Help for a first time PC builder: DDR 400 or DDR 333

[cbolton]

Hello,

I am about to build my first PC from scratch and have learned a ton just by reading everyone's posts on the motherboard topics. I figured I would post this topic because I want to built a good system from the start.. Here is what I am looking to build:

Pentium 4 2.4 GHz (Didn't think the extra ~$50 was worth it for 2.53GHz most benchmarks show less than 10% increase in performance)
Asus P4S8X Mobo (Read some reviews which seem to rate this mobo good to bad. Interested mainly in AGP 8X, serial ATA and firewire)
WD 80GB SE and WD 120GB SE Hard Drives (fast hard disks)
Lite-On 48X burner(cheap and from what I have read on the net very effective)
Lite-On 16X DVD ROM(same reason as above and really cheap - $35)
Soundblaster Audigy(already on one)
Windows XP Pro
ATI Radeon 64MB DDR(I know it's weak with everything else but I have my sights set on a Radeon 9700 PRO once the price comes down)
At least 512MB RAM

I have some interest in overclocking but to be honest I have never messed around with overclocking anything before. I want a great performing system with some amount of investment protection for AGP 8X and Serial ATA. Being that I have waited months to do this while thinking I'll what for that next new product I want to get this done now so I can actually use it So, a motherboard that's overclocker friendly sounds interesting but for me I don't think it's a requirement.

I didn't mention memory type above - now that 's where I am somewhat stuck. I know the JDEC hasn't finalized DDR400 yet. With the Asus and several other PIV Mobo's they have official support for DDR 333 now. What I am wondering is if I shouldn't spring for 512MB of DDR 400 now and run with it. I have heard some folks endorse and slam Corsair memory(as basically market hyped memory - good overclocking characteristics) on this board - I am not stuck on Corsair but a few of the places I have checked seem to sell it consistently.. Do I go PC 3200 now, or go with PC 2700. If I do Samsung memory I can almost buy 1GB RAM for the cost of 512MB of Corsair 333.

PC 3200 Memory
Corsair CMX512-3200C2 512MB PC3200 400Mhz @186.00 googlegear

PC 2700 Memory
Corsair 512MB DDR333 PC2700 64Mx64 184 DIMM CAS 2 @167.00 googlegear
Samsung IC Chipset 512MB DDR333 PC2700 @126.00 googlegear

Any comments or suggestions on the PC components I am thinking about and especially the memory selection would be greatly appreciated.

 

[teqwiz]

Your first huh? A very exciting time to say the least. I have 4 systems from cel 550 to athlon 1400. All of which I built and rebuilt over time. The fun never ends.!/?/# Heres an article that may interest you. A 400 / 333 comparision and current 400 boards. Tom's article If this is your first rig, I suggest that you go more towards the proven technology this time around. You will save yourself tons of configuration and learning curve situations to go with KT 400. I personally just prepaid a KT 400 and have not ordered Ram as yet, since there maybe some delay in shipping as with the voodoo 5's when they came out. If you simply must buy parts now, then stay with pc 2700, as KT 400 will support them, They are already Stable, If you get fed up with waiting for a KT 400 board, then you can always buy a 333 to go with your memory but, not the other way around, It's cheaper, andHighly over Clockable if you care to. I would seek out a clockable board but, ( and I caution you here, ) build a stable system first. use it for a while ,monthes I'd say, know what it does and doesn't do and learn to tweak just the things you need too, and carefully. Read, Read, Read. Good Advice, especially if you are budget oriented like the rest of man kind, ( Thanks to Enron, etal) burning up you CPU might not please you as much as the results. Besides who needs to OC a P4 @ 2.4? ( Gratuitous Anklebiting) . Check out Soyo also as 333 boards already support most of the goodies you want today.

 

[cbolton]

Thanks! This is turning out to be a fun hobby...

I'll check out the KT400 - I have read a lot of good things about it.

 

[teqwiz]

I just pre ordered a SOYO KT 400 from outpost.com. I'm very excited. This is my fifth Project, and I saved $ for the very best and latest. I already have a great Alienware system, But it's somewhat dated and soon the gaming industry will catch up with it. This will be my greatest work. I'm waiting for the AMD 2600+ to be released also. SOYO Dragon Ultra, KT 400 with 1 Gig pc 3200 if it will support that much and still run @ 3200. Other wise it's 2700. Nvidia TI-4600, Sound Blaster Audigy W/ Klipsh 5.1. Generic CD ROM 56x . Plexor CD RW. Pioneer DVD ROM Real Hollywood MPEG decoder, Viewsonic E790B 19" CRT. 400 Watt Antec psu. Next I'll Mod a case. Thats a new one for me. Good luck with your project!