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My new computer (Please help me choose my hardware!)
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Posted by: Arunan
Hi I have come here because you guys are experts. I mainly need advise on my CPU and mother board, but ram and graphics card is a priority too.
First of all, I have decided to get a Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz and a ASUS p4C800E-DLX mother board. Is this suitable for the cpu? Also I got 1 stick of 512 MB PC-2700 DDR333 Ram. Are these 3 parts suitable and a good match for top performance? If not can you please suggest 
I have opted to get the ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128mb DDR AGP 8x, do you see any problems there?
I want to build a PC to last for atleast 6 years, as my current Compaq P3 450 mhz computer has. It has to handle the load, and must work good together.
Please share your expertise with me guys & gals
Posted by: uh...ok
Well according to the page on your currently selected motherboard, they seem to work with each other fine. As for whether they produce top performance... well "top performance" is really relative. (e.g. if you were really nitpicky about it you'd get an even faster CPU or maybe DDR400 RAM) But I assume that compatibility is the main thing you're concerned with, so yes, they are compatible. Video card looks fine too.
A checklist you may want to make, though, because a computer isn't just composed of a CPU, motherboard, RAM, and video card:
- Case, ATX form factor case - selection here is something of a personal choice: what you think looks coolest and is most convenient for hardware installation, as well as airflow and the amount of expansion bays it contains
- Power supply - though many usually come with the cases in a package, many other cases do not come with power supplies. Whether you want to shell out the extra bucks for a nicer power supply is up to you.
- Hard drive(s) - The one in your Compaq is probably too small (and slow) for current standards, so you probably don't wanna use the same one.
- CD-ROM/CD-R(W)/DVD-ROM/DVD-R(W) drive(s) - This one you can probably recycle from your Compaq (if you don't need anything fancy), or if you do need something fancy, well, add it to your "to buy" list.
- Sound card - unless you opt for a different motherboard (nForce ones), you won't have sound unless you get one of these. I suspect your Compaq has a built-in sound card on its motherboard, so this probably didn't occur to you.
- Modem/Network Card - This one you can probably recycle from your Compaq, unless even the modem/NIC is built-in (which wouldn't surprise me, coming from Compaq).
- Keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other periphery - Most likely can be recycled from the Compaq once again, unless you also want something new.
Note that any above references to "recycling from your Compaq" means taking those parts and using them in your new computer. So that's assuming you don't plan to keep using that computer anymore. Additionally, doing so means that you won't be taking full advantage of the capabilities of your new equipment. For example, the old CD-ROM drive may not be ATA-133, so it will not run at that speed, even though your motherboard supports CD/DVD drives up to that speed.
And before you actually start trying to build your (first, I would assume) computer, I suggest just quickly reading through those "build a pc" guides they have in a lot of magazines and websites these days. It's usually a good idea to know what's coming at you before you start.
Posted by: Arunan
Umm I thought the motherboard that I had picked had a built in sound card and network card. I have an extra 80 gb hard drive in my Compaq so I will take it and put it into my new computer, and a 52x24x52x CD-RW that was put in latly so I will take that out and put it in.
Can anyone confirm that the motherboard I picked has a built in Networkcard, Sound Card and USB?
Posted by: nocode
Confirmed
Network........
 Quote:
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LAN Intel CSA 82547EI Gigabit Ethernet Controller
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Audio........
Quote:
AI Audio -ADI AD1985 SoundMAX 6-channel CODEC
-Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology
-support S/PDIF out interface
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USB........
Quote:
Posted by: Bobaroo
Don't get that RAM, PC2700 is to slow. Get PC3200 to run insync with your processor front side bus.
Posted by: arturo238
You should also think about using two 512 mb pc3200 sticks in dual chanel formatt. You should also get the Geforce Fx5900 ultra w/256mb instead of the Radeon 9800 because its technology is better and faster therefore making it last longer. The antec lanboy is a great case (its what i use) but so is the lian-li pc-65. With the parts that you are using you really need at least a 400 watt PSU, the turbocool 510 is the best around. For storage think about WD Raptors in Raid 0 with a WD2000JB thrown in for extra storage.
Posted by: arturo238
oh yeah... get the sony DRU-510A dvd-r/w dvd+r/w cd-r/w combo--it should keep you set on optical storage using only one drive (that way you have room for drive upgrades, fan busses, what-have-you). You should also check out the Creative Labs Audigy 2 or Audigy X-Gamer for your sound card as the integrated sound on the p4c800-dlx is not too great.
Posted by: uh...ok
Oops didn't scroll that far down on the mobo specs page. My bad. 
Oh yea, though arturo makes some recommendations on how to make your computer faster, they're definitely optional "upgrades" that can thin your wallet quite a bit. Though you probably know that already. 
Posted by: Arunan
I am looking for cost effective
Posted by: Arunan
Quote:
Originally posted by arturo238
You should also think about using two 512 mb pc3200 sticks in dual chanel formatt. You should also get the Geforce Fx5900 ultra w/256mb instead of the Radeon 9800 because its technology is better and faster therefore making it last longer. The antec lanboy is a great case (its what i use) but so is the lian-li pc-65. With the parts that you are using you really need at least a 400 watt PSU, the turbocool 510 is the best around. For storage think about WD Raptors in Raid 0 with a WD2000JB thrown in for extra storage.
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I heard ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB DDR AGP 8X was better than the new GeForce.
Posted by: Arunan
Hehe no offense Arturu but with all your suggestions it drives my new computer price up atleast 500$ CDN. I will look into the GeForce upgrade though.
Posted by: Arunan
Quote:
Originally posted by Bobaroo330
Don't get that RAM, PC2700 is to slow. Get PC3200 to run insync with your processor front side bus.
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Thanks, I added 1 stick of that instead of 2700
Posted by: fibbi
Quote:
Originally posted by Arunan
I am looking for cost effective
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Ahh...okay. You should have said that earlier. the fact that you chose the 3.0 and the 9800 pro suggests to many (such as arturo) that your only concern is top performance, as you also stated in your first post.
For cost-effective, you might want to consider downgrading the videocard and cpu.; A cpu downgrade to say, 2.8c or 2.6c could save you more than 100 dollars. And a downgrade from the 9800 pro to a high-end geforce 4 or something could save you hundreds more dollars.
Is that too much of a downgrade? What do you define as "cost-effective"? What's your price range?
Posted by: Arunan
Well cost-effective as in current price :-p I want power, but good price. For instance the ATi Radeon card i have now is a good price, but the geforce Arturu suggested is close to 200$ more (CDN). I have a CD-RW from my old comp, so I will be moving that in. Also as time goes I am sure I can change parts etc.
Posted by: redwench
a 9700 pro will do nicely if the 9800 is too expensive.
Posted by: Bobaroo
Get a P4 2.4c Intel Processor
512mb of PC3200
AIT Radeon 9700pro
Those are all the best bang for your buck right now, and will still leave you with a great computer.
Posted by: Arunan
Well so far everything fits into my budget. I just mainly want to know that everything will work together with each other to bring me the best of performance I want out of them.
Posted by: redwench
2.6 is about the same in terms of cost effectiveness, and its a bit newer.
you wont find compatability problems with major manufacturers, unless they are designed that way.
Posted by: Arunan
I have had my hearts set on 3.0 ghZ hehe. So final review. Will all the parts work together to bring me TOP of the LINE usage, and power for its match?
Posted by: Bobaroo
If the 3.0ghz fits into your budget...go for it.
And yes, everything will work together
Posted by: arturo238
If you have your hear set on the 3.0 get it, but it really is much more expensive and way less vaule then the 2.8 c (intel always marks up theirr top CPUs to an unbelievable rate). And everything should work fine.
Posted by: Arunan
Thanks guys! Can the 2.8c be over clocked to work at 3.0 with my motherboard?
Posted by: redwench
what would be the point? the advantage of the 3.0 is the hyperthreading. as far as speed goes, the difference between the two is far too small to risk ocing.
Posted by: Arunan
I will just get the 3.0 then. Thanks!
Also what is an advantage of Hyper-Threading?
Posted by: ZeRo_MaXwInG
http://www.intel.com/technology/hyp...m?iid=sr+hyper&
In short, it allows the P4 to act as two processors instead of one. The main advantage is use in multitasking operations where two or more applications demand a good chunk of processing power
Posted by: Arunan
Ah good, will come in great use for what I will need it for.
Thanks for all your help. I will be buying all of the parts today!
Posted by: Arunan
Well I took your advises and today I am the new owner of:
- P4 2.8c GhZ Processor
- Asus P4P800 Deluxe
- GeForce FX5600
Thanks guys for helping me make good decision. I also got it for under $1200 (With a mouse, keyboard, sweet monitor, 52x cdrom, case_
Posted by: Arunan
Also I bought it with Paypal Debit Card
Posted by: arturo238
you might want to exchnage the FX5600 with a Radeon 9600 instead. They perform about the same, but the visual quality of the radeon is much better than that of the FX5600. But, the 5600 is still a good card, dont get me wrong.
Posted by: Arunan
Ok done My friend said the same thing.
Posted by: arturo238
Glad to see that someone takes my advice, good luck to you, and I hope you enjoy your new comp.
Posted by: Arunan
Thanks! Yea I hope too, I havn't even started it up yet, I forgot to buy a floppy drive and harddrive, and I pickup the graphics card tomorow, so I will just check it all out tomorow
Posted by: Arunan
WOOOT...I am up and online on my new computer (posting now with it) its awesome!
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