New Computer - Please Help

[MasTequila]

I am building a new computer for the first time in two years. I was hoping to get some feedback on this system before I buy the parts. I am not sure where the bottleneck is. I would like to cut costs down so any recomendations would be appreciated.

I also don't know if Windows XP Pro is worth it or if I should setttle for XP Home instead.

I have listed the components I have in mind with NewEgg prices (including shipping):

$63.49 - RAIDMAX 10-Bay ATX Mid-Tower Case (Gray) with Front USB 2.0, Model "ATX-847WTP" -RETAIL

$185.99 - Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

$75.00 (Rebate expired?) - SOYO "SY-P4I865PE Plus DRAGON 2 V1.0" 865PE Chipset Motherboard For Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

$76.00 - Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM

$91.00 - Rosewell Radeon 9600 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "RW9600-256D" - Retail

$53.23 - Turtle Beach 6-Channel PCI Sound Card, Model "Santa Cruz" - Retail

$82.00 - NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM

$27.99 - SONY Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DDU1613/B2s, OEM

$61.49 - Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200 RPM

$10.24 - Samsung Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Drive, Model SFD321B/LBL1, OEM Drive Only

$726.43 - Hardware Total

I am not married to the motherboard but it seemed to be one of the least expensive for these components even without the rebate. Please let me know what I can do better on the motherboard or any other components.

Thanks in advance.

Links to newegg component descriptions below:

<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-133&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-133&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-161&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-161&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-139-144&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-139-144&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-021&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-021&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-118-102&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-118-102&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-032&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-032&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-101-124&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-101-124&depa=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-144-122&DEPA=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-144-122&DEPA=1 </A>
<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-103-203&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-103-203&depa=1 </A>

 

[o1die]

Checkout the abit is7-e if you don't need firewire ($76 newegg). Abit has better tech and customer support.

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks for the feedback on the motherboard.

How does the rest of the system look?

 

[jammydodger]

I agree, go for the Abit IS7. Also see if you can get a radeon 9800pro 128mb, they are well cheap now and you really dont need 256mb of video RAM unless the GPU is powerfull enough to take advantage of it.

 

[MasTequila]

The Radeon 9600 with 256MB that I found was $91.00 with shipping. The cheapest Radeon 9800 pro with 128MB I could find was $159.00.

I understand that the 256MB may not be fully utilized and that the 9800 pro is faster but cost is a factor. I am also not sure if the video card is the bottleneck. Aside from getting less video memory, what does the extra $68.00 get me?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by MasTequila on 09/26/04 06:26 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[MasTequila]

If I don't want to spend the money to upgrade to a 9800 pro, do I lose any performance if I save $26 by getting a cheaper video card like the ROSEWILL ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 128MB DDR, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "RW9600-128VD" 64Bit -RETAIL?

Here is the link for the cheaper card:

<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-023&depa=1 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-023&depa=1 </A>

 

[jammydodger]

I would go with the cheaper card, 256mb of memory is not needed for a 9600. If a game needs that much texture memory then you wont be able to play it on a 9600 anyway.

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks again the cheaper video card seems to be the way to go.

There are two Abit I-7 boards on Newegg. Which Abit board are you guys talking about?

One?

$83.00 - ABIT "IS7-E2" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-174&depa=0 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-174&depa=0 </A>

or Two?

$98.00 - ABIT "IS7" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-155&depa=0 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-155&depa=0 </A>

If I use the 128 MB 9600 Video card and the Abit motherboard with the other components I selected, where is my bottleneck? Could I get by with 512MB of slower memory or a slower pentium chip?

Thanks again.



<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by MasTequila on 09/26/04 08:51 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[o1die]

The board I suggested, the regular is7-e was available earlier, but apparantly is sold out now.

 

[MasTequila]

Ar the other two Abit boards any good or should I get the $75 Soyo board?

It seems that the $70 rebate on the Soyo board expired today. I also read several review including complaints about not receiving the rebate.

 

[Crashman]

The IS7 is better than the IS7-E, he only suggested the -E because it cost less.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks!

Revised Specs:

$63.49 - RAIDMAX 10-Bay ATX Mid-Tower Case (Gray) with Front USB 2.0, Model "ATX-847WTP" -RETAIL

$185.99 - Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

$76.00 - Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM

$98.00 - ABIT "IS7" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

$64.99 - ROSEWILL ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 128MB DDR, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "RW9600-128VD" 64Bit -RETAIL

$53.23 - Turtle Beach 6-Channel PCI Sound Card, Model "Santa Cruz" - Retail

$82.00 - NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM

$27.99 - SONY Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DDU1613/B2s, OEM

$61.49 - Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200 RPM

$10.24 - Samsung Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Drive, Model SFD321B/LBL1, OEM Drive Only

$12.98 - Zonet V.92 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem, Model ZFM5620-CF - Retail

$736.40 - Hardware Total

How does this look now?

Another question I have is that on newegg a refurbished or open box Northwood chip was available for $30-40 less. Is there any reason I shouldn't get the refurbished chip instead of a new one?

 

[RichPLS]

I wouldn't because someone returned it for some reason.
Maybe it didn't OC well or at all.
Maybe it bugged out on them.
Maybe they tested it at higher voltage.
Maybe they found other incompatabilities.

and of course, maybe it is fine and dandy, its just not going to be mine, if I can avoid it.


========================
Try everything...
Do not be afraid of failure, for this is how we learn and grow...
Live life to the fullest...
Do not regret what you have not yet done!!!

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks for the input. I will go with the new chip then.

How does the rest look? If the video card is the bottleneck am I wasting money on other components? Please advise.

 

[o1die]

I use 2 256 meg memory sticks for dual channel mode. I would go that route even if it costs a few bucks more. I also get by with onboard sound, but that's just me.

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks for the feedback.

I intended to get one stick of 512MB Ram and eventually upgrade to 1 gig. What is the benefit of dual channel mode?

 

[Crashman]

I'd pass on the soundcard for now to save $53.23 and try the onboard sound, since it's a fairly good codec and the board has 5 ananolog connections (front, rear, center/sub, Mic, Line In) plus digital input and output. That beats typical boards that give you only 3 jacks and make you sacrifice the inputs to get more outputs via a configuration utility.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Crashman]

Dual Channel provides twice the memory bandwidth to the CPU. Since the CPU is Quad Data Rate and the RAM is Double Data Rate, dual channel doubles the bandwidth by widening the bus to get the results "Bandwidth: DDRx2=QDR".

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks again.

As I said it has been a couple years since I built one of these. The Santa Cruz is pretty sweet but if the onboard sound has improved I will skip the sound card.

 

[RichPLS]

Onboard sound nowadays is more than ample for games and music playback. The add-in sound card is for those that have dicerning tastes and need the ultimate in sound or professional music composers.


========================
Try everything...
Do not be afraid of failure, for this is how we learn and grow...
Live life to the fullest...
Do not regret what you have not yet done!!!

 

[MasTequila]

Revised Specs:

$63.49 - RAIDMAX 10-Bay ATX Mid-Tower Case (Gray) with Front USB 2.0, Model "ATX-847WTP" -RETAIL

$185.99 - Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

$98.10 - 2 sticks of Crucial Tech 256MB Memory - 184PIN PC3200 DDR 400

$98.00 - ABIT "IS7" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

$64.99 - ROSEWILL ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 128MB DDR, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "RW9600-128VD" 64Bit -RETAIL

$82.00 - NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM

$27.99 - SONY Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DDU1613/B2s, OEM

$61.49 - Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200 RPM

$10.24 - Samsung Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Drive, Model SFD321B/LBL1, OEM Drive Only

$12.98 - Zonet V.92 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem, Model ZFM5620-CF - Retail

$705.27 - Hardware Total

I can't seem to get into Newegg today. The memory price was from buy.com (it may not include shipping).

Thanks again everyone.

Please let me know if you have any other ideas.

 

[MasTequila]

Before I submit the final order I wanted to ask about two posible substitutions to the above configuration. The following items were available on newegg for prices well below the items I had planned to purchase. Please let me know if the following items will work with my configuration and if there is any dropoff involved with the switch:

1. $79.99 - $40.00 Rebate = $39.99 Mach Speed "Matrix PM800DMS" VIA PM800 Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

2. $41.00 per stick (2 sticks) Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM

Thanks again.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by MasTequila on 09/27/04 11:54 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[o1die]

Yes to the memory, if 512 is enough. No to the via chipset board. I would recommend any Intel 865pe chipset motherboard over the via one. If price is a problem for the is-7, go to pricewatch and the motherboards section. Do a search for "865pe" and compare prices and features for different brands. Then if you find a different brand that will work for you, then back to newegg and see if they come close to matching the price. For service, newegg is tops. For motherboard brands, abit, msi, and albatron have all handled direct rma's (returns) for me with few problems. Albatron was the fastest with a turnaround of about 9 days from the day I fedex'd by ground to delivery.

 

[MasTequila]

Thanks for the heads up. After thinking things through the Abit board seems to be the way to go.