Building Computer (Recommendations?)

[Blahages]

Okay, I'm tired of my old POS PIV 1.8GHz, so I decided I'd build a new computer.

So far, I've determined the CPU I want, and the motherboard:

Motherboard: ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 $69.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157081

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ $347.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

I chose that motherboard because it supports AGP and PCI Express. So, I could use either or both at once. And, since I have an ATI AIW 9200 right now, It'd be cheaper, and probably smarter to do that then going for a strictly PCI Express motherboard and having to buy a new card, I would think

Just wondering... How does that motherboard look? I know it's on a new chipset that hasn't been out long, and it's an offbrand board, although it's still part of Asus.

Right now, with those two components, it adds up to $419.99 after shipping. However, I am on a budget, not sure how much right now, since I don't have a job at the moment (probably will soon though) and I have 1600$ right now, but I don't want to spend more then 700$ if I can help it.

Assuming I decided to change motherboards and go for a PCI Express based board of better quality, what would you recommend? I think that board is pretty good, especially for the price, but I'll let everyone put in their opinion.

The downside to getting a PCI Express only motherboard would be getting a new Video card. The thing is, I'm thinking about getting one anyway. But, the only problem is, is my current AGP card is an All-in-Wonder, so it has a TV Tuner. I just bought that less then a year ago, and I like using it. So, it'd probably be a waste to have to get rid of it. And, I haven't found any decent AIW PCIx cards for less then like 250-300$. Way too expensive.

So, does the motherboard look well enough to stick with it, and not go for a better quality one?

I'm definiately not getting a lower CPU. That one is the lowest I've seen that X2, and I need a dual core CPU. My computer right now almost dies when I use it. Heck, just a few minutes ago when I was looking up components, I had 43 Firefox tabs open in just one window of firefox. Then, I had 7 other Firefox windows open, with an average of 2-3 tabs each, along with wordpad, MS Word, and several applications open in the system tray. That's all with 512 meg of ram. It managed to do it though.

But, I can't do any extra strenuous multitasking. I'm a very hard user, although my laptop seems to withstand it.

The only other components besides Motherboard and CPU I have to upgrade right now is the RAM, and possibly the power supply (needs to be 20 pin). Any recommendations on RAM and a PSU? My current RAM is RDRAM PC600, and won't fit in hardly any motherboards, and my PSU is an Enlight 300 Watt, which I'm unsure of whether or not that'll power the computer well enough.

Thanks.

[Gothic_Knight]

Um...you want it within $700?...

I can help ya out with $1000 with that start...but there's no way you're gonna get enough money if you're a gamer...I suggest going down to a 3000+ Venice and OCing the hell out of it...but that's just me...

PC Power and Cooling makes damn good PSUs, but they're expensive...I'll recommend Antec...

And for the RAM...how much? 512? 1 gig? 2?

[Blahages]

Um...you want it within $700?...

I can help ya out with $1000 with that start...but there's no way you're gonna get enough money if you're a gamer...I suggest going down to a 3000+ Venice and OCing the hell out of it...but that's just me...

PC Power and Cooling makes damn good PSUs, but they're expensive...I'll recommend Antec...

And for the RAM...how much? 512? 1 gig? 2?

Well... Yes. It's not that hard to get within 700$ or so. I mean, things I have added right there are a little over 400$, so If I added, say 1gb of ram for 85$, and a PSU for like 35$ or so, that's 539.99$, and IF I add a video card, that's around 120-140$ depending on which card I get (Might not even get a card right now) and that's for a grand total of 659.99-679.99$

Less then 700$. I don't intend on getting anything other then those components. I have HDDs, and a Case. So, I'm fine with that. Also have a Monitor, keyboard, speakers, mouse, etc.

Nah, I couldn't live with getting a 3000+. My laptop is a 3400+, so... Yeah. Anyway, the X2 is Dual Core, so it's a lot better, and I've seen nothing but positive reviews on it. And, I've seen many people say they've successfully overclocked it to the equivalent of a 4400-4800+.

As for Ram, Sorry, I forgot to specify that. 1.0GB is what I'm going for. Preferably one stick of RAM, but seeing that there are 4 slots, and 2x512 is usually cheaper, I'll probably stick with that.

The reason I went with that board is the combination of price, both agpand pci express, and preformance. It holds up just as well as a lot of the higher priced and more recognized boards.

I'm not a big gamer. I rarely use my computers for gaming. I do rarely, and I intend to get CS Source sometime soon, and I have BF2 Demo, but those will run fine on that config. My main use is internet and having 50 billion processes opened. I'm going for something that can easily be upgraded later, or used for anything I throw at it. It even has a slot for an add-in card for a new AMD CPU and I believe a new type of ram that's supposed to come out in mid 2006. So, it should be good for a while.

With that config, I don't see how I'd have to go even close to 1000$.

[Gothic_Knight]

Well, if you're going for value parts, then yea, that'd work...however, I reccomend some things that are a little more stable for your PSU...such as Antec, OCZ, and PC P&C, if you wanna future proof...

I guess you want Value Ram then, right? Then it really doesn't matter...

NOTHING is future-proofed for M2. NOTHING. If you're going to upgrade to M2 (which is only going to be released on high X2s and FX), you'll need to shell out for a brand new processor, and DDR2, which to me, makes upgrading right now seems senseless.

[Blahages]

Well, if you're going for value parts, then yea, that'd work...however, I reccomend some things that are a little more stable for your PSU...such as Antec, OCZ, and PC P&C, if you wanna future proof...

Value parts? You mean the X2 3800? Uh, no. Other then that, the Motherboard, yes, I realize is a "value" board. But, then again, it has basically EVERYTHING a highend board has, except firewire, and I could easily buy a card for really cheap if I wanted that. And, It scores within 1 percent on average of many higher end boards. Sometimes beats them. Depends.

I'm going to look around in a minute, though, at POSSIBLY a different motherboard. I mean, I like that one, but IF I decide to buy a PCI Express card, I might as well get a better motherboard. The main thing is, I like my TV Tuner I have right now. If I go PCIe only, I'd lose the ability to use it in my main computer. I'd have to buy a seperate PCI card, since the AIW PCIe are EXTREMELY Expensive. Err, at least the better cards. I'd like to go with at least an X700 or if not that, at least an NVidia Equivalent. I don't know which card is equivalent yet, Though. Gotta look that up.

I guess you want Value Ram then, right? Then it really doesn't matter...

I never said that. I want something that works really good, but isn't 50 billion dollars. I don't want some Cheap quality RAM that's going to give me problems.


NOTHING is future-proofed for M2. NOTHING. If you're going to upgrade to M2 (which is only going to be released on high X2s and FX), you'll need to shell out for a brand new processor, and DDR2, which to me, makes upgrading right now seems senseless.

I never said it was future-proofed. I just stated the fact that it has that expansion slot. Anyway, I could care less about that slot. I don't have any plans of upgrading anytime soon after this one.

I might be willing to go higher, but I don't want to go to 1000, or at least not past it. I'm going to see if I can get my job back, since it was a paid internship at a local school district, and I only quit because I didn't know how my college hours would go. I'm sure I could get back in, at least 3 days a week. So, I might be able to spend a little more money.

Okay. :) If you don't like my selection of componets, why don't you layout a selection you deem worthy. Again, don't make it really expensive. You can get plenty of hardware that is just as good as the higher priced brands for cheaper many times.

[Blahages]

Okay, I might go with an all out PCIe Compatible board. If I do, how's this look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127215

And, I'm still open to suggestions :)

[Blahages]

for hard hitting your coputer go with good parts

OCZ RAM

DFI Lanparty UT mobo

i have a 500w thermaltake pure power PSU and its great

get upgraded cooling on the proccy

Okay, the Motherboard. Are you talking about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136159

Because there'a few different ones by that name. That one actually looks pretty good. A little pricy, but I can live with that.

Do you have that? If you do can you clear something up. It says it has a Serial and LPT Port. Does it? The pictures don't show it. I was wondering if there's some expansion card that comes with it or if the discription just lies. :) I guess it doesnt' really matter though. I can always hook my printer to my server.

The OCZ RAM... Which one is the best of these two?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227039
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146900

I assume the second is, since it boasts the title "Premiere" but I don't know. They're basically the same price too.


What wattage power supply would I need for this configuration:

DFI LanParty UT Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ X2
2 Radeon x700 PCI Express
2 HDDs
2 CDROMS (1 DVD, 1 CDRW)
2x512meg OCZ RAM

The 2xX700's will come in the future. Or, whichever card I go for. I'll go for one right now, and whenever I can save up another 120$ or so, I'll go for a second, maybe.

But, that's the "IF" situation. Just incase I go for that eventually, what would I need in terms of Power? I intend on getting a new case at some point, but it'd not going to need any power for LEDs or anything like that. I don't like those. Just what I said above, and a few extra fans.

For now, I'll stick with the Stock cooling, since the reviews I've seen of the X2 3800+ mostly all say that the CPU runs in the low to mid 30's anyway. And, I live in the basement anyway, so it'll run cooler anyway. Like my PIV 1.8GHz ran at 48-50C upstairs, and now that I'm downstairs, it Rarely gets over 35C on Maximum Stress, and idles around 28C.

[Gothic_Knight]

I never said the X2 was a value part. I didn't know if you wanted RAM with good timings or you could deal with Value Ram. That's all.

[nullandvoid123]

i have no idea whats going on here lol

[Blahages]

the mobo, good choice there are a couple of differnt lanpart ut mobos but that one is good

the RAM, get the second one, dual channel is always better

as for the PSU get a 500w

this is the one i have http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-twv500w-modular-psu.html it tells you how many watts your pulling and comes with a 120mm and fan two fan controllers, one for the fan on the psu and one for the 120mm fan that comes with it

Hmm... Both Types of RAM are Dual. :)

Wow. That PSU is expensive. 130$? Hmm... Seems kind of pricy.

[kolte]

this conversation is way the hell over my head, but its fun to listion to ^^

[Blahages]

We're just talking about different Components. ;)

most 500-600W PSU's are going to be about that range if they are a good brand, you dont want one that will crap out running those two video cards

How about this one?

Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

I found a case I want:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144026

But, it has a 420 Watt. Think that would be fine for the same config I listed above, but with one Video card right now? Because I have no intention of having 2 right now. That's just planning for the future, maybe.

[Gothic_Knight]

If your running a power supply under a load like what you will be doing especialy with a AthlonX2 in there i wouldnt trust a cheaper power supply much. I had a cheaper power supply like that in my computer im using now and over a period of about 1.5 yrs it has weak 12v and 5v rails so i just recently got a new one. Just remember, the powesrupply is the most important part of your computer, power supply gives bad voltage from being cheap, you pay for it with a bad motherboard or processor. Thats why i say get a good one thats not cheap and thats a good brand name.Exactly. A cheapo $60 won't cut it.

Antec and OCZ are both good in this area. However, if you want the best, and futureproofing, an SLI ready 510w/800w PC Power and Cooling are the two best on the market...they're $200 and $400 respectively...but they're good...

[Gothic_Knight]

Or the 1.1kW Pc Power and Cooling for $499.O_O I've NEVER seen that before...but now I want it :twisted:

[Blahages]

Hmm... Okay, thanks everyone. I finally decided on my config, and ordered it about an hour ago. I decided I might as well go all out. No point in slowing down my system with old crappy hardware :) (Like my DVDROM that wouldn't read my Burned DVDs, and my crappy HDDs):

AOpen Black IDE DVD Burner Model DUW1616ARR BLK - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827140117
Item #: N82E16827140117 $37.99
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L200S0 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822140168
Item #: N82E16822140168 $83.25
OCZ Premier Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model OCZ4001024V3DC-K - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146900
Item #: N82E16820146900 $91.44
DFI LanParty UT nF4-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4-4X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136159
Item #: N82E16813136159 $117.00
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
Item #: N82E16819103562 $347.00
POWERCOLOR R43CA-GD3D Radeon X800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131420
Item #: N82E16814131420 $162.00
ASPIRE X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144026
Item #: N82E16811144026 $51.99
Subtotal: $890.67
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $28.81
Total: $919.48

Only bad thing is, I placed the order on a Friday, and they don't process orders on weekends... So, it looks like I'll have to wait until Wed. to get my hardware, or at least according to one of my friends (who ordered from them on a friday).

[Blahages]

http://www.frozencpu.com/psu-176.html theres that mean sucker

and for going all out... ya ok i see value RAM, should have got the platinum series but oh well and that PSU the comes with the case isnt exactly what i had in mind either...

Uh, WTF? Okay, good thing you brought that PSU thing up. I'm not sure what happened, because I added an Antec 500 Watt to my cart. Somehow, It must have gotten removed.

Jeeze, Now I have to add that. There goes another 70$. I know I added that.

This one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

And, for the RAM, what's wrong with that RAM? I got the better of the two "value" rams that I posted earlier. I thought you recommended it anyway.

I don't see any bad reviews for that ram either. Which ram is good then? I can always cancel that ram order and get a different one.

And, by going all out, I meant getting everything all new components for everything.

[Blahages]

get the OCZ Platinum series RAM for one thing and the 1.1kw PSU from PC Power and Cooling

Ha. I'll look at the ram, but there's no way I'm getting that PSU :)

WAAAAAAAAAAY Too expensive.

I can't even view my account settings or change anything in my order right now anyway, because for some reason Newegg is doing some "routine maintanance."

EDIT: Okay, both are too expensive for me.

I don't even know if I want to add the 500 Watt PSU right now. I mean, that's another 70$. The 420 would probably be fine for right now.

But, I'll probably go with the 500 anyway. ...Just as soon as their site starts working right again, and anyway I have to wait until my dad's up tomorrow morning to change anything, because it's under his account, and I don't have his credit card number. I know his Username/Password, which I'm not sure if he knows I know, but....

He'll probably get cranky because even though I have the money and do pay him back all the money that it's putting on his card, he gets annoyed with it. I think I need a debit card. :)

[Blahages]

Okay, I'm starting to dislike Newegg. Jeeze. Somehow it removed the PSU, in the first place, now, I go back and try to add it, and A.) the server is undergoing maintanance, and B.) It looks like they suddenly are out of that psu. WTF? It says "Autonotify" now.

[Blahages]

I would, but I'm already way past my original starting price.

I just gotta look around for another psu. I think right now with the stuff I'll have running in it for now it will be fine with the 420, if I can't find a good one soon enough. But, it's pushing it. I found this PSU Wattage Calculator, and it says I'd need anywhere between around 380-90 to 549 watts depending on my config, 390 being with one video card, and with the components I bought today, and a few other hdds. The higher being with two cards, 4-5 HDDs, and a few other things going.

Hey, do you know Newegg's policy on Refurbished products?

Because I found this just now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131418R

And, it looks good, but it says no accessories are included with refurbished products. It looks like it needs a power connector for the card from the PSU, but I don't know if that's included in the Accessories.

[uhh-wtf]

dammit, my beautiful posts, all gone, 568 posts all gone, took me a long time to get that far to