Unix systems in a test setup in his room to create a network where they can all communicate. In his spare time.

Anywho, I figured it was time to replace the Compaq desktop I have (2 gigahertz) that my wife got me a couple years back for Christmas with a new home built system. I haven't built a system for myself since 2002, so this should be quite interesting..

Case: Black Thermaltake Xaser II

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230025343213&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013
I'm a big fan of the "classic" Antec style case. This is very close to that classic style, but with a nice temp monitor in the front, plenty of fans, and a nice case window.

Mobo/CPU combo: PC Chips M861G V1.6/AMD Athlon 64 3400+

http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/AMD_mobo/index.html
Got this setup very simply because for $99 bucks I got a nice CPU and Mobo came free with it. I chose this particular board out of the three I could choose from in the deal simply because it has integrated video. I don't use integrated video that often (I'll cover my AGP Video Card later) but I prefer a backup card just in case the primary fails that way I still have a usable system.

CPU Cooler/Heatsink: Thermaltake Blue Orb 2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835106069
Massive heatsink, pretty blue LED fan, and round style fins. Should offer plenty of cooling for my A64, and offer me some headroom for overclocking should I choose to.

Memory: Kingston HyperX PC3200 1 Gig x2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134040
2 gigs memory seems like it'll do just fine, and will max out the mobo's memory slots.
EDIT: This has been changed to cheap er memory with an aftermarket heatsink clipped on.

PSU: Broadway Com Corp Okia-550-Blue ATX 550W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817162013
Just a basic 550 watt power supply with a blue LED fan. Should do the job nicely. I thought about a see-through blue LED one, but I can't justify that price for the same amount of power.
EDIT: This has been changed to a Diablotek 550W PSU. See the third post in this thread.

AGP Video Card: UNKNOWN
Haven't picked one out yet. I prefer ATI though, HUGE chance that this system will have an ATI card, midrange pricing scale. Considering an 256 MB X550, basic video card, good enough. Prolly upgrade later, this will get me started though.

Other Stuff:
UV Cold Cathode lighting.
Red UV Reactive cabling
SATA 160 Gig HDD
2 DVD burners (always have a backup just in case)
1 internal card reader.
Thermaltake Xaser Mouse/Keyboard
UV reactive Rear Expansion fan
5.25 iBox Bay Drawer (yes a drawer, will keep Install and Driver discs for the system in here.)
Wireless NIC (great for LAN perties, no ethernet cables needed)
Sceptre 19 inch LCD Monitor (replacing my ancient 15 inch CRT.)
Quake 3 Window Applique and Quake 3 Fan Grille (Just cause it's a classic)

Hopefully a good system for todays times. Will update later, but I'd like some opinions on what you all think. Keep in mind this isn't meant to be a "power" system per say, just something with enough juice to run some half way current games and get me back into PC building.EDIT: This has been changed to plain cheap memory with an aftermarket heatsink clipped on EDIT

 

[khanable]

I have a few suggestions...

Shell out alittle bit more on a quality psu. Dont even bother toying with the 3400+ when it is rather impractical to get anything that isn't dual core these days. The prices have dropped so hardcore. That blue orb = meh. Look at zalman instead.

Oh, and I cant really recommend kingston.. Ive had nothing but problems with them the past couple of months. Corsair/ocz/crucial..

 

[cleathco]

I have a few suggestions...

Shell out alittle bit more on a quality psu. Dont even bother toying with the 3400+ when it is rather impractical to get anything that isn't dual core these days. The prices have dropped so hardcore. That blue orb = meh. Look at zalman instead.

Oh, and I cant really recommend kingston.. Ive had nothing but problems with them the past couple of months. Corsair/ocz/crucial..

I appreciate your comments (especially over the power supply, which I raked my mind over for awhile). I'm fine with the single core, as this is just meant to be a cheap but nice machine. I might upgrade later down the road, but I don't have a huge need for a pure power system.

Also I'm just giving the PSU a try, if I'm not satisfied with it it will go back.

Besides, not too much I can do when the parts are already mostly ordered. Keep in mind I've been out of building systems for awhile....maybe I should have consulted here before I went shopping.

 

[cleathco]

Decided to go with cheaper RAM, and than add aftermarket heatsinks on both 1 gig sticks. Should be fine.

Changed the power supply, that bad review of it scared me, so NEW PSU is below.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=541436&CatId=1079


Also picked a video card, going with an ATI Radeon X1300. Should supply enough processing power for the games I play, as I am happy with playing in 800x600 or 1024x768, and I can tone it down to medium quality for games like Prey and Oblivion. Also, I find 24 FPS very playable. Keep in mind standard def TV signal is betwee 22-24 FPS.
SAPPHIRE 100151 Radeon X1300 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X


This is just a common, basic build, but I figured a log would be fun, especially for people who want a neat looking system but don't have the time to put a crapload of work into a system.

 

[rogue_jedi]

I'd be rather surprised if the psu you picked (either one) lasts you a year. First it appears to be weighted for 5V systems (older AMD athlon systems, and earlier than those) - so crossload will likely be an issue. Second its claim to 550W is very suspect - compare its rails to the rails on this PSU - running the numbers for the 3.3V, the 5V, and the 12V lines puts the '550W' one you linked at 532W, and the 350W one I linked at 577W. Third the one you linked is a cheap piece of crap, and they shouldn't be allowed to sell something like that.

Chances are you'll let the magic smoke out rather quickly... If and when it blows it'll probably take some of your other hardware with it. The one I linked, on the other hand, I have in my main (athlon xp) box with 3 hard drives and a 6800gt. If you can't tell, I'd recommend that you spend the extra money to get something decent. Ask around in the PSU forum if you don't believe me.

Also: ramsinks on memory are largely for show, especially at stock - generally they don't make proper contact and instead of dissipating heat they prevent airflow over the chips and act more like an insulator.

One more thing: Since you are planning to use an LCD, especially a 19" LCD where 1280x1024 looks pretty big, you may want to consider a better video card - you'll notice a huge difference in picture quality running at native resolution versus a scaled resolution. This is especially important because that's a 5:4 native LCD and you don't get many 5:4 choices - most are 4:3 so it'll not only be scaling to larger pixels but pixels in a different aspect ratio. If you don't mind that, though, ignore this.


I apologize if it seems like I'm raining on your parade - I'm not trying to. I'm just trying to offer constructive criticism. Best of luck with your build, whatever it ends up being

the black knight always triumphs!

 

[dwilson041781]

seriously the HEART of ur system the PSU, dont go cheap get something reputable and known, such as Enermax or Antec etc.. believe us no one wants to see anything bad happen. the ram is good n cpu, but for ram brand like other guy said stick with Corsair/Crucial or OCZ. might wanna skip the heatsinks on the ram, im not sure. ask around. also as far as the heatsink might wanna use zalman just stay away from marked up Fagality merchandise.

everything else looks ok.

good luck and have fun, and dont forget we are always here to give a [H]elping hand.

 

[filthysanchez]

only good thing about that psu is that the fans can be thrown like ninja stars : )
they really can though, i've done it before.

 

[Fawkes]

Wouldnt touch a PC Chips motherboard with a very long barge pole either.

And why oh why bother with AGP? PCI-E is cheaper and better.

 

[dwilson041781]

Wouldnt touch a PC Chips motherboard with a very long barge pole either.

And why oh why bother with AGP? PCI-E is cheaper and better.

doh i missed that too, much more reputable companies with ease of updating bios etc.. like Gigabyte, other well knowns like Asus, MSI, DFI if u want to fiddle with extreme overclocking ability. most these boards can be had for $50-75. and its true PCI-E is cheaper and more available.