uwell computer shop,

http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguid...id=31075&cat=1

BUILD A

Quote:
PROCESSOR: Msi k9n neo-f sata2/gbe/sound core2duo E2140 $288

MEMORY: Pc 5300 kingston ddr2 cl5 1gb $60

HARD DISK: Seagate 160gb 5yrs 89 $113

GRAPHICS CARD: Leadtek px8600gt 256mb ddr3 $199

POWER SUPPLY UNIT: Coolermaster extreme 430w $69

CASING: Coolermaster elite 340 + side window $59

CD-DRIVE: Sony dru-840a 18x dvd+rw dl/ram $58

BUILD B

mpc computer shop,

http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguid...id=31014&cat=1

Quote:
PROCESSOR + MOTHERBOARD: asus p5vd2-mx p4m890/vga/d2/c2d E4400 $282

MEMORY: Kingston pc2-5300 CL5 1gb $63

HARD DISK: Seagate 160gb 7200 5yr warranty $88

GRAPHICS CARD: Leadtek px8600gt 256mb pcie $195

CD-DRIVE: Asus drw-1814 18x lightscribe $56

SOUND-CARD: Creative audigy valu 7.1 pci sound $47

POWER SUPPLY UNIT: Cooler master rs-430 430W $56

CASING: Asus ta863 full tower casing $55


please comment on my selected builds.

EDIT: my requirements are to play games like counterstrike and warcraft at optimum performance and work with intense programs like anti virus, digital editing programs like photoshop and be able to alt-tab to programs no longer than 2 sseconds.

1. reliability or quality
2. compatibility
3. performance

it would be great if you could tell me how you compare both builds, through the pros and cons, and arriving at a final conclusion which one is better.

i appreciate ur honest comments and please guide me as i am building a computer of my own for the first time.

i would also want to know, if there is any thing that i left out, or anything that i could replace so as to get better quality gadgets at similar prices.

another enquiry, can the drive that i selected in any of the 2 builds be able to read cds, write cds, read dvd cds, write dvd cds,burn cds and rip from music cds?

one last note: can i install windows xp home edition in this build? coz i have disks that was previously used by the old computer for reformating. there are 2 disks with ACER trademark written on it.



thank you!

Hi sorry for the delay-- I will need a little time to check this out... our resident gamer/tech team leader could maybe advise you best... but there are others too...

Double the amount of RAM in Build 2 an see if you can upgrade to an E6750 processor, because that's somewhat more expensive but you get more power for your money than the E6600 (which I would otherwise suggest). E2140 and E4400 are somewhat low-power especially if you want to game or multitask. Also, I don't know much about that graphics card, but if it doesn't support Directx10, a good Dx10 card wouldn't be much more money than that and it certainly would be worth it for the extra usage you can milk from it.

This is all from a quick skim over the two builds and not further investigating a couple of the unfamiliar parts. With a couple of those changes, Build B would be great.

As for the case, I would look for something based on durability and looks rather than price. Remember: if anything, that's the one part of your PC besides the PSU you'll regret not getting a good one; you have to look at it all the time so get one thats nice! I didn't look up those cases but I say pick one for either build that you like best out of all the cases you come across.

for what you say you need, this is a good build-----

Processor--- Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6550 - Retail
$178.99

Motherboard--- GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$94.99

RAM--- A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$79.99

Video Card--- XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$139.99

Harddrive--- Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KSRTL 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail
$89.99

Power Supply--- ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail
$114.99

Sound Card--- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
$79.00

DVD/CD Drives--- LG Electronics Black LG Super Multi 18x SATA DVD Burner GSA-H62NK, 10x DVD+/-R DL, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 12x DVD-RAM - OEM
$30.99

Case--- Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$119.99

TOTAL PARTS COST>> $960.90

You can take the list to a good computer maker, and have them build it. This is actually the build im looking at making here soon for myself. I pick good, highly reviewed components from well known brands, that i trust. Im also assuming you have an OS ready.

Other than that, with a couple modifications, Build B is a good choice, with a few modifications already stated above.

For gaming or photoshopping I'd at least double your RAM if not max it out. If sticking with XP as your OS then bear in mind 4Gb will be your limit and this includes your system pagefile.

Google searches are your friends here. Ripping is purely a software based process so if it can read the disc it can rip it. Also, reading should not be a problem, the only query is what you want to be able to write:

For the Sony it'll do
48xCDR - 32xCDRW - 20xDVD+/-R - 12/6xDVD+/-RW - 12xDVD+/-RDL - 12xDVD-RAM

For the Asus
48xCDR - 32xCDRW -18xDVD+/-R - 8/6xDVD+/-RW - 8xDVD+/-RDL - 14xDVD-RAM

Legally - as in Microsoft's viewpoint on what you can do once you have purchased their OS, I believe the answer is no. Morally, so long as the other PC is no longer usable (formatted, scrapped, etc) then I don't see any court in the land prosecuting you.

Oh - on the graphics card front, I'd again go for as beefy as card as you can find and afford. Check out a few of teh gaming forums for current suggestions.