building my first computer

[Karnman]

Hello. I've decided to build my first computer, and have some questions ona few parts for it. It is going to be a gaming computer. I'm not that interested in overclocking either. I need to keep the cost as low as possible. If there is anything that can be done to keep good performace at a low price, please tell me.Please help to make my expirence easier. Thanks

CPU- P4 2.8E,800MHz,1MBL2Cache,HT
Motherboard-Not a clue, looking for one under $125-130
Hard Drive- 40 MB? The cheaper is better
Video Card- ATI 9800 Pro
RAM- Is 512 good? If so, what kind/speed? (Price very important)

I have already purchaed eveything else, i just need help with the most important parts of my computer.

[Google]

[JayDubya]

welcome.

what exactly will you be using this pc for? if it is mostly a low cost gaming machine you would be very happy with an amd machine.

processor: amd mobile barton 2500+
motherboard: abit nf7 or msi k7n2. (get the one with all the bells and whisltes you want)
hard drive: try for a sata hdd and a sata capable motherboard. you will definately like the increase in speed of the sata load times.
video card: 9800 pro is perfect
ram: buffalo pc3200 with the windbond chips, corsair value pc3200, or kingston value pc3200. just try to get pc3200 or higher speed ram.

you will also need a cooler for the amd processor if you get the mobile barton. the reason i suggest this processor is for overclocking in the future, its cool running temps, and ability to take mild overclocks well to improve your gaming dramatically.

my 2 cents
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JayDubya aka JW Jay JD ^> ﺵ

[Troy]

I would get the 2.8c and not the 2.8e.
DFI, Abit or Asus on the motherboard.
And I think you meant 40GB on the harddrive that should be plenty for gaming,
512mb on memory will work ,look at geil or OCZ to save a lil money. 3200 speed will be fine. If you can get 1gig on memory this would be better for future games but you can always upgrade.
Cant go wrong with a 9800 pro.
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Abit Max3, Intel2.4@ 3.42, 9800pro 460core/380mem., 2 Raptors raid0

[Karnman]

Alright thanks alot. Im gunna be using it for cs btw. Could you give me a idea of the prices with each of those or even a website? Thanks. Onwe last thing, how does the AMD cpu you suggested compare with a Intel 2.8?

[Troy]

Go to pricewatch or pricegrabber to get the best prices.
i'll let the amd guys fill you in on their cpu's.
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Abit Max3, Intel2.4@ 3.42, 9800pro 460core/380mem., 2 Raptors raid0

[JayDubya]

well, the this pocessor (when set to a 400mhz fsb and 11x multi) will perform on par with a p4 3.0c or therabouts.

i believe that the 2500+ @1.8ghz will perform on par with a 2.6c.

the general rule of thumb is to add about 500-700mhz to an amd processor to equal the performance of an intel processor during gaming. i have seen this rule of thumb fall short in several cases though.
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JayDubya aka JW Jay JD ^> ﺵ

[Karnman]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-401&depa=1
Is that the right CPU?

[Troy]

Yeah thats the one he's talking about.
If you have in the back of your mind that you might try o/cing later this is an excellent cpu to save money with and it wont let you down with gaming.
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Abit Max3, Intel2.4@ 3.42, 9800pro 460core/380mem., 2 Raptors raid0

[Karnman]

Which MSI K7N2 Model is best? Delta-L Delta-ILSR K7N2GM-L K7N2-V

[JayDubya]

you have to look at all the bells and whistles those versions have to offer - SATA, RAID, Firewire, onboard video ( <-don't get if your gaming) and anything else.

just don't get anything you won't use. SATA might be nice to have for the future, however.
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JayDubya aka JW Jay JD ^> ﺵ

[gmoney]

No not that board... not for overclocking. it is awesome because of all the features, but overclocking is horrible cuz of the 1.85vcore max and general unstableness. trust me i had this board for quite awhile and overclocking with it was very difficult.
gmoneyhobbit
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[Josh]

What they said^^^

But if you do want to overclock, i would suggest the NF7-S. Onboard LAN, SATA, 6 channel sound and amazing for overclocking (one of the best in fact) and best of all....excellent value for money! 9800pro is a great card also, and whether you get 512mb or 1GB of RAM, make sure you get dual channel as this will give you quite an increase in performance in games....the NF7-s supports this.

On the HDD talk, you might as well just get a 80GB SATA hardrive...i have a 40GB HDD and trust me, they take no time to fill, especially when you consider that every new game coming out is over 5GB Having 80GB will just give you a bit more flexibility when it comes to downloading and installing stuff.
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[[KoG]^weaZel]

Josh,
If you would quit D/Ling all that porn you wouldnt have to worry about the space

But yes it would be a good choice to get at least an 80 gig sata drive.
As for everything else it looks as though everyone else has made very good suggestions.
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[Josh]

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[[TN] Nathan]

If you are looking for the best prices, please feel free to check the Tweaknews Shopping Channel.

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/home_comp.php/

Grab a 2.8c
An Abit IC7
60gb Maxtor HD ATI 9800pro

and you are set.
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