Rookie needs advice on building pc from experts

[Mulmaster]

Hello

I would greatly appreciate some advice on the first PC I plan on building. Just to let you know I do not plan on overclocking or using a RAID setup.

I plan on using the PC for viewing DVD's, gaming, web surfing, and work (research).

I am looking for suggestions, feedback (good or bad), and whether there are compatibility issues with the hardware I selected.

I also would like some advice on if I need to install more fans then the default (power supply, processor, video card, chipset)

PC HARDWARE:
-------------------
Motherboard - ABit KR7A-133 VIA KT266A
Processor - AMD Athlon XP 2000+/266 FSB Processor CPU - OEM
Hard Drive - Maxtor EIDE Hard Drive 60GB 7200RPM
Video Card - Gainward/Cardexpet GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB
CD Writer - Lite-On LTR-24102B-02 24x10x40 CD-RW
CD Reader - Lite-On LTD-163 Speed - 16X DVD ROM 48X CD-ROM
Case - ANTEC Server Chasis (Workstation Tower) Model SX1040
Heat Sink - ALPHA PAL8045T
Processor Fan - Panaflo 80mm 4 Pin
Sound Card - Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy Xgamer
Memory - 2 x Crucial 256MB DDR PC2100, 184-pin DIMM

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mulmaster

 

[Ausm]

<< Hello I would greatly appreciate some advice on the first PC I plan on building. Just to let you know I do not plan on overclocking or using a RAID setup. I plan on using the PC for viewing DVD's, gaming, web surfing, and work (research). I am looking for suggestions, feedback (good or bad), and whether there are compatibility issues with the hardware I selected. I also would like some advice on if I need to install more fans then the default (power supply, processor, video card, chipset) PC HARDWARE: ------------------- Motherboard - ABit KR7A-133 VIA KT266A Processor - AMD Athlon XP 2000+/266 FSB Processor CPU - OEM Hard Drive - Maxtor EIDE Hard Drive 60GB 7200RPM Video Card - Gainward/Cardexpet GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB CD Writer - Lite-On LTR-24102B-02 24x10x40 CD-RW CD Reader - Lite-On LTD-163 Speed - 16X DVD ROM 48X CD-ROM Case - ANTEC Server Chasis (Workstation Tower) Model SX1040 Heat Sink - ALPHA PAL8045T Processor Fan - Panaflo 80mm 4 Pin Sound Card - Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy Xgamer Memory - 2 x Crucial 256MB DDR PC2100, 184-pin DIMM Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Mulmaster >>



Excellent choices...Except I would change the following 128 mb on a video card is overkill IMHO, I would get a Plextor Burner...I would also sue Klipsch speaker for ultimate listening pleasure


Ausm

 

[saltedeggman]

yup...128mb video card is too much for everyday usage and gaming

Liteon drives are good enough...(half the price)

aside to the klipsch, you can also get the logitech z560

 

[Yossarian]

Yes it's obvious you've done your research. I would second the suggestion that the 128 MB video card is a bit of a waste, memory isn't the performance bottleneck.

Check the warranty on the OEM CPU, some places only have a 30 day deal, others are good for a year.

You don't really NEED any extra case fans but it never hurts to have at least one inlet and one exhaust. Think of it as a little $15 insurance on your $1500 system. The case may come with them anyway, my Antec did. I would also recommend some Arctic Silver 2 thermal compound.

There aren't many (any?) hardware compatibility problems these days with modern components so I think you're all set.

 

[mrman3k]

Looks pretty good, but I would like to recommend a few things to you. First is you do not need more than 256MB of RAM for your computer, if you are using a Win 9x OS it typically cannot use more than 128MB but the extra memory never hurts. I am figuring you are using WinXP either Home or Pro, for that use the 256MB, and that is all you need, anymore will simply be wasted. So save yourself $70 for something else and simply get the 256MB.

Second is wait on the graphics card, check what the prices of the GF4 4200 will be; I expect it to be around $200 which is an excellent deal and it will be a lot more powerful than the GF3TI200.

I would recommend to save even more money, go for the AthlonXP 1800+ or 1900+, you might save in some cases almost $100 and the 2000+ is not that much more powerful. Only get it if you really want it for the name otherwise it is not necessary since you are not overclocking.

For the DVD I have heard that the Pioneer drives are good, but I do not have any personal experience with them.

Save up some money and get the Klipsch Promedia 5.1's to add with your Audigy. Trust me even though it is expensive at $400 MSRP, but it is probably the best computer speakers. If you cannot afford them now, wait until you can and then get them, I have them and it is the best sound I have ever heard from a computer. Trust me, I am into ultra-high end audio with the Wilson and Mark Levinson setup, so it takes a lot to please me and this did it for a computer.

Anyway good luck and have fun, and if you need any help just send an email to me at mrman_3k@msn.com