Last message on previous page:
Wow, this thread is growing faster than GA Cutzu. In defense of ATI (someone had to do it) I would recommend you wait until the 25th-31st before you rule them out completly. 90% of the problems with ATI cards, is that people mess up when installing them. If you plan on using Windows 2000, or XP, a new driver class will come out that supports not only all (or most of the features missing now) but will probably give us all a chance to see the Radeon 8500 in a new light. It is hard for us to see and blame ATI for problems with XP especially since many of us have run the program for months already, but Windows XP is still not out yet, nor is dirct X 8.1, which is needed for those new features to work accessible to the masses yet.

If it works for you then don't fix it.

The way I think of budget dream machine is either a system with BX chipset or Duron.
Best BX mobo:Abit BX133-RAID

BTW do they still sell Abit BX133-RAID? I'd like to have it as a collection!

<font color=green>THG's reviews are the key to become a computer hardware pro!!!</font color=green>

If you do get use the Windows 98SE, I would reduce you memory to 256MB, or use Windows 2k. Windows 2K has been out for a while and will give good driver preformance, whether you get the NVidia card, or the ATI card. Windows XP is just to new to use with new equiptment yet. I would wair at least 3 month (or until all the parts have documented stable drivers for XP) before I would install it on the computer. Another trick that you can do is to install 98, get it running smoothly, then upgrade to XP over 98. I have found that Windows is much more forgiving of drivers if it sees it worked on a previous verson, than if you start out with a clean slate. Also, as far as HD's are concerned, I would recommend getting a small, 5-10 GB and putting your OS on it, then placing all the other software on your IBM. This way, if you need to reformat your drive with the OS (like if you upgrade it) you will be able to leave the other programs and files alone, and not have to loose them as well.

If it works for you then don't fix it.

Arsend

First, y only 256 megs of RAM if Im gonna use 98se?

Second, Is another HD necassary? Usually I just make a 2 gig partion (usually C) and put only my OS on the drive. All programs go to the 20 gig D. (Then I put Win2k on 3 gig E and all win2k proggies on 20 gig F)

"He not busy being born is busy dying."
-Dylan

btw, hehe, man I never expected this thread to get SO big. But there is ALOT of great info on this thread. Again, thank you everyone who has put in thier findings and thier 2 cents, it has been more helpful to me then I could have imagined. And to many others as well Im sure.

Thx

"He not busy being born is busy dying."
-Dylan

Hey, no problem, that's what we THGCers are here for right?
I've just checked out Seagate BaracudaIV 40GB's price and they are low a$$!

<font color=green>THG's reviews are the key to become a computer hardware pro!!!</font color=green>

If you are not planning to cram too much more stuff than you have already mentioned into your system, Newegg has the Antec SX1040b (black) and SX1040 (beige/white) cases complete with an Enermax 330watt PSU (EG351P-VE) for $99 US + $15 shipping. (330 watts may not sound like much but these things are beefy and tough). The cases include 3 cooling fans (installed).

If you wish a budget sound card. Philips has the Rhythmic Edge ($25 Internet) which carries the same sound chip as the Acoustic Edge but the card is minus 5.1 encoding. The Rhythmic Edge does have 4.1 speaker connections.

Would you like a Quarter Pounder?
No, thank you. Just give me the BIG heatsink. It's an Athlon.