Computer Building for the REALLY IGNORANT

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

New Member
Well, first of all I would like to build a moderate system with a balance between work and play. I'm not sure EXACTLY what games or apps. I will eventually get into as I've only been computing for about 1 year (didn't even know what right click meant 1 year ago). That being said I THINK I would like to stay with an Intel based system (don't ask why, I don't know). I've read the 101's and that raised as many or more questions as it answered. Also, (now correct me if I'm wrong) I think it would be a good idea to read some more before I start buying parts, so, if you could, please recommend some good reading materials. One thing (among the many) that seems like it might be a problem (for me) is Formating and Partioning. Slapping the parts together doesn't seem too difficult, it's more the software (or whatever the proper terms are, BIOS, Formatting, etc.) aspect that's got me concerned at this point. So please point me in the right direction before I do something rash, like buy another Dell or something. Oh, by the way what's the difference between a Intel P4 550 Prescott and a Intel P4 550J Prescott (told you I was ignorant, didn't I).
Thanks in advance for any and all info.
 
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp Which is in the BUILDING COMPUTERS 101 thread shows what you would need to do for formatting and partitioning. As for BIOS updating, anything you buy now will be able to support the latest hardware and shouldn't need to be updated unless an error presents itself. The J after the processor is just something to show that the processor supports Execute Disable Bit which is a type of security protection for the operating system, It is supported by a few operating systems (WinXP + SP2 being one) http://www.intel.com/business/bss/infrastructure/security/xdbit.htm is a general overview of what it is and what it does.
 
Lord AnthraX said:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp Which is in the BUILDING COMPUTERS 101 thread shows what you would need to do for formatting and partitioning. As for BIOS updating, anything you buy now will be able to support the latest hardware and shouldn't need to be updated unless an error presents itself. The J after the processor is just something to show that the processor supports Execute Disable Bit which is a type of security protection for the operating system, It is supported by a few operating systems (WinXP + SP2 being one) http://www.intel.com/business/bss/infrastructure/security/xdbit.htm is a general overview of what it is and what it does.
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Thanks for the reply and info.
Something else that's came up is, does a guy have to stick with SATA optical drives if he's using SATA HDD's? And are there any brands of ATX cases that one should lean towards or away from when trying to choose one (I don't want anything fancy, no extra lights, see through panels, etc., first build and have enough to contend with), I would like to use 120mm fan or fans (please recommend how many based on info below). Also, is there any advantage to going with a Full Tower (i.e. air flow efficiency) as opposed to a Mid, other than more elboe room?
I THINK I'm going to use:
Intel P4 660 P 3.6GHz. - Model# BX80547PG3600F
Asus P5GPL or Asus P5LD2 help me choose please (i.e. xtra perform. = xtra money or not)
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 #6L200S0 200GB. or Maxtor DiamondMax 10 #6L250S0
250GB. Both are SATA.
Antec NeoPower ATX 480 Watt PSU
1 GB. of either DDR 400 (Corsair Value Select) or DDR2 667 (OCZ Gold Series), depending on what the general opinion is on the MOBO.
Case and drives: Dependant on replys. Looking to spend 1000.00 to 1250.00 USD Tot. on system including O.S. (Win. XP Pro ?) a good photo editor and moderate PCIe x 16 card (Nvidia based $200.00 - $300.00 U.S.), and any other software (that I'm sure I'll need and have forgotten?) Can go higher on $$$ if needed and strongly recommened.
 
You won't see a lot of performance increase between the two boards. Why get a board with on board video if you are going to have a much better video card? Save the $40 on the mobo and put it into better RAM, not value ram. On the case, just watch for room, rolled edges and alum if it's in the budget (cooler and much lighter) check out the Antec Lanboy and Thermaltake, lian li, coolermaster for good cases.
The bios will automatically be installed, but there will probably be a need to enter bios to make changes. If you mobo does not come with a lot of explanation for the bios, download the comlete manual from the manufacturers web site. Formatting and partitioning will take place when installing XP and will ask how you want the partions set up. Don't downplay the case "access" when chosing a mobo as more room makes life a lot easier when building a computer, airflow is generally better in a mid case and there a lot out there with 120 fans.
 
Rick G said:
You won't see a lot of performance increase between the two boards. Why get a board with on board video if you are going to have a much better video card? Save the $40 on the mobo and put it into better RAM, not value ram. On the case, just watch for room, rolled edges and alum if it's in the budget (cooler and much lighter) check out the Antec Lanboy and Thermaltake, lian li, coolermaster for good cases.
The bios will automatically be installed, but there will probably be a need to enter bios to make changes. If you mobo does not come with a lot of explanation for the bios, download the comlete manual from the manufacturers web site. Formatting and partitioning will take place when installing XP and will ask how you want the partions set up. Don't downplay the case "access" when chosing a mobo as more room makes life a lot easier when building a computer, airflow is generally better in a mid case and there a lot out there with 120 fans.
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O.K., Thanks a lot. What about the Optical drives situation? Do I need to (must I, for the sake of simplicity and compatibility issues) choose SATA opticals when choosing SATA HDD's?
 
O.K., Thanks a lot. What about the Optical drives situation? Do I need to (must I, for the sake of simplicity and compatibility issues) choose SATA opticals when choosing SATA HDD's?
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There are no SATA opticals that are for general public use. Get IDE CD-ROM drives and I suggest SATA for HDD usage because IDE is slowly becoming outdated tech and the SATA will last you a longer time in general for future upgrades.
 
Oh, by the way what's the difference between a Intel P4 550 Prescott and a Intel P4 550J Prescott (told you I was ignorant, didn't I).
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The J designates processors with Execute Disable Bit

does a guy have to stick with SATA optical drives if he's using SATA HDD's?
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No

And are there any brands of ATX cases that one should lean towards or away from when trying to choose one (I don't want anything fancy, no extra lights, see through panels, etc., first build and have enough to contend with)
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No not really but I would suggest a fairly mainstream case because the front-panel connectors for some of the cheaper/more-obscure cases are a serious pain in the arse to work with

Also, is there any advantage to going with a Full Tower (i.e. air flow efficiency) as opposed to a Mid, other than more elboe room?
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Drive capacity.l

Asus P5GPL or Asus P5LD2 help me choose please (i.e. xtra perform. = xtra money or not)
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The P5LD2 is i945 based while the P5GPL is i915 based. The former is significantly more advanced and allows you to later upgrade to a dual core setup (which actually given the costs of your parts so far, might be somethng you may want to consider)

1 GB. of either DDR 400 (Corsair Value Select) or DDR2 667 (OCZ Gold Series), depending on what the general opinion is on the MOBO.
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You should porbably get the DDR2 board

moderate PCIe x 16 card (Nvidia based $200.00 - $300.00 U.S.),
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Well that specs you out for 6600GT all the way to 6800GT territory

There are no SATA opticals that are for general public use
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I beg to differ
 
Praetor said:
The J designates processors with Execute Disable Bit


No


No not really but I would suggest a fairly mainstream case because the front-panel connectors for some of the cheaper/more-obscure cases are a serious pain in the arse to work with


Drive capacity.l


The P5LD2 is i945 based while the P5GPL is i915 based. The former is significantly more advanced and allows you to later upgrade to a dual core setup (which actually given the costs of your parts so far, might be somethng you may want to consider)


You should porbably get the DDR2 board


Well that specs you out for 6600GT all the way to 6800GT territory


I beg to differ
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O.K., Thanks, I appreciate the reply. Another thing that has recently come up is: Should I (must I) choose a processor and MOBO that have the exact same designation letter(s) after the Processor # and chip set # (i.e.,would the P4 660 P and Asus P5GPL board with 915PL chip set be as compatible, as a board with a straight up 915P chip set)? I will most likely take your advise and purchase the Asus P5LD2 board with the 945P chip set, but wanted to know about this for future reference.
Also, is the CoolerMaster Cavalier 3 ATX Mid Tower case (# CAV-TO3-UK) with 1x 120mm. exhaust and 1x 80mm. intake fans, an adequate choice to house:
Intel - P4 660 P (3.6 GHz.) (#BX80547PG3600F)
Asus - P5LD2 (i945P)
Maxtor - DiamondMax 10 (#6B250S0) 250 Gb. or (#6L250S0) 250 Gb.
OCZ - Gold Series - 1Gb. (2 x 512Mb.) DDR2 667 (#OCZ26671024ELDCGE-K)
Antec - NeoPower 480 watt PSU
Plextor - PX-Premium/SW CD-Burn.
Plextor - PX-716A/SW DVD Burn.
Asus - EN6800GT/2DT/256MB GeForce 6800GT
Panasonic - PanaFlo (FBA12G12M1A) 120mm. Fan (Auxillary, if needed?, please advise. Also are the Hydro-Wave type bearings superior to Ball type?).

Might substitute HDD with Maxtor DiamondMax III ???

Feel quite free to critique any of the choices that I have made, and make recommendations. As stated earlier, I know very little, but thanks to all of you folks, I am learning.
 
O.K., Thanks, I appreciate the reply. Another thing that has recently come up is: Should I (must I) choose a processor and MOBO that have the exact same designation letter(s) after the Processor # and chip set # (i.e.,would the P4 660 P and Asus P5GPL board with 915PL chip set be as compatible, as a board with a straight up 915P chip set)? I will most likely take your advise and purchase the Asus P5LD2 board with the 945P chip set, but wanted to know about this for future reference.
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Not sure if i understand the question but the numbers and letters associated with the chipset (i.e., 915P, 925XE etc), have nothing to do with the numbers and letters after the model number for the motherboard ... anything you see is purely coincidence

Might substitute HDD with Maxtor DiamondMax III ???
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You can (is it cheaper? afaik the DiamondMax10 had a longer warranty)

Plextor - PX-716A/SW DVD Burn.
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A superb burner but there is a newer model just so you're aware
 
Praetor said:
Not sure if i understand the question but the numbers and letters associated with the chipset (i.e., 915P, 925XE etc), have nothing to do with the numbers and letters after the model number for the motherboard ... anything you see is purely coincidence


You can (is it cheaper? afaik the DiamondMax10 had a longer warranty)

My bad. I meant Maxtor MaxLine III (7L250S0)


A superb burner but there is a newer model just so you're aware
Click to expand...

Also, is it going to create problems (complcations?, remember, first build, not too sure what I'm doing) if I use a SATA DVD-Burn. and a IDE CD-Burn. I'm wanting to stay with SATA on both optical drives for optimal air flow / cooling, but am having some trouble finding a SATA CD-Burner. Am I just not looking in the right places?
 
Also, is it going to create problems (complcations?, remember, first build, not too sure what I'm doing) if I use a SATA DVD-Burn. and a IDE CD-Burn. I'm wanting to stay with SATA on both optical drives for optimal air flow / cooling, but am having some trouble finding a SATA CD-Burner. Am I just not looking in the right places?
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Well optimal airflow doesnt matter as long as u dont get them cursed round IDE cables (flat IDE cables fold better anyways) ... dont bother with SATA if you dont think you'll benifit much from it (which you probably wont)
 
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