My first build...

[buknoy76]

This is my first time building my own computer and so far this is what I got...

AMD Athlon 3400 CPU
NEC DVD-R +/- Double Layer
Maxtor 250GB SATA HD
Kingston Memory (3ct-512 DDR 400)
DFI Lanparty UT neForce 3 250GB Socket 754 ATX MotherBoard
and still have to get a monitor, keyboard, and Videocard

My question is: Is it worth it to keep 3 DDR400 memory (1.5GB) in the three slots of the MoBo and will the MoBo handle the 1.5GB DDR RAM??? Or should I just return one and just keep 1GB RAM? Also, which video card do you recommend, ATI or nVidia? I was going to go with the ATI, but I noticed that some of the X-series are PCI Express. I was wondering if they do make an ATI X-series 8X/16X AGP, is that a good choice? Also, which keyboards and monitors do you recommend. Thanks...

 

[ts3433]

For gaming, you really don't need more than 1GB of RAM at the moment, and three DIMMs will lower your RAM speed to DDR333 by default (as per the JEDEC specification, though you can run it out of spec if you want).

They do make X800s in AGP, but what's your budget for a videocard? If you have about $400, I suggest a 6800GT. For around $220, a 6600GT AGP is your best bet. Below that, consider ATI (a new 9800 Pro notwithstanding due to the 6600GT). $100-130 should get you a used 9700 Pro.

 

[SlingXShot]

Originally posted by: buknoy76
This is my first time building my own computer and so far this is what I got...

AMD Athlon 3400 CPU
NEC DVD-R +/- Double Layer
Maxtor 250GB SATA HD
Kingston Memory (3ct-512 DDR 400)
DFI Lanparty UT neForce 3 250GB Socket 754 ATX MotherBoard
and still have to get a monitor, keyboard, and Videocard

My question is: Is it worth it to keep 3 DDR400 memory (1.5GB) in the three slots of the MoBo and will the MoBo handle the 1.5GB DDR RAM??? Or should I just return one and just keep 1GB RAM? Also, which video card do you recommend, ATI or nVidia? I was going to go with the ATI, but I noticed that some of the X-series are PCI Express. I was wondering if they do make an ATI X-series 8X/16X AGP, is that a good choice? Also, which keyboards and monitors do you recommend. Thanks...

in 2 years I bet everyone will be saying to get at least 2 GIGs, now 1 gig is good, but trust me, memory is never a waste of money.