Computer Config.

[Ouver]

I've selected components for my new system...my budget is around the $600 dollar mark (without a monitor): tell me what you think.
Intel Pentium 4 2.4Ghz 512k 533mhz
Gigabyte Ga-8PE66 Pro
Kingston 512mb ddr333
W.D 60GB 7200 8M Buffer
Innovsion gf4 mx 440 64mb
(i know this is a low end card )
CD Rom Asus 52X
Mitsuni floppy 1.44
Enermax CS-3181L-S Neon Lighting
Thermaltake 80mm smart fan
------------------------------
Few questions:
1) Is there a real differnce between a 2.4ghz cpu and lets say a 2.0ghz or even a 1.8ghz. So if there isn't maybe its best to get that and upgrade in a different area.

2) Would it be smarter to get a different memory combo ? like lets say less ram but with a faster memory module like rdram to ddr in general?(but that would "fit " my budget)

 

[TKH]

For a system like this is suited for your budget. A 533FSB P4 2.4G is superior than 2.0G but only if you are running some serious application like full frame 3D Rendering or so. For gaming even 1.8G can play most latest game well. However, I would recommend that you get a CD-RW instead of the CD-ROM, a Lite-On is only a few dollars more than the Asus CD-ROM. As for the RAM, 512MB Kingston PC2700 CL2 is actually enough. You won't get much benefit from a 256MB PC3200 since you're going to run async. Lastly, a decent GeForce4 Ti4200 or Radeon 9500 Pro has been come down in price much, try to get one if you still has some cash.

My PC has gone to hell... because it's a killing machine...

 

[NE_Corridor]

For only a few dollars more, you could get a radeon 9100 instead. Checkout www.newegg.com.

Call me Caine.

 

[Ouver]

I've already got a 20x10x40 CDRW from yamaha, i guess thats enough...i guess i could think about it. I didnt understand the "You won't get much benefit from a 256MB PC3200 since you're going to run async" part!?!?

I probably wont be running a 3D rendering program but the difference from a 2.4G to a 2.0G probably isn't much so it would probably be wiser to go with the newer one.Yeah the Cpu is 2.4G 533fsb 512k

 

[LtBlue14]

you actually will get some benefit from the pc3200 because its bandwidth is 3.2GB/s, and a P4 w/ 533 fsb has a bandwidth of 4.2 GB/s

<A HREF="http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=guide&dId=120&dPage=1" target="_new">WinXP tweak guide</A>
<A HREF="http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=guide&dId=145&dPage=1" target="_new">WinXP tweak guide 2</A>

 

[MeTaLrOcKeR]

Everythings fine EXCEPT the video card...ur MUCH better off with a Radeon 8500LE/9100.......TRUST ME...i had a GF4 MX 440 in the machien im on now, than i went and baught a 8500LE 128MB and updated the BIOS to the 9100's bios so really now ive got a 9100.......and its a LOT faster than tha GF4 MX......

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=13597" target="_new">-MeTaL RoCkEr</A>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Get Athlon XP 2400+, with MSI K7N2-L or MSI K7N2G-ILSR (for more features). With AMD, you are getting the best platform for your system for equal price of an Intel processor + Value platform.

Your memory choice is OK. But if you buy nForce2, then 2 sticks will better than 1 stick. If you don't want 2 stick now, then use 1 stick now, and later add another stick to get extra performace from Dual Channel mode.

GeForce4 MX440 cards are extremely bad (technically) and performance in not good in games which require better fillrate or utilize pixel/vertrex shader. It also relies much more on CPU than a DX compliant card. If you want to buy a card now, then buy a Radeon 8500LE (250/250 clocked). There's another option for you if you buy MSI K7N2G-ILSR or MSI K7N2G-L, save money for buying a card few months later. These boards have onboard GeForce4 MX (performs nearly GeForce4 MX440 with Dual DDR333), you can use it for now. It will allow you to play most of current games (not with 60+ fps). Few months later you can buy a Radeon 9500 Pro/9600 Pro.

Submit your opinion <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=28537#28537" target="_new"> Should Tom Fire Omid? </A>

 

[Ouver]

How fast is pc3200 in mhz? Like the DDR 333 is 333mhz...
So let's say i do get a mobo' that supports RDRAM what mobo' should i get instead of the Gigabyte.(only for intel cpu's).
Any other recommendations are welcome!
btw, anyone who knows good european computer sites to buy hardware online..plz list as well

 

[MeTaLrOcKeR]

PC-2100 = 266MHz DDR
PC-2700 = 333MHz DDR
PC-3200 = 400MHz DDR (aparently not always stable at 400MHz so ppl. get PC-3500)
PC-3500 = 400MHz DDR Also???

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=13597" target="_new">-MeTaL RoCkEr</A>

 

[LtBlue14]

pc3500 = 433mhz (~212x2)

as for the RDRAM mobo, how about the asus P4T533

<A HREF="http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=guide&dId=120&dPage=1" target="_new">WinXP tweak guide</A>
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[tombance]

PC 3500 is certified for 434mhz (supposedly for people who have a 200FSB processor and who want to overclock further - weird huh?)

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=5467618 " target="_new">Almost Breaking 12k!!</A>

 

[MeTaLrOcKeR]

Ahh...alright ic ic....well yes its VERY wierd.....

what is wiereder that i never understood is that ive seen/heard of peopel buying PC-3500 DDR Ram becasue there PC-3200 wasnt stable at 200MHz....how is this possible?? its designed/rated for that speed and yet it doesnt runs table at it..??? lol

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=13597" target="_new">-MeTaL RoCkEr</A>

 

[slvr_phoenix]

what is wiereder that i never understood is that ive seen/heard of peopel buying PC-3500 DDR Ram becasue there PC-3200 wasnt stable at 200MHz....how is this possible?? its designed/rated for that speed and yet it doesnt runs table at it..??? lol

That's probably becuse the DDR400 that they had wasn't rated for very good memory timings or was right on the edge of being prone to signal noise problems. Heck, they probably bought DDR400 rated at CL2.5, if not CL3. So by getting a slightly higher-spec RAM (in this case PC3500 over PC3200) they're giving themselves a little more buffer from that edge between stability and insanity.

Had they just gone with <i>quality</i> PC3200 in the first place (such as Corsair XMS) they probably would never have had any problems.

<font color=blue><pre>If you don't give me accurate and complete system specs
then I can't give you an accurate and complete answer.</pre><p></font color=blue>

 

[jaythaman]

If you want to go for RDRAM then the asus P4T533C is a good bet i have it right now and performs great but if you want to go for more features then there is the gigabyte 8ihxp It has some good onboard features. And all the RDRAM based boards perform almost the same only deciding factor probably is the stability. PC1066 Rdrams are obviously great performers. Not many people recommend the rdram solution (hardly any actually) but just think about this: It has been a long long time since 850e and 1066 were introduced and it amazes me that it can still perform equal and sometimes better than the latest i7205s. Want to know anything else just ask


My computer NEVER cras...DOH!.

 

[LtBlue14]

money money money is the problem with RDRAM

<A HREF="http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=guide&dId=120&dPage=1" target="_new">WinXP tweak guide</A>
<A HREF="http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=guide&dId=145&dPage=1" target="_new">WinXP tweak guide 2</A>