My First System

[Vicis]

Hi everyone, I've decided to build my own computer and I've been spending the past couple of weeks doing research on good parts. This is what I have decided, mostly thanks to some advice I have seen here:

CPU: AMD ATHLON XP 2700 + 2.17HZ 333 BUS
w/ Volcano 9 Fan & Heatsink, 1 year warranty - $360.95

Video Card: Pny Verto GeForce4 TI4600 128 MB DDR DVI TV Out AGP Retail Box
w/ lifetime mfg warranty - $229.95

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-7VAXP for ULTRAAMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Processors
- $139.00

Hard Drive: Western Digital 80 GB 7200 RPM IDE Hard Drive - $89.95

CD-RW Drive: CD-RW Lite on 48X24X48 - $51.00

Case: ANTEC: PLUS1080AMG, 10BAY PERFORMANCE PLUS METALLICGREY FULL TOWER, 430W
TRUE430, ATX - $128.95

Memory: SAMSUNG ORIGINAL 256MB DDR PC3200 400MHZ FSB CL3
w/ Lifetime Warranty - (Qty: 2) $75.49 each.

OS: MS Windows XP Home (1Pack) OEM Full Version
w/ SP 1 update Bundle and Cable - $84.00

Power: ???

If anyone sees how this arrangement could be improved or if I'm missing anything (such as, if I need another fan or something), I'd greatly appreciate it. The only thing I insist on keeping is the GeForce 4 video card. Also, as you can see, I am having problems determining which power supplier will properly power my system. Again, thanks for all your help in advance.

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Buy Radeon 9500 Pro BBA. It's a better buy than GF4 Ti4600.

If you can afford, buy Corsair XMS PC3200 CL2.0 DDR

Let us know <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=25703#25703" target="_new"> What File compression format you use? </A>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Totally forgot to tell, buy a nForce2 mobo. Buy ASUS A7N8X if you have enough money, otherwise buy Epox 8RDA+

Let us know <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=25703#25703" target="_new"> What File compression format you use? </A>

 

[Lamoni]

I would also go for an nForce2 motherboard. They have all the options you could ever want... ok, they don't have an onboard SCSI controller, but they do have a lot. They are also the best performers especially when coupled with a cpu with a 333 FSB

Pick some memory with CAS 2 since it seems like you are looking to get a power system with the XP 2700+

I don't understand what question you have with power. The case you mentioned has a 430 Watt PSU which is more than enough power. You will need a good surge protector, but I don't know if that was what you were talking about.

Also, with the Hard Drive, if you get the Western Digital try and get the JB series. It has 8 MB of cache instead of 2 MB, but more importantly it still carries a 3 year warranty instead of just one.

Everything else looks fine... if you can find a retail CPU it will come with a 3 year warranty instead of 1 and will ship with a sufficient Heatsink. It will also come with a manual on how to install it which can be helpful if you have never done it before. Of course the info can also be found on AMD's website.

 

[Rob423]

not sure about you guys, But i have very Bad luck with Western Digital Hard Drives, I've always stuck with MAXTOR

This Community is like a Second Family!!

 

[halkebul]

Greetings.

Asus A7N8X Deluxe motherboard $150
AMD Athlon XP 2400+ processor RETAIL $200
Western Digital 80GB Special Edition Hard Drive $115
Lite-On DVD 16X $45
Lite-On CD Burner $60
Two Corsair 256MB XMS DDR400 SDRAM Memory Modules $200
Enermax EG465P-VE(FMA) 431W Power Supply $90
Chieftec Case (No power supply included) $50
Windows XP Home Edition OEM (SP1) $90

Room for overclocking even though the 2400+ is plenty fast by default. Future upgradability - 400MHz DDR FSB Barton Processor.

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=527833#527833" target="_new">Official Asus A7n8X Thread</A>


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

 

[Vicis]

Thanks everyone. =)

I made a lot of the changes that you suggested. With the power question, I suspected that the case would provide enough, but I wanted to be sure. I have a very nice surge protector waiting to be used. As I mentioned, I'm not planning on changing video cards just yet. A very good friend of mine who has made a lot of computers was very adamant about not using ATI. I may try the Radeon in a future upgrade, but since I'm just building my system for the first time, I don't want to make that change til later. Thanks again everyone, and happy holidays to all.

 

[vegandago]

dude, scrap the cl3 memory, that is lame. get some good quality pc2700 cl2 (ie corsair) and slap 2 256meg sticks in an nForce2 mb (for dual channel). You'd be better off with the better memory and a slightly slower processor than you would with the overpriced 2700 and high latency memory.

and don't worry about the 1080AMG... that case fukin rocks. so does the PS. You will have no problems.



"There is no dark or light side, only power and those too weak to seek it."

 

[wickywicky]

If you can afford it I would go with xp pro. Sorry if this has already been recommended but I was running short on time and couldn't read all the posts. Seriously, I upgraded because of numerous problems and limitions. It's sill windows, and it is still not as good as a well setup linux box, but its better than home.

I wonder what would happen if everyone asked why about everything?