will the xp chips be able to handle all my autocad graphics proggys and gaming needs?

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will the xp chips be able to handle all my autocad graphics proggys and gaming needs?

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It's probably safe to say that NO chip can handle ALL your needs -- and it's especially difficult when you havnt specified exactly what kind of gaming needs you have.

sorry. ill try to be a little more clear. i play things like Jedi academy and the sort. I am also an avid doom player (d3 coming out soon!) and use high-end source ports such as jdoom.
I am mostly concerned about being able to do heavy 3d graphics and the sort. i use autocad\viz\rhino and 2d proggys such as photoshop. I work for a small company that make architectural renderings, and one of the reasons for my new pc is to have a good platform to do these things on.

i plan to install redhat 7\8\9 and win98.

I am running into a problem as far as monitors go. as i said before, I have a $1k budget, and it is hard to find a good monitor that wont take a huge chunk out of my budget. i checked ebay, but pickings are slim. any tips here?

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sorry. ill try to be a little more clear. I play things like Jedi academy and the sort. I am also an avid doom player (d3 coming out soon!) and use high-end source ports such as jdoom.

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JKA can be played reasonably well on any GF4Ti/Radeon9500 or better. As for Doom3, a GFX5900/Radeon9700+ is virtually a must.

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I am mostly concerned about being able to do heavy 3d graphics and the sort

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Unfortunately you now have to make a choice (depending on your budget). Do you need the CAD/Animation stuff (i.e., job) or do you just want it? The reason I ask is because the fancy CAD/Animation video cards are designed with absolute pixel precision in mind while gaming cards use a "well its going at 90fps so people cant tell that pixel 53245 is off by 0.22mm" principle. Furthermore, those CAD cards use optimized precision drivers designed for pixel precision rather than brute force speed drivers you will find on gaming cards. Lastly, DirectX support for those cards is .... less than optimal. Ideally, if your budget supports it, you would be looking at 2 cards, one for work and one for play.

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I am running into a problem as far as monitors go. as I said before, I have a $1k budget, and it is hard to find a good monitor that wont take a huge chunk out of my budget. I checked ebay, but pickings are slim. any tips here?

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Normally I'd suggest you go after some of the budget 19" CRTs out there but given that you do stuff involving CAD and Rhino I'm not so certain the d.p. on those CRTs is good enough. You 'should' be able to get a 0.24mm 19" CRT for that price range .... not so sure if you can play in the 0.22mm arena with $1K but its worth a good look into it.

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To cut to the crux, is it worth buying a FX53 now, with a 256 grfx card and lots of RAM? Or am I better off sticking to a 3200+ XP Barton with a 128 card and lots of RAM? I am either going to get all this at once, or I will build up gradual like... but I need to know if it will be worth upgrading my mobo in the next few months because of pci express or a new chipset. Wasting money makes me break out in uncontrolled bursts of sorrow. Please forgive my annoyingly overlapping questions.

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The question really is: if you have a FX53, are you really going to use it to its full potential and the stuff you want to do, can it be done on the barton3200? In either case I would think that, unless you are swamped with money or have some other need/intention, the XP3200 is more than sufficient. It's better to upgrade bit by bit since not all the parts drop in price at the same time and you can upgrade based on need.

thanks for the tips, but i was talking about xp PROCESSORS. :P
as far as video goes, ive already decided on a geforce 4 ti :P

Well as for processors, the XP is not the flashy top end bragging-type processor by any means but it will hold it's ground pretty well. A solid processor at a decent price.

It's coming along great now... everythings ordered and arriving. Got the mobo, processor, ram, etc. hooked up. My cdrom drive arrived, and I was getting ready to mount it, when i discovered that the 3-pin audio cable that runs from the drive to my integrated audo port did NOT come with the drive!!! HELP!!!

I have searched all over, but i cannot find what i need. any help here would be lifesaving.

BTW, I am using a abit nf7s mobo, with integrated nvidia audio. So i will be plugging the cable in this instead of into a pci audio card.

EDIT: I may have found the right cable now... is it an MPC-MPC audio cable?

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when I discovered that the 3-pin audio cable that runs from the drive to my integrated audo port did NOT come with the drive!!! HELP!!!

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Most smaller computer stores will probably give them to you if you ask ... in either case it wont cost more than $5.

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is it an MPC-MPC audio cable?

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I think that's what it's called but i cant remember

hiya
im new here but hay just wanted to ask any computer builders out there for some addvise.
will all these componants work 2gether and do you advise any different parts instead of the ones listed
http://www.pembrokeshireextremes.co.uk/home/e107_plugins/coppermine_menu/albums/userpics/10001/jme%27s%20under%20%A3300%20PC%281%29.JPG
thanks guys
big help ;)

Not the best AMD mobo out there but for that kind of price.... geez! :) A couple changes I would reccomend:
- Get a different CDRW drive... LG isnt known for its... quality
- You may want a better CPU fan
Other than that... awesome pricetag :)

Jamiew, Dont suppose you could tell me where you got that quote from could you? I am looking to build up a similar system and the prices you have are truly awesome! If you could private message me if you dont want to post it, or just stick it up it would be much appreciated!!
Cheers!

Just noticed, could it be Ebuyer.co.uk?

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- Get a different CDRW drive... LG isnt known for its... quality

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I have a LG CD-RW, LG DVD-ROM, LG DVD-RW, and i put LG drives in the comptuers i build for people. I have never had any problems with them, even with loads of burning done with them.

Regards
CoZZa

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I have a LG CD-RW, LG DVD-ROM, LG DVD-RW, and I put LG drives in the comptuers I build for people. I have never had any problems with them, even with loads of burning done with them.

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Come up to CDR and ask around -- and while I do install LG drives onto systems I build for people -- it's only when (a) they specifically ask for LG or (b) they are going for the cheapest system they can possibly get. I've had two LG 48x24x48 burners go toast on me in less than 220 burns each (178 for the first and 217 for the second). Not to mention that LG burners are for the most part, 1-sheepers (and the ones that are 2-sheepers, tend to burn out :( hehe)

And for the price of the Litey burners -- theres not longer the price argument for LG

Okay Praetor....What I asked you on the other thread about Price to build and all that......I didn't realize I got carried away with what I was talking about until it was to late....

I'm back....Something else just came to mind also, sorry about writing so much, I forgot to ask this. Okay from what I wrote you Praetor in the other thread about. how much to have someone build me a Computer?, and roughly how much everything would cost that I need to go in it the AMD 64, 3200 memory, DVD writer, Decent Mobo, and so on.....Got ask this. Would it be possible to when I do upgrade to just gut out my Current computer and use it's case? I like my case would be cool to keep using it if I do get all new hardware. Ok that's it :)

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Okay Praetor....What I asked you on the other thread about Price to build and all that......I didn't realize I got carried away with what I was talking about until it was to late....

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No worries, I'll clean up that thread in a sec.

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how much to have someone build me a Computer?

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Depends on who you're getting to build it.

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roughly how much everything would cost that I need to go in it the AMD 64, 3200 memory, DVD writer, Decent Mobo, and so on

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AMD A64-3200 1MB - $310USD
ASUS A8VDLX - $200USD
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 - $180USD or Corsair VS1GBKIT400C3 - $160USD
Pioneer 107 - $100USD
Soundblaster Audigy2 - $65USD

.... now what did you have in mind for video? storage?

Storage? You mean Hard-drive? 160 gig HD or better. Video Card, ATI 9800 Pro.....For the building part we looking at what? $100-$200? roughly. What would be a fair price? As far as my Computer case now goes, it's not a really big case, it's about standard, maybe a little smaller.. It's an HP Pavilion 304W

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Storage? You mean Hard-drive?

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Well yes harddrive unless you plan to keep everything off CF cards or something ;-)

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160 gig HD or better. Video Card, ATI 9800 Pro

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Well you've spec'd it for yourself :)

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For the building part we looking at what? $100-$200?

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Depends on where you get stuff done: I know places that charge $10, 45, 90, 150 flatfee for assembly and setup. Other places charge $40/hour, 60/hour (minimum 1 hour) or in my case $120/hour (minimum half-hour).

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What would be a fair price?

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Well the above adds to $865 or so and add on the cost of the harddrive and video card both of which you already know what you want. A fair price? I have no idea, I buy A32 and pay half of that; wont be moving to A64 till Novemeber

why november whats happening then praetor

Major computer show in Canadal; I ususally buy enough parts for 6-8 computers and sell them over the course of the year. :)

It's looking like a home built Computer is going to cost me roughly close to a Factory built system with bassically the same hardware inside. Looking like $1000 + and this is before I even pay to have it built. Hmmm. I was on Tiger direct's site today and saw this factory built system.

This is the hottest PC in the industry—loaded with the brand new AMD Athlon™ 64-bit processor 3200+, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition, an incredible 1GB (1024MB) of fast 333MHz DDR memory, a huge 200GB 7200RPM Ultra ATA hard drive, DVD burner, ATI® AGP video with 128MB, 6-Channel audio, FireWire, 10/100 LAN for high-speed networking or broadband Internet, 56K Modem, and a 7-in-1 media reader — all in a designer black mid-tower ATX case with a 300-Watt power supply. $1199.99

Still deciding....These People that say you can built a home Computer themselves for half the price are smoking crack, I can see that now.

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These People that say you can built a home Computer themselves for half the price are smoking crack, I can see that now.

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Damn will you please stop making these ultra-broad statements???? True there are a lot of people who like to brag and even brag about their prices and such but those people dont represent everyone. If you are going to make broad statements like that -- and I welcome them -- make sure you at least know what you're talking about first -- and not making (seemingly) random claims. Why do I say this???? When you asked for a spec on an A64 system you failed to describe three things that are absolutely crucial to spec'ing it out for you (well ok maybe just two things): the video card and the harddrive capacity (and potentially the mobo -- "decent" mobo isnt a very informed description).

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Looking like $1000 + and this is before I even pay to have it built.

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Are you sure? ;-)

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This is the hottest PC in the industry—loaded with the brand new AMD Athlon™ 64-bit processor 3200+, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition, an incredible 1GB (1024MB) of fast 333MHz DDR memory, a huge 200GB 7200RPM Ultra ATA hard drive, DVD burner, ATI® AGP video with 128MB, 6-Channel audio, FireWire, 10/100 LAN for high-speed networking or broadband Internet, 56K Modem, and a 7-in-1 media reader — all in a designer black mid-tower ATX case with a 300-Watt power supply. $1199.99

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Well you failed to notice that the FX53 will roast that comp -- and so will the P4EE. And from that "spec" they've included a lot of "filler" and crap (not that I blame them, it's just marketing -- and you seem to have fallen for it)
- Windows XP Professional ... whoopeee!
- ATI AGP Video 128MB .... wow that says a lot ... leaves room for like 6 possible cards -- and doesnt seem like you're gonna get a 9800Pro
- 1GB of memory ... yes one entire GB ... but did they spec the make? Or are they using stock RAM? If I spec'd stock RAM I could probably get 1GB for just over $100USD .... and wow... they're giving you PC2700 memory .... fancy ... especially since the A64 setups "prefer" PC3200.
- Huge 200GB harddrive .... okay so they've told you its 200GB and that it's 7200rpm ... but what about cache?
- 6 Channel Audio ... damn I'm surprised you fell for this one: in 99% of case with non-fancy, OEM systems "6-channel audio" means onboard and unless thats an NF3 chipset (which I wouldnt reccomend because of the crippled HT speeds) then its fairly worthless ... at least compared to the Audigy2 I spec'd out -- also worthless financially because you're paying for this "feature" when it comes standard with damn near every mobo out there now
- Firewire ... wow. They give you a plug for firewire on your mobo -- but do they give you the cable that connects to those jumpers? Or do they just mean firewire "capable"?
- 10/100 Lan ... OMFG ... wow.... a standard feature on damn near every mobo now (and to my knowledge, standard on every single A64 mobo -- which is why I didnt spec a NIC -- and unless im mistaken the mobo I spec'd is capable of gigabit ethernet)
- 7 in 1 media reader ,,,, a $20 dollar contraption you can pick up on the side ... how much of the total cost is it for this computer? We'll never know.
- Designer MidTower with 300W PSU .... dude the 350W PSU's are outdated. It's a shame because A64's really should be shipped in full-towers.
- 56K modem ..... I rest my case.

But the important information they leave out:
- What mobo are they running? ASUS? Abit? MSI? Soyo? ASROCK? ECS?
- As I've said before ... GPU? RAM?

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Still deciding....These People that say you can built a home Computer themselves for half the price are smoking crack, I can see that now.

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- You have a job at Verizon .... they're computer people.... ask one of the technies there ... true computer prices in Canada are cheaper than in Indiana/US but the same trend appears worldwide.
- Also ask them if that system is the hottest PC to hit the market -- now unless Verizon techies are morons which I dont think they are, they will contest that either in favor of the FX53 or the P4EE both of which will give the A64 a lickin'

As for the fancy system you found on TIgerDirect ..... the system I spec'd out ... add some money for the HDD and a 9600Pro and it will give that TigerDirect OEM a serious brusin'. Also dont forget the TigerDirect system comes with stock cooling -- which, unfortunately, is not sufficient for the A64 chips

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Still deciding....These People that say you can built a home Computer themselves for half the price are smoking crack, I can see that now.

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Fine I can drop to that level and spec you a system if you want.... enjoy:

- AMD A64-3200+ .. smokin speed!
- DUAL Highspeed LAN connections including blazing fast Gigabit Ethernet!
- DUAL Channel ultrafast memory support!
- DUAL SPDIF/Optical outputs for crystal clear sound!
- Ultra high performance 1600MHZ Hypertransport system
- 256MB ultra fast nVidia video! The 256MB of highspeed memory is perfect for high intensity videogmes!
- 1024MB of brandname blazing memory!
- High performance northbridge fan to keep things cool during a strenous workout!
- Pre-modded mobo -- perfect for those LAN parties!
- 250GB 7200RPM ATA133 harddrive .... perfect for keeping everything -- you'll never run out of space again!
- High performance LG52x24x52 cd burner -- get your CDs burnt in less than 150 seconds!
- High performance LG DVD±RW drive -- now you can make your own DVDs right at home!
- MS Windows and MS Software bundle included free!
- X-Dreamer II case with massive 350W certified power supply!

· Front mounted audio and USB ports so you'll never have to reach around behind the case again!
· DUAL ultra bright LED fans to keep your system cool and to light things up at LAN parties
· MASSIVE, fullsized case window with ALIEN fan grills so you can show off you hardcore rig

All for the amazing price of $800USD -- hundreds of dollars less than similarly spec'd systsmes! Amazing deal!!!


Note:
(a) The price tag of $800USD is actual cost. No profit factored in yet.
(b) For those wondering, that's an ECS mobo and Hyundi memory, CAS3, PC2700 running @ 3-5-5-8
(c) The video card is a GFX5200
(d) The only two decent things on the system are the HDD and the Processor (the HDD is a WD-250 with 8MB)
(e) "value"-wise I'd probably appraise the system for ~$600-$700 only because of the A64, the HDD and that it's got 1GB of (albeit slow), memory.



DAMN! I should get into marketing! :D

HP a650e series PC

AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3400+ operating at 2.2GHz

1 GB DDR / PC3200 (2 DIMM)

250 GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive

8X DVD+RW/+R drive (DVD writer & CD-writer combo)

1 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 9-in-1 card reader + WinDVD

256MB DDR NVIDIA GeForceFX(TM) 5500, DVI & TV-Out

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS with front audio ports
7.1 support & THX-certified

HP Internet Keyboard, HP Optical Mouse


$1,464.99

I don't think I will be dropping that kind of money any time soon. I would probably be better off just upgrading the machine I have now. Now much to really work with , but it is something. I decided to just save my money until the next $499 budget Computers have PCI express technology, which I am guessing it will happen in a year or so. I will look into the future.......

Early 2006 at Wal-mart

Compaq Desktop.. 3200 DDR2 Memory 1gig, 200GIG Hardrive, 12x DVD-RW, 15 LCD Monitor, ATI 9800 Pro 128mb or ATI X300, Upgradable 3 or 4 gigs of DDR2 memory...

Alright I confess, I'm over here smokin on this reefer cigarette.....LOL