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first build in 6 years

B

beaverbeliever41

Junior Member
I last built a computer many years ago, using a Celeron, a Voodoo3 and an Abit BH6. Times have changed, and I'm looking to build another. Has much changed since then, other than the hardware getting faster?

I'm thinking something like this:
Epox EP-9NPA+ MB
AMD 3200+ processor
1 GB Corsair Value Select RAM
160 GB Western Digital SATA HD
6600GT Video (brand to be determined)
DVD+RW drive
I'd also like to grab a Sonata II case when they are released

Suggestions, things to be careful for?

Thanks
 
Looks solid. :thumbsup:

I'd go evga for your 6600GT. Good quality and great service if you need it.

Go with an NEC ND-3520A for your burner. Solid piece of equipment, fast and not a budget breaker. Lots of people here have them.
 
For overclocking purposes, the usual recommended motherboards are DFI, MSI, and ASUS, in that order. Although the ASUS SLI has numerous problems reported with it. I cannot recall seeing anyone complain about the Epox mb though. You may wish to search for that board on the motherboard and CPU/Processor categories to see what people have to say about it. An excellent memory configuration is 2x512mb sticks. It may be good to consider a Samsung 160GB drive as they are typically seen to be the best quality and the quietest. Maxtor has introduced 16MB buffer HDD's for 200GB and up. I believe the other companies will follow soon, but it is difficult to no how long before they do. If overclocking, choose the Venice core. Otherwise, the Winchester core is fine. But with the minimal price increase for the Venice, it is better to purchase the Venice core.
 
Make certain to get the Venice core version of that 3200+ CPU. It's the latest revision of the Athlon 64 chip and features an improved memory controller along with support for SSE3 instructions.
 
Looks good.

The EPoX 9NPA+ is probably the best deal on a good 939 board with firewire right now.

Nothing wrong with a 160GB drive, but 250GB drives are actually the cheapest per GB now.

*edit* That said, if I was going to get a 250GB drive, I'd get the Seagate 7200.8 because it's a newer generation 2-platter drive (I think it may be the only 2-platter 250GB drive out right now). Most 250GB drives are 160GB drives with a 3rd platter added on, and they actually have slightly worse specs than their 160GB counterparts.

Every time someone says "DVD burner" there are about 15 people who have to say "get the NEC 3520A" because that was the best deal on a burner 4 months ago. If you're thinking of it, do yourself a favor and read some reviews on DVD burners. The 3520 is a waste of money because newer drives are the same price, and the NEC is really slow if you ever rip any DVD movies. The current generation of good drives are the Pioneer 109, the Plextor 716 and the NEC 3540 (only available in the UK so far). The Pioneer 109 is currently the best $50 burner. The Plextor 716 is the best if you want to spend the money.
 
Originally posted by: beaverbeliever41
I last built a computer many years ago, using a Celeron, a Voodoo3 and an Abit BH6. Times have changed, and I'm looking to build another. Has much changed since then, other than the hardware getting faster?

I'm thinking something like this:
Epox EP-9NPA+ MB
AMD 3200+ processor
1 GB Corsair Value Select RAM
160 GB Western Digital SATA HD
6600GT Video (brand to be determined)
DVD+RW drive
I'd also like to grab a Sonata II case when they are released

Suggestions, things to be careful for?

Thanks
Click to expand...


Does that mean there's 40 other beaverbelievers out there? 😉

 
Based on personal experience I wouldn't buy an epox mb (IMO they suck). Other than that it looks good.
 
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