Building Computer

Mortimor42 · Jan 9, 2005

I'm building my own computer for the first time and don't know a LOT about what motherboards match with what Processors and so on, so was wondering if anyone can give me some insight onto what i should buy that will be stable. I want to use a Pentium4 around 3.4, 1G ram, 6800 NVidia card. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

My system is pretty comparable to what you are building. If you are considering AMD64 at all may check out the info for these parts and then decide on brands. Can't help you much with a P4 as I am not into the *oven type box. hehehe

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS 2-2-2-5(512MBx2)PC-3200
Gigabyte GeForce 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2-36.7gb 10k rpm Raptors/Raid 0
Thermaltake 480 watt PSU

Mortimor42 · Jan 9, 2005

I was given 1500 to spend on the compter, and i WAS told AMD can be a hastle...anyone else disagree with this? I don't need monitor/keyboard and stuff...just the basics, i have CD-rom and all that, just need Processor, motherboard, graphics card, memory and sound card...I just don't want to get stuff that isn't compatible. I am playing World of Warcraft now, and that is mainly what i want it to run for, so would idealy want to build the computer around that game.
g
EDIT: I've been looking on pricewatch.com for the best prices, that is where i was told to look. I can probably get more than what i am listing for the money i am allowed to use, so any suggestions would be nice. Also a name for good RAM to use would be appreciated.

Edited by Mortimor42 on 01/08/05 11:41 PM.

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

" and i WAS told AMD can be a hastle..."

I'm not sure who told you that but they are wrong. AMD machines are very reliable and run at a much lower temperature than similarly rated P4 machines. If your machine runs too hot it will shut down on you frequently.(right in the middle of a game.)
Also, if you look around on the net, just about every place that runs benchmark testing will tell you that AMD's are a better system for gaming than anything Pentium can muster. Now if you were going to be doing alot of 3D rendering and video encoding I would highly recommend the P4.

"I've been looking on pricewatch.com for the best prices, that is where i was told to look."

You can indeed find some really good deals on Pricewatch but bear in mind that not all brands are the same. For instance, Certain brands of motherboards and certain brands of video cards are not very good performers. If an "off brand" component costs a few bucks less but causes you problems then what have you saved? I do recommend Pricewatch but do your homework on quality components before purchasing anything. Also you can try <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com</A> for value priced quality merchandise. Plus newegg is one of the best there is as far as getting you your stuff in a timely manner and their customer service is awesome.

Price!!! As for price? Pentium processors are more expensive than AMD for high performance chips. If you are interested in getting the most bang for your buck and are looking to play games then you should read up a bit more on the AMD64 processors. You won't be sorry you did. 😉

NOTE: For $1500 you can buy one hell of system using
an AMD64 processor. Processor a64 ,motherboard, high end graphics card (6800gt or x800) and decent sound card and really low latency(2-2-2-5) Corsair ddr400 pc3200 (@ 1GB) ram will cost you in the neighborhood of about $1400 - $1500.

Good brands of RAM are as follows:

Corsair
Crucial
Kingston

There are probably a few other good ones as well but those are the I would stick with personally.....


Bottom Line: If your heart is set on a Pentium processor then that is what you should get. There is a stigma that pentiums are the best because for years they were top heap but that is changing and isn't true anymore. I would just recommend you do your research on both sides of the coin and base your decision on that rather than what someone might just tell you in a forum.

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS 2-2-2-5(512MBx2)PC-3200
Gigabyte GeForce 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2-36.7gb 10k rpm Raptors/Raid 0
Thermaltake 480 watt PSU

Edited by lazerous on 01/09/05 00:52 AM.

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

Pssssst.........

BTW, you are also going to need a really decent PSU (power supply). For what you want you should probably get a solid brand name psu in the 450w to 500w class.

That will probably run you another $100.....

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU

Mortimor42 · Jan 9, 2005

ok, thx. i'll look at them. That is what i heard from one person. Thanks for all the info. Anymore input from anyone else? I really want the maximum performance i can get out of this game, cause i've played RPGs in the past and am expecting to spend a few years on this machine playing it.

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

I don't think you will have anything to worry about. This game you mention is not even a game that is considered demanding by todays standards. < Try "Farcry" sometime. 😉 >With minimum system requirements like these you may not even need to spend that much if this is the only game you are going to play. 😉 Maybe you could get by with a nice AMD Athalon 2500+ Barton core OC'd. 😀

World of Warcraft

Windows® System 98/ME/2000/XP OS:

* 800 MHz or higher CPU
* 256 MB or more of RAM
* 32 MB 3D graphics card with hardware transform and lighting, such as GeForce 2 or better
* 4 GB or more of available hard drive space
* DirectX® 9.0c or above
* A 56k or higher modem with an Internet connection


AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

I'll just 'modify' your list a little bit if you don't mind. I hope it's still under 1500.

That wasn't a shopping list, or rather it WAS a shopping list but now I call it my new PC. hahahaha

Using it for my siggy 😉

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

No Problema. He couldn't go wrong with that system. besides he can always overclock that 3500+ to excellent speeds.

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU

Cybercraig · Jan 9, 2005

For gaming stick with the AMD-64 solution, preferably socket 939. However, if bucks become an issue socket 754 will game just as fast.

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

mozzartusm · Jan 9, 2005

If you want some input from someone that has the 3.4 Intel then I may can help. First of all, the guys that have already posted are probably leading you in the right direction with the AMD setup. My next system will most likely be AMD. The problem that your going to have with Intel is heat. Are you looking at the 775 socket or the 478. I have both, and the 775 is to darn hot. Ive got mine under control, but it took investing in a liquid cooling system to get the temps down. I enjoy playing around with all the new gadgets so the water cooling was right up my alley. Be aware that if you are going with Intel, you better plan on cooling with liquid from the beginning. AMD is the better gaming setup by far. All the benchmarks that I have seen blow the Intels away. I broke 4G a few minutes ago but I think that I am at the limits of this processor. Hey thats not bad though 3.4 @ 4.1 It runs stable at 3.8 and with my Corsair PC4000 RAM running at 2.5-3-3-6. I noticed that your looking at the G-Force 6800 series. I think that would be a great card, I have the 6600GT. If I were you, I would go to websites like Futuremark and study the benchmarks with different video cards and setups. There are two things that are very obvious in my situation. The AMD setup with the same card will blow my Intel away. The other thing that I have noticed is that the ATI cards seem to go beyond their limits "Overclocking" further than the Nvidia G-Force cards. This may be isolated to my particular setup, but I suppose that it would apply to you also if the 3.4 is the CPU that you go with. Dont take my word for it, do some research on the subject. Im just giving you some info to consider. Again, I would lean more towards the AMD setup, but at the same time I am very pleased so far with my Intel. In any case, the first major and maybe the most important decsion that you need to make is the PSU. DO NOT take this for granted. Get a very high quality PSU, and dont just grab the first one that says 500W off the shelf. You need one in that range, but the brand is the most important factor with PSU's. Here is my current setup and aprox prices. Good luck!

Epox-EP_5EPA+ $115.00 "Dont let the low price fool you" A+

Corsair XMS PC4000 2x256 $????? Sorry cant remember

Intel P4 3.4 Socket775 $200.00 Hard to find for this $

Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W Good PSU but look at Fortron and Sparkle PSU's.

Thermaltake SHARK case. $140.00 I love this case.

Hope this helps!

mozzartusm · Jan 9, 2005

Is 3.6 the highest you have gone with that CPU? One of my rigs has a 3.0E and I finally hit 3.6 yesterday, but nothing stable enough to work with. The 3.0c isnt as hot is it?

Cybercraig · Jan 9, 2005

No, it's not hot at all but this CPU is D1 and I really have to stick volts to it to go above 3.6ghz. I can run here at 1.575v. I want this thing to last a while so I can move it into a back-up slot later this year.

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

mozzartusm is absolutely right about the PSU. This is one item you do not want to skimp on. If you buy a cheap PSU, you may end up frying other parts. Not good! 🙁

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU

mozzartusm · Jan 9, 2005

This Epox board is pretty cool for the money. In fact, it is a hell of a steal IMO. The biggest issue that I have with it so far is that It has only has one IDE port one the northside. It has an additional 2 Ide slots on the Southside, and that ok, I just get aggrevated that few boards care to stick a few of these on boards these days. I have a Soyo Dragon Black lable with the 875 chipset also. Now that board has all the options that soemone would possibly want. Unfortunately this board has some major issues as well. The Epox on the other hand hasnt given me any trouble and the software bundle is very nice. Your an Epox person arent you. If so, I have a few questions for you.

Lazerous · Jan 9, 2005

BTW the ASUS+Corsair is what I like to call the 'performance n00b' combination who likes to spend lots of money for nothing extra.

Yup that would probably describe me. rofl. This is the first system build for me so I am sure I will make some mistakes. In fact I already have. I thought the Zalman 7700-cu would be a great HSF but it doesn't fit exactly. It would have except for the fact that it overshadows Dimm slot1 and part of Dimm slot2. I had to place another order for the Z7000-cu led that is more than an inch narrower and will work for this board. I don't mind making an occasional mistake as long as I can learn from it and it's not too costly. LOL

So, the ASUS K8N-E + Corsair LL memory is a bad combo? I had read some good things about these components and thought they would be good. Any particular reason they aren't very good?

Anybody need a Zalman 7700-cu HSF? hehehe

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU
Edited by lazerous on 01/10/05 00:02 AM.

Lazerous · Jan 11, 2005

I guess i'm truly a 'noob', paying too much. rofl.

I Just wanted to buy performance parts for my first build. I'm probably not going to OC this rig, just wanted great performance at stock speeds. (although I may OC my 6800gt to 6800 speeds) LOL !

I think the Corsair memory should be fine from everything I've read it's great memory and very low latency at 2-2-2-5.
(Plus the eye candy grabbed me with the 18 led memory usage readout on top. hehehe)

Since corsair has a tiny bit lower latency and the nifty mem usage readouts on top, it was worth it to me to spend the extra $20 US for it.

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU
Edited by lazerous on 01/11/05 10:36 AM.

Lazerous · Jan 11, 2005

Corsair also has an expert series and the readout on those heat spreaders are a digital readout.

I like the lil' flashies though!

They only cost $20 more than the ballistix. The eye candy isn't the only plus. They have slightly lower latency as well and are backed by Corsair with a lifetime warranty. The peace of mind, improved performance and the eye candy is worth $20 to me. Hell! I spend that much on lunch sometimes.

AMD 64 3700+
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe
CORSAIR XMS (1gb) PC-3200
Gigabyte GF 6800gt 256mb
Audigy 2 ZS
2_36.7gb Raptors/Raid 0
Tt 480 watt PSU

Building Computer

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