System Build Comments

[BulldogMcC]

I am building a new system, I am ready to buy the following with the prices I have found. Any helpful hints, comments or better prices from reputable merchants are much appreciated.

CPU: P4 3.2 "640" Retail $285 Zipzoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80824)
MotherBoard:Abit AA8XE MB Retail $263 Zipsoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=240151)
Memory:PQI 2GB, 2x1gb PC4200 DDR2 $395 Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-199&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE)
Case:Antec P160 Aluminum Case $114 Zipzoomfly (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140032)
Power Supply:Antec Neo Power 480w PS $109 Zipzoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270022)
Graphics Card:XFX 6600GT PCIEx $185 Zipzoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321017)
Operating System:MS WinXP Pro OEM $134 Zipzoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=604631)

Total before shipping $1485.

I already have wireless keyboard & mouse, 74gb Raptor SATA HD and Plextor dual layer DVD/CD Writer and multiple monitors.

I am going to set it up with the stock HSF for starters then build a watercooling system when I am ready to really push the overclock.

Any help would be appreciated.

[SpazTech]

From what I've heard the Leadtek 6600GT performs better. And you get abigger software bundle also VGA and DVI jacks. My 2cents.

[EWBatOVAclockin]

Sheesh man you really need all that RAM? What will you be using this system for? Also do you really need XP-pro? I'd say go with home. But again it depends on what your using this system for.

Update us with what this system will be used for and more adviced will be added :clap:

PEACE

[BulldogMcC]

Sheesh man you really need all that RAM? What will you be using this system for? Also do you really need XP-pro? I'd say go with home. But again it depends on what your using this system for.

Update us with what this system will be used for and more adviced will be added :clap:

PEACE

XP Pro because I already have that on the other three systems and have a home domain setup behind my router and firewall. XP Home cannot join domains. Also, I cannot find the link, but I read over at Anandtech that XP Pro purchased with a 64 bit processor will get the 64 bit version of XP Pro upgrade for free. I will try to find the link and post it. I see no sense in buying a 64 bit capable processor and then have to pay twice for the OS.

I want all that memory because I like to do big math/number crunching, including programming. It is not uncommon to have two or three instances of Visual Studio running at the same time. A secondary role for this baby will be as an SQL server for the rest of the computers as well. Some of the databases I work with are rather large and I am currently suffering to much page swapping with only 512m on my current rig when buidling queries. I might just get the 1G of Mushkin, but am concerned if I do upgrade then with two more stick to get 2G, will my dual channel suffer since I will have 4 sticks of memory to worry about instead of 2.

I picked the graphics card because I currently have two 1600x1200 monitors, both DVI-D/D-SUB capable but can tell the difference between the DVI-D one and the D-SUB and wanted the two DVI outputs. I like Leadtek, their old 4200 has done great by me, but XFX is reputable and I wanted dual DVI so I did not suffer a difference in the quality of the second screen.