Help choose my new system

[Serge A Storms]

Ok, this is my first build, and it's for college. I'd like your inputs on my choices, and which system to go with. I'm only a casual gamer, but I would like to be able to play Half Life 2 with decent (doesn't need to be spectacular) graphics. Mostly I browse forums, opening massive amounts of tabs in opera or avant while listening to winamp. I don't plan on overclocking. I'll be buying all this from www.tcwo.com since the warehouse is only about 30 minutes away from me.

AMD System:

Case - ANTEC SONATA ATX PIANO BLACK 380W

Mobo - A7N8X-E DELUXE NFRCE2 S/L/GBL/U2/SATA/FW
OR - MSI K7N2 DELTA-ILSR NFORCE2 S/L/SATA/R

CPU - ATHLON XP 3200+ 400 FSB 512K BARTON RET

RAM - CORSAIR VS 2 X 512MB 3200 CL2.5

HDD - MAXTOR 200GB 150/7200/8MB SATA

Video Card - RADEON 9600PRO 128MB DDR CRT/DVI/TV

DVDR - NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK

OS - MS WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL OEM SINGLE

Which mobo should I go with, the Asus or the MSI? They both seem pretty similar.


P4 System:

Basically the same thing, except

Mobo - ASUS P4P800E-DX 865P DDR S/R/GBL/SATA/FW

CPU - INTEL P4 3.0GHZ S478 800FSB RETAIL BOX

Now I'm not sure if the CPU is the Northwood or not, it doesn't seem to say 3.0C or E anywhere. Here's the link: http://www.tcwo.com/detail.htm?ProductID=324282

I'm only going with the XP 3200+ because it has the 400mhz bus over the 333mhz bus of the 3000+; I don't care about 3000 vs. 3200. I like hyperthreading, but I am more concerned with this computer being stable as a rock, since I won't have time to mess around with it much during the school year.

Also, I plan on getting the HP Laserjet 1012 printer (don't need color) and an LCD monitor. Possibly this 17" Hitachi: http://shop.monitorsdirect.com/product.asp?sku=2359465 or this 17" LiquidVideo: http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.j...@@&BV_UseBVCookie=yes&goTo=detail&c=1&b=g&u=c

I appreciate any input or tips for my first build. I'll have some friends to help me if I need it, but the main thing I'm concerned about is not knowing what to do if something doesn't work right.

edit: Oh, I almost forgot - I'm going into engineering, and the thread about requiring a P4 in the AMD forums got me kind of worried that I won't be able to run some programs on the Athlon XP. Should I play it safe and go with the Pentium? I'll be going to the University of Florida if it's any help.

 

[advanced101101]

I would def go with athlon, your best bet might be to go with a lower end 64 754socket, so you can upgrade later if you want, if you go with the athlonxp, your at the end of the road, and will have to replace both the mobo and the proc next round

 

[advanced101101]

maybe these would be better picks for a mobo and proc:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-424&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-491&depa=0

 

[Serge A Storms]

Why definitely Athlon? The thing is that I don't think I really NEED an A64. How long do people typically keep their mobos? Also, I don't want to have to buy win xp pro twice, so if I got the 64, would I have to re-buy the 64 bit version? Also, tcwo doesn't have that mobo, they only have these for the 64: MSI K8T NEO-FIS2R K8T800 AMD64 SK754 and BIOSTAR K8NHA PRO NF3 SKT754 S/GBL/SR/FW. Are they any good? Thanks.

 

[0933]

I would go with the AMD simply because I like AMD better. I would also go with the ASUS over the MSI. I have that exact same MSI mobo and I don't like it at all. I hear the capasitors on that mobo go quickly and its cheaply made. Get the ASUS if you plan on getting that setup.

 

[Serge A Storms]

I'm going to use this system for 2-4 years, so unless I go with socket 939, it doesn't seem like I will be able to upgrade the cpu (and even then it is questionable).

 

[EnderW]

have you thought about going with a shuttle? nice for those small dorms

and what kinda budget are we lookin at?

 

[Serge A Storms]

I've looked at the SFF PCs, but I really like the idea of being able to drive down to where I bought everything and return it or have them test it. I can't believe that space is SUCH a premium that it really makes a difference between SFF and a small tower. I have about $1500 for the computer and monitor.