Noob's comp idear

[bnstphnsn]

Ok. I am a relative n00b to all of this computer stuff. I have a list I have put together with help from another forumn. I was wondering if i could get a yay or nay type vote. Also any input would be greatly appreciated :)
So here goes:

Cases
Raidmax Model 268WSP(SILVER/SILVER) 10-bay Case W 350W PS and Window Retail Diamond Series Steel Mid-tower case with Built in 2.0 USB in the front. Attractive Streamline design.
$46.00

CD/DVD ROM Drives
MSI CD-ROM 52X EIDE Black CDROM Drive Model MS-8152BK OEM
$15.99

Hard Drives
WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE
$77.50

Keyboards
Microsoft 114 keys (10 internet Hot Keys) Internet Keyboard PS/2 - BLACK
$20.00

Memory (System Memory)
GEIL 512MB(2x256MB) PC-3200 (400MHz) Dual DDR RAM, 6 Layer Lower Noise PCB Copper Heat Spreader, Dual Channel SPD Enhanced Model# GL5123200DC
$107.85

Motherboards - AMD
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail
Socket A AMD Athlon XP/Duron (support AMD XP 3200+ "Barton")
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra SPP, nForce2 MCP-T
FSB: 400/333/266MHz
IDE: 2 x ATA133
RAM: Dual Channel DDR 400 3x 184-pin DIMM Sockets (PC3200/PC2700/PC2100 non-ECC DDR)
Slots: 1x AGP (Pro/8X), 5x PCI
Ports: 6x USB2.0
SATA: Silicon Image Sil 3112A Controller w/ 2 ports
NVIDIA SoundStorm Audio Processor Unit with Dolby
MCP integrated 3Com MAC + Broadcom AC101L PHY LAN
Firewire 1394: 2 Ports MCP-T integrated IEEE 1394a + Realtek PHY 8801B
$118.99

Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse PS/2 & USB BLACK - OEM
$14.00

Processors
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU: 1.83 GHz
Type: XP 2500 Barton Core
Cache: 512K L2, 128K L1, Total 640KB
BUS: 333MHz
Socket A
Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)
$90.00

Total: $501 + shipping

I know very little about all this stuff so i was wondering if you guys could help me out. Does all this "click" or work together? I'm not sure which specs to look at and so forth. I also need to add a video card i think. what would be a good one to add that isnt too expensive but isnt total ****. I have heard Radeon 9600. Thanks all and if anyone would look this over and tell me what I am forgetting etc, I would be very happy.
:) :D :)
Sorry for a post so similar to others, but this is the easiest way, i believe. :)


Ben

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

First thing, it would be helpful if you would say what you plan to use this computer for. If you are simply doing some word processing and web surfing, it may be overkill. If you are a gamer, it may not be enough or at least it will make a difference for video card recommendations.

Second, if you can use dual channel DDR RAM, you are better off with 2 RAM sticks rather than one.

Next, you indicate that you are getting a CDRom. I would look at CDRW or even the DVD +/- RW since the CDRW can be had for as little as $20 most weeks and the DVD +/- RW is dropping in price and can be found for about $130.....

Also, I suspect you may find the power supply that comes with the case to be of dubious quality. You might be better off considering an Antec case with an Antec power supply if you want to buy them as a package. Enermax would be a good option too.

Where are you ordering from? A lot of us here are using Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/app/catalog.asp?DEPA=1) and find them to have good prices and service. You might want to check them out for your parts. Also, it is a good idea to check out any vendor at ResellerRatings (http://www.resellerratings.com/) to find out if the vendor can be trusted.....

[bnstphnsn]

Budfred-
#1 Thanks for replying. :)
#2 The RAM is two sticks of 256MB as i understand it. This takes advantage of the dual something or other I was told.
#3 I plan to order from newegg :)
#4 I will use this computer for some gaming, but nothing outrageous. I also browse the internet and do some homework. :) I also download quite a few songs. :)
#5 How is this for a Case (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=antec%2Caluminum%2Cseries&searchdepa=1&srchFor=tower) ? I think it looks better also. :)
Thanks again!

[Budfred]

Yep, that is a nice case and a good power supply.

If you are going to be downloading music you will need a good firewall, antivirus, spyware scanner and regular updating and use of them all....

[bnstphnsn]

Will I have to buy Windows XP? I have it on my current computer. So i will have to buy that right? or no?

[bnstphnsn]

After looking at LadyGrey's post and the replies, I got to thinking. Would I save alot of money if I used windows 98 or 2000? Would it be smart to buy that off newegg.com or just go to my local Staples for it?
Also, I noticed a lot of comments in her thread about shoppin at Staples for deals, could I do the same for any of my componenets?


An un related question- Is the hard drive the part of the computer that makes all the noise? or is that the fan?

Thanks again everyone.
Ben

[Budfred]

If you want to use your current copy of WinXP, you need to reactivate if for the new computer and take it off of the old one. You are allowed to use it on any one computer, but not two. If you never go online with the old computer, you could get away with leaving it there, but M$ would want to track you down and hurt you if you do. If you go online, it will cause problems when you try to update it and one or both of the installs won't work anymore.

I am using Win2K and like it a lot. It is about as stable as WinXP and doesn't have some of the extra dreck of XP. On the other hand, it isn't quite as user friendly either.

As far as shopping at Staples or any other chain, it depends on the deals available the week you want to buy your equipment. Things like a hard drive, CDRW, DVDRW, RAM, keyboard, mouse and speakers are often cheaper on sale with rebate if you don't mind dealing with the rebate...

Hard drives are usually pretty quiet. Fans are usually the noisiest devices, but they can be made to be a little quieter by using dampening washers and larger fans. There are also some cases that are built to be quieter, but they tend to cost more....

[bnstphnsn]

So it sounds like I'll use Windows2k. It would be cheaper than XP i assume. Also, which fans are the quitest? I know it's not a huge ordeal but I often find myself browsing the net at night, and this comp would be in me and y bro's room and he won't want a computer that sounds like a school bus in his ear. :/
Thanks Budfred, you've been a HUGE help.

[Steve]

So it sounds like I'll use Windows2k. It would be cheaper than XP i assume.

Not really.
W2k....$145
XP Home....$91
XP pro....$138


Prices at Newegg.com.

[BigBlue66]

As for quiet fans, just look at their specs. Any fan that is rated at let's say, 32dBA or less, are probably quiet enough.

Generally, as you decrease the noise level of fans, you also decrease their cfm output. Depending on your ambient room temperatures and how your case is set up for airflow, you may get by with lower rated fans or you may need to consider higher cfm rated fans. It depends.

There are also temperature controlled case fans, such as the Vantec Stealth, that vary their speed based on the heat surrounding them. The fan has a small temp sensor in the middle of the fan that measures the air temperature surrounding the fan, and then adjusts the speed of the fan based on that.

Sleeve bearing fans tend to be quieter than ball bearing fans, but usually wear out sooner.

Panaflo fans are fairly expensive, but their Hydrowave technology makes them quieter than other fans at the same cfm and speed rating. The Panaflo L1A fans are very quiet and usually make for good case fans, assuming again, the other variables for good cooling are within acceptable parameters.

[bnstphnsn]

Originally posted by Steve


Not really.
W2k....$145
XP Home....$91
XP pro....$138


Prices at Newegg.com.

It looks like I'm back to XP then. The main reason I was gonna go with 2000 was I figured older = cheaper. Ah well.... any reasons i should go with 2000 over XP???

Also, I look for some quiet fans at newegg acording to the info above.

Thanks to steve and bigblue :D:D
Ben

[Steve]

There is really no advantage to w2k over XP. Some folks don't like the activation needed in XP but seeing as you are already running it all seems good.

Unless you have a real need for extra security, XP Home is just as good as XPpro. (IMHO) Might as well save the money and buy XP Home. Put the money you save toward those extra quiet fans...;)

[bnstphnsn]

Originally posted by Steve
Might as well save the money and buy XP Home. Put the money you save toward those extra quiet fans...;)

LOL
Good idear ;)

[Budfred]

I agree that there are no important advantages of Win2K over WinXP as long as you don't mind the activation. The biggest disadvantage of WinXP is the fact that a lot of older hardware won't work with it, but you are building new, so that shouldn't be a problem...

The lower price WinXP is either an upgrade or OEM version. If it is an upgrade, you need an old version of Windoze to prove to the program that you are upgrading. If it is OEM, it doesn't have M$ support, but I think "M$ support" is an oxymoron anyway.....

[Steve]

Actually all three prices are OEM...;)

[deddard]

Got to go with Budfred on the OEM thing - Microsoft's support is pathetic, so paying for anything other than OEM isn't worth the effort.
I'm looking at building another couple of systems myself as a lab, (well ok, the best one will replace the machine I'm using now!) and will be looking at either OEMs or student licences.
Student licences from Microsoft or other manufacturers are worth looking at if you or your kids are either in education (teaching or learning)

[bnstphnsn]

im in school. would i be able to check out the microsoft student liscense or would it not affect me? if i can how do i do that?

[deddard]

Yes - if you are in school you are entitled to microsoft (and other) student licences.
the easiest way to find out what is available is to do a google search, something like 'microsoft xp pro student licence' which should come up with a list of resellers which provide the software or the licence.

Alternatively, you can click on microsoft's site and do a search for student licence.
THere are many bits of software available. I don't know if they are all the same as when I purchased mine, but the old system used to be:
Buy the licence, the supplier sometimes needs proof that you are eligible (a letter on headed notepaper from your school will do)
I printed a letter and got my college lecturer to sign it.
YOu will then receive a licence, which you pass on to microsoft - they will send you the software.

This sounds a bit long winded, and may have changed in the same way it has for microsoft office.
Last week I purchased a student licence for office 2003 - they software was sent with no proof of being a student or anything, directly from the supplier (amazon.co.uk), but as I say, the easiest thing to do is a google search, and take it from there.
In the past I have purchased Office 2000 Pro, Visual studio Pro (Visual C++, Visual Basic, Visual J, MSDN disks) Publisher 2000, Frontpage.

I'm going to get a windows 2000 Pro disk on student licence shortly.
Others you may be able to get hold of are Adobe Acrobat (not just acrobat reader), macromedia studio (flash and god knows what else) amongst others.

[Budfred]

I think the main difference with the student version is that you are not entitled to upgrade from a student copy. However, I am not sure if they actually block using it with an upgrade since I have never tried.

[deddard]

The "student version" is effectively paper only - on any other level, it is treated as identical to the standard version. I updated the Office 2003 today with a patch, and it stated that it was updating Office 2003 standard edition.
Why it isn't more publicised is a bit weird - the companies obviously want to get younger people using their software, so you'd think they'd push it a bit more. Still, it's site's like this that people take notice of, so we can spread the info around from here.

[deddard]

Just a bit more info - I get regular emails from pcmechanic, and their link now shows a student (academic) licence for office 2003 PRO for $159.00
THis makes me sick! Everything to do with computers is so much cheaper for you if you live in the USA. Over here in the UK we get skinned buying IT equipment. Well enough ranting - go search and find the software-best of luck with it;)

[Abbadon]

Originally posted by deddard
Just a bit more info - I get regular emails from pcmechanic, and their link now shows a student (academic) licence for office 2003 PRO for $159.00
THis makes me sick! Everything to do with computers is so much cheaper for you if you live in the USA. Over here in the UK we get skinned buying IT equipment. Well enough ranting - go search and find the software-best of luck with it;)

Dito for Belgium and I think all of Europe :(

(and the cost & risk of shipping stuff over from the US of A is pro'ly so horendous I don't even wanna think about it) :rolleyes:

[pave_spectre]

Think the UK is horrendous for prices, try living in Tasmania where the nearest large computer store with a decent variety is a 4 hour drive away.

I buy all my stuff from melbourne and even with a 3-4 day wait and the extra cost of shipping its still cheaper. Figure that one out.

[sleddog]

Originally posted by Steve
There is really no advantage to w2k over XP.

I was really close to a rant, but I muzzled myself :D