Another Computer Thread

Smoke_Nova · October 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">I need some help</div> Well, my friend (i'll call him D) has asked me to build him a computer. Now, it's not that hard, so i'm doing, after having seen my cousin build mine. The only tricky part is that I don't know what to choose for parts.

So far i'm going with this:

ANTEC SOLUTION SERIES Model# SLK2600AMB w/ANTEC SMART POWER 300W P4/AMD POWER SUPPLY ATX12V - RETAIL
Offering a large 8-drive capacity in a convenient mini tower. This cost-effective new Super Mini Tower comes in an attractive color - Antec Metallic Bronze - with the features and quality you expect from Antec.
Specifications:
Driver Bays: External 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" (Tool-less Drive rail system for 5.25 Devices) Internal 2 X 3.5" (Quick Release Drive cage for 3.5" Drive bays)
System Board: Standard ATX
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
Case Dimensions: 16.75" (L) X 8.25" (W) X 16.75" (H) more info>

CRUCIAL MICRON 512MB 64x64 PC 2700 DDR RAM - OEM
184-Pin, CL=2.5-Unbuffered Non Parity 2.5V, CT6464Z335 Requires DDR supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. OEM

CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2700 DDR RAM - OEM
184-Pin, CL=2.5-Unbuffered 2.5V, 6-Layers CT3264Z335 Requires DDR supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. OEM

ASUS Motherboard for Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Processors, 800Mhz FSB Model# P4P800 Retail
Specifications:
Supported CPU:P478 Pentium 4 / Celeron
Chipset: 865PE + ICH5R
FSB:800/533/400 MHz
RAM:2 Channel DDR400/333/266 Support Max 4GB
IDE:Dual Ultra DMA ATA100/66 up to 4 Devices
RAID: RAID 0 Support on SATA Channels
Slots:1x AGP (8X) 5x PCI
Ports:2xPS2, 1xCOM,1xLPT,1x Audio, 1xLAN, 8xUSB20
Onboard Audio:AD 1985 6 Channel Codec
Onboard LAN:3COM Gigabit LAN 1000/100/10 802.11b
Onboard SATA: Dual Channel Serial ATA up to 150MBs

Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU: 2.4GHz
Type: Pentium 4 Northwood
Cache: 512K
BUS: 800 Mhz
Socket: 478
Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)
3-year MFG. Warranty

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9200 128MB DVI/TV-out AGP BULK
Specification:
Chipset: ATI RADEON 9200
Memory: 128MB
Bus:AGP
SMOOTHVISION™ technology enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and bringing out fine texture detail, without compromising performance
128-bit floating-point color precision allows for a greater range of colors and brightness
Driven by ATI’s Quad-pipe architecture and providing twice the rendering power of any currently competing product.
Full support for DirectX® and OpenGL® functionality
Ports: VGA + DVI + S-Video Out

SONY CD-RW Model CRX225E1 52x24x52 - OEM
Specifications:
Write: 4X, 8X, 10X, 12X 24X max. (CD-RW discs)
Write: 8X, 12X, 16X CLV, 18X-40X P-CAV, 21X-52X CAV (turbo mode max.)
Read: 52X max. (CD)
Interface: ATAPI EIDE
Access time: 100 ms (avg. including latency)
Buffer Underrun Protection Technology
Buffer: 2 MB
Data Transfer Rate: (52X read max.)
Requirements: Windows 98SE/2000 Pro ME and XP

Seagate 40GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive OEM Barracuda 7200.7 ST340014A
Specifications:
Size: 40 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Seek time: 8.5ms
RPM:7200
OEM(Drive alone) 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty

Since i'm going to be in college after it's built, i'm going with a Pentium because then I won't have to install a second fan to keep it from overheating. Monitor, i'm just going to get him a duplicate of the one I have, same with mouse and keyboard.

From you computer people, that look serviceable for a light gaming rig?

CommunistWithAGun · October 2003

Its good, except for Intel:P

Talesin · October 2003

300W PSU is pretty weak, especially for a P4 system. I'd look for a 350, 400, or best a 450W PSU so you'll have no power problems, and won't strain the PSU at all under normal operation.

As well, an R9200 is *not* worth it, when an R9600 Pro is only a little bit more expensive, and actually has pixel shader support (the 9200 is not a DX9 part, IIRC, and does not have onboard pixel shaders that are worth much of anything). As well, the R9600 XT is going to ship for about $200, have 256MB of memory, and outperforms an R9700 Pro in all aspects in its non-overclocked state (XTs overclock automatically when it's safe for them to do so).

Additionally, what you were told about needing to install a second case fan on an AMD machine is BS. Especially with the Barton cores. All you honestly need is the CPU heatsink, and the PSU exhaust/intake for decent flow. Sure, an exhaust (or intake) fan would keep things a bit cooler. But if you plan to shove it up against a pile of dirty laundry, or don't allow free circulation of air through the case, ANY machine will fry, P4 or Athlon.

I'd also be quick to recommend thermal transfer paste for the CPU regardless of brand, but that takes a little skill, effort, and patience to apply correctly. Even if it IS worth it, the whole process is a major pain in the butt the first few times. You probably don't want to learn on a CPU you'd mind frying, if you're going with the better thermal pastes (which ARE electrically conductive, unfortunately, if you 'miss' with any and get it on the bridges).

CForrester · October 2003

I, honestly, heard that the 800 MHz FSBs aren't worth it, right now. I'd go with a 400 or 533 MHz FSB. They're a heck of a lot cheaper, it seems.

agentprop · October 2003

I read somewhere that either AMD or Intel said that you should not use thermal paste, but a thermal strip instead. I cant remember if it was Intel or AMD, so that doesnt help much.

Siberian_Dingo · October 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (agentprop @ Oct 10 2003, 06:29 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I read somewhere that either AMD or Intel said that you should not use thermal paste, but a thermal strip instead. I cant remember if it was Intel or AMD, so that doesnt help much.  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
from personal experance, id say only use thermal tape on AMD, and don't make the same mistake i did.

and Nova, plz don't get a mini tower. they heat up faster than larger cases, and they are a pain to open up and work on. at least go with a mid-tower case.

OttoDestruct · October 2003

Also some boards require that if you do a dual channel DDR setup you must use the same size of ram in each slot.

Necrotic · October 2003

Basically what other people have already said, but I would like to stress on the midi tower part..Minis are a superpoweredbiznitickle to work on and then you'll find that something doesn't fit properly and go insane. (I speak from personal experience here) Larger towers also make for better airflow, and what Tal said about AMD's "requiring" a case fan is right, they don't need them at all its just nice to have one to keep the temperature down or if you're <a href='http://www.zen23835.zen.co.uk/casefoto.jpg' target='_blank'>sad like me</a> just to make your case look snazzy <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'>

Thansal · October 2003

again, as all said, the mini tower is a questionable
I would go with AMD (most vedors ship it with a fan, heatsink, and some sorta thermal conductor)

and the other is the HDD, its small.

Trust me you can fill up a 30gig HDD realy fast (specialy with modern games) and that extra 10g just aint that much
I would suggest either getting a second larger drive or just one realy big one <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

another quick one is that you can pick up mother board bundles (mobo, cpu, RAM) generaly for less (I always suggest mwave.com)

OttoDestruct · October 2003

Speaking of harddrive. You can pick up a Seagate 80 gig (I think 80, might be 60) with 8 meg cache for $60 at Bestbuy, but get there soon because the rebate on them runs out soon and then they're something like $100.

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