I would like to add to David's comments that even if you don't end up
assembling your computer on your own, you should definitely have your say in
the selection of the components. Pick a local store that will let you
choose the components. And read about them on :
http://www.tomshardware.com
http://www.anandtech.com
http://www.storagereview.com
Here are a few brand name recommendations for each type of component :
MOTHERBOARD
Asus, Abit, Gigabyte, SOYO, AOpen
Try picking a "jumperless" motherboard, much easier when you upgrade
VIDEO CARD
ATI, Matrox, Diamond
I don't recommend any card with the Intel i740 chipset...
For 3D graphics, the Riva TNT chipset is amazing, as well as Voodoo 2 or 3.
CDROM
Panasonic, Toshiba or Pioneer
MONITOR
ViewSonic, Optiquest, Ilyama, Sony (more expensive)
HARD DISK :
IDE hard disks : IBM and Maxtor rule in terms of speed, Fujitsu is reliable
but slow, Quantum is very good also
SCSI : this is usually more expensive and unless you do a lot of swapping
(graphic intensive applications) or use your system as a file server, you
probably don't need SCSI
If your hard disk runs at 7,200 rpm and above (like the IBM Desktar 10 and
14 gigs and above)
try cooling it with a fan (checkout www.storagereview.com for hard disk and
fan info)
MEMORY
Go straight to 128 megs of RAM if using Windows 98 or NT, if you have the
money.
DVD ROM
A good solution is to get a card like the ATI Rage Fury with 32 megs RAM and
Mpeg playback for DVD and buy a Pioneer DVD ROM.
MOUSE
Best mice in terms of quality and design are definitely Logitech. The
micro$oft mouse is the worst ever designed mouse and will give you carpal
syndrome (many of my clients me included have developped serious problems
with this crap mouse) or RSI problems.
Get the cordless mouse for a maximum of freedom.
MODEM
US Robotics, Motorolla
Don't ever buy the crappy Winmodem from US Robotics though.
And PCI modems can sometimes be a pain to configure...
CPU
Unless you need dual-cpus save money without sacrifying performances by
getting a PII Celeron 400 or lower. The Celeron is a great chip.
The AMD K7 will kick butt pretty shortly though...
We should discuss more often our experience with brand names on this mailing
list ! There are some really crappy companies out there, like KTS, Houston
Technologies (don't ever buy a motherboard from these crooks), JTS (worst
hard disks ever), etc.
There must be a website somewhere that lists all the worse hardware
companies out there...
Regards,
-Alain Azzam
-----Original Message-----
From: David Gillett <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 10 mai, 1999 15:38
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Parts/Components Sources
On 9 May 99, at 11:38, Sam Brooks wrote:
> I'm a newcomer to the PCBUILD List and I've several questions
> to pose to listmembers.
>
> #1) Just how much can one expect to save by buying components
> and assembling a computer yourself?
The first machine that I built from components was a 486 DX2/66. I got
excellent deals on many of the components, often 20-30% below retail by
shopping around, chasing down loss-leaders, and so on, and I was quite proud
of the result.
But when I added it all up, I found that I'd spent about as much as an
assembled system from a cheap storefront would have cost. Sure, I had
probably,
on average, used better quality components, but I'd also spent time and gas
money and so on.
My conclusion was that AT THAT POINT, I had not really saved any money.
Where I began to see the payoff was as I began to upgrade that system, and
those of other family members. The knowledge I'd gained and my growing
stock
of spare slightly-used already-paid-for parts made upgrades generally fast,
cheap, and fun.
I'm certain that I have saved money *in the long run*.
David G
PCBUILD maintains many useful files for download
on our web site - visit our download page at:
http://nospin.com/pc/files.html
PCBUILD maintains many useful files for download
on our web site - visit our download page at:
http://nospin.com/pc/files.html
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