new computer for college kid

[sniperruff]

hi:
i want to build (or my brother, a newbie to building computers will build it) a new computer in the next 3 months because as my pervious post described, i am currently using a pent1 233mmx that is simply too slow... i want to use it generally to play games casually and simple internet and office tasks... since i'm a newbie and i don't know much about hardwares, please give me some suggestions:
1) pent 4 or AMD xp?
2) if pent 4, RDRAM or DDR SDRAM?
3) which mobo i should get?
4) and which HD (around 40 gig) is the best?
5) i'm thinking about getting a g-force video card... but they are so hard to choose! which one is the best value for around $100?
6) i also want to watch TV on my computer... should i get the ATI all in wonder 7500 or just buy a PCI adapter?
7) finally i need some DO's/ DON'T's for building my computer!
thank you for you guys' time!
tom

 

[sniperruff]

by the way i want to keep my budget around $500... please help!
thank you!

 

[fatbaby]

1. p4 1.6a
2. ddr 2100
3. msi 645
4. MAXTOR Quiet Drive 40GB 7200RPM Model # 6L040L2
5. visiontek xtasy gf2 gts
6. screw that idea
7. do a search

All can be found rather cheaply @ newegg.com

BTW, we aren't your d@mn shopping service!

 

[AGodspeed]

<< 1. p4 1.6a
2. ddr 2100
3. msi 645
4. MAXTOR Quiet Drive 40GB 7200RPM Model # 6L040L2
5. visiontek xtasy gf2 gts
6. screw that idea
7. do a search

All can be found rather cheaply @ newegg.com

BTW, we aren't your d@mn shopping service! >>

Why would he want a 1.6A processor, he's not going to be doing any overclocking? Am I mistaken?

I'd get the following:

- Athlon XP 1800+ (1.53GHz) Palomino Processor.
- ASUS A7N266-C (nForce 415-D DDR chipset) Motherboard.
- ATi Radeon 8500.
- Seagate Barracuda IV (40GB).

With s&h, that will come to just under $500. Do a search for the exact prices at newegg.com

 

[Siddhartha]

Since it sounds like you are not going to overclock, I agree with Agodspeed. Go with the Retail Athlon XP1800+ it is about the same price(Newegg.com) as the P41.6A and is faster.

 

[sadb0i]

yes do the athlon XP cpu w/ any kt266a motherboard...(like the shuttle boards, cheap, fast and stable)
for video card since you are on a budget go for a radeon LE. cheap as heck now and fast enough for about 90%+ of the games out there fine, but if you insist on nvidia, just do the gf2 mx400...again a budget card and plays games well.

on hard drives: from PERSONAL experience western digital craps out all the time. ive done more rmas on just their hard drive alone than i have done on ALL my parts combines. theyre that bad for me. I highly recommend getting a maxtor drive and make sure its 7200 rpm ata 100.

for the tv card..find one that fits your budget. thats all i can say here

good luck!