Hello i really hope this is enough information for people to help. I am new to this site and i am interested in knowing how much i would save in bulding my own pc. I will be using it for graphic design and, 3d applications so it needs to be fairly high end in the graphics side.

I would like a AMD 64x dual core processor. Or intel duo core 2 [ i am not sure yet which is beter, but i am partial to AMD products]

2gigs of ram DDRSD

DVDrw and doul layer recording

hard drive can be from 100 gigs to 300. cheeper the better as far as space

And as far as GPU the X1800XT seems to be good bang for the buck.
Any case will be fine.
As far as mobos, and power sources go i am a complete rookie

But my big question is, how much would this cost if i make it my self, it seems to be much more expensive to buy all the parts seperate.
LINK TO PC For example, best buy offers a gate way computer 17" LCD flat planel monitor and a crappy printer for 1030 dollars. [all prices USD] The computer is a AMD 64x 4200+ with 2gigs of ram and a 300gig HD. The only drawback is it has integrated graphics, but avaible PCI-E slots to add a better GPU. So whats better get the bundle deal and upgrade from there or build my own?


thanks for any help in advance

I'd build your own PC. What's your budget? Also, if the programs that you're using are mainly OpenGL, then I'd probably go for one of ATI/nVidia's workstation cards.

the thing is, i would like to keep the price range at about 1000 dollars, but i willing to swing up if I need.

What is the diference in the work station cards, when you compare them to regular graphics cards?

Hardware-wise, workstation and regular graphics cards are nearly the same. It's the drivers that are very different. They're very optimized depending on the situation.

To my knowledge, you cannot just use the workstation drivers with regular graphics cards. I have however read where people have modded regular cards into workstation cards. I believe SidVicious had some links on it. The mod only works with specific cards so you'd really have to do some research. I would start by searching the Graphics Cards forum for more info as the topic has been discussed before.

You probably better off going with a workstation card if that's your specialty.

You didn't really specify what applications you want to run. A little more info is needed if you want help. Honestly, some people's idea of graphic design is using M$ Paint.

i'd build. get this (or something similar its pretty bang for the buck):

ASUS 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model DRW1608P3SBLK - Retail
$35.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$94.99

ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail
$109.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
$237.00

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
+
ASUS VENTO 3600 Red Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$262.98

SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
+
SAPPHIRE Large Sapphire Newegg T-Shirt - OEM
$323.98 -$7.99 Combo =$315.99
(cheaper getting it with the shirt than wihtout) !!!!

TOTAL : $1,056.94

all this comes at a total just over $1000 (excluding shipping and monitor)

if you're getting a monitor i'd suggest this:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] u=320-4335

24" of TFT goodness! and 1900x1200 for your graphics work
$747.15
or this:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] u=320-4687
$381.65
20.1" 1600x1200 (but cheaper than the above mentioned almost half the price!!!!)

hope this helps

oh i hope i havent forgoten anything and CHOOT ! i forgot to hyperlink it ah well ....

WOW thanks for the reply with actual, reasoning ! I thought it was a dead topic. I will have to way out the pros and the cons, though this make it much easier^^

thanks a lot.

edit adding the RAM would make it a bit more than i wanted, to spen but just what i wanted in the item. ...... hmmm choices

oh yeah...i thought something was missing...

here get this ram:

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
$209

oh and all this stuff is from newegg

as long as you dont overclock this ram is probably the for the price (cas 3@1.9v)!!!!!

The best explaination for that is people tend to look at higher quality parts when looking at individual parts.
OEMs like Gateway and Dell tend to use less expensive budget hardware.

I didn't see any keyboard/mouse and OS software in the list above.
You'll need those as well.

Here is an AMD AM2 list for about $1100:
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio [...] er=3247114

Why are you recommending him an AMD $187 processor!!!!!
change that CPU and mobo to:

E6300 + GIGABYTE DS3

How about this for memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231051
$169.99 + $5

dont get that ram! get ddr2 533 if your not overclocking or get ddr2 800 (or higher) if you are or just if you want better performance. The reason why i chose the mushkin 533 mhz cas 3 is becasue 533 works better than ddr2 667with core 2 duo and AM2 as it would be in sync (1:1 ratio) rather than a ratio that allows the use of ddr2 667 (ratios can cause latencies). However th reason why ddr2 800 is better than 667 is becasue is faster and hence masks the latency caused by the ratio.

look here:
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=g [...] rticID=472

hehe i hope this clears everything up about c2d and ram speeds

i guess thats right really downclock the ram and tighten the timings ...i ust thought tht if you arent overclocking you might not want to go into the bios and fiddle about with stuff..... well i guess you have to anyway if your building a compy.

okie dokie then wusy... you know everything!!!!

can you tell me all the secrets of the universe????

Dude, why are u telling him to buy a $270 pc case????? thats just none-sense
Jservic - change the case to XION XION II XON-103 Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply - for just $64 bucks that should be fine.
Definately get another mobo, the Nforce 590 would be perfect for the core 2 duo.....
as for graphics, stay with ur x1800xt, that would be fine...
Im sure u'd save some money with these changes....

Hope this helps...

i wount use the psu that came with the case tho, only use the case psu if your on a really tight budget ,... im sure thts not what your suggesting but its worth saying