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Looking to complete Intel PC w/xmas money

I

innocentbastard

Member
I finally have enough money to finish building a new pc and need some suggestions and advice. I am building an Intel based pc and will primarily use it for gaming and music. I may do some overclocking down the line but for now this will blow away my old pc pretty much no matter what I go with. I am really itching to get a new pc, so I would love to get some suggestions so I can get this overt and done with.

Here is what I am looking at:
Intel P4 2.4c (minimum)
Mobo...not sure probably a 875 but not sure which one
Memory...not sure but at least 2x512 of pc3500
Sound: Audigy 2 ZS
Speakers: Klipsch 2.1 or similar 2.1 setup, no place for rears
CDRW: Liteon 52x32x52 on Newegg for 38.99
Floppy:

Here is what I have from past deals and or gifts so most can't be exchanged
Maxtor 160gb w/8mb cache and ultra ATA 133 pci card
Maxtor 80gb w/2mb cache
Antec 1080amg w/ tru power 430
ATI Radeon 9800(can be exchanged)
Microsoft Keyboard
Microsoft Intellimouse
Lite-on 16x Dvd
 
Well, here's my suggestion:

Intel P4 2.6C and Abit's new AI7 (865PE) mobo

Personally, I don't think most people need 1GB yet, except for bragging rights. And since you're obviously out for performance, splurge on two Mushkin Black PC3200 256MB CAS:2 DIMMs instead. 512MB will handle all the games and music you want to throw at it.

You've pretty much picked the nuts on sound and speakers. In fact, I'd try the integrated sound on the AI7 before spending the money on the Audigy. Yeah, it may sound a little better, but is the nominal improvement worth it? ESPECIALLY since you are sticking with 2.1...

The hard drives are fine, as is the case and ps. And a CDRW is a CDRW, these days.

On the video card, I would "trade down" to a 9700 Pro or even a 9600 Pro. Still plenty of performance for today's games, and some extra cash for other goodies.

My $.02
 
As far as the audigy I am picking that up with gift cards and a possible Replaytv return to Circuit City, and the 9800 only cost me 99.99 after using a 100 giftcard so the price is actually less than a 9600 pro.

Any reason not to go with the 875 mobo's?
 
Originally posted by: innocentbastard
As far as the audigy I am picking that up with gift cards and a possible Replaytv return to Circuit City, and the 9800 only cost me 99.99 after using a 100 giftcard so the price is actually less than a 9600 pro.

Any reason not to go with the 875 mobo's?
Click to expand...


Because since mobo makers started enabling "PAT" on the 865 boards they have the same performance as the 875 boards with the exception of Intel. The 865 & 875 are the same chip. The only thing that makes an 865 an 865 is that it won't handlle "pat" which is complete BS as shown by GAT and MAM.. Ihave an Abit IC7-g (875) and IS7 (865) and the IS7 is the better performing of the two.

See here and over at Tom's.(probably the only true thing on the sight).
 
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