HELP building new system

#1
Freak

Freak

VolNation's Grand Poobah
Staff member
Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Messages
97,892
Likes
121,071
#1
I am going to put together a home system but it's been a while since I have been in the market. I am looking to get the most bang for my buck. Here is what I have in mind so far.


ASPIRE X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: ATXB4KLW-BK/420W
$59.00 $59.00

GIGABYTE GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-K8NS Ultra-939
$99.00 $99.00

XFX PV-T34K-NT Geforce FX5200 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
Model #: PV-T34K-NT
$44.00 $44.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model VS1GB400C3 - Retail
Model #: VS1GB400C3
$86.75 $86.75

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3000BPBOX
$146.00 $146.00

Subtotal: $434.75

I haven't picked out a hard drive yet since I have several. Any thing I missed or any better alternatives
 
#2
#2
LIO, didn't you say your husband builds computers?
 
#3
#3
I think I will go ahead and get this hard drive.


Update Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800JD
$56.50 $56.50
 
#4
#4
Originally posted by vol_freak@Jul 10, 2005 3:54 PM
I am going to put together a home system but it's been a while since I have been in the market. I am looking to get the most bang for my buck. Here is what I have in mind so far.
ASPIRE X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: ATXB4KLW-BK/420W
$59.00    $59.00

GIGABYTE GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-K8NS Ultra-939
$99.00    $99.00

XFX PV-T34K-NT Geforce FX5200 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
Model #: PV-T34K-NT
$44.00    $44.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model VS1GB400C3 - Retail
Model #: VS1GB400C3
$86.75    $86.75

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3000BPBOX
$146.00    $146.00
 
Subtotal:  $434.75


[snapback]111917[/snapback]​
Click to expand...

:blink: Is that English?
 
#6
#6
Hey Freak! When you replace your system will it replace our VolNation $$ ???

:lol:

(yeah, I'm startin' that stuff again! )
 
#10
#10
If its just for everyday computing than those specs are great, and also seem well priced. Have you ever heard of Price Watch.com? You can find some good deals there. Also check out Monarch Computer.com. If you do any gaming you may want to beef up the video card because Battlefield 2 has started a tidewave.
 
#11
#11
Don't forget your OS. Most offer OEM software with a purchase for around $100. Also, www.newegg.com has some good deals on HDD's like this one. Double the storage for $25 more.

Don't forget a dvd-rom/burner. I have had good luck with Benq on the last 2 I've built but alot of other people like the NEC. You can't go wrong with either but the couple extra $ for a burner is worth it.

You also might want to throw in a floppy drive like this. Can&#39;t hurt for <&#036;10. Very helpful if you need to make a boot disk.

I assume you are getting the 1GB Ram stick to upgrade later. If not maybe stick w/ 2x512mb for dual channel.

I have built a couple but mine were mainly for gaming. Hope this helps.
 
#12
#12
can someone explain to me how dual channel works?

I already have a dvd burner, a floppy, and a monitor.

Any input on motherboard/processor? I "may" upgrade the video card even though my gaming is done on xbox. Or I might just use one I have on hand and upgrade that later.

All of the above prices came from newegg.
 
#13
#13
It relates to the memory controller. Each one gets their own RAM stick. Well, it will increase your access speeds about 5-7%. On the A64 systems, unless gaming, you won&#39;t notice a whole lot of change. For gaming it can give you a few more fps, and more is always better. :p

Never used the Gigabyte but have never heard bad about them. I&#39;ve used Asus, Chaintech and ECS before with no prob&#39;s either. I think it has more to do with the board than the brand.

I&#39;m glad to see another AMD user though. I have heard many good things about the Venice cores though. The retail package is the way to go.

EDIT: RAM def.
 
#14
#14
If upgrading the vid card for gaming, I would get at least a 6600GT. Usually around &#036;140 to &#036;150. Just make sure it is AGP to match the slots on your mobo.

Some of the things I am saying may seem basic to you and I apologize. I just try to let everyone learn from my mistakes (like no OS or floppy drive :banghead: ) Try getting the whole system up and not being able to use it because of an &#036;8 part&#33;
 
#15
#15
thanks for the tips. I have been also looking at a couple of Asus and DFI boards.
 
#16
#16
Originally posted by vol_freak@Jul 10, 2005 10:11 PM
thanks for the tips. I have been also looking at a couple of Asus and DFI boards.
[snapback]112081[/snapback]​
Click to expand...


Watch the DFI though. Good boards but they are real picky with the RAM that they work with. Also, my current gaming comp has an Asus and it&#39;s very good, but it&#39;s very loud. I can&#39;t hear it when playing though&#33; :machinegun:
 
#17
#17
Feel free to give me a shout Freak if you want.

Your chip is great. Board looks fine.

Video card needs to be seriously upgraded if you want to play any of the current games. 6600 is probably a budget gaming card now. 6800s (or x800, x850) are about the mid-point right now on video cards (will probably run everything high given your other choices).

Additional Tips:

forums.anandtech.com and www.fatwallet.com for their HOT DEALS forums. NEVER buy hardware or software until you check these places. NEVER.

Dual channel is increased memory speed as pointed out above. But, you need to be aware these have to be exactly the same chips to take advantage. You&#39;ll see places sell dual channel kits which means the two chips are identical. Buying a stick of Kingston here, and then buying a 2nd stick of Kingston a month later wont work since odds are the physical chips on them will be different. Memory mfg.s use multiple chip suppliers so buy a specific kit.

Speaking of memory, I&#39;d suggest 2 sticks of a gig each in dual channel.

I realize I just bumped your price up a bit on the system, but I recommend building a fairly high end machine if you&#39;re doing it. You&#39;ll get 3 or 4 years easy out of it and we all know by then, tech will change requiring a whole new motherboard/chip/etc. Dual chips and cores are going to start breaking through next year most likely, and be affordable about the time you need to upgrade again.

MSI boards are typically good. Gigabytes are generally fine. ASUS is usually highly regarded. Best thing is check newegg and see what products have the most reviews. Folks buying from there are picky and the good products usually become quite obvious. These are folks that research and word def. gets around what&#39;s good.
 
#18
#18
Sweet DrRosenRosen. I may give you a buzz before I buy anything. I&#39;ll be sure to check out those two links first.

Will the memory be listed as a kit or just 1gb / 2x512?

I don&#39;t play many computer games, I just need more processing and ram. Plus it&#39;s time for my old AMD 1.2 to be a hand me down. :lol:

What about cases? Any pros/cons? Any additional fans/heatsinks/etc?
 
#19
#19
Originally posted by utvolpj@Jul 10, 2005 10:18 PM
Watch the DFI though.  Good boards but they are real picky with the RAM that they work with.  Also, my current gaming comp has an Asus and it&#39;s very good, but it&#39;s very loud.  I can&#39;t hear it when playing though&#33; :machinegun:
[snapback]112088[/snapback]​
Click to expand...



Ditto

:worship: ASUS
 
New Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

Advertisement



Back
Top