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Ultrageek

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Aug 29, 2003
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Heya peeps, this is my first post and probably the dumbest questions any of you will have read but hey, gotta start somewhere right? Wasn't sure where to post these.
I'ma start studying multimedia engineering in about 2 weeks time and I'll be building a rig sometime soon, so here are my q's.
1. Is it worth waiting for AMD's or Intel's new CPU's? I'm not sure when their release date's are for Europe but if it's in 1 or max 2 months time I'd wait.
2. I wasn't sure if I should build the system myself or pay the shop to do it. I'd like to try build myself to gain experience but it would be my first attempt and I'm not sure how straight forward it is (I skimmed through Tom's how-to guide and it seems 'do-able') Would I have to mess with the BIOS settings and so forth? or is it as simple as plug the hardware and install the software? Somehow there's always SOMETHING that goes wrong or doesn't work with me with these things.
2. Ok this one's definitely a dumb one but, what does OEM stand for? Why are OEM products cheaper? for example is it worth buying an Audigy 2 OEM sound card instead and save around 40 euros?
3. Is an aluminium case recomended for a high-end system? or will a good 'regular' case with good airflow do just fine? I don't plan on overclocking just yet, maybe a tiny bit in the future to experiment.

I'll make sure to post what kind of system I've built before I purchase anything to get some input and the best bang for the buck. Thanx in advance.
 
1) Price drops. Don't expect the bottom to fall out of the CPU market. Expect anywhere from 5-20%. AMD just announced a price drop. My store price dropped 7% maybe it will be more after the effects run through the market and any inventory.
<A HREF="http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2001aug/bch20010822007464.htm" target="_new">http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2001aug/bch20010822007464.htm</A> for example.
<A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com/" target="_new">price watch</A>
Your saving will probably not be very large but then large is a relative measure.

2) Build urself or not. While not impossible for the handy and resourceful or energetic it is good to have a friend along who has experience or is also interested in doing so.
There should be plenty of guys at school who've seen it done or who have done it. Might be worthwhile looking up a computer club. Two heads are better than one especially when things go wrong.

2.OK) OEM=Original Equipment Manufacturer. A CPU with OEM designation usually means without fan. An OEM disk means without cables, brackets, screws, utility diskette (free on the web).

3) You can always drill some extra holes in a case. For example on the side and install a fan or slap in extra fans.
However, you want to make sure you have a quality power supply. A few extra $$$ there can make a big difference.


Wait for other advice

The loving are the daring!<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Flinx on 08/28/03 06:29 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
I built my first computer about two years ago and I think that the experience was worth it. I didn't have a clue about what I was doing when I started. I wouldn't say I am an expert now, but I know loads more today than I did then. But there were more then a few headaches along the way. Everything worked, but not always the way I wanted it too. But then again that is how you learn the most is working through the messes. If you have the time and patience to invest in trouble shooting and can stand to have you computer in pieces every once in a while then go for it. (in my case it was once every two to three months either something broke or I tried to fix something that wasn't quite right) If that sounds like too much hassle, too much risk or you don't enjoy trouble shooting I would recommend getting someone else to build it for you.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/OEM.html - this is a good explaination on what "OEM" means. Basically when they say "retail" it means it comes in a nice box with instructions and sometimes lots of goodies - that is what makes it cost more. "OEM" means that you might not even get a box, and for the most part they assume that you know how to put it together, hence little to no instructions and minimal software. "OEM" is how big companies (like Dell or Gateway here in the US) buy parts.
As for cases you get what you pay for, but just about anything will do - at least in my limited experience.
CPU wise, I don't consider myself to be enough of an expert to answer that one with confidence - hopefully somebody with better experince will answer your post

<font color=blue><b>Purchase object A, install object A, curse object A, repeat...</b></font color=blue>
 
As far as CPU a Barton AthlonXP 2500+ would be your best bang for buck. I hear from the guys here that the ASUS NForce2 motherboard is pretty good. What was it (A7N8X or something like that. Any other suggestions for motherboards?

Also, will you be doing any gaming with your new system, if you are gaming with it, then the bang-for buck graphics card takes on a whole other meaning.

My OS features preemptive multitasking, a fully interactive command line, & support for 640K of RAM!
 
Thanx for the replies so far. I do plan on doing quite a bit of gaming. I've searched for price lists in most shops and it'll probably end up being an ATI 9600 Pro or 9800 Pro, I can only find the 9500 and 9700 normal versions, and from what I've been reading I should opt for ATI instead of nVidia chips at the moment. All I have access to is AMD Athlon XP inbox processors (do these have a Barthon core?), I was thinking of going for Pentium 2,6 with 800FSB with an Asus P4P800 Deluxe motherboard. More comments?
 
i would recomend the IS7...

The p4 is a much faster cpu at the moment than the equivelently marked bartons...

but the barton 2500 is a great deal...especially when overclocked...


Proud owner of DOS 3.3 :smile:
 
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