Building new system - advice appreciated!

[Guest]

Well, after much debate I think it may be time to get a new PC. I have been
reluctant to as we just bought a new PC last year, but a couple of things
have changed my mind:

It only has a PCI slot for video card upgrade, no AGP. And in any case, the
monitor has this wacky ‘digital +’ plug that appears to only fit with Fujitsu
computers. No DVI or VGA adapters appear to be adaptable. I went ahead and
bought a Ge-Force 5600 PCI video card that does get me into the market for
Direct X 9b games, but the performance is sketchy (always have to set to
lowest options, and then still get lag in games like BFV). I also bought an
old cheap VGA monitor, but it hurts my eyes. Not thrilled with the prospect
of shelling out a couple of hundred dollars more for a new DVI monitor to
equal the original, and still being yesterday’s PCI technology, I thought
getting a new system might be in order. Too bad as Fujitsu has a good
reputation for quality here, and I am happy with the PC otherwise. And it’s
all still under warranty.

Keep in mind I am in Japan, and the language barrier makes everything more
difficult. Also, selling/buying used computers is not common here, so I’ll
probably have to take a huge hit if I go that route. We got the system for
130,000 yen (about $1200 US), much cheaper than normal retail. Anyway, if
possible I would like to try and salvage something from it to be cost
effective. Is it possible to do this? The low end SiS 740 video card is
built into the mobo, and there are no AGP slots.

Make/name: Fujitsu FMV-Deskpower (Model: CE21C).

AMD Anthalon XP 2100+
266 MHz system bus clock
256 MB memory (plus 512 MB stick I added)
120 GB HD

Accessories: 17†flatscreen monitor with built-in speakers, laser mouse,
DVD-R CD-RW drive, Ge-Force 5600 PCI card.


I play a lot of games, so would like to have a decent system, but don’t need
to get an outrageously new/expensive type. Any advice or recommendations
greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest]

May I suggest that you consider a minimum specification as follows:
• Intel Pentium 2.8Ghz CPU @ 800 FSB CPU 1Mb [or Prescott]
• 512Mb DDR Ram @ FSB400
• 120Gb IDE Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM or SATA Hard Drive
• Motherboard with:
o AGP 8X graphics interface
o Integrated 5.1-channel 3D audio
o Integrated USB 2.0 (Total 8xPorts)
o Integrated 10/100 Network Card
o SATA and ATA Interfaces
o Intel Prescott Ready!!!!
• nVidia FX5700 256Mb Video Card
• 16x DVD Rom Drive or DVD Burner On Request
• 1.44Mb Floppy Drive

This should cost less than US$700 including the case with a 350W or 400W
power supply [definitely required for the CPU and Memory]. If you want to
reduce your costs, find an AMD CPU / MOBO combination with the other specs of
same level and it will save you US $100 over the Intel CPU without affecting
gaming performance.

Given what you already 'have' in your current config: re-usable items include:
.. DVD-R drive [US$ 40]
.. CD-RW drive [US$40]
.. Floppy Drive [US$ 10]
.. keyboard [US$ 20]
.. mouse [US$ 20]
.. monitor / speakers [US$ 300]

 

[Nathan McNulty]

You can almost get these exact specs for under $400. Check out this deal:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mes...threadid=353580&highlight_key=y&keyword1=Dell

----
Nathan McNulty

May I suggest that you consider a minimum specification as follows:
• Intel Pentium 2.8Ghz CPU @ 800 FSB CPU 1Mb [or Prescott]
• 512Mb DDR Ram @ FSB400
• 120Gb IDE Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM or SATA Hard Drive
• Motherboard with:
o AGP 8X graphics interface
o Integrated 5.1-channel 3D audio
o Integrated USB 2.0 (Total 8xPorts)
o Integrated 10/100 Network Card
o SATA and ATA Interfaces
o Intel Prescott Ready!!!!
• nVidia FX5700 256Mb Video Card
• 16x DVD Rom Drive or DVD Burner On Request
• 1.44Mb Floppy Drive

This should cost less than US$700 including the case with a 350W or 400W
power supply [definitely required for the CPU and Memory]. If you want to
reduce your costs, find an AMD CPU / MOBO combination with the other specs of
same level and it will save you US $100 over the Intel CPU without affecting
gaming performance.

Given what you already 'have' in your current config: re-usable items include:
. DVD-R drive [US$ 40]
. CD-RW drive [US$40]
. Floppy Drive [US$ 10]
. keyboard [US$ 20]
. mouse [US$ 20]
. monitor / speakers [US$ 300]


:

Well, after much debate I think it may be time to get a new PC. I have been
reluctant to as we just bought a new PC last year, but a couple of things
have changed my mind:

It only has a PCI slot for video card upgrade, no AGP. And in any case, the
monitor has this wacky ‘digital +’ plug that appears to only fit with Fujitsu
computers. No DVI or VGA adapters appear to be adaptable. I went ahead and
bought a Ge-Force 5600 PCI video card that does get me into the market for
Direct X 9b games, but the performance is sketchy (always have to set to
lowest options, and then still get lag in games like BFV). I also bought an
old cheap VGA monitor, but it hurts my eyes. Not thrilled with the prospect
of shelling out a couple of hundred dollars more for a new DVI monitor to
equal the original, and still being yesterday’s PCI technology, I thought
getting a new system might be in order. Too bad as Fujitsu has a good
reputation for quality here, and I am happy with the PC otherwise. And it’s
all still under warranty.

Keep in mind I am in Japan, and the language barrier makes everything more
difficult. Also, selling/buying used computers is not common here, so I’ll
probably have to take a huge hit if I go that route. We got the system for
130,000 yen (about $1200 US), much cheaper than normal retail. Anyway, if
possible I would like to try and salvage something from it to be cost
effective. Is it possible to do this? The low end SiS 740 video card is
built into the mobo, and there are no AGP slots.

Make/name: Fujitsu FMV-Deskpower (Model: CE21C).

AMD Anthalon XP 2100+
266 MHz system bus clock
256 MB memory (plus 512 MB stick I added)
120 GB HD

Accessories: 17†flatscreen monitor with built-in speakers, laser mouse,
DVD-R CD-RW drive, Ge-Force 5600 PCI card.


I play a lot of games, so would like to have a decent system, but don’t need
to get an outrageously new/expensive type. Any advice or recommendations
greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest]

Hi guys-
Thanks for the link Nathan. Unfortunatley Dell doesn't appear to ship to
Japan. But those specs are helpful. Also, as I mentioned the monitor won't
fit anything but some Fujitsu PCs. Is my Fujitsu mobo and processor useless
for rebuild as there is only PCI slots available?

You can almost get these exact specs for under $400. Check out this deal:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mes...threadid=353580&highlight_key=y&keyword1=Dell

----
Nathan McNulty

May I suggest that you consider a minimum specification as follows:
• Intel Pentium 2.8Ghz CPU @ 800 FSB CPU 1Mb [or Prescott]
• 512Mb DDR Ram @ FSB400
• 120Gb IDE Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM or SATA Hard Drive
• Motherboard with:
o AGP 8X graphics interface
o Integrated 5.1-channel 3D audio
o Integrated USB 2.0 (Total 8xPorts)
o Integrated 10/100 Network Card
o SATA and ATA Interfaces
o Intel Prescott Ready!!!!
• nVidia FX5700 256Mb Video Card
• 16x DVD Rom Drive or DVD Burner On Request
• 1.44Mb Floppy Drive

This should cost less than US$700 including the case with a 350W or 400W
power supply [definitely required for the CPU and Memory]. If you want to
reduce your costs, find an AMD CPU / MOBO combination with the other specs of
same level and it will save you US $100 over the Intel CPU without affecting
gaming performance.

Given what you already 'have' in your current config: re-usable items include:
. DVD-R drive [US$ 40]
. CD-RW drive [US$40]
. Floppy Drive [US$ 10]
. keyboard [US$ 20]
. mouse [US$ 20]
. monitor / speakers [US$ 300]


:

Well, after much debate I think it may be time to get a new PC. I have been
reluctant to as we just bought a new PC last year, but a couple of things
have changed my mind:

It only has a PCI slot for video card upgrade, no AGP. And in any case, the
monitor has this wacky ‘digital +’ plug that appears to only fit with Fujitsu
computers. No DVI or VGA adapters appear to be adaptable. I went ahead and
bought a Ge-Force 5600 PCI video card that does get me into the market for
Direct X 9b games, but the performance is sketchy (always have to set to
lowest options, and then still get lag in games like BFV). I also bought an
old cheap VGA monitor, but it hurts my eyes. Not thrilled with the prospect
of shelling out a couple of hundred dollars more for a new DVI monitor to
equal the original, and still being yesterday’s PCI technology, I thought
getting a new system might be in order. Too bad as Fujitsu has a good
reputation for quality here, and I am happy with the PC otherwise. And it’s
all still under warranty.

Keep in mind I am in Japan, and the language barrier makes everything more
difficult. Also, selling/buying used computers is not common here, so I’ll
probably have to take a huge hit if I go that route. We got the system for
130,000 yen (about $1200 US), much cheaper than normal retail. Anyway, if
possible I would like to try and salvage something from it to be cost
effective. Is it possible to do this? The low end SiS 740 video card is
built into the mobo, and there are no AGP slots.

Make/name: Fujitsu FMV-Deskpower (Model: CE21C).

AMD Anthalon XP 2100+
266 MHz system bus clock
256 MB memory (plus 512 MB stick I added)
120 GB HD

Accessories: 17†flatscreen monitor with built-in speakers, laser mouse,
DVD-R CD-RW drive, Ge-Force 5600 PCI card.


I play a lot of games, so would like to have a decent system, but don’t need
to get an outrageously new/expensive type. Any advice or recommendations
greatly appreciated!

 

[Nathan McNulty]

They are not useless as there are PCI Video cards, but you will probably
not have very good performance from your existing system. If this
monitor is proprietary, you are going to be hard pressed to find one
that will work with it.

----
Nathan McNulty

Hi guys-
Thanks for the link Nathan. Unfortunatley Dell doesn't appear to ship to
Japan. But those specs are helpful. Also, as I mentioned the monitor won't
fit anything but some Fujitsu PCs. Is my Fujitsu mobo and processor useless
for rebuild as there is only PCI slots available?

:

You can almost get these exact specs for under $400. Check out this deal:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mes...threadid=353580&highlight_key=y&keyword1=Dell

----
Nathan McNulty

May I suggest that you consider a minimum specification as follows:
• Intel Pentium 2.8Ghz CPU @ 800 FSB CPU 1Mb [or Prescott]
• 512Mb DDR Ram @ FSB400
• 120Gb IDE Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM or SATA Hard Drive
• Motherboard with:
o AGP 8X graphics interface
o Integrated 5.1-channel 3D audio
o Integrated USB 2.0 (Total 8xPorts)
o Integrated 10/100 Network Card
o SATA and ATA Interfaces
o Intel Prescott Ready!!!!
• nVidia FX5700 256Mb Video Card
• 16x DVD Rom Drive or DVD Burner On Request
• 1.44Mb Floppy Drive

This should cost less than US$700 including the case with a 350W or 400W
power supply [definitely required for the CPU and Memory]. If you want to
reduce your costs, find an AMD CPU / MOBO combination with the other specs of
same level and it will save you US $100 over the Intel CPU without affecting
gaming performance.

Given what you already 'have' in your current config: re-usable items include:
. DVD-R drive [US$ 40]
. CD-RW drive [US$40]
. Floppy Drive [US$ 10]
. keyboard [US$ 20]
. mouse [US$ 20]
. monitor / speakers [US$ 300]


:



Well, after much debate I think it may be time to get a new PC. I have been
reluctant to as we just bought a new PC last year, but a couple of things
have changed my mind:

It only has a PCI slot for video card upgrade, no AGP. And in any case, the
monitor has this wacky ‘digital +’ plug that appears to only fit with Fujitsu
computers. No DVI or VGA adapters appear to be adaptable. I went ahead and
bought a Ge-Force 5600 PCI video card that does get me into the market for
Direct X 9b games, but the performance is sketchy (always have to set to
lowest options, and then still get lag in games like BFV). I also bought an
old cheap VGA monitor, but it hurts my eyes. Not thrilled with the prospect
of shelling out a couple of hundred dollars more for a new DVI monitor to
equal the original, and still being yesterday’s PCI technology, I thought
getting a new system might be in order. Too bad as Fujitsu has a good
reputation for quality here, and I am happy with the PC otherwise. And it’s
all still under warranty.

Keep in mind I am in Japan, and the language barrier makes everything more
difficult. Also, selling/buying used computers is not common here, so I’ll
probably have to take a huge hit if I go that route. We got the system for
130,000 yen (about $1200 US), much cheaper than normal retail. Anyway, if
possible I would like to try and salvage something from it to be cost
effective. Is it possible to do this? The low end SiS 740 video card is
built into the mobo, and there are no AGP slots.

Make/name: Fujitsu FMV-Deskpower (Model: CE21C).

AMD Anthalon XP 2100+
266 MHz system bus clock
256 MB memory (plus 512 MB stick I added)
120 GB HD

Accessories: 17†flatscreen monitor with built-in speakers, laser mouse,
DVD-R CD-RW drive, Ge-Force 5600 PCI card.


I play a lot of games, so would like to have a decent system, but don’t need
to get an outrageously new/expensive type. Any advice or recommendations
greatly appreciated!

 

[Jim Macklin]

I understand that Japanese companies sell a lot of equipment
in Japan that does not meet international standards, it is
not intended for export and so finding standard hardware is
often not possible.

If you are visiting/working in Japan and want to buy a
computer (or anything else) check whether it is an
exportable product that is supported internationally.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


| They are not useless as there are PCI Video cards, but you
will probably
| not have very good performance from your existing system.
If this
| monitor is proprietary, you are going to be hard pressed
to find one
| that will work with it.
|
| ----
| Nathan McNulty
|
|
| jonnyd wrote:
| > Hi guys-
| > Thanks for the link Nathan. Unfortunatley Dell doesn't
appear to ship to
| > Japan. But those specs are helpful. Also, as I
mentioned the monitor won't
| > fit anything but some Fujitsu PCs. Is my Fujitsu mobo
and processor useless
| > for rebuild as there is only PCI slots available?
| >
| > "Nathan McNulty" wrote:
| >
| >
| >>You can almost get these exact specs for under $400.
Check out this deal:
| >>
|| >>
| >>----
| >>Nathan McNulty
| >>
| >>
| >>BAR wrote:
| >>
| >>>May I suggest that you consider a minimum specification
as follows:
| >>>. Intel Pentium 2.8Ghz CPU @ 800 FSB CPU 1Mb [or
Prescott]
| >>>. 512Mb DDR Ram @ FSB400
| >>>. 120Gb IDE Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM or SATA Hard Drive
| >>>. Motherboard with:
| >>> o AGP 8X graphics interface
| >>> o Integrated 5.1-channel 3D audio
| >>> o Integrated USB 2.0 (Total 8xPorts)
| >>> o Integrated 10/100 Network Card
| >>> o SATA and ATA Interfaces
| >>> o Intel Prescott Ready!!!!
| >>>. nVidia FX5700 256Mb Video Card
| >>>. 16x DVD Rom Drive or DVD Burner On Request
| >>>. 1.44Mb Floppy Drive
| >>>
| >>>This should cost less than US$700 including the case
with a 350W or 400W
| >>>power supply [definitely required for the CPU and
Memory]. If you want to
| >>>reduce your costs, find an AMD CPU / MOBO combination
with the other specs of
| >>>same level and it will save you US $100 over the Intel
CPU without affecting
| >>>gaming performance.
| >>>
| >>>Given what you already 'have' in your current config:
re-usable items include:
| >>>. DVD-R drive [US$ 40]
| >>>. CD-RW drive [US$40]
| >>>. Floppy Drive [US$ 10]
| >>>. keyboard [US$ 20]
| >>>. mouse [US$ 20]
| >>>. monitor / speakers [US$ 300]
| >>>
| >>>
| >>>"jonnyd" wrote:
| >>>
| >>>
| >>>
| >>>>Well, after much debate I think it may be time to get
a new PC. I have been
| >>>>reluctant to as we just bought a new PC last year, but
a couple of things
| >>>>have changed my mind:
| >>>>
| >>>>It only has a PCI slot for video card upgrade, no AGP.
And in any case, the
| >>>>monitor has this wacky 'digital +' plug that appears
to only fit with Fujitsu
| >>>>computers. No DVI or VGA adapters appear to be
adaptable. I went ahead and
| >>>>bought a Ge-Force 5600 PCI video card that does get me
into the market for
| >>>>Direct X 9b games, but the performance is sketchy
(always have to set to
| >>>>lowest options, and then still get lag in games like
BFV). I also bought an
| >>>>old cheap VGA monitor, but it hurts my eyes. Not
thrilled with the prospect
| >>>>of shelling out a couple of hundred dollars more for a
new DVI monitor to
| >>>>equal the original, and still being yesterday's PCI
technology, I thought
| >>>>getting a new system might be in order. Too bad as
Fujitsu has a good
| >>>>reputation for quality here, and I am happy with the
PC otherwise. And it's
| >>>>all still under warranty.
| >>>>
| >>>>Keep in mind I am in Japan, and the language barrier
makes everything more
| >>>>difficult. Also, selling/buying used computers is not
common here, so I'll
| >>>>probably have to take a huge hit if I go that route.
We got the system for
| >>>>130,000 yen (about $1200 US), much cheaper than normal
retail. Anyway, if
| >>>>possible I would like to try and salvage something
from it to be cost
| >>>>effective. Is it possible to do this? The low end
SiS 740 video card is
| >>>>built into the mobo, and there are no AGP slots.
| >>>>
| >>>>Make/name: Fujitsu FMV-Deskpower (Model: CE21C).
| >>>>
| >>>>AMD Anthalon XP 2100+
| >>>>266 MHz system bus clock
| >>>>256 MB memory (plus 512 MB stick I added)
| >>>>120 GB HD
| >>>>
| >>>>Accessories: 17" flatscreen monitor with built-in
speakers, laser mouse,
| >>>>DVD-R CD-RW drive, Ge-Force 5600 PCI card.
| >>>>
| >>>>
| >>>>I play a lot of games, so would like to have a decent
system, but don't need
| >>>>to get an outrageously new/expensive type. Any advice
or recommendations
| >>>>greatly appreciated!
| >>>>
| >>

 

[Len]

As many here do, I work on computers. It is very hard to transfer HW from
proprietary systems to standard systems. These components are made
specificly for these systems and do not migrate well. Even those items that
you think may work fine (CD ROM/DVD ROM drives for example) do not as face
plates, size and demensions may be different from the standard.

Also, you may or may not benefit from the fact that slowly the market is
beginning to look forward to PCI Express for video which intails using
completely new MB/CPU and associated HW. You may get a bargain on some of
the current systems which do not have options like PCI Express and DDR2.
However, probably sooner then later new SW titles (read games) will be
optimized for these latest HW changes.

It well may be a pain, but it may be worth while to consider having a system
built/purchased in the states and have it shipped to you by family/friends.
Just make sure that who every makes the system understands that it will be
used internationally.

Just my 2 cents on the matter...

Len

Hi guys-
Thanks for the link Nathan. Unfortunatley Dell doesn't appear to ship to
Japan. But those specs are helpful. Also, as I mentioned the monitor
won't
fit anything but some Fujitsu PCs. Is my Fujitsu mobo and processor
useless
for rebuild as there is only PCI slots available?

You can almost get these exact specs for under $400. Check out this
deal:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mes...threadid=353580&highlight_key=y&keyword1=Dell

----
Nathan McNulty

May I suggest that you consider a minimum specification as follows:
. Intel Pentium 2.8Ghz CPU @ 800 FSB CPU 1Mb [or Prescott]
. 512Mb DDR Ram @ FSB400
. 120Gb IDE Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM or SATA Hard Drive
. Motherboard with:
o AGP 8X graphics interface
o Integrated 5.1-channel 3D audio
o Integrated USB 2.0 (Total 8xPorts)
o Integrated 10/100 Network Card
o SATA and ATA Interfaces
o Intel Prescott Ready!!!!
. nVidia FX5700 256Mb Video Card
. 16x DVD Rom Drive or DVD Burner On Request
. 1.44Mb Floppy Drive

This should cost less than US$700 including the case with a 350W or
400W
power supply [definitely required for the CPU and Memory]. If you want
to
reduce your costs, find an AMD CPU / MOBO combination with the other
specs of
same level and it will save you US $100 over the Intel CPU without
affecting
gaming performance.

Given what you already 'have' in your current config: re-usable items
include:
. DVD-R drive [US$ 40]
. CD-RW drive [US$40]
. Floppy Drive [US$ 10]
. keyboard [US$ 20]
. mouse [US$ 20]
. monitor / speakers [US$ 300]


:


Well, after much debate I think it may be time to get a new PC. I have
been
reluctant to as we just bought a new PC last year, but a couple of
things
have changed my mind:

It only has a PCI slot for video card upgrade, no AGP. And in any
case, the
monitor has this wacky 'digital +' plug that appears to only fit with
Fujitsu
computers. No DVI or VGA adapters appear to be adaptable. I went
ahead and
bought a Ge-Force 5600 PCI video card that does get me into the market
for
Direct X 9b games, but the performance is sketchy (always have to set
to
lowest options, and then still get lag in games like BFV). I also
bought an
old cheap VGA monitor, but it hurts my eyes. Not thrilled with the
prospect
of shelling out a couple of hundred dollars more for a new DVI monitor
to
equal the original, and still being yesterday's PCI technology, I
thought
getting a new system might be in order. Too bad as Fujitsu has a good
reputation for quality here, and I am happy with the PC otherwise. And
it's
all still under warranty.

Keep in mind I am in Japan, and the language barrier makes everything
more
difficult. Also, selling/buying used computers is not common here, so
I'll
probably have to take a huge hit if I go that route. We got the system
for
130,000 yen (about $1200 US), much cheaper than normal retail. Anyway,
if
possible I would like to try and salvage something from it to be cost
effective. Is it possible to do this? The low end SiS 740 video card
is
built into the mobo, and there are no AGP slots.

Make/name: Fujitsu FMV-Deskpower (Model: CE21C).

AMD Anthalon XP 2100+
266 MHz system bus clock
256 MB memory (plus 512 MB stick I added)
120 GB HD

Accessories: 17" flatscreen monitor with built-in speakers, laser
mouse,
DVD-R CD-RW drive, Ge-Force 5600 PCI card.


I play a lot of games, so would like to have a decent system, but don't
need
to get an outrageously new/expensive type. Any advice or
recommendations
greatly appreciated!