Building New Computer - Advice Wanted

[Spuffin]

I'll preface this by saying I built my last computer in 1999; know a pretty decent amount concerning computers. The problems I am facing now are mostly due to not following the hardware world very closely the last few years, as the landscape has changed a bit. That being said, I have a few questions about current hardware and should be fairly simple if you have been keeping up with the latest happenings.

1) I am going to be purchasing an Athlon 64, and I have read that they can be a bit finnicky towards the RAM they work with. I do not want to buy the highest quality ram where I will have diminishing returns, but I do not want to sacrifice performance either. Is ECC a good thing or a bad thing? Is unbuffered better than buffered? And I suppose I should get the 2-2-2-5 timings, but what kind of performance difference are we talking about between timings? (I'd like to get 2-512MB chips for a little under $200) If someone would be so kind, please give me a quick rundown of what are the most important aspects of buying RAM and how can I be sure it will work well with the Athlon 64 processor? (Is it the CPU itself being finnicky or is it the mobo?)

2) The state of video cards has also changed quite a bit in the past 7 years. Now there are tons of manufacturers that are using the same chipset. I'd like to buy an nvidia based PCI-e card (I have had some driver issues with ATI in the past, and I've always been satisified with nVidia's support) Anyhow, are there any manufacturers that are better than others? With so many on the market now, I have no idea which are newcomers and which have been around for a while. (Diamond and 3DFX are no longer around ) So basically I'll pick a card like a 6800 and then get it from _____ manfacturer, but are there any performance differences between manufacturers?

3) I will most likely be purchasing a case that will require a PSU. Since I also plan on having PCI-e, are there any pitfalls I should lookout for, and any recommended wattage to stay above? Also, as I stated previously I will be purchasing an Athlon 64 so I'm not sure if that should factor into the PSU decision as well.

4) Lastly, if I buy a boxed CPU with heatsink & fan, will the stock heatsink & fan suffice or should I look into an aftermarket fan? NOTE: I am NOT planning on overclocking. I just want it to run cool and quiet.

Thanks in advance for the help; if I haven't been clear on anything, let me know.

 

[Sonic587]

1) If you aren't overclocking, there won't be much need for expensive OCing RAM. Timings are not that big of a concern either, as they don't effect performance heavily. Also, stick to NON-ECC and unbuffered for maximum compatibility/performance.

----> Check out this thread

I'd suggest going with any of these:

Corsair VS 1GB

1GB Cosair XMS 2-3-3-6

Mushkin value 1GB dual pack

The best way to check compatibility with your MB is to visit the website of the manufacturer and see if they have an approved memory list and/or forums that can answer your questions.

2) Can you give us a budget to work with and an idea of the performance you're looking for before we give suggestions on good videocards?

3) How much are you planning to spend on the PSU? Also, can you list out the PC specs you are aimming for?

4) Stock heatsink will be fine, but it may not meet your quietness/temp desires. Best to try it out first and then look into an after market heatsink if you so choose.

 

[Spuffin]

2) Can you give us a budget to work with and an idea of the performance you're looking for before we give suggestions on good videocards?
3) How much are you planning to spend on the PSU? Also, can you list out the PC specs you are aimming for?

I didnt really want specifics on good videocards or PSU, just generalized information. Ie. stay away from PNY and XFX, gigabyte is a good card to look at (note: I just made that up, it could be completely wrong) Also what I really need to look for when buying a PSU (Like recommended wattage & connectors). I'll do further research on my own using the guidelines that you, or other forum members provide.

Thanks much for that thread link!

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

1) Get sub-$100 RAM. Timings really don't affect performance that much. The only reason to get more expensive RAM is for overclocking. I'd go with the 2x512MB Corsair VS. Great price, great performance. If you buy a Venice core Athlon 64 with the better memory controller, you'll be able to run 4 sticks of RAM @ 400MHZ, while the Winchester cores can only run 4 sticks @ 333Mhz.

2) I've heard XFX cards are crap and break really easily. Leadtek (sp?) is supposed to be a really good and reliable brand.

3) A decent ~400W PSU should suffice, but make sure it's a good brand. Seasonic, Forton, Sparkle, XClio, Antec, and OCZ are great brands that make strong and reliable PSU's.

4) The stock HSF should definately be enough to cool your CPU if you're not overclocking.

 

[KoolDrew]

3) A decent ~400W PSU should suffice, but make sure it's a good brand. Seasonic, Forton, Sparkle, XClio, Antec, and OCZ are great brands that make strong and reliable PSU's.

These quality brands are highly recommended,
however not every power supply they offer will meet your needs,
be especially careful to make sure that the +12V rail(s) offer a
Minimum of +12V@24A for Single Video Card Systems & +12V@30A for Dual Video Card (SLI) Systems.

PC Power & Cooling (PC P&C): 1% Regulation, Adjustable Rails & 5yr warranty.
OCZ PowerStreams: 1% - 2% Regulation, Adjustable Rails & 5yr warranty.

Antec (except Smart Power), I-Star & Zippy/EMACS: Tight Regulation & 3yr warranty.

Hiper Silent Type R, OCZ ModStreams, Seasonic: 3yr warranty.

Akasa, Antec (Smart Power), Cooler Master, Enermax, Enlight, Fortron,
Sparkle, Tagan, TTGI (Super-Flower & Link Depot) & Vantec:
Known Good Quality often at Low Prices.
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602

 

[shoRunner]

cheap memory with fast timings G.Skill