CPU and MB, which one should I buy. P4

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

I am going to build a new PC. I would like to spend no more than $500 on the MB, 2.8-3.0 800FSb processor P4, and 512 MB of RAM. What do you guys recommend for RAM. I would like your opinions on the top 3 for RAM. I would like to know if I should stick with good old fashion ASUS or go with another brand like MSI or GIGABYTE. I would also appreciate it if you folks can tell me where is the most affordable place to go to buy these components online. I have been an avid gamer. I recently started playing planetside and its no longer cutting it on my 800 mhz athlon. I would greatly appreciate many opinions.

Thanks

Abe

HardWareBoss · Nov 9, 2003

New Egg is one of the best online retailers. I use them for all me puter buys.

HardWareBoss · Nov 9, 2003

Do you plan on OCing your Cpu?

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

I probably will do some overclocking. I have been out of the CPU building thing for about 3 years. Really get back into it. What sort of memory should I buy. PC3200, PC4000, what do these numbers mean. So freakin rusty here. ABIT or ASUS? Which memory company?

Abe

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

Nice. I was looking at those boards. I really dont care for onboard audio. I will be using my Sound Blaster Live. What kind of memory should I go with?

Edited by ApoDoc26 on 11/08/03 11:37 PM.

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

the pcXX00 tells you the memory bandwith, divide by 8 to find the DDR speed. I would recomend...

intel 2.6c
abit IS7
2x 512 geil pc3500
ATi radeon 9600 pro

The 2.6c will easily overclock to 3.0ghz so save your money for a good graphics card (such as the 9600pro).

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

don't be fooled, onboard audio on most boards is really good! definitly much better than your sb live card.

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

twofruitz · Nov 9, 2003

agreed. spend a little bit extra and go for a 9700 pro. the difference is only about $60 and the performance difference is almost doubled

OR/

do what i did and overclock it till it bleeds

my system below does a great job.

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6973142" target="_new">3dmark2001</A>

2.4C @ 3.0G
Asus P4C800
Corsair 2x512 3200
Sapphire 9600pro @ 500/700
80G Seagate S-ATA150

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

Really!!!. I did not know that. From the boards posted above which would give me better performance? I might as well sell my Soundblaster board on EBAY. Actually just checked ebay not even worth selling. 2nd question is should I but the 2.6 800fSB and save money and overclock SAFELY without degrading processor performance and life?

I will be doing some intense onling gaming remember!!!!

Edited by ApoDoc26 on 11/08/03 11:43 PM.

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

the 9700pro would set him over budget, of course if possible the 9700pro would be nice but we are on a tight budget!

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

twofruitz · Nov 9, 2003

onboard sound is never good, SB live does a good job in the budget soundcard section

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6973142" target="_new">3dmark2001</A>

2.4C @ 3.0G
Asus P4C800
Corsair 2x512 3200
Sapphire 9600pro @ 500/700
80G Seagate S-ATA150

twofruitz · Nov 9, 2003

yeah but the price/performance difference is much better

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6973142" target="_new">3dmark2001</A>

2.4C @ 3.0G
Asus P4C800
Corsair 2x512 3200
Sapphire 9600pro @ 500/700
80G Seagate S-ATA150

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

dont buy the boards based on performance they are all VERY close, buy based on features and price.

You can overclock to 3.0ghz on stock voltage in most cases, there is very little chance of premature failure, just make sure the cpu does not go over 55c full load and everything will be peachy.

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

i disagree, onboard sound is very good, as long as you are not an audiophile you will be more than happy with onboard sound. A lot has chnged since the sound offerings from the k7 and piii days.

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

So you guys recomend the 2.6 ghz CPU. I already have the TI4600. I am going to buy a 9800XT when it gets cheaper. I read in MAXIMUM PC that KINGSTON has the best ram is that true? So remember the budget of 500-600 does not include the video board. My TI4600 is doing a great job. When DOOM 3 and HALF Life 2 comes out. I will buy the new board. Now is only CPU, MEMORY and MB.

Edited by ApoDoc26 on 11/08/03 11:51 PM.

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

kingston and corsair make the best ram geil is pretty good too for the money. You will not be able to stay within your budget if you get kingston/corsair ram, i would stick with GEiL for this build.

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

twofruitz · Nov 9, 2003

Geil is excellent. im looking at getting the 533 Golden dragon ram which they make. mmm the overclocking.

btw the ti4600 is an excellent card so you wont need to change that for awhile. it will run HL2 well except you'll miss out on all the direct x 9 goodies.

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6973142" target="_new">3dmark2001</A>

2.4C @ 3.0G
Asus P4C800
Corsair 2x512 3200
Sapphire 9600pro @ 500/700
80G Seagate S-ATA150

TTZX · Nov 9, 2003

The onboard sound on my IS7 sucked, not very clean and occasional pops and hisses. I got a Audigy 2 ZS and it's day and night. You probably won't notice the difference on cheaper speakers but it was very noticable on my Logitech Z680 speakers.

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

Well guys I really do appreciate the info. With your help I have narrowed it down to ABIT or ASUS. I have been a little reluctant on MSI. I don't know why. I have gut feeling towards either ASUS or ABIT. Next, with your input and reading some benchmarks the 2.6 and 2.8, both of them C processors are basically the same. I mean who cares if UT2003 can do 199 fps on the 2.6 and 207 on the 2.8. I want to flexibility for me to upgrade the BIOS and add a higher end processor from INTEL maybe a 3.4C or 3.6C. So, the processor has been worked out thanks to you guys.

Next, I need to narrow down the MB. I don't care about on board audio, if its there its there. I want the best chipset. USB 2.0, 1394, etc. What I have been attracted to lately is SATA and RAID. Can someone give me lowdown on this.

I will ask about memory after I figure out the MB. Please keep in mind all of these manufacturers are offering ungodly speeds on memory. If any of you think I can run this memory and safely overclock please provide your input. So, to recap. The processor I have picked to be a 2.6C. Next, is the MB.

TTZX · Nov 9, 2003

Check out the Abit IS7 for $99 at newegg.com . It has SATA RAID, 3xFireWire, 6xUSB2.0, onboard 6-channel sound, and onboard LAN. It's loaded, great deal.

Then there is the comparable ASUS P4P800 for $109, it has everything the IS7 has except FireWire.

ApoDoc26 · Nov 9, 2003

Thanks. Which memory should I go with? Do I need two identical memory modules with DUAL CHANNEL boards. And should I stick with PC3200? I probably will not overclock. I am looking at the IC7-G? WHat do you think? Whats the main difference between the IC7 and IC7-G?

Edited by ApoDoc26 on 11/09/03 12:18 PM.

HardWareBoss · Nov 9, 2003

Agreed. I'm using on board sound with IS7 mobo.

HardWareBoss · Nov 9, 2003

I have IS7 with HyperX PC3500 2X512.

pIII_Man · Nov 9, 2003

just about all of the mobos that we showed ya have all of those features.

About sata...its no faster in real world tests than IDE its just go narow cables that are more managable.

I would go with some geil pc3500 memory...matched sticks are not necissary.

If any of you think I can run this memory and safely overclock please provide your input

You can run that system safely at 466mhz memory clock (3.03ghz) and over.

If it isn't a P6 then it isn't a procesor
110% BX fanboy

SJJM · Nov 9, 2003

The only real advantage that sata has is that you can buy the raptor hard drives.

P4 2.6c at 3.25, Abit IC7-G Max3, OCZ pc 4000, 2X raptors in a raid, and ATI 9700 pro 390/324.

CPU and MB, which one should I buy. P4

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