My Computer Build Plan - What do You Think?

[helmie]

Hi,
I am 14 and this will be my first build. I have upgraded CPUs, Motherboards ect, but this is my first full build.

This is the specification:

3.2GHz Pentium 4 800Mhz 2MB Cache Skt 775
1 GB RAM (To be upgraded to 4GB after time)
160GB SATA Maxtor HDD – 8MB Cache
Connect3d ATI Radeon 9600XT 256MB Graphics Card
LG DVD – Rom
NEC DVD +/- RW – Writes DVDs and CDs
Mitsumi 1.44MB Floppy Drive
eBuyer Black Case with Clear side Panel, Lit by Blue Cold Cathode Lights.
17” LG TFT Monitor

Will the 350W PSU be up to powering it?

The total cost would be £376.25 (Not including the monitor, im getting that for christmas)

An equivalent system from Dell would be £885, an alienware £1018, and another company was £714.

What do you think?

 

[bigsaucybob]

yea that a pretty nice comp but wat are u using it for?

 

[Elite]

That is a pretty nice pc. What motherboard are you getting?

 

[dragon2309]

yeh pretty good, remeber not to skimp on the RAM quality, it can be 1Gb but still be complete crap

 

[skidude]

Good Pc for the money.

 

[X24]

hmmm, if u told us what the use of this is, then we could recommend u some better stuff for the same price.
such as getting an AMD processor for cheaper i believe (3200+) , which in most places beats the pentium.

 

[drunkbum222]

Amd would be better. 4gb is only good if your running a server other wise just get 2. Spend alittle more money and get the X800GT.

 

[helmie]

I am going to be using it as a Gaming System eventually. The motherboard is a Asus P5P800-MX
(http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-P5P8MX).
So AMD is better... What AMD will beat the skt 775 P4 3.2Ghz?
It should only be the M/B and Processor i have to change for AMD?
Thanks,
Helmie

 

[skidude]

They don't make AMD Athlon 64's for socket 775. You might have to change mobo's to a socket 939, and then go for either an AMD 64 3000+ or 3200+

 

[apj101]

such as getting an AMD processor for cheaper i believe (3200+) , which in most places beats the pentium.

In most places, i assume you meant in most places so long is it is gaming

They don't make AMD Athlon 64's for socket 775. You might have to change mobo's to a socket 939, and then go for either an AMD 64 3000+ or 3200+

he knew that already, hehe

So AMD is better... What AMD will beat the skt 775 P4 3.2Ghz?
It should only be the M/B and Processor i have to change for AMD?

AMD will be better for gaming, and yes all you'll need to change is the motherboard and cpu (oh and the ram is you were buying ddr2, not that that board even supports it )

may i suggest reading all the following links
http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13239
http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=10764
http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=11096
http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=11610
http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=10947

 

[helmie]

I read here (http://www.hwextreme.com/reviews/processor/intel_3200/) that the P4 beats the AMD hands down.

Also the Graphics and Memory are just to get it all set up, afterwards i wll get some Crossair 2GB Memory and a better Graphics card (Can you suggest some good cards under £100?)

I will also need to upgrade the PSU, I have no i idea how many Amps are on the 12v rail, so im getting a 550W 30A on the 12v rail. I wont be doing any overclocking, so wont need loads.

Is there anything else i will need?

 

[helmie]

AMD will be better for gaming, and yes all you'll need to change is the motherboard and cpu (oh and the ram is you were buying ddr2, not that that board even supports it )

MemorySupported RAM Technology DDR SDRAM
RAM Installed ( Max ) 0 MB / 4 GB (max)
Supported RAM Speed PC2100, PC2700, PC3200
RAM Features Two DDR channels

Is that not DDR2?

 

[TheNomad]

I read here (http://www.hwextreme.com/reviews/processor/intel_3200/) that the P4 beats the AMD hands down.

they're comparing a 3.2 GHz P4 to a Athlon XP 3200+... that doesn't mean that P4 > AMD
in fact, an Athlon 64 will beat a 3.2 GHz P4

RAM Features Two DDR channels

Is that not DDR2?

Two DDR channels means you can stick 2 sticks of ram into it and it will perform better than just one stick of the same combined capacity
DDR2 is a different type of RAM architecture

Also the Graphics and Memory are just to get it all set up, afterwards i wll get some Crossair 2GB Memory and a better Graphics card (Can you suggest some good cards under £100?)

1. You really don't need more than 1.5 gigs of RAM for now
2. I would spend more money on graphics card if you're going to game
100 pounds is about $184 USD and the best you can get is probably an X800

 

[Praetor]

spend alittle more money and get the X800GT.

but that would be a PCIE route...

i am going to be using it as a gaming system eventually. the motherboard is a ASUS p5p800-mx

1. motherboard isnt that great
2. AMD chips will run circls around your Pentium4 540

i read here (<http://www.hwextreme.com/reviews/processor/intel_3200/>) that the P4 beats the AMD hands down.

thats the AthlonXP series... which is long discontinued

RAM features two DDR channels
is that not DDR2?

nope. see definition of dual channel in RAM 101.

1. You really don't need more than 1.5 gigs of RAM for now

Yes but 1.5GB is an awkward number (with respect to performance) ... you're better off for most cases with 1GB or 2GB

 

[helmie]

Ok any any1 reccomend a AMD that is about the same price as the Pentuim?

 

[Praetor]

If its a gaming you might want to consider an AMD box for sure