This is what I have chosen for a setup

[Decimator]

Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 Model # 6E040L0
2 GEIL 256MB PC-2700 (333MHz) DDR RAM, 6 Layer Ultra Low Noise Shielded PCB, 32x8 Low Density/Unbuffered, Model# GE2562700
SOLTEK SL-75FRN-L/75FRN2-L, nForce2 (SPP+MCP) Chipset, AMD Athlon XP
AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU

The only thing that is not Retail is the HD. For all this I will be paying $338.00 (including shipping) at Newegg.com
Is this setup good? Is it a "downgrade" from my Dell Dimension 8200 P4 2.26 GHz 533 FSB with PC800? This Dell is really slow and I want to go back to an AMD system.

 

[microAmp]

I'm not sure where Geil RAM stands, you might want to search the General Hardware forum for "Geil" to see if anyone has experience with them. Other wise I would stick with a quality memory maker.

Instead of buying a new computer have you tried cleaning up the Dell computer? Maybe a format would help speed things back up, also, you could get rid of the Dell pre-installed software that you might not use. Just trying to save a you a few hundred $$.

 

[Decimator]

bump

 

[jonnyGURU]

Nothing wrong with GeIL....

http://www.ocaddiction.com/reviews/memory/geil_pc3500ultra/

or is there.....

http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=article&dId=329

Hmmmm......

I use Samsung modules on 6-layer generic PCB with Thermaltake heatspreaders stuck on it, so I'm not one to talk.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Building a System yourself is very personal.
It really doesn't require validation from others.

Hopefully you choose the right components within
your budget and you recieve them in fully functional
condition.

Once assembled, the best you can hope for is that you
are happy with your choice, and it performs as you had
invisioned it would.

From your list of components there is no way to say specifically
if it is a GOOD SETUP or NOT.

There are to many factors to take into account (production model,
date of mfg, stamping date, etc...)

Best thing to do is to check the Motherboards Mfg site for components
tested with that particular motherboard and go from there.

For those Soltek boards, they are tested with
1. OCZ PC3200 rev2 400MHz
2. OCZ PC3500 rev2 433MHz on 400MHz
3. CORSAIR TWINX512 2700LL 333MHz
4. CORSAIR TWINX512 3200LL 400MHZ
5. Crucial DDR 2700.

As for the GEIL memory modules, they have those integrated heatspreader
for a good reason. They run HOT.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[jonnyGURU]

If you buy your motherboard from someone who actually has techs working for them, don't hesitate to call or email their tech support.

I work as a tech at a computer place and I wish more people WOULD ask questions before they buy parts.

For example: The MSI nForce board doesn't like Micron RAM very much, but loves Samsung RAM. And for some reason, nForce boards are kind of funny with Maxtor drives. Ever try to diagnose a Maxtor drive on an nForce board using PowerMax (Maxtor's hard drive utility). The drive doesn't even show up! And there's this weird issue with nForce boards and two Western Digital drives.

I wish I knew more about Soltek boards, but my work doen't sell them.

Just be careful about what you read about product on review sites. Reviews are ALL slighted.

 

[chemicalplay]

u dont need to spend money on fancy products like Geil Ram or whatever, get the cheapest stuff, and concentrate ure money on a good grpahics card, cpu and motherboard, dont worry about little things, i bouth my DDR from dabs.com from there dabs value range, which is cheap and i have no trouble with it.

 

[Clauzii]

To buy the cheapest RAM available..

HHmmmmmmmmm........

Don´t think so...
Bad Idea...
Out in the forrest....
Deep diving....
NOT GOOD...

Someone please help this guy!!!!!

 

[Decimator]

jonnyGURU. Thanks for the info. I WAS looking at the reviews on the mobo and thats why I chose it. I guess I need to ask people who have that board. I didnt know abou the nforce and maxtor drives.

chemicalplay. lol, the Geil was practically the cheapest but they said it has awesome reviews in other countries. Thats why I got it, cause it was cheap yet good.

LiLithTecH. I never thought about the mfg date and stamping. The only thing sketchy about the Soltek board is there is a small wire connecting something and no one knows why. It looks like someone screwed up and modified it. Maybe I will email Soltek and see what thats about.

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I will have to do a little more research and not take the cheap way out.