First time computer builder

[janissary]

hey guys my first time posting so bear with me. I'm going to build a new computer mainly for gaming but keeping it at a reasonable price, this is what i had in mind:

Logitech Z-640 5.1 more info $116
Chenming A2ESW (green/silver/black/blue/red/purple) w/ window, 3 fans $118
Enermax 350W EG365P-VE Dual Fan $65
Athlon XP 2200+ Retail $132
512MB PC-2700 DDR333 $87
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe NVIDIA nForce2 more info $209
LiteOn 52x24x52 (black) OEM $76
Maxtor 40.0GB $99
MSI GeForce4 Ti4200-VTD8X 128MB DDR VIVO more info $205
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL: $1273.05 (taxes all incl. in calc.)

these are the parts i chose to build my computer, purchasing from www.canadacomputers.com

my real question is how to install the processor properly on the motherboard. Does the processor already come with the heat-sink and fan attached to it, or do i have to do it myself?

and can i experience the maximum out of my games (anti-aliasing, ansiotropic filt.) with this new system.

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums janissary Here is a CPU installation guide in PDF format, it should help with the installation question: http://www.tcwo.com/support/new/cpu.pdf Be aware that the patch of thermal compound on the retail AMD heatsink is intended for only one use, so if you take your heatsink off after starting the computer the first time, you will need to scrape off all the thermal compound and use high-quality thermal grease after that. If you think you will be taking your heatsink off, then you might want to buy some Arctic Silver 3 or Arctic Alumina thermal grease so you're prepared.

It sounds like there are some games coming (like Doom III) that will push the limits of today's best hardware if you're playing at high resolution with all the features maxed out. So the Ti4200 sounds like a good card to pick, since even the top-end cards would probably fall short of your expectations when those new games arrive.

I think it would be good to pick name-brand memory if you have the option, such as Samsung Original (Samsung chips on Samsung boards) or another module that is known to work well with the motherboard.

Have fun with your new system!

 

[janissary]

hey thanks a lot for the manual mech this certainly gives me a clearer picture. As for the heatsink, i just wondered if i had to apply the thermal compound myself, but i dont obviously have to. I dont want to take anything off the cpu but i just want to install it once and hopefully it will work. Does it really matter if i use a no-name brand memory?? are there any general risks??

 

[mechBgon]

The main risk with generic memory is that it might not be as stable, or sometimes the system will refuse to run at all. Of course, it might work just fine, too! Some people get great results with their generic memory and generic power supplies, but I don't like to invite trouble so I prefer to buy name-brand memory and power supplies. It's your decision how you want to go.

 

[janissary]

welll how about KingMax 512MB PC-2700 DDR333 SDRAM $98, does that seem ok.. actually this place doesn't sell samsung... on and Enermax 350W EG365P-VE Dual Fan thats pretty good too right?

 

[mechBgon]

Enermax is a good brand, I use one at home (at work we have lots of Antecs, which I think I like even better). Kingmax is not as widely known as some brands, but I think it is supposed to be fairly good memory.

 

[Alex]

ya but like mech said for memory its definitely worth spending a lil more and getting a good brand name...
try www.ncix.com they deliver to canada and sell samsung memory at dece prices

 

[janissary]

thx frang actually they are selling samsung for the same price.. pretty good, they say u can pick up ur orders instead of having em shipped... do u know here on the site we could find out there pick up points.. was looking all over couldnt find it... i hope they have a toronto location

 

[janissary]

oh and one last thing when i buy the board and cpu, are there any particular revisions i should make sure i get... i keep reading a lot about tbred "B" and asus rev 2.xx boards

 

[mechBgon]

The tbred B's overclock especially well, and the rev. 2 board should too. If you can get them to guarantee those flavors, that's extra-good if you intend to overclock

 

[FFactory0x]

Hey, I recommend some changes! It will give you alomost same if not better performance for a fraction of the cost.
Maybe even spend the extra money ou save on a Radeon 9700np.
Get this Epox 8rda+ (under $100)
AMD 2100+ oc right out of box ($84)
512mb Hyperx pc3000 ($84)