Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kprrok]

Hey all you people who live in Seoul and/or have built a new computer over here.

I'm looking to buy a new desktop in late December or early January, depending on when I can make it to Seoul. I've tried some of the websites here (Dell.co.kr, hp.co.kr, trigem.co.kr) but just can't get a computer that I want for what I think would be a decent price.

I'm looking for...

--P4 3.0Ghz or higher (Athlon 64 3000+)
--1024mb PC3200
--120/160 GB HDD
--DVD/CD-RW combo drive
--Sound Card that is 5.1 capable
--Video Card: I think the ATI Radeon 9800 XP, or something that will allow good play for Doom 3 and Half-Life 2 and other high-end games
--English XP Professional Edition

I don't need a monitor as I've already got one, nor do I need all the fancy speakers or optical mouse/keyboard sets. Basically, I just need the tower.

A.) Is that system buildable and good for the games I've mentioned?
B.) Is Yeongsan a good place to go for it? (Did I spell that right?) I know if I go there I should do some price shopping first so I can haggle a bit. I like haggling!
C.) What price should I look for? I'm thinking about 900.000 - 1.200.000 depending on how good it is. And I do want good. Is this realistic? I don't mind spending more, but would like to keep it under 1.500.000.
D.) Any other websites I should try? I know someone posted one a while back, but I can't find it now.
E.) Any other suggestions on parts?

Thanks for your help guys.

KPRROK

*Edited the specs a bit after I've done some more reading and talking.

[logan2003]

I would put in another 512meg chip....
then your system would be solid. 512 is not bad...but 1gig gives you comfortable head room.

That is what I will do on my system next month.

[Sage Monkey]

Why don't you splurge and get an AMD Athlon 64bit chipset instead of P4?

Anyways, ask Demophobe about the desireable system specs to run those games. He is really into both of those games and knows a lot about system components.

[Demophobe]

--P4 3.0Ghz or higher (Or AMD64 3200+)
--512 PC3200 533mHz or more (PC3500 for headroom and no less than 1GB)
--120/160 GB HDD (Maxtor Diamond 9)
--DVD/CD-RW combo drive (Get a DVD writer)
--Sound Card that is 5.1 capable
--Video Card: I think the ATI Radeon 9800 PRO, or something that will allow good play for Doom 3 and Half-Life 2 and other high-end games
--English XP Home Edition (Why not Pro?)
You forgot to factor in a mainboard. Think of around 150,000 for that.

A.) Is that system buildable and good for the games I've mentioned?

Yes. The CPU is your call. The AMD 64 3200+ will perhaps best the Intel 3.0C in some games, but not others. Gone are the days of incompatability for AMD...they are great CPUs, when coupled with the NForce 3 chipset or the Via KT800 chipset. Go with Asus, Gigabyte or MSI. All good companies. Look out for NForce 3 and ATI incompatabilities/glitches. Who would have thought that an Nvidia product would cause trouble with an ATI card? Personally, I would go with AMD/VIA or Intel/Intel.

Now, the question is, do you want to go PCI express for the graphics/mainboard? You will have to think about this. Cost-wise, it's not much (any?) more than the AGP systems, but soon PCI expres will be the standard. You should think about jumping into this now. If you do go this way, you will have to look at a newer graphics solution than an ATI 9800Pro, as they are only AGP. However, the prices on older cards just don't drop here in Korea, so it's of no financial benefit to go with older hardware. The card of choice right now is the GeForce 6800GT (Chaintech are good). It's about 500,000 (the same as a 9800Pro) and some are PCI express. They come in both flavours(AGP/PCI), beware of which you choose. This card seems to be the bang-for-buck king right now, as it easily overclocks to 6800Ultra levels and beyond. Nvidia are back on top. PCI express mainboards are easily avaliable now, so it's no problem making the move.
Now, if you go PCI express, be sure that you get the right RAM. Many PCI express systems are using DDR2 RAM, which is about the same price, but is physically different. DDR1 and 2 are not interchangeable, so again, be careful that you get the right type. Some mainboards are hybrids; they support PCI express and DDR1. This is another option, but with DDR2 being the same price and avaliable at Yongsan, there is no reason not to go all out and get PCI express/DDR2.What size monitor do you have? Remember that a 17" monitor can only do 1280x1024 resolution, and that won't really stretch the legs on your graphics card. If you want high-res gaming, you will need a monitor that can do it. My 21" can do insane resolutions, so the graphics card can really get pushed. When you do choose a graphics card, consider the monitor as a limitation on how much work you will be asking the Graphics to be doing.


B.) Is Yeongsan a good place to go for it? (Did I spell that right?) I know if I go there I should do some price shopping first so I can haggle a bit. I like haggling!

Yes, it's the best place to go. You can haggle, but don't expect much. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. 1.5 ,illion isn't much to those guys.

C.) What price should I look for? I'm thinking about 900.000 - 1.200.000 depending on how good it is. And I do want good. Is this realistic? I don't mind spending more, but would like to keep it under 1.500.000.

I think you want a good system, so why let 200 dollars be the make or break? This system will last you for quite a while, so do it right. If you want to game, game. If you have the money now, it's better to get exactly what you want. Later, after the next paycheck and you are sitting pretty again financially, but holed up with a not-quite-there system, you will kick yourself. Decide if you want a killer rig, or a good rig.

D.) Any other websites I should try? I know someone posted one a while back, but I can't find it now.

http://www.danawa.co.kr

This is the only site I ever use or need.

E.) Any other suggestions on parts?

Case, power, mouse, keyboard (don't skimp here. 5 button mouse and good MS or Logitech keyboard), speakers...

PM me if you need more ideas. I will send my phone number....sometimes it's easier to talk than type.

[muggie2dammit]

[kprrok]

Thanks for the post demophobe et al. I used to think I knew something about computers, but I am very confused right now. I think I need to go do some reading about video cards and more up-to-date hardware.

I think I have decided to get an Athlon 64 over the P4, and definitely a gig of RAM. Win XP Pro is also now on my list. I'm not worried about peripheries now as I've got all of them, and they're all pretty good. The only change I'd get is a wireless keyboard and mouse instead of standard optical with wires.

Also, I've decided to bump up my price range a bit to 1.8 or so.

Cheers all and if you have any more advice, please let me know.

KPRROK

[Demophobe]

The Chaintech board uses the Nforce 3 chipset. Personally, I would go with Via.

The ASUS K8V Deluxe is a lovely board.

AMD64 3200+ (237,000) Beware to distinguish between the 939-pin variety and socket754 for AMD...they will require different mainboards...stay with ASUS and VIA, ASUS K8V Deluxe (150,000), 1GB Geil or Kingmax DDR1 RAM (250,000 ~ 350,000) (stay away from Samsung RAM), Maxtor 160GB DiamondMax 9 SATA (120,000), GeForce 6800GT (520,000)...

1,377,000.

A bit high, but nice components and not skimping. The RAM was factored at 350,000, which is a bit high, but you never know about pricing for RAM. 1GB Geil PC3500 is 290,000. I say PC 3500 for a bit of overhead if you do overclock.

The 6800GT will do ultra levels, but 300,000 less. A killer card, for sure.
ATI are good as well, but they are just a hair behind Nvidia and their hardware doesn't support a couple of the newest features (PS3.0, VS 3.0) that Nvidia does, making the Nvidia a bit more future-proof. The newer architecture is really cool on Nvidia's cards...ATI are still working with fundamentally the same core as the 9700Pro.

[kprrok]

[eamo]

[FUBAR]

[muggie2dammit]

[Demophobe]

Well Muggie....if you do, let's go in together! I'm sure we would fold in a month, but not until we have put together a couple of rocking rigs for ourselves!

Could we write those off as business expenses?

Actually. the 9800Pro is only a tad less than the GeForce 6800GT. Funny how prices just don't drop here for older hardware. If one orders from the States, it's a cheap card, but not here. At least, the 256MB version, which for me, is the only way to go.

I currently have an ATI 9800XT that plays Doom3 @ 1168x864 (odd res?!) in "High Quality" mode and HL2 @ 1280x1024, everything on high. No stsutters on either game. Of course, no AA and only 8xAF for HL2, 16xAF for Doom (did you read about the ATI/Doom3 shader code path re-write? It actually plays faster on ATI hardware by cranking up the AF via the CP. Sanctioned by Carmack as a better alternative for ATI than the NV code path)

All in all, I am really pleased with my system still. Sure, the newer stuff is way faster, and I could be Dooming at 1600x1200, but it's not worth the cash for me right now.

I used to be a graphics nut, but putting my money into other investments has made me wake up to what gaming and computing is all about....gameplay. This is why the XBox is looking tempting, which is really something coming from me. I hold the console responsible for a lot of the slowdown in PC gaming. It's much easier for devs to write for the console, then port it to PC. The dreaded port; the death of good PC games.

However, it makes sense for them financially, and the consumer as well. Who really wants to drop $700 on a graphics card? I could buy an XBOX and a whole lot of titles for that cash.

Still, it's fun to read and keep up with the times, although it is a strong temptation.

[muggie2dammit]

[T-dot]

noob question.

how difficult is it to put together a rig? i'm just worried if i start, there is a chance i will have components all over the floor and staring at it until it magically comes together.

[Giant]

If you have never done it before, then get someone who has and watch him do it. Dont try it by yourself.