help me out building a new comp

[mirage220]

Hey,
I'm relatively (comparing myself to most of the users on here) computer illiterate and need a bit of advice on my new computer. My biggest concern is my processor and motherboard; I've always used pentium in the past, but after reading up on it a bit more I can't think of many reasons why not to buy AMD. I don't (and won't) overclock, and I'm a bit sure as to what suprises running an AMD rather than a pentium will bring me, so I'm tempted to stick with a pentium system, and would love some words of advice on the situation.
Here's what I have built at the present; any bottlenecks, recommendations, and upgrades (I made it slightly cheaper than I'm intending to buy), or even advice on where to go looking for more information (forums, guides, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+ Socket 939
again, here the biggest issue is this, Or pentium D 930 (or one of their cheaper siblings)

ASUS A8N5X ATX S939 NFORCE4 DDR PCI-E16 SATA RAID Sound GBLAN Motherboard
(very clueless when it comes to motherboards)

Western Digital Caviar SE 250GB SATA2 7200RPM 8MB 8.9MS Hard Drive
(not too concerned with the harddrive)

2 sticks of kingston 512MB DDR400 PC3200 Memory
not sure if i shoudl get 2 gigs of cheap ram or 1 gig of more expensive stuff

evga geforce 7600GT 256MB

onboard audio

500 Watt Thermaltake Modular Cable Power Supply W0057
(not sure on how to decide on a powersupply)

clueless on what kind of tower I'm looking for. I'm not concerned with the look of it, so I assume I just want whatever I can get for cheap.



Any advice would be appreciated. I use my computer mostly for movies, internet, and games.
Thanks!

 

[-=ABUSIVE-69=-]

sounds like a good setup and dont worry about what case u get, even if its fairly cheap and flimsy, thats not a big deal as u wont be throwing it around

 

[Actuary]

Don't get a 4200, it has the same cache size as a 3800 and the 3800 will easily overclock to 2.2gHz. A lot of people get 2.4gHz on stock voltage. So, I'd say save $60 and get the 3800+. If you don't plan on overclocking at all, you may stick with the 4200+, though I don't know how much of a difference 200mHz would make.

As for power supply, I've heard good things about the OCZ powerstream 520W, and it currently has a $20 mail in rebat on newegg, bringing the price down to $120.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711002

With the money saved on the processor I would definitely try and get a 7900gt instead of the 7600gt if you're looking into gaming.

 

[PWMK2]

Don't get a 4200, it has the same cache size as a 3800 and the 3800 will easily overclock to 2.2gHz. A lot of people get 2.4gHz on stock voltage. So, I'd say save $60 and get the 3800+.

He said he won't OC. However, I agree that the 3800+ is the better deal right now.

What are you going to be doing on this machine? (Gaming, work, etc.)

 

[jcll2002]

Don't get a 4200, it has the same cache size as a 3800 and the 3800 will easily overclock to 2.2gHz. A lot of people get 2.4gHz on stock voltage. So, I'd say save $60 and get the 3800+.

he said specifically he wont overclock

 

[Actuary]

he said specifically he wont overclock

Perhaps he doesn't realize how incredibly easy it would be to get the extra 200mHz, just pointing it out for him. Are you gonna actually comment on his build at all?

 

[jcll2002]

Well, I would definitely get the cheap 2gb over the expensive 1gb.

For the case, just choose whatever you think looks good with the specs you want (if you do know what you want ) then post it back here to make sure if its good/ compatable ect.

 

[PWMK2]

Perhaps he doesn't realize how incredibly easy it would be to get the extra 200mHz, just pointing it out for him. Are you gonna actually comment on his build at all?

Perhaps when people say "I don't and won't OC," there's a reason for it. OCing is easy, but many people don't like to do it. Maybe I'll just point that out to you.

I didn't feel I needed to make any other suggestions on his system because what he has so far looks good to me... although knowing what he's going to be doing with the system won't hurt.

 

[jcll2002]

Perhaps when people say "I don't and won't OC," there's a reason for it. OCing is easy, but many people don't like to do it. Maybe I'll just point that out to you.

I didn't feel I needed to make any other suggestions on his system because what he has so far looks good to me... although knowing what he's going to be doing with the system won't hurt.

QFT

 

[Actuary]

Perhaps when people say "I don't and won't OC," there's a reason for it. OCing is easy, but many people don't like to do it. Maybe I'll just point that out to you.

I didn't feel I needed to make any other suggestions on his system because what he has so far looks good to me... although knowing what he's going to be doing with the system won't hurt.

Wasn't talking to you PWM, was talking to the guy who had nothing to add to the thread other than "he won't O/C." At least you posted comments on the actual build. And the reason a lot of people don't O/C is because they think it will be difficult or they'll have to increase the voltage on their cpu.

 

[BlackTigers91]

Few suggestions -

I would get 2x1GB Corsair Value Select, you can get it for $133 at newegg right now.

Also, if you're into movies and such, I'd suggest picking up a soundcard, you can find nice ones on the forums here for around $50.

Nice video card, I'm getting the same one

 

[jcll2002]

Wasn't talking to you PWM, was talking to the guy who had nothing to add to the thread other than "he won't O/C." At least you posted comments on the actual build. And the reason a lot of people don't O/C is because they think it will be difficult or they'll have to increase the voltage on their cpu.

he was obviously firm in his decision to not overclock. Not everybody wants to. I know i certainly do.

And btw, whats wrong with correcting your statement @ the OP which will ultimately help him? That isnt contributing?

 

[Actuary]

I've seen plenty of people that appeared "firm" in their decision not to overclock, then realize how easy it is and do it. And no, if the op still doesn't wanna OC he can tell me. You telling me what he said which I already read adds nothing to the thread.

 

[jcll2002]

I've seen plenty of people that appeared "firm" in their decision not to overclock, then realize how easy it is and do it.

that is true. I cannot argue with that.

You shoulda stated how easy it was and that it was a good idea, if you thought so, rather than just saying that he should go with a 3800+ because he can oc.

 

[Actuary]

If you don't plan on overclocking at all, you may stick with the 4200+, though I don't know how much of a difference 200mHz would make.

K Thanks.

 

[gwai lo]

Why not just drop to the 3800+ period. 200 MHz will hardly make much of a difference and the extra bucks could be put towards...say....another gig of RAM.

 

[Actuary]

Why not just drop to the 3800+ period. 200 MHz will hardly make much of a difference and the extra bucks could be put towards...say....another gig of RAM.

Exactly, I said that in my very first post. 200 mHz is nothing, and he can use the money saved to buy a 2gb kit of OCZ ram or something.

Here you go, the platinum 2gb OCZ kit currently has a $50 MIR running:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227210

 

[magoo]

The list looks good. If you are gaming you will want 2GB of RAM, it seems to be the future.
If you arent too concerned about cases.....look at the Thermaltake Mambo.....a nice midtower, looks good and costs 49 bucks......you'll have to buy some fans. None come with it.

Another good case is the Antec Sonata. Nice black midtower and comes with a power supply made by Antec and some fans.....costs 99 bucks, but you get the PSU.

ASUS motherboards are great choices, BTW.