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This might be the final configuration for my new computer I'm getting this Christmas...

S

Sam1230

Senior member
Case : Lian-Li PC-60+ USB /w Sparkle FSP400-60BN PSU : $251 : www.monarchcomputer.com
Processor : AMD Athlon XP 1900+ : Don?t Know : Not Released Yet
Motherboard : Asus A7V266 : $133 : www.atacom.com
Memory : Kingston 512MB PC266 DDR RAM : $130 : www.allstarshop.com
Keyboard : Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro : $34 : www.axiontech.com
Mouse : Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 : $49 : www.axiontech.com
Hard Drive : Seagate Barracuda IV 80GB 7200 RPM : $187 : www.newegg.com
Monitor : 19? CTX PR960 : $299 : www.cnetpc.com
Video Card : ATi Radeon 8500 64MB DDR : $254 : www.newegg.com
Sound Card : Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum : $170 : www.newegg.com
CD/RW Drive : Plextor 24x/10x/40x : $190 : www.newegg.com
Floppy Drive : Mitsumi 3.5 : $9 : www.newegg.com
Speakers : Klipsch Promedia 5.1 THX : $399 : Not Released Yet
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP : $100 : www.newegg.com
Grand Total (wo/ shipping) = $2417

How's that for a computer? Anyone recommend any changes at all?
 
Looks like you're aiming at VERY top of the line. I would reccomend you look about 1-2 steps lower in every category, over the whole system you may save yourself $500 or so if you do a few minor downgrades:

Don't get the FASTEST CPU, there is always a unnessesary premium, always look about 1-2 speeds slower
Crucial PC2100 DDR RAM is much cheeper, and is maybe even better than that Kingston RAM
Great keyboard & Mouse, have the same ones and they're worth every penny
Nice Harddrive, you'll love how quiet those barracuda's are
ATi's driver support has been very iffy lately, I would reccomend a GeForce 3 200Ti, as it is ALMOST as fast, and should save you a lot of money, not to mention better driver support (IMHO).
SB Audigy's are known to have a few problems with the 686B in that Asus MB, not to mention how over priced they are. I would reccomend a Hercules Game Theatre XP, as it is every bit as good (as I under stand it, I don't personally own one 🙁)

Good idea going to just a few companies for parts, that will save you a ton on shipping (gotta figure you're gonna spend close to $100 in shipping before this is all said & done).

Also.....standard practice is to wait more for a bump, it's pointless to bump untill you're about 30 posts down anyways.
 
the 686B problem is no longer an issue...New motherboards should be shipping with the CE rev. and not the CD rev. (like in the article posted above). I believe the latest 4in1 drivers take care of any issues anyways. AFAIK, the Audigy does not have the same problems as the Live! series.
 
Well there is a lot of people who are getting the EPOX EP-8KHA+. It uses the KT266a chipset, but is not going to be out until next week. I have heard that asus is going to release their KT266a chipset modo around november, so I wonder how it's going to be.


As far as other parts, I suggest getting a Lite on 24x10x40x cdrw. It's just as good as the plextor, but less money. I have heard that there will be a 36x12x40x burner coming from lite on pretty soon. For memory, I suggest saving some money and getting some memory from Crucail.


Have fun building your new rig!


Take Care
~Utterman
 
And btw, LCD refers to those flat-panel monitors. I wouldn't reccomend one though, because in order to get one that compares in QUALITY to a CRT you will need to pay a much higher price (not worth it if you have the desk space).
 
Yea, I really want to stick with CRT. What's the advantage of an LCD? Flat screen? I don't justify that as being worth $100s more.
 
Lol, LCD is Liqiuid Crystal display.. it's not a Hard Drive Format.

If you have the money get the system. I'm getting one very soon the same as yours, just changing a few things such as the Radeon 8500 to the Geforce 3 Ti-500.
 


<< I knew it wasn't the hard drive format, I was replying to two different suggestions. 🙂 >>

suuuuree.

but u cant beat planar 18.4 on a radeon 8500.
or... a x15 on a tekram. =)

besides, ur going all out. why stop?
 
Advantages:
#1) Flat screen (although this can be found in many CRT's as well)
#2) Space (they are considerbly smaller)
#3) Less heat/power consumption (some people do care)
#4) No radiation
#5) no flicker (easier on the eyes)
#6) sharper text (at native resolution)
#7) sexier (yes I've heard it used as an excuse)

Disadvantages:
#1) $$$$$$$
#2) $$$$$$$
#3) 'ghoasting' = you can see images that shouldn't be there in some high action games/movies
#4) brightness (they have the illusion of being less bright, when less contrast is really a more correct term).
#5) often are burrly at any resolution other than native resolution
 
Well, if I get a 40GB SCSI hard drive, which is like $200-$300 more, what should I cut back on via the other components?
 
don't forget the SCSI controller ($100)

If you do some of the other changes suggested here, you should be able to cut back at least $500, which should leave plenty of room for a SCSI setup.
 
Well, I COULD but I don't want to sacrifice that much just to get a faster hard drive. Gaming isn't too hard-drive reliant anyway.
 
nice system, but if you don't mind, I have a few suggestions for ya...

Case: Nice light case if you don't mind spending that much money on it.
Processor: Except to pay a lot (relatively speaking) for a 1.6ghz xp. You could go with a 1533mhz and slightly o/c it
Motherboard: Since it sounds like you won't be buying everything too soon, might I suggest the KT266a chipset? Or even the sis735 from MSI.
Memory: You can buy 2 sticks of 256mb ddr from crucial.com for about $70. Or 1 stick of 512mb mushkin basic ddr memory for $69
Keyboard: Won't argue there
Mouse: Again, great choice
Hard drive: Seagate makes fabulous hard drives
Monitor: CDW is selling a Compaq 19" monitor for $285 and I've been reading rave reviews about it from fellow Anandtechers
Video Card: If you don't really need the dual monitor capability then I'd recommend the Geforce3 Ti200. I was seriously dissapointed of the 8500 in Anand's review.
Sound Card: If that's what floats your boat
CD/RW Drive: Sounds good, although you'll hear a lot of anandtechers swear by lite-on
Floppy Drive: heh
Speakers: Is this going to also be a movie machine? If so then you left out the dvd-rom. If not then you can save a few bucks and go with the Klipsch 4.1s or even wait for some reviews of the new Logitech z-560 4.1 speakers which are $200 less than the klipsch 5.1s
O/S: If you're a student you can try for the academic price for xp which should be much less. Or if you own your own business you can check out this thread over in the hot deals section xp for $52!!!
Grand Total: A lot

Phew, hope this helps.
 
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