+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: A new Buying Advice thread/idea

  1. #1
    Administrator Firestar's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Age
    34
    Posts
    17,361
    Thanks
    1,351
    Thanked 614 Times in 464 Posts
    Rep Power
    25
    Hi Guys,



    For potential buyers, or potential customers:

    This thread will contain information (eventually) of basically anything you need to find advice on. Please read the posts by the contributors in this thread quickly (each should give a summary of what component they are giving advice on), and see what they suggest. There will be no discussion in this thread. Please do not ask for advice in this thread (rather make a new topic in this forum if you're unclear of anything or if you require more advice)



    For Contributors:

    You guys have been doing a stellar job. I really appreciate this, as I hardly ever get time to look at the request threads, and yet you guys always keep these potential buyers happy with good advice. I've seen that you basically type the same advice over and over again, which is obviously a bit of a schlep. I've decided that the best way to deal with this, is to have this thread, where each of you knowledgeable chaps can make a post, with your latest advice for low, medium, and high budget computer systems. This achieves the following things:



    1. It's a central topic, that anyone can look at, to find advice already given by the community
    2. It's going to give potential buyers/customers more than just my opinion, but will give the opinions of basically every single person that has a bit of knowledge of computer components
    3. It's going to allow you a place to post your advice once only, and then link to your post in this thread (if someone asks a question that you already answered in a post here), which means less typing for you
    4. You can give advice on just about anything, from which PSU to buy, to which VGA card, to which system, or console game. Basically, anything you find yourself typing out again and again and again, you can add to a post in here, and then just link to it

    When making a post (as contributor), please keep these things in mind:



    1. Only have one post in this topic, please. Therefore, if you feel the need to update your post with new advice/information/more clarity, please copy your entire previous post (quote it, and then remove the quote tags to do it easily), make the changes, and post the entire updated post again as a new post. This will allow me to just delete your previous post, if you have an updated one, which means a more organised thread, and less clutter for potential customers to read through.
    2. Please keep your posts organised. Please give a small summary of no more than a line or two, of what you intend to give advice on (see example post below), and make proper larger sized headings, underlined and bolded, so that potential buyers/customers can easily see what you are giving advice on (again, see example post).

    Thanks for all your help (once again) in keeping Prophecy a good source of information when it comes to computer component/system purchases.


    The Prophecy Shop - http://www.prophecy.co.za


    • Got a question about your order? Email us at orderupdates at prophecy dot co dot za (include your order number please) or phone us at 011 888 2858.
    • Want a product that's not on our shop? Post a new thread over here.
    • Got a comment or have a problem with the shop? Post a new thread over here.
    • Need some advice on what to buy? Post a new thread over here.
    • PM me about a shop/order problem/query/question? Please put your order number in the subject of the PM.
    • Need an update on your RMA, or have a problem with one of your products, ordered from us? Send an email to techsupport at prophecy dot co dot za and include your order number and a detailed fault description.

    Got Facebook? Join the "I shop @ Prophecy.co.za" group.


    My Personal Blog

    VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT PM ME FOR FORUM HELP/ISSUES. THERE ARE MODS FOR A REASON.

  2. #2
    Administrator Firestar's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Age
    34
    Posts
    17,361
    Thanks
    1,351
    Thanked 614 Times in 464 Posts
    Rep Power
    25
    Example post:



    Summary (fontoint 4):

    Budget 775 motherboard, bang for buck VGA card, and nice case for lanning.



    Budget Intel Socket 775 motherboard (fontoint 3):

    Asus P5KPL-AM SE - ~R480 (give approx price. Price will obviously change, so there's no need to be 100% exact)



    Bang for Buck VGA card (fontoint 3):

    Force3D 4850 512 - ~R1030

    Force3D 4850 1GB - ~R1160



    Nice Case for lanning (fontoint 3):

    Coolermaster 690 Pure - ~R970 - Really nice case. Not too expensive. Nicely designed, easy to assemble, and is painted black on the inside.

    Coolermaster Scout - ~R900 - Really nice lanning case. Looks awesome, and has a handle. What more can you ask for!



    To make use of this format really easily, please quote this post, remove the quote tags above and at the bottom of the quoted post, and then make your changes, and post the new post.


    The Prophecy Shop - http://www.prophecy.co.za


    • Got a question about your order? Email us at orderupdates at prophecy dot co dot za (include your order number please) or phone us at 011 888 2858.
    • Want a product that's not on our shop? Post a new thread over here.
    • Got a comment or have a problem with the shop? Post a new thread over here.
    • Need some advice on what to buy? Post a new thread over here.
    • PM me about a shop/order problem/query/question? Please put your order number in the subject of the PM.
    • Need an update on your RMA, or have a problem with one of your products, ordered from us? Send an email to techsupport at prophecy dot co dot za and include your order number and a detailed fault description.

    Got Facebook? Join the "I shop @ Prophecy.co.za" group.


    My Personal Blog

    VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT PM ME FOR FORUM HELP/ISSUES. THERE ARE MODS FOR A REASON.

  3. #3
    Administrator Firestar's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Age
    34
    Posts
    17,361
    Thanks
    1,351
    Thanked 614 Times in 464 Posts
    Rep Power
    25
    reserved


    The Prophecy Shop - http://www.prophecy.co.za


    • Got a question about your order? Email us at orderupdates at prophecy dot co dot za (include your order number please) or phone us at 011 888 2858.
    • Want a product that's not on our shop? Post a new thread over here.
    • Got a comment or have a problem with the shop? Post a new thread over here.
    • Need some advice on what to buy? Post a new thread over here.
    • PM me about a shop/order problem/query/question? Please put your order number in the subject of the PM.
    • Need an update on your RMA, or have a problem with one of your products, ordered from us? Send an email to techsupport at prophecy dot co dot za and include your order number and a detailed fault description.

    Got Facebook? Join the "I shop @ Prophecy.co.za" group.


    My Personal Blog

    VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT PM ME FOR FORUM HELP/ISSUES. THERE ARE MODS FOR A REASON.

  4. #4
    DCC
    DCC is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    918
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
    Rep Power
    0
    16/11/2009



    Graphics Cards :



    HTPC



    A great HTPC card is the HD4350. This particular one features an all silent low profile design. It consumes less than 25 watts under load , has DX 10.1 support and can display movies at above 1080p resolutions.

    Sapphire HD4350



    Budget



    A great budget gaming card is the HD4670. It doesn't require a power connector and offers better performance compared to a 9500GT and similar performance when compared to a 9600GT. Has DX 10.1 support.

    Sapphire HD4670



    Low-to-Mid Range



    The best low-to-mid range graphics card to buy is the HD5750 as it's than the HD4850 and the GTS250 whilst

    consuming less power and running at a lower temperature. It also has the benefit of DX 11 support.

    Club 3D HD5750



    Mid Range



    The best mid range graphics card to buy is the HD5770 as it performs on par (+- 5%) with the HD4870 and the GTX260 whilst

    consuming less power and running at a lower temperature. It also has the benefit of DX 11 support.

    Club 3D HD5770



    Mid-to-High Range



    The best mid-to-high range graphics card to buy is the HD5850 as it's faster than the HD4890 , GTX275 and GTX285 whilst

    consuming less power and running at a lower temperature. It also has the benefit of DX 11 support.

    Sapphire HD5850



    High Range



    The best high range graphics card to buy is the HD5870 as it performs on par (+- 5%) with the HD4870x2 and the GTX295 whilst

    consuming less power and running at a lower temperature. It also has the benefit of DX 11 support.

    Sapphire HD5870

  5. #5
    Professional SeriousCat SCHUMI_4EVER's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Age
    24
    Posts
    3,346
    Thanks
    130
    Thanked 400 Times in 340 Posts
    Rep Power
    15
    Power Supplies



    These are just some things that I think the anyone looking to buy a power supply should consider.

    I know these are relatively expensive especially if you're on a tight budget they just never seem to fit nicely for some reason but you have got to have one and there's a number of things to know when making your pick.



    Rated Wattage VS Continuous Rating/Efficiency Rating

    Don't just look at the Power Supplies' Wattage and decide it's sufficient. This wattage is it's absolute peak, not what it can actually achieve most of the time. What you have to also look at is the continuous rating or efficiency rating which typically can be 20% less than than the rated wattage. As an example we will take my relatively cheap Gigabyte Odin 720W, it only achieves 610W continuous power in reality. So if you're buying a cheap budget system and and just squeezing any old PSU in you may be getting less than you need eventhough it looks sufficient. As another example a 470W Power Supply might be providing as little as 380W.



    Amps on the 12v rail

    This generally only concerns you if you're getting a strong graphics card or if you're getting a bottom barrel PSU. Make sure that the minimum amp requirements for your graphics card are met by your PSU, in other words check the minimum amps against those on the 12v rail of your PSU. Generally though if your PSU is well above the minimum wattage specified by the graphics card then you won't need to worry about the amps on the 12v rail either.



    Connectors

    Make sure that the Power Supply you're choosing has the connectors your graphics card will need.



    Normal VS Modular

    Modular is best, it allows you to plug in only the cables you need thus saving space in your case improving airflow and generally just being less of an eye-sore if however your budget is tight then I am afraid this is a luxury you will have to do without.



    Getting just what you need VS overkill

    Well I personally prefer to think of overkill as peace of mind. The closer to the minimum you get the closer it is to using it's maximum potential, which means the harder it's being run theoretically the shorter it's lifespan and thus the closer to breaking it is. Conversely the bigger you buy the lighter it's being run the more reliably it performs, the longer it's lifespan and the more peace of mind that you have that it won't blow and take your expensive components with it. Now mind you by overkill I mean 100W or so more if it's only say R100-R200 more, not getting a 1000W power supply no matter the situation, in fact I don't think those are ever needed unless you have the absolute best graphics cards running in SLI/X-Fire along with the best processor.







    Current Recommendations - Jan 2010

    Some of these may looking like overkill to you (and perhaps some of the ones I list under medium to high-end are) but I don't look only at the wattage I also look at the brand as well as the price and weigh each of those factors up to choose the optimal one which sometimes means that I mention a high wattage PSU not only because I am trying to preach overkill but it also happens to have a good price for what it offers.



    Budget Buyer:

    ABSOLUTE Minimum - Gigabyte Odin 470W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/gigabyte-o...y-p-31568.html

    Recommended Minimum - Gigabyte Odin 585W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/gigabyte-o...y-p-31569.html

    Corair VX550W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-vx...w-p-30333.html

    Comfortable Choice - Gigabyte Odin 720W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/gigabyte-o...y-p-31570.html



    Regular to high-end buyer looking to SLI/X-Fire Medium cards:

    Gigabyte Odin 720W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/gigabyte-o...y-p-31570.html

    Corsair TX650W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-tx...w-p-27712.html

    Corsair TX750W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-tx...w-p-25607.html

    Corsair HX750 - http://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-hx...t-p-46676.html



    High-End buyer looking to SLI/X-Fire high-end cards:

    Corsair TX850W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-tx...w-p-33711.html

    Corsair HX850W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/corsair-hx...t-p-46677.html

    Antec TruePower Quattor 850W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/antec-true...t-p-22000.html

    CoolerMaster RealPower 850W - http://www.prophecy.co.za/coolermast...w-p-38705.html
    Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz (stock)), ASUS P5Q, ASUS ENGTX260/HDTP/896M, Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 2x2GB, 2x Seagate Barracuda 500GB, Gigabyte Odin 720W, Gigabyte G-Power 2 Pro CPU cooler,
    CoolerMaster Ammo 533, Leadtek Winfast DTV2000H, Cyber Snipa Stinger lazer gaming mouse, Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1 Headset, Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 64bit

  6. #6
    Senior Member spit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Age
    20
    Posts
    722
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked 32 Times in 22 Posts
    Rep Power
    3
    Processors



    Processors are the main component to any good computer the processor is vital to your computer as it is basically the brains of the system. Your choice can vary from Budget to high end, Or by what you plan to use your computer for. I will compile a list of processors from both AMD and Intel. The processsors will be mentioned by budget and not uses.



    Low end Intel: Core2Duo E5300

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-pent...z-p-33775.html

    Price:R690

    Uses: Any low end computer to be used as a work system mainly using Word processing programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and power point.



    Low to Mid Range Intel: Core2duo E7400

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-core...m-p-31577.html

    Price:R1200

    Uses: Any low to mid range computer or gaming computer. I own this processor and have experienced no hassles or lag during Game play or Usual tasks on my computer. It can multi task quite well as i have had a few programs open at a time with no lag or hangs. Also not a bad clocking Cpu even though there is better out there.



    Mid range Intel: Core i5 750

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-lga1...o-p-56771.html

    Price:R2100

    Uses: Gaming or work computer with Graphics intense tasks or Processor intensive tasks. Future proof is always a bonus too.



    Mid to High End Intel: Core i7 920 D0

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-i7ne...s-p-31955.html

    Price:R3000

    Uses: one of the most common i7's used by many forum members. very good clocking chip and Good for a high end gaming machine or Video encoding Machine.



    High end Intel: Core i7 975 XE

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-i7ne...s-p-36910.html

    Price: R11200

    Uses: Anything really. If you can afford this chip you can pretty much do anything with this chip in a High end machine



    Overclocking Intel: Core2Duo E8600 or i7 975 XE or i7 920 D0

    Link for Core2Duo E8600: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-core...t-p-29431.html

    Link for Core i7 975 XE: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-i7ne...s-p-36910.html

    Link for Core i7 920 D0: http://www.prophecy.co.za/intel-i7ne...s-p-31955.html

    Prices: E8600 - R3000

    920 D0 - R3000

    975 XE - R11200

    Uses: all these above chips are excellent for clocking coupled with a good board you will reach high clocks and good scores in any Benchmarking application.



    Low end AMD: Athlon II 240

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/socket-am2...n-p-56766.html

    Price: R700

    Uses: same as E5300



    Low to Mid End AMD: Phemon 2 x2 550 BE

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/socket-phe...z-p-52289.html

    Price:R1100

    Uses: same as E7400



    Mid end AMD: Phemon 2 x4 945

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/socket-phe...z-p-37207.html

    Price:R1820

    Uses: same as Q8300



    Mid to high end AMD: Phemon 2 x4 955

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/socket-phe...n-p-37208.html

    Price:R2000

    Uses: same as Q8300



    High end AMD: Phemon 2 x4 965 BE

    Link: http://www.prophecy.co.za/socket-phe...n-p-63649.html

    Price: R2200

    Uses: same as i7 920. Top of the range AMD chip available today and Is defiantly A good buy for its price.



    You may have noticed the AMD chips are alot cheaper than the Intel chips, But the Intel chips are better than the AMD chips in certain ways. AMD is a Bang for buck chip, While Intel is a Performance chip. Its your choice on which brand you prefer.
    PM me for all your Moto-X needs ( Did clear this with FS so don't flame me lol) Call: 0114251081 ask for Jason :P

  7. #7
    Professional SeriousCat SCHUMI_4EVER's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Age
    24
    Posts
    3,346
    Thanks
    130
    Thanked 400 Times in 340 Posts
    Rep Power
    15
    Anyone mind if I unsticky this? It's pretty out of date and would require a huge amount of effort to update and I believe my build suggestions thread should already serve most people. I'm mainly concerned because the thread still seems to receive a lot of attention despite how out of date it is. That isn't really fair.
    Last edited by SCHUMI_4EVER; 29-11-2011 at 10:39 PM.
    Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz (stock)), ASUS P5Q, ASUS ENGTX260/HDTP/896M, Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 2x2GB, 2x Seagate Barracuda 500GB, Gigabyte Odin 720W, Gigabyte G-Power 2 Pro CPU cooler,
    CoolerMaster Ammo 533, Leadtek Winfast DTV2000H, Cyber Snipa Stinger lazer gaming mouse, Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1 Headset, Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 64bit

+ Reply to Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may post attachments
  • You may edit your posts
  •