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bluevoodoo1
December 21st, 2005, 03:23 AM
After setting up Breezy on my "dell" I have decided that I really want to get away from mainstream computing brands and configure [my first] barebone system. I'm thinking about getting the Pundit-R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856110024) since it is small and has everything I need.

A couple of questions... what are the differences between the 533 MHz and 800MHz front side bus? The Pundit claims it can use either... is one better than another? It also claims it can use DDR333 or 400 ram. Again, is one better than the other? How about Celeron vs. P4? I have a P4 1.8 now and I'd be open to a celeron as long as it would match my current system's performance. I'm not a gamer so that's not an issue... but my parents have a Celeron 1.7 and it's amazingly slow.

Here are some of the components I'd like to get for it. My budget is around what's listed. I'd like to know if you all agree with these choices (if not, why? and perhaps suggest something better!).

Ram (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145505)

Processor (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819116178)

HD (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148039)

DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058)

Thanks!

erikpiper
December 21st, 2005, 03:28 AM
Buying the case/mobo seperate and doing it all yourself is easy.

Go with amd- MUCH more bang for the buck.


Small cases are not as upgradeable, more expensive, and run hotter....
(Slower too in some cases- eg, 2 slots for RAM as opposed to 4, so you cant put as much in)

I have never used a barebones- just fully homebuilt.

xequence
December 21st, 2005, 03:32 AM
A couple of questions... what is the differences between the 533 MHz and 800MHz front side bus? The Pundit claims it can use either... is one better than another? It also claims it can use DDR333 or 400 ram. Again, is one better than the other? How about Celeron vs. P4? I have a P4 1.8 now and I'd be open to a celeron as long as it would match my current system's performance. I'm not a gamer so that's not an issue... but my parents have a Celeron 1.7 and it's amazingly slow.

Thanks!

The front side bus is how fast, If I am correct, the RAM communicates with the processor. I think the 333 and 400 is how fast the RAM is. A celeron is just a P4 with less cache or something. Go with AMD, theyre much better, and cheaper ;)

ember
December 21st, 2005, 03:36 AM
My advice concerning barebones: Don't buy one!

Actually I have a Shuttle SN85G4 (Athlon64) - under heavy load it just runs too hot and I will definitely have to think about a solution (it seems this is getting worse with the time).

I would recommend you to stay with a good Midi-Tower like CoolerMaster CAC-T05 Centurion (http://www.alternate.de/html/shop/productDetails.html?artno=TQXM12&) and a solid mainboard.

The barebone idea is good, but it cannot really cope with the heat a modern system produces. And the next time you like to upgrade, you will have to exchange nearly everything whereas with the miditower, you can at least keep the case and the power supply (at least that's true for me. I never upgrade unless there's a significant perfomance gain - last time was from Pentium III 650 to Athlon 64 2800+).

Best,
ember

bluevoodoo1
December 21st, 2005, 03:54 AM
Thanks for the input! Yes I have heard the small barebones tend to run hot and that AMDs are better for the money. I was initially going to get this case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150), and go from there, but it's bigger than my current system and I'd like to keep it on the smaller side.

I think my parents may have already gotten the Pundit-R for me for the holidays (because that's what I was looking into when they asked). Perhaps I should have posted this earlier?!?!

scole
December 21st, 2005, 03:57 AM
That look pretty good definatly amd though. If im not mistaken you need a different install cd for ubuntu on an amd?

ember
December 21st, 2005, 04:01 AM
Well - not everything's lost ;) ... try to get some good fans (namely Papst) with thermosensors and give your cooling solution a second thought. If it does not work to mount the sensors in a place where they make sense, you may want to go for the solution I am using, i.e. a fan controlled by a potentiometer, yet delivering it's speed signal via the standard connecter. You have to fiddle around a bit with a soltering iron, but it's not too difficult. That way you can manually adjust the fan speed. Monitoring can be done via lm-sensors.

super
December 21st, 2005, 04:30 AM
that case looks pretty nice. i pretty much second what every one else here said.

- a fsb (front side bus) speed of 800mhz is better than 533.
- and ddr400 ram is faster than ddr333 (higher the number the better)
- go with an amd processor if possible
- i noticed that the video memory is shared and there is no agp port. not good. but if your not gaming it shouldn't be a big deal.


If im not mistaken you need a different install cd for ubuntu on an amd?

no, you don't need a different install cd unless its an amd64 bit processor. most amd chips are x86/intel compatible.

looks like a good buy to me!

psoleko
December 21st, 2005, 05:10 AM
Here's a really good deal I would jump on had I need for yet another system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856115021

It's a Biostar SFF system with a free Sempron 2600+ CPU, grab some RAM, an HDD, and an optical drive and you are ready to go. I have made a few similar systems on the cheap and they perform fine for me.

poofyhairguy
December 21st, 2005, 05:14 AM
How about Celeron vs. P4?

Neither.

mstlyevil
December 21st, 2005, 05:50 PM
Thanks for the input! Yes I have heard the small barebones tend to run hot and that AMDs are better for the money. I was initially going to get this case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150), and go from there, but it's bigger than my current system and I'd like to keep it on the smaller side.

I think my parents may have already gotten the Pundit-R for me for the holidays (because that's what I was looking into when they asked). Perhaps I should have posted this earlier?!?!

You could always go with a micro atx case and mobo. It would still be more upgradeable than a barebones but might still have a problem with room for extra components and heat issues. A quality heatsink and fan and plenty of fans in the case should do the trick. Also since you are not gaming, you would probally be ok with onboard video. If you go with AMD 64 cpu you should get a Nvidia chipset mobo with geforce 6150 graphics. I would still reconsider mid tower for future upgradeability. Either way it will be cheaper than buying barebones and you will gain valuable technical experience about your pc.

Edit: Also you should make shure it has a pci express x16 socket if you do decide to add on a video card later. Do not buy one with an agp because it is outdated technology and the video card manufactuers are already starting to quit making cards for it.

John Bennett
September 28th, 2007, 08:27 PM
Everyone worries about upgradibility, but I have never upgraded a computer.

It's been my experience since I built my first 8088 back in 1987 that by the time your computer needs upgrading, it's cheaper to throw it in the trash and build a completely new one.

RE upgrading: If you can even find the old-style RAM you need, it's more expensive then new RAM. There won't be processors available that fit your mobo socket. The newer harddrives will require an interface your old mobo doesn't have. If you need a new mobo, all your old components won't work with it and will all require replacement (aka "new computer").

It's cheaper to build with NO concern for upgradability on the front end.

When I moved from a 486DX to a Pentium 75mhz everyone said "invest in the $200 more expensive system so you can upgrade it later". I did. That extra $200 went literally into the trash when I upgraded from that P75 to a hot new 1.2ghz Celeron system by throwing the P75 into a dumpster.

YMMV