My computer- opinions please

[Flightsim]

I am going to build a computer for my first time and I will order my parts soon. Just to make sure, I want to hear your opinions and see if I need to change anything. I know that I will use a Pentium 4, even though some of you will probably tell me to go with Athlon. I don't know what monitor I will get(probably a dell M782- is it any good?) but I need it to be black. What are some good 17" black monitors between $150-$200? Also, what brand of power supply should I get(the case I want doesn't come with one)? One more thing- should I get a copy of windows XP for my new computer? I plan to use my computer mostly for gaming and have heard windows XP is good. Right now I am using windows 98SE and it seems alright. Anyway, here's what I have planned:

-Pentium 4(Northwood) 2.0a GHz
-Asus P4S533
-512MB Samsung PC2700
-VisionTek Xtasy Ti4400
-IBM 80GB 7200rpm HD
-Artec 56X CD-ROM
-SoundBlaster Live 5.1(OEM)***Should I get Audigy?
-Altec Lansing 641 Speakers
-350W Power Supply***What brand?
-17" Dell M782 Monitor***Is it any good? Anything better?
-Floppy Drive
-Black ATX Case
-Windows 98SE***Do I need Windows XP?

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Looks good to me. I will be actually maybe ordering tonight my computer pieces and parts. I wont tell you to change from Intel to AMD or AMD to Intel or anything but the stuff I will be using is AMD because Intel is slightly too cost prohibitive right now. For me anyway.

I noticed that you have 512mb of Samsung PC2700 listed. I am getting mine from Newegg but they are out of stock of the stuff that they claim isn't just overclocked 2100 but DO have the other Samsung 512 PC2700 instock. Thats a question for anybody else that got me wondering. Are the sticks that are instock not really 2700 or something?

Anyway. I changed from the VisionTek 4400 to the Abit Siluro 4400 generally because of the interesting review of a bunch of cards at tomshardware.com. Here is a link to that particular review if you are interested. I cant really complain about the soundblaster issues with VIA as that board is SiS anyway. Im not sure what the difference in sound really is between the Lives and Audigy's. If i was going to get a case that had not included a power supply I would most likely get a good Enermax one. As far as the OS you could get a BUNCH of pros and cons and gripes im sure about both in the OS forum, I am going with XP PRO though.

 

[InFecTed]

1. Get the Audigy
2. Get a 19" monitor with an AG. Or a decent LCD.
3. Windows XP

Have fun with the bad boy

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: InFecTed
1. Get the Audigy
2. Get a 19" monitor with an AG. Or a decent LCD.
3. Windows XP

Have fun with the bad boy

I agree with him, you can get WinXP OEM Full Version for $90-100, lower $90's at NewEgg

 

[Rimnet]

Originally posted by: motoamd

Originally posted by: InFecTed
1. Get the Audigy
2. Get a 19" monitor with an AG. Or a decent LCD.
3. Windows XP

Have fun with the bad boy

I agree with him, you can get WinXP OEM Full Version for $90-100, lower $90's at NewEgg

free on kaazaa

 

[Adul]

XP is much better then 98se stability wise.

 

[Flightsim]

free on kaazaa

Windows XP Home is free on kaazaa? Maybe I'm too much of a computer newbie, but what is kaazaa? Also, I've seen something called Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade for around $50. Would this actually be an OS, or is it just an upgrade for XP users?

I've seen most of you reccomending the audigy sound card? Is it really better and which version should I ge? I plan on gaming mostly, so I would assume the audigy gamer right? As far as a 19" monitor goes, they seem too costly for me. I have enough expenses with the other stuff(Pentium 4, GeoForce 4, PC2700, etc.)

Keep up the replies-thanks.

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Its a p2p file swapping service. Like napster, but for ANYTHING.

 

[Flightsim]

Its a p2p file swapping service. Like napster, but for ANYTHING

Hmmm, it must be illegal(heaven forbid). I used to use napster and you know what happened to that. Also, if Windows XP was free, would it still work. I mean, aren't there certification codes and all that?

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Im sure you can find them somewhere. Im going 'legit' though.

 

[Flightsim]

SHoddyCOmp-

Q]I changed from the VisionTek 4400 to the Abit Siluro 4400 generally because of the interesting review of a bunch of cards at tomshardware.com[/quote]

About that Tom's Hardware article- I've heard that website is run by idiots(no offense) and one of my favorite websites(gamespot.com) rates the VisionTek Xtasy very highly. I haven't seen any other reviews for the Abit Siluro 4400, but I noticed newegg.com sells it for $30 less than the VisionTek. Are there any other reviews for the Abit Siluro 4400?[

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Im not sure what the deal is but I just read that and changed my mind. But then again I change my mind a lot and might reconsider very shortly I just really dont know at this point for my uses which to get now. I wasnt trying to change your mind or anything just to read a reviewand see what ya thought of it. Do what you wish and I will too but im just as always in the middle of atleast 2 things whatever they may be.

 

[herbage11]

I agree with many of these earlier posts. I just built a P4 1.6a on Friday on an Asus P4s533 with PC2700 True Samsung RAM. I love it. Running rock solid at 2.2 ghz. I also went from Windows 98se to XP and am happy I did. Drivers are much easier and I really like it. I am also happy with my Sony 19" monitor compared to my old 17".
Good luck

 

[Flightsim]

I agree with many of these earlier posts. I just built a P4 1.6a on Friday on an Asus P4s533 with PC2700 True Samsung RAM. I love it. Running rock solid at 2.2 ghz.

herbage11- Is overclocking a Pentium 4 hard to do? I could save some extra $$$ if I bought a 1.6a and then maybe get a 19" monitor. I worry that it would be too complicated for a n00b and stressful on the CPU. The cooling might be expensive too. Also, would a 1.6a overclocked to 2.2GHz run just as well as a retail, default 2.2GHz(400 MHz FSB) CPU?

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: Flightsim

Its a p2p file swapping service. Like napster, but for ANYTHING

Hmmm, it must be illegal(heaven forbid). I used to use napster and you know what happened to that. Also, if Windows XP was free, would it still work. I mean, aren't there certification codes and all that?

Yes it's illegal, and continuing to discuss it is a good way to get your thread locked/deleted.