Building a new computer. Guidance on components would be most appreciated...

[stiper327b]

Hello all.

So far, I've got the following components in my GoogleGear cart. All I gotta do is press the checkout button. But, before I did so, I thought I might get some feedback from the people who really know what they're doing.

Motheboard: Abit IC7 - $143.98
Processor: Pentium 4 3.0c - $433.00
RAM: Corsair TWINX512-3200LLPT 512MB DDR400 - $154.38
Hard Drive: Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200RPM - $87.00

Total for the current configuration: $818.33

I plan on using this rig for video editing, hardcore gaming (will be getting the Nvidia 5900 Ultra soon), and various other media creation, mainly with Adobe programs. I have never overclocked before, but what the hell, I'm gonna give it a shot. It's only money, right?

Now, here are some of my concerns:

First: Should I stay with the IC7, or go with another board? I'm looking at the Asus P4C800, or possibly even the P4P800. The Albatron PX865PE Pro II is looking nice also.

Second: Is the Corsair good for this mb, or should I go with the (cheaper) Kingston? I could get a gig of Kingston for the price of the Corsair.

Third: Are the benefits of Serial ATA that noticeable over EIDE, or should I stay with EIDE? And is a RAID configuration worth it?

Fourth: Could I borrow some money?

Thanks for any input that you see fit to impart upon my petty noob existence.

 

[stiper327b]

Tough crowd tonight. Bumpity bump.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: stiper327b
First: Should I stay with the IC7, or go with another board? I'm looking at the Asus P4C800, or possibly even the P4P800. The Albatron PX865PE Pro II is looking nice also.

Second: Is the Corsair good for this mb, or should I go with the (cheaper) Kingston? I could get a gig of Kingston for the price of the Corsair.

Third: Are the benefits of Serial ATA that noticeable over EIDE, or should I stay with EIDE? And is a RAID configuration worth it?

Fourth: Could I borrow some money?

Thanks for any input that you see fit to impart upon my petty noob existence.

First: From what I've heard, the IC7 is excellent. I'm more of an AMD monkey though.
Second: Yes. Corsair = good, especially since you plan to OC.
Third.1: No. Stick to parallel ATA for the time being. You can always upgrade.
Third.2: Yes, esp if you're going to be doing video editing. Run a RAID 0+1, or a RAID 5. SCSI preferably.
Four: No.

Miscellanous advice? Firstly, don't get the damn FX5900U. Waste of money. Get something a step or two down.
Secondly, go SCSI. If you're going to be a video junkie, a well-done SCSI RAID will blow away any IDE solution. You certainly seem to have the money.
Thirdly, if you want to overclock, buy the cheaper P4 2.4C and overclock it to the 1GHz FSB.
Lastly, check the Hot Deals forum to see that you haven't overlooked any excellent deals.

- M4H

 

[Corporate Thug]

1) stick with IC7
2) Corsair is great ram
3) SATA does not offer any real advantage
4) i was gonna ask you to lend me some money

other: if i was in your situation, i would buy a 2.4 C and OC it about 800 or so Mhz to save a ton of money

 

[stiper327b]

First, thanks for the replies.

Alright, this might be a dumb question, but here goes.

If the 2.4c can be overclocked about 800MHz, wouldn't it stand to reason that a 3.0c could also be overclocked around 800 Mhz, thus ensuring that the 3.0c would last longer before I need to upgrade again? The way I look at it, in a year and a half or so, a 2.4c which is running at 3.2 could be near the bottom in terms of performance, whereas a 3.0c running at 3.8 could still be a very competitive chip.

Let me know if I'm all wrong. If so, I would like nothing more than to save $250. Thanks again for the help.

 

[paulerdos]

no, you'll have a difficult time oc'ing the 3.0 by 800mhz. the current fabrication technologies are such that cpu's max out at roughly 3.0, so it's more like "whatever cpu i get, i'll probably be able to get it to run at 3.0".

 

[stiper327b]

Alright then, one more question. If I do get the 2.4c, how much will I be able to overclock with stock cooling? If more complex methods are required to reach 3.2, what would they be, in general? Like I said, I've never overclocked before, but I'm willing to try. Still, I think I should learn to walk (or crawl, as is my case) before I can, well, you know the rest.

Thanks.

 

[stiper327b]

You guys aren't getting off that easy.

Bump up the jam, bump it up...

 

[Schadenfroh]

looks good to me.

 

[gf4200isdabest]

No, the 2.4 can't be easily overclocked by 800MHZ. That is a complete misconception. Do not, i repeat DO NOT buy a CPU planning on being able to overclock it a certain amount. Overclocking mileage varies machine to machine and you're setting yourself up for disappointment by buying a CPU already thinking that you will easily overclock it 1/3 higher than it is. On stock cooling you can expect to get another 200MHZ out of it. Everything extra you get is a nice bonus. If it fits into your price range, the 3.0c is a very nice choice. Also, i agree with a pervious post that said:

1) stick with IC7
2) Corsair is great ram
3) SATA does not offer any real advantage
4) i was gonna ask you to lend me some money

The RAID vs normal setup question is fairly easy to answer. If you just use your computer for games and normal apps, you don't need it. If you do video editing and the like, you do need it.

 

[vaporize]

i was also thinking about getting the same configuration as Stiper but I have some questions too:

If I buy a 2.4C, it should run at 200 FSB (quad pumped = 800) right? but when i look at all the configured computers at futuremark (under pcmark2002), none of them reach 200 FSB. Most of them are 140, 150, 180? Does this mean that the processor usually doesnt run at 200 FSB? Is 200 FSB still high even for a 2.4 C processor?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: vaporize
i was also thinking about getting the same configuration as Stiper but I have some questions too:

If I buy a 2.4C, it should run at 200 FSB (quad pumped = 800) right? but when i look at all the configured computers at futuremark (under pcmark2002), none of them reach 200 FSB. Most of them are 140, 150, 180? Does this mean that the processor usually doesnt run at 200 FSB? Is 200 FSB still high even for a 2.4 C processor?

No, it just means that no one's submitted a 2.4C result to PCMark02 yet, as they're all fighting over 3DMark03 rights.

NFS4 is running a 2.4C@3.0+, I believe. Not that hard to accomplish at all.

- M4H

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Also, if you've enver overclocked and you have the money for the mroe expensive chip, just get it! Well kind of, I'd get the 2.8C because its like $100 cheaper and only 200mhz slower. SATA doesn't give any increase in performance at all. Like said before, get a nice SCSI Raid setup or even just a large 173GB 10,000rpm drive (SCSI). You can go 15,000RPM but that limits the size of drives around 70 or 80GB. By limit I mean what is available. How much money would have to spend on the RAID setup? I can give you a better idea if you tell me how much you can spend.

 

[stiper327b]

Thanks for the info all,

AgaBooga, I'm looking at anywhere between $1300 and $1500 total. I'm still on the fence about SCSI. Could I use one SCSI drive, as well as a regular ATA (actually 3) drives? Or would I have to choose one format exclusively over the other? If I could use all the drives, could I use the SCSI independently, and then RAID the ATA drives?

Also, I know I didn't mention this in the original post, but any suggestions on a case would be appreciated. I'm looking at a couple Antec models, most likely the SLK3700AMB. How much wattage am I looking at here? Should I get a 400w or is the included 300w PSU enough?

Ok, I think that takes care of the questions for this round.

Thanks.

 

[stiper327b]

You guys have been great so far, don't stop now.

A call to arms bump, if you will...

 

[squidman]

You know whats funny? when it comes to games, amd 2700+ performs the SAME as p3.06...Yet AMD 2700+ is like 180 dollaz. When it comes to games, not the cpu, but the VGA card is the limit. Aga booga is right: you should consider 2.8c as well. THe framerate difference, given the same VGA, memory, mobo will be like 0,03 FPS. I wouldnt overclock the cpu/mem, cuz its not gonna add FPS. I did it for fun: overclocked my 166 bus to 200. Yo, 3dmark2001 froze at 4500 for both setups, tho increase in PCmark2002 was quite obvious.
Also, i wouldnt recommend the raw-gay-ass FX. nVidia can't get nothin right these days: its new nForce drivers are f***d up, old ones are trippin, and its FX lineup is weak, expensive, and half-baked. Why dontcha consider the 9800Pro 256 instead?

Ah yeah bro, the 300 watt is enough (of course, if its high q PSU, like antec) if:
You got 4 PCI cards
1 AGP card WITH ext. power connector (like Radeons, or OG Voodoos)
2 HDD drives
2 Optical drives
3 exernal fans+1mobo+1 CPU fan

 

[stiper327b]

Well, an update for all who helped. I'm sure you've been waiting anxiously for an update. Wait no more.

My computer will be as follows:

Abit IC7
Pentium 4 2.8c
512MB Corsair Twin something or other
WD SE 120GB HD from Office Max
Antec PLUS660AMG case with a 330w True Power PSU

This brings the total up to $693.33, not too bad and it fits in my budget rather nicely.

As for the RAID/SCSI question. I'm not ruling those options out. But I'm just so damn anxious to do this thing (it'll be my first time), that I'm gonna just go the ATA route for now.

In the near future, I will be adding a DVD Burner (preferably a model that does all formats), an Audigy 2 OEM, and a beefed up video card. To tell the truth, one of the reasons I'm building this is to be able to play DOOM 3 and Half Life 2 at kick ass levels, so whichever card is the best with these games will be the one for me. I have not completely ruled out the Radeon 9800 PRO, but I also haven't ruled out the 5900FX non pro (the 128mb model).

I'm sure you'll be hearing my pleas for help later on.

So, thanks for all your help.