Curse

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 12:54 PM // 12:54

This information is outdated. Do not use. If you need assistance please start a new thread.

I am building a new desktop computer from the ground up. I have a really old computer that i bought in 2000. Im gonna salvage something from it, but these are the specs. (With the parts that are going to be salvaged in Bold)

1.3 ghz P4
128mb ram
Nvidia GeForce 2 MX 400
40 GB Harddrive
Basic Really old CD Drive

I am buying all of these parts to make the bulk of the system.
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Winchester w/Heatsink and Fan 2.0ghz operating speed
MSI K8M AMD compatible motherboard
Kingston ValueRAM 1 gb (2x512) No heat spreader
I dont really know which one to get: An ATI Radeon X300 or an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
Exelstor 7200 RPM 40GB Harddrive (To go dual hd's with my old one)
LiteON Black 16xDVD-ROM/52XCD-R/32xCD-RW/52xCD-ROM 2m cache IDE Combo drive (To be used with my old basic cd drive as in 2 drives for cd's)
Rosewill R214P-BLK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply Case

Remember, this is a system that is being built from the ground up from a person that has never built a system but knows how to replace a lot of things, including the mobo, video card, and processor.

Do i need to buy anything more? Im buying all of this from Newegg.com

Thanks!!!

PS. I want it to be able to play guild wars at full graphics, no lag, and I also want it to be capable of playing the latest games.

Sorry it took so many posts but i couldent get it 2 go in one post!!!!!

Edge Martinez · May 30, 2005, 01:07 PM // 13:07

This is a neat little site that may answer some questions.

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 01:15 PM // 13:15

THANKS!!! But also, do i have all the parts that i need in order to build the desktop?

EnDinG · May 30, 2005, 01:29 PM // 13:29

Heres your warning. Use the edit button. I hate cleaning up posts.

termite · May 30, 2005, 01:31 PM // 13:31

You forgot the 3.5" floppy drive (though not many people use those these days).

As for what you're getting - I'd suggest you go with ATI Radeon 9800 Pro over the other two cards. I think they sell it for like $125 at Newegg now. Also, keep in mind that the X300 is a PCI-Express, and the 9600 Pro is AGP. Depending on what the board allows, you might be limited in your options. For DVD recorder you can go with NEC 3520A which is like $48 now, or you can wait a bit (like I'm doing) for the 3540A to come out. The hard drive is probably not the best choice. I'd suggest you go with one that has a 3-5 year warranty and a 8MB buffer cache (preferrably by Western Digital or Seagate). For around $55 you can get 80GB which would probably be a much faster performer than that Exelstor drive (who makes those anyway?). The motherboard is also not the best choice because VIA chipset isn't the best around, and tends to be slower & more problematic than others. I suggest you look at nForce chipsets instead.

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 01:48 PM // 13:48

What do you think would be so bad about this motherboard?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813130480R

EDIT: Oh, nForce: What do you think about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813138237R

termite · May 30, 2005, 01:50 PM // 13:50

Already told you - VIA chipset

Quote:

Chipsets
North Bridge VIA K8M800
South Bridge VIA VT8237

VIA isn't that good, and often presents compatibility problems with the rest of the hardware.

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 02:08 PM // 14:08

North Bridge NVIDIA nForce3 150

The second one i posted, its not VIA. Will that work with all of the other stuff?

EDIT: Wait... I found one better. Look at this and tell me if it will work and be a good card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813152043

termite · May 30, 2005, 03:16 PM // 15:16

Looks like a good board. Just make sure you're buying an AGP video card for it (as I suggested - Radeon 9800 Pro).

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 04:00 PM // 16:00

Yup, im getting the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, and i get 10 bucks off the 1gb ram and a free mouse!!! and 5 bucks off the power supply!!!! I love rosewill discounts!
Here are all the parts im getting for my computer and their links from newegg.com
AMD Athlon 64 3400+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103484
Chaintech AMD Athlon 64 Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813152043

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 04:01 PM // 16:01

Aspire X-Dreamer II Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144026
Rosewill Radeon 9800PRO 128mb 256-bit DDR AGP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814164025
Rosewill Value 300watts Power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182001
Rosewill Scroll Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826193001
1GB Rosewill 2dimm Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820223020
Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106
NEC DVD/CD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152035
Thermal Take CPU Cooler for AMD Processor
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16835106055
Sorry again EnGDinG but i cant put it all in one post, it just doesnt work. Are these all the parts i need to build my comp

Principa Discordia · May 30, 2005, 04:06 PM // 16:06

That PSU looks a little weak to me, only 15A on the 12v rail and only 300w. Might be okay though, I forget the power requirements for 9800 Pros.

You could also save yourself the $33 on the CPU fan, I have an Athlon64 3400+ and it never gets hot with the stock cooler on it. Disregard this if you're planning to overclock, though.

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 04:09 PM // 16:09

The PSU was on a combo deal with the ATI Radeon 9800Pro, but can you give me a link of a recommended PSU in Newegg.com?

Thanks

Loviatar · May 30, 2005, 04:17 PM // 16:17

if you could fit it into the budget the nvidia 6600GT is rated the best value for performance out there and will be ready for the next generation games as well as making a 9800pro envious

it you keep that old hard drive be sute anything on it is ok to lose when it fails

you have had it for 5 years and who knows how long it was made before being used

just back up stuff you need someplace not on the drive

Principa Discordia · May 30, 2005, 04:19 PM // 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElRey

The PSU was on a combo deal with the ATI Radeon 9800Pro, but can you give me a link of a recommended PSU in Newegg.com?

Just anything with a decent 12v rail, I usually reccommend something in the area of 18A or above. I recently re-learned that cheap PSUs aren't a laughing matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

if you could fit it into the budget the nvidia 6600GT is rated the best value for performance out there and will be ready for the next generation games as well as making a 9800pro envious

Oops, I forgot to plug the 6600GT myself!

Beautiful, beautiful card and walks all over any 9800 like there's no tomorrow.

Well worth the extra $20-$30.

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 04:35 PM // 16:35

Will the 6600GT Out preform the Sapphire ATI Radeon x700 PRO?

Loviatar · May 30, 2005, 04:40 PM // 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElRey

Will the 6600GT Out preform the Sapphire ATI Radeon x700 PRO?

its a tossup

does the 700 pro come in a agp flavor ?

edit

the only ones i saw were PCI EXPRESS models

there were some refurbished agp ones but over 100 dollars more (450 +)

ElRey · May 30, 2005, 04:48 PM // 16:48

dont think so..... no. IT does not. Now one more question. So the case will come, and then ill screw in the motherboard, put in the power supply, processor, then the video card, and then the memory and the harddrive? Or do i need something else and are there any guides for this onlien showing pictures of how to do this?

Loviatar · May 30, 2005, 04:59 PM // 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElRey

dont think so..... no. IT does not. Now one more question. So the case will come, and then ill screw in the motherboard, put in the power supply, processor, then the video card, and then the memory and the harddrive? Or do i need something else and are there any guides for this onlien showing pictures of how to do this?

there will be several sites having information

google building your first computer for some

i also think pc magazines site has one

ONE THING i cannot stress enough is to read all the instructions BEFORE taking out a single part

have a feel for what you will do before starting

watch out for static sparks as they will kill your parts
physically check which wire actually comes out of the case switch befire attaching it to the motherboard

did i mention READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EVERY PART?

edit

here is one at random from the google search
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,55674,00.asp

Principa Discordia · May 30, 2005, 05:11 PM // 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElRey

Will the 6600GT Out preform the Sapphire ATI Radeon x700 PRO?

Yes it will.