is my setup right?

F

fujimoh

New Member
So my 7 year old HP P3 computer finally died on me and now its time I got myself something that can actually do more then just word processing. I was looking at new HP's, and I liked the Media Center ones, but they lacked the ability to upgrade, especially since they only have 2 open PCI slots. I've never built a computer before, but I have upgraded almost every part on my old HP and I modified my Xbox by following an online tutorial. So i know how to read and follow directions (a good skill to have in life).

The one thing i know is that I want the AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor, the one i have picked out is the 4200+ 939 setup. I've looked around on the net and ended up picking all my parts on Newegg, since it has good prices and all the parts in one location. The following is what I picked out:

Case: Cooler Master Cavalier 3 Cav-T03-UK Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (Item#N82E16811119074) $59.99
Hard Drive: WD Cavier SE16 WD3200KS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s HD (Item# N82E16822136003) $99.99
Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard (Item# N82E16813131517) $106.99
Power: Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V ATX12V 550W Power Supply (Item# N82E16817103932) $96.99
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester 2.2GHz Socket 939 Dual Core Processor (Item# N82E16819103547) $187.00
Memory: CORSAIR XMS 2GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 PC3200 (Item# N82E16820145574) $232.00

Total with shipping on Newegg.com is $814.58.

Since I upgraded my HP I have a lot of parts already, such as a DVD-Rom drive, DVD Writer, Soundblaster Soundcard, and a PCI video card. So that helps with the price factor.

I am posting all this because the people on this board seem really knowledgable and I am looking to get help on if I am missing any major parts or if some of my parts are not going to be compatible. Thanks for any help.
 
Well you have the same board and supply just ordered here. The memory will go right in. I'm waiting to grab an FX60 dual core here. Not a bad price on the WD 320gb SATA drive there. What model sound and video cards are you planning to run in the new build?
 
The one thing i know is that I want the AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor, the one i have picked out is the 4200+ 939 setup. I've looked around on the net and ended up picking all my parts on Newegg, since it has good prices and all the parts in one location. The following is what I picked out:
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If you really insist on a X2 we can get you one but fyi, Intel's new darling CPU, the Core2 duo will run circles around that X2 -- and with less heat.

Total with shipping on Newegg.com is $814.58.
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Consider this:

(But if you're insistent on AMD, get the AM2 rather than the already discontinued 939 stuff). Yes I know you've got some stuff already but that just makes things cheaper/eaiser :)

Well you have the same board and supply just ordered here. The memory will go right in. I'm waiting to grab an FX60 dual core here.
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Please dont hijack threads -- or at the least, stay on topic and relevance
 
I assume with such a large PSU you plan on upgrading to some other video card later on? Other than that PCI video card(I assume you don't mean PCI Express) it looks good. Very similar to mine ;)
 
Didn't expect so many replies in such a short amount of time. Thank you.

My graphics card is an Nvidia GeForce FX5500, I know it is not a great graphics card, but I was able to play Call of Duty 2 on my friends Media Center computer with it just fine. It is a PCI card, not PCI Express. The soundcard is the Soundblaster Audoligy, I think thats right. The DVD burner is the HP with lightscribe, and the DVD-rom is from my old HP computer.

If I go with the AM2 setup what all will I need to change? Mainly I want to be able to do a range of anything on the computer without having to be worried aobut being held-up due to system specs. I do a lot of CD and video making, large MP3 and movie collection. Lots of applications both large and small. I've also gone way to long without being able to play games, so I definatly want to be able to play computer games without worrying about processor speed or memory being a factor.

I was steadfast on the AMD because I had read so many good reviews on it and how it was more reliable then the Intel. Obviously everyone on here is going to have a different opinion, but I know that most the people replying to this have more knowledge then me. I just want a reliable system with some solid power and the ability to upgrade down the road. Looking to stay around $800 - 850.
 
The Intel Core 2 Duo would be the best choice, and the majority of the reviews on the AMD X2 were written before the C2D was released.

I made a similar post with a total being around $840. You may want to check it out: http://www.computerforum.com/427193-post6.html I only went the AMD route because that user also needed a monitor, as well as a nice keyboard and mouse. If you dont need those, I would buy the Core 2 Duo.
 
If I go with the AM2 setup what all will I need to change?
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Well I posted a complete spec in post #3 :)

I was steadfast on the AMD because I had read so many good reviews on it and how it was more reliable then the Intel.
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For all intents and purposes, we can safely assume chips are reliable

Looking to stay around $800 - 850.
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Well you could switch the mobo/cpu in my spec if you want but as it is, that's plenty of performance :)
 
Alright, I like the recommendations I am getting on the Intel, this is why I came on here. I was looking at the Motherboard and it doesn't have a Firewire port, which I would like to have for my video camera. Should I stick with the same brand mobo and just find one with a firewire? Also I want to make sure that I am right when I see that the case recommended in post 3 comes with a power supply. This would definatly lower my cost and make up for the rise in the cost of the Intel chip. Omega, I appreciate the link you had, I didn't realize I could get a 19' flat screen for such a cheap price. My Samsung CRT monitor from 2000 has done me well, but it would be nice to be a part of the 21st century for once in terms of computer equipment.
 
alright, just to clarify, this is the set-up that I now have sitting in my cart at newegg. Most of this is straight from the 3rd post.

Case: Apevia X-plorer ATXB8KLW w/ 420 PSU $69.99
HD: WD Caviar 250gb 7200 SATA $77.99
Memory: G.Skill 2gb DDR2 SDRAM $234.99
MOBO: MSI P965 Neo-F Socket T Intel P965 Express ATX Intel $96.99
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775 $229.00
Monitor: Hanns-G HW-191DPB 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor $179.99
----some Artic Blue thermal paste----

If I go ahead and purchase this will I be good to go with a compatible computer? Also is the graphics card mentioned in post 3 (3D Fuzion 3DFR76256GSE GeForce 7600GS 256MB [12x5, 400/ ($58.88 after $30.00 MIR) superior by a significant amount to the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 that I have now?

edit: just saw the above post. I think I can handle the $6.00 for some firewire, ha. Thanks
 
Yesh the videocard is vastly superior. You should do some googling around to see if the RAM is absolutely positively ok with that mobo (not that i expect there to be incompatability issues or anything ... something like googling "<mobo name> ram issues" should be sufficient)
 
bought the system. Just wanted to say thanks for the help of those you contributed. I'm sure i'll be back on here when i run into a snag with my install and set-up.
 
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