New computer system research
I am going to buy a new computer, I'm looking into a Dell or HP standard desktop system, then putting my nVidea TI-4600 videocard in it. Since the base card that comes in the system is pretty underpowered, and I just bought this one a year ago, and its mostly CPU bound.
Desktop Research
Oddly enough, the best deal I have found is a Pentium 4 2.8 GHz system at HP. Both HP and Dell allowed me to build a system. But HP's Pavilion line seemed to offer the best bang for the buck. HP system came in around $800, and the Dell around $1,300.
Key things I'm hoping to have in the system.
- P4 or AMD processor, about 6 months old
- 1-2Gig of RAM
- Ability to upgrade video card
- Complete system. I don't want a frankenstein system.
- 2 CDROM slots
- Network Card, USB 2.0, and optionally Firewire
- An Article on Hyper Threading
Video Card Research
Tom's Hardware Video Card shootout - Very awsome review of all the cards.
Didn't do much more research here. I would like a card that does good gaming 3D graphics, and has DVI out to power my monitor.
Monitor
I'm looking to get the Apple 23" LCD display!
23" diagonal viewable image size
1920 x 1200 optimal resolution
16.7 million colors
19.2 x 24.2 x7.3-11.1 inches
25.3 pounds
Two USB ports
Apple Display Connector
What I finally bought
FuturPowerPC - Free Shipping No TAX
ASUS P4P800 - Delux $134.00
Intel P4 2.6Ghz w/ Hyperthreading $179.00
2Gig Kingston 5129MB PC3200 CL3 RAM $284.00
Giga-byte nVidea geForce FX 5200 $ 72.00
Drive Cable $ 10.00
Axion Technologies (axiontech.com)
Floppy - Black $ 9.00
Zalman CNPS7000 CU $ 31.95
Seasonic Super Silencer 400W $ 94.95
PC Club - walk up
DVD-ROM - Black - 16x DVD 40x CD $ 32.95
120Gig 7200RPM 8MB Cache ATA133 $115.00
Chenbro Gaming Bomb Case no PS $ 59.95
Recommendations for Silent PC
HeatSink
http://www.silentpcreview.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=30&page=1
Zalman 7000 cu - http://www.zalman.co.kr/english/product/cnps7000cu.htm
Case Powersupply
Update:: Fan-Less Case Power supply - Thermaltake's Silent Power Supply - ~ 120-150$ each
Seasonic Super Silencer 400W
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/seasonicsupersilencer400watt.html
SilentX 400W - http://www.ocmodshop.com/default.aspx?a=173
Big Guys
HP a450y
$861.79 P4 2.6 1Gig Ram 120gig 7200 MX440 (kb/mouse/speakers/XPHome)
HP a400y
$834.99 p4 2.6 1gig 120gig 7200 Integrated (kb/mouse/speakers/XPHome)
Dimension 4600 Series
$1,138 P4 2.6 1gig 120gig SATA, FX 5200 , CDRW (kb/mouse/speakers/XPhome)