HELP! Choosing new Computer Parts!

[FlasHBurN]

I have decided to start building a new computer, unfourtunatly I have fell a little behind on them. So what I am asking is that if you could post what you think would be one of the best motherboards, cpu and video card I could buy. I am not looking for a scsi capable one, just something to replace my abit bh6 and 504celeron. Looking for stuff priced reasonably, or if you could post what you think would be the BEST no matter the price AND whats the best for the price and value..

THANKS!

 

[duragezic]

Well I'm not going to go into great detail but here's what I'd recommend.

-Wait two weeks or so for some Socket-A mobos (Via KX133 chipset I think)
-AMD Duron 700 or 800mhz or a T-bird if you have the money
-128 (or more if you are into video editing, win2k, cad, etc..) mb pc133 ram
-IBM 7200rpm hard drive. The size ultimately depends on how much you need/want but getting say 10 more gigs over a different model usually isn't very much.
-Geforce2 GTS 64mb. If you are on a budget you may want to consider the Geforce MX which will be out around the end of July for much less and almost GF1 DDR performance.
-SB Live! sound card. Not sure if you want the Live! Drive or just the simple value version.

Those are probably the most important and just about any keyboard, mouse, and speakers would work fine.

Do you need a monitor? If you do I would go 19in because you want the monitor to last. And of course if you have a lot of money you could go bigger than 19in. I just ordered the Samsung Syncmaster 900IFT monitor for $410 shipped minus a $30 rebate. Here's some others I was considering:

-Samsung Syncmaster 955DF which is significantly cheaper than the 900IFT but not as good quality.
-ALMOST ordered the Hitachi Superscan 715 which is a tad cheaper than the Samsung 900IFT but most people like the Samsung better.
-Samsung Syncmaster 900NF. That is comparable to the 900IFT except a tad more expensive. The 900NF is said to be better but it is a preference of Trinitron tube (900nf) to a Shadow Mask monitor (900ift).
-The KDS AV-195TF or something is suppose to be good too.

Good luck.

eagle

 

[FlasHBurN]

Wow eagle, thanks for taking the time to type that all out.
Thanks for your suggestions, I will definetly check them out, I am sticking with my current hard drives, (IBM's 7200's 14.4 and 21 gigs), and my diamond monster sound mx 300. I was checking into the Geforces, they sound very nice, but dont they have some sort of driver problems?


Thanks again!

 

[Silencer]

The Guillemot 3D Prophet 2 64 MB had some driver problems, but that's all I know...

the new drivers from nVidia are good, they increase FSAA quality in D3D and OpenGL

GeForce2 is a safe bet!

 

[duragezic]

Well Flashburn, since the GeForce 2 GTS is new the drivers aren't the greatest but the recent release has much improved FSAA and I'm sure other helpful fixes. nVidia is good with drivers so don't work about drivers for a Geforce 2 gts or Geforce MX.

eagle

 

[FlasHBurN]

Ok sounds great, that should be the video card I'll get then. Just want to hear more opinions on motherboards and cpu's..

thanks

 

[ccc]

get your monitor at onvia, free shipping and no tax.
great customer service too.

you get $25 discount and 10% discount via pointclick
(yes onvia is back with pointclick).

 

[Chadder007]

Personally I would wait for the Abit or the Asus motherboards (preferably Asus for stability or Abit for performance) with the VIA KT133 chipset and get a AMD Duron or Thunderbird processor.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Any idea when the Abit or Asus ones should be out?

Ill have to check into that onvia thing, I wasnt really planning on getting a new monitor..but I might anyway.
Also What are a good pair of speakers ~$150?

 

[duragezic]

ccc: Damn! There is the $25 coupon and pointclick thing back? I ordered my monitor from there but someone said those deals were gone so I have to pay the full price though. It is out of stock so couldn't I cancel my order and reorder with those deals?

Oh yeah thanks Chadder007... I meant to say KT133 in my original post, not KX133. So Flash, follow CHadder's advice and go with a Abit or Asus mobo for a Duron or THunderbird. I think those motherboards won't be out till a few weeks.

eagle

 

[FlasHBurN]

Ok cool, any idea what the prices on those cpus are? And is it not better to go with a PIII one of equal speed?

thanks

 

[duragezic]

Athlon 700 - $152
Athlon 750 - $175
Athlon 800 (I assume it is a T-bird) - $230
Athlon 850 (again, prob a T-bird) - $299
Duron 700 - $148

I don't know exactly what speed you want but I'd say within the 700-900mhz range, depends how much you can and want to spend. The Athlon IS faster than the Duron by a little but the Duron is cheaper. Anyway, check out

http://www.pricewatch.com
http://www.techbargains.com
http://www.ibuyer.net

Those are some good sites that help you find the lowest price for components so you should check them out.

eagle

 

[FlasHBurN]

I was going to think about getting the 1ghz one, but I checked pricewatch and I see quotes of $830+!