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System around Intel

T

txp135

n00b
Joined
Jan 23, 2006
Messages
20
I need help with choosing components...

I already have: 2 x WD3000JDRTL (to set up raid mirror)
old CD drive (should still work with newer systems right?)
10 x MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Sleeve Case Fan
couple of old(5-10 yr) ethernet cards

With a budget of $500, I would like to build a system around possibly this:

Intel Pentium 4 630 w/ HT Technology - 3.0GHz Processor Retail
(3.0GHz, 2MB, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775 - SKU: BX80547PG3000F)

for $185

so that would leave me $315 for:

1 case (possibly antec sonata II??)
1 psu (not needed if case has a sufficient one)
1 motherboard (ABIT AG8 ?)
1 cheap video card or intergrated is fine
1 GB RAM
possibly get oem CPU then buy separate heatsink/fan?
Other wiring or parts I'm missing?

As you can see, I don't need bells and whistles, I just need a decent and reliable system to use as a server. I prefer a black case with room to work with since this will be my first complete build. No need for fancy graphic/sound. Is this possible or can you guys come up with something that even costs less? I'm not stuck on that CPU so if you guys see something that's a better value, please chime in. What's the best bang for $500 bucks or possibly under? I need this asap so please, if you have something to say, don't save it. Thank you for your valuable time.
 
Am I in the wrong forum? I desperately need help because I need to set up this asap! I'm just clueless about which parts are good and need to make sure about compatibility. Also need to make sure that I'm not missing any parts that I'm suppose to get for that set up.
 
Your old CD drive should work, and you wont be needing those ethernet cards because all new boards already have one onboard. Since your on a budget, I found you this ASUS board at newegg that uses PCI X and AGP, but I would stick with using the AGP because the PCI X only runs at 4x. As far as the other stuff you need try to get an ATI 9550, which should give you decent performance. As far as the ram goes pick up 2 sticks of 512 because this board runs dual channel. A good case that comes with a 450 W Psu is this one from XION, it's what I have now and I'm very pleased. The p4 630 is a good processor, it's also what I currently and it's OC'ed to 3.5 Ghz on an ASUS P5P800, which is also a nice option, but it's $40 more. This should be all you need and it puts you well under $500 w/ processor.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131566

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811208012

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144166

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121512
 
The motherboard will include all the ide and floppy cables you'll need and the PSU that comes with the case will have all the power cables you'll need. Just make sure those hard rives you have are IDE or SATA and everything will be ok. If there is anything that you don't have it will be something minor that you could just get at compusa for a couple bucks.

With the money you save on that setup yoou might be able to pick up a DVD RW.
 
You have 10 80mm fans? The Prescotts don't run THAT hot :p

The above posters are absolutely dead-on. Great choices with parts, and the motherboard usually comes with all the cables you need.
 
omg, the motherboard supports 184 pin Ram, while the ram suggested (which I ordered) is 240 pin
 
and the holes in the back of the case are not lining up with the ports on the motherboard. Are you guys playing a joke on me?
 
Use the I/O plate that came with the motherboard.


The motherboard you ordered uses DDR400 ram, you seemed to have ordered DDR2, they are not compatible.

It sucks that you ordered exactly what someone posted for you, even though people's intentions are good, remember......people make mistakes, and in particular of internet forums...talk right out of their ass.

If I were you, I would RMA the ram, and pick up some DDR 400. If you don't want to do that, you may have to switch over to a PCI express motherboard in order to use the DDR2 ram you purchased, thus you would also need to purchase a PCI express video card. Either way, you are going to have to send something back.


Perhaps, the easiest solution would be to exchange the ram for some DDR 400.
 
first.. the "holes on the case" that don't line up, is the I/O shield. there should be one in your motherboard box that goes with your motherboard.. the old one will pop out, or maybe is held in with a few screws..

now.. seeing that your motherboard is cheaper than the ram, i would suggest returning the motherboard, you might have to eat a restocking fee.. or selling it.. then getting one of the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138275
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186090
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131587
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135210

i don't know anything about intel chipsets which would be the main thing i would consider when choosing a motherboard.. but just look at thsoe and keep them in mind..

you also could get normal ddr ram.. and figure out how to get rid of that ddr2

i hope this doesn't spoil your computer building experience.. maybe be a little more patient before ordering next time to be sure that other peopel can get in there and make sure you buy all compatible parts before ordering..

edit: i can't believe it took me probably 15 minutes to get that all typed

after looking at the motherboards one more time, i would say that the ASUS P5VDC-MX would probalby be the best choice of those ones i posted
 
also, you could return the video card and motherboard and get a motherboard with integrated graphics:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130533
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138261
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128303
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131545

these type of motherboards would eliminate the need for a video card, but give you the option of getting a pci-e one later down the road.. and you will have a better board to start with. especially with the intel chipset ones..

you might want to send back the memory too though.. because something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231041
is way cheaper, and probably faster.. it is pc4200 vs pc3200.. i find the choices that were given to you to be quite odd..

so maybe just stick with everything you got.. send back teh memory.. and get one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231012

so.. give it some time and think about what you wnat to do.. and see what the restocking fees are and such..
 
I figured out how to install the I/O shield. This case is really flimsy so it was hard to pop the I/O shield in.

I wish you guys would post earlier. I specifically mentioned that I don't need much graphics because this is to be used as a server. I'd rather have a better mobo and forgo the graphic card.

I really needed to set this up quickly so I ordered what was suggested because I thought he built the same system.

If I get new RAM, can I get 1GB stick instead of 2x512MB?

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-33&affiliate=pricegrabber
 
I'm eally sorry that I suggested the wrong ram however, this isn't a huge set back because you can return the ddr2 and go to computer store and buy some DDR400.
Sorry.
 
A 1GB stick would be smart, as it would leave you room to upgrade down the road. :)
 
It's okay Dr. Doom, you didn't meant any harm. I went to CC and bought 2 sticks of 184pin pc3200.

I had everything plugged in except for the power, reset button, hard drive, and front USB port. Turned the button on and there was a little smoke from the video card. The green light on the mobo lights up but nothing is on, no fan or anything.

Do you guys know where I can find troubleshooting guide?
 
I'm going to RMA the mobo, video card and the case. The mobo would short out when it's inside the case and the video card would not work at all. What would you guys recommend for a case? I'd like something a little bigger and more sturdy with a reliable psu.
 
txp135 said:
I'm going to RMA the mobo, video card and the case. The mobo would short out when it's inside the case and the video card would not work at all. What would you guys recommend for a case? I'd like something a little bigger and more sturdy with a reliable psu.
Click to expand...

I second the nomination for the Sonata II.
 
Under $200 for a case/psu and a motherboard that supports RAID 1 mirror, has integrated graphic(unless I can use my old pci graphic card, I don't need much graphic). I would prefer a motherboard that supports the DDR2 I bought above if it doesn't sacrifice anything else. I was also considering the case you mentioned because I read that it as a good PSU. The case doesn't have to have LED, prefer black. Thank you for helping, I'm doing research also but this is too confusing.
 
what is this server going to be used for anyways? you are keeping the 630, right? if it is just a file server, that is probably overkill...

but also.. if its a file server that you want to put a lot of hard drives in.. that could affect the case/psu combo..
 
web hosting, forum, email, chat, downloads. Yes, keeping the processor and both sets of RAM.
 
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