This is my first actual post, but I've read what feels like thousands on these forumns. So as my first post please allow me to give a brief introduction of where I'm comming from before i get to the Brain fried part.
I built last system just over 3 yrs ago with help from a friend(P3-450). So my ability is 50-50. I have spent the last 3 weeks reading every article/forum I could find. So knowledge is about as good as I'm gonna get it without your help. Budget= $1000(limited bby wife and 2 kids), but again I hardly ever upgrade between rebuilds, which I know alot of you are gonna say is nuts, buts its just how I am. So assume system will stay same for 2-3 years. Also system will be used for 40% surfin the net, 10% short-medium movie clips, 50% online mmorg games-specifically asheron's call 2 here shortly.
Ok after a ton of reading I believe I have arrived at what I want, but I also have some questions(probabley dumb ones), but I am so afraid of making a mistake that I just had to post and ask. This is where the Fried Brain comes in. My mind cant handle anymore numbers, etc. I ahve about 30 pages of notes and I am just about burnt out here. Please help if you can by answering the dumb questions, and making any system changes you feel I need. Also since this time I will be building by myself, if you have any tips on setings, please feel free to post em. Also Note I am not knowledgable enough, nor do I desire to overclock. so everything will run stock.
Monitor- will be using my old one a samsung syncmaster 955dynaflat-19"
Purchsaes:
Case-wanted an antec 1080amg PP, but due to budget looks like I'll be going with a Cheiftec DX-01wd with its included 400w power supply and 2 fans from Newegg-$79.00
Motherboard- was a toss up between the Gigabyte 81exp and the Auss P4b533-E. I have sortof decided on the Gigabyte because it has the built in NIC and the built in Creative sound. DUMB QUESTION: the specs on this board under memory lists pc1600 and pc 2100, but does not list pc2700. so does this mean that pc2700 ram will not work on this board? many test articles I have read claim to have used pc2700 on this board, so I am guessing it works, but want to make sure. Also, even if it works, does the board not fully support the advanced pc2700 ram? meaning it works, but you get no advanced performance over pc2100? New-egg price on gigabyte=$130
CPU- Right now waiting till Monday to see the price decreases, but I will be going either P4-2.53 or P4-2.4B, reatail version either way to get included fan, etc.. Dumb Question: Newegg lists it in description of retail box "No Rambus Ram". Now its a retail box, so I assume that this means nothing, but could someone assure me of this? Just want to make sure I am not missing something here.
CDR-Looked at plextor, moved to Lite-on due to price, moved to Free one being given to me by friend who upgraded his. I am not sure make of the free one, and I dont think it matters, as I run all software from Hard drive so the Cd reader part isnt real important to me as long as it works. Also I have never owned a burner before. So I am assuming than any burner will be a nice change, as I am only looking at burning maybe 20 CD's /year. So it will be nice to have but I wont be using it alot. Also can someone point me in a direction of a dumbie's easy to use, free cd burner program that will allow me to create cd's for use in a car? or even better yet one that converts video files to be burned to cd for use on a dvd player on tv as a vcd? Please looking for EASY to use, and freee🙂
Ram- ok looking at 512 of pc2700. Everyone says crucial all the way so I am probabley going that route. basic question, do I want 1-512 or 2-256? also I know my chip runs 533fsb, board claims 533 fsb, but i read articles about ram at 266/333 fsb. Now either Im confusing terms or im'm at a loss here. In short am I safe to assume that I want pc2700 over pc2100? Also I know crucial is cl2.5 and that by logic anyother ram at cl2.0 should be better, but I have read time and time again that crucial at cl2.5 will still outperform most other rams that are at cl2.0. Is this true? Keep in minf my online gaming and maybe help me out here. Crucial 512 pc2700=$178 at Crucial
Hard drive- many mixed reviews here, but definatelt a 7200rpm. Stuck between the Maxtor(which is the quiet drive worth the extra money?) and the WDspecial(is the 8mb cache really any advantage over a 2mb cache at these speeds?). Most reviews go with Maxtor, but I'm scared because at current I own the old Quantum Fireball and it stinks... So since maxtor and quantum are together I am once again scared. Maxtor 40=$78, Maxtor 80=$118, both newegg
Video card- well not much to be said here, cant afford the new ATI, but graphics is a must, so going with the MSI TI 4600. I did see there are 2 different models, one with video in and one without. Dumb Question: is video in what it sounds like? In other words does it mean I can hook my tv to the computer and watch tv on it without a tv tuner? If not what does Video in actually do?
Sound Card- Looked at SB audigy, but went with Free onboard sound on Gigabyte because many reviews lately state that the onboard sound chip is the same chip on the SBLive. Again, I paly games and watch a few movies, but I will be using cheapo $15 JUSTler active 95 integrated amplified speakers I have from old system. So I believe I am ok with just sticking with the onboard sound, as I'm no music enthusiast.
Mouse- Definately a dual optical mouse, only question is Logitech or Microsoft, I am right handed and really like the ones made for right handed people over the one made fro right or left handed. So leaning towards the Microsoft 3.0a $31 newegg
Keyboard-whatever cheap one the local shop has. I've had internet keyboards before and I ahte em.. Too many buttons and drivers, etc. Just stickin with a basic keboard 🙂
Floppy Drive-Free no-name one being given to me.
OS- Ok I have an original copy of Windows 982nd Edit. Was looking at going with 2000 or xp, but for the price I just cant justify it. Again, I am not a computer wizz and my usage is basic, so can anyone help verify my choice, or on the other hand tell me I'm stupid and need to upgrade-if so why?
NIC-Free onboard and is actual intel NIC so I think I shuld be fine.
Modem- Dont laugh, but rather cry for me. I am stuck with crappy Adelphia Cable network. Currently using their free Terayon TJ110. thinking of upgrading to a srfboard 4200. Cant find much reading on cable modems so just picked that one because its the only one supported by Adelphia that Newegg carries and since most parts coming from neweeg just figured it would be simpler. Can anyone tell me if i will get improved connections/speed with a new modem, etc?
I thank you all for any info/advice you post. And I also apologize as I am a mild user and dont know how to spellcheck within the posting so please forgive my misspelled words.
I built last system just over 3 yrs ago with help from a friend(P3-450). So my ability is 50-50. I have spent the last 3 weeks reading every article/forum I could find. So knowledge is about as good as I'm gonna get it without your help. Budget= $1000(limited bby wife and 2 kids), but again I hardly ever upgrade between rebuilds, which I know alot of you are gonna say is nuts, buts its just how I am. So assume system will stay same for 2-3 years. Also system will be used for 40% surfin the net, 10% short-medium movie clips, 50% online mmorg games-specifically asheron's call 2 here shortly.
Ok after a ton of reading I believe I have arrived at what I want, but I also have some questions(probabley dumb ones), but I am so afraid of making a mistake that I just had to post and ask. This is where the Fried Brain comes in. My mind cant handle anymore numbers, etc. I ahve about 30 pages of notes and I am just about burnt out here. Please help if you can by answering the dumb questions, and making any system changes you feel I need. Also since this time I will be building by myself, if you have any tips on setings, please feel free to post em. Also Note I am not knowledgable enough, nor do I desire to overclock. so everything will run stock.
Monitor- will be using my old one a samsung syncmaster 955dynaflat-19"
Purchsaes:
Case-wanted an antec 1080amg PP, but due to budget looks like I'll be going with a Cheiftec DX-01wd with its included 400w power supply and 2 fans from Newegg-$79.00
Motherboard- was a toss up between the Gigabyte 81exp and the Auss P4b533-E. I have sortof decided on the Gigabyte because it has the built in NIC and the built in Creative sound. DUMB QUESTION: the specs on this board under memory lists pc1600 and pc 2100, but does not list pc2700. so does this mean that pc2700 ram will not work on this board? many test articles I have read claim to have used pc2700 on this board, so I am guessing it works, but want to make sure. Also, even if it works, does the board not fully support the advanced pc2700 ram? meaning it works, but you get no advanced performance over pc2100? New-egg price on gigabyte=$130
CPU- Right now waiting till Monday to see the price decreases, but I will be going either P4-2.53 or P4-2.4B, reatail version either way to get included fan, etc.. Dumb Question: Newegg lists it in description of retail box "No Rambus Ram". Now its a retail box, so I assume that this means nothing, but could someone assure me of this? Just want to make sure I am not missing something here.
CDR-Looked at plextor, moved to Lite-on due to price, moved to Free one being given to me by friend who upgraded his. I am not sure make of the free one, and I dont think it matters, as I run all software from Hard drive so the Cd reader part isnt real important to me as long as it works. Also I have never owned a burner before. So I am assuming than any burner will be a nice change, as I am only looking at burning maybe 20 CD's /year. So it will be nice to have but I wont be using it alot. Also can someone point me in a direction of a dumbie's easy to use, free cd burner program that will allow me to create cd's for use in a car? or even better yet one that converts video files to be burned to cd for use on a dvd player on tv as a vcd? Please looking for EASY to use, and freee🙂
Ram- ok looking at 512 of pc2700. Everyone says crucial all the way so I am probabley going that route. basic question, do I want 1-512 or 2-256? also I know my chip runs 533fsb, board claims 533 fsb, but i read articles about ram at 266/333 fsb. Now either Im confusing terms or im'm at a loss here. In short am I safe to assume that I want pc2700 over pc2100? Also I know crucial is cl2.5 and that by logic anyother ram at cl2.0 should be better, but I have read time and time again that crucial at cl2.5 will still outperform most other rams that are at cl2.0. Is this true? Keep in minf my online gaming and maybe help me out here. Crucial 512 pc2700=$178 at Crucial
Hard drive- many mixed reviews here, but definatelt a 7200rpm. Stuck between the Maxtor(which is the quiet drive worth the extra money?) and the WDspecial(is the 8mb cache really any advantage over a 2mb cache at these speeds?). Most reviews go with Maxtor, but I'm scared because at current I own the old Quantum Fireball and it stinks... So since maxtor and quantum are together I am once again scared. Maxtor 40=$78, Maxtor 80=$118, both newegg
Video card- well not much to be said here, cant afford the new ATI, but graphics is a must, so going with the MSI TI 4600. I did see there are 2 different models, one with video in and one without. Dumb Question: is video in what it sounds like? In other words does it mean I can hook my tv to the computer and watch tv on it without a tv tuner? If not what does Video in actually do?
Sound Card- Looked at SB audigy, but went with Free onboard sound on Gigabyte because many reviews lately state that the onboard sound chip is the same chip on the SBLive. Again, I paly games and watch a few movies, but I will be using cheapo $15 JUSTler active 95 integrated amplified speakers I have from old system. So I believe I am ok with just sticking with the onboard sound, as I'm no music enthusiast.
Mouse- Definately a dual optical mouse, only question is Logitech or Microsoft, I am right handed and really like the ones made for right handed people over the one made fro right or left handed. So leaning towards the Microsoft 3.0a $31 newegg
Keyboard-whatever cheap one the local shop has. I've had internet keyboards before and I ahte em.. Too many buttons and drivers, etc. Just stickin with a basic keboard 🙂
Floppy Drive-Free no-name one being given to me.
OS- Ok I have an original copy of Windows 982nd Edit. Was looking at going with 2000 or xp, but for the price I just cant justify it. Again, I am not a computer wizz and my usage is basic, so can anyone help verify my choice, or on the other hand tell me I'm stupid and need to upgrade-if so why?
NIC-Free onboard and is actual intel NIC so I think I shuld be fine.
Modem- Dont laugh, but rather cry for me. I am stuck with crappy Adelphia Cable network. Currently using their free Terayon TJ110. thinking of upgrading to a srfboard 4200. Cant find much reading on cable modems so just picked that one because its the only one supported by Adelphia that Newegg carries and since most parts coming from neweeg just figured it would be simpler. Can anyone tell me if i will get improved connections/speed with a new modem, etc?
I thank you all for any info/advice you post. And I also apologize as I am a mild user and dont know how to spellcheck within the posting so please forgive my misspelled words.
