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So I want to build a new system...

R

Rookie

Golden Member
I've leafed around the various forums and there is TOO MUCH! I need some help.

Here's some basics:
[*]keep it under 1 grand
[*]no need to overclock
[*]Pentium system
[*]1 GB RAM
[*]Multimedia Machine

Feel free to flame but I don't have time to read up! 🙂 Thanks AT!

Based on some great suggestions.... what do you guys think?

[*]ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case - Model "P-160WF"
[*]NEC 8X DVD+RW/-RW Drive, Model ND-2500A, OEM Bulk
[*]Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD1200JD, OEM Drive Only
[*]Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
[*]MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
[*]AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
[*]Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
[*]ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL

I don't need a floppy. How about a cool glowing cooling fan suggestion?
 
You'll want an Athlon 64 if you wanna get the most out of your system, but if you INSIST on an Intel CPU, look at the Northwood cores. Also, if this is for multimedia, include an Audigy 2 ZS sound-card.
 
No reason to go w/ an intel CPU, especially on a budget.

Do you need a monitor? Speakers? KB/Mouse? Case?

What do you mean my multimedia? DVD watching? Music? Video Editing? Gaming?

In any case, the best bang for your buck is either going to be an AthlonXP or 64 system.
 
One thing to do is make a list of things that either you require or have made decisions about already, then go from there.

Like:
HD's - SATA/ATA?
Case - what kind/price
PSU
Floppy? - do you need this
CDR/DVD drive
OS
Accessories
Sound Card
Video Card

Add these up and then you can decide about MOBO/CPU if you like also. This is stuff you need regardless of what you choose AMD/INTEL

that way you know how much money you have left overto buy the mobo/cpu. I would suggest spending some time on the mobo. Since you're so close to BTX & PCI Express you may want to take that into consideration. If you go with a PCI Express board think about what components will have to change (video in particular).
 
These days $1000 will get you a nice system. Assuming you don't need a monitor, keyboard, and so on. Let's see what newegg has got for you. I will do two basic systems w/o CPU and board so you can see the differences between P4 and A64. I do think the A64 is the smarter move.

CD/DVD: NEC 8x DVD-/+RW - $63
CASE: Antec Mid Tower w/ 350W PS - $59
HARD DRIVE 1: Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM 8MB cache - $64
MEMORY: 2x 512MB Mushkin PC3200 - $158
SOUND CARD: Audigy 2 ZS - $89
VIDEO CARD: BBA Radeon 9800Pro - $223

Now for your intel and amd options

CPU: AMD Athlon64 3000+ (retail) - $223
MOBO: MSI K8T Neo - $90
TOTAL: $969

OR

CPU: 3.0Ghz P4C (retail) - $219
MOBO: Intel D875PBZLK (875 chipset) - $129
TOTAL: $1004

I think performance wise and by a slight margin cost wise the A64 is a better choice. But with $1000 those are the two systems I would choose between.
-doug
 
Serial ATA hard-drives? Any good articles on those? Haven't owned one yet... I might want to

Do they just have faster seek times?
 
Pentium system
-------------
Why? Want something that runs slower, uses more power, generates more heat, is not 64 bit compatable , has in P4 31 bugs and your board might be recalled for chiset issues?😀
 
FRIENDSHIP!

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Retail - $215

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $80.99

Hitachi 160GB SATA - $95.50

Mushkin Basic Green 512MB PC3200 CAS2.5 - $79

NEC 8X DVD +/- RW - $69.99

PNY GeForce 6800GT 256MB - $339.67

Antec Sonata w/ 380W PSU - $99.94

TOTAL: $980.09

The Hitachi drive is rated better than the Western Digital (and it's bigger).

The MSI board uses an older chipset; the Chaintech is a better choice.

Cases are a personal preference, but make sure you get a good PSU with whichever one you choose (the Sonata comes with a great Antec 380W unit).

6800GT, nuff said about that. Great value for the money. The 9800PRO is also a good value, but if you can get a next-gen card and stay within your $1000 budget, why not? Saves you from upgrading for a while in that department (especially since MANY 6800GT's easily overclock to Ultra specs).
 
Originally posted by: jpeyton
FRIENDSHIP!

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Retail - $215

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $80.99

Hitachi 160GB SATA - $95.50

Mushkin Basic Green 512MB PC3200 CAS2.5 - $79

NEC 8X DVD +/- RW - $69.99

PNY GeForce 6800GT 256MB - $339.67

Antec Sonata w/ 380W PSU - $99.94

TOTAL: $980.09
Click to expand...

You really need to revise this list.

First why get the 3000 when the 2800 is 18% cheaper? Don't you know they are the same chip?😉 In fact a multi of 9 is preferred in the new 250gb due to proper OCing of 270+HTT and 3x FID.

Second the Epox board is the same price and infinity better. GB chipset first of all and chaintech is crap.

Three the Hitachi HD's are very loud. SPCR says 40 dB. Samsungs are the best plus 3 yrs warranty.

Four that memory sucks. Wrost timmings I've seen.
 
id say tone down that mobo to something like the $88 dollar chaintech nforce3, then put the money you save to purchase another 512 RAM.
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
You really need to revise this list.

First why get the 3000 when the 2800 is 18% cheaper? Don't you know they are the same chip?😉 In fact a multi of 9 is preferred in the new 250gb due to proper OCing of 270+HTT and 3x FID.

Second the Epox board is the same price and infinity better. GB chipset first of all and chaintech is crap.

Three the Hitachi HD's are very loud. SPCR says 40 dB. Samsungs are the best plus 3 yrs warranty.

Four that memory sucks. Wrost timmings I've seen.
Click to expand...

Taken from the OP's first post:

no need to overclock
Click to expand...

So he should buy the fastest CPU within his budget, which I think is the 3000+.

Exactly how is the Epox board infinitely better? Is that your professional opinion or do you have links? Both the Epox and Chaintech have nothing but great reviews on Newegg. If the guy wants to pay $20 extra for Gigabit ethernet, he can go right ahead.

The Hitachi hard drive is the best 7200RPM drive according to StorageReview. The user reviews on Newegg nearly ALL state that the drive is reasonably quiet. The Samsung is a great SATA drive, and I recommend it many times too, but THEY BOTH HAVE A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. LEARN TO READ.

Memory timings have a small impact on A64 performance. Read up.

And in review, learn to read.

Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: jpeyton
FRIENDSHIP!

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Retail - $215

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $80.99

Hitachi 160GB SATA - $95.50

Mushkin Basic Green 512MB PC3200 CAS2.5 - $79

NEC 8X DVD +/- RW - $69.99

PNY GeForce 6800GT 256MB - $339.67

Antec Sonata w/ 380W PSU - $99.94

TOTAL: $980.09
Click to expand...

You really need to revise this list.

First why get the 3000 when the 2800 is 18% cheaper? Don't you know they are the same chip?😉 In fact a multi of 9 is preferred in the new 250gb due to proper OCing of 270+HTT and 3x FID.

Second the Epox board is the same price and infinity better. GB chipset first of all and chaintech is crap.

Three the Hitachi HD's are very loud. SPCR says 40 dB. Samsungs are the best plus 3 yrs warranty.

Four that memory sucks. Wrost timmings I've seen.
Click to expand...

1. you are dead wrong about the chaintech board. seems a site called Anantech love it. :roll:

2. Cas 2.5 is bad timings? 😕 yeah...right. that memory is great RAM. decent timings and a great price and with a great company.
 
All good information. Thanks all. Keep it coming.

I don't see why people feel the need to get so fiesty around here.

nonetheless thanks!
 
Originally posted by: Rookie
All good information. Thanks all. Keep it coming.

I don't see why people feel the need to get so fiesty around here.

nonetheless thanks!
Click to expand...

If you think this is bad go to Politics and News. 😉

As for your system I have nothing to add to the configurations above.
 
I won't touch that with a 50 ft poll... I have read. I can't post because there is TOO much misinformation in that forum

Can anyone suggest a good clear sided case?
 
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Originally posted by: Zebo
You really need to revise this list.

First why get the 3000 when the 2800 is 18% cheaper? Don't you know they are the same chip?😉 In fact a multi of 9 is preferred in the new 250gb due to proper OCing of 270+HTT and 3x FID.

Second the Epox board is the same price and infinity better. GB chipset first of all and chaintech is crap.

Three the Hitachi HD's are very loud. SPCR says 40 dB. Samsungs are the best plus 3 yrs warranty.

Four that memory sucks. Wrost timmings I've seen.
Click to expand...

Taken from the OP's first post:

no need to overclock
Click to expand...

So he should buy the fastest CPU within his budget, which I think is the 3000+.

Exactly how is the Epox board infinitely better? Is that your professional opinion or do you have links? Both the Epox and Chaintech have nothing but great reviews on Newegg. If the guy wants to pay $20 extra for Gigabit ethernet, he can go right ahead.

The Hitachi hard drive is the best 7200RPM drive according to StorageReview. The user reviews on Newegg nearly ALL state that the drive is reasonably quiet. The Samsung is a great SATA drive, and I recommend it many times too, but THEY BOTH HAVE A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. LEARN TO READ.

Memory timings have a small impact on A64 performance. Read up.

And in review, learn to read.

Thanks.,
Click to expand...



The Epox is only $90. I think it's well worth $2 for the GB which has more than just gigabit ethernet. It includes on-chip Firewall as well. So which do you think is a better deal? I could show you how well it overlcoks compared to chaincrap but it's a moot point since he's not interested. But superior overclcoking is indicative of motherboard quality and quality IC's which chaintech lacks.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA20284

I don't dispute it speed but it noise is intolerable so I would'nt in good consous recommend hitachi drives.
http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200310/20031007HDS722525VLSA80_6.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article161-page5.html

Even if better timmings only offer 1% improvement, is'nt it worth buying that instead for less?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-211-119&depa=0


Take it easy I did'nt mean to burst your little ego just offering better and/or alternate recs.🙂
 
1. you are dead wrong about the chaintech board. seems a site called Anantech love it.

They loved epox more.

2. Cas 2.5 is bad timings? yeah...right. that memory is great RAM. decent timings and a great price and with a great company.
2.5-4-4 for $79 is terrible I prefer 2.5-3-3 for $77 How about you?
 
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