What's next? Building a system around MSI K7T Pro2A.

[DZip]

I need some advice on completing a system around the following: Enlight EN7237 case. What Power supply should I get?
MSI K7T Pro2A.
AMD T-Bird 1Ghz. Should I get a retail version with HSF installed?
2 PC133 memory chips. What brand is best?
Plextor 12/10/32A. I will take this out of my current system.
Win 98SE

I have researched my selection so far, and come to the conclusion this would be a solid foundation for my use. I have no immediate plans on overclocking, but want that option available.
I would like to have some recommendations on what to finish out with:
- Hard Drive. No plans for RAID.
- Sound card.
- Video Card.
- 56k Modem. Only other option in my area is satellite.

I am requiring more satability that speed. My family will use this system for general purposes, not setting records in benchmark tests.
Thanks for any recommendations on this request.

 

[rempe]

DZip The 7237 is good dont know where you are buying it at but mwave sells the 7237 with a 300w P/S and thats what you need.AS for ram crucial is good.If you go retail you get a better warranty.I only use western digital or IBM had drives.creative sound blaster live value.Geforce 2MX video card.As for the modem just make sure its a hardware and not a win modem.

 

[FluxCapacitor]

DZip,

If you get the retail version T-Bird, the CPU comes in the box seperately from the HSF. You will still have to install the heatsink/fan onto the CPU yourself... unless you buy a motherboard/cpu combo and they do it for you. If you're not planning on overclocking, retail boxed gives you a longer warranty.

Definately get a 300W power supply. With a 1GHz T-Bird, you'll be glad you did. Also, the Enlight 300W is on AMDs approved list, if that matters to you. (always nice to know) Athlon approved power supplies

You might want to check out memman.com for your memory. They have a good selection and good support. I'm using their 128MB PC133 DIMMs w/Infineon chips in my Athlon system (CAS2 settings) and haven't had any problems. Definately go for something tested at CAS2, as you'll get a performance boost using those settings. If you're a high roller you can get the Corsair RAM... I've heard good things about Mushkin RAM also but never tried any myself.

Hard drive. Well, I just installed an IBM 40GB 75GXP (7200rpm, ATA100) in an ASUS A7V, and it's incredibly fast... I've only heard good things about the GXPs, so that's my suggestion. Maxtor has some good, fast drives also. Check out their 30-40GB 7200rpm, ATA100 drives.

Sound card. Stick with the SoundBlaster Live. Get any version you want... they all use the same hardware, just the software bundle is different... even the Value is the same card.

Video card. Well, since you say you want something solid over speed, I'm going to recommend the ATI Radeon 32 or 64MB DDR, or the Voodoo5 5500. GeForce cards are great (I've got a GeForce DDR myself) but they can be a downright pain in the ASS to get working properly. If you want something that plays a bit "nicer" I wouldn't try one... or get one locally that you can return if you have problems.

Modem. Whatever man. I like external simply because they have more funcionality (transmit/receive, error lights) and are easier to set up. US Robotics/3Com is always a good choice.

Hope that helps... if you haven't already decided 🙂

 

[Drexel]

I would go for a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for sound card, but only if you get it for like 80 bucks or less. Go for the hedgehog all copper heatsink + sanyo fan if you plan to overclock. you can get a really cheap voodoo5 5500 at buy.com, definately go for a harddrive no slower than 7200rpm, you can get cheap crucial ram at buy.com. If your gonna hold out a little longer for a chip, the 1.1ghz and 1.2ghz are gonna be around 200 bucks when the 1.3ghz comes out in the near future, if you're gonna get a 1.2ghz+ go for a 400w power supply like the antec one, btw definately satellite...

 

[SirFshAlot]

I just put together the Pro2-A w/Duron 800.

I just won a bid at $56 on flea-bay for an Enermax 303 PS to change out with the 250w in my Enlight 7237.

I got some of that PC150 128mb stuff from Access (something)🙂 that was listed in HotDeals last week. It arrived yesterday and is running smoothe at 133mhz Cas2.

I bought the Voodoo5 when they had a great deal posted over in HotDeals.

Keep your eyes open around here and you'll find everything you need at good to great prices.