Need advice on custom PC

[Shinobi]

I am trying to piece together a PC for myself, and have been using THG to research what components to use. I have experience with PCs,(been a tech for about 7 years professionally), but I never really geeked out by building my own system. I do not really even install hardware anymore, for work I just RMA Compaq or Dell equipment and install it. That and I have not bothered to keep up with the latest and greatest of new hardware because I never work with it. However now I have decided to put together a PC for myself and could use some advice from experts.

I am looking to purchase this motherboard:
http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=P4C800-E Deluxe&langs=09

This case:
http://tomshardware.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search__cat_id--466,prod_id--11336772.html

This cpu:
http://tomshardware.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--403,prod_id--11453337.html

I could use some help on finding out what kind of memory that I need. I do not know about all the different types of DDR RAM. From what I can gather, the board supports DDR SDRAM, up to 4GB, 184 pin. Can anyone recommend a brand? I would like to put at least 512 in the system. Would it be best to run two 256, or 1 512? Honestly, I plan on expanding to probably a Gig fairly soon, so I would prefer to start with one 1 512 stick, but did not know the performance benefits, if any, from using two sticks of say 256.

Aside from the memory issue, any other recommendations would be appreciated, perhaps a different motherboard or something in case the one I have here is trash or another board is better. I am trying to put this machine together on a budget, (including a monitor preferably for around 1000$). The article I read about the kid who built the gaming machine for under 1k was interesting, but I want to go Intel instead of AMD.

Any help is appreciated!!!

- Shinobi


Every great journey begins with the first step.

 

[Crashman]

I wouldn't waste my money on that board. If you want ACCURATE information on that board, read <A HREF="http://www.sysopt.com/reviews/asus-P4C800-E_Deluxe/index.html" target="_new">This Review</A> To put that one in perspective, read <A HREF="http://www.sysopt.com/reviews/SOYO_P4I875P/index.html" target="_new">This review of a competing board</A>

Then consider BOTH those boards cost 2x the price of the Abit IS7, and you're going to know why I recommend the IS7 instead. If you want to spend extra money, buy MORE RAM.

These processors BEG for dual channel mode. If you want to see a review of some really great 256MB modules, <A HREF="http://www.sysopt.com/reviews/Crucial_Ballistix/index.html" target="_new">READ THIS</A>

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[endyen]

You also might look at the P4c chips, rather than the prescott chip. The scotties have a lot of extra pipes, so perform worse, but have a bit of a heat, and power problem. The 100+ watts they use are hard on mobos, and the extra heat inside the case, is hard on the hdd, and graphics card.

 

[Shinobi]

Thanks for the reply! I am going to switch gears to the ABit IS7. It would seem for the price that it cannot be beat for my application. That and the article about the memory was very informative. I am going to go with more memory and dual channel mode. Those 256 modules looked fantastic, I would like to know if they have a flavor in 512. = )


In regards to the P4c chips, do you have any links or articles in regards to those processors? That or, can someone tell me how I can go about identifying the different versions of the Intel processors? That and, do all P4 chips after 2.2Ghz come with HT?

Thanks again!!!


Every great journey begins with the first step.

 

[Crashman]

They have 512's, you can see their product line at <A HREF="http://www.crucial.com/ballistix" target="_new">http://www.crucial.com/ballistix</A>

The "P4C" refered to is the Pentium 4 3.0C, which is a Northwood core version. The processor you've choosen is the 3.0E, a Prescott version. The Prescott runs hot due to Intel's initial problems with the new die process, and has a bit more latency due to having the pipeline buried under more stages. The OLDER 3.0C has 1/2 the cache, but still performs better in most applications because of its faster response time. The newer CPU has more cache to keep the pipeline full during all that latency.

All 800 bus P4's have HT. In addition, the 3.06 (533 bus) had HT. Current P4's have an 800 bus.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Shinobi]

<A HREF="http://tomshardware.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--403,prod_id--7435526.html" target="_new">http://tomshardware.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--403,prod_id--7435526.html</A>

So this would be the processor to go with then correct? I assume the way you can tell the difference is by the amount of L2 cache, the older having 512 and the new with 1mb?

Thanks again for all the information so far, I appreicate it!

Every great journey begins with the first step.

 

[Crashman]

Yes, that would be the most prefered of the two by experienced forum members.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>