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| General Hardware PCBs, CPUs, LCDs, and everything in-between! |
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03-15-2012, 12:52 PM
| #1 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkeley
Posts: 305
 |  New lab computer Hey all, I work in a lab and we have a protein/dna gel imager computer that went out. It doesn't require a whole lot of power, so I decided to build the cheapest (but currentish gen) desktop I could as a replacement. My goal was to keep the price right around the 300 dollar mark (not including os, mouse, keyboard, and screen). What are your thoughts on this list: mobo ASRock A55M-HVS FM1 AMD A55 MicroATX (55.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ock%20a55m-hvs cpu/gpu AMD A4-3400 Llano 2.7 GHz (69.99!!!) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103955 ram GSKILL Ripjaws X Series 2X2Gb 240 Pin 1333 (31.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231439 hdd WD Caviar Blue 250 Gb 7200 rms (74.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136771 psu Rosewill RV350 350W ATX power supply (29.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182023 burner LITE-ON POS (18.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106276 PCI addon firewire PCI add-on for gel imager (9.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815265002 case Cheapo Gigabyte GZ-KF03B (19.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811233067 Total: 311.92! From what I've read these processors are definitely not lightening, but with good RAM they overclock really well and the graphics card has surprisingly high performance. What do you guys think? |
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03-15-2012, 04:28 PM
| #2 |
| That one guy Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
 | Re: New lab computer I would say it's probably better to drop an extra $10-$15 on the CPU and get something like a Phenom II 965 or similar. The main appeal of those APUs is that you don't necessarily need a graphics card if you're not really doing any heavy gaming or the like, so if you think you're gonna need a graphics card anyway, it's probably more "bang for your buck" to stick with a regular CPU. As a side note, your job sounds pretty awesome!  |
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03-15-2012, 04:39 PM
| #3 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkeley
Posts: 305
| Re: New lab computer Hey Thanks! I enjoy the job...research is fun and occasionally rewarding ;) For this imager I don't think we will need a strong graphics card, which is why I was initially inclined to go with the APU combo. (All the computer really does is control a glorified digital camera). Then there's the occasional web surfing/email etc. Would this APU unit (it's so cheap) suffice? Kris |
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03-16-2012, 09:27 AM
| #4 |
| That one guy Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
| Re: New lab computer I couldn't really say for sure regarding that, I have zero experience with that sort of imaging software, and no real hands-on experience with those APUs either. Sorry!  |
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03-16-2012, 11:42 AM
| #5 |
| The Daddy Administrator  Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Narnia
Posts: 4,417
| Re: New lab computer The APU should suffice quite well, but i would look at a different PSU, unless Zenshi can chime in if thats one of the better Rosewill units. I would go with a Corsair CX430 at minimum otherwise. They are always on sale around or below that range. |
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03-16-2012, 12:52 PM
| #6 |
| A5 Operator  Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bottineau, ND
Posts: 9,432
  | Re: New lab computer I would spend a few bucks more and get this bargain gem. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023 If you do the rebate (and if the rebate works), it would literally only be a few more dollars. |
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03-16-2012, 08:14 PM
| #7 |
| King of Science  Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,475
| Re: New lab computer PSU is shit and will annihilate that system and potentially other shit; don't even fun with it. Corsair, Seasonic, Enermax, etc. Otherwise should do fine. Also, if this doesn't have to be a record-setter, have you considered getting a refurb from Geeks for like $100? I picked up an old T3400 for like $130; has a C2D, 4GB of RAM, and a Quadro in it - that's more than enough. Browse: http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=SYS I spent a few minutes and found a few that I like: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...MAR-3R&cat=SYS http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...390-8R&cat=SYS http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...OOS-6R&cat=SYS http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...P885-R&cat=SYS http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...MAR-3R&cat=SVR (over but a beast) Last edited by obobskivich; 03-16-2012 at 08:17 PM. |
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03-16-2012, 08:42 PM
| #8 |
| ComfortablyNumb  Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Grandville, MI
Posts: 1,568
| I built an HTPC with an APU, and it works flawlessly. Plays 1080p content without a hiccup. Should be fine for your application. |
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03-17-2012, 04:37 PM
| #9 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkeley
Posts: 305
| Re: New lab computer Hey guys, Thanks for the comments I appreciate the feedback. Decided to go with the APU but upped the psu a little bit to something with a better reputation. Also obob thanks for the link to geeks. I didn't know that website existed! That's fantastic. I may go through the lab and upgrade all of the computers with that site. We are controlling a lot of our equipment with old P4 computers and they are very laggy... I'll keep you guys updated on the build...maybe i'll post the first gel picture I take with it :) |
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