Newb needs System Build Advice

I'm buiding my 1st comp. Have had others build em for me in the past but they are no longer available. I feel pretty confident in building my system, and after some exhaustive research on THG I've settled on the following components. Prices listed below are the range of prices I have been able to find using THG Price Search.

CPU- AMD Athlon XP Barton 3200+ $179-239
MOBO- ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe nForce2 $91-109
RAM- Corsair TWINX 512MB (1 Stick) PC3200 400MHZ 2-3-3 $129-149
GPU- ATI 256MB DDR AGP 9800 PRO $299
CASE- ANTEC P160 $105-124
Power- ANTEC True Power 480W $109
HD- Barracuda ST3160023A 160MB 8MB Cache $99
DVD- Plextor PX-708UF $179.99
CD- LG (Can't remember the model) $45

TOTAL $1273 or so...

I'm thinking in order to save some money I could get the ENERMAX CS-1251 case with a 350Watt power supply for around $69
GPU instead of the 9800 Pro I can drop down to 9600XT 256mb DDR for $159

Those 2 moves would save $296 for a total price of
$977

QUESTIONS
Is the extra money worth it? Or am I better off saving the money.
What components are better for the money out there?

Also thinking of getting 2 Barracuda 80MB drives 8MB cache for $49 each. Total would be used instead of the single 160MB drive.

System is to be used for gaming, music/mp3s, net surfing, MS Office. Not much higher level apps.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Since you aren't extremely budget limited, builing an A64 2800+ or 3000+ system with a nForce3 250 mobo is a better idea.

256 MB VRAM is completely useless for R9800 (and lower) class cards. Radeon 9800 Pro 128 MB is the best card for you.

I recommend LiteOn SOHW-832S or SOHW-812S (if you don't need dual-layer DVD burning capability) for DVD burner. No need waste money for Plextor drive.

As a second optical drive, DVD-ROM is a better choice than CD-ROM or CD-RW. I recommend LiteOn JLMS XJ-HD166S DVD-ROM.

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Am I the only one confused by <b>ONE</b> stick of <b>TWIN</b>X?

I'm assuming that's a typo and that you mean one matched <i>pair</i> of TwinX.

<pre><b><font color=red>"Build a man a fire and he's warm for the rest of the evening.
Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life." - Steve Taylor</font color=red></b></pre><p>

Since gaming is listed as one of your first priorites, do not downgrade to the 9600 pro/xt line. I just moved up from the 9600 pro to the 9800 pro. It's a noticible improvement and will be needed for new games.

The 9800 pro's nowadays often come with the same core (GPU) used in the 9800 XT. And with a free proggie (Rage3d Tweak) and 10 minutes of time, can be (over)clocked at speeds equal to, or faster than the XT. So, in effect you have a 9800XT with 128MB of ram for $200 or less. The extra ram is not worth an additional $100.

Forget the Desktop Barton @ 3200 @ approx $200. For 1/2 the price or less, the mobiles (I use a 2600+-see my sig) will reach the same speed with a simple adjustment in BIOS. The mobile will not come with a HS+F, but a Vantec Aeroflo a heatsink + fan unit @ $25 is definatly sufficient for cooling at 3200 speeds (that's what I'm using on mine now to good effect).

The issue for you maybe whether to go for the AMD 64 line.

I wouldn't suggest the Antec psu @ $109. If the case/psu combo satisfy's your objectives and saves money, good. Otherwise, the Fortron 530 watt at $75 is a very highly thought of psu (my next purchase) for less money, more power, and perhaps higher quality.

TWINX is a matched pair sold together, may not be able to buy just one. Some purchase one stick of 512MB with the intention of adding another later for 1 gig dual channel. You can also purchase 2 X 256 MB and run in DC now, then add a third stick of 512 to the other slot. The first pair operate in DC as one, and work with the other 512 MB fine.

Good Luck w/your build

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X200)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win98SE

as i said, the 64 bit platform is a much better investment and the x800 pro will get u fps that the 9800xt cant touch. the xp platform is pretty obsolete now, im running an oc'ed 2500+ at 2.2ghz on the abit nf7-s and im not happy with it. look at far cry because it is where the future of gaming is headed, even the x800 pro cant get 100fps, what do u think a 9800 pros going to do

or comprimise and get the chaintech VNF-250 board. it may not have the features of the msi k8n neo, but its based on the nvidia nforce 250 (non GB) and its very reasonably priced

Why you will need two DVD burners? 1 DVD burner and 1 DVD-ROM should be enough.

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<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig</A> & <A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/benchmark.html" target="_new">3DMark score</A>

There's dual layer burners are already available. LiteOn has a very good dual layer burner (LiteOn SOHW-832S)

------------
<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A>

<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig</A> & <A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/benchmark.html" target="_new">3DMark score</A>