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My First Build! Plz Critique

J

JoPalm

Senior member
This is gonna be my first computer I've built myself and I was hoping you guys here could give me some feedback as how the system looks. I've already purchased the ram. 2x 256ddr. The only thing I don't know is what kind of hs/fan should I get? I'm not going to be overclocking so do you think getting a boxed version is better? What about using thermal paste instead of the sticky tab they put on the hs, would that void the warranty? Prices are in CDN. Most of the parts I'm purchasing from a place called A-Power in Vancouver. Thx guys!

$189 AMD® Athlon?XP 1600+(1.40GHz) w/266Mhz FSB OEM
$159 MSI K7T266 Pro2 KT266A 266Mhz FSB 1AGP4x/5PCI/3DDR W/Sound Socket A ATA-100
$115 256MB PC2100 266Mhz 184pin DDR (Micron/Samsung)
$115 256MB PC2100 266Mhz 184pin DDR (Micron/Samsung)
$19 D-Link 530TX+ 10/100 network card retail boxed
$289 ATI Radeon 8500 64MB DDR AGP4X w/S-Video & DVI-I Box
$79 In-Win S500 16" ATX case w/250 Watt power supply
$69 Enermax 350W ATX12V P4 Power Supply w/Dual Cooling Fan
$138 Liteon 24x10x40(LTR 24102B) Burn-Proof CDRW w/ software&cable
30GB 75GXP Hard Drive (Taking from my current computer)
Floopy
 
JoPalm,

Those can't be US prices? What are they, Canadian?

I wonder why people even buy stuff from Canadian vendors will U.S. mail order vendors will ship to Canada?
 
you're paying way too much. my rig is better in performance than yours yet cost around $1250 monitor included. ur paying too much for that athlon xp, should be paying around 130 or so, about the MB i don't know but I got a dragon with integrated sound and lan and the same chipset for $146, 289 for the radeon is too much, I got a radeon 8500 le and can o/c it to 290/290 ...yea for all the components you are paying too much. head over to www.newegg.com for the best prices and best quality components.
 


<< JoPalm,

Those can't be US prices? What are they, Canadian?

I wonder why people even buy stuff from Canadian vendors will U.S. mail order vendors will ship to Canada? >>



I think it is canadian though. Unless he's getting it from retail outlets.
 
Looks good. But, 2 things where are you getting the parts? And why are you getting 2 cases? Take a look at Pricewatch.com for cheapest prices, and Newegg.com for great service, and prices on loads of PC parts. Here's prices from Newegg:

XP 1600+ OEM: $110
K7T266 Pro2: $97
Radeon 8500: $168 (NOT IN STOCK)
Enermax 350W PS Case: $53

I urge you to get your stuff from Newegg. They are great.
 


<< Sorry sorry...forgot to say those are CDN prices . >>

In that case, well the system is good, but I can't comment on the prices (dont' know anything about CDN prices)
 
From the AMD limited warranty:

"This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith."

If you're not going to OC, the retail HSF is fine. Even if you are you should still be able to get some extra performance without obscene temperatures.
 
It's open to interpretation, but there is a line which says the warranty only applies if the chip and HSF are "properly installed and used". I would think that if they don't want you using another fan, they don't want you taking off the thermal goo and using AS. But like I said if you're not going to overclock there's no need to mess with it. I'm running at 39-40C normal, 45 under full load with an Athlon XP 1800+ and EP-8KHA+ mobo.
 


<< Looks good. But, 2 things where are you getting the parts? And why are you getting 2 cases? Take a look at Pricewatch.com for cheapest prices, and Newegg.com for great service, and prices on loads of PC parts. Here's prices from Newegg:

XP 1600+ OEM: $110
K7T266 Pro2: $97
Radeon 8500: $168 (NOT IN STOCK)
Enermax 350W PS Case: $53

I urge you to get your stuff from Newegg. They are great. >>



Newegg dosen't ship to Canada.


This is from there web site FAQs,
Does Newegg.com ship internationally?
Newegg.com does not ship internationally. At this time we only ship within the United States and Puerto Rico.


 
If you do use arctic silver (an I suggest you do) learn a lesson form me. I bought some, scraped the pad off my heatsink, then wondered what to do with the residue left behind. The arctic silver tube said look on their website for directions , so I did and that is when I found out how particular they are about what you use to clean the heatsink. I thought I was going to lose an entire day for lack of "mineral spirits" (whatever they are) when I stumbled on some acetone in my garage.

Anyway, my website is all about a system like yours and how to buy it, but it provides you little help because most of my parts came form newegg. Still if tcwo ships to Canada I would at least get that combo rather than what you are currently looking at.
 
Everything seems good. You might want to replace the D-Link Nic with a 3com or Intel NIC. And don't tell me you plan to use the built-in sound? For an extra US$32, you can get a Hercules Fortissimo II ( nad they are based in Canada so you should have it in your area.).
 
I'm trying to keep the price down for the network card 🙂. 3com is over rated imo. I don't need a soundcard for now since my speakers are USB, MS Digital Sound System 80. Hmm..I forgot that mobo had onboard sound on it. hehe
 
If you buy 3com or Intel with the retail package, then yes it is more expensive. Just get an OEM or buy used. You can get them for around US $15-20. If not available in your area, try if there are some Netgear FA310TX NIC's. These are older cards based DEC "Tulip" chipset, which is more reliable and better in CPU usage than the regular Realtek NIC's.
 
I think the dlink card should be fine, I put one in a friends computer with the same mobo and had no problem. Guapo did you have trouble with the card on the same mobo?
 
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