My Next Computer: (Please Comment)..

[Terrapin]

Greetings:

I have designed my initial specs for the next computer I will be building, or having Googlegear build for me. Any comments, suggestions, etc, would be greatly appreciated.

PS: For those of you that feel an AMD or other processor would be a wiser choice, there is no need to waste energy on that. I have heard you, and still have decided to go intel.

Thank you in advance !!

Asus P4T-M (W/Optional Lan) $184
Intel CPU 2.0 gig $415
2 x 256 = 512 Samsung 800 Rambus $166
Adaptec AHA 39160 Ultra 160 Scsi $240
Seagate Cheetah X15 36LP ST318452FC$353
Asus Geo3 Ti500 $350
Plextor PX 40TSi $105
Plextor 12/10/32 PX-W1210TS/SW $258
Lian LI PC-70 Full Tower Aluminum $233
Power Supply ?
Creative Labs Plat. Audigy $230

Sub Total: $2,530

KLIPSH PROMEDIA 5.1 THX $400 List Price (Not Sure where to order from)

 

[Oalex]

I was thinking: "Why don't you get yourself AMD?" Cheaper/Faster (even in quake)

LOL

 

[Migroo]

Power Supply - How about one from Enermax.

Comments? Well what can I say? You dont really ask a specific question... It seems to be pretty much top specification. Very high-end components across the list of components mean an expensive PC . What is it to be used for?

 

[Terrapin]

Migroo:

Thank you for your feedback.

There is an awful lot of wisdon on this board and certainly folks that know a ton more than I about computers/components. This system was designed by myself to be a fast, powerful and reliable rig. The programs to be run on it run the spectrum from Video recording/editing, web authoring, typical MS Office Suite products, other unforseen interesting stuff I may come across, and of course Games.

I really am uncertain what help I can find with my system specs, hence the lack of a specific question. I suppose I am looking for feedback on any component(s) you might use instead of one I picked, etc.

I appreciate your time,

Terrapin

 

[AndyHui]

The problem I have with the P4T-M is that it is a Socket 423 motherboard. You will have no upgrade path if you decide to purchase this board.

Is there any reason why you won't buy the P4T-E instead?

 

[Terrapin]

Andy:

I picked the P4T-M simply because it is the one designed by Asus for the P4-2.0 cpu. My experience with Asus had been outstanding and I wanted to stick with them, if possible.

I am not concerned about my PC being upgradable. This computer will clearly serve me well for at least 2-3years. Worst thing that happens is I'm wrong, and I have to purchase a new MB at some point in the future to accomodate whatever new CPU I may choose. Bottom line, is I understand the P4-2.0 to be a much improved CPU on the prior P4's. I'm sure like just about every component out there, a debate can be found, but this is just my impression and as I am planning on having this PC for quite some time, I wanted to go with the 2.0

 

[AndyHui]

All of the current P4T Socket 423 boards support up to 2.0GHz Pentium 4 processors. The P4T-M is not specifically designed just for the 2.0GHz processor. In fact, the Socket 423 Pentium 4s top out at 2.0GHz.

If you want to have any upgrade path, you must purchase a Socket 478 motherboard. I suggest the ASUS P4T-E as above.

Socket 478 Pentium 4s are available all the way from 1.3GHz to 2.0GHz and are the same format for the coming Northwood 0.13 micron 512KB L2 cache Pentium 4s.

The currently available 2.0GHz Pentium 4 processor is no different from the previous ones.

The improved version, the Northwood, is not yet available.

 

[Horsepower]

I built my current 2 gig rig with the Intel 850MV motherboard, I used the Enermax EG451VP. I'm real satisfied

 

[Terrapin]

Andy:

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the next generation of P4's will be supported by the Socket 478 and that the Socket 478 supports the new P4-2.0.

What I don't understand then, given this, is why the Socket 423 exists. What is the point ? I mean if your saying the 478 will hold the p4-2.0, just like the 423 will, and that the future P4's will use the 478, why would anyone purchase the 423 socket and further, why was it even manufactured?

Thank you.

 

[AndyHui]

Socket 423 was the original packaging for the 0.18 micron Willamette Pentium 4.

The 0.13 micron Northwood Pentium 4 uses the Socket 478 packaging.

Willamette Pentium 4s are now available in Socket 478 packaging as a transitional product.

Willamette Pentium 4s are available in both the Socket 423 and Socket 478 form factors.

Northwood Pentium 4s will only be available as Socket 478 processors.

 

[Migroo]

I see Terrapin. Youre welcome by the way

Areas of PC tasks:
CPU intensive - sorted, you have a powerful CPU there
CPU + graphics intensive (games) - Sorted for that one too.
Video - You need a fast hard drive to ensure of no dropped frames. edit: you have a fast HD too (just had another look at your spec sheet). Make sure you defrag regularly to aviod dropped frames!

I'd really say that the PC is fine. My only comments being do you really need that level of performance, as there is a very significant markup on the top-end of components for a very little performance advantage when compared to a slightly lower model of a component.

Migroo

 

[thedarkwolf]

How much would you save by going to a 1.9ghz.

Note I am too lazy to look myself

 

[Terrapin]

thedarkwolf:

I would save approximately $150 by going with the P4-1.9 over a 2.0. For some reason, I thought the P4-2.0 was a better choice, not solely because it was slightly faster, but because of design. I may be wrong there; but I seem to remember reading that the design of the P4-2.0 was improved over earlier versions. Again, I could easily be wrong as keeping track of all this stuff is really hard, expecially since this is not what I do.

Migroo:

I probably don't "need" all the top end components I picked, and do understand I am paying a premium for them. I've always used SCSI and high end components. I'm comfortable with them, feel like the rig is more reliable and smoother because of them. Is it worth the extra cost? Probably not. Is it what I want? yea ;p

Terrapin

 

[bigshooter]

The current P4- 2 ghz is the same as all the other p4's in terms of design. The northwood with bigger cache and/or whatever else they plan on throwing in won't be out yet. If you get a socket 478 motherboard then you can buy whatever the slowest socket478 p4 is right now. This will probably be 1.8 or 1.9ghz and will save you a couple hundred bucks. Then when the new northwood cpu's come out, you can buy a faster clocked one and stick it in the same motherboard.

 

[Saltin]

Terra, you should take what Andy says very seriously. It is not a good idea to purchase a socket 423 mobo at this date. Go with the Asus P4T-E if you want an Intel processor / Rambus Solution( It's a socket 478 board). Shortly, all new Intel P4's (Northwoods) will be socket 478. If you want to have an Intel upgrade path above 2.0 ghz, 478 is the only way to go.

 

[Migroo]

Terra:

Fair enough if thats what you want However, on the SCSI issue, a few years ago, that would have been the case. Nowadays, IDE is definately up there with it for most things. As for reliability? well... IDE wont fail more that SCSI if thats what you mean.. and with a SCSI expansion card, theres more to go wrong...

 

[Jgtdragon]

Everything looks pretty good. I would consider a Radeon 8500. It has better 2d and better DVD playback. I would go with maybe a Toshiba DVD-rom SCSI instead of a Plextor cd-rom.

Really depends on what you do with this monster. I used my computer as an entertainment system.

 

[Terrapin]

Saltin:

I agree & great advice. I'll get the P4T-E instead and plop a 1.9 in it as you suggest. When the time comes to upgrade the CPU, I'll throw the 1.9 into my kids PC and all will be well with the world. Ok, maybe that's hoping for a bit too much, but a lot will be better in the home.

Thanks a ton guys


Terrapin

 

[Bovinicus]

I must say, it's a very nice system. However, I would actually downgrade a few things for the sake of price performance. To me, 10-20% total system performance increase is not worth an extra $200 or $300. First, I would get a 1.8 or 1.9GHz P4. The 2GHz commands a significant price premium as it stands. I also think that the sound card you chose is unecessary. The only situation in which the Audigy Platinum is really worth the extra money is if you do lots of things that the software included with it can help you with. Otherwise, it is esentially the same soundcard as the other less expensive versions. I would also get a regular GF3 or the Ti200. The Ti500 does not give you a very substantial performance increase, especially if you won't plan on playing in high resolutions or with FSAA. Even then, the increase is fairly limited. To save even more, I would go with the SiS645 chipset and some DDR SDRAM. It performs at approximately the same level as the i850, but without the extra costs associated with RDRAM. The motherboard would probably be cheaper too. The inclusion of a SCSI array is actually more worth the money than anything else high-end. Harddisks and CDs are often the bottlenecks more than any other component in the system (Except maybe for gaming). If you have a lot of money, and that is really not a problem for you, then by all means go with what you have. The hardware you have chosen is excellent. Have fun, good luck. =)