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Slurgi
12-24-01, 08:12 PM
Because of the comming release of warcraft3, and only having 1 computer capable of running it but 2 people wanting to soon play, i need to build a new computer.

I will not buy this until c. February~May because the game will not release until then. It all depends on how long the beta tests last.

I have an old packard bell (i know...) 333 mhz P2 system, but the sad thing only has 4 mb video memory and 48 MB ram. It cannot run this game.

The computer i am thinking about buying would have...

A new case w/300 PS. I was thinking about taking the old PS out but i just dont feel 240 watts will be enough. I will also install at least 1 case fan. It will be in the basement so it will be at least somewhat cooler. My basement usually stays around 60-65 farenheit.

A mobo with the NForce chipset. I dont care what people have said I have seen benchmarks that make it seem fairly impressive. To get this mobo means to save money on not having to buy a Geforce2. It also must have slightly impressive overclocking ability. I wont push it hard at all, but i will up the FSB enough so that the graphics really get perked up. The system memory will be used much more on an NForce than a different mobo, so an FSB increase would help substantially.

Probably a ~1.4 ghz Athlon, cheap yet powerful...

A generic network card, so i can of course play whomever is on the other computer.

256MB crucial DDR Ram should be sufficient. I wont be using 2000 or XP, rather Windows ME. If there is a board that supports pc 2700, at a reasonable CAS, i will get that. I am unsure if the chipset is designed for those speeds though. Anybody know on this one?

Sadfully the 6 GB HD off my packard bell wont be sufficient. It is SOOOO slow it makes me sick. Not only that, but it is noisy! You should hear that HD being accessed, it is soooo loud!

I would like to get a 30 or so GB HD with at least 7200 RPM. I will also use this computer for looking at porn (at least i am being honest here...) and it will likely store a limited number of music files. My 40 GB on this computer has been more than enough for my music files. I have only used 9 GB but I have so many songs. I love .mp3's :)

The CD-Rom was built in the case of the hewlett-packard, but i bought a 8/2 CD-R when they first came out (I call it the coaster creator). I will salvage that. I will buy a 52x CD-Rom to play the game on, however. The game will likely hit the CD for music.

I will salvage the sound card. The FSB on the hewlett-packard is 66 mhz. I just dont know if it will work at a higher FSB though. I wonder if i could get a board with a seperate bus speed for memory. Do those exist? If they do, then i could crank DOWN the normal fsb since the agp slot will have nothing but the sound card would be there, but crank up the bus speed for the memory.

Sorry about not posting this in any specific area, but I could potentially post this in AMD CPU's, Memory, Cooling, and AMD motherboards.

Can anyone help me decide what to get or answer any other questions stated above?

Thanks ahead of time.

Slurgi

Jeff Bolton
12-24-01, 08:21 PM
Originally posted by Slurgi I will also use this computer for looking at porn (at least i am being honest here...) [/B]

amen....keep it real bro.

jeff

Slurgi
12-24-01, 08:32 PM
Originally posted by Spike Spiegel


amen....keep it real bro.

jeff

gotta keep my porn somwhere! I will kindof make it my personal computer, since the one i use now is a family one i have to make my porn hidden files, then enable hidden files when i am on, then disable them when i get off.

Too much effort :)

jazztrumpet216
12-25-01, 01:23 AM
The 66Mhz FSB on the HP will be no problem. The FSB dividers will take care of all of that, no need to worry.

One more thing: WATCH OUT WITH NETWORKING WINDOWS ME. I've had nothing but trouble doing that. The networking wizard there is absolute crap. You'd be better off with Win 98SE. Even harder with Win ME and XP on the same network. Don't bother with ME and networking if at all avoidable. I did victory dances when I got my copy of XP for my Dell, now I just have to get it for my other one. The rest of the system sounds good, though if you're running nForce, to get decent graphics out of the integrated MX400 graphics, you'll need at least 32Mb dedicated to that, possibly 64. I'd get 384Mb or 512Mb if possible. Of course, it doesn't have to be right away, either. I agree... the nForce chipset looks dang impressive, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of them....

forgoten
12-25-01, 01:36 AM
i'd have to disagree... i've got an me machine and an xp machine networked... and i've had abosolutly nothing but perfect networking... i've tried networking two 98 machines and it was a bitch compared to this. and dont use the wizards.that was ur main problem right ther!!!!! But, whatever works for you, but dont stoop so low to go with 98 bro! justin wing it, thats my modo!

Slurgi
12-25-01, 05:17 AM
Well, I have never networked 2 computers before, but my dad has so I will likely have him set up the network after i get the computer up and running.

The only thing i was thinking was will PCI divisors go high enough so that I can overclock the FSB yet still run the PCI sound card at 66? I FSB on my packard bell was 66, the PCI might have been /2 or /3, making it 33 and 22, respectively.

Jazztrumpet, you might be right about the memory. Since the chipset uses onboard memory to render graphics, it might be more important to get more.

I figure the game will use 128 (if i give it that much, anyway...)
On-board graphics will use up to 128 (hopeing so, anyway...)
That leaves little breathing room for extra memory to be used by windows, or whatever might need it.
I just might get 512. Memory is cheap! I dont want this computer to cost a lot, however.

I wonder if my dad will use the networking wizard...

donny_paycheck
12-25-01, 05:27 AM
Originally posted by Slurgi
A new case w/300 PS. I was thinking about taking the old PS out but i just dont feel 240 watts will be enough. I will also install at least 1 case fan. It will be in the basement so it will be at least somewhat cooler. My basement usually stays around 60-65 farenheit.

AMD says >/= 300 watts for a PSU cuz then the +5vdc line will have at least 30 amps. I say get a mini-tower antec case that comes with a 300 watt. They make awesome cases and good power supplies. Also, the mini-tower has 2x80mm snap-in fan slots and I think it comes with the fans so your cooling's good there. It's HERE (http://www.antec-inc.com/product/cases/minitower.html).

Slurgi
12-27-01, 04:43 PM
Thanks Donny, always there to help :)

I think that case sounds good, should work.

I had trouble getting my WinXP upgrade workin, that is why i havent posted since christmas. I am a bit short on time so i will make a longer post with more questions tonight or tommorow :)