Author Topic: building a computer for the first time (Read 5283 times)

MIneraltype123 · « **on:** February 29, 2004, 02:06:03 am »

Hi, long time since i've been here:

Okay, I had the permission to build a computer but i decided to build the computer somewhere around late spring/summer/autumn. Right now, i'm just getting all the information and hardware i need/want.

Here's what I've decided so far

Processor- P4 2.8Ghz 800Mhz FSB model C with heatsink/fan

Motherboard- Abit 865 chipset; model: A17

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-164&catalog=280&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

OR

http://www.partspc.com/store/product4090.html

Memory- 2x 512MB PC3200 without heatsink

Graphic card- Radeon 9600PRO or 9600XT

HDD- I need help in which brand to choose and if I should buy a 60GB or 80GB.

PSU- I need help on this too, should I get a 400w? and which one do you recommend me to buy?

I'm trying to build computer cheap as possible (but with great performance). Which sites do you recommend where I should buy the hardwares?

Comments, Recommendations, and Advices are all welcome

After I got all that done, i may be asking how to install them before I do build the computer.

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2004, 11:03:05 am »

As far as the motherboard goes, I would recommend an Asus, P4C800. It has very good performance and has an very easy BIOS. I wouldn't be cheap on this.

As far as the power supply goes, 400 watt is the minimum nowadays IMO.

For the harddisk I would choose a IBM, or Maxtor. The Asus motherboard above has also SATA connectors. So you could choose SATA harddisks. Their performance is much better then the normal IDE ones. The price difference between both types isn't that much.

Here is a thread about how to build your own pc, with pictures. I wrote it when I build my own machine. I hope it's useful for you

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:10:12 am »

Okay, I picked the PSU and i've rounded up the HDD I might have:

(if i have the motherboard you recommended)

Maxtor 60GB SATA

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-336&catalog=14&depa=1

W. Digital 80GB SATA

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-135-106&catalog=14&depa=1

and for the PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-912&depa=1

Are these good?

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2004, 11:38:25 am »

I'm not familiar with the PSU, but it looks okay to me.

As for the harddrive, I would go for the Maxtor one.

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2004, 12:22:07 pm »

For CD-ROM and DVD drive, should I care about the buffer size? (128kb, 256kb, 512kb, 2mb, 8mb).

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2004, 12:24:09 pm »

I'd be more looking for the brand. I've always preferred Plextor above all others. I've had Plextor for years and it has never given me any grief.

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2004, 12:39:43 pm »

What drive should I look for? The only difference I see is thier buffer size and I don't really know about that. So far, the cheapest 48x CD-ROM and 16x DVD-ROM drive is at $25.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-603&catalog=55&depa=1

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2004, 12:48:51 pm »

Lite on isn't the best, but certainly isn't the worst brand. If you'd choose this one, I think you should be fine. As far as I can tell, a Plextor would be more expensive (though personally I would still prefer the Plextor).

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2004, 01:18:26 pm »

I'm deciding to get this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-129-123&catalog=55&depa=1&section=3

The drive above will only read DVD and CD's right? (wierd question)

I checked out the DVD/CD burners...

I'm getting a headache...

CD-ROM/DVD Read- Does this mean that I won't need the drive above?

CD-R and CD-RW- what's the difference?

DVD-R and DVD-RW- same question

DVD+R and DVD+RW- wha?! a "+" now?

CompuWolf · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2004, 01:48:35 pm »

What you want is a DVD/RW+- it will give you the most flexablity. You will beable to burn DVD's and CD's. Get a 4X DVD burn or higher and just as a note most home DVD players run the "-" format but it is good to have both. LiteOn make a good one at a good price.

And just for the info Plextor makes the internals for LiteOn. So the are basicly the same drives.

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2004, 01:50:12 pm »

Quote from: MIneraltype123 on March 01, 2004, 01:18:26 pm

I'm deciding to get this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-129-123&catalog=55&depa=1&section=3

The drive above will only read DVD and CD's right? (wierd question)

Good choice ! And yes, it'll only read.

Quote from: MIneraltype123 on March 01, 2004, 01:18:26 pm

I checked out the DVD/CD burners...

I'm getting a headache...

CD-ROM/DVD Read- Does this mean that I won't need the drive above?

CD-R and CD-RW- what's the difference?

DVD-R and DVD-RW- same question

DVD+R and DVD+RW- wha?! a "+" now?

It all depends on what you want. If you want to be able to play cd and DVD, the first drive will do.

CD-R - CD recordable. This means you will only be able to write a CD, not re-write it.

CD-RW - CD rewritable. You'll be able to write CD's and rewrite them again.

The same applies for the DVD's. The plus sign I'm not sure off.

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:21:47 pm »

I deciding to get a burner, so should I forget about the read only drive? Because before this, I thought you needed 3 drives; 1 for reading DVD/CD, 1 for writing CD's, and the other for writing DVD's, so the possiblity that when you have a burner you won't need a read only drive (the one I showed) kinda surprised me.

so should I get this combination?

1. Drive for reading CD/DVD

2. Drive for reading CD/DVD and writing CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW (the Read speed however is decreased)

sure, I can just use the 2nd drive for everything but i'm sensing i'll run into trouble trying to burn CD's and play CD's at the same time which can happen right?

Phoenix · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:40:28 pm »

You can use only drive... CD/CDR/CDRW/DVD/DVDR/DVDRW, if you want to copy a cd, you just make an image. If you want to copy on the fly, you need 2 drives.

And if you buy that 2.8 Ghz with hypertreading, burning cds and plaing cds are 2 different processes. In your task manager you will also see 2 different cpu usage history diagrams..
So if you read cds and play cds at once i will not for see any trouble with hypertreading. (w/o hypertreading it is also possible, but more stressing for your CPU)

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:45:23 pm »

okay, those 2 drives it is

I'll only pick one drive depending on the total cost.

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2004, 08:38:19 am »

Does the Abit 865 chipset; model: A17
have dual channel memory thing?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-164&catalog=280&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

Also, does this also support SATA hard drives?

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2004, 10:15:50 am »

Yes on both questions

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2004, 01:21:06 pm »

Okay, then i'm back to square one on choosing the motherboard:

It's either this

Abit or Microstar, they basically have the same thing, i'm really twisted and stuck that I might have to flip a coin just to decide, and I don't want to do that.

Also, is wiring the computer (hard drive, CD-ROM drive, etc connecting to motherboard or wherever i need to connect)...annoying? can you give me a site about wiring, both electrical and information.

I'm also choosing a case now:
both motherboards have 2x USB's on front, so do I need to find a case that has 2 USB's in the front or a case that has a space enough for 2 USB's?

Also:

What's external 5.25" drive bay used for? (/retardness)
What's external 3.5" drive bay used for?
What's internal 3.5" drive bay used for?

You guys and my friend has been helping alot, thanks!

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2004, 03:39:57 pm »

Go for the Abit motherboard.

Wiring the computer is the least difficult part of installing a computer (installing Windows will give you more hassle

) The wiring only fits one way, so no worries. If you can't fit something with gentle pressure, trust me, it doesn't fit. Most motherboard manuals coome with a good description how to connect the devices.

About the front USB ports, I would worry to much, unless you use a lot of USB devices. I believe most motherboards have 4 USB connectors in the back, so you should be fine IMO.

External 5.25" drive bay => It's used by the cdrom/dvd drives.
External 3.5" drive bay => Floppy drive bay.
Internal 3.5" bay => Used to place your harddrive(s) in.

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2004, 10:31:28 am »

Well, here's the update:

P4 2.8Ghz C model w/ heatsink & fan RETAIL $185
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-161&catalog=343&depa=1

Microstar 865PE NEO2-S $107
http://www.partspc.com/store/product4090.html

or

Abit A17 $109
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-164&catalog=280&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

Ati Radeon 9800PRO OEM $212
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-281&catalog=48&depa=1

Corsair 2x 512MB DDR 400 PC3200 $168
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&catalog=147&depa=1

or

Geil 2x 512MB DDR 400 PC3200 with heatsink $166
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-305&depa=1

Antec 400w PSU $52
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-912&depa=1

Asus Black DVD-E616P1 48x CD 16x DVD $31
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-135-017&catalog=55&depa=1&section=3

NEC Black DVD; 8X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 8X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 32X CD-R, 16X CD-RW; 40X CD-ROM, 12X DVD-ROM- $100
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-012&catalog=5&depa=1

Going to get a black case with 60GB-65GB SATA HDD

I'm thinking about flipping a coin now, both motherboard support SATA drives right? I'm going to check if one of them have a manual now. And what memory should I choose? It's obvious it's most likely the one with the heatsink but I wonder why it's the same price as the Corsair without heatsink (maybe it's cheap?)

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2004, 10:39:35 am »

Motherboard => Abit !
Memory => Corsair

Are the above the two you were going to flip a coin for ?

As far as the memory price difference, Corsair is a better brand (IMO), hence why it's a bit more expensive.

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2004, 10:50:03 am »

Okay, on the Abit motherboard, it says "Prescott ready" while the IMS one says "Northwood/Prescott" The Pentium 4's core i'm getting is Northwood. Does this change anything?

Also, If i'm getting the Abit motherboard, what case should I look for? And if i'm getting the IMS what case should I look for?

I didn't expect this kind of confusion coming to me

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2004, 11:31:41 am »

In both cases it doesn't matter what you pick

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2004, 01:50:33 pm »

sorry if this question is a little step back, will the abit motherboard and a 400w PSU able to accept/handle:

P4 2.8Ghz 800mhz FSB
2x 512MB Corsair PC3200
Radeon 9800PRO or Radeon 9800XT
2 5.25" drives
1 3.5" drives
1 SATA 60GB-80GB HDD

and maybe a sound card

also, seeing how the computer may generate a lot of heat, how do I get more fans? is it hard to install?

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2004, 07:24:13 pm »

You shoud be okay, although I would recommend 500watts (but I tend to overdo things just a tad bit

)

Phoenix · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2004, 08:27:04 pm »

Quote from: Doc Nyar on March 03, 2004, 07:24:13 pm

You shoud be okay, although I would recommend 500watts (but I tend to overdo things just a tad bit )

just a tad bit?

?? ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RotteVis · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2004, 08:48:25 pm »

take a 500watt no-name (q-tec, other cheap brands like that) or take a 400w real brand (enermax, zalman, superflower).

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #26 on:** March 03, 2004, 09:05:52 pm »

Quote from: Phoenix on March 03, 2004, 08:27:04 pm

just a tad bit??? ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Innocent look*

Yeah, just a tad bit

MIneraltype123 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 03, 2004, 10:17:02 pm »

Okay, i've decided to get a 350w PSU; I checked the cases and it's back, but caught one thing, the ports on the motherboard (PS/2 slots, Printer slots, and 2 slots below the slots are okay) for the sound jack and USB and other doesn't match.

Here's a picture of the motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=13-127-164-04.JPG/13-127-164-05.JPG/13-127-164-03.JPG/13-127-164-02.JPG/13-127-164-01.JPG

Here's an example of behind an ATX case:

http://www.antec-inc.com/images/400/backside/sx1040bii.jpg

the picture above doesn't have a spot for the sound jack (red, green, blue) and the USB on the motherboard to fit. Also, those little dents you might see as if it was for the sound jack? (I've seen holes in them too) well, the sound jacks are vertical in the motherboard while the cases are horizontal...is there something I have to do or know?! GAH! THIS IS GETTING ME SCREWED UP!!!

gryphon · « **Reply #28 on:** March 03, 2004, 10:47:47 pm »

don't motherboards with their own "special layout come with their own backplate for the case ?

RotteVis · « **Reply #29 on:** March 04, 2004, 07:06:58 am »

all mobo´s supply their own backplate when it´s different from standard.

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Author Topic: building a computer for the first time (Read 5283 times)

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

CompuWolf

MIneraltype123

Phoenix

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

MIneraltype123

Phoenix

RotteVis

MIneraltype123

RotteVis