New General Use Computer, any Recommendations?

[Erik]

It is looking like I will be able to build a new computer to replace my aging Gateway. At the moment I am thinking of the following computer:

Antec Solution ATX Mid Tower w/ 400 Watt PS
Abit AW8-Max 3rd Eye II Motherboard
VisionTek XTASY VTK800128PCIE Radeon X800 128MB GDDR3 PCI Expressx16
Intel P4 630 Prescott 800MHz FSB @ 3GHz
Corsair XMS DDR2 SDRAM 675(PC 5400) - 2GB
Samsung cheap FDD
WD Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s HD x 3 drives as RAID 5
Plextor SATA DVD Burner PX-712SA/SW

I have no real specific plans for this. Basically I am looking for a job in the IT field, and just want the RAID to be able to see more details of how it works. Mostly what I do is use Microsoft Office, and telnet to configure enterprise equipment for practice. I also do a bit of programming in Visual Studio. I know it is pretty much overkill, but motherboards with support for RAID 5 aren't very common.

Any ideas to change things up a bit? Any room to save a bit of money, or even just some improvment would be appreciated.

Thanks

[saphalline]

Hmmm... provide a link to the case & PSU. Gotta make sure your new PSU is the latest ATX version (with the 24-pin connector and all that).

Also, you might want to consider a Pentium D 820/830 for an all-around "I have no idea what to use this system for" sort of PC. Dual-core will be much more all-purpose and provide tons of fun! :D

As for the RAM, how much are you paying for that?? Unless you plan on OC'ing a P4 to 7GHz, you won't need RAM quite that fast. The P4/PD architecture itself right now uses the 800MHz FSB, which means that dual-channel PC2-3200 is all it can take. Dual-channel PC2-4200 will be needed later on when the 1066MHz FSB is utilized with today's chipsets, but either way PC2-5400 is overkill.

And what sort of cooling set-up do you have in mind? Can't tell by the case description alone since there are several Antec cases with the word "solution" in their title.

[Erik]

Here is a link to the case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129163 . It is ATX 2.0, that is the latest revision unless I am mistaken, correct?

Hmm, had been thinking of going dual core but didn't think I could swing it money wise. I wanted to stay as close to $1,000 as possible. Looks like I will be able to make it if I go with a 2.8GHz P4 D though, and I bet I wouldn't even really notice the difference either. I very well might go that route.

Hmm, guess you are right about the RAM. I could always save some money by getting RAM that runs at the same speed as the FSB, and upgrade later on if needed. I am not planning on overclocking this system, yet anyway ;) . I could use this RAM http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227044 , which is a bit cheaper and has better timings.

At the moment I am planning on just air cooling. The case comes with a 120mm fan for the back, and I am thinking of adding one to the front too. Plus of course the PSU fan and CPU fan.

Thanks again.

[Erik]

Actually it seems as if that RAM has some problems with compatability. I would probably rather go with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141200

as it seems to have very good reviews, and is very affordable too. If you think there is any problem with it, or have heard anything bad about it I guess I could always just go with the OCZ sticks that you recommended in the sticky.

[poppy]

Cases being a matter of personal preference, I don't think you will go wrong with an Antec. I would prefer this case (because of the power supply) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129158 if you could swing it.

I don't know why Newegg raised the price over the last couple of months, but other places sell it for less.

[saphalline]

Just go with the Corsair ValueSelect stuff and you'll be fine. 1GB kit or 2GB kit. It works really well. The OCZ stuff is mainly for OC'ers.