!!!-Building a PC - Calling all experts-!!!!

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Jimmyjammer

Member
Apr 30, 2002
141
0
0
Hi,

I'm about to build my first Pc for my job, so graphics and sound cards aren't really that important. I've put together some specs and would like to know some more info. Based on the info below will I need to buy thermal compound to attach the heatsink to the CPU? I've read that many people don't do this on newer systems.
Anyway, have a look at these specs and let me know if they'll work ok together or if I'll have problems.

PLEASE NOTE: These are New Zealand prices, not American. Also not going to ship from America so just need info on my selection. Thanks



PC KIT with 256 meg included- Link
CPU- P4 1.5 GHZ - Link
ATI Rage pro 128 - 32 Meg 4* AGP - Link
20 Gig Maxtor HDD, ATA 133, 7200 rpm, IDE - Link
Extra 256 meg - Kingmax PC 133 SDRAM - Link



Thanks.
 
B

BMdoobieW

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,166
0
76
Hmm, I don't know too much about Intel chipsets anymore, but it looks like the RAM, HD, and video card should do fine together. Good luck. I really enjoy building my own computers. Makes me the master of my own domain.
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
Do you play games? That Rage 128 will pretty much cripple the system when it comes to 3D performance. A Geforce2 GTS or a first generation Radeon would be a much better choice.

Other than that, all of the other stuff is compatible, although you may want to look at getting one of the newer Northwood (512KB cache) P4's. In addition, you may want to look at a motherboard with a DDR or RDRAM compatible chipset as the P4 is a very memory bandwidth hungry processor.

As for the thermal paste, it's a good idea. Scrape the crappy thermal pad off of the heatsink, clean it with rubbing alcohol, and apply a THIN layer of thermal paste. It works wonders with heat transfer.

Good luck with your new system. :)
 
J

Jimmyjammer

Member
Apr 30, 2002
141
0
0


<< Maxtor=Crap
Rage 128=Old >>



Well the video doesn't really matter, the Rage is cheap and I'm not going to be playing games on it so...

Also, if maxtor = crap, then what = good?

thanks.
 
C

Cerebus451

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2000
1,425
0
76


<< Based on the info below will I need to buy thermal compound to attach the heatsink to the CPU? >>


The CPU you have linked is a retail boxed CPU. It will come with a fan, and the fan will have a thermal interface pad on it. If you do not plan on overclocking, this will be fine (I have a retail P4 CPU that I installed with the default heatsink with the thermal pad and not only does it run cool, it runs cool when overclocked, but YMMV).
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81


<< Maxtor=Crap >>


... and what would you recommend? IBM?
rolleye.gif



<< Rage 128=Old >>


Agreed.

 
C

CollegeGuy

Member
Oct 16, 1999
199
0
0


<< ... and what would you recommend? IBM?
rolleye.gif
>>



Western Digital or Seagate. We go through Maxtor drives like toilet paper where I work (an ISP).
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81


<<

<< ... and what would you recommend? IBM?
rolleye.gif
>>



Western Digital or Seagate. We go through Maxtor drives like toilet paper where I work (an ISP). >>



Strange... i've never had a problem with a Maxtor. (or a Seagate or Western Digital either)
 
H

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,057
66
91
I don't know about the exchange rate, but for a great inexpensive vid card, I like a good generic NVidia TNT2 chipset card with 32 - 64 MB. They're really cheap in L.A. (around $30 usd). For only a few bucks more, you can get a GF3. I've had very good luck with IBM, Maxtor and some of the later Western Digital drives.

Not to start the classic argument (yet again), but if saving money is an object, you will get more bang for the buck with an Athlon than a P4.

Hope whatever you get brings you lots of :D :D :D :D
 
S

SteelCityFan

Senior member
Jun 27, 2001
782
0
0
On the ATI Rage Pro...


My company has been buying these cards for quite some time because we have had good luck with them as far as reliablility, price, and a slight graphic ability for those of use who wish to play a video game once in awhile over lunch.

This past month, we ordered 5 new P3 1 Ghz machines from our source, and got these cards. All 5 machines were locking up. We could duplicate it by going into MS Word and typing real fast.. forcing the screen to refresh. After about 15 seconds, it would freeze up.

We took the PC's back to the shop, and it was determined that in order to comply with P4 standards (or whatever), they had changed the voltage on the card. (I suspect to comply with the i850 chipset?.. they simply said P4). This was causing problems in the particular P3 Motherboard they were using.

.. Just a quick FYI, and something to look out for. You may want to make sure you get a recent revision of that video card since you have a P4.
 
J

Jimmyjammer

Member
Apr 30, 2002
141
0
0


<< On the ATI Rage Pro...


My company has been buying these cards for quite some time because we have had good luck with them as far as reliablility, price, and a slight graphic ability for those of use who wish to play a video game once in awhile over lunch.

This past month, we ordered 5 new P3 1 Ghz machines from our source, and got these cards. All 5 machines were locking up. We could duplicate it by going into MS Word and typing real fast.. forcing the screen to refresh. After about 15 seconds, it would freeze up.

We took the PC's back to the shop, and it was determined that in order to comply with P4 standards (or whatever), they had changed the voltage on the card. (I suspect to comply with the i850 chipset?.. they simply said P4). This was causing problems in the particular P3 Motherboard they were using.

.. Just a quick FYI, and something to look out for. You may want to make sure you get a recent revision of that video card since you have a P4. >>




Interesting. The problem came from a new(er) version of the video card (supposedly optimised for P4) running with P3s? I presume that new(er) version would be fine with a P4, but would an old(er) version be fine with a P4 as well? Interesting, I'll look into it.
 
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