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speg

speg

Diamond Member
You make it soooo easy :S

Just spent 1200 on parts, gonna spend another 400 next week. Building a new system, I should be using this money for my tution :X

Ah well, now I'm freaking out, what if it doesn't wrok. I've never built from scratch. The CPU installation has me to the most worried, I better not lose 1200!!!! 🙁

I'll be putting it together next weekend, when I get home from school. SO look for a bunch of help me threads then 😉

Specs for those interested:

x ASUS A7N8X DELUXE V2.0 SOCKET-A NVIDIA NFORCE2 5PCI/AGP8X 3DUAL DDR400 AUDIO LAN SATA 6USB2.0
1 x CRUCIAL PC2700 512MB DDR 333MHZ CL2.5
1 x WESTERN DIGITAL WD800JB 80.0GB 7200RPM 8MB CACHE ATA/100
1 x PANASONIC 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE BLACK
1 x AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ BARTON 333 MHZ FSB 512KB CACHE SOCKET-A
1 x ANTEC 120MM SMARTCOOL CASE FAN
1 x LITEON XJ-HD166S/HD165H 16X48 DVD-ROM RETAIL
1 x RATPADZ GS GAMING SURFACE
1 x ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB
1 x ANTEC SLK3700BQE BLACK QUIET SUPER MID TOWER W/350W POWER SUPPLY

Plus I'll pick up a new 19" CRT when I go home.

I hate you VISA 🙁

😀

------------ October 9th Update ----------------

Yay, packages arrived this morning. Going home tommorrow, can't wait 🙂

Few questions though: Can I boot from a DVD-ROM? I'm only going to have the DVD ROM and a reused CD burner, is it better to boot from one rather than the other?

Also, should the DVD or the burner be master?

What else... oh yeah! I'm going to want to transfer a bunch of files from my notebook to this new system ( assuming I can get it running 😛 ) and I think the easiest way to do that is via a crossover cable?

Anything special I have to do with them to see each other? Or can XP and Win2K find each other without my having to change a bunch of settings....

I'm really worried something isn't going to work ( I read somestuff about Crucial 2700 not working well with nForce! 🙁 )
And all that updating the BIOS, say whaat?! That's over my head. Oh, and if you mess up the BIOS will break and not work anymore?! I hope I don't mess anything up 🙁
 
easy as pie 😕
some recommend an anti-static strap which you pick up at Radio Shack.
got a cpu HS/fan and thermal compound?
 
You definitely should get 2x256MB RAM for the PC instead of 1x512. It's a good clip faster to be in Dual Channel mode than Single Channel.
 
I have no HS/Fan.... I assumed I would just use the stock one? It better come with a stock one! Thermal compund, again.... Whaa? I thought I could just use the stuff it comes with. I'm not planning on overclocking just yet so...


I'll be adding another 512 of ram in a month or so. So i'll just stick with 1x512. I was told that the extra boost wasn't that noticable anyway...
 
You definitely should get 2x256MB RAM for the PC instead of 1x512. It's a good clip faster to be in Dual Channel mode than Single Channel.
Click to expand...
Um, actually... Most benchmarks show a minimal, at best, gain when running dual-channel vs single-channel mode. Like 1 or 2 percentage points. That's really not a "good clip". At least not in my book.

The rig looks good. Enjoy it! And have fun putting it together. My first PC was one I built myself, and I enjoyed it so much I've built all my own systems, plus those for my family. Well, I also upgrade in spurts, and I couldn't readily afford a pre-built. Now I have ne reason to, since I know what I am doing. Personally, I have never used anti-static wrist straps, but you can. Otherwise, be careful. Really, just take your time, and ask questions when you need to. Good luck!

\Dan
 
Originally posted by: parkbench
You definitely should get 2x256MB RAM for the PC instead of 1x512. It's a good clip faster to be in Dual Channel mode than Single Channel.
Click to expand...

I agree... kind of. I would definately get two sticks to take full advantage of of DDR but, save your money and don't get 256. Get your one stick of 512 and get another one later. 256 is a waste of time and money. Heck, Windows XP uses 300 of mine without anything running. That's what it says under system information anyway. But seriously, if you plan on doing anything "fast" using these OS's now-adays.... get as mush RAM as you can.

Stick with the 512 if it's all you can afford now, you'll be happier later on!


*Side note: I use 600 MB of my DDR during a normal game of UT2003, so I don't think two sticks of 256 would do you any justice.
 
hey got a question you guys (thread hijacking)... if i already have 2x256 (in dual channel mode) can i put a 512MB in and still have dual channel enabled ?
 
Follow all of the previous advice and you will be ok. The only problem you might have is, that once you start down this road, there is no turning back and each year will bring more Visa charges. Have fun & good luck!
 
If you do plan on overclocking down the road (I did notice the "just yet") I'd say get a stick of Buffalo PC3200 RAM. It's about $88 at Newegg and will give you more than enough headroom for overclocking. Crucial is good stuff, but I'd get the Buffalo.
 
paveslave..........might this explain why your system says it is using 300meg of ram with nothing running?

Why is there so little Free RAM?
Windows will always try to find some use for all of RAM ? even a trivial one. If nothing else it will retain code of programs in RAM after they exit, in case they are needed again. Anything left over will be used to cache further files ? just in case they are needed. But these uses will be dropped instantly should some other use come along. Thus there should rarely be any significant amount of RAM ?free?. That term is a misnomer ? it ought to be ?RAM for which Windows can currently find no possible use?. The adage is: ?Free RAM is wasted RAM?. Programs that purport to ?manage? or ?free up? RAM are pandering to a delusion that only such ?Free? RAM is available for fresh uses. That is not true, and these programs often result in reduced performance and may result in run-away growth of the page file.

from http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php
 
My PC tool kit contains exactly two items:

1x flat head screwdriver
1x philips head screwdriver

Even the worst translated manual will be sufficient for installing the mobo and CPU. So don't worry....take your time. If you remember one piece of advice...

throroughly test the system as soon as its together. Run Memtest86 and Prime95. If you have a hardware problem, you want to correct it as early as possible, while you're still in the return/refund period. If you can't pass 12 hours of Prime95, then you have a bad part somewhere.
 
I agree with EeyoreX and I think that you should stick with 1 stick of 512MB. It's cheaper and gives you more free RAM slots. And let's say you do decide to get another stick of 512MB, then you can run dual channel. But the performance boost is negligable.
 
how exactly did you spend 1200 dollars on that setup? It seems like it would be alot cheaper than that too me.
 
How exactly did you spend 1200 dollars on that setup? It seems like it would be alot cheaper than that too me.
Click to expand...

$1200 CDN. 😉 What's Prime95 and memtest86?
 
Originally posted by: Paveslave
Heck, Windows XP uses 300 of mine without anything running. That's what it says under system information anyway.
Click to expand...

your system has problems

i've got running

firebird w/ 10 tabs
Gordian Knot
BCDC++
AIM
Lexmark All-In-One services
Foobar
Daemon Tools
Coolmon
STOCK XP PRO services

and im barely getting 200 MBs used.
 
------------ October 9th Update ----------------

Yay, packages arrived this morning. Going home tommorrow, can't wait 🙂

Few questions though: Can I boot from a DVD-ROM? I'm only going to have the DVD ROM and a reused CD burner, is it better to boot from one rather than the other?

Also, should the DVD or the burner be master?

What else... oh yeah! I'm going to want to transfer a bunch of files from my notebook to this new system ( assuming I can get it running 😛 ) and I think the easiest way to do that is via a crossover cable?

Anything special I have to do with them to see each other? Or can XP and Win2K find each other without my having to change a bunch of settings....

I'm really worried something isn't going to work ( I read somestuff about Crucial 2700 not working well with nForce! 🙁 )
And all that updating the BIOS, say whaat?! That's over my head. Oh, and if you mess up the BIOS will break and not work anymore?! I hope I don't mess anything up 🙁
 
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