New System (Be Grateful for Feedback)

[Terrapin]

I've been waiting months for the 1066 rdram and Asus 533-c board to be available, and am ready to order my new system.

I do not plan to overclock, and don't want to build the system myself. Micro Pro in Ohio has the components in stock, and while they are about 5% more expensive then NewEgg, they will build the system for me.

Any feedback on anything below would be greatly appreciated. I really want to order this puppy.

One thing; I wanted a faster processor, but it's hard for me to justify the difference in cost between a 2.2 and 2.4 or 2.5 at this point. Never did understand what the "B" meant in the 2.4B CPU. Anyway; here goes....


Asus P4T533-C
Intel CPU 2.2 533fsb
512 Kingston 1066 Rdram
WD SE 120mg 8mb Cache
Visiontek Geoforce 4 Ti 4600
Plextor dvd/cd 20-10-40-12
Plextor 40/12/40 EIDE Int: CDRW
Creative Labs Plat. Audigy Plat.
Lian Li Full Alum 400wts
Teac 1.44
Windows XP Prof

Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,

Terrapin

 

[Gyrene]

Sounds like a sweet machine, though I'm partial to AMD. Only thing I would do differently is get rid of the Teac floppy. I know floppies don't matter too much, but I've had about 6 Teacs fail on me in a 3 month span. Makes it damn hard to use a boot disk when your CD-ROM doesn't work. I normally use Samsung floppy drives...cheap and reliable. All in all, that's an excellent set-up.

 

[xynder]

Check resellerratings.com -- MicroPro is teh suck.

And why not build? It's fun!

Yeah, TEAC floppies suck (unless you use 4 of them in a Raid 6 config)... go with samsung or mitsumi.

Word.

 

[acejj26]

the 2.4B uses the 533 MHz bus.....the 2.4A uses the 400 MHz bus

they have to be distinguished from each other

 

[Terrapin]

Check resellerratings.com -- MicroPro is teh suck.

I checked, and I don't see anything particularly alarming. Many of those complaints have to do with a product not being delivered on time. It's also typical for the disgruntled customers to take the time to register and complain. Compliments are not given as freely as complaints; as people simply expect good service and see no reason to comment on it when they get it.

That said, I'd welcome any first hand experience folks here have had with Micro Pro.

Reason I'm not building the system myself, is mainly due to time. I've never built one totally by myself before from start to finish and have a feeling that between the time involved, mistakes made, etc., it's likely not worth it. Don't get me wrong tho, I am very tempted, as with mistakes comes first hand knowledge of ones own system and how its configured. Decision is really based more on my comfort zone then anything else.

Thanks,

Terrapin

 

[jblondi]

Well, here is my two thoughts. You can offset the cost of your time by saving money and building it yourself. Second. Its probably some 14 year old kid putting the thing together and just making sure it boots once or twice. So you will get it, and if there is a problem, you wont even know where to start. When you build it yourself at least you find problems when you make them, and that knowledge is perminant. Much more satisfying then just paying someone else. It helps get the ladies too! (If only that were true! )

 

[Terrapin]

Re: CD/DVD Drives

I got to thinking. Uh oh ;p

With the: Plextor dvd/cd 20-10-40-12

Do I really need the Plextor 40/12/40 EIDE Int: CDRW which costs close to $150; when I can just buy a nice Lite On CD-ROM drive for $60?


Re: Building it myself:

I've never done it before. I'm not even sure what materials I need to mount the board, CPU, etc. Sure, I've upgraded PC's by removing and installing stuff; but never built my own from scratch. It's possible the 14 yr old may do a better job then this 48 yr old. Simple things to you, like "Terminating Connections" and stuff like that is like a foreign language to me. Like I said, I'm tempted and am sure I can do it, but would you guys really want to put up with a dozen "HELP" posts? lol And of course, there is the driving my wife and kids nuts by my frustration which may arise over the process.

Terrapin

 

[Terrapin]

hungry for feedback.. @v@

 

[TomBilliodeaux]

Since your are not oc anything, this is not any more difficult than what you already did.....Plug it in and turn it on.

Your case and mobo will have all the necessary screws and connections to plug your hardware in.

Everything will be evident when you have it all before you.

I usually install the cpu on the mobo and READ the MOBO manual twice to be sure about all the dip settings, if you will have any.
Now most are all bios driven with very few if any jumpers to move around (the jumpers are provided also).
Then install the mobo on the case chasis.
Be sure to place the plastic tabs on before screwing the board down. Also use the studs to ensure it does not touch the case on the other side.

Install your memory, then install your hdd, cd's, floppy and connect the cables. then your video card.

Bios may be the most difficult thing to setup if you are not familiar with the lingo. Your Asus book will help and you will not have any problems.

Next install your o/s on your formatted hdd. Partition it first the way you want it and then install Wxp to your o/s partition.
Wxp will then install the needed drivers.


The good thing about building is that you will have manuals and warranty on all the components and know what you have.

The people here will help you along. You already know that.

Have fun.

 

[jcmkk]

Just build it yourself. There is no mystical art to putting a PC together. The scariest part for a beginner is putting the heatsink on, and with P4's it is very simple. The real trick to avoiding problems is to get quality components, and you've easily got that covered. That should be a very easy build. If you're really affraid of it, there's gotta be someone you know that knows how to build one. Don't pass up the opportunity to build it yourself. Even with a beginner, it shouldn't take anymore than a day to build it, and install the OS.

 

[Terrapin]

Thank you for the feedback, and the encouragement.

On a side note; a friend in my gaming guild had this to say, regarding building a system with the new 533fsb boards, CPUs and faster 1066 rdram

these new system are UNSTABLE untill they have gone through about 3 MB revisions. complicate that by adding a new type of ram and you have an instant headache.

Seriously, I and a friend both updgraded from 500s to 1Ghz and 1.5 Ghz. We bought new ram (PC133 at tha time was fast) and both of us had serious stability problems for months, and went through about 4 bios upgrades before our sytems became stable. In the end werent significantly faster than our old 500s. upgrading the hardrive made the biggest diffference. Even at SCSI speeds a 2.2Ghz processor is going to mega outperfrom your system. Trust me I build microcontrollers for a living.

Piecing they system together is a cinch. the only problem you should have (if you are doing a completely clean install) is possible bios timing instabilites. With cutting edge processors the systems usually lag a good 6mo behind on providing stable motherboards.

Is he right? Am I better off just going with the 400fsb board, cpu and 800 rdram; saving a few bucks and his forcast of headaches? I don't know, I'm asking, but he may have a point. What do you all think?

Terrapin

 

[Scipionix]

Originally posted by: Terrapin

Asus P4T533-C
Intel CPU 2.2 533fsb
512 Kingston 1066 Rdram
WD SE 120mg 8mb Cache
Visiontek Geoforce 4 Ti 4600
Plextor dvd/cd 20-10-40-12
Plextor 40/12/40 EIDE Int: CDRW
Creative Labs Plat. Audigy Plat.
Lian Li Full Alum 400wts
Teac 1.44
Windows XP Prof

Terrapin, I just got the same motherboard, memory, and hard drive (I assume you mean the -JB model). I put in a P4 1.8A, MSI ti4400, Pioneer DVD-ROM, Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, Super Flower 201b case, Enermax 350W power supply, and XP pro. I've only had the thing running for a little over a day, but I've done several hours of burn-in testing and it's been perfectly stable. You shouldn't have any problem with your components, although I think the Ti4600,at >$100 more than the Ti4400, is too expensive for a ~10% performance improvement. You could also get a Santa Cruz or Audigy Gamer soundcard and save another $75 or so. But it all looks good to me. As for overclocking, I can understand why you don't want to do it, but I got the 1.8A for $100 less than a 2.26 and I am running it at 2.4 GHz at default core voltage with the Intel heatsink and fan. If you really don't want to overclock, the 2.26 is a good deal and a sure thing, but know that it is usually not difficult to get your 1.8A to 2.4 gigs, especially not with this board. BUt you should only do what you're comfortable doing.

 

[n0cmonkey]

In regards to Micro Pro, I bought a system through them a few years ago. I had absolutely no problems with them, and if I didnt build my own systems I would buy from them again. I have recommended them before and will recommend them again.

Im not saying people havent had bad experiences with them, just letting you know mine

 

[imported_zenwhen]

Dont listen to your friend. Ever again. If he says there is a snake behing you... dont listen. If he tells you you are on fire, dont listen. Your friend does not know his brain from a hole in the ground. P4 is win. And you are getting a hell of a motherboard that *tons* of people have had success with.

 

[Terrapin]

Again, thank you for all your replies.

Terrapin, I just got the same motherboard, memory, and hard drive (I assume you mean the -JB model). I put in a P4 1.8A, MSI ti4400, Pioneer DVD-ROM, Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, Super Flower 201b case, Enermax 350W power supply, and XP pro. I've only had the thing running for a little over a day, but I've done several hours of burn-in testing and it's been perfectly stable. You shouldn't have any problem with your components, although I think the Ti4600,at >$100 more than the Ti4400, is too expensive for a ~10% performance improvement. You could also get a Santa Cruz or Audigy Gamer soundcard and save another $75 or so. But it all looks good to me. As for overclocking, I can understand why you don't want to do it, but I got the 1.8A for $100 less than a 2.26 and I am running it at 2.4 GHz at default core voltage with the Intel heatsink and fan. If you really don't want to overclock, the 2.26 is a good deal and a sure thing, but know that it is usually not difficult to get your 1.8A to 2.4 gigs, especially not with this board. BUt you should only do what you're comfortable doing.

Aside from not wanting to overclock, I sort of feel like it's a bit of a waste getting a Board with 533fsb and not getting a CPU that can also run at 533fsb. If I'm not mistaken, the CPU you picked is limited to 400fsb, although I'm not positive.

Re: OverClocking Let's put it this way. If I find my comfort level with overclocking increases, and the P4T533-C makes it that easy to do, then I'll be in a great position in the future to push that 2.4B up. If your succeeding at pumping the 1.8 to @2.4, I imagine I can get the 2.4B to @3.0. I sort of like knowing I'm in that position if a year, or so from now, I feel like I can use the benefit of the addition power.

My friends concern about the stability of these new systems still concerns me, but I made another thread about. My confidence in Asus is very very high. I have used their boards in my last three systems, but I have to agree with my friend that they are brand new boards, and the 533fsb, the 1066 rdram and the CPU's running at 533fsb is a brand new combination that just may prove to require bios revisions to run well. I'm not saying I will be taking his advice, just saying I am not discounting entirely as logically it makes some sense.

Respectfully,

Terrapin

 

[Scipionix]

I don't mean to dwell on overclocking, but I can tell you that you can overclock a 1.8A from 100MHz FSB/33MHz PCI to 133MHz fSB/33 MHz PCI and be within the specifications of the board and the memory. If you want to overclock your 2.53, you won't be since you will have to push both buses beyond 133/33. In any case, this board only allows FSB/PCI frequencies of 150/37.5 max, so your CPU won't get past 2850 MHz.

 

[pac1085]

Looks like a fine setup to me...I personally wouldnt get an audigy though.