My BOM: How did I do? (1st timer)

[rbwalden]

HDD Seagate barracuda HDD 7200.9 $92.50
MoBo ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 skt 939 $65.99
GPU Connect3d X800GTO 256MB $179.00
PS Antec SP-500 500w $68.99
Ram OCZ Value 1gb stick (184-pin) $109.94
(did this for future upgrade to 2 gigs)
CPU AMD 3000+ venice 939 $135.00
Case Antec SLK3000-B $49.00
DVDRW Toshiba IDE SD-R5372V $35.99
Total with shipping $779.68

Ok I want to try and keep the price of the system as low as possible, of course I am building from the ground up. As far as a monitor my toshiba TV has a HDMI input and it is a HDTV (Toshiba 30" CRT) so I figure that can double as a monitor for now. I was also looking for future upgradability as much as possible. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

[dhlucke]

Never heard of that mobo. Have you read a review on it?

For Dual Channel you should get two 512MB sticks and then upgrade with 2 more down the road.

I'd get a Benq or Lite-on or Nec burner before that one.

 

[Spin_Cykle]

Im building almost the same computer except fot he fact that i am using a Nvida 6800 GT and a AMD 64 3700+. The reviews on the mother boad are mainly good and some bad just like anything out there. My components should be here monday. I will wirte a full review of the build when done. In short, just take your time and download the full Manual for the Mobo. If you are doing a clean install of Xp on the SATA drive be sure and read the manual given online.

 

[Detson]

The ASRock is an interesting choice; are you migrating from an AGP card? The reviews I"ve read have been mostly positive, but for some reason nobody seem to consider it a viable option unless they've just bought an AGP x850 or something.

 

[rbwalden]

About the memory, I can't remember from where, but I read before that if you fill up all four memory banks then you get a big performance hit, hence the single stick. Then again I could be misinformed.

Thanx for the advice.

As for the motherboard choice, it is the only one I saw that is upgradable to AMDs future socket (m2) and according to website tests performs well. This is my first build with no hardware to recycle.

 

[Spin_Cykle]

Here is the topic i posted a couple days ago in the same forums. This will explain why i chose some of the components i did.

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Time-Builer-Plz-Help-ftopict167910.html

 

[pickxx]

About the memory, I can't remember from where, but I read before that if you fill up all four memory banks then you get a big performance hit, hence the single stick. Then again I could be misinformed..

Get 1GB of good ram...it should be no more then $140 and i know some for $115.

You should use two for Dual channel if you can....its true if you fill all four slots you get a small performance bump....but you do not need 2GB.



As for the mobo....its a good motherboard for now...dont get it for the M2. By the time the M2 is around and cheap...1.5-2years you might wanta whole new setup anyway. its a decent mobo for 939....dont hold your breath for great M2 support