I'm really confused about building a computer. Should I do an Intel or AMD? I want to make my first build a nice un, been waiting a long time for this. Someone told me to do an ABIT NF7S (ver2.0) Is this a good mobo and what CPU should I use? Was also looking at the Intel P4 ASUS P4C800....could someone please give me some guidance...I don't know what to do. Thanx I appreciate your help and time.
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NewBie Needin Help
- Thread starter imahkr
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2001
That is a loaded question.
People have their preferences in systems and the reason why they choose that system is a based on experience with the componets in the system or referrals from others.
I prefer AMD systems as I feel you get more bang for the buck as compared to Intel systems. That doesn't mean that intel lacks in any area at all.
The Abit NF7-S is a excellent board for the AMD processor. It is stable and a great overclocker.
If you would get a 2600+ Barton you could probably approach the 2.5 ghz mark without too much difficulty as long as you purchased some good componets to complement the system.
People have their preferences in systems and the reason why they choose that system is a based on experience with the componets in the system or referrals from others.
I prefer AMD systems as I feel you get more bang for the buck as compared to Intel systems. That doesn't mean that intel lacks in any area at all.
The Abit NF7-S is a excellent board for the AMD processor. It is stable and a great overclocker.
If you would get a 2600+ Barton you could probably approach the 2.5 ghz mark without too much difficulty as long as you purchased some good componets to complement the system.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2003
I agree with Tmod
I can not answer your question, but I can tell you what I did. I am a newbie myself, and just built my first computer and have been playing around over clocking it. I spent about a month on pricewatch.com, and the forums here (got a ton of info here). In my opinion, AMD is the way to go, but that is like a Ford or Chevy question. Both make good products, you have to decide which.
Figure out your budget, and what you want to get (mgz, hardrive size, memory), and all that stuff. Do you want a overclocking system, or do you want one just to run as is?
I already had a moniter, mouse, keyboard, PSU, cdrom, case, and floppy drive, and here is what I built: NF7-s motherboard (love it), AMD Athlon 2500 (1.82gz o/c up to 2.5gz in tests), 60 gig harddrive, 2x buffalo tech 246 ram. I love my new system, and spent about $379 for it (with Radeon 9200 video card). Look around at the peoples computers on this site! Good luck, I hope I helped a little bit.
E
I can not answer your question, but I can tell you what I did. I am a newbie myself, and just built my first computer and have been playing around over clocking it. I spent about a month on pricewatch.com, and the forums here (got a ton of info here). In my opinion, AMD is the way to go, but that is like a Ford or Chevy question. Both make good products, you have to decide which.
Figure out your budget, and what you want to get (mgz, hardrive size, memory), and all that stuff. Do you want a overclocking system, or do you want one just to run as is?
I already had a moniter, mouse, keyboard, PSU, cdrom, case, and floppy drive, and here is what I built: NF7-s motherboard (love it), AMD Athlon 2500 (1.82gz o/c up to 2.5gz in tests), 60 gig harddrive, 2x buffalo tech 246 ram. I love my new system, and spent about $379 for it (with Radeon 9200 video card). Look around at the peoples computers on this site! Good luck, I hope I helped a little bit.
E
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2002
the NF7-S isn't really made for newbies...has a lot of options that can discourage a newbie...but it is the best AMD overclocking MB out right now...
Intel is easier to OC since all you have to really OC is the memory...FSB...memory voltage...and core (CPU) voltage...
With a AMD system...you have a lot more things to OC...FSB...memory voltage and timings...multiplier (if unlocked)...VDD (northbridge) voltage...core voltage...and if you do not get a NF2 MB, you have to deal with the PCI Mhz...if you go to high without a lock PCI bus, then you can wipe out the OS with OCing too high also if you do not have a AGP lock you can possible ruin the video card when OCing too high also...the NF7-S has a option in the BIOS to lock the AGP Mhz and to change the AGP voltage...
But I will say...it gives you a better feeling to get a high OC on a AMD then it does on a Intel since there are more things you have to do to get a high and stable OC on a AMD...plus if you fry a AMD CPU it's usally cheaper to replace then a Intel CPU...
Intel is easier to OC since all you have to really OC is the memory...FSB...memory voltage...and core (CPU) voltage...
With a AMD system...you have a lot more things to OC...FSB...memory voltage and timings...multiplier (if unlocked)...VDD (northbridge) voltage...core voltage...and if you do not get a NF2 MB, you have to deal with the PCI Mhz...if you go to high without a lock PCI bus, then you can wipe out the OS with OCing too high also if you do not have a AGP lock you can possible ruin the video card when OCing too high also...the NF7-S has a option in the BIOS to lock the AGP Mhz and to change the AGP voltage...
But I will say...it gives you a better feeling to get a high OC on a AMD then it does on a Intel since there are more things you have to do to get a high and stable OC on a AMD...plus if you fry a AMD CPU it's usally cheaper to replace then a Intel CPU...
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2003
NSF7 board and newbies
I agree, there are a lot of options on this mboard that I have no clue about. I have used guides posted on this site, and info found here to o/c and have been lucky! If you are new to o/c, take your time, read the posts, and have fun!
E
I agree, there are a lot of options on this mboard that I have no clue about. I have used guides posted on this site, and info found here to o/c and have been lucky! If you are new to o/c, take your time, read the posts, and have fun!
E
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2002
I did forget to add that when you set the AGP setting to 66Mhz in the BIOS option...this also locks the PCI Mhz so you do not have to worry about the PCI/AGP Mhz problem on the NF7-S...or most NF2 motherboards for that fact...
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2003
- Location
- Appleton, Wisconsin
I'd say go for AMD unless you're afraid of mounting the heatsink on the socket (I'm guessing you'll buy a retail processor, with a stock heatsink included.) For a first-timer, shoving a screwdriver down on a tiny clip less than an inch from the motherboard can be unnerving. But, everything has a first time. I've never built a Pentium 4 system, but the mounting system looks much easier and less prone to catostrophic mistakes.
If you go with AMD, do get the NF7-S. It has incredible upgrade potential (I doubt I'm ever going to buy a Socket A board again) and all the features you could ever want. It has awesome sound, Firewire, USB2.0, SATA, and RAID. Its a lot of extra features compared to many other boards, but, you don' have to hook up any of them if you don't need them. And there should be no problems setting the board up, the manual is very well written. The NF7-S is the best motherboard I've ever used. Everything works, always. It's super-stable, great overclocking options, and simple enough where you can set it up without knowing the first thing about BIOS beyond the "Load Optimized Defaults" option.
If you go with AMD, do get the NF7-S. It has incredible upgrade potential (I doubt I'm ever going to buy a Socket A board again) and all the features you could ever want. It has awesome sound, Firewire, USB2.0, SATA, and RAID. Its a lot of extra features compared to many other boards, but, you don' have to hook up any of them if you don't need them. And there should be no problems setting the board up, the manual is very well written. The NF7-S is the best motherboard I've ever used. Everything works, always. It's super-stable, great overclocking options, and simple enough where you can set it up without knowing the first thing about BIOS beyond the "Load Optimized Defaults" option.
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2002
- Location
- Toledo, Ohio
Barton XP2500A is a good choice, but if you are light on funds, there are some older XP's out there like the 1700 or 1800 for real reasonable prices.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2003
Funny newbie build mistake
I got all my stuff in, and was very worried about using a screwdriver right next to my motherboard and CPU! I finnaly got it all together, plugged it in (the fans did a quarter turn or so), and hit the power button... nothing! Reseated everything, reread the manual, tried again... same thing.
I got the case for free from a friend of mine, and the power button and reset buttons are swithched! I was hitting the reset button instead of the power button!
E
I got all my stuff in, and was very worried about using a screwdriver right next to my motherboard and CPU! I finnaly got it all together, plugged it in (the fans did a quarter turn or so), and hit the power button... nothing! Reseated everything, reread the manual, tried again... same thing.
I got the case for free from a friend of mine, and the power button and reset buttons are swithched! I was hitting the reset button instead of the power button!
E
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2001
Well I usually don't spend that much on my systems but I have a list of some stuff you might look at.
AMD Barton 2600+
Corsair XMS memory 3500 or higher
Thermalright SLK-900a CPU Cooler.
Delta 80mm Fan 68cfm
Vantec Iceberq VGA & Chipset cooling kit (For North & South chipsets).
ATI Radeon 9800
Plenty of case cooling
NF7-S v2.0
WesternDigital HardDrives (You pick size)
DVD/CD-RW/Cdrom Drive
3.5 Floppy Drive
Well that is all I can think of at the moment but I am sure someone else will give you a hand.
AMD Barton 2600+
Corsair XMS memory 3500 or higher
Thermalright SLK-900a CPU Cooler.
Delta 80mm Fan 68cfm
Vantec Iceberq VGA & Chipset cooling kit (For North & South chipsets).
ATI Radeon 9800
Plenty of case cooling
NF7-S v2.0
WesternDigital HardDrives (You pick size)
DVD/CD-RW/Cdrom Drive
3.5 Floppy Drive
Well that is all I can think of at the moment but I am sure someone else will give you a hand.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2002
- Location
- The Dark Side of the Moon
I've been using Mushkin Black Level II PC3500 and really couldn't be happier with it. But there are a few other brands of ram that are very good also.
The NF7-S isn't the easiest board to get the hang of, but its well worth the investment of time for the results you can get! And there's no shortage of advice from people currently using this board here. Go for it, you'll be glad you did!
I'd suggest just what you're doing, taking the time to find out opinions & experience of others. But I'd definitely buy from a good vendor, such as NewEgg, if you have any problems with your computer hardware, there the best to deal with.
The NF7-S isn't the easiest board to get the hang of, but its well worth the investment of time for the results you can get! And there's no shortage of advice from people currently using this board here. Go for it, you'll be glad you did!
I'd suggest just what you're doing, taking the time to find out opinions & experience of others. But I'd definitely buy from a good vendor, such as NewEgg, if you have any problems with your computer hardware, there the best to deal with.
![]-[itman](/forums/data/avatars/s/9/9309.jpg?1650325391){kind=avatar}
