Looking to build a PC...

[Scifience]

Well, I'm looking to build a PC. 🙂

My last PC was a Dell 4600 (bought in October) so it is about time for an upgrade. I'll never buy from them again due to a terrible experience and a sub-par machine (but nice LCD). You don't even want to hear my story about them giving me the wrong parts and refusing to do anything about it (finally found someone who gave me a 20% discount on a "better" machine).

From what I've been reading, it looks like Athlon 64 is the way to go. I want something that will last me a while, so I'm looking at the 3400+.

I already have a nice case (Chieftec Matrix) that is housing an old Compaq Duron 733 (don't ask, it was an experiment), but need suggestions for a power supply.

My budget will be about $1500. No monitor or case will be needed, but some a nice Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that work well for gaming would be useful. I'll probably be buying this stuff sometime this summer after school lets out and after I get enough money.

The machine will be used for programming, gaming, and the usual stuff. I don't need to figure in the cost of an OS because I have a copy of XP Pro that isn't being used and because I might just use Gentoo.

Also, are TigerDirect and NewEgg okay places to buy from? They seem to have good prices, but NewEgg's search feature is lacking.

Here is what I have so far:

Processor: Athlon64 3400+ ($416 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-426&depa=1)
Motherboard: Chaintch nForce 3 Motherboard ($210 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...ils.asp?EdpNo=686500&Sku=C460-1100&CatId=1178)
RAM: Looking for suggestions - DDR PC3200? DDR2-PC3200? DDR2-4300?
Hard Drive: Samsung 120GB 7200RM SATA ($102 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-152-017&depa=1)
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra or Radeon X800 XT ($??? Whichever is best, figuring $400)
Sound Card: Audigy 2 ZS ($128 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-171&depa=1)
Power Supply: Looking for suggestions on this, at least 450W

Is there anything I'm missing? Thanks!

 

[Gurck]

Looks fine by me, rest assured Newegg is probably the best source for computer parts out there. For the power supply I'd go with an Antec TruePower.

 

[nitromullet]

Logitech makes a nice bluetooth keyboard mouse combo. Newegg is a great place to get stuff online. I've only dealt with Tigerdirect locally, so I can't speak for their mail order, but in store they are great.

 

[Scifience]

Thanks, guys. Anybody else have any input? 🙂

 

[Markfw]

The Nforce3 150 motherboards are crippled in memory speed. Get the VIA chipset. The K8V is a great board. Also, I would get Kingston Hyperx, or Mushkin level 1 or OCZ LL PC3500 for stability.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: Scifience
Thanks, guys. Anybody else have any input? 🙂

My budget will be about $1500. No monitor or case will be needed, but some a nice Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that work well for gaming would be useful. I'll probably be buying this stuff sometime this summer after school lets out and after I get enough money.

Start planning then and not now. Your budget then will probably afford better hardware or more extra items if you choose to go with something like your current setup.

Is there anything I'm missing? Thanks!

Knowledge of how to search properly. I have no problem with newegg's search.

 

[Scifience]

I know I should probably wait, but I like having everything planned out in advance so I know what my goal is. 🙂

Sheesh, sorry about saying that Newegg's search isn't the best. I guess what I mean is that if I type in "chaintech nforce 3" I get lots of nForce 2 motherboards too where that doesn't happen on other sites.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: Scifience
I know I should probably wait, but I like having everything planned out in advance so I know what my goal is. 🙂

Sheesh, sorry about saying that Newegg's search isn't the best. I guess what I mean is that if I type in "chaintech nforce 3" I get lots of nForce 2 motherboards too where that doesn't happen on other sites.

Plan everything by staying up to date on the newest hardware and prices. As long as you know what is going on picking parts won't be hard. If I critique your build now it will be pointless because you will change your mind.

You are forgiven for your blasphemy against Newegg.

 

[Peter D]

First off, welcome to AnandTech 🙂

The PowerSupply is somewhere where you do not want to skimp. Buy a good quality Antec, Enermax, PC Power and Cooling, etc PSU. Remember, quality, not quantity. 😉

The 3400+ is a very good choice for the performance you get compared to the FX series and P4 EE's. As for a motherboard, the nForce3 250/GB boards should be hitting the markets soon, so those might be the "wave of the future" for S754 😉

RAM. You're most likely going to be wanting 1GB. It is quickly becoming the norm. with computers and the resource heavy games and progs. Get good quality PC3200/3500 (or higher, dependant on how well nF3 250 boards can overclock) like Mushkin, HyperX, Corsair XMS, OCZ, etc.

Harddrive looks alright, but if prices come down by the time you buy, perhaps invest in WD Raptors 😉 Video card, well, I guess we'll all have to wait and see what nVidia and ATI bring to the table this round. Soundcard looks fine too. Other than that, looks like a killer system 🙂

 

[Scifience]

Originally posted by: Vegetto
First off, welcome to AnandTech 🙂

Thanks for the welcome! 🙂

The PowerSupply is somewhere where you do not want to skimp. Buy a good quality Antec, Enermax, PC Power and Cooling, etc PSU. Remember, quality, not quantity. 😉

Yeah, from everything I've gathered having a good quality power supply will be important, especially with the latest batch of video cards from nVidia and ATI.

RAM. You're most likely going to be wanting 1GB. It is quickly becoming the norm. with computers and the resource heavy games and progs. Get good quality PC3200/3500 (or higher, dependant on how well nF3 250 boards can overclock) like Mushkin, HyperX, Corsair XMS, OCZ, etc.

Yep, already have a gig of RAM in my Dell and it makes a huge difference. Definately will be getting that. I was looking at this http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-290&depa=0 for the RAM; is that any good?

Harddrive looks alright, but if prices come down by the time you buy, perhaps invest in WD Raptors 😉 Video card, well, I guess we'll all have to wait and see what nVidia and ATI bring to the table this round. Soundcard looks fine too. Other than that, looks like a killer system 🙂

Yeah, the Raptors look nice, but they're super-expensive right now. Hopefully they'll come down in price by this summer because 10,000RPM sounds really good. 🙂

Thanks again for all the help everyone!