StarDestroyer.Net BBS

So, this morning my Laptop crapped out, probably from the heat. Nothing definative yet, but in the event its a lost cause, I would like to start gathering some opinions on what to replace it with. I have been giving some thought to getting my friends to help me build a new one for some time now, and would like some advice on my first Computer Build. So I've got a lot of questions I need to answer, from the Laptop/desktop debate to the parts I'll be needing.

I'm opposed to Vista and thinking about making the switch to Linux or some relative of it. However, I've never worked with a Unix system before and would like to hear from those who have made the switch. As far as gaming is concerned, I'd not mind a good gaming rig, but would be unwilling to shell out too much money on this computer. Above all else, I would like dependable and reliable parts for this new machine, be it laptop or desktop.

Desktops are inherently more reliable. They're much easier to cool and don't have to suffer constant bumps and shocks. Desktops are usually cheaper for the same features, very much so if you want to play the latest 3D games. There are lots of highly transportable mini-PC options these days, so the question is do you actually need to use this computer on the move?

It's difficult to be any more specific without a budget. I would note that most PC games require Windows and there isn't much point having a dual-boot system if you're not a power user, so sadly if games are important you're probably stuck with Windows XP.

I've been unable to do much moving around with by current laptop except when it comes to easily transporting it in a backpack between my home and places where I can plug it in. It might have moved around more if it wasn't for it's damnable lack of battery life; 20-30 minutes. Since it wouldn't last me through a single class without crapping out, I'd never taken it to one. So a mini-PC would not be a major loss of transportability and use.

Budget wise, I'm very cheep and would like to keep this below $1000.

The Q6600 is still about $200.00 on Newegg, though it's no longer a top-of-the-line quad core. The E8400 is a 3.0ghz dual core and is down to $180.00 on Newegg -- perfectly adequate for most games since they aren't really coding for multiple cores yet.

Q6600 (oem): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115018

E8400: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115037

If you can get an OEM version at a discount it might be worth spending the money to get a good aftermarket heat sink, like the Xigmatek S1283 or S1284, or the OCZ Vendetta 2, which is afaik the best heatsink on the market for anything approximating a reasonable price currently. The Xigmatek S1283 is actually slightly cooler than the S1284 but lacks the fancy LED light fan. I would also look at the Xigmatek bolt-on kit instead of the standard push-pins, though if you aren't going to be moving the computer much the push-pins are probably fine.

Xigmatek S1283: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... e=XIGMATEK

S1283 bolt-on mount: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835233019

Xigmatek S1284: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835233017

Bolt-on mount: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835233020

OCZ Vendetta 2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835202007

The better heatsinks may not be necessary, particularly if you aren't overclocking. I just considered mine (the Xigmatek S1283) an investment.

Also, check out the ATI 4850 graphics card. It's gotten rave reviews and is less than $200.00 while handily beating Nvidia's offerings at the same price range. I don't know enough about the different manufacturers to make a specific recommendation, but the Gigabyte 4850 currently has a $30.00 rebate, pushing the price down to $159.99 -- which is damned hard to beat. The 4870 is about a hundred bucks more but is better than Nvidia's GTX260, which is quite a bit more expensive still.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... 000+series

For RAM, I'd avoid the DDR3 and look for DDR2. OCZ or Crucial are my preferred brands, and I bought 4 gigabytes of OCZ DDR2 for a little over a hundred dollars 6 months ago. Look for an Intel chipset motherboard, either Gigabyte, Asus, or Intel brands. I wouldn't bother getting one that supports DDR2 and DDR3 memory, and I personally wouldn't worry too much about a built-in wireless modem (seems silly to have on a desktop to me!).

In terms of power supplies, I'd suggest something from Thermaltake (never had one but heard good things) or PC Power & Cooling. I've heard from a few different people that Antec's latest power supplies are lower quality than their earlier ones. On the other hand, OCZ apparently has pretty good powersupplies as well. I've also been told Silverstone is really good, but the only one I've ever bought fried my mobo, graphics card, and one of my two sticks of RAM. Might've been an incompetent user error though.

500 watts would probably be more than enough for you, but if you want a 700 watt one to give some room to expand it wouldn't be much more money. Might want to try for a modular PSU so you can detach unused cables and reduce clutter in the case -- I wish I had.

Speaking of cases, I'm quite pleased with my Antec 900, and it's fairly cheap right now since the updated (much larger) 1200 is out. But shop around, since I don't know how much room you have to play with.

You really shouldn't have any trouble building a very good system right now for under $1000.00. You won't be able to play Crysis on all Very High graphics settings, though.

A 700W power supply for that system is gross overkill. 500 is overly generous as-is.

This Corsair 450W power supply will provide plenty of power and is extremely well-regarded.