Kinda building first system. How is my idea? (Please Comment)

[HappyPuppy]

You sound like you're on a budget, so...

Do you really need a Coolermaster case? By buying a less expensive case you could upgrade your processor to an XP 1800+.

You could probably find a less expensive but equivalent motherboard with onboard LAN. You pay less for the mobo and save the $ you would pay for a NIC.

If you aren't going to overclock right now, you will get an HSF with a retail processor.

Get a Lite-On 24x10x40 CDRW. They're about as good as the Plextor and you'll save about another $60.

Suggestion: Do some research on video cards before you buy. You may be happy with a GF3 Ti200 rather than a GF3 Ti500. If not, the money you saved above can be put towards the Ti500.

If you have broadband access, you won't need a modem. If you will be getting broadband in the near future, just buy a cheap Winmodem.

Lastly, build it yourself. There are plenty of people right here who will be happy to help you. Good luck.

 

[AMDPwred]

<< The Master cooler case alone is $330.00 AMD XP cpu (1600 +) $130.00 512 mb ddram is $130.00

330
130
130 = $590-600 dollars. then they burn in the system and put it together. That is $40 dollars. plus fans are $25 dollars and I'm getting 3. So add $75 +$40 = $115.00

So: $600 + $115= $715.00

Parts add up after a while
>>



Looking at this, even if he built it himself he wouldn't save much. That CPU is almost right and the RAM is close too. Then you figure a MB and HHD is included with what he posted above and it seems like he's getting somewhat of a deal.

 

[AMDPwred]

<< What is the average price of the Antec cases anyway? thxs! >>



About $75-100 depending on 300 or 400 watt PS. Yeah, I know all about the other cases but it's just a case. What's inside is what matters. Besides, the Antec cases (SX1030 and SX1040) look great. Kind of like the Alienware cases.

 

[jacklutz]

<< I guess when it comes to PC's, looks do matter. Most of the top niche PC computer makers (NW-Falcon, Hypersonic, Voodoo Computers) are using the master cooler cases. Have you seen any of Master Cooler's product line lately? Just like the Lian Li (sp?) cases. There both expensive but very good.

What is the average price of the Antec cases anyway? thxs! >>



A good-looking case will not make your machine run any faster... And who exactly is going to see this? You can get an Antec 840 for under a hundred, shipped, at EMS Computing. The reason all the "top niche" computer makers use those cases is because they are why people like you buy them.

 

[AMDPwred]

<< The reason all the "top niche" computer makers use those cases is because they are why people like you buy them. >>



Yup. Because to the typical consumer a pretty case equals better PC. Most of them don't even understand what goes on inside.

 

[HappyPuppy]

If you want to buy the Coolermaste case just for the looks, fine. The fact that it is aluminum has nothing to do with heat disipation. Case airflow has 100% to do with the temperature in your case.

 

[tecumseh]

"A good-looking case will not make your machine run any faster"

Of course i know this. But isn't an aluminum case great for heat issues? And don't most Aluminum cases cost a little more than a metal case?

 

[FlippyBoy]

first of all, looks aside, you'd probably get better cooling from an antec than most aluminum cases. second of all, you'd save more than 200 bucks. third, change the motherboard. i've heard a few bad thing about that motherboard and 3d acceleration. get a kt266a board, like the epox, or soyo. fourth, build it yourself. not only will you save money, but you might learn a thing or two, which is never a bad thing. plus, if something goes wrong, you'll be better equipped to fix it yourself, instead of depending heavily on tech support. go ahead - take the plunge

 

[nateholtrop]

let the fool waste his money sheesh

nate

 

[E3Art]

geez everybody arn't we being a little hard on this guy?




hey tecumseh,
you need to get what you think is right and what you like. However the people on this forum are some of the most knowledgable anywhere on the net. gennerally if they tell you not to get something its a good idea to take there advice. most of us have been doing this in some form or another for years and years. I personally have the Antec sx1040 black server case( due to the reccomendation of AT members), as far as looks go, I havent seen one i like better yet. Not to mention its huge so you have lots of room to move around and upgrade and as far as heat goes it comes with 3 big fans, and if your creative you can add a lot more. It ships from newegg.com for $119. you cant beat that. I admittedly dont know much about the case you want but you should think about getting something less expensive, take it from the people who know. Chances are weve learned from bad experience, but like i said its your computer, if thats what you think you cant live without then go for it.

 

[theplanb]

Yeah.. building it yourself is the way to go. You will learn about your component better, and it kinda makes it easy if you have to fix something.
If you are not sure, get a friend who can, so that he can guide you through.