Rate My Possible Buy

[CIVPhilzilla]

Hello everyone,

I think I am finally going to buy the parts to build my own computer. I've been meaning to do this for a while, but finally decided on doing it. Anyway I'd like to get some of your guys opinions on the items I picked out to rate the quality/compatibility with my selections. This is my first build, so I may have made some lousy choices.

Here it is:

Cases (Computer Cases, ATX Form)

ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" - Retail
Item# N82E16811129122
Status: In Stock

$59.00

CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)

NEC Black 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner support Dual Layer, Model ND-3520A BK, OEM
Item# N82E16827152035
Status: In Stock

$51.99

Floppy Drives

NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM
Item# N82E16821152005
Status: In Stock

$8.00

Gifts

Newegg/AMD 128MB USB2.0 Flash Drive, Model U2MQ2-0128NX-CA
Item# N82E16800998606
Status: In Stock

$.00

Hard Drives

Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD800JD, OEM Drive Only
Item# N82E16822135106
Status: In Stock

$59.00

Memory (System Memory)

PQI POWER Series 184-Pin 1GB DDR PC-3200, Model MD441GUOE - Retail
Item# N82E16820141198
Status: In Stock

$100.50

Motherboards - AMD

ECS NVIDIA nForce4 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU, Model "NFORCE4-A939 (1.0)" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16813135177
Status: In Stock

$78.99

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Socket 939 Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor - Retail
Item# N82E16819103514
Status: In Stock

$268.00

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM
Item# N82E16837102141
Status: In Stock

$91.95

Product total: $717.43
Shipping & Handling: $ 26.29
Total (Before tax): $743.72

I already have the monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, as well as a Asylum Geforce FX 5200 256 MB card.

 

[Zelig]

Case/PSU: Antec/PSU has always been good for me, don't expect to run any huge amount of hardware on a 350W power supply though.

Optical Drives: Great choice.

Floppy Drive: I wouldn't bother anymore, but this is up to you.

Hard Drives: Is that all the space you need? If it is, it's no problem, but you can get an indentical drive with 250 GB from newegg for $132. The larger hard drives are a better deal if you're going to use more space, but you're fine with an 80 Gb one if that's all you need.

Memory: Go with 2x512Mb. You're getting a S939 cpu, which supports dual channel memory.

Motherboards: ECS generally makes good budget boards. I'd probably go with something higher end with more features (well actually, I just did ), but if that's all you need, it should serve you fine.

CPU: I'd consider getting a cheaper cpu, either a 3000+ or 3200+. I recently got the 3000+ and have it running at 2.4 Ghz up from 1.8 Ghz with almost no effort. Even if you're not overclocking, it should save you some money with little noticeable performance difference.

OS: Eww, why would you buy windows? Try and stick with a legit copy though, I just count myself as lucky that I've managed to get legit copies of windows for all my computers for free.


You're video card is most likely agp, and that motherboard is pci-express. You'll either need a new video card, or you'll need to pick a motherboard based on the older agp standard. (Though if it is a pci card, you can use it fine in nForce4 mobos, though you'll continue to get poor performance from it. I used an ATI Rage card in my new mobo since it arrived before the video card.)

Ask away if you've got any questions.

 

[Cedric Greene]

My new computer build, hopefully give you some reference
Onyxia
Dragon Series ATX Case w/Clear Side - Glossy Black Part No: ULT30964 with the X-Finity 500W ATX PSU w/ 80mm Fan - Black Part No: ULT31648 from TigerDirect for $100

DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL Model# LANPARTY UT nF3 250G Item # N82E16813136147 from NewEgg for $95

Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail Model# KVR400X64C3AK2/1G Item # N82E16820141423 $95

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail Model# ADA3000AXBOX Item # N82E16819103486 $130

BenQ Black 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner support Dual Layer with Software, Model DW1620 PRO BLK, OEM Model# DW1620 PRO BLK Item # N82E16827101632 $40 (Actually bought a rebadge from Staples Black Friday sale for $40 been holding onto it.)

XFX GeForce 6600 GT / 128MB DDR3 / AGP 8X / Dual DVI / HDTV $200

Altec Lansing XA 3021 Speaker System - 20 Watts - XA3021 $20

Western Digital 36 GB 8MB 360GD Raptor SATA 10K RPM (WD360GD) $109

ESA E19CRT1 19" flat screen CRT monitor 1600x1200 max res. $100

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard $38

Logitech MX 510 Performance Optical Gaming Mouse - Red $30


Total is $957 if I added correctly in my head A good chunk of the things I got were on sale at the time (end of February, beginning of March when I got my taxes back) so some prices are lower and some deals no longer available but I am quite happy with her so far.

Edit:
Bigger power supply would be my main concern for you, everything else besides making sure of compatible video card looks fine.
Already had Windows XP from previous computer along with the old 80g Seagate 5400rpm ATA133 HD that I use for everything but Windows, World of WarCraft and Opera.
You may also want to wait a week or so for the release of Windows XP 64, even if you still decide on plain XP, the price should come down. Unless you have a specific need for a floppy drive, skip it. USB pocket drives are much more spacious anyway.

 

[Woody]

Cases (Computer Cases, ATX Form)

ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" - Retail
Item# N82E16811129122
Status: In Stock

$59.00

Power supply is a bit small, if you add a decent graphics card to that system it will need more power. I would get a case without a power supply, case/power supply combos usually come with cheap power supplies to keep the price down. Get a case you like and then add a power supply from Enermax, Antec, Fortron, or some other name brand and get a unit with dual +12v output.

CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)

NEC Black 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner support Dual Layer, Model ND-3520A BK, OEM
Item# N82E16827152035
Status: In Stock

$51.99

I have that drive, I dont use it alot but so far I have had no problems with it. (Owned since about thanksgiving)

Floppy Drives

NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM
Item# N82E16821152005
Status: In Stock

$8.00

Might never use it but its cheap insurance if you ever need it.

Hard Drives

Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD800JD, OEM Drive Only
Item# N82E16822135106
Status: In Stock

$59.00

A good drive but a little small, you can pick up a 120 gig for $93 , a 160 gig for $99 or a 200 gig for $110. (I used the 200 gig in my system, it has the cheapest gig per dollar)

PQI POWER Series 184-Pin 1GB DDR PC-3200, Model MD441GUOE - Retail
Item# N82E16820141198
Status: In Stock

$100.50

If you go with a socket 939 motherboard you want to get 2 512 meg chips to take advantage of dual channel memory.

Motherboards - AMD

ECS NVIDIA nForce4 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU, Model "NFORCE4-A939 (1.0)" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16813135177
Status: In Stock

$78.99

All Nforce4 and Nforce3 boards will have nearly the same performance, only added features will be slightly different. If you get a Nforce4 board you will need a PCI-Express graphics card to go with it. Nforce3 boards still use AGP graphics cards.

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Socket 939 Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor - Retail
Item# N82E16819103514
Status: In Stock

$268.00

You dont want that particular CPU, it is based on the "clawhammer" core. You want a "winchester" core, they are based on a newer/smaller process and run cooler and overclock better. Get the 3200+ or the 3000+, they are cheaper than that old 3500 and will probably run just as fast with a little tweaking.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Don't worry about power concerns as long as you aren't planning on using any sort of SLI configuration or performing some form of massive overclock on that processor including a jump in rail voltage while running a ton of peripherals. 350w should be more than enough without causing any undue stress on the PSU.

I've got a 300w power supply running a P4 prescott with a R9800 GPU, a few extras added and all voltage outputs are normal when measured with a multimeter. It's been running solid for months.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Thanks for the input guys. I am going to go back and make some changes. Will post them in a little bit.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

I went back and made the changes you guys recommended. I upped the Hard Drive Space, as looking at it it was a neglible price difference for a lot more space. I got 2 X 512 Ram to utilize the Dual Channel. Tonned down the CPU and got something good, but much better priced. Also added the case and power supply seperate to have additioonal power if need be. The floppy will just be a backup as I still have to do some group school projects, and some of my friends are really behind in tech and still use nothing but floppies for data transfer. I would perfer not to use windows, but most of my games/software require windows, so is there an alternative or I am stuck using them or having a huge stack of useless discs. Thank you again for all your help. Here are the changes, see if I made the right choices.

ENERMAX CS-656TA-MW Milk-White SGCC 0.7 mm ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #: CS-656TA-MW
$58.00

Update EPoX EP-9NDA3J Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #: EP-9NDA3J
$90.00

Update ENERMAX EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0 ATX12V 420W Power Supply
Model #: EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0
$76.00

Update AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Winchester Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BIBOX
Model #: ADA3000BIBOX
$146.00

Update CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR400(PC3200) System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400
Model #: VS1GBKIT400
$85.00

Update NEC FD1231H-302 Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive
Model #: FD1231H-302
$8.00

Update Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6B200R0 200GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive
Model #: 6B200R0
$107.00

Update NEC ND-3520A Black IDE DVD Burner
Model #: ND-3520A BK
$51.99

Update Microsoft N09-00741 Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a
Model #: N09-00741
$91.95

Subtotal: $713.94

Edit: Hyperlinked Items
Total after S&H: $747.89

 

[CruddyLeper]

Don't forget surge protection on the mains. One big voltage spike and your PSU is history.

 

[MarineCorps]

The floppy will just be a backup as I still have to do some group school projects, and some of my friends are really behind in tech and still use nothing but floppies for data transfer.

If your still getting that USB drive as a gift that can replace the floppy. But get a USB flash memory drive. I own two and could not live without them.

Update Microsoft N09-00741 Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a
Model #: N09-00741
$91.95

Get windows with SP2. The OEM version costs the same. http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102151

 

[Zelig]

Is your current card agp or pci?

If it's agp, you may have trouble upgrading in the future, pci-express cards are already cheaper than their agp counterparts, but going with an nforce3 platform is fine if you don't want to upgrade now, since that would also be more money.

If your fx5200 is pci (not express, just plain pci), I'd really consider getting an nforce4 board instead, like the one in your first post was.

Everything else is great, as long as you're not doing any overclocking, or playing graphically intense games, though the later could easily be fixed by a video card upgrade later on.

 

[MarineCorps]

Is your current card agp or pci?

If it's agp, you may have trouble upgrading in the future, pci-express cards are already cheaper than their agp counterparts, but going with an nforce3 platform is fine if you don't want to upgrade now, since that would also be more money.

If your fx5200 is pci (not express, just plain pci), I'd really consider getting an nforce4 board instead, like the one in your first post was.

Everything else is great, as long as you're not doing any overclocking, or playing graphically intense games, though the later could easily be fixed by a video card upgrade later on.

This is the motherboard I recomend for Pci-express

http://www2.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-186-037&DEPA=1

 

[MarineCorps]

I went back and made the changes you guys recommended. I upped the Hard Drive Space, as looking at it it was a neglible price difference for a lot more space. I got 2 X 512 Ram to utilize the Dual Channel. Tonned down the CPU and got something good, but much better priced. Also added the case and power supply seperate to have additioonal power if need be. The floppy will just be a backup as I still have to do some group school projects, and some of my friends are really behind in tech and still use nothing but floppies for data transfer. I would perfer not to use windows, but most of my games/software require windows, so is there an alternative or I am stuck using them or having a huge stack of useless discs. Thank you again for all your help. Here are the changes, see if I made the right choices.

ENERMAX CS-656TA-MW Milk-White SGCC 0.7 mm ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #: CS-656TA-MW
$58.00


Update ENERMAX EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0 ATX12V 420W Power Supply
Model #: EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0
$76.00

It would be cheaper to buy a case with a PSU. My new case came with a 450w PSU and only cost me 48 bucks after shipping. This is my case http://www2.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-195-005&depa=1

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

My video card is an APG.

 

[MarineCorps]

My video card is an APG.

Well for about $61 you can get a nVIDIA GeForce 6200TC with 128MB of memory.http://www2.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-150-088&depa=1

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Well the current video card I have was about $120, and is a 256 MB card.

 

[MarineCorps]

Well the current video card I have was about $120, and is a 256 MB card.

Fine. $83.99
http://www2.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-139-172&depa=1

 

[Zelig]

I can guarantee you that your extra 128Mb do absolutely nothing for performance on that card. I'm currently running a 128Mb Geforce 6600 GT, which is manyfold faster than your card. However, if you're happy with it, there's no reason to get a new one.

When looking at PSU's quality and brand name is more important than wattage. Enermax makes good ones, so you should be fine with that.

MarineCorps: I paid the equivalent of $120 US for my DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D, which is easily better than the foxconn. I've modded it to support sli (not too useful without a bridge though ), and am currently running my 3000+ at 2.4 Ghz fully stable on stock cooling, and haven't reached its limit yet. The Lanparty's overkill if you're not into overclocking though.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Found another case

Now all these conflicting views over the case. Should I go for one with one already loaded with a power supply or buy it seperate.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Now I want to be able to have a good gaming PC, so I can play the next generation games and current generation games at a good quaility.

Is my card really that bad that I need to upgrade? It is only about a year old and did help greatly improve performance of games like Command and Conquer Generals. I just thought this card was good enough and it was the rest of my system dragging it down. As this computer is about 5 years old. Windows Me. Pentium III 850 MHz, 256 Ram, 80 Gig HD.

 

[Zelig]

It doesn't really matter as long as you get a good quality PSU. Buying separately gives you more flexibility.

I doubt that psu is much good, a case/psu for $30 is bound to be pretty cheap. Just compare it to the Enermax power supply you had listed for $76. If you want a cheap power supplie separate from your case, have a look at 350W Fortron or Sparkle psus, they're quite good.