new system

[Iseekknowledge]

Hey guys this my first time here so please be gentel.
I want to build another system and I have choosen some parts .I would like the community's opinion on my pickings.
cpu:Atholon xp 1600+
mobo:soyo dragon+ (rated here top)
memory:256 non-ecc pc2100
video:asus v7100 pro pure 64MB GeForce2 mx-400
hhd:IBM 40 gig 7200 ata100
What do guys think? I need sugestions on case and hsf for aptimal cooling. I have the other sutff cd,etc.
The more I learn the less I know.

 

[FatBurger]

Don't buy a GeForce 2 MX400. I've got it, and it's on it's last legs. Spend some extra money and get at least a GTS.

<font color=orange>Quarter</font color=orange> <font color=blue>Pounder</font color=blue> <font color=orange>Inside</font color=orange>

 

[njeske]

Your motherboard selection is good. The processor should do you just fine too. The IBM hard drive is good as well. The main concern I have is that the memory isn't generic. Make sure you get decent DDR memory or else you could get a stick that isn't compatible, or that works but makes your system run slow. I would recommend Crucial or Micron as the brands for a newbie to get since they are fairly accessible and relatively inexpensive.

Depending on what you want to use the system for, the video card is a little weak. If all you want to do is run Microsoft Office, then you are fine. However, if that is all you want to do then I would save money and just get a Duron 1.0GHz processor. Chances are, you will want to do at least some gaming and for that I would recommend a GeForce2 Pro or GeForce2 Ti to stay close to the price of the MX400. These cards will give you much better gaming performance while still staying on lower end of the price spectrum.

I would guess that you probably don't want to do much overclocking, so any AMD recommended HSF for your processor will do you. You can get that information direct from <A HREF="http://www.amd.com" target="_new">AMD's Website</A>. Also, many resellers will put whether or not the HSF is AMD Recommended in the product description.

As for a case, find one with the looks you want that has at least a 300 watt PSU. Go for higher than 300 watts if you can afford it since AMD systems always love more power. You shouldn't have to pay more the USD$60 for a case with a decent 300 watt PSU.

I would also recommend buying the parts from either <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com" target="_new">Newegg.com</A> or from <A HREF="http://www.mwave.com" target="_new">Multiwave</A>. I have ordered from both of these companies several times and have never had any problems with either one. They have good prices and the don't burn you on shipping charges either.

Well, there's my two cents worth. I hope I was some help to you.


<font color=red>"I'm not gonna launch a $2 million missile at a $10 tent and hit a camel's butt." -Bush</font color=red>

 

[Iseekknowledge]

The memory I was looking is multiwaves' own brand.
Please do asume that I will overclock when I get that kneed for more speed or that something else to tinker with my system. Any suggestions for case and hsf.
Thanks for the suggestion on the video card

what do you know The more the less

 

[njeske]

I have nothing bad to say about Multiwave generic brand. I have never had any problems with it. Just know that since it is will be CAS 2.5, you won't get very far with overclocking. The only CAS 2 DDR memory that Multiwave carries is made by Corsair and it is rather expensive. I would try to find some PC2400 CAS 2 at <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_new">Pricewatch</A> for less. You can also try buying direct from either <A HREF="http://www.crucial.com" target="_new">Crucial</A>, or <A HREF="http://www.mushkin.com" target="_new">Mushkin</A>.

If you are in fact planning on overclocking in the future then the Soyo board is a decent, but (in my opinion, please no flaming or trolling comments for the peanut gallery) the Abit KR7A-Raid would be a better choice. It doesn't come with the onboard LAN or 6-channel audio that the Dragon+ comes with, but it is a rock-solid board by a brand known for overclocking. Also, all 4 IDE channels support the new ATA133 standard, which gives you more future expandibility than the Dragon+. The only drawback is cost since the Abit board costs more and then you have to buy a NIC and a Sound Card.

For an HSF, I have bought the "copper plate" HSF assembly made by Spreeze that is offered at Multiwave and have had success with that on two different systems. Spreeze also makes a couple more expensive models that are full copper that will probably allow you to take your processor even further.

For a case, I would get one of the Enermax towers that has a 340 watt PSU and several spots for case fans. Either that or the Multiwave case (made by Casedge I think) that has the 400 watt PSU. I have used both and I prefer the enermax case, but the Multiwave one doesn't cost quite so much.


<font color=red>"I'm not gonna launch a $2 million missile at a $10 tent and hit a camel's butt." -Bush</font color=red>

 

[Guest]

First of all that list looks pretty good, however the geforce mx and the soyo board my not be a good idea.

The Soyo board is great but only if you want to use raid otherwise you may as well save your money and go for the Epox. Unless money is no issue then Soyo is best.

Prices on the Geforce2Ti are really decent and worth the little bit extra cost. But I wouldn't go with Asus unless (Yes, I know I'm repeating myself) money is no issue. MSI cards are very stable and overclockable.

I haven't had a chance to test the new thermaltake volcano's but I hear they work very well.

 

[Iseekknowledge]

Thank you to all for the input, but now I have more questions.
Pros and cons of using raid ?

the more I learn the less I know

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by iseekknowledge on 12/11/01 10:21 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[svol]

You could choose for RAID 0, 1 or 0+1
RAID 0 is stripping the data over two harddisks, which wil increase performance.
RAID 1 is mirroring the data which will give more security (again two harddisks).
RAID 0+1 is both, but you'll need 4 harddisks.

Also take a look at this article about RAID:
<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.html?i=1491" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.html?i=1491</A>.

My case has so many fans that it hovers above the ground .

 

[Iseekknowledge]

Thanks for the info. I think that I will swicht to the epox
8-kh+ mobo and msi board.