Building a Computer

[jbhitter24]

Im looking to build a computer under $750, not counting the cost of the OS, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. I think what I have so far is pretty good and I want to know if there are any better parts for my price. I will most likely use the computer for music, school, and gaming (nothing heavy like Doom or WoW). For the processor I have been leaning towards Athlon, but I hear the new Intel's are going to be much better. I wouldnt have a problem waiting for the new intel's as long as they are really worth waiting for.

-Processor-$252.80
REFURBISHED: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor ? OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103531R

-Graphics Card-$189.00
XFX PV-T73G-UDE3 Geforce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150141

-Motherboard-$102.00
PC CHIPS M863G V5.1C AMD Athlon XP Mobile 2800+ Socket A (Socket 462) SiS 741GX Micro ATX Motherboard/CPU Set ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813185063

-Hard Drive-$59.99
Ultra Series 250GB Hard Drive
http://www.compusa.com/products/product...perid=9481695915E84FC38A6D930977061852

-RAM- $69.33
Kingston HyperX 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) System Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144173

-Case-$69.00
ASPIRE X-CRUISE -BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144151


Total: $742.78

Thank You!

 

[Bobthelost]

I'd go for a single core CPU and a better graphicss card.

Your motherboard is socket A, you need socket 939.

The RAM is incompatible with the motherboard, 939 motherboards or any AMD system at all. You also need 1GB in 2 sticks, budget RAM is best bang for buck.

You'll need a new PSU, think about a 400W fortron.

The new intels will be better, but they won't be here for around five months.

 

[996GT2]

Most of your parts are incompatible-AMD doesnt take DDR2 right now, your mobo is not S939, etc

Go with this config instead:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Core
EvGA 7600GT or Sapphire X850XT
Motherboard: EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra or DFI Lanparty Ultra D
Memory: 1GB Kingston HyperX PC3200 (if rebate is still on), or 1 GB G.Skill PC3200 value or OCZ valueRAM, etc
PSU-400 or 450W Fortron AX series

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Welcome new guy.

You did the right thing...You asked before you bought. HaRahh!!! Your amoung a select few that do.

Homework http://www.mechbgon.com/ Mech is a respected member here and with the help of many, put together this first time builders guide. He covers all four common chips.
Lots of pics and several corny jokes. Well worth the read.


...Galvanized

 

[Ika]

I would definitely go for 1GB ram, since 512 is getting on the low end. also, I would drop the processor and pick up an Opteron dual-core for a little more money (forgot the model number, 146???). Oh and make sure your parts are compatible, a la 996GT2. And you might want to get a motherboard instead of a mobo-CPU set.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Yes rethink the build with one thing in mind...COMPATIBILITY. Read the guide mentioned above two or three times and remember that all computer parts don't automatically work with all other computer parts. Particularly watch your CPU/Motherboard socket compatibilty and your RAM/motherboard compatibility.

I'd hate to be the one trying to put all that together .

Go for 1g RAM as mentioned above. Value RAM is ok but try to stick with the name brands (Kingston, Mushkin, OCZ, Crucial, Corsair to name a few) as they often offer superior warranties. I like your choice of graphics cards. Also my personal opinion is to stay away from refurbished parts, but then again many have had no trouble with them so that's up to you.

I'd suggest starting with 996GT2's recommendation and editing your post accordingly for our appraisal.

GL HF

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: guoziming
I would definitely go for 1GB ram, since 512 is getting on the low end. also, I would drop the processor and pick up an Opteron dual-core for a little more money (forgot the model number, 146???). Oh and make sure your parts are compatible, a la 996GT2. And you might want to get a motherboard instead of a mobo-CPU set.

146 is the 2 GHz single Core Opteron, if you want to get dual core get an entry level Athlon X2 or Opteron. The lowest priced X2 is the 2.0GHz 3800+ Manchester Core, with 512K Cache per core (1MB total). Cache is very fast memory that the porocessor can access in a quick time instead of going to the much slower RAM. It performs well stock and later on if you want to overclock it it will go to FX57 speeds. Same goes for the Opteron, except it costs about $30 more, has a much better stock heatsink (equal to a $30 ThermalRight XP90, one of the best out there), and has 1 MB cache per core (2MB total). However, it runs at 1.8GHz versus 2 GHz for the 3800, just a slight difference and one that won't be noticed. It will OC a lot, and lots of people say that the Opteron is the better OCing chip.

If you buy an opteron, make sure it's a 1XX series (i.e. 165) and not a 2XX or 8XX series. Those are socket 940 and are geared for server use, supporting up to 2 and 8 processors, respectively.

Look around on Anandtech Forums, around this site for reviews, etc, and google some basics to computer building to learn the basics before you buy and build.

Good luck

 

[996GT2]

EDIT for last post (my browser is not letting me open the edit window)
When I said FX57 speeds I meant FX60

 

[jbhitter24]

ok...so i understand the whole compatibilty issue now.
but about the processor. What exactly is a dual drive, is it like dual RAM, or does it have better performance? Also, is the difference between an Athlon 64 3600+ and 3400+ a noticeable difference when actually use the computer. Another thing, is the case something to be reviewed and researched upon, or is it a matter of personnel preference (My case wouldnt move its location very often, it would be under my desk the majority of its life)

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Search around on this forum for answers

 

[996GT2]

By Dual Drive i think you mean dual core? Dual core is simply two separate processor cores mounted on a single core. Think of it as having two processors. This helps a lot in multitasking or with apps that are multithreaded. Newer games will also be multithreaded. Performance is similar to a single core processor of the same clock speed and type in single-threaded applications, but in multithreaded applications dual core processors will show their power.

Btw, an Athlon 64 3600+ does not exist. The 3400+ is an older 754 socket or an older socket 939 newcastle core. Performance will be lower than that of the newer Venice/San Diego/Venus cores (single-core) or Manchester/Toledo/Denmark (dual-Core)

I'll explain these cores to you:
Single-core:
Venice-512K L2 cache (some processors are 3000+, 3200+, 3500+, 3800+)
San Diego-same as venice, but with 1 MB L2 cache (some processors are 3700+, 4000+)
Venus-Same as San Diego, but found only on Opteron 144 to Opteron 152 processors and OC better than the other cores

Dual-Core:
Manchester-Essentially 2 venice cores on a single die, with 2*512K cache (Manchester core processors are the 3800+, 4200+, 4600+)
Toledo-Essentially 2 San Diego cores on a single die, with 2*1MB cache (Toledo Core Processors are 4400+, 4800+. 3800+ also comes in Toledo but with half the cache, and is not widely found)
Denmark-Same as Toledo, but only found on Opteron 165-185 processors and are believed to OC better than the other cores

For your application, I suggest getting a Venus Core Opteron 146 (prolly best for cheap OCing with its 10X multiplier), and for Dual core, I suggest the X2 3800+ or Opteron 165. The 165 has a better heatsink than the 3800+, which is worth about $30.


As for the case:
What budget are you on? Do you want quiet or max cooling? Gamer look or classic look? Look around on the Case forums for one that suits you

Good brands: Cooler Master, Antec, Lian-Li, etc

 

[jbhitter24]

Ok, from all of your helpful suggestions I think these will most likely be the components im going to purchase. And for the case, im either going with the Thermaltake Tsunami or the COOLER MASTER Centurion, not sure which one yet, but id like it quite. I think all the parts are compatible, but im not sure if the motherboard supports the dual drive.

- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
$295.00

- eVGA 256-P2-N553-AX Geforce 7600GT CO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283
$174.00

- Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144114
$67.99

- EP-9NPA+ULTRA NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Socket 939 with PCI-E, Audio, SATA II, GbE, IEEE 1394, ATX
http://www.epox.com/usa/product.asp?id=EP-9NPAplusULTRA
$77.95

- Ultra Series 250GB Hard Drive
http://www.compusa.com/products/product...perid=9481695915E84FC38A6D930977061852
$59.99

- Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133132
$93.99

- COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119094
$44.99

- COOLER MASTER Real Power RS-450-ACLX ATX12V 450W Power Supply Nemko / TUV / cUL / CE / BSMI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171005
$59.99

Thank you for all of your help!

 

[SlitheryDee]

I like the 2 120mm and 1 90mm fans on the thermaltake although it does lack a side air duct like the coolermaster.

Looking at Epox's website I don't see any bios updates for the EP-9NPA+ULTRA that support dual core processors. You might want to rethink your motherboard or processor choice unless someone else knows where you can get a bios for that motherboard with Athlon X2 support. Also while that maxtor HD is roomy it also has an 8mb cache, I would suggest looking for a Western Digital, Seagate, or other name brand with a 16mb cache even though that would probably push your HD expense up to around the $100 mark.

 

[jbhitter24]

yeah...motherboard and processor work, i checked the website.
"All Epox socket 939 models support Athlon64 X2 Dual Core CPU."

(This is a really stupid question but im a newb with all this)
What does the cache size do? does it determine how fast the data is transfered form the HD?

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: jbhitter24
yeah...motherboard and processor work, i checked the website.
"All Epox socket 939 models support Athlon64 X2 Dual Core CPU."

(This is a really stupid question but im a newb with all this)
What does the cache size do? does it determine how fast the data is transfered form the HD?

I really don't know the mechanics of it, but I know that increased cache does = better HD performance in many situations. This is the result of a quick google for your (and my) edification.

"Hard Disk Cache

Hard disk cache's are an important element of a computer system whose primary aim is to increase overall system performance by saving data in faster banks of RAM.

Hard drives have a cache built in to hold data that is being written to or read from the hard disk. The purpose of doing so tries to reduce the number of occasions in which data has to be physically written and read from the hard disk platter. By retaining recent data within the cache performance is increased as this memory is much faster and saves time on repeat recalls.

The other primary function of a cache is to try to match speeds between devices so that the faster device is not held up, or isn't held up as much. In the case of a printer the cache stores data sent to the printer from the system where it is held until the printer is able to print it off. This enables the system to continue other tasks whilst the printers cache holds onto the information.

Cache's exist also in the computers operating system where a specified amount of RAM is set aside for storing repeatedly used data to again reduced the amount that has to be written on to the hard drive. Users can adjust their system cache but must make sure that they do not allow too much RAM to be used in this manor and hence cause less RAM to be available for programs which in turn have to use hard disk memory thus defeating the intent."

 

[JSFLY]

Actually if your not going to be doing anything heavy on your computer (Music, school and light games) I wouldnt go for a dual core. here are some good/cheaper alternative cpus:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

Good value Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569
or get this if you feel like overclocking your system
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152

Value ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145480
Ive had good experience with this ram, solid and stable. The ones I had even ran at DDR 440!
or get ocz/gskill if your going to overclock and buy the DFI mobo


As for the Video card, I'd get an 850xt. Newegg has em for $160 and they are faster than 7600gts.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Most of your parts are incompatible-AMD doesnt take DDR2 right now, your mobo is not S939, etc

Go with this config instead:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Core
EvGA 7600GT or Sapphire X850XT
Motherboard: EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra or DFI Lanparty Ultra D
Memory: 1GB Kingston HyperX PC3200 (if rebate is still on), or 1 GB G.Skill PC3200 value or OCZ valueRAM, etc
PSU-400 or 450W Fortron AX series


agree