Any thoughts before I buy? **Also Need a 19" CRT for under $250

[Sappster]

Hey yall,

I have finally decided on what parts I am going to get to build my computer. This is what I have. If you see something that could be improved on, or have something to say go ahead, but I don't want it to add to the cost, I am trying to not make it so expensive, but I want some parts to be expensive becuase I know they are good and I want them.

Case: Antec 1080AMG $150.00 - Directron.com
MOBO: Asus A7N8X Deluxe - $153.00 - Newegg
CPU: AthlonXP1700+ throughbred - $57OEM - Newegg
HSF: Thermalright SK-6 - $16.24 - SVC.com
HD: BOUGHT WD 80GB SE
Mem: Mushkin 1-512MB DDR2700 - $230.00 - Mushkin.com
CDRom: Asus CD-S520 52X - $28.00 - Newegg

Total: $634.24

Now, I'm looking at buying the Viewsonic g90f 19"CRT which is about $240. Are there any suggestions for maybe a better quality and maybe cheaper 19" CRT? Any help and advice is appreciated. THanks for all your support guys!

 

[chizow]

Excellent case, but can be had for cheaper. Get it from Staples and use a coupon (try F@twallet.com) to get it around $120 or less shipped.

You may consider getting a SLK-800 or 700, not sure what is in that price range, but get something with an 80mm fan and lower rpms. Your ears (and maybe your neighbors) will thank you for it later.

RAM: I'd get a stick of Corsair XMS 3200 for cheaper instead of the Mushkin. Go to Googlegear.com for best prices on Corsair XMS. Its widely the best/most highly regarded RAM out there.

Mobo: Excellent, if you wanted to save a few bucks you could get it at www.essentialcomputers.com, but since you are getting your CPU from them as well, may be easier to go NewEgg.

Everything else looks great! As for a monitor, try getting in on a Dell deal with 10-20% off with some stackables. Dell has a good RMA policy on monitors, otherwise I'd recommend paying slightly more and picking up a monitor at a B&M. That way you can physically compare the monitors up close and have a convenient method of return if something goes wrong. CompUSA has a great selection...compare there, but don't necessarily buy from there unless the price is right.

Chiz

 

[Sappster]

I couldn't really find any HSF like the Thermalright SKL-700 & 800. Is Thermaltake VOLCANO 9 any good? It's copper base inserted. It's only $25.00 too which is VERY good for me. Let me know if this is a good and quiet HSF, thanks

 

[chizow]

Hehe they have them at SVC..

If you don't plan on overclocking, I would just get any heat sink fan that allows for an 80mm fan and just choose a low RPM fan (2500 or so) that gives you around 30CFM at 25-30dBA.

I personally use the Pal 8045 b/c it mounts to the base of the mobo through the 4 holes around the Socket A, but many find this to be more involved than they are willing to deal with. I just find clip-based HSFs to be more of a pain.

Any clip-based with the 3 hole clips should be pretty painless though. Both the SLK-700 and 800's have it, as well as the Volcano 9. Depending on your needs though, I would either get a lower rpm fan or a variable speed fan so you can adjust to your needs.

Chiz

 

[Sappster]

Well the thing is....I DO plan to O/C the 1700+ until I can get about 1900 out of it. I have heard many people hitting 1900 and some rarely getting 2000. So I do plan to O/C a little. Would that effect the 700 & 800 HSF? Would I want to get something different then?

 

[sniperruff]

i would substitute:
mushkin -> 2 sticks of 256mb crucial PC2100's. dual channel remember? they are on sale at bestbuy local stores if you can still find them
cd rom-> a cheap CDRW after rebates. aournd $30 for a lite-on or something. look on the hot deals forum

i think a nice samsung 19 inch CRT can be found for $200. FFD991 or something? pricewatch and pricegrabber is a nice place to start

HSF i have no clue. if you're not OCing or you don't know how to, get retail cheap. with 3 year warranty and a HSF that won't sound like the JFK airport. it sucks in OCing but if you are like me i don't want to mess around with stuff too much. OCing may make it faster but think of the prices of OCing:
1) good HSF, at least $20
2) artic silver, $10
3) additional case fans? $15
4) chance of screwing things up
5) time wasted on constant tweaking
6) noise noise noise
7) may shorten CPU life and everything inside. ram, video card, etc etc can also be danaged

even the real money part costs around $40. with $40 i can grab a 2000 or something!

not worth it IMO

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: BuffBoyBradley
Well the thing is....I DO plan to O/C the 1700+ until I can get about 1900 out of it. I have heard many people hitting 1900 and some rarely getting 2000. So I do plan to O/C a little. Would that effect the 700 & 800 HSF? Would I want to get something different then?

People will argue all day and night which is the best heat sink base, but cooling ability is more a function on the fan used IMO. I purchased my 8045 a year and a half ago for just about the same price it is selling for today. I don't have any plans to purchase another one as long as I have a Socket A CPU and mobo that supports the mounting holes. That's what you should consider in your buying decision. I've always told prospective OCers to buy something nicer now rather than buy something that leaves you unsatisfied and having to buy a better HSF later.

Honestly most current HSF's should get you to 1900+ PR speeds, thats only 1600mhz (a modest 130mhz OC) or so. The nicer ones will get you closer to actual mhz speeds of 1800-1900mhz, which gets you into the 2100+ to 2300+ PR rating areas. Reports have the 1800+ T-breds hitting 2 ghz (2400+ PR rating) with good HSFs and case cooling. Again, fan speed (with associated noise) will get you higher, but at that point I don't know if 100mhz extra is worth 20dBA of noise.

Personally I'd go with something that costs a little extra up front and have the peace of mind and headroom to OC more today and in the future. Again, a variable speed fan would be the way to go so you could adjust it to your needs and perhaps a different processor down the road.

Chiz

 

[RayEarth]

you can buy the viewsonic p95f+ for $263 shipped from provantage. This monitor is much better than the G90F, I have a g90f on a 2nd computer, it's not that good. Buying the g90f from a reliable place will cost $263 with tax and shipping. Compare the spec of the P95F+ with the G90F at viewsonic site and you will clearly see that the P95F+ are much better. There's a P95F model also, and this monitor is better that the newer P95F+, but it's not being sold widely anymore. If you trust half.com, someone is selling a new P95F for $299 shipped which is well worth the extra $36 but that's only if the half.com seller is reliable.