Comments

Himanshu wrote on 8/11/2008, 5:39 PM
Hi riredale, all:

How's the XFX motherboard? Any experiences? The on-board graphics aren't going to be used probably, and I noticed it doesn't have FireWire on-board, an add-on card will end up taking one PCI slot as will a TV/capture card. Not sure of the quality of the included PSU. I am looking for a barebones system or a reasonably priced DELL/HP/Gateway/... to use as my main system.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/11/2008, 6:24 PM
important note: no CPU cooler included. :(

but besides that, looks good. IF you wanted 3d, you could throw any modern $200 GPU in & be a screamer. Firewire = 1 slot, don't really NEED anything in the other. Can use USB headers to add more USB ports (I have 6 & they're all full!). 4 SATA ports (and 1 ide, could use for boot drive & DVD).

Coursedesign wrote on 8/11/2008, 7:31 PM
Fry's and Office Depot are currently selling an HP Desktop with a quad core 2.66GHz Q6700 with 6GB (!) RAM, an ultrafast 640GB harddrive (the two-platter WD 6400AKS), and 64-bit Vista Home Premium for $645.00.

The graphics is Intel GMA so no great shakes, but that is of course easily curable.

Himanshu wrote on 8/13/2008, 7:14 PM
About the PCI slots - I would like FireWire on-board, because I would be using one PCI slot for wireless networking and the other for a TV/capture card. Like you the USB connectors are already maxed-out on my system (although I don't use all of the simultaneously e.g. webcam/printer).

Yeah, $600-$700 seems to be the price-point for a decent HP/DELL system...only thing is I've got Vista Ultimate/PSU/case/HDs/graphics cards ready to go that could really use a decent CPU/mobo combo and get it up and running fast. If I didn't have the OS I'd surely get an HP.

Guess I'm just not too sure about XFX. Will wait for a better combo.