New Computer advice

[shanna1017]

I am about to build a new computer (mostly for home audio recording) and it's been a while since I've looked at hardware so I'm a little overwhelmed. Here is what I'm looking to purchase

- Rosewill Silver ATX Mid Tower Case with 400W Power Supply & Side window, Model "R114A SILVER" -RETAIL
- Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
- GIGABYTE "GA-8IPE1000 PRO-G" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL
- Crucial 240-Pin 512MB DDR2 PC2-3200, Model CT6464AA40E - OEM

I'm having a major debate over the MB. I can't decide if I should try out Gigabyte or stick with Abit and get the IS7-E2. I don't need firewire as I already have a PCI card. I also don't need onboard video.

Also, does anybody have an opinion about the Rosewill case (is the PS any good?) or the crucial memory? I'm also debating getting the Wintec AMP-X 240-pin 512MB DDR2 PC2-3200 with Heat Spreader but once again I don't know too much anymore.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Crashman]

You don't use DDR2 with the 865PE chipset. Just as well, DDR usually performs better.

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<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>

 

[shanna1017]

Thanks for your reply. It says right in the description that it supports dual-channel ddr ram. Is that not correct? I was under the impression I can only use dual DDR with this motherboard.

Specifications:
Supported CPU: Intel Pentium 4 Processors(HT Ready, Prescott Ready)
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5
FSB: 800/533/400MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual-Channel DDR400/333/266 Max 4GB
IDE : 2x ATA 100 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X(1.5V only), 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS/2,1xLPT,2xCOM,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),1xLAN,1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC850 8-Channel Codec
Onboard LAN: Marvell 8001 Gigabit Ethernet
Onboard SATA: 2x SATA 150
Onboard 1394: TI TSB43AB23, 2 Ports
Form Factor: ATX


http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-231&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

 

[fishmahn]

Dual-channel DDR is NOT DDR2. Dual-channel just 2 identical DIMMs installed in a dual-channel configuration.

DDR2 RAM is the next generation of RAM and won't fit into a DDR slot.

Mike.

 

[Crashman]

It also says right in the specifications DDR400, not DDR2-400. Dual-Channel DDR is two matched DDR DIMMs in corresponding slots to make them operate in a parallel fashion, giving you a 128-bit pathway from two 64-bit modules.

DDR and DDR2 can both be done in Dual Channel mode.

DDR is usually providing better performance than DDR2 because Intel has not-yet ramped up the bus speeds of the P4 enough to require the higher frequencies DDR2 is capable of scaling to, and DDR2 normally has higher latency. The reason they released DDR2 with a performance handicap is so that it would be fully supported by the industry later on when they increased bus speeds.

<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>

 

[shanna1017]

Thank you both for your replies. Sorry about the confusion!

 

[endyen]

Before you buy, find out about the heat output of that chip. You should also be aware that the stock fan has a whine that some people find rather irritating.