Building my first computer, and looking for suggestions. . .

[edwardwilliam]

I am in the process of building my first computer (all the rest have been store bought,) and I am looking for some suggestions. . .price isn't really a consideration, but there is no need to spend more than necessary -- ya know?

Needs:
Solid processor -- I really don't game. . .most internet, word processing, data applications, and e-mail. . .I guess I would use it for some multimedia, but not too much
Awesome sound -- my computer is a crucial part of my home stereo system (with mp3 and all,) so the sound card has to be the top of the line. . .
A DVI output -- I have a Samsung SyncMaster 191T, and want to utilize the digital ability

That is really what I need. . .not much else! I am considering something along the following lines: either a AMD 2800+ Barton or a 2.8 P4, 512MB ram (PC 3200), an Audigy 2 platinum, and some form of a ATI 128MB video card. . .

Honestly, I really know nothing about motherboards, so I do not even know where to start! Any guidance or knowledge you guys could share with me would be incredibly appreciated!!

Best,
Ed

 

[andyfasthands]

When you purchase a motherboard, the deciding factor revolves around...well, pretty much everything. But to start off, consider the Front-Side Bus (FSB) of the processor you choose. The Bartons are "Bartons" because they differ from other AMD Athlon XP cores with their 333MHz FSB. For the Pentium you choose, there are the 533MHz "Northwoods" (2.8B) and 800MHz FSB "Canterwoods" (2.8C).

*edit: additional comments*

You have decided on 512MB PC3200 DDR. The "frequency" for PC3200 is "DDR400" or 400MHz times 2 (400MHz double data rate), which is syncronious with the 800MHz FSB of the Canterwood processors. DDR400 is also great for bartons, since it allows room for overclockability, yet there may be issues with motherboard support. Make sure the motherboard supports at least PC3200. PC3200 is beginning to take hold as "standard" among newer mboards (Barton-supporting and Canterwood-supporting boards especially). For your reference, the breakdown goes like this: PC2100=DDR266, PC2700=DDR333, PC3200=DDR400, PC3500=DDR433. There is a PC3700 out, although I'm not sure which doubledata frequency its rated.

You will want a motherboard with an AGP slot (virtually standard these days), and the AGP speed should be higher (4x or 8x) or match the AGP speed of the video card you choose. The video card you choose should support DVI.

 

[edwardwilliam]

Ok. . .what should be the goal then? The highest FSB possible? And, while I know it is kind of a pointless debate, for the money (and my specific use explained above,) is the AMD a better buy? Will I never really get to see the benefits of the P4?

What about the other components? (CPU, sound, video, etc.)

Thanks!
Ed

 

[EglsFly]

Dont spend money on a 128mb video card for those applications (e-mail, internet, etc.).
Get a cheap Radeon or GeForce (<$100) card. You could even use integrated <barf> :disgust: video for those applications and be fine. I would never recommend integrated video for a system other than ones intended for what you mentioned.

Audigy 2 is excellent, but you could even use a motherboard with the nForce2 chipset, soundstorm audio, is actually pretty good for audio.

 

[andyfasthands]

Originally posted by: edwardwilliam
Ok. . .what should be the goal then? The highest FSB possible? And, while I know it is kind of a pointless debate, for the money (and my specific use explained above,) is the AMD a better buy? Will I never really get to see the benefits of the P4?

What about the other components? (CPU, sound, video, etc.)

Thanks!
Ed

---goal:
You want to create a balanced system, based on your budget. For enthusiasts, their goal would to be blow their wad of daddy's money on the maximum limitations of the supported components of the motherboard.

In your case, which I assume is mainly desktop publishing, email, chat, office work, I would highly consider AMD's cost-effectiveness. They are really as dependable as Pentiums, and as fast too, unless you consider high-end content creation.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: andyfasthands
When you purchase a motherboard, the deciding factor revolves around...well, pretty much everything. But to start off, consider the Front-Side Bus (FSB) of the processor you choose. The Bartons are "Bartons" because they differ from other AMD Athlon XP cores with their 333MHz FSB. For the Pentium you choose, there are the 533MHz "Northwoods" (2.8B) and 800MHz FSB "Canterwoods" (2.8C).

*edit: additional comments*

You have decided on 512MB PC3200 DDR. The "frequency" for PC3200 is "DDR400" or 400MHz times 2 (400MHz double data rate), which is syncronious with the 800MHz FSB of the Canterwood processors. DDR400 is also great for bartons, since it allows room for overclockability, yet there may be issues with motherboard support. Make sure the motherboard supports at least PC3200. PC3200 is beginning to take hold as "standard" among newer mboards (Barton-supporting and Canterwood-supporting boards especially). For your reference, the breakdown goes like this: PC2100=DDR266, PC2700=DDR333, PC3200=DDR400, PC3500=DDR433. There is a PC3700 out, although I'm not sure which doubledata frequency its rated.

You will want a motherboard with an AGP slot (virtually standard these days), and the AGP speed should be higher (4x or 8x) or match the AGP speed of the video card you choose. The video card you choose should support DVI.

Actually a Barton is a Barton because of it's 512K L2 cache... not purely because of the 333 Mhz FSB. T-Bred B's like the XP2600,2700,and 2800 also use a 333 Mhz FSB, but are NOT necessarily a Barton core because of that.

Anyway... since this isn't a gaming computer, you really only need like an XP1700 Processor, for $50
You could get a cheap motherboard... like a Shuttle AK32 for $52... or you could get a good Epox 8RDA+ for $85, or an Asus A7N8X for $116, or the Asus A7N8X Deluxe, which comes with GREAT onboard sound for $126. But you'd probably prefer an Audigy 2 or something for all it's extra features.
You'd be just fine with 512 MB of PC2100 RAM. But you might rather have some faster stuff... Corsair XMS PC2700 Cas 2 512 MB for $75 would be great.
I just bought an Asus V8420S video card that has DVI, and is HIGHLY overclockable if you ever do want to run gams. That's $140... or you could go with something cheap like the Aopen MX440 8X-V64 which has DVI, not good for games if you ever wanted to play them, but it's only $56.

Couple lists to simpify things...

Cheap:
Athlon XP2000 Retail - $68
Shuttle AK32 motherboard - $52
512MB PC2100 RAM - $about $60, or watch sales at Best Buy to get it for $40 or less
Video card, Aopen MX440 8X-V64 - $56
Audigy 2 - $112

Total = $348 Assuming you don't need anything else like a case or new power supply or hard drive etc.


Good bang for buck:
Athlon XP2500 Retail - $97
Epox 8RDA+ motherboard - $85
512MB PC2700 RAM (Corsair XMS Cas2... VERY high quality stuff) - $75
Video card, Asus V8420S Ti4200 - $140
Audigy 2 Platinum - $167

Total = $ 564

 

[JZilla]

I would go with the uber-value combo. Meaning the Epox 8RDA+ and a Barton2500. For video I would go with a Radeon 8500/9000/9100/9200 or the GF4 ti4200.

 

[Jeff7181]

For the record... my Ti4200 overclocks higher than a stock Ti4600 and is perfectly stable.

 

[andyfasthands]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Actually a Barton is a Barton because of it's 512K L2 cache... not purely because of the 333 Mhz FSB. T-Bred B's like the XP2600,2700,and 2800 also use a 333 Mhz FSB, but are NOT necessarily a Barton core because of that.

Thanks for clearing that up.

As an entry-level system, I would go with the cheaper parts. Also, the Audigy 2 is only like $78 at newegg!! go get yours noW!