THANKS for your MOBO DECISION HELP

[Chosonman]

What idiot recommended getting an ATI video card with an SLI motherboard?

I'm sorry to hear you decided to go with an SLI motherboard even though I recommended you getting the Chaintech board instead for $100 CHEAPER.
But I guess money grows on trees for some people. Hope you enjoy your new system. Which is probably about as fast as this one... er never mind, the graphics card blows yours away.. the one below rocks your new rig. (==>*Bitter old computer veteran*)

AMD 3000 (754) + Chaintech MOBO $155
1 Gig Corsair RAM 2x512 $81
Antec SLK3000B Case $55
ENERMAX Noisetaker Series PSU $60
Geforce 6800GT $300
NEC DVD RW $50
Wester Digital 200 GIG HD 8MB Cache $95

Total: $786 Shipped

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
...I'm sorry to hear you decided to go with an SLI motherboard even though I recommended you getting the Chaintech board instead for $100 CHEAPER.
But I guess money grows on trees for some people. Hope you enjoy your new system. Which is probably about as fast as this one... er never mind, the graphics card blows yours away.. the one below rocks your new rig. (==>*Bitter old computer veteran*)

AMD 3000 (754) + Chaintech MOBO $155
1 Gig Corsair RAM 2x512 $81
Antec SLK3000B Case $55
ENERMAX Noisetaker Series PSU $60
Geforce 6800GT $300
NEC DVD RW $50
Wester Digital 200 GIG HD 8MB Cache $95

Total: $786 Shipped

You have nothing to be sorry about. And the SLI motherboard only cost me $70 more than the chaintech, not $100 and I would not have gone with the chaintech, EVER. The lowest cost reliable board I would have chosen would have been the MSI K8N Neo4-F for around $90.

How do you figure a cost of just $155 for an AMD Athlon64 3000+ (socket 754) and Chanitech mobo for just $155.00 ??? THe chaintech mobo goes for $85.50 Delivered. That leaves only $73 for the Athlon 3000+ Socket 754 and they sell for the same $148 id they are OEM OR PIB.

Sooooooooo already your price quote is OFF by $78.50 !!! Plus you can't add. Your own quote adds up to $796 NOT $786 !!!

I'm wasting no more time on you ! I did not see your name in my original posts. You must be thinking of someone else's threads.

This thread is to thank people that were HELPFUL, not A**holes ! :disgust:

 

[Chosonman]

AMD 3000 (754) + Chaintech MOBO $155

http://www.portatech.com/catalog/products.asp?ID=303

Yes I'm an A**hole, but you're the one who bought and SLI motherboard and an ATI graphics card and spent more money than you should have for bad parts.

And yes I made a mistake it should be $396 not $386.

Which is still better than you spending over $1000 on a system that may or may not be any faster than the one I mentioned. (In all likelyhood not faster)

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
AMD 3000 (754) + Chaintech MOBO $155

http://www.portatech.com/catalog/products.asp?ID=303

Yes I'm an A**hole, but you're the one who bought and SLI motherboard and an ATI graphics card and spent more money than you should have for bad parts.

And yes I made a mistake it should be $396 not $386.

Which is still better than you spending over $1000 on a system that may or may not be any faster than the one I mentioned. (In all likelyhood not faster)

You truly ARE an a**hole !!! Your portapotty website gets an abysmal 4.9 out of 10 at resellerratings Plus socket 754 is OBSOLETE ! You can't get the newest "Venice" core on socket 754 Athlon64 let alone the 2nd most recent core "Winchester". The most recent core available with S754 is "NewCastle" plus with S754 mobos one is mostly stuck with the older chipsets and agp/legacy PCI bus rather than PCI-E bus architecture.

And how dare you imply that for me "money grows on trees"??? You know nothing about me.

Finallly, no person with a right mind would claim I purchased BAD PARTS. LMAO... YOU NEED PROFESSION HELP !!!!

GET IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE !

AND LEARN HOW TO ADD A**HOLE, OR DON'T THEY TEACH MATH IN THE GHETTO WHERE YOU LIVE !

 

[Chosonman]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1584580&enterthread=y

nub

 

[xsilver]

why is it that whenever someone has an different opinion they are crucified?
the deal chosonman shows is a good one -- its not your problem that they're selling it so cheap -- just because its expensive, doesnt mean its good
if you want a better mobo, why not get the dfi-ultra-d (no sli) instead? --- I have to agree, an sli mobo without any intention of a sli setup is just stupid

 

[Ike0069]

Fisher, the system is nice. I'm not sure how exactly you decided on an X700 though. But anyone telling you that you bought "bad parts" either has no clue what they are talking about, or they are just trying to be "cool". For Chosonman, it's probably both.
I believe I stated my opinion on SLI in your previous thread, but no one should fault you for getting one if it is what you wanted. It's an excellent board.
Just get a better VC, keep the Fortron (very good PSU), and be happy with your new system.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: xsilver
why is it that whenever someone has an different opinion they are crucified?
the deal chosonman shows is a good one -- its not your problem that they're selling it so cheap -- just because its expensive, doesnt mean its good
if you want a better mobo, why not get the dfi-ultra-d (no sli) instead? --- I have to agree, an sli mobo without any intention of a sli setup is just stupid

There are kind and polite ways to offer "opinions" and there are "rude and inpolite" ways to offer opinions.
Chosonman chose the former way to post his opinions and at the time I originally responded to his post I was stressed.
I should have NOT chosen to stoop to his low level and I should have taken the "high road".

With that said, apparently you and he didn't read my original post. I ordered a COMBO mobo/cpu setup from Monarch and was limited in my Mobo choices. I chose the Asus-SLI because:

1) I wanted a nF4 board and

2) I wanted (need) 3 legacy 32 bit PCI slots.

The only ASUS nf4 choices offered were their two SLI boards, the standard board AND the deluxe board. I would have been HAPPY to have gone with the ASUS A8N-E board but it was NOT available; the ONLY lower cost Asus board available was the Asus A8V*** board (a VIA-based board).

There WAS a nF Gigabyte board available in the middle price range but it was a nF THREE board; it wouldn't have made any sense to go with that.

So I was left with the Asus-SLI (nf4) which was a good choice for ME because it, unlike MOST SLI boards, it does NOT sacrifice a PCI slot to add the second PCI-E slot (MOST SLI boards have only TWO standard PCI slots and I need THREE).

Furthermore, you say that just because something is expensive doesn't make it good; well neither does something being inexpensive make it a good deal. Check out the link I provided at resellerratings.com for that PortaPotty website he mentioned. One would be lucky if they EVER even received their cpu/mobo combo from THAT site with their HORIIBLE feedback rating.

The reality is that I am the one who will live with this computer, NOT anyone in this forum.

And, this thread was setup for forum members that helped me down the path of making decisions, NOT for people like you and chosonman who come AFTER THE FACT just to TRASH my decision.

Thank You!

Greg

 

[Chosonman]

Funny I just got my mother board and CPU from that portapotty site... everything looks good to me.

Besides I've been doing this for over 8 years now. I think I might know a little something about something...

(Is it me or do you sound like a girl?)

 

[Chosonman]

Originally posted by: Fisher999
I guess the title of this thread says it all.

Many of you will remember I ran two threads this last week on "help" in determining the critical components for my new system build including the AMD vs. Intel decision, the P/S, Videocard, RAM and lastly the holdout decision for the motherboard and CPU.

I purchased those last two products today.

I went with a "combo" from Monarch Computer Systems which included the Asus A8N-SLI (nForce4 SLI) motherboard and the AMD Althlon64 3200+ Socket 939 VENICE core ! YES, the VENICE !!!

So the overall system (when the rest of it gets here will look like this for now):

Case - Chieftec DX-01SLD Mid-Tower w/side panel

P/S - Fortron Source AX500A BLUE 500W P/S
probably to be replaced BEFORE system build with this Seasonic S12-430 P/S

MOBO - Asus A8N-SLI with nForce 4 SLI chip/Socket 939

CPU - AMD Athlon64 3200+ "Venice" Core Socket 939

CPU HSF - Thermaltake A1838 HSF

RAM - 1GB (512 X 2) Patriot DDR 4000 2-3-2-5-T1 DDR400

Video - Asus/Radeon x700/PCI-Express Video Card

Hard Drive - Western Digital WD1000JB - 100 GB - ( 8MB Cache ) PATA 100 Hard Drive

CDRW - Lite-On LTR-4012S 40X12X48 CD-RW Drive

DVD-ROM - Pioneer DVD-106S

SoundCard - Hercules Game Theatre XP

Monitor - Samsung 900NF 19" AG

Speakers - Logitech Z560 (THX-Certified) 4.1

Keyboard/Mouse - Logitech Cordless Desktop Pro

Printer - Epson Stylus Photo 700

Video Capture- ATI TV Wonder Elite - Remote Control

O/S: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

THANKS to ALL of you who provided input in making the critcal decisions including Gerbil333, Rike, The Pentium Guy, Megatomic, ChicagoPCDude, Ribbon13, ShoRunner, Wisdomtooth, SlitheryDee, Duvie, Cscpianoman, DLeRium, Away, YOyoYOhowsDAjello, Raildogg, Promethply, Newmenu, Krnxpride83, Ike0069 and Gadzookie.

You folks had either responded to this thread or this thread !!!

Your help was SINCERELY appreciated.

TO ALL :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Man,

I wish I was the salesman that sold you all this stuff....

$130 dollard for RAM? on an AMD 64 system? Holy cow Batman, didn't anyone explain to you that low latency RAM make almost a 0% differnce here? That means $80 RAM ~ to your $130 RAM

$199 for a Venice CPU and $150 for a Motherboard? AND you're using an ATI X700..

Lemmeseehere....... You should really shoot the guys that gave you this advice instead of thanking them... I would...

Really....

*I'm shaking my head right now... I'm trying not to be mean but it's hard not to when I look at this and can't help but say you bought bad parts.

 

[xsilver]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: xsilver
why is it that whenever someone has an different opinion they are crucified?
the deal chosonman shows is a good one -- its not your problem that they're selling it so cheap -- just because its expensive, doesnt mean its good
if you want a better mobo, why not get the dfi-ultra-d (no sli) instead? --- I have to agree, an sli mobo without any intention of a sli setup is just stupid

There are kind and polie ways to offer "opinions" and there are "rude and inpolite" ways to offer opinions.
Chosonman chose the former way to post his opinions and at the time I originally responded to his post I was stressed.
I should have NOT chosen to stoop to his low level and I should have taken the "high road".

With that said, apparently you and he didn't read my original post. I ordered a COMBO mobo/cpu setup from Monarch and was limited in my Mobo choices. I chose the Asus-SLI because:

1) I wanted a nF4 board and

2) I wanted (need) 3 legacy 32 bit PCI slots.

The only ASUS nf4 choices offered were their two SLI boards, the standard board AND the deluxe board. I would have been HAPPY to have gone with the ASUS A8N-E board but it was NOT available; the ONLY lower cost Asus board available was the Asus A8V*** board (a VIA-based board).

There WAS a nF Gigabyte board available in the middle price range but it was a nF THREE board; it wouldn't have made any sense to go with that.

So I was left with the Asus-SLI (nf4) which was a good choice for ME because it, unlike MOST SLI boards, it does NOT sacrifice a PCI slot to add the second PCI-E slot (MOST SLI boards have only TWO standard PCI slots and I need THREE).

Furthermore, you say that just because something is expensive doesn't make it good; well neither does something being inexpensive make it a good deal. Check out the link I provided at resellerratings.com for that PortaPotty website he mentioned. One would be lucky if they EVER even received their cpu/mobo combo from THAT site with their HORIIBLE feedback rating.

The reality is that I am the one who will live with this computer, NOT anyone in this forum.

And, this thread was setup for forum members that helped me down the path of making decisions, NOT for people like you and chosonman who come AFTER THE FACT just to TRASH my decision.

Thank You!

Greg

If you're getting an SLI mobo, then why not get an SLI card?
as others have said the x700 may be mismatched with your system
6600GT, 6800 NU, 6800GT -- getting one of these will at least give you the possibility to upgrade to SLI in the future (even if you think SLI is a gimmick, the nvidia cards perform well on their own, there's no major benefit of the x700 is there?)
and AFTER THE FACT? -- is there some sort of queue? I was unaware? sorry

oh and chosonman -- low latency ram does make a difference, its just not a huge difference for the amount of money spent-- however it does facilitate overclocking greatly, so If the extra $$ is not too much, I would spend it and many others would too

 

[Promethply]

Hey guys, Fisher999's happy with the choice that he's made,

and since different computer users usually have slightly different reasons for using his rig,

you can never be sure that you and him have exactly the same reasons for choosing parts,

so stop raining on his parade already

 

[SlitheryDee]

Glad you like the memory, I know I do. The real credit goes to another AT poster (Ribbonxxx can't remember exactly) who suggested this memory to me. Low latency memory gives you a bit of headroom to loosen the timings for some serious overclocks, and given your choice of processor I think you'll be doing that eventually. So enjoy a nice system (whatever anyone else says) with great upgrade options.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1584580&enterthread=y

nub

Yes, I saw this posting early Thursday morning BEFORE anyone had even responded to his thread. He makes a good point; it really doesn't matter what new computer technology one invests in because it is already obsolete by the time you can purchase it and any "upgrade promises" make by the likes of Intel or AMD are ALWAYS subject to doubt as the "competing factions" in the computer industry often FORCE them to have to renig on their promises and alter their "road maps".

I can understand why the Boston Dangler is upset but his post is immaterial to the RUDE comments you have made in MY thread.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Fisher, the system is nice. I'm not sure how exactly you decided on an X700 though. But anyone telling you that you bought "bad parts" either has no clue what they are talking about, or they are just trying to be "cool". For Chosonman, it's probably both.
I believe I stated my opinion on SLI in your previous thread, but no one should fault you for getting one if it is what you wanted. It's an excellent board.
Just get a better VC, keep the Fortron (very good PSU), and be happy with your new system.

Thanks IKE, now that's a very rational and HELPFUL post that manages to get its point across in a POLITE manner; THANK YOU !

How true that anyone calling my components "bad parts" has no clue as to what they are saying or, as you mentioned, are just trying to be "cool".

The Asus/Radeon "thing" happened out of haste on my part; that is, I bought it BEFORE I had made the final CPU/Mobo decision. However, in retrospect I probably would have made the same decision and here's why.

I only need a middle-of-the-road graphics card for now. I wanted to spend around $90 - $100 for a videocard. On the nVidia side this meant only a STANDARD 6600 nForce would fit the budget and on the ATI side this meant a STANDARD x700 would fit the budget. In this article over here at Anandtech , which has as its primary mission to compare the 6200 and 6600 nVidia cards, also includes a standard Radeon x700 card in the benchmarking section. In every benchmark EXCEPT Doom3, one can clearly see that a STANDARD Radeon x700 TROUNCES a STANDARD nVidia 6000. So since they cost almost the same I decided two weeks ago to purchase the Asus/Radeon x700.

The "why SLI" explanation, although it was ALREADY covered in the previous threads, is again explained in one of my responses to xsilver in THIS thread.

I hope this FINALLY clears up HOW I ended up with an SLI board and a middle-of-the-road Radeon x700 videocard. The radeon x700 will suit MY needs just fine for now and if in the future I want to have a better gaming rig I can always upgrade the video card when the next inevitable PRICE DROP occurs.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
Funny I just got my mother board and CPU from that portapotty site... everything looks good to me.

Besides I've been doing this for over 8 years now. I think I might know a little something about something...

(Is it me or do you sound like a girl?)

I don't believe you ordered and received a "combo" from PortaPotty and I don't believe you have been "doing this" for 8 years. Yes I DO believe you have been an a**hole for eight years, that is obvious !!!

BTW, I have been "doing this", building PC's, for 9 years.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: xsilver
...oh and chosonman -- low latency ram does make a difference, its just not a huge difference for the amount of money spent-- however it does facilitate overclocking greatly, so If the extra $$ is not too much, I would spend it and many others would too

EXACTLY, thank you for saving me the "wasted time" to respond to chosonman; he talks like he THINKS he really IS THE CHOSEN MAN. He's a dork; let's just leave it at that !

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Promethply
Hey guys, Fisher999's happy with the choice that he's made,

and since different computer users usually have slightly different reasons for using his rig,

you can never be sure that you and him have exactly the same reasons for choosing parts,

so stop raining on his parade already

THANK YOU Promethply !!! You are one of the POLITE people at this forum and, although you may not agree with all of my component decisions, respect MY right, as I respect others right, to choose what works best for THEM!

Thank you for so eloquently pointing out what should be obvious to those other jerks.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
Glad you like the memory, I know I do. The real credit goes to another AT poster (Ribbonxxx can't remember exactly) who suggested this memory to me. Low latency memory gives you a bit of headroom to loosen the timings for some serious overclocks, and given your choice of processor I think you'll be doing that eventually. So enjoy a nice system (whatever anyone else says) with great upgrade options.

THANK YOU SlitheryDee! You're another person, like Promethply, who can post their opinion in a polite manner. And thanks for respecting my decisions and for the help on the RAM choice. One of the other posters in my original threads uses the same Patriot RAM on his Asus SLI board and he is happy with it - although he wishes he could oc it a little higher! We can't have our cake and eat it too now can we???

 

[Chosonman]

Thank You For Your Order!
Your Order Number Is xxxxx
Become A Preferred Customer Today
Preferred Customer Benefits Include: Same Day RMA Processing - Shipping Arrives On-Time Or its Free - Password Access To Special Offers And Discounts (No E-Mail Solicitations Ever Sent) - First Access To New Or Limited Supply Items - 60 Day Return Period On All Items

Three ways to become a preferred customer: (1) Let Other Customers Know Of Your Positive Experience By Submmitting & Confirming Positive Feedback To Either Pricewatch or Reseller Ratings or (2) Purchase Over $5000 In Any Calendar Year or (3) All Customers Who Purchased Products From Us In 1996, 1997, or 1998 As Well As Any Recent Purchase Are Also Automatically Given Preferred Customer Status
Get Preferred Status Today - Pricewatch Feedback Form Below - Or If You Prefer Reseller Ratings visit www.resellerratings.com

Please print this page for your records. You will need this order number to get any information for your order.

Your order will ship via Manual Ground Shipping - Traceable If Package Is Late (Arrives 5 - 7 Bus Days) F1 . You will receive your tracking number at xxxxx@yahoo.com

Your estimated delivery time is 5 to 7 Business Days

Special Note For Buyers of Barebones PC-Kits of Complete Systems: Please add 1-2 additional business days to delivery time for system build & testing.
Billing Address:
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx


Payment:
Products Ordered:
Qty SKU Description Price Sub-Total
1 combo;athlon64-3000; Motherboard & CPU Combo w/ Athlon 64 3000+ (754 Pin)
Chaintech K8T800 (Via K8T800 Chipset - 2 DDR - 10/100 Lan - 4 USB 2.0)
Generic - Non AMD Rated Fan Heatsink - Avg CPU Temp Under 165 Degrees F - 56dBA
1 Year Warranty on Motherboard - 60 Day Warranty on OEM CPU $150.00 $150.00
Sub-Total: $150.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
Freight: $4.85
Total: $154.85

My very first system was an Apple IIe. My first PC was a Compaq Presario Intel 486, then a Dell Pentium II. But I didn't start building till 1997. I built my first AMD Thunderbird. Then I built a Pentium III, Then an AMD Athlon. Out of those the Athlon is the only surviving system today.

Since the I've built an Intel Pentium 4, my current system AMD 64, and I'm currently building 2 AMD 64 systems a AMD Sempron not to mention the countless time I've help friends with thier builds.

I think I might know a little something about something...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
Generic - Non AMD Rated Fan Heatsink - Avg CPU Temp Under 165 Degrees F - 56dBA

Whoa, I hope it's well under 165F.
74C is a little toasty.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
Thank You For Your Order!
Your Order Number Is xxxxx
Become A Preferred Customer Today
Preferred Customer Benefits Include: Same Day RMA Processing - Shipping Arrives On-Time Or its Free - Password Access To Special Offers And Discounts (No E-Mail Solicitations Ever Sent) - First Access To New Or Limited Supply Items - 60 Day Return Period On All Items

Three ways to become a preferred customer: (1) Let Other Customers Know Of Your Positive Experience By Submmitting & Confirming Positive Feedback To Either Pricewatch or Reseller Ratings or (2) Purchase Over $5000 In Any Calendar Year or (3) All Customers Who Purchased Products From Us In 1996, 1997, or 1998 As Well As Any Recent Purchase Are Also Automatically Given Preferred Customer Status
Get Preferred Status Today - Pricewatch Feedback Form Below - Or If You Prefer Reseller Ratings visit www.resellerratings.com

Please print this page for your records. You will need this order number to get any information for your order.

Your order will ship via Manual Ground Shipping - Traceable If Package Is Late (Arrives 5 - 7 Bus Days) F1 . You will receive your tracking number at xxxxx@yahoo.com

Your estimated delivery time is 5 to 7 Business Days

Special Note For Buyers of Barebones PC-Kits of Complete Systems: Please add 1-2 additional business days to delivery time for system build & testing.
Billing Address:
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx


Payment:
Products Ordered:
Qty SKU Description Price Sub-Total
1 combo;athlon64-3000; Motherboard & CPU Combo w/ Athlon 64 3000+ (754 Pin)
Chaintech K8T800 (Via K8T800 Chipset - 2 DDR - 10/100 Lan - 4 USB 2.0)
Generic - Non AMD Rated Fan Heatsink - Avg CPU Temp Under 165 Degrees F - 56dBA
1 Year Warranty on Motherboard - 60 Day Warranty on OEM CPU $150.00 $150.00
Sub-Total: $150.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
Freight: $4.85
Total: $154.85

My very first system was an Apple IIe. My first PC was a Compaq Presario Intel 486, then a Dell Pentium II. But I didn't start building till 1997. I built my first AMD Thunderbird. Then I built a Pentium III, Then an AMD Athlon. Out of those the Athlon is the only surviving system today.

Since the I've built an Intel Pentium 4, my current system AMD 64, and I'm currently building 2 AMD 64 systems a AMD Sempron not to mention the countless time I've help friends with thier builds.

I think I might know a little something about something...

lol My first system was a HP pentium 75 mhz. My first build was an AMD k6/2 300 mhz @ 333mhs with 32 mb RAM and a 3dfx Voodoo 2. After that I built 2 duron systems 4 Athlon systems 2 Athlon xps(most of these were for other people) and my current Axp 3000+ @ 2331mhz . As of yet I have no experience with A64s, but I think I know a couple of things as well. There are people on this forum who have literally lost count of how many systems they have built/configured, yet I rarely see any of them flaunt their technical "prowess" as much as you are right now.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Chosonman
Generic - Non AMD Rated Fan Heatsink - Avg CPU Temp Under 165 Degrees F - 56dBA

Whoa, I hope it's well under 165F.
74C is a little toasty.

ROFLMAO YOyoYOhowsDAjello :thumbsup:

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
lol My first system was a HP pentium 75 mhz. My first build was an AMD k6/2 300 mhz @ 333mhs with 32 mb RAM and a 3dfx Voodoo 2. After that I built 2 duron systems 4 Athlon systems 2 Athlon xps(most of these were for other people) and my current Axp 3000+ @ 2331mhz . As of yet I have no experience with A64s, but I think I know a couple of things as well. There are people on this forum who have literally lost count of how many systems they have built/configured, yet I rarely see any of them flaunt their technical "prowess" as much as you are right now.

You tell him Slitherydee :thumbsup:

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
My very first system was an Apple IIe. My first PC was a Compaq Presario Intel 486, then a Dell Pentium II. But I didn't start building till 1997. I built my first AMD Thunderbird. Then I built a Pentium III, Then an AMD Athlon. Out of those the Athlon is the only surviving system today.

Since the I've built an Intel Pentium 4, my current system AMD 64, and I'm currently building 2 AMD 64 systems a AMD Sempron not to mention the countless time I've help friends with thier builds.

I think I might know a little something about something...

BTW, I exaggerated; I've been building PC's over an 8 year period (as of this Fall)

Not that you'll care ChosenOne but I'll do a brief synopsis of my computer history:

- late 1980's to early 1990's - Limited experience using computers for data entry in the health care field as a health care professional

- 1995 - May - My first PC purchase, a Gateway2000 P75/Win 3.11 with 75MHz Pentium on Intel ZAPPA motherboard, 8 MB of EDO SIMM RAM (purchased 8 MB more 3 months later for $305 !!! That was the going rate for RAM then - and people complain today, geeeezzz !!!), ATI 2MB VRAM PCI videocard ($75 upgrade from generic 1MB videocard), 1 GB WD 5400RPM Pio Mode 4 HD ($100 for upgrade from 730MB HD), Sanyo 3 CD changer 4X speed ($75 upgrade), Creative Labs ISA Soundblaster, 14.4 Kbps US Robotics-made ISA Modem, Gateway Anykey programmable keyboard, Altec Lansing satellites and Sub ($50 upgrade), Sony-built Gateway-branded Vivitron 1776 17" AG (Aperature Grille) Monitor ($275 upgrade - great monitor - still in use today), Epson Stylus Color (original) Printer - total cost of system including $500 pringer - $3000 . A lot of us pay these kinds of rediculous prices as computers are expensive - start reading about PC's and going to websites to learn everything I can !!!

2 years later :

- Mid to Late 1997 - Gateway - Videocard blows out and has to be replaced - Soundcard "input" fries and has to be replaced - Modem fries and needs to be replaced - Gateway pays for the parts and shipping but I have to learn how to do the replacement and un-install and re-install drivers and the like. Later, the primary IDE channel on the mobo goes kaput and Gateway sends out the motherboard but I have to tear down the system from it's cramped desktop case and remove EVERYTHING to do the mobo replacement then rebuild the entire system using a manual and Gateway tech support as my guide. I finish the job with great success and decide to learn much more about computer hardware and system building - one of the websites I discover is a rather small site ran by a brilliant, energetic and informative young man named Anand Shimpi !!! I have already been reading every PC magazine I can get my hands on starting in fall of 1996 with the First issue of Boot - now MaximumPC. The word gets out amongst friends (non-computer geeks) that Greg "knows something about computers" and I begin to troubleshoot and fix minor hardware and O/S problems for friends

- November 1997 - First system build - A-PRO CS-850PX Mini-tower atx case w/generic 250W P/S ($100), AMD K6 200MHz CPU ($184), Shuttle HOT 603 mobo w/VIA VP2 chipset 1MB L2 cache ($137), Hercules THRILLER 3D Rendition Verite 8 MB VIVO Videocard ($250), 32MB (16 x 2) EDO SIMM RAM ($75), Maxtor 5.2 GB ATA-33 HD ($247), Samsung SCR-2430 32X CD-ROM ($76), Videologic SonicStorm PCI Soundcard - one of the FIRST PCI soundcards ($100), Panasonic FDD ($29), Microinnovations MM Keyboard ($43), MS Intellimouse ($22), DMM SupraExpress 33.6Kbps data/fax/voice modem ($97) and Altec Lansing speaker set and Sony/Gateway 17" monitor "stolen" from original Gateway, Win95 OSR 2 ($105). I know these prices because I'm looking at the receipts as I type them ( I still have this HUGE stack of ALL the receipts for ALL the components I've purchased since the original Gateway in 1995).

- Spring 1998 - I do second system build for a freind (AMD K6-2 300MHz/Via VP3 Mobo/Win95). In the fall I take the first of a series of hardware and O/S (Microsoft Windows NT 4.0) classes at a local college. In late 1998 I do third system build for a friend (Intel Celeron 400MHz/Intel 440BX Mobo/Win98). December - purchase a Dell Dimension Desktop P450 (Intel PII "Klamath" 450Mhz/Intel 440BX/IBM 14.4 GXP 7200RPM HD/STB Velocity 4400/nVidia TNT 16MB video/Win98/etc...) ($2500)

- 1999 - Continue computer classes at local college. Do fouth system build for friend (Intel PIII 600MHz/Intel 440BX) .

- 2000 - Do fifth system build for my parents (Intel PIII 750MHz/AOpen Ax6BC/Intel 440 BX/Win98SE) and sixth system build for my brother (Intel PIII 800MHz EB -133/AOpen AX63 Pro/VIA 693/IBM NON-Deathstar/Win98SE) - Sell my second system build and do seventh system build for me (Intel PIII 800MHz EB-133/Asus CUSL 2/Intel i-815p/Win98SE)

- Fall 2000 - Winter 2001 - Build eigth system build for niece (Intel PIII 550MHz/Shuttle/Intel 440BX/WinME) - LATE Fall - Gut my system for Mobo - sell the remaining parts - buy new parts - rebuild as ninth system in SuperMicro SC-760A ATX FULL Tower Case (Intel PIII 1 GHz/Asus CUSL 2/Intel i-815p/WinXP) as LAB 9

- 2001 - Do tenth system build for nephew (AMD Athlon 1.4GHz (266)/IWill K-266/Via KT-133A/nVidia GF3/WinXP/etc...)

- 2002 - purchase some peripheral components for anticipated system build - other priorities delay this build until

- 2005 (Now) - requisition and order remaining parts for eleventh system build to be completed when the remaining parts arrive

So there you have it !