New Computer

Simpleman · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:17 pm Post subject: New Computer

I'm looking at building a new computer this is what I have came up with, with some help from JD

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ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"
Specifications:
Case Type: Mid Tower
Color: Piano Black
Material: 0.8mm SECC Steel
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 3/0, 3.5" x 2/4 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2xUSB & 1xIEEE1394 & Audio
Power Supply: 380W
Cooling System: 1 x 120mm Fans Rear
Mainboard Compatibility: Standard ATX
Dimensions: 16.75"x18.25"x8.13" more info-> N82E16811129127 $99.00 $99.00

ASUS "P4P800-E Deluxe" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Intel Pentium 4/Celeron Processor (Prescott Ready)
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5R
FSB: 800/533/400MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR400 Max 4GB
IDE: 2x UDMA 100 by ICH5R, 1x UDMA 133 by Promise 20378
Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI, 1x ASUS Wi-Fi
Ports: 2xPS/2,2xCOM(Rear 1),1xLPT,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),2xIEEE1394(Rear 1),1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: ALC850 8-CH
Onboard LAN: Marvell 88E8001 GbE
Onboard 1394: VT6307
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x SATA RAID 0/1 by ICH5R, 2x SATA RAID 0/1/0+1 by Promise 20378
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813131492 $109.00 $109.00

ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9800PRO/380MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/680MHz
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video + Composite Out)+DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: 2 DVI to D-Sub Adapters, 2 Cables, Driver CD, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Retail Box (See pics for details) more info-> N82E16814102286 $223.00 $223.00

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
Specifications:
Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Northwood
Operating Frequency: 3.2GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.55V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan) more info-> N82E16819116164 $277.00 $277.00

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3700
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Corsair
Speed: DDR466(PC3700)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3-4-4-8
Support Voltage: 2.75V
Bandwidth: 3.7GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: Plug-n-Frag Auto-Configuration
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820145442 $278.00 $278.00

NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM
Specifications:
Capacity: 1.44/0.72 MByte
Average Access Time: 3ms
Interface: 34 Pin Standard Floppy Connector
Form: 3.5"
Media Type: 3.5" double-side high density, 3.5" double-side density
Features: Maximal performance in minimum space
Packaging: OEM Drive Only more info-> N82E16821152005 $10.99 $10.99

Western Digital 200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD2000JD, OEM Drive Only
Specifications:
Capacity: 200GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: Not specified
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Packaging: OEM Drive Only more info-> N82E16822144153 $131.00 $131.00

Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive, Model SOHC-5232K, OEM Bulk Pack
Specifications:
Write Speed: 52X CD-R, 32X CD-RW
Read Speed: 52X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI/E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows 95 / 98 / NT4.0 / ME / 2000 / XP
Features: SMART-BURN avoiding Buffer Under Run error
Packaging: OEM Bulk Pack (see pictures for details) more info-> N82E16827106932 $46.99 $46.99

Subtotal » $ 1,174.98

Please tell me what you think and give suggestions.

Thanx in advance

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<eVa>Simpleman-V$=<RIP>

Bright Red Nipples · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:34 pm Post subject:

Looks very similiar to what I have. I got the 3gb proc instead of 3.2 and I have Kingston RAM too. I also went with the DVD burner instead of just the CD burner. You may want to consider adding another CD rom though. Run your programs with the rom drive and burn with the burner. That way the wear and tear is on the cheaper item

.

I'm really happy with mine. I have had no issues with it, which surprised me. It was really easy to put together as well. The case has tons of room inside which helps out. I switched out the PS for a 480w with 2 fans. I also added another fan for the case so there are now 2x120mm fans for the case.

I'm not sure what you have now but this new machine will fly in comparison. You may also consider getting another version of XP. I noticed that wasn't on your list

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God Bless You Blue Ruler

Simpleman · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 8:42 pm Post subject:

I just bought a new copy of XP Pro was going to put it on this system but I decided to keep it with XP Home and put the Pro on the new one.

I do beleive we had similar systems before P4 1.8. Yeah I was looking at a bigger PS. This one to be exact

Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 480W
PFC: No
Power Good Signal: 100-500ms
Hold-up Time: >=17ms at Full Load
Efficiency: >=68%
Over Voltage Protection: +5V trip point<+6.5V;+3.3V trip point<+4.1V;+12V trip point<+14.4V
Overload Protection: Latching Protection+5V @<47A;+3.3V @ <48A;+12V @ <18A
Input Voltage: 115 VAC / 230VAC
Input Frequency Range: 47-63 Hz
Input Current: 9.0A for 115VAC;5.0A for 230VAC
Output: +3.3V@30A;+5V@38A;-5V@0.5A;+12V@22A;-12V@1.0A;+5VSB@2A
MTBF: 80,000 hrs. @ 25ºC
Approvals: UL, TUV, CB, VDE, FCC CLASS B, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO, FIM
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<eVa>Simpleman-V$=<RIP>

Darkath · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: New Computer

Simpleman · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject:

The x800 XT is already out. As far as the ram I was kinda wondering that as well, but JD said to look for some so I did. JD any thoughts?
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<eVa>Simpleman-V$=<RIP>

Albino Gibbon · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:22 pm Post subject:

I would choose a Western Digital Raptor harddrive over the one you chose. It runs at 10,000 r.p.m. which is pretty much as fast as a scsi drive. I think they have a 36 gig and a 72 gig for sale. Price per gig is higher, but you will be happy. Put two of them in a raid 0 format and you will be extra happy. As far as all the other things go, it is pretty much top notch, even though I am an AMD fan myself. As far as the memory goes, the memory timings may cause an issue.
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Darkath · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:42 pm Post subject:

Simpleman · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:58 pm Post subject:

No complaints. Great board, probably the best you can get until you go up 50 dollars.

ASUS P4p800E Deluxe Mobo (obviously)
Kingston HyperX 512 MB DDR PC4000
120 GB Samsung SATA HD
3.2E GHz P4
nVIDIA 5900XT

This guy or girl is using pc4000 with this MB.
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<eVa>Simpleman-V$=<RIP>

Blown · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject:

John Doe · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:20 pm Post subject:

You can use pretty much any speed of ram that you like on the board, or most boards for that fact. I run PC3700 on my Asus board and it just runs at the speed that the board supports, no problems with ram running slower than what its rated for.

I had suggested that he consider better ram if he had overclocking in mind, initially he had Value ram selected which I am sure would have been fine but getting better ram never hurts unless the cost difference is great and I cant recall if it was in this case or not.

Um, although I really like AGs idea about dual raptors, getting them and running them in a raid 0 configuration is great for performance but pretty hard on the pocket book.

Simpleman never really outlined exactly what all he wishes to do with the PC so I went with my usual general specs for a good solid, reliable machine that can do most things well. There are various areas for improvement depending on what your mostly going to use it for but overall this will be a solid machine.

As for AMD, I have not been keeping up to date on the best configs and hardware combos due to my dislike of the heat issues they have had in the past as well, I really dislike simulated numbers. A XP3000 + is less than a 2 Ghz CPU (I think) wtf, why not call it a XP2000+ then....Yes, I understand their numbers are "performance ratings" but come on, many people buying these things dont know they are getting a 1.3ghz machine when they buy their XP2000+ CPU and choose it over a 2.4 Ghz Intel based machine cause its several hundred dollars cheaper......

Ok, sorry for my AMD rant, dont get me wrong, I dont have issues with them except for heat concerns....I have 4 AMD boxes myself right now, and some day I will get them all assembled and running

OK, that be all for now.
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John Doe · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:21 pm Post subject:

Simpleman · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-151-019&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-160&depa=1

Yeah there is a quite abit of difference in price

I just want something that is stable and to play games on I don't do anything else graphic wise might at a later date, but not at the time being.

Deathbringer · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:52 am Post subject:

IMO, your biggest bottleneck in any system at this point is your hard drive. Procs are fast, memory is fast, hard drives are slow, so look for something with a high rpm, and also you will want to look at the spindle count. If you have two drives and the specs are virtually the same, go for the one that has more spindles, the more spindles the better, providing speed is there.

One more thing, buy good memory don't buy generic, it does make a difference. I would recommend something like Crucial or Corsair.
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{db}Deathbringer
Bringing death to all the happy faces

PilzberryFroBoy · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:41 am Post subject:

If I may make a suggestion, I hope you'll consider. PCX is coming very shortly. ATI is developing cards for them, and several MB makers are also. These PCX computers are much MUCH faster, and according to www.anandtech.com the architecture is supposed to be CHEAPER than current AGP pricewise.

Having said that, I just bought a new computer about 3 months ago. This is what I got:

MWave Mid ATX case w/430W PS (2 extra case fans)
ABIT AN7 MB
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
1GB Corsair RAM
RADEON 9800 Pro - 128MB
Western Digital Raptor HD 80 GB w/8MB buffer
Lite on 52X/32X/52X CDRW
Floppy (yes I had to buy it separate)
XP Home

Total price, assembled, tested and shipped: $966.04

It's not a bad computer, but I'd suggest waiting. I wish I had.

If you MUST buy a computer now, utilize NEWEGG.COM and or MWAVE.COM. GREAT customer service, and EXCELLENT prices.

John Doe · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:03 pm Post subject:

PCI-Express is just coming out and right now you cant even buy a video card thats PCI-Express.

Intel yesterday announced the new 915 and 925 chipsets that support PCI-Express and DDR2. The new chipset/boards use a new Intel CPU that doesnt have pins on it, the pins are in the sockets and apparently its a fragile setup and you have to be VERY careful when inserting the CPU.

I dont see this new gear being available in the stores for several months and I doubt that it will be as affordable or give you as good of a bang for the buck as buying a Intel Northwood P4 and the Springdale or Canterwood Chipsets (Um, the Nortwoods are the C series of CPUs, the Springdale chipset is the 865's and the Canterwoods are the 875's)

If you didnt need a new computer now then waiting 6 - 9 months wouldnt be a bad thing, you could consider the new chipsets, cpus and features or you could still buy the Nortwood's and I am sure they would have dropped in price again.

Cheers
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