HELP in building the Ultimate PC

[DanAshmoreUK]

hey guys
OK first of all i live in the UK and i'm in desperate need of a new PC and will be buying one very shortly, ive read a lot of ther guides into building my own pc instead of purchasing one that is complete from local retailers, i have realised its a lot cheaper buying the PC this way and obviously i can select my own components to my own liking. I am willing to pay upto £1500 for the PC, hopefully a little less then that
I will need a fast PC cause right at the moment this P2 350mhz is doing my head in, I will be playing a lot of hi-resoultion games on it too such as UT2003 etc: and i will also be using it for music creation and recording. I will most likely be watching DVDs on it, i have a 6.1 reciever with 6.1 speakers set up already so i wont need to buy speakers i will use the digital out to my reciever. There is one thing i am totally unsure on which one to get and that is the graphics card??? ATI or NVIDIA (hope this doesnt cause to many arguments)
I have listed which parts i want already, some of them i have left out because im not sure on which one to get, this is where i need your help...!
oh yeah is there anything else i need like power supplys? feel free to change any of the parts on the PC, i mean is 120GB needed? not sure about that one?
---Thx Ashmore---

Dan’s Ultimate PC component list



CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.06GHz £338.00 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&tid=752&mid=520&ob=price&stab=ref" target="_new">URL</A>
Motherboard: Albatron PX845PE PRO 2 £129.24 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812808" target="_new">URL</A>
PSU: ??? £ URL
RAM: ??? £ URL
Hard Drive: Deskstar180GXP 123.5GB UDMA100 £98.50 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&tid=733&mid=600&ob=manufacturer&obd=asc&stab=ref" target="_new">URL</A>
PC Case: Thermaltake Xaser III V2000A Aluminium Tower £176.24 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812829" target="_new">URL</A>
Monitor: ??? £ URL
Graphics Card: ??? £ URL
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum ex £170.36 <A HREF="http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?sku=E460118" target="_new">URL</A>
DVD-Rom: Lite-ON 16xDVD 48xCD £32.49 <A HREF="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005TZS0/qid=1052826893/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_3_2/026-4186325-3449230" target="_new">URL</A>
CD Re-Writer: Lite-ON Internal IDE CD/RW 52x24x52x £47.49 <A HREF="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000079HIW/qid=1052826893/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3_3/026-4186325-3449230" target="_new">URL</A>
Speakers: (Will be using optical out/SPDIF)
Mouse/Keyboard: (Already got PS/2 Microsoft Internet Keyboard and Mouse)

Total =
338.00
129.24
98.50
176.24
170.36
32.49
47.49
¯¯¯¯¯¯
£992.32

<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[cleeve]

Well, the best video card available right now is the Radeon 9800 PRO. For the best price/performance you're probably better off with a Radeon 9700 PRO, which is also a fantastic card.

Nvidia just released the GeforceFX 5900, which is faster than the 9800 PRO, but that probably won't show up in stores for a month or two yet - and will be horrendously expensive, like the 9800 PRO is right now.

And a note about the PSU: get the best one you can afford, name brand (i.e. Enermax), 350 watts or better.

Have fun!

- Cleeve

 

[elzt]

Ditch the "Deathstar"180GXP and get a Western Digital WD1200JB 120GB instead. They're at about the <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com/1/26/4321-9.htm" target="_new">same price</A>, but the WD is a better choice than the IBM.

 

[Sarke]

oh yeah is there anything else i need like power supplys?

Yeah a PSU would not be a bad idea... unless you want to plug your mobo into the wall socket (~230 volts in the UK?). Seriously though, get a good PSU as they are not that much more expensive than a noname one.

For the RAM I would suggest Corsair or Kingston (or Samsung is a cheaper alternative), and get at least 512mb DDR333 or faster.

As for the HDD, the size you need depends on how much porn you download... I mean how much games and high quility music you're gonna have on there. But 120gb is good nowadays.
Also, if this is gonna be an "Ultimate PC" then you gotta have a RAID 0 setup (and maybe a backup HDD if the RAID goes poop).

As for the monitor, this can cost you. You'll have to look around for the monitor you want and how much you are willing to spend.

Good luck

 

[wurrmm]

I would go with the P4 3.0C 800MHz FSB on an Abit IC7-G mother board. More future proof and better performance.

One mans throw-away is another mans god-box. Help friends in need, I always do!!
Then again, having extra parts are great for making dedicated servers for LAN parties!!!!

 

[Prof133]

Indeed. For an Ultimate PC, get a 800MHz FSB Pentium4 like 3.0C, Canterwood (875p) chipset motherboard, and two sticks of Corsair XMS 512MB PC3500 CAS2 memory. 400W+ power supply of Enermax or Antec brand.

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

Corsair XMS 512MB PC3500 CAS2 memory

so i should get a Corsair Platinum Series XMS3500 434MHz CL-2 512MB DDR for £113.36 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812372&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">link</A> or with the Abit AT7 Max 2 Socket A Motherboard will i need two?

<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

so far i think its a little to pricey maybe i could do without such fast RAM/HDD etc: what do you guys think?
Also if you know of any places to get these components cheaper please tell me!
thx again Ashmore

Dan’s Ultimate PC component list



CPU: P4 3.0 512Kb S478 Box 800FSB £350.00 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&tid=752&mid=520&ob=price&stab=ref" target="_new">URL</A>
Motherboard: Abit AT7 Max 2 Socket A Motherboard £123.36 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812350&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
PSU: Enermax Active PFC 460Watt ATX PSU £76.36 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=800853&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
RAM: Corsair Platinum Series XMS3500 434MHz 512MB DDR £113.96 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812372&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
Hard Drive: WD Caviar 120.0GB UDMA100 Special Edition £104.50 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&tid=733&mid=473&ob=price&stab=ref" target="_new">URL</A>
PC Case: Thermaltake Xaser III V2000A Aluminium Tower £176.24 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812829" target="_new">URL</A>
Monitor: ??? £ URL
Graphics Card: Connect3D RADEON™ 9700 PRO £246.74 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?&codeid=801058&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum ex £170.36 <A HREF="http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?sku=E460118" target="_new">URL</A>
DVD-Rom: Lite-ON 16xDVD 48xCD £32.49 <A HREF="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005TZS0/qid=1052826893/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_3_2/026-4186325-3449230" target="_new">URL</A>
CD Re-Writer: Lite-ON Internal IDE CD/RW 52x24x52x £47.49 <A HREF="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000079HIW/qid=1052826893/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3_3/026-4186325-3449230" target="_new">URL</A>
Speakers: (Will be using optical out/SPDIF)
Mouse/Keyboard: (Already got PS/2 Microsoft Internet Keyboard and Mouse)

Total =
338.00
123.36
76.36
113.96
104.50
176.24
246.74
170.36
32.49
47.49
¯¯¯¯¯¯
£1429.50
¯¯¯¯¯¯


<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[Willamette_sucks]

If you want to buy NOW, get 9800 Pro. Or wait a couple months and get a 5900 Ultra.

BTW, get a revision 2 nForce 2 board, and 2x256 or 2x512 corsair XMS3500, and an Athlon XP 3200, 200mhz fsb.
Kicks ass, period, and all highly overclockable.

Long live ATI.

 

[Crashman]

That AT7 Max 2 is a Socket 462 board, it won't work with your Intel CPU!

You can get the Abit IC7-G from Dabs for £161

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

 

[Prof133]

Looks like <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/home.asp" target="_new">Dabs</A> has the 2.8C processor (Mfr code: BX80532PG2800D)- could also find it at another vendor. It has the 800MHz FSB and Hyperthreading. That will be cheaper than the 3.0C processor and should bring the cost down if neccessary.

 

[Prof133]

so i should get a Corsair Platinum Series XMS3500 434MHz CL-2 512MB DDR for £113.36

This memory will be great for this build. Could also get <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812360&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">Corsair XMS3200 memory</A> if you want to bring cost down some more. Use two memory modules in order to enable the Dual-Channel DDR feature of Canterwood chipset motherboard (Abit IC7-G, for example).

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

Could also get Corsair XMS3200 memory if you want to bring cost down some more. Use two memory modules in order to enable the Dual-Channel DDR feature of Canterwood chipset motherboard (Abit IC7-G, for example).

OK so should i get 2 of the
<A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812688&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">Corsair Platinum Series XMS3200 400MHz CL-2 512MB DDR</A> at £97.51 or should i get 1 of the
<A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812688&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">Corsair Platinum Series TWINX XMS3200LL 400MHz CL-2 1024MB DDR</A> at £234.99
I would rather get 2 512's instead of this dual version because its cheaper for some reason? To enable the dual DDR would i be able to get 2 512's? i may get the 256's instead to equal a total of 512MB's instead of 1024MB's, im not sure yet
thx

<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[bulletproofmonk]

duals are fake

It's a marketing ploy and means squat. Also, just buy 2 sticks of Kingston or whatever. Those are ridiculous prices you're paying.

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.06GHz £338.00 URL
Motherboard: Albatron PX845PE PRO 2 £129.24 URL
Hard Drive: Deskstar180GXP 123.5GB UDMA100 £98.50 URL
PC Case: Thermaltake Xaser III V2000A Aluminium Tower £176.24 URL

Those all have to go too IMO.

Get a cheaper tower, Alum if possible, look for something around 100 MAX.

Get something like a :
Pentium IV-2.6Ghz socket478 800FSB 512K HyperThreading
or
AXDA 2800+ 2.08Ghz CPU 512K 333fsb box (OC it to 400FSB)

both are about $300 CANADIAN!

Motherboard, depends what you're doing. 800FSB.., nforce2.., etc..

 

[Prof133]

OK so should i get 2 of the
Corsair Platinum Series XMS3200 400MHz CL-2 512MB DDR at £97.51

Choose this option.

I would rather get 2 512's instead of this dual version because its cheaper for some reason?

Not a bad decision.

To enable the dual DDR would i be able to get 2 512's? i may get the 256's instead to equal a total of 512MB's instead of 1024MB's, im not sure yet

You can enable Dual DDR by getting two 512MB modules or two 256MB modules. Either one is fine. If you get two 256MB modules now and down the road decide to move up to 1GB, just add two more of the same 256MB memory modules - 4x 256MB memory modules in all. Consult the manual about which memory slots to put the memory modules in for Dual DDR.

 

[Prof133]

Pentium IV-2.6Ghz socket478 800FSB 512K HyperThreading

Choosing this processor would further reduce the cost of the system and is still very fast. It is also available at Dabs. Its' Mfr code is BX80532PG2600D.

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

ok cheers for the help guys, ive decided that im gonna get a 2.8Ghz CPU now instead
so whats the point in this dual DDR stuff? Anyway i think ill get 1 stick of 512MB for the time being, sooo i think that the custom BEAST is near enough complete hehe
oh yeah about the place where im ordering the <A HREF="http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?sku=E460118" target="_new">Audigy 2 Platinum ex</A> from ... hmmmm its the cheapest ive seen BUT is it worth ordering from there?
thx again
Here is an update of what the PC looks like now

Dan’s Ultimate PC component list



CPU: P4 2.8 512Kb S478 Box 800FSB £238.00 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&tid=752&mid=520&ob=price&stab=ref" target="_new">URL</A>
Motherboard: Abit S478 Intel 875P ATX A L £161.01 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-info.asp?quicklinx=2G91" target="_new">URL</A>
PSU: Enermax Active PFC 460Watt ATX PSU £76.36 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=800853&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
RAM: Corsair Platinum Series XMS3500 434MHz 512MB DDR £113.96 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812372&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
Hard Drive: WD Caviar 120.0GB UDMA100 Special Edition £104.50 <A HREF="http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&tid=733&mid=473&ob=price&stab=ref" target="_new">URL</A>
PC Case: Thermaltake Xaser III V2000A Aluminium Tower £176.24 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812829" target="_new">URL</A>
Monitor: ??? £ URL
Graphics Card: Connect3D RADEON™ 9700 PRO £246.74 <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?&codeid=801058&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">URL</A>
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum ex £170.36 <A HREF="http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/product.asp?sku=E460118" target="_new">URL</A>
DVD-Rom: Lite-ON 16xDVD 48xCD £32.49 <A HREF="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005TZS0/qid=1052826893/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_3_2/026-4186325-3449230" target="_new">URL</A>
CD Re-Writer: Lite-ON Internal IDE CD/RW 52x24x52x £47.49 <A HREF="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000079HIW/qid=1052826893/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3_3/026-4186325-3449230" target="_new">URL</A>
Speakers: (Will be using optical out/SPDIF)
Mouse/Keyboard: (Already got PS/2 Microsoft Internet Keyboard and Mouse)

Total =
238.00
161.01
76.36
113.96
104.50
176.24
246.74
170.36
32.49
47.49
¯¯¯¯¯¯
£1367.15
¯¯¯¯¯¯


<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[Prof133]

so whats the point in this dual DDR stuff?

It's a difference that you should consider. Theoretically doubles memory bandwidth. I strongly recommend you get two memory modules.

This is going to be a very powerful system. Enjoy!

 

[Crashman]

I'd recommend two modules. You can get 2 256MB modules and still have 512MB. It would cost a bit more, but you could save some by getting the <A HREF="http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/productinfo.php?codeid=812830&basket_session=64d9952e8335f67af1ec8df6effbfa77" target="_new">This 350W FSP power supply</A>. In fact, I prefer FSP power to any other brand.

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

...hang on a sec, dont i need a CPU cooler???
I'm also looking for a different case at the moment because ive just realised how expensive it really is! lol
anyways im gonna order the parts by myself then ill be getting the PC built by a local store, i dont think i should attempt to build the PC myself

<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by DanAshmoreUK on 05/18/03 07:00 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Prof133]

...hang on a sec, dont i need a CPU cooler???

The "Box" version of 2.8C contains a CPU cooler. So, you don't need to by a CPU cooler.

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

The boxed version of 2.8C contains a CPU cooler.

ah right sweet!

<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

One last question please, could i import a ATI 9800 PRO from america and get it working on my UK system???
i ask this because on the offical ATI website it says

RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB AGP 100-435002 7-27419-41086-1 $399 OUT OF STOCK NOW

and ive just coverted it into pounds and its 246.068 GBP so what the hell is going on? ive found it at £340.74 cheapest at the overclocking store
thx once again

Dan’s Ultimate PC component list



CPU: P4 2.8 512Kb S478 Box 800FSB £238.00
Motherboard: Abit S478 Intel 875P ATX A L £161.01
PSU: Enermax Active PFC 460Watt ATX PSU £76.36
RAM: Corsair Platinum XMS3500 434MHz 512MB DDR £113.96
Hard Drive: WD Caviar 120.0GB UDMA100 Special Edition £104.50
PC Case: ??? £
Monitor: ??? £
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB DDR AGP RP DVI VO £358.01
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum ex £170.36
DVD-Rom: Lite-ON 16xDVD 48xCD £32.49
CD Re-Writer: Lite-ON Internal IDE CD/RW 52x24x52x £47.49
Speakers: (Will be using optical out/SPDIF)
Mouse/Keyboard: (Already got PS/2 Microsoft Internet Keyboard and Mouse)

Total =
238.00
161.01
76.36
113.96
104.50
358.01
170.36
32.49
47.49
¯¯¯¯¯¯
£1308.06


<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>

 

[Prof133]

One last question please, could i import a ATI 9800 PRO from america???

Gee, I don't know. Maybe someone who has done this can respond?

 

[DanAshmoreUK]

FINAL question (i hope!) whats the difference between a connect3D and Saphire ATI 9800 PRO?

<b>---Ashmore---</b>
<font color=blue><i>It's always funny until someone gets hurt.........and then it's just hillarious!</i></font color=blue>