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Help buying a new notebook

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by Ray92, Apr 27, 2008.

  1. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    I could still use the same components for like 2 yrs right??

    And then maybe upgrade just the graphics card??

    PS - Just in case I cant find the gigabyte motherboard, what else would you suggest??

    Thanks again for answering all my questions
     
  2. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Yes, easily. I'm still using a CPU I've owned since late 2006. I upgrade GPUs more often but that's because I use a resolution of 2560x1600 which is far more demanding than most. For 1680x1050 or below you'd be fine.
    If you can't find any suitable Gigabyte motherboards, then you can look for ones by DFI or Asus that use the same chipsets (P35, X38, P45 or X48) - if you do buy an Asus board, don't buy a cheap one as they don't last.
     
  3. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    Alright thanks
    I'll try to find the parts and take pics which I'll upload to the site to prevent any confusion on products
     
  4. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    this is a dumb question, but where do you plug your graphics card, and where do the other expansion cards go eg. wireless card, modem??

    Are they both the same ports (PCI)??

    Thanks again
     
  5. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Graphics cards go in the long PCI express 16x slot, other devices go either in the very short PCI express 1x slot, or the medium sized PCI slots, the latter of which are usually at the bottom of the motherboard.
     
  6. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    This is what I found suitable after going in every shop in the market.

    I will buy most parts from one vendor, so he builds the rig from me and gives me a better discount.

    CPU: Quad-Core Q6600 2.4Ghz 8MB Cache -- 830SR

    VGA CARD - Option 1:
    Point Of View 9800GTX (512MB DDR3) -- 1550SR
    [​IMG]

    VGA CARD OPTION 2:
    Calibre GeForce 9800GTX --1350SR (Not overclocked, sorry image didn't save)

    VGA CARD - Option 3:
    Point Of View GTX 280 --2300SR (A little too pricey for me)

    RAM: Transcend 3GB {1x1GB 1x2GB) 800Mhz --300SR

    MOBO:
    Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R --650SR
    [​IMG]

    HD: 320/500GB WD 7200rpm -- 240/330SR

    DVD-Drive: LG-Super Multi Drive (x22) -- 110

    Sound CARD: (1 u recommended)
    Creative Sound Blaster Audigy -- 110SR
    [​IMG]

    CHASSIS: This was the problem, all I could find was:
    1-Gigabyte Triton with 3/4 fans -- 380SR
    2-Thermaltake Armour with one front, back, and massive side fan -- 860SR (Again, a little pricey)

    CPU COOLER/HEATSINK :
    1-Cooler Master RR-CCHPBJ1-GP -- 180SR
    [​IMG]

    2-Cooler Master CPU Cooler Hyper 212 -- 230SR
    [​IMG]

    3-Cooler Master Vortex 752 -- 110SR
    [​IMG]

    4-Thermaltake TMGi -- 130SR
    [​IMG]

    POWER SUPPLY:
    Gigabyte Saybe 550W - 200SR
    ( also available in higher watts)

    Wireless Card -- 80SR

    Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 7920 -- 750SR

    What parts/config would be best??

    PS-Is this gaming mouse any good :
    Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 (Game Mouse) -- 150SR

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2008
  7. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Not able to get an ATI GPU?
     
  8. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    No, I looked but the newest one I found was the HD38-- the dashes were 70 I believe. They had someone looking like tomb raider on the box
    :p

    I thought the nVidia ones I found were GOOD :p :p :p
     
  9. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    They are, but the newer radeons (HD4850, HD4870) are better, if you can find those.
     
  10. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    I kept this in mind while I was looking, I went in every shop and kept and eye out for HD4--- GPUs, but didn't find a single one

    That makes me think they haven't arrived here

     
  11. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    I decided to forget the desktop and go with the laptop

    After looking around a little I found 2 laptops which I think are good and are better than the ones I mentioned in previous posts

    These are the two I have found:

    1-Acer Aspire 5930G (Specs below):

    Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26Ghz [1066MHz]
    250GB 5400rpm Hard drive
    4GB Ram
    15.4" CrystalBrite Display (supporting HD 720p/ 1280x800 max res.)
    Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with 512MB dedicated DDR2 memory(Up to 1700MB shared)
    DVD DL Super Multi
    Vista Home Premium SP 1
    CrystalEye Webcam
    Bluetooth/Wireless

    2-HP Pavillion ( DV5 1060 I think) Specs below:

    Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26Ghz[1066MHz]
    250GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
    3GB Ram
    15.4' Screen (max res. 1280x800)
    Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB dedicated DDR2 memory(Up to 1700MB shared)
    DVD DL Super Multi w/ Lightscribe
    Vista Home premium SP1
    Webcam (1.3mp I think)
    Bluetooth/Wireless

    How good will both these laptops perform, and which will give better results????
     
  12. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    I'd go with the HP as I trust HP over Acer, 3GB vs 4GB of RAM won't make much difference, so they should perform the same. Just beware that nvidia mobile graphics chips are quite unreliable, so make sure you get an extended warranty.
     
  13. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    Could you elaborate on what you mean by " unreliable"

    Also, I can get an HP with an extended 3 year warranty for the same price as an acer with a 1 year warranty. So the HP is a better option right??

    Also how will games run on this?????

    Thanks
     
  14. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Absolutely.
    If you read through the news articles, nvidia have had a large number of premature failures of their mobile graphics chips lately due to a faulty manufacturing process. Gaming performance on a 9500GS won't be superb, but it should be pretty decent with modern titles.
     
  15. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    Alright thanks for the info
    I can only get 3 yr warranty so it should be enough

    Also are P**** processors better than T**** processors and by how much
    eg. P8400 and T9300
     
  16. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    If I remember rightly the P processors are the new ones, so they should be better.
     
  17. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    OK
    Would a P8400 2.26ghz laptop with a 9600M GT outperform a T9300 2.5Ghz laptop with a 9500M GS/8600M GT in terms of gaming??

    EG - the HP compared to a ASUS M51???

    Thanks again for helping me out
     
  18. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Better graphics, similar performing processor. Id take the Asus over the HP myself.
     
  19. Ray92

    Ray92 Regular member

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    Wouldn't the graphics mean better game performance??

    PS- Why the asus??? just wunderin
     
  20. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    On that basis - better game performance.
     

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