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Upgrading computer guts.

M

MrSweetie

n00b
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
Messages
33
I have parts I'm happy with in my computer now, but the most important parts are too old. Here is what I'm looking at:

ABIT "AG8" i915P Chipset Motherboard for Intel LGA775 CPU link

Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 530 3.0 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, HT link

Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 link

Those are the obvious parts I need. Not set in stone, but that's about the price range I am looking for, and have most of the things I think I'll want (but again, I'm open to suggestions.) Also would consider getting a heat sink/fan for the processor.

I have a case (Cooler Master Praetorian). Have a power supply (Cooler Master 450 Real Power ). Have hard drives (120 gb and 40 gb IDE). Have optical drives. I will purchase later a video card and a sound card and quality speakers.

Budget: Can't spend over $500.
Useage: I'm no gamer. This is mostly overkill I suppose, for what I do. Mostly audio, and dvd viewing. Also, I don't plan to overclock. At all.

Since this is my first attempt to build a computer, I ask that the experts here look at the parts I've selected and make sure they're compatible. The reason I'm specific about this is... well I just bought the PS, and it won't work with the motherboard I have now (12V power is different, and the other motherboard cable is different as well, but will physically connect).

Any help anyone will offer will be most appreciated. Things I want to be sure to include:

-quality dvd sound playback (with the knowledge I'll upgrade sound card later)
-up to 4 hard drives (non-RAID) (SATA or PATA) and 2 optical drives
-multiple USB 2.0
-Firewire (at least two, one back, one front connection)
-enough 3 pin power connectors on motherboard (Praetorian has a lot of fans :D )

I wanted to get all my info out there, but will gladly answer any other questions you might have. I would like to order the parts by Monday, 1/24/05.

Thank you all!
 
Everything looks good to me, I think you will be happy with that system.

You can always consider going the AMD route, but HyperThreading may be something you want. I do not know.

Only advice I can give you is, if you buy Intel and you are not o/cing no use of getting an aftermarket heatsink. The stock cooler with the retail boxed Intel CPU is actually pretty good, and would be more than sufficent at stock settings. Plus the retail version comes with the 3 year warranty, instead of the OEMs 1 year.
 
Thanks for your reply! Let me ask this: If the video card I'm currently looking at is AGP ( ATI AIW RADEON 9600 AIW), is there any reason for me to get this motherboard? I understand from my research that PCI Express x16 is the way to go now, but this computer will hopefully last me 5 years or so. So is there any point in getting PCI Express x16 and x1?
And one more question: What are the PCI Express x1 slots for? I realize that's probably a stupid question, but I haven't noticed any cards that have the PCI E x1 slot for connection. Am I missing something? If they're so "rare" then why would I need a motherboard with three of them?

Thanks for your time!
 
Stick with your P4. That's a good choice. Would it last you 5 years? Umm, you will eventually upgrade your DVD drives and such media-based hardware that needs any upgrade. That AIW Radeon 9600 should be okay but I doubt it would last you for 5 years alone (unless you're going to stick with the same programs and techniques, etc that you started with ;)).

I believe the PCI-E 1X is for 'legacy' platforms that don't require a large amount of bandwidth. Examples: Ethernet, RAID card, etc. Those haven't came out yet but they will soon enough. The 1x PCI-E can go up to 500 MB/second. And to think about it-- the PCI can do only 133 MB maximum. So it is a nice jump.

-J.
 
what about the socket type? I originally configured what I'd buy to have a socket 478, but then realized I wanted to include pci-e x16, and so switched to the AG8 board. Does it make much difference? Technologically, which will "last longer". I've squeezed 5 years out of my current system, and would like to build one that I can do the same with.

Another n00b question, that I think I answered looking at the AG8's manual. Can I have both IDE and SATA hard drives connected concurrently? I think yes, but would like to make sure.

Any other info would be great. I'm looking at ordering this system tomorrow. Thanks! And thanks to you two who have helped me already!
 
I want to cover everything as much as possible while keeping things clear.

Your CPU is good. Keep in mind to buy the retail version so it has the HSF included. The HSF included is made of good quality and it would fit your computer usage.

The motherboard is a fine combo choice. It has 6.1 onboard sound which should satisfy you enough if you aren't so much of an audiophile. Also it already has 3 total firewire ports including USB ports too. This motherboard should satisfy you and it is known to be very fast.

The chosen RAM is a smart move to 1 GB as it will provide you with the basic things you need. However, it isn't exactly compatible with the newer Pentium 4's memory platforms. I would suggest a Value RAM (DDR2) of higher speeds rather than 3200 simply because the Pentium 4 platform benefits so much from higher speeds. You will enjoy it. A recommended link: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-526&depa=0

You asked whether you could use both SATA and IDE. You can! Just make sure you set up SATA correctly as you install Windows XP. IDE can be detected easily but you need the drivers for SATA. And this comes up to my next concern-- make sure you get Windows XP. ME isn't going to help smoothen your ride to having your PC built up. You also wanted it to last for a while, correct? XP will help you do that, providing you are responsible on your computer habits.

Now, since you are going for the AG8 board, I would strongly advise you to start considering a x16-based video card. Otherwise, you will simply see nothing on your screen. ;) You wanted dual monitors and tv-out/in, correct? The only issue of getting all of them is that it will be little extra, depending on which class of card you are considering. If you aren't gaming, consider for the cheaper $100-based cards that has tv-out included (or at least S-Video of some sort). Some of the cheaper ones online are the X300-based cards with both dual outputs and S-Video/Composite. Usually, inside the boxes, they have an additional dual-wired adapter that you would put in the black circle (video connector) which the output would have different connectors such as S-Video and Composite). It's much like a VIVO.

VIVO-based card-- $215.00 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-463&depa=1

Video-based card-- $70.00 or so http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-151&depa=1

However, I am not entirely positive if that wired adapters would include cable connections for TV usage. If it doesn't, then you might as well invest into a VIVO-based card (which does EVERYTHING-- look at the links) or an extra TV-tuner card such as Happauge. Great card.

Your opticals are doing fine. Good to add them. And of course, a simple floppy drive for the SATA function. Now, I'm not sure if SATA is worth it for just the extra speed (10% or so extra) but I believe it would be since you are going to deal with a large amount of size (DVD's and so on).

Well, the total price will probably bring you close and/or over the $500 dollars budget limit. Apologies. You may start cutting sacrifices. But remember, you do want to go with the smoothest experience you can.with your first PC build.

About your concern with "availability" of enough PCI slots to expand. I believe so you will have enough space for future use. Since you are not going to really expand your PC too much over the next few years for you're only using it for your basic needs, you don't need to even worry about this. It already does come with 3 PCI-E 1x's which is basically "plenty" for most, including yourself.

To your question above, the LGA platform is right now technologically advanced over Socket 478. The socket 478 still has life in it but it doesn't support the latest platforms such as x16 PCI-E and an extra speed boost. All P4's in the future will be LGA-based and has more upgradability possibilities. Since I noticed you are not going to upgrade for a long long while, you might as well not even worry bout it. Simply go for the AG8.

For now, that's what I'll leave it as. I hope any of this would contain enough information for you to decide on whichever you wanted or planned out. Do not hesitate to ask questions if needed. :)

-J.
 
As for the video card issue (that is, the board I mentioned doesn't have onboard video), how about if I just switch to a board that does? The main aspects I'd look for would be
+firewire header (for front connection)
+16x pci
+1x pci
+SATA

So the SOLTEK SL-915GPro-FGR should fit that description? Pay a few bucks more and get onboard video. However looking at this mb... I'll be darn if I can see a connection on the panel for a printer (what's that, the comm port?). I have a printer that I'll need to connect. The mfg website says: # 1 x Parallel Port. (via optional cable)
# 2 x Serial Ports. (1 via optional cable), so what does that mean, exactly?

Anyway, how would this option look, instead of the ABIT board? Pricing the ABIT system out (inc vid card and OS) was out of my price range no matter how I did it. This solution might be workable. From what I can tell, it'd work with the same processor I listed above.

Thanks again!
 
If you are seriously considering this board, then you may have to make a few changes around in order for it to work. Also, you may run into problems.

The Soltek board is an acceptable choice however, make sure you do get the LATEST revision of the board. the 1.3 version had a flaw when it boots up, it won't post unless you flash its BIOS. So get the 1.4 or whatever the latest is available.

This board uses DDR1-based RAM so you will have to change that from DDR2 to your original DDR1 PC-3200 based RAM (or at least look for a high memory speed of PC-3700 or above on DDR1). Higher is better for the P4's.

Now the problems-- you *may* or *may not* run into performance issues when it comes to using the onboard video. The onboard is a little slow and it uses up a lot of CPU power. However, this is still a good solution if you aren't willing to cash up on a new <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="video%20card" onmouseover="window.status='video card'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">video card</a> now. Another issue is that it has no SATA RAID support. Whether you were planning on RAID'ing it or not, this is something to think about. But it does have SATA support so it should be fine for you.

As for the printer/parallel ports, it is included but you'd have to plug it in. It's in a form of a the metal bracket in which you add to the back of the case along with your motherboard installation. The ending plugs into the motherboard in which the BIOS will do the rest of the job. Reading the manual with this board should make it easy to understand.

I like this board due to their SAT (Smart Acceleration Technology) implemention (for overclocking). It's nice to have, especially for a novice like you (if you are anyway).

No complaints at all, just make sure you do the change with the DDR memory.

-J.
 
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