Build Me A Computer!!

[Adrayic]

Hello to all of you. I have spent the last couple weeks browsing through various website forums trying to increse my knowledge on computer hardware and overclocking. My father just purchased a 3.0G P4 and I think I'm ready to do some purchasing of my own; trouble is, I have read so much that I dont know what to buy. So, I'll turn it over to you guys.

How would you spend 1000 dollars? Looking for the best possible system for this price.

This is what I need:

Case / Powersupply / Heatsink(s) / fans (air cooled only)
Motherboard
CPU - open to both AMD and Intel, but am biased towards intel
Hard Drive -> 80 - 120 gig should be adequate
RAM -> 512MB minimum
Video Card -> 9600XT? (definatly be using it for games / photo editing, etc)
Sound Card -> Audigy?

Overclocking is definately an option... nothing monsterous as I need this thing to last 3+ years. But other than that... im wide open to suggestions. If you submit a suggestion that includes overclocking... please specify what the end preformance should be.. (apprx). Thanks.. im interested in what you people will come up with.

Steve

[Cjwinnit]

Originally posted by Adrayic
Build Me A Computer!!

No :p

J/k, Welcome to the forums! :D

If you want an idea, i'd definately go for the WD 120 gig 8mb cache drives, Fortron 350watt PSU. I'm a bit of an ATi fanboy but I happen to like them.

I've really no choice between Intel and AMD but AMD can get you the same computer cheaper to a point, in which case Intel pull ahead in pure performance, but you pay for it. It's your call in the end :)

[#18]

Do you also need to buy a monitor and speakers? Well $1000 can build a decent computer if not include the monitor and speakers.


Since you said you want it last 3 years. I suggest a few stuff here.

Radeon 9800Pro (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=0) is so cheap these days, and it outperform the 9600XT in your plan by over 60%.(if 9600XT gets 100, then 9800Pro is 160) Well you see in the case if a system that allow a 9800Pro gets over 20,000 points in 3dmark2001SE benchmark, then a 9600XT on the same system can only get around 13,000 points. Certainly 9800Pro will last you much longer.

Another major suggestion is
Athlon 64 3200+ (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-416&depa=0) as the CPU. It will outperform a P4 chip at 3.4GHZ without overclocking. Besides in the long run, once upgrade to 64bit OS and other programs, you'll gain a lot of performance without any hardware change.

If you use Athlon 64, then use ASUS K8T800 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-473&depa=0) as motherboard.

For sound card
Audigy 2 ZS (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-162&catalog=57&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1) is the choice.

Get 1GB RAM. 2 x 512MB low latency PC3500 or PC3700 of any good brand such as Corsair and MUSHKIN. (note: just because some RAM sticks list with the words "low latency", does not make them low latency. There are RAM with 3-4-4-8 list as "low latency, in fact the worst latency is 3-4-4-8). 512MB now is the mainstream, but in near future it will be outdated. There are already games out require more than 512MB RAM for better performance.

For hard disk I would recommend Western Digital's Raptor, but since the computer you want to use for 3 years, then the amount of space of a 36.7 GB Raptor will not be enough(not even enough for OS and programs), if you get 2 x 36.7 to set up raid, or one 74GB then your budget may not allow. The performance gain from the good stuff above will make much larger difference than hard disk. So get a large 120GB ~ 160GB Western Digital Special Edition will be good enough. Or if you may want to upgrade the hard disk in near future, then just grab one 36.7GB Raptor (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-200&depa=0) for now, and get another one later for raid. 36.7GB space should be enough for OS and all the programs for now if you don't install too many stuff. :) Myself is using 28GB right now, but for store files require seperated much larger drives.

For case, any mid or full tower case will do. Get a power supply no less than 350W, 400W is recommended. Higher will be more secure. Must be good brands such as Antec or Enermax.

[batboy]

The AMD A64 is a viable option, but since you posted in the Intel CPU section and stated having a P-4 bias, I'll only concentrate on Intel. To future proof the system and because you are doing photo editing, I'm going to suggest 1 gig of RAM. I'm quoting newegg.com prices including shipping just for a cost ballpark figure. Remember, these are just suggestions, so take it with a grain of salt.

CPU: Several options here, but it's hard to beat the 2.8C. The current crop will generally O/C fairly easily up to 3.4 gig, if you have decent cooling, with some going 3.5 gig (see signature) or more. Price=$185.

Motherboard: Go with either Abit or Asus. I like Abit, so if you want the i865 chipset, my choice is the AI7 for $113 or if you go with the i875 chipset then the IC7-G is $146 (if you don't need the Gigabit LAN and/or have a network card already, then the regular IC7 is only $114).

Cooling: No need for a fancy heatsink if you only plan on overclocking up to 3.2 gig or so. Above that, get something decent like the Thermalright SP-94. If I were doing it, I'd get a 92mm Tornado fan with an extra fan controller, plus a couple extra 80mm case fans (unless your case already comes with fans). Don't forget to add some Arctic Silver thermal paste. Cooling could cost up to as much as $100 or as little as $20 depending on what options you choose.

Case / Powersupply: I say buy a case you like. Lots to pick from ranging from $50 to $200. Aluminum cases are cool. Get something nice that catches your fancy. My favorite power supply is the Antec True Power series, but Fortran makes an excellent unit too. Get at least a 400 watt PS.

Hard Drive: Might as well get a 120 MB HDD as they are not much more than an 80 nowadays. Either a Maxtor with 8 MB buffer or Western Digital Special Edition are both about $100. If you want high speed HDD, then look into SATA drives.

RAM: Two options here, run 1:1 ratio and relaxed timings or 5:4 with tight timings. Both are fairly equal for performance if you really want to know. The RAM with BH-5 chips are the best bet for tight timings, but they are getting hard to find. If you go for the cheaper option and use the 5:4 ratio, then it's hard to beat 2X512 Kingston HyperX PC3000 for $213. The other route, you could get Corsair PC4000 or OCZ PC4000 Gold for $338 to $376 (go for the cheaper RAM). Other brands that are good to consider are Mushkin or A-Data.

Video Card: I agree with #18, go with the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro for $212 to $270 depending on what you get. The cheaper Sapphire seems to do ok.

Sound Card: Yep, Audigy seems to be the best which will be about $90 or so depending on which version you get.

Well, my choices range from $983 to $1467. So looks like you'll need to go with the cheaper RAM option. You can start out with stock cooling and upgrade that later if you feel the need for speed. For a case, looks like the expensive aluminum ones are probably out of the budget. You could also start out with just using the on-board sound at first and upgrade that later. All in all, looks like you can still get an awesome system and stay under your $1000 budget.

[itshondo]

Check out my sig- i recommend everything ther except:

Power Supply - get a Antec or Fotron 400 watt or larger (Antec 550 watt due for delivery today) -

Processor/Mobo- go Athlon 64 if you have the cash-

Video Card- go with 9800 pro as sugested above-

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS and have fun!

[NoteUser]

The Antec Super LAN Boy is cheap for an aluminum case. It even comes with two 120mm rated at 38 cfm.

Tight inside but it holds decent especially the amount of hard drive trays.

[kcstock]

Start with a solid Mobo.

I have been very impressed by Abit. IC7 (series) seems to get rave reviews in every forum I visit. The scaleability of the Caterwood Chipset also has its bonus's. SATA HD connection will allow you to upgrade your components later as these new technologies become mainstream. Also ABIT has Guarenteed that the IC7 (series) will support all Prescott chips (you can find info about this at Abit's site)

This is just my opinion, but my reccomendation would be:
P4 3.0c
2 x 512 pc3200 OCZ
Abit IC7-G (has 4 sata headers and Gigabit LAN)
Antec truepower 430
WD 120Gig 7200 (8mb buffer)
TDK VeloCD (only $70 and a very good drive)
Sapphire Radeon 9800 pro
Pick a case (Lian Li seems to be very popular, I have a chieftec Dragon) (Antec cases will have an atec PSU in them most of the time)

I do most of my shopping a newegg.com (free shipping and very fast delivery on most items) Easy RMA if required.

Good luck! Have Fun