Tom's Hardware > Forum > Old Man/Woman's Club > Other > Will my computer work?
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Vonkwink   09-15-2002 at 04:50:12 PM

I've never built a computer before, but I'd like to try it. I know more than your average joe about computers, but I know jack$hit about hardware. I went to www.pricewatch.com and made a sheet of computer components to get. Will this computer work (not have compatibility issues or whatever), do I need anything else, and do you have any suggestions? Thanks for your time. If you cant read any of this, post your email and ill email you my word document where the stuff is readable

Micron TechnologyInfo...Micron Crucial 512MB PC133 SDRAM Unbuffered Non Parity 3.3V w/lifetime warr eligible for a one-time $15 discount off one 256MB upgrade on Micron banner only(1 for $80) (Part - SDRAM512PC133) Price: $ 95 Ship: $8.70 Flat Fee Free on Micron banner only Updated:9/7, 10:54 AM $103.70 Lynn Computer ProductsInfo... 877-796-9976 FL

IntelInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -Intel Pentium 4 2.4Ghz 512K Cache 478 Pin 533Mhz FSB INCLUDES - 20 Day Dealer Warranty (Part - P4240GHZO5) Price: $189 Ship: $3.99 Flat Fee Updated:9/13, 8:06PM $192.99 ECONOPC, Inc.Info...888-326-6660847-967-2222 IL

SamsungInfo...80.0GB EIDE 5400RPM,9.0ms seek time, UA100 Bare Drive. OEM - Includes DOA Warranty (Part - SAM-80-54) Price: $84Ship: $3.84 Flat Fee Updated:9/12, 7:02PM $87.84 AccubyteInfo...888-222-8298630-832-9200 IL


ChaintechInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -Geforce4 TI 4200 64MB DDR AGP 2x/4x TV-Out /DVI-I dual head Geforce 4 TI4200 Retail Dual VGA DVI-I also has TI4600/TI 4600, Ti4400/Ti 4400 128MB (Part - 310-19612) Price: $127Ship: FreeWill Ship: Same - 1day Updated:9/6, 10:23PM $127 Allstarshop.comInfo...800-424-7188949-598-3188 CA



Tower $45:
http://www.linkpca.com/linmidtow40b.html






Product Description Price MaxTotalCostPrice + Max Shipping Dealer/Phone/State
Creative Labs - Sound CardsInfo...Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+ Retail w/ SB 1394 Firewire 4 times the power of SB Live, w/ IEEE 1394 Firewire connector (Part - SC-EC-CRE180) Price: $ 85 Ship: $6 - 9 via UPS insured Updated:7/31, 7:03 AM $94.00 Shentech.comInfo...888-387-2138718-661-3306 NY

GigabyteInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -GA-8IDX, Pentium 4, Socket 478,Intel 845 Chipset, 400FSB, ATA100, Audio, ATX (retail Box) Support Pentium4 upto 2.4Ghz and Faster, 6PCI, 1AGP4X, 1CNR, 3DIMM, 2 yrs dealer warranty (Part - GA-8IDX) Price: $ 63 Ship: $5.95 Flat Fee Insured Updated:8/31, 12:37 PM $68.95 FTIComputer.comInfo... 866-384-2667 NY

MitsumiInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -CR-485CTE Internal EIDE/ATAPI CD-RW Drive (OEM Bare Drive) Mitsumi 40x20x48 CD-RW 485CTE IDE Price: $48Ship: $11 - 12.85 INSURED Updated:8/21, 4:47AM $60.85 nexthardwareshop.comInfo...888-808-6088909-595-8821 CA

BTCInfo...BTC 12x DVD-ROM Drive, 40x CD-ROM EIDE / ATAPI BTC 12x DVD-ROM Drive, 40x CD-ROM EIDE / ATAPI, Drive Only, get it while it lass (Not 16x) (Part - CDB1232DV) Price: $30Ship: $0.99 Flat Fee $0.99 EACH drive ship Updated:9/11, 7:43PM $30.99 Computer123.comInfo...626-581-0588626-581-0588 CA




Microsoft - Software - SuitesInfo...MS Office XP Professional w/ Publisher -Single DSP Full Version (Price includes hardware) Full OEM Version - Incl. Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Powerpoint 2002 MS Genuine Sealed Pkg w/ CD, License, COA (Part - MSOFFICEXPOEM) Price: $ 279 Ship: Free Updated:9/11, 10:09 PM $279.00 ComputersworthInfo...800-838-7884972-412-4947 TX

Microsoft - Software - Operating SystemsInfo...Windows XP Professional Edition DSP OEM Complete sealed OEM DSP version. Store price is $137 use coupon code 2002 for discount. Price: $ 132 Ship: Free Shipping! Updated:9/6, 8:06 AM $132.00 SWSourcing.comInfo...888-313-7964408-383-9303 P.O.'s Accepted CA

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svol   09-15-2002 at 05:05:52 PM
- 0 +

I would recommend an DDR board with DDR memory... for such a fast system using SDRAM is making the system very slow compared to DDR. And the prices between DDR and SDRAM don't differ that much.

My peltier is so powerful I get Bose-Einstein Condensate beneath it :eek: .

Reply to svol
Vonkwink   09-15-2002 at 06:34:37 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for suggestion
alright heres my new mobo and RAM. Will my computer still work though? Or will I have compatibility issues? Also, do I need a fan or cables or something like that?

AsusTekInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -Asus P4S333 Retail ATX SIS 645CHIP Intel P4 478 PIN UPTO 2.4GHZ1 AGP,6PCI,4USB ASUS P4S333 is based on SiS® 645 chipset with 6 PCI, 3 DDR DIMM, ACR, AGP 4X, optional audio & LAN. (Part - BZBP#P4S333) Price: $ 58 Ship: $10.00 - 11.99 Updated:9/14, 2:39 PM $69.99 BZBOYZ.comInfo... 877-429-2699 CA


Micron TechnologyInfo...Crucial Micron, 512MB,PC2100,DDR266,184-pin,Cas2.5/Part#CT6464z265.I16T Purchase with crucial Part#CT6464Z265,64MX64,2.5Volt,7.5ns,Gold Contacts. Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty (Part - N82E16820145005) Price: $ 133 Ship: Free Shipping Anywhere US Cont. Fed. Sav Updated:9/15, 11:10 AM $133.00 Newegg.comInfo... 800-390-1119 CA

Reply to Vonkwink
Napoleon   09-15-2002 at 06:37:26 PM
- 0 +

I totally agree with svol about the memory. Sounds like you're going to build a kick-ass money-is-no-issue rig, with the GeForce 4 and all. <i>Thou shalt not</i> hamstring a P4 rig with GeForce4 by using SDRAM. P4's work much better when there's plenty of main memory bandwith around.

So, you'd need a different mobo. If you really are as clueless about HW as you say, and want to build a custom rig from the scrath (case, PSU, mobo, heatsinks/fans...) just for the heck of it, stick with P4. Those babies won't break or emit smoke quite as easily as their AMD counterparts. If money really isn't an issue, you might want to consider some RDRAM mobo and RDRAM. From what I've heard/read, P4's really are at their best when paired with RDRAM.

For a HD, do consider a HD with 7200rpm rotational speed. They aren't that much more expensive and their performance beats 5400rpm drives hands down.

As for Audigy, you should have a mobo with integrated audio, network and RAID capabilities. You wouldn't need a separate sound card. Once you've gone through the experience of setting up a custom rig from the scratch, improving it (if necessary) by adding audio/network/RAID cards would be a piece of cake.


<font color=green>I haven't lost my mind. I know exactly where I left it.</font color=green>

Reply to Napoleon
Napoleon   09-15-2002 at 07:28:32 PM
- 0 +

Well, nowadays actual PC building really is basically about just about reading some two-page manuals and mucking around with the plain old mechanics.

Make sure you have a handful of screws suitable HD/CDROM/floppy disk, as well as some screws suitable for the add-on card brackets. A decent HD/CDROM/card comes equipped with those, but if they don't... happened to me a couple of times, and it *really* pisses you off if you can't do something properly right now for want of a few screws. A kingdom for a screw... Well that didn't come out quite right, but you'll get my point.

Cables. Mmm, cables. Cases/mobos usually come equipped with what you need, but since you have a tower case - full ATXtower case? Too lazy to look it up, pls provide clickable links - they simply <i>might</i> not be long enough. Tower case will give you more room to work with, so it's good for starters. But with those, do make sure that the IDE cables are long enough. You might want to get *long* flat 80-pin cables: annoying to work with, but less signal degradation. Don't crimp.

CPUs usually come with a heatsink/fan combo. Alas, those usually fall into the 'barely adequate' category, particularly when it comes to noise. So, you might want to look up some low noise/high performance heatsink/fan combo for the CPU. And, whatdoyocallit, silicon goo. I've read some rave reviews about Arctic Silver...

To sum it up, if you've newer even opened a PC case before, you wouldn't believe how much just plain "stupid" stuff is involved in building a rig of your own.


<font color=green>I haven't lost my mind. I know exactly where I left it.</font color=green>

Reply to Napoleon
Napoleon   09-15-2002 at 08:06:03 PM
- 0 +

One more note: don't be overly frugal when it comes to the case. The way things are nowadays, building a custom PC rig can be nearly as bad as building a custom car; it's never just quite good enough. PC "hardware" comes and goes but the case just might be there for years and years.


<font color=green>I haven't lost my mind. I know exactly where I left it.</font color=green>

Reply to Napoleon
dhlucke   09-15-2002 at 08:59:01 PM
- 0 +

Sorry, I've only got about 30 seconds to give you a partial answer, but I would recommend a couple things that haven't been mentioned.

1. Wait until they bundle WinXP SP1 with WinXP before buying the software. It'll make your life a bit simpler if you're on dialup.

2. Don't buy your components from so many vendors. It's kinda like gambling. I can guarantee you that one of them is going to screw you. Check out <A HREF="http://www.resellerratings.com/" target="_new">http://www.resellerratings.com/</A>. On each vendor. Vendors that are popular are easily found on this site. I prefer <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/</A>, and there are others that are good as well. You'll save on shipping in the end if you go with one good vendor.

3. Buy a good case and good powersupply. It's so nice that you'll wonder why you didn't think of this before. This goes along with getting good memory as others have already recommended.

4. Don't buy an IBM hard drive or a 5400RPM drive, but buy a 7200 RPM drive. Both Maxtor and Western Digital come highly recommended. The new JB drives from Western Digital come with 8MB of cache and are the fastest IDE drives out. The WD800JB would be something to check out at <A HREF="http://www.storagereview.com" target="_new">http://www.storagereview.com</A>

Out of time...good luck

<font color=red>I'd like to dedicate this post to all my friends, family, and fans. Without them this post would never have been possible. Thank you!</font color=red><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by dhlucke on 09/15/02 12:00 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

Reply to dhlucke
Napoleon   09-15-2002 at 09:18:25 PM
- 0 +

Dhlucke, all that in 30 seconds? I am impressed, truly impressed. Writing something like that would've taken me about 30 minutes... no wonder there are people like me with a mere "journeyman" title vs people who can reach something like "Forum Fixture" in <2 years. What's your secret?


<font color=green>I haven't lost my mind. I know exactly where I left it.</font color=green>

Reply to Napoleon
Vonkwink   09-15-2002 at 11:58:31 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for suggestions

Well, money is actually quite an issue. If you look at my comp, I got some kickass stuff, but its really cheap (except that crucial RAM, but I wanted quality RAM, not some stuff that'll only clock at half its rate). I'm trying to keep under 1000 bucks hardware only (not including that damn expensive microsoft crap... too bad everything that i turn in at school and work needs to be in office formats) I'll come up with some other stuff im getting later. I dont have much time now.

Reply to Vonkwink
Napoleon   09-16-2002 at 10:23:24 AM
- 0 +

That Office XP sure is one pricey SOB. You know, you could download OpenOffice for Windows at <A HREF="http://www.openoffice.org" target="_new">http://www.openoffice.org</A> and give it a go. Probably won't do all the things you'd need it to do, though. But hey, it's free and has converters for Office formats so it's worth trying.


<font color=green>I haven't lost my mind. I know exactly where I left it.</font color=green>

Reply to Napoleon
svol   09-16-2002 at 04:29:18 PM
- 0 +

That board supports 333MHz DDR RAM... so it is best to buy PC2700 RAM to fully use the memory bandwith. Also be sure you buy CAS2 memory instead of CAS2.5... this also will increase performance.

My peltier is so powerful I get Bose-Einstein Condensate beneath it :eek: .

Reply to svol
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