Building a new system question

[scottypup]

I am currently researching the components to build a system ground up. I would like a littel advise on certain components.

The first is a case. I plan on going with a P4. Any suggestions as to the case I should start with? What wattage? The system will sit where it has good ventilation. Will a single fan be ok?

What should I look for in a Motherboard?

Finally what about video and sound cards? Any suggestions on these?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Scott

[Whyzman]

scottypup,

The first question is...what are you planning on doing with your system?

Are you a Gamer? Do you just use your computer for the Internet? Do you plan on doing any video editing? What about photographic editing? Just business application use?



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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[scottypup]

I do a lot of internet type stuff. I maintain several websites and also do a littel website design. I also play quite a few games. I have Empire Earth but my current sytem will not run it very effectively.

It is also used for quite a lot fo school stuff. Mainly with the MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access)

[saphalline]

Generally if you play modern 3D games at all then you will need better components. Games are rather expensive afterall.

Going with a P4 is a good idea, but you must beware of the AMD lurkers! They can strike at any moment and attempt to convince you to go with the Athlon XP! Oh yeah, I'm one of them... so get an Athlon XP system! Just a matter of preference really, but Athlons are cheaper and will be just as powerful as a P4 99% of the time.

Cases! Cases are fun to pick out, but I don't necessarily have any specific recommendations, other than what I use: Antec SX1030. Oh and before iisbob gets the chance to rant, get a separate high-quality power supply (from a company such as Enermax) with 400 Watts. Usually a single fan will be ok because the power supply has its own, so put the extra one in back blowing air out.

Motherboards are always a bit tricky because they can change frequently. If you go P4, get one with Intel's 850E chipset (the one that supports 533MHz bus P4's). The best-known Athlon XP chipsets are the KT266A and the KT333. Use the i850E and KT333 for the latest technology like USB 2.0 and ATA/133. Other than that, at least 5 PCI slots (no ISA slots anymore), onboard RAID is useful, and you'll definitely have to change your RAM (RDRAM/DDR depending).

Sound is good for listening, essential for games, but try and see if you can't get by with onboard sound. It has excellent compatability and adequate sound quality (unless you're a music mixer), especially the new mobos with onboard Dolby 5.1 surround. If you really need a separate sound card, get a Sound Blaster Audigy.

Video cards I saved for last because... well just look at the threads and you'll see. A lot of excellent info in them and certainly nothing I could repeat in a timely fashion, but since I like talking about them... If you're mainly into games like Empire Earth and aren't planning on getting any of the new-fangled ones like UT 2003, then get a GeForce4 MX440 (~$80). If you want some more power and the ability to try newer games with more eye candy, get a GeForce3 Ti 200 (~$110). If you want more power than that and have a budget to prove it, just wait a few more months for NVidia's next trick, get a GF4 MX440 to tide you over.

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"No, we do not gnaw on our kitty." - Dr. Evil

[This message has been edited by saphalline (edited 06-13-2002).]

[ranchdog]

Lots of good information allready posted. All
I might add is... If choosing the KT333 chipset
Mboard be sure to obtain the CE version.

VIA seems to have the KT333 CE sorted out pretty
well as far as compatability.

Luck.

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I spent a lot of money on women... liquor... motorcycles.
The rest I just wasted.

[rond36]

The Via KT266A and KT333 chipsets are for the AMD processors not the Intel P4.
Via's chipsets for the P4 are the P4X266A and the P4X333.

If scottypup is building a P4 system why are we confusing him by recommending parts for an AMD system.

I am not partial to either one I have both and I like both!
Case recommendations Antec SX1040, SX1040B Plus1080 Plus1080B 400W power supply

What you should look for in a Motherboard

PC2700 DDR support and 3 DIMM slots, 400/533MHz FSB, Intel 845-G chppset, VIA P4X333 chipset, or SIS 645DX chipset. For RDRAM Intel 850-E chipset and PC1066 RDRAM support, 4 RIMM slots.

Video
Nvidia gForce 4 ti series or ATI Radeon series either with at least AGPX4 and 64MB DDR RAM

Sound

Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer or MP3.

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Soyo P4S-Dragon Ultra, Intel P4 2.0A, 768MB Samsung PC2700 DDRSDRAM, 2 WD 100GB HDDs, ATI A-I-W 8500DV 64MB AGP video, SB Audigy MP3 PCI, Plextor 40X12X40 CD-RW, Pioneer slot load DVD-ROM, Multi-boot Win ME, XP Pro, XP Pro striped down for games.

[iisbob]

I don't rant! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

i make helpful suggestions! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

By the way, I suggest AMD-Even intel's newest 533 FSb /P4 2.53 GHZ system barely beat the already months old Athlon XP 2100+ /266 fsb system in testing in the the latest guide of PC Gamer ( only beat the Athlon by 2 points, sheesh http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif )






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iisbob

There is no such thing as a stupid question; just an improper one.-my own belief

[Lozloz]

Just one word about on-board sound...You often dont get a joystick port, or if you do it is not fast enough for many joysticks or games to work properly. This is important only to those into games that use joysticks of course. (I love wwii flight sims)


Cheers;

Lozloz

[ranchdog]

I don't have both and I don't like both.

Yes i'm aware of which chipset pertains to which
platform.

Why mention AMD? Hehe. iisbob has posted well
enough.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

scottypup... if you have deep pockets...

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I spent a lot of money on women... liquor... motorcycles.
The rest I just wasted.

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 06-20-2002).]