First attempt at building!

[ChadGroove]

Ok, first I will make it clear I am a moron. I think I can build this computer rather easily, but for the sake of error prevention, I would be very grateful to have all your input/suggestions. My price cap is around $2000, I have a good monitor/keyboard/mouse etc so what I am going to require is just everything that goes in the case. Right, so lets get on with it. I think i will go with the Thermaluke? case instead.. Despite the fact I don't know the name of it I know where to get it etc.. I'm planning on building this in March when the P4 3.2 ghz comes out, and maybe the 3.06 will drop a little bit. It's still likely to be very expensive but hyper-threading teases me. Ok here goes..

here are it's specs

Processor: Pentium 4; 3.06 - $644

http://order.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/wg-order?unique=5d48a&catalog=cyberpowerwholesale&et=3e15db92&basket=5Cd1e188d8016e363e15d48a67782d2e188d8ab92f90c76f2a719799b96eb9f9f

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8INXP Intel i7205 Pentium 4 Socket 478 - $230

http://www.goroyalpc.com/product.asp?m_cat=hardware&cat=motherboard&action=show&id=735Motherboard

Cases: ATX: 400 Watt Power Supply: Blue Light: $75

http://www.dealsonic.com/atatatxmidto1.html

RAM: GeiL PC3500 DDR 512MB 433MHz - $176

http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductList.jsp?ThirdCategoryCode=011118

Hard Drive: 7200 RPM, 120 GB: $135

http://www.buyxtremegear.com/maxtor120gb.html

Video Card: Radeon 9700 128 MB 8xAGP: $242

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=48&DEPA=1&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=3047,3668

Sound Card: AUDIGY2 SB 5.1: $115

http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=588&showit=1

DVD Drive: 16x/40x DVD-ROM: $40

http://www.toolspcs.com/lit16dvddriv.html

CDRW Drive: LiteOn 48x Write: $58

http://www.toolspcs.com/litlt48cddri.html


Total: $1,715

Thanks, and once again, I am an idiot, so please go easy on me. Thanks in advance for helping a novice out =D

 

[Civilized]

First of all you arent an idiot, actually you look like you have done some reading before posting so go easy on yourself =]...now let me rip up your suggestions hehe =]

1) Geil makes good ram but I would never buy it basically because of its poor overclocking...you will need (2) sticks of 256mb for the dual ddr board you suggested...and let me suggest OCZ pc3500 enhanced latency modules from www.atacom.com

2) the case you like sucks..sorry....and you will want a much better power supply...let me suggest a Chieftec Black Server tower DX-01BD Dragon Entry Level Server Case with Large Side Window and Side Panel Fan ($69.00 from www.newegg.com) and an ENERMAX EG465P-VE(FMA). 431W Power supply (91.00 from newegg.com).....I assure you that you will LOVE this case!

3) If I were you I would drop the maxtor 2mb cache drive and most definately go with the western digital caviar# WD1200JB with 8mb cache (159.00 from newegg.com)

4)Why not get the radeon 9700pro?

5)just for correction purposes the audigy 2 is a 6.1 capable card

6)one more important thing is a quality cpu heatsink and fan...let me suggest the swiftech mcx-4000 (54.00 newegg.com) and a Thermaltake smartfanII (17.00)

7a)The case I suggested will come with two case fans but it will support 5 case fans..(two exhaust, one behind the harddrive and one and the bottom, one side panel)....the case I suggested has an acrylic window and is black....it looks sweet ass with four led case fans (the one behind the harddrive you cant see anyways)

7b) So top it off with four COOLER MASTER TLF-R82 Neon L.E.D. Fans (6.00/piece from newegg.com (under case modifications))

This is about all the suggestions I have for you...listen to me and you will love your new machine =]

 

[dhlucke]

Granted, I didn't check 'em all, but with that many vendors I'll venture to guess that you're about to get raped on shipping. Not only that, but some of those vendors are out of stock.

Stick to one or two vendors. If you have problems, any problems, each vendor will blame the other. You'll ruin the experience, go insane, and go on a killing spree.

Check out <A HREF="http://www.resellerratings.com/" target="_new">www.resellerratings.com</A>. Shop from one of their top ten vendors. I like <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/" target="_new">www.newegg.com</A>. Never had a problem with them.

Besides that, buy the 9700 Pro, get better memory, get a Western Digital JB drive (I have the 120GB and love it), and consider a better case like one from Antec or the one suggested above.

I'd note that I filled up my 120GB drive in a week. If you're on broadband and are buying a system as nice as that, I'd go for the 200GB JB.

Buying a nice case is worth it. No sharp edges, and easy to work with.

<font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ApJ/" target="_new">Forum Assassin</A></font color=red>

 

[ChadGroove]

yeah after reading here, i'm just gonna use googlegear and newegg. I will go with the Radeon Pro, and the RAM suggestions, and the HD as well. Does my mobo look ok? ANy thoughts on going w/ the 3.06? Thanky ou very much guys, your help is greatly appreciated!

edit: Here is what I have now, I downgraded the sound card and might downgrade the video card. it's getting expensive. I can always upgrade those easily too. Ok tell me what yah think now.

Processor: Pentium 4; 3.06 - $636

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=343&DEPA=1&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=4186,4358

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8INXP Intel i7205 Pentium 4 Socket 478 - $230

http://www.goroyalpc.com/product.asp?m_cat=hardware&cat=motherboard&action=show&id=735Motherboard

Chieftec Black Server tower DX-01BD Dragon Entry Level Server Case with Large Side Window and Side Panel Fan and 80mm cooling fan. – $69

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=Chieftec

RAM: (2) OCZ PC3500 EL DDR 256MB 433Mhz DDR CAS2 - Performance Series - $191

http://www.atacom.com/program/atacom_new.cgi?cart_id=4356384_12_249_146_171&Pagecode=SEARCH_ALL&ADD=MEDD_OCZT_25_34&DIFF=435241&USER_ID=www

Hard Drive: WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 120GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD1200JB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY - $159

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=WD1200JB

Video Card: FIC AT010 RADEON 9700 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP OEM - $300

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=radeon+pro&searchdepa=0&page=2

Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! Dolby Digital 5.1 – OEM - $35

www.newegg.com

DVD Drive: LITE-ON LTD-166S16X DVD ROM Drive - $46

www.newegg.com

CDRW Drive: Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246SBlack OEM - $60

www.newegg.com


<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Chadgroove on 01/03/03 05:25 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[the_Prisoner]

The SB Live seems to have lots of problems, the onboard sound maybe better. Either that, and get an Audigy 1, Fortissimo III or a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.

the Prisoner

I'm not a number, I'm a free man!

 

[LancerEvolution7]

You might want to stay away from googlegear. They have an unsatisfactory BBB rating.

 

[Ganache]

sblive problem = myth, i have an audigy... ROCKS !

 

[Black_Cat]

The SB Live! problems are not a myth. They are true, but the problem lies with the old SB Live! not the Audigy. It was actually more of a problem with the VIA chipsets combined with the old SB Live!.

To start press any key. Where's the "any" key? --Homer Simpson.

 

[ChadGroove]

ok I'll get the audigy but I'm gonna downgrad the vid card.. maybe a radeon 9500, or 9000... like i said I can upgrade later. ANy estimates on how much the 3.06 will be after the 3.2 busts out? prolly still over 400 i'd assume.. =/ any lcd recomendations for me? a 15in is good enough for me I think..

 

[the_Prisoner]

Ganache,did you notice that I recommended the Audigy 1? hehe

the Prisoner

I'm not a number, I'm a free man!

 

[ChadGroove]

OK! Here is what I have now. Only thing I'm not sure about is the motherboard, I couldn't find the damn gigabyte board anywhere so tell me if it sucks and if the ram is OK for it. Thanks again everyone!


Processor: Pentium 4; 3.06 - $636
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=19-116-155

Motherboard: ASUS P4PE Motherboard for Intel P4 478 Retail w/ Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, SATA, Gigabit LAN, Firewire IEEE1394 - $160
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=13-131-427

Case: Chieftec Black Server tower DX-01BD Dragon Entry Level Server Case with Large Side Window and Side Panel Fan and 80mm cooling fan. – $69
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-103-416

RAM: (2) OCZ PC3500 EL DDR 256MB 433Mhz DDR CAS2 - Performance Series - $191
http://www.atacom.com/program/atacom_new.cgi?cart_id=4356384_12_249_146_171&Pagecode=SEARCH_ALL&ADD=MEDD_OCZT_25_34&DIFF=435241&USER_ID=www

Hard Drive: WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 120GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD1200JB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY - $159
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=22-144-118

Video Card: ATI OEM RADEON 9500 128MB DDR BULK OEM - $163
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-258

CREATIVE LABS SOUND BLASTER BLASTER AUDIGY MP3+ - RETAIL- $84
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-152

DVD Drive: Lite-On 16x DVD Model LTD-166 Black - $46
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-131-109

CDRW Drive: Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246SBlack OEM - $60
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-106-189

Monitor: SAMSUNG SyncMaster 151S 15" Black LCD MONITOR – RETAIL - $312
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=24-001-023

CPU Fan: ANTEC 80mm SMARTFAN
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-129-123

Case Fans: (4) COOLER MASTER TLF-R82 Neon L.E.D. Fan.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-999-051

Heatsink:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=35-108-015

Total: $2,082

 

[halkebul]

This may be my last post considering my pops absolutely forbade me from posting in online forums but I'm going to try maybe one more. By the time you build your computer (March 2003), a SiS 655 Chipset or Granite Bay Chipset motherboard would be the best option. SiS just added support for hyperthreading for the SiS 655 chipset. Gigabyte makes good boards for both chipsets. Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound card. Enermax Power supply. GeForceFX (should be out sooner than expected) or ATI 9700 Pro, whatever floats your boat. Optical drive choices (Lite-On) are excellent. LCD monitors generally are not good for gaming. Pick a quality 19" CRT monitor and you will be happy. Ditto on the OCZ Enhanced Latency Memory!

Peace!

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[the_Prisoner]

Your original motherboard is here:<A HREF="http://www.goroyalpc.com/product.asp?id=735Motherboard" target="_new">http://www.goroyalpc.com/product.asp?id=735Motherboard</A>

also here:<A HREF="http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=1460142&affid=2163&adid=2163" target="_new">http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=1460142&affid=2163&adid=2163</A>

It does not seem that the motherboard is that widely available, but maybe when you are ready to buy it will be easier to find.

Also, you could save some money getting a nice 19" CRT monitor.

the Prisoner

I'm not a number, I'm a free man!

 

[the_Prisoner]

Tell your Dad we will miss your good advice, intelligence
and a overall good person.

the Prisoner

I'm not a number, I'm a free man!

 

[halkebul]

Thanx! Tom's Hardware, first class no doubt. And i'm out!

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[Rob423]

googlegear aint bad, i didn't have a problem at all with them

i only ordered a video card from them tho..

Is THG Slightly Slacking??

 

[crobb100]

You ain't no moron, d00d-just a tremendous amount of parts out there to try to choose from. Been there, done that!

I have ordered a number of times from Googlegear, with never a problem. Prompt service, prompt shipping, as advertised parts.

The Asus P4PE MB has SATA-in a few weeks they will be out with the new SATA drives from Western and Maxtor. Is the trf rate faster? Dunno if it'll work out in RL but the cables are smaller and longer-can't hurt anyhow.

<font color=red>I need to OC....just to read the posts faster!</font color=red>

 

[ChadGroove]

Ok here we go, this is by no means final.. im sure by march those new MoBos will be out, i guess I'll have to make that choice later. The only reasons I wanted and LCD is I'm going to college and I wanted to save some dorm space but I can always buy it later on. Heres how it looks now.. under 2k =).. I wishlisted most of this stuff on NewEgg so I can see how much it drops by. I'm counting on that 3.06ghz to drop a hundred or so.. and hopefully some of the other parts will too.


Processor: Pentium 4; 3.06 - $636
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=19-116-155

Motherboard: ASUS P4PE Motherboard for Intel P4 478 Retail w/ Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, SATA, Gigabit LAN, Firewire IEEE1394 - $160
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=13-131-427

OR

Gigabyte GA-8INXP Intel i7205 Pentium 4 Socket 478 w/FSB533, S-ATA 133 RAID - $230
http://www.goroyalpc.com/product.asp?id=735Motherboard

Case: CHIEFTEC Server Chasis (Aluminum Workstation Tower with Plastic Front Cover) BLACK w/acrylic window **Now with 2 x Front USB2.0 and 1 x Firewire IEEE1394 ports. – $93
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-103-416

RAM: (2) OCZ PC3500 EL DDR 256MB 433Mhz DDR CAS2 - Performance Series - $191
http://www.atacom.com/program/atacom_new.cgi?cart_id=4356384_12_249_146_171&Pagecode=SEARCH_ALL&ADD=MEDD_OCZT_25_34&DIFF=435241&USER_ID=www

Hard Drive: WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 120GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD1200JB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY - $159
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=22-144-118

Video Card: ATI OEM RADEON 9500 128MB DDR BULK OEM - $163
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-258

VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ - OEM - RETAIL- $66
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-118-101

DVD Drive: Lite-On 16x DVD Model LTD-166 Black - $46
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-131-109

CDRW Drive: Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246S Black OEM - $60
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-106-189

CPU Fan: ANTEC 80mm SMARTFAN
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-129-123

Case Fans: (2) COOLER MASTER TLF-R82 Neon L.E.D. Fan. (12)
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-999-051

Heatsink: Swiftech MCX4000-B - $54
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=35-108-015

Total: $1,986

 

[Civilized]

sorry I havent posted any in a while I have been out of town.....but ahh very nice choices.....seems like the mobo is the only thing you havent quite made your mind up on yet....let me make a couple final suggestions.....since you are building in march 03 there will already be new video cards, mobos out so prices will most definately have dropped on the 9700 pro etc....so just wait on that decision and yes take halkenbul's advice on the motherboard the sis655 motherboards should be licking up on the granite bays since the granite bay was a big dissapointment in the first place....I have an audigy 2 and its great on my P4PE although the santa cruz is a kick butt card also so no comments there.....let us know how the build goes and turn off the lights and smile when you crank it up =]
good luck dude

 

[Crashman]

I expect by March the CPU will be $200 cheaper (WooHooo!), the hard drive $20 cheaper, and the memory somewhat cheaper. But what you REALLY don't want to pick right now is a motherboard. Because SiS 655 boards are just now hitting the market, you'll want to see the benchmarks on them, they might outperform current DDR boards (up to 7-10% possible if they do it right), and for less cost! By march you might even see the "800 bus" chipsets on the market.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>