Help Building My New Computer

SpydeR · Rated PG-13 Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 45

I'm building a new machine, but I'm very new at this and need some advice. I'm looking to spend somewhere around $1500. Here's what I've put together so far:

MB: ASUS 865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU
Cost: $130

CPU: Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512KB Cache, Hyper Threading Technology
Cost: $230

RAM: Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
Cost: $170 (Each chip is $85. getting 2 for 1GB)

CD1: LITE-ON BLACK 16X DVD ROM Drive
Cost: $36

CD2: Lite-On Black 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive
Cost: $37

Video: ATI RADEON 9800XT Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Cost: $461

Sound Card:Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI Sound Card
Cost: $74

Case w/ Power Supply: Chieftec Black Server Case with 450W Power Supply
Cost: $95

HD: Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive
Cost: $96

OS: Windows XP Pro
Cost: $200

TOTAL SYSTEM COST SO FAR: $1529

Questions

1) Where's a good online guide to building your own computer?

2) Does all this stuff fit inside my computer case?(I'm newb)

3) Does the Corsair RAM fit inside the RAM Bus on the MB?

4) Any of these parts have you personally had a bad experience with?

5) What should I do for cooling on this computer? I honestly have no idea O_O

6) What am I missing for the Hard Drive? Network Card? Floppy Drive? /shrug

-SpydeR

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 16:44:14 Post Subject:

First question... Do you plan on OverClocking?

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 16:53:21 Post Subject:

Hi... welcome aboard!

I would say you definitely have some high end stuff there. A solid pc for sure...

1. Not sure about one guide... but there is plenty of help available around the web... and right here!
2. YES
3. The DDR memory you picked will work well with that board... but don't use the term RAMBUS... Laughing

4. NO... No bad experiences, but I have a hard time justifying and XT over a PRO (9800) when the price difference ($200ish) doesn't really translate to that much performance (in my opinion)... And maybe, spend some of that money saved on higher end memory and not value series.
5. Looks like the case has decent provisions for cooling, and comes with 3 fans... Maybe add 2 more 80mm fans for air intake in the front and see how that works before spending money on anything more elaborate.
6. Looks like you have a good hard drive, and the motherboard has a network card built in. You may want a floppy, but I don't use them any more. On some boards you still need one for BIOS flashing. How about some speakers? I like the Logitech Z640's... can't go wrong for 5.1 channel at about $60...

Mr. T

evilburl · Posted: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 17:31:54 Post Subject:

here is somthing to read http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/ Wave

Spire · Posted: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 21:26:16 Post Subject:

I'll second what BB said about the 9800 XT. Save some and get the 9800 pro and upgrade the memory to Corsair XMS (even the LL or Low Latency if possible) style over the lesser.

The rest looks to be a very nice system.

Oh and those Z640's are the best deal on the planet!!!

SpydeR · Rated PG-13 Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 45

Thanks guys, I changed a couple things around.

Video: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 256MB DDRII, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Cost: $315

RAM: CORSAIR XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700LL
Cost: $246 (Each chip is $113. getting 2 for 1GB)

Speakers: Logitech Z640 5.1 Speakers
Cost: $65

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a - Full Version
Cost: $137

Total cost now, with speakers added on(thanks again BB) is $1404

Questions

1) As for Overclocking, I may plan on doing it, is it possible with my Machine?

2) Anyone know how newegg does it's payments? When you charge something to the credit card do you have to pay for it full right away? (I really am newb, not too much online buying)

3) Any further suggestions?

Thanks again,
-SpydeR Pirate

Dud3! · Posted: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 00:48:29 Post Subject:

No Audigy! I don't know a thing about the current Intel boards, but if it was an NF2 board I would say onboard audio. Otherwise, get an m-audio card...

**JimBowy** · Moderator Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 1627

Dude, why are you against the Audigy? Its a great working soundcard... sure compared to some NF2 boards its equivalent in performance, but its by far not a bad card.

Spire · Posted: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 01:25:17 Post Subject:

The Audigy 2 is a great card, however it is also a huge resource hog. I have heard great things about the M cards. I would never trade my onboard soundstorm for an audigy 2.

I know I am being picky, but you are going to need to get the Corsair TwinX (XMS) LL but in at least the PC3200 speeds... Dont sacrifice the equipment you have running slower memory. I didnt notice the PC 2700 you had speced in teh first list before or I would have noted it.

SpydeR · Rated PG-13 Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 45

Alright I think I'm starting to put on the finishing touches, here's my whole list after much debate =P

MB: ASUS 865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU
Cost: $130

CPU: Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512KB Cache, Hyper Threading Technology
Cost: $230

RAM: Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
Cost: $273

CD1: LITE-ON BLACK 16X DVD ROM Drive
Cost: $36

CD2: Lite-On Black 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive
Cost: $37

Video: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 256MB DDRII, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Cost: $315

Sound Card:Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI Sound Card
Cost: $74

Case w/ Power Supply: Chieftec Black Server Case with 450W Power Supply
Cost: $95

HD: Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive
Cost: $96

Speakers: Logitech Z640 5.1 Speakers
Cost: $65

Extra Cooling: CoolerMaster Blue 80mm Neon LED Fan
Cost: $18 (getting 2 for $9 each, front case fans)

Optional Extra Cooling: Speeze 80mm DC Case fan
Cost: $4 (getting 2 for $2 each, backup plan if they run out of the CoolerMaster =P)

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a - Full Version OEM
Cost: $138

TOTAL SYSTEM COST: $1507

Questions

1) Anything wrong/doesn't fit?

2) Considering Vantec AeroFlow VP4-C7040 For Intel P4 478 for a CPU HSF, worth it?

3) Should I get:

Sound Card:Turtle Beach 6-Channel PCI Sound Card, Model "Santa Cruz"
Cost: $49

OR

Sound Card:Hercules 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card
Cost: $45

4) More Suggestions?

Thanks again,
-SpydeR Pirate