Hey everyone, I needed a forum that was focused on PC hardware to help me with some questions that I have about a new build I am planning... usually I go to the Hardware forum at www.gamespot.com, but currently they're down, although this looks like it could be a very helpful place.
First off, last year (I was 16) I built my very first computer, it's basic specs were:
Athlon64 3200+
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
MSI 6600GT PCI-e
1GB (2x512) Corsair RAM
80GB Samsung HDD
Windows XP Professional
Well, after many months of researching on www.newegg.com (great site), I finally purchased these parts and built my very first PC. It ended up being very successful, and games ran like a dream on it (compared to what I was used to). Well, now that I'm 17 and am about to graduate, I don't believe I'll have the money to fulfill my PC gaming hobby. Not to mention that the only game that I've finished in the past two years, is Call of Duty and it's expansion (I know, I know... I'm addicted), so the cost I've been putting into my computer to play games, really hasn't been justified.
Well, now I'm thinking about selling this computer (anyone interested?) and building a small form factor PC (SFF). The only things I'll likely be using it for is internet/school, movies, Call of Duty, and putting files onto my PSP. However, I know next to nothing about small form factor PC's, and am looking for a little help.
Alright, now that the introductions are over. The setup that I'm currently thinking about is an AMD Socket A (462), a DVD player, 512mb of ram (to start off atleast) and a relatively good video card. This will allow me to play not-so-demanding games (such as Call of Duty, and the upcoming The Movies), as well as watch movies and do basic functions like Word for school.
Currently, the two ones that I'm looking at are:
Biostar's IDEq 200N
Or
Biostar's IDEq 210V
What I'm really wondering is, are small form factor PC's a smart decision? Normally I'd go with a normal ATX-form tower, however this won't be a very powerful PC, and therefor I'll have the money to try out something a little different. I don't see myself upgrading it anytime soon, once I decide to get back into PC gaming, I'll likely just sell it and build a new one.
So, does anyone have any experience in building these? Which of these two will give me better bang for my buck (I'm assuming the 200N)? Is Socket A (462) going to be good enough for these basic functions, since I don't intend on upgrading this machine? Will standard sized ATX hardware work inside of these computers? Will the included 200W PSU be good enough for a DVD Rom, perhaps an Nvidia 5200, 80GB HDD, and around a 2400+ or less CPU? If not, do these two computers both take ATX-form power supplies, and what wattage would you suggest? Maybe I should just go with another band/model, since my only trust for Biostar lies in the many reviews for their product on www.newegg.com?
Any of these questions that you could answer would be greatly appreciated. Again, I know next to nothing about these particular machines and therfor don't want to make any mistakes in ordering compatible parts for it.
-AndrewMP
First off, last year (I was 16) I built my very first computer, it's basic specs were:
Athlon64 3200+
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
MSI 6600GT PCI-e
1GB (2x512) Corsair RAM
80GB Samsung HDD
Windows XP Professional
Well, after many months of researching on www.newegg.com (great site), I finally purchased these parts and built my very first PC. It ended up being very successful, and games ran like a dream on it (compared to what I was used to). Well, now that I'm 17 and am about to graduate, I don't believe I'll have the money to fulfill my PC gaming hobby. Not to mention that the only game that I've finished in the past two years, is Call of Duty and it's expansion (I know, I know... I'm addicted), so the cost I've been putting into my computer to play games, really hasn't been justified.
Well, now I'm thinking about selling this computer (anyone interested?) and building a small form factor PC (SFF). The only things I'll likely be using it for is internet/school, movies, Call of Duty, and putting files onto my PSP. However, I know next to nothing about small form factor PC's, and am looking for a little help.
Alright, now that the introductions are over. The setup that I'm currently thinking about is an AMD Socket A (462), a DVD player, 512mb of ram (to start off atleast) and a relatively good video card. This will allow me to play not-so-demanding games (such as Call of Duty, and the upcoming The Movies), as well as watch movies and do basic functions like Word for school.
Currently, the two ones that I'm looking at are:
Biostar's IDEq 200N
Or
Biostar's IDEq 210V
What I'm really wondering is, are small form factor PC's a smart decision? Normally I'd go with a normal ATX-form tower, however this won't be a very powerful PC, and therefor I'll have the money to try out something a little different. I don't see myself upgrading it anytime soon, once I decide to get back into PC gaming, I'll likely just sell it and build a new one.
So, does anyone have any experience in building these? Which of these two will give me better bang for my buck (I'm assuming the 200N)? Is Socket A (462) going to be good enough for these basic functions, since I don't intend on upgrading this machine? Will standard sized ATX hardware work inside of these computers? Will the included 200W PSU be good enough for a DVD Rom, perhaps an Nvidia 5200, 80GB HDD, and around a 2400+ or less CPU? If not, do these two computers both take ATX-form power supplies, and what wattage would you suggest? Maybe I should just go with another band/model, since my only trust for Biostar lies in the many reviews for their product on www.newegg.com?
Any of these questions that you could answer would be greatly appreciated. Again, I know next to nothing about these particular machines and therfor don't want to make any mistakes in ordering compatible parts for it.
-AndrewMP