Attn. All Experts: My New Comuter, Parts List, Comments Please!!!

[poohhairt]

I'm getting ready to build my new computer for college. This is my current shopping list. I have the case already, along with a logitech wireless optical set. A 15in LCD is on the way. I'll be getting the CDRW and DVD from the office depot deal this weekend. I'll paint them to match the case. Below is my current parts list. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. I'm open to some changes. I've tried to keep a budget but still get the latest technology. If I've forgotten any critical components, please let me know!

P4 2.26 533mhz, socket 478 $241 Link
Epox ep-4g4a+ motherboard ~$125 Link
MUSHKIN DDR 512MB PC-3000 $174 (newegg)
removed:Guillemot Hercules 3D Prophet 8500 128MB DDR W/TV-Out and DVI - RETAIL $129 (newegg)
new vid card: ATI Radeon 8500 Retail, $130 at Buy.com
Antec PLUS660B Performance Plus Series Case

edit: Forgot to mention, I have a WD 120gb w/ 8mb cache here too. Got it for about $150.

 

[MikeMike]

i dont know how ur going to comute ne where in that thing!! lol.

Get a 1.6a and overclock it then sppend the money saved on a ti4200 and a nice 80gb wd se w/ 8mb cache

 

[poohhairt]

I would prefer to not overclock, at least for the start. I probably will later on. I picked the higher P4 because of the 533 fsb and its ability to overclock too. I had forgotten to list a hard drive earlier, it's a WD 120gb SE. I would be open to vid card suggestions. The Herc just seems like a good price for a solid card. I don't do much gaming, just an occational level or 2 of RTCW.

 

[Judgement]

I would spend $15 more and get a Geforce4 Ti4200 from newegg.

Besides that you look ok. I don't like the prices on the higher end P4 processors, I would personanlly get a 1.6A but its perfectly understandable, if you don't wish to overclock it makes sense to buy the one you have chosen.

 

[human2k]

1.6A costs as much a 1.8A ($12 difference).......I would ditch that Hercules card.......according to reviews at digilife that card at 300/300 performs on par with ati 8500...hercules has some performance issues with samsung ram....there suppose to resolve it with a bios update. Get the 128MB 8500LE Retail @ mwave.com......only $117 and its ATI original!

 

[poohhairt]

edit: Just saw the hot deal for 8500 retail at buy.com for about $130 after coupon, I jumped on that. $130 shipped for a retail Radeon 8500 is a good deal. Plus it comes with a gamepad that is going on ebay for about $20.

The retail 8500le at mwave looks good, but I don't see DVI support. I'll be needing that for the future. I want my vid card to have 128mb and DVI. Beyond that, I'm flexible. Like I said, I'm not a gamer, but I would like that option. Thanks for all the help, and keep it coming!

 

[poohhairt]

Another question, how hard is it to paint drives? I plan to save some money by going with beige cdrw and dvd drives. Is painting a floppy more difficult, because of the spring-hinged door? I have an Antec "black" case, slightly grey. Thanks for the help.

 

[VBboy]

I like GeForce4 4600, for example.