building my first machine, need help with specs

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ser_zone

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 7, 2001
Messages
157
Ok, I'm currently looking for components for a new computer i'm building, and I've got like a gazillion of dilemmas.

What i'm starting of with:
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HDD: 80 GB Seagate SATA 150
Monitor: 17" LCD Samsung Monitor
Case: Rosewill Black Steel ATX Mid Tower, ATX12V 400W with P4 support (here
Mouse, Keyboard and Speakers

My budget is about $600 (must include tax and shipping)

I've been thinking this so far:
=====================
Video Card: GIGABYTE GV-NX66T128D Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail (here) $146
CD/DVD: LITE-ON Black DVD Burner - Retail (here) $42

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail (here) $219

The big question is what motherboard and what RAM?

Should i go with a AMD Athlon 64 3200+ which is cheaper so that i have more money for the motherboard or RAM?

I want a motherboard that supports X2 processors and is reliable on long term (for future upgrades), I'm not interested in RAID configs, or firewire or other extra features, just the basics.

This is the mobo line-up i came up with from newegg:here

I've been considering (from the line-up above):
1. GIGABYTE GA-K8NU-SLI Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail (here) for only $79 (it's a combo with the processor; BUT there are no reviews for that mobo and i'm kindda skeptical about it)
2. ASUS A8N-SLI Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail (here) for $129 (good review, i guess that with a new bios version it supports X2 CPUs, BUT then i'll have to cut back on the 3500+ CPU and/or RAM)

I've been going over these options again and again, I really am not sure what to do.

Thanks

P.S. any tips about builing the computer? advice? warnings?
 
Looks like the stuff you've picked out is pretty good. I'll try to answer your questions in order.

1. This motherboard (pretty much the same as the EPoX you picked out, except it's 'Ultra')
2. This RAM
3. Do you want to overclock? If so, get the 3000 which is the best overclocker for the value. If not I'd still get the 3000. It's cheap, plays games fine and it'll save you money since you seem to want to upgrade down the road.
4. Get this PSU. It may seem like a lot for what you have now, but it'll "futureproof" your system for later.
As for advice on building a PC... Always ground yourself, *don't* work on carpet, take your time, have fun!
 
There are many "How To" guides on the internet, use google to find some. Read them a few times before starting.
 
fyi: your looking at around $800 right now i think...at least with your monitor and shit
 
i just ordered the Epox 9NPA+ Ultra, its a little cheap at zipzoomfly plus free 2nd day shipping. reviews seem to indicate its one of the best all around boards. The chaintech VNF4 is supposed to be really good as well. That said, I have a Gigabyte board from 4+ years ago that was on basically 24/7...still going, so I feel kindness towards them :)

for RAM, this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440 seems like a pretty good deal, good memory, decent price...

also, for PSU, i came across this deal http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mes...eadid=529296&highlight_key=y&keyword1=enermax seems pretty good, good price, good PSU...
 
Dagatech said:
The chaintech VNF4 is supposed to be really good as well. That said, I have a Gigabyte board from 4+ years ago that was on basically 24/7...still going, so I feel kindness towards them :)
Click to expand...

Yup, I bought a Chaintech VNF4/Ultra motherboard, for my first build, which I completed a little over a month ago. It's been running great, and it was like 80 something bucks on newegg.com.
 
Dude, you could have just bumped your old topic, which still happens to be on the front page.

Anyway, my advice on what to get still stands.
 
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