Building first system, need help/suggestions!!

[rjcogan]

Ok here it is. I'm currently attempting to put together a system. I've never built one before and am limited to about $13-1500 U.S. Here's what I've come up with so far, any comments/help would be GREATLY appreciated!

CPU: Duron 650
MB: Asus A7v (when released)
Case: Enlight 7237 w/ 300W Power supply
Sound: Soundblaster Live Value!
DVD: Pioneer 16x

This is where I begin to have questions. Specifically, is there any memory I should look at in particular with the Duron? Have they had any problems with memory like the Athlons. Also, which graphics card and Hard Drive does anyone suggest. Lastly, I'm looking for a 19" monitor but have no idea what would be worth it, etc. If ANYONE can help me out here I'd love to hear what people had to say. Negative/Positive it doesn't matter! I want info! Thanks SO much in advance!

Ryan Cogan
System building newbie

BTW: I am basically looking to put together a stable value system with speed. OC'ing is not an issue. Thanks again!!!

 

[AMB]

I like the look of your system so far.

Memory - Crucial is good, most brand name memory works with athlon mobo's

Graphic Card- GeForce 2 MX

HDD - Maxtor Diamond Max + 40

Monitor - Sony G400

 

[Prodigy^]

I'd honestly look into some parts that you can actually buy now....a Celeron 533A for example should be a little faster than a Duron 650 (when overclocked of course, which you should try) and will be a lot cheaper

if you want the system now, you could also go for a GeForce DDR, the MX isn't out yet AFAIK

oh, and that 19" monitor will cost you lots....at least 1/3 of your budget and most likely 1/2

 

[JimMc]

Apacer PC 133 memory is excellent, Infineon 7.5NS chips, 128 MB is $157 at computer-show. I have a DiamondMax Plus 40, great hard drive, but I'd also look at an IBM 75 GXP, $175 for 30 Gig at MWave. The GeForce MX is hard to beat for the expected price of $119, don't know when it will be available but it should be soon. $400 will get you a 19" Viewsonic GS 790, also at MWave, very nice monitor for the price.

You may do better on prices by hunting around, but be sure to include shipping in your comparison. The monitor shipping will be high and if you get the other stuff from that vendor the incremental charge nay be very little compared to ordering all of the parts from different places.

 

[Packet]

I agree that you should go with a celeron... esspecially since its your first system.

Athlons can be alittle finicy, and its not something you want to run into on your first system. Intel has the compatablility advantage, though they are alittle more pricey.

If you get a celeron, I recomend the Asus p3v4x.

 

[Ulysses]

Take a look at AnandTech's monthly Buyer's Guides. Each month they have a High End Systems Guide and a Value Systems Guide. Print them out and read them - you'll learn a lot. The Guides won't recommend components that are not yet on the market, although they may mention them. Here are the latest ones:

AndandTech Home:
http://www.anandtech.com/index.html

Value:
http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.html?i=1269

High End:
http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.html?i=1257

Personally I think you are good to go with a Duron system. They're affordable and you can later upgrade from the Duron to a faster new Athlon Thunderbird (they're interchangeable). Contrary to what was mentioned above the Duron is much superior to the Celeron, overclocked or not (old myths and soldiers never die - but they do fade away - which may be the fate of the Cele).

 

[birddog]

I'd go with a Western Digital HD. I've put together systems with WD's & Maxtors. The WD partitioning/formatting software is much easier to use than maxtors, but the WD drives cost @ 10% more.

For your first system, I think you should go with a intel based system (celeron or P3 coppermine). A quality BX board is the easiest to learn on, but some of the better VIA Apollo Pro 133a boards are not to bad for a beginner to work with either.

You may have to do some IRQ changing with the soundblaster live card -- they are pickey little cards when it comes to what IRQ the computer wants to assign to it. There is a readme file on the soundblaster live disk that will walk you through if if it is needed (about 50% of the time fore me with SB Live Value cards).

Voodoo 3 video cards are the most hassle free cards I've worked with & may be a good place to start on your first system. My GeForce DDR took a bit of tweaking to get it running right.

When you first put the system together, put only teh essectials in: Keyboard, mouse, videocard, CPU, ram, floppy, CD-Rom, and HD. once you get your HD formatted & windows installed, then you can add you other stuff -- DVD, souncdard, modem, ect... -- one thing at a time, that way if there is any problems or conflicts, you'll be able to track it down easier.

 

[BChico]

I just got done with this computer, go with a 64mb NVIDA Geforce2 GTS, and get a WD or similar at least 45 gb...

 

[Scifione]

You can get a 19" monitor for around $300
KDS VS-19SN
CTX VL95OSL-1
are ate http://www.us.buy.com/comp/dept.asp?DeptID=10719

There is little reason to spend half your budget on a Sony.

Video Card
ATI is praised for its DVD quality, so the RAGE FURRY MAXX looks good hear.
S3 Diamond Viper II looks good for performance now.
TNT 2 Ultra would be good for a tight budget. Guillemot Maxi Xentor comes to mind here.
A Geforce DDR is a great performer If you can fit into your budget, but has been criticized for 2D.
The Geforce 2 MX may be good for the budget when it comes out.
Here is some benchmarks.
http://www.us.buy.com/comp/dept.asp?DeptID=10719
Here is were you can get started at buy.com
http://www.us.buy.com/comp/category.asp?sec=11

Memory!
There are plenty on good name brands. PC133 128MB one stick should be all you need now.

Hard Drive!
Maxtor Diamondmax 40 is highly praised. IBM and Quantum make a good alternative. Western Digital drives are over praised and under perform.

Keyboard & Mouse!
Microsoft or Logitech are good.

Speakers!
Get a 4 point set for that SB Live! Value. Altec Lancing and Creative Labs come to mind for 4 point speaker sets.

I would recommend getting a CD-RW. Plaster 32x4x8x would work great.

Try to order from as few venders as possible with the exception being cases and monitors. Cases and Monitors are shipped separately most often.

You should keep in mink OS and software to.

 

[CayJon]

Get a ViewSonic or Samsung monitor...use the difference for more ram, and/or get the Duron 700.

 

[rjcogan]

Hey thanks for the suggestions people! They've helped out a bunch.

A few more questions now that I've looked over what ya'll have said:

1. With the Fong-kai 603 case, I know that the Duron runs on less power than the previous Athlons but are they still power hungry? Will 250W be enough with every thing else in there? (especially if I go Geforce, etc.)

2. This may sound like a stupid question, but will a HD that is UDMA 100 work on a board thats only UDMA 66? The A7V has support for a Promise 100 Chip but I'm not sure if it comes on all of em. (Any body else know, is it there or is it optional? I've heard and read both.
I ask this because many of the IBM drives suggested thus far that I've found are UDMA 100 with some 66's around, curious as to which would be better if I went that route.

3. As far as the Geforce MX, I've heard quite a few good things about it but does anyone know where it stand performance-wise vs. the SDR and DDR. (I've seen so many benchmarks in the past couple weeks my eyes are buggin and I'm seeing brightly colored bars in my sleep) Also, does anyone know a release date on that. (I figure I'm waiting on the mobo anyway, if they're close to each other I can wait a bit longer.)

4. Lastly, it seems like the monitor issue is a rather finicky thing. Perhaps a better question would have been are there any monitors that I should just absolutely stay away from? (Since it seems like lotsa people like lotsa different things.) Also what does anyone know about Hitachi's .22 pitch monitors. Worth it or what?


Thanks again and I'm still open to suggestions!!!!

Ryan Cogan
System building newbie

BTW: Thanks for the mwave suggestion too, looks like they got damn near everything I need at reasonable prices which helps out with shipping and all.

 

[billcat]

I would def. buy a good monitor and def. buy a good name power supply, those two are going to be around a lot longer than the rest of the system and the power supply will have a large effect on how any computer works. I would look into a Viewsonic PS790 19". Very reasonable priced and very good color and text. I've owned 3 viewsonics, my first one came with my first 386 system and it still works, got a 17" next, my father is using that one, still works. They are reliable and have a very good screen. Ask Matrox, they recomend them with their video cards. I'm using a Power supply that you might find hard to buy, it's a PC Power Turbo-Cool 425W. It's made by Zippy/Emac, they make the best power supplies for computers and are professional rated power supplies. My voltage variation is .002-.005v off spec. measured by a fluke Mulimeter. It has ran my last 2 systems super stable with a full loaded system. It's expensive but it's also a investment. If you plan on staying with a lower power system for the next 5 or more years than it's no biggie If you plan on upgrading to a more powerful computer then it is a biggie because you will end up just having to buy another power supply down the road. What fun. If you decide to get that Voodoo6 video card you may as well forget about it if your running a 250W or even some 300W power supplies along with adding a faster Tbird or Mustang cpu. And they are going to be coming out with dual Athlon systems pretty soon, I plan on going with one soon and won't have to buy a new power supply to do this with either. I am actually saving money by buying a good quality power supply up front and I know my system will run rock solid from day one with it. That is something you can't take for granted if you go cheap on one now. think about it. I always try to buy smart the first time. I would also buy a good APC brand surge protector to protect this investment. I got one before I pluged mine in. Keep in mind, you get what you pay for.

 

[OneEng]

Battousai,
Nice post. It is always good to see links to prove that you really know what you are talking about.

As for the SYSTEM choice, I would strongly urge you to go with your original Duron setup. Here is my rationale:

Performance....well, no point in my talking about it. I'll just link to it:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/00q2/000619/duron-08.html
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/00q2/000623/amd-08.html
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/reviews/cpu/duron_700/7.shtml

One personal account of one of our AnandTech members that actually has both!
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=198784

I could put up many more, but these will make the point just fine. The bottom line is that you would have to have a Celeron 850 to keep pace with a Duron 650 (give or take depending on the benchmark). And keep in mind that you CAN over clock the Duron if you really want to.....but really, for your first system, I seriously doubt you will notice any difference (except on benchmark numbers).

Upgradeability
AMD currently offers the Duron and the Thunderbird in the same pin for pin compatible package. This means that as Thunderbird prices fall, you can upgrade to a faster TBird processor with the same motherboard. TBird is around 15-20% faster in most applications (I think...check those benches I gave you to be sure). AMD has a new processor due out in Q4 this year (to conenside with Intels P4 by the way) code named Mustang. Mustang will also be SocketA and will work with your ASUS motherboard just fine (up to 1.5Ghz I believe). Mustang is predicted to be ~30% faster per clock than even TBird, and will clock much higher.

Intel has relegated Socket 370 (current PIII and Celeron socket) to the low end as of the release of P4. There will likely not be much upgrade potential for that system in the future. The celeron was by far and away the best do-it-yourself system in the past and many are still loyal to such a fantastic processor for its past performance. Today things have changed. The Duron simply has more going for it.