Any help on my component choices?

rainywish · 2 Dec 2006 at 21:13

Please help me with my choices?

Hi, I would really appreciate some advice on choosing some components. I want to have a go at building a pc that I will use for burning CDs and DVDs, some photo editing and watching DVDs. I don’t play games. I thought it might be helpful for me to buy a barebones system. I was looking at this one: Asus Vintage V2-AH2 Barebones System - AMD Socket AM2 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-034-AS. (Um, does vintage mean it’s old?)
Now I’m a bit stuck choosing the other stuff because I have no idea what is a good brand etc and what is not and what is compatible and what is OK for my needs, so I have picked random things. I would be very happy if anyone could basically say yes this is fine or suggest anything better.
HDD: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 17 160GB 6G160E0 SATA-II 8MB Cache – OEM Does that OEM mean that I need to buy a separate cooler?
OD: Asus DRW-1608P3S 16x16 DVD±RW
RAM: Crucial 1GB (2x512MB) DDR2 PC2-4200C4 Dual Channel Kit
I am thinking of doing without a floppy for now (I’ve been using a mac for years and am used to not having one).
I’ve read a description of a PSU and still don’t understand it. This one caught my eye as it’s energy efficient: Akasa AK-P040FG8-BKUK 400W Green Power 80+. Or does the barebones system already come with a PSU? I don’t understand the description.
CPU: AMD Sempron 64 3500+ (Socket AM2) CPU - Retail

Any advice is very much appreciated. Thank you.

rainywish · 4 Dec 2006 at 15:22

Please help me?

Do I need both the CPU and a PSU that I listed above?

semi-pro waster · 4 Dec 2006 at 15:56

The Vintage doesn't need a PSU because one is included and the name is just the model line, it isn't particularly new technology but nor is it all that old either.

OEM in relation to hard drives/optical drives just means you get the bare drive, no cables or anything like that. You will get cables with the barebones system though. I'd probably suggest either a Seagate or a WD instead of the Maxtor as they have had some problems with reliability although you may be lucky.

You would need a CPU, if you want to go with an AM2 system then I'd advise either an AM2 3500 instead of the Sempron as it is better and cheaper or an X2 3800 AM2 which costs a bit more but is dual core and a more capable chip overall.

rainywish · 7 Dec 2006 at 14:08

Thanks a lot for your help semi-pro.