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General discussion

Building a PC...question about compatability

Nov 21, 2004 12:16PM PST

Building my first PC before going to college and I want to know if all this stuff is compatible, no sense in paying for something that wont work, plus I am using some older parts to cut the cost. And also would like to know if www.newegg.com is a decent site, dont want to get ripped off.

RAIDMAX Silver 10-bay Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "ATX-278WSP"

Arctic-cooling Silencer 4 Ultra, Model "ACSS4U"

mushkin Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model 991367

CHAINTECH "S848P" i848P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology

AOpen nVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 Video Card, 128MB DDR, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "FX5500-DV128"

I am using the hard drives (ATA) optical drives and floppy drive from my old computer as well.

Any suggestions that will still be under $800 dollars?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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(NT) (NT) Why the skimpy power supply?
Nov 21, 2004 8:31PM PST
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Re: (NT) Why the skimpy power supply?
Nov 22, 2004 1:12AM PST

yes go higher on power supply and look into amd processors. Look up www.pricewatch.com also or, computergeeks.com, just a couple other sites to price compare. I use pricewatch.

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 6:56AM PST

If a motherboard says it has ATA 100 on it will a Hard drive using Ultra ATA work with it?

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Yes, an ultra ATA will work fine.
Nov 23, 2004 7:00AM PST

The only concern can be on older machines as we add the new very large disks. But you have a new board, so its latest BIOS will support the 300 Gigabyte drive or you ask the vendor for another board.

Bob

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Re: Yes, an ultra ATA will work fine.
Nov 23, 2004 7:03AM PST

Also on NewEgg some of the motherboards say they support Dual channel and others dont mention anything about dual channel am i ok buy dual channel memory for these boards? and also, would UltraDMA work?

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Re: Yes, an ultra ATA will work fine.
Nov 23, 2004 7:04AM PST

Hmm, maybe "Yes" to ATA would be simpler?

As to RAM. It's this simple. Use what RAM is noted for the board. If you "try" something, it may or may not work.

Bob

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Re: Yes, an ultra ATA will work fine.
Nov 23, 2004 7:07AM PST

Thanks a bunch, found a board supports Dual Channel and ATA so i think im set.

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 7:16AM PST

Ok so i took a look at suggestions and here are new specs, still wanna make sure its all compatible and doesnt suck

KINGWIN Mutant X Silver/Gray Gaming Case With 420W Power Supply, Model "MTX425S" -RETAIL

ZALMAN CNPS7000B-AlCu Aluminum + Copper CPU Cooler for Socket 478/462/754/939/940 CPUs -RETAIL

Geil Ultra Series Value Dual Channel 184 Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200 w/ Blue Heatspreader - Retail

Albatron "PX865PE PRO" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - OEM

Albatron nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "FX5200EP" -RETAIL

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 8:15AM PST

If upgradability is the issue the you should get an LGA775 based computer instead. Here is what I suggest.

Kingwin Mutant X Silver/Gray Gaming Case W/ 420 W PSU
(That PSU is not whimpy, it is fine.)

The Zalman Heatsink is Fine.

Your Memory is fine.

Processor should be switched to an Intel Pentium 4 530 (3.0 GHz on LGA775).

DFI 915P-TAG Motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-149&depa=1

Sapphire Radeon X300SE
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-415&depa=1

If you aren't doing any heavy video related stuff, then go for that PCIe card. I suppose you aren't beacuse the FX5200 is one card everyone should stay away from. However, if it is something like animation, then you best spend money on the processor because the processor is what mostly counts. This is what I suggest and you can upgrade as the need arises.

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 11:43AM PST

Hey man, I have the Pentium 4 @ 3.0E Ghz. DO NOT go with the Prescott core. The reason I know that your's is going to be the Prescott is that it has 1MB L2 cache. They RUN HOTTER THAN He**. I have used high end HSF's and Artic Silver 5, the works, nothing works keeping this thing under 65-70 degrees celcius while under 100% load. DO NOT GO WITH INTEL!. Their 3.0Ghz+ has bad problems with heat. Get the AMD Athlon 64-bit 3500+ (Winchester Core) for about $300USD. Buy from www.newegg.com , they will definately be the cheapest. This AMD just will knock the 3.0E Ghz P4 w/HT outta the digital world, lol. It's not MUCH more. I have the 3500+ also and this thing just flat out smokes my P4 w/HT @ 3.0E Ghz. (The E stands for Prescott core, therefore being 1MB of L2 cache). If you have any questions, send email to: nineinaday@hotmail.com

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 11:52AM PST

Hey, its best to go ahead and get into the 64-Bit world for future upgradability, right?. Also, YOU DO NOT NEED Windows XP 64-Bit Edition if you go with this processor!. This OS has been known to slow the AMD 64's about 30% in performance. These processor's work best in an emulated 32-bit environment, just multitasking 32-bit+32-bit=64-bit. Also, a plus on the AMD's is that their FSB is a LOT higher on the 64's than Intel comes even close to. Mine runs at 1.6ghz stock. The FSB matters a lot in performance too. Just think of the FSB as a thing on the end of a pipe, the larger the FSB, the more data can come out the other end (The bigger the hole is at the end). This can benefit processor's from having to wait to send strings, it can send more and be far more efficient. Intel currently has a 1ghz FSB max on their Socket T array. The whole AMD 64-bit processor also run's a LOT more efficient than any P4 at it's level ever dreamed of. The P4 @ 3.0E Ghz I have now has raised my power bill by $25 since I upgraded from a 1.8Ghz Northwood P4. It's shocking. The Prescott line averages in power consumption to a 105w light bulb when under a full load. (Thats a lot of energy, eh?) That much energy could almost fully power a street light, lol, anyways, im out.

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Very odd. We found it faster.
Nov 23, 2004 12:04PM PST

There must be a severe disconnect somewhere. I tried XP64 on the Athlon 64 and for Virtual Dub (latest version) the results were faster.

I hear this report from time to time, but personal experience doesn't back it up.

Bob

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 12:41PM PST

I kind of tend to shy away from AMD at the moment, prolly won't get Windows 64 anyhow. I'd like to just stay with whats familiar to me since its my first full pc build. What would u suggest as far as Intel, dont want one thats gonna start on fire!

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 12:46PM PST

How about a P4 with Northwood, i dont care if it isnt as fast as the 64-bit i just want a decent (around 3 GHz) processor that wont burn up.

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Re: Building a PC...question about compatability
Nov 23, 2004 1:22PM PST

Ok and once again using advice (thanks everyone Cnet rules!) I have upgraded my components...still manageing to keep the price under $700!

Kingwind Mutant X case with 420W PSU - Same

Geil Ultra Series Dual Channel PC-3200 512MB Memory - Same

Albatron Socket 478 Motherboard - Same

Intel P4 3.0C GHz w/ HT (Northwood Core)

Microsoft XP (thats a given right?)

AOpen 5.1 Channel PCI Sound Card (is this really a necessity or should i stick with the sound built into Mobo)

Albatron NVidia GeForce FX5700 128MB AGP Video Card

Same questions apply, everything work well together? am i gonna run into some unexpected problem?