Help picking computer parts

[Smith]

Alrite, im saving up for a new computer. I figure it will run me about 1500.

so far this is wht i have


Computer- apluscomputers.ca/ canadacomputers.com

Pentium 4 3.0C GHz 512KB cache RETAIL BOX(Socket 478 - 800MHz FSB
w/ Hyper-Threading Technology) $249

ASUS P4C800-DLX Intel 875P, 800MHz FSB, Dual DDR400 -209$

512MB DDR PC2100 $102.95(X2)

MSI GeForce FX5900XT-VTD128 VIVO 128MB DDR-$248

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS w/ 1394- 89$

Maxtor 120GB ATA-133 w/ 8MB cache OEM $106]

Asus 52X CD-ROM $22

Pioneer DVR-108 16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer $95.98

EST Price- around 1500$

I know im missing a few things like the case, fans and power but thats what i need help with. how much power do i need to run this? Eg: 300w, 250w.

i already have the moniter, mouse, and keyboard and speakers so besides those what am i missing? and most important do my parts match?

thanks

[Storm]

this is a good place to calculate your power usage:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

just curious, but any particular reason your getting an intel chip?

and the dvd burner, im certainly no expert on those, but it sounds kinda expensive, i know the nec 3500 is cheaper than that, and thats a great burner.......

[Mr. Elmo]

if you are getting 800mhz cpu, you would need pc3200 ram to run it at full potential.

[Storm]

damn, forgot to ask the most important question: what will you be using it for?

[Formula1]

Alrite, im saving up for a new computer. I figure it will run me about 1500.

so far this is wht i have



I know im missing a few things like the case, fans and power but thats what i need help with. how much power do i need to run this? Eg: 300w, 250w.

i already have the moniter, mouse, and keyboard and speakers so besides those what am i missing? and most important do my parts match?

thanks

If i were you I'd get and Amd Athlon, an Amd 3000+ @ 2.0ghz can out perform an intel pentium 4 @ 3.0 ghz , and its only 150$ at newegg.com, as intel said , speed of their cpu doesnt calculate performance of the cpu . As someone in the topic stated , you need a good ram atleast 3200 512mb ram, best quality ram could be something like this , http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-036&depa=0 , which is considered good for overcloking a cpu, if you are into that. And as for video card, i'd recommend a radeon 9800 , since you are willing to spend 1500$ ...

[Virtualbody1234]

Why don't you look at AMD Athlon 64?

PC2100 RAM isn't right for that PC. Get at least PC3200.

Sound card - Doesn't the motherboard have onboard sound?

Asus CD-ROM - Not needed. The DVD burner does all.

[Smith]

Why don't you look at AMD Athlon 64?

PC2100 RAM isn't right for that PC. Get at least PC3200.

Sound card - Doesn't the motherboard have onboard sound?

Asus CD-ROM - Not needed. The DVD burner does all.


alrite, thanks im going to refine my choices. the reason i want a new sound card is because i want to be able to turn up the sound settings in games without lag.

[silent h3ro]

Why don't you look at AMD Athlon 64?

PC2100 RAM isn't right for that PC. Get at least PC3200.

Sound card - Doesn't the motherboard have onboard sound?

Asus CD-ROM - Not needed. The DVD burner does all. He might wan't multiple drives. You always need atleast 2 drives.

[Virtualbody1234]

You always need atleast 2 drives. Why?

[Smith]

just incase i want to burn a disc for someone.

[Smith]

Alrite here is my second edition of my computer. I didnt relize how cheaper amd mobos are along with amd cpus. ill save alot this way.



Computer- canadacomputers.com

ATHLON 64 3000 - Socket 754 $182

ASUS K8V SE Deluxe VIA K8T800- $139

KingMax 512MB PC-3200 DDR400 SDRAM $95(x2)

MSI GeForce FX5900XT-VTD128 VIVO 128MB DDR-$248

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS w/ 1394- 89$

Maxtor 120GB ATA-133 w/ 8MB cache OEM $106

Asus 52X CD-ROM $22

Pioneer DVR-108 16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer $95.98




how does that look? the mobo i picked is really cool 2.

http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=K8N-E%20Deluxe&langs=09

oh and is there a big difference between the socket 754 and the 939? performance wise?

[Virtualbody1234]

I still don't understand why you need 2 optical drives. Please explain more clearly.

[Smith]

i probally dont, but what if i wanted to copy a disc or something? i would but the un burned dics in the dvd drive and the blank in the burner.

its only 20$, why not?

[Virtualbody1234]

No use. You can still copy a disc with one drive.

I do it all the time.

[Smith]

alrite that site says i need about 320 watts.

so is it ok if i buy a 350w supply? will that be to much?

[Virtualbody1234]

alrite that site says i need about 320 watts.

so is it ok if i buy a 350w supply? will that be to much?
Don't worry about too much. And about the 350 Watts... I depends on the maker.

[Smith]

Enermax 350W EG365P-VE Dual Fan $61

probally dont need dual fans, but does that look ok?

[Virtualbody1234]

Yeah that's a good brand. If it was me I would get one with even higher wattage.

Enermax or Antec.

[Peerzy]

Get a 9800 Xt or Pro insted of that FX.

VB1234 is right only have 1 drive and get a 320gb hard drive.

[Mr. Elmo]

i probally dont, but what if i wanted to copy a disc or something? i would but the un burned dics in the dvd drive and the blank in the burner.

its only 20$, why not?


then why not add in another $10 and get a dvd reader incase you want to copy dvds...no point in cd reader

P.S. do you really need the VIVO function of the gfx card?

[Virtualbody1234]

then why not add in another $10 and get a dvd reader incase you want to copy dvds...no point in cd reader

P.S. do you really need the VIVO function of the gfx card?
He can copy DVDs with just the burner. No need for the DVD reader.

[Mr. Elmo]

then why the need for a cd-rom? instead of the cd-rom, wouldnt it make more sense to get a dvd reader instead? making a direct copy of your dvd is a lot faster if you have a 2 dvd drive

EDIT: just noticed...wtf is the timezone used ? its only 9:21pm here and it says its 3AM on the board... :blink: :blink:

[Virtualbody1234]

Again. Only the DVD burner is needed.

[Mr. Elmo]

arg...vb ....thats the same thing as you telling him to go get a amd64 and i tell you that "only a amd 1800xp is needed"

[clocker]

Again. Only the DVD burner is needed.
Technically, you are ( of course) correct.
With the shop's new builds however, we like to supplement the DVD burner with a CD-ROM
We've found that the most common use of optical drives is reading (or playing ) CDs so we place the inexpensive ROM in the top (most easily accessed) slot of the case and place the more expensive drive below...basically, trying to reduce wear and tear on the dearest component.

It's a concept.....

[Virtualbody1234]

Technically, you are ( of course) correct.
With the shop's new builds however, we like to supplement the DVD burner with a CD-ROM
We've found that the most common use of optical drives is reading (or playing ) CDs so we place the inexpensive ROM in the top (most easily accessed) slot of the case and place the more expensive drive below...basically, trying to reduce wear and tear on the dearest component.

It's a concept.....
True. And that used to be even more true but the price of a DVD burner is now so low that it doesn't make much difference anymore.

[clocker]

Point taken.
The price of CD-ROMs has fallen too, though...so it's really a wash, isn't it?

[Virtualbody1234]

Point taken.
The price of CD-ROMs has fallen too, though...so it's really a wash, isn't it?
I guess so.

I find that people don't want to buy CD-ROM drives even at the low prices. I have a few left over and seem to be getting more used ones as people upgrade to DVD burners.

[Storm]

Get a 9800 Xt or Pro insted of that FX.

WHY????

(s)he hasnt told us what the PC's use will be....... maybe its not games, then that would just be a total waste of money.......

its really easy to tell someone to get the most expensive parts, but try and advise them what they NEED, rather than telling em to get the fastest most expensive part (dont take it personally, alot of people do that)

[Smith]

Get a 9800 Xt or Pro insted of that FX.

VB1234 is right only have 1 drive and get a 320gb hard drive.

i really dont need a 320 gb hard drive. ill never use all of that. ive got 1 80gb drive rite now and in the year ive had it its only about 60% full.

i am liking the ati though, i just have never used ati b4.

i cant find prices for a 9800xt.

this is all i could find

ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON™ 9600XT 128MB DDR $255

i dont want to spend more than 250 cdn dollars on my video card.
thats why i picked the 5900.
and i think ill go with the dvd reader and burner now.

LG (CDR-8162B) 16X DVD-ROM OEM $28

[Smith]

oh and sorry this is mostly for games

[Mad Cat]

just incase i want to burn a disc for someone.

Make an image. Remove disc. Replace with CD-R/DVD. Burn.

[Mr. Elmo]

Make an image. Remove disc. Replace with CD-R/DVD. Burn.

We all know (or i think you guys do) taht you could make a backup with only 1 burner. The reason for 1 burner and 1 reader is it would be 2x as fast to make a copy of a disc rather than using your method

[Smith]

Make an image. Remove disc. Replace with CD-R/DVD. Burn.


alrite i know you guys are trying to help, but its 30 extra dollars. i would rather have 2 drives than making images all the time.

i just want to know if there is a big difference between the 5900 128mb and the 9800xt.

and what does a 9800xt go for in cdn funds?

[Virtualbody1234]

Have you ever had a DVD burner before?

You're going to learn that direct DVD to DVD copy won't work the way you expect. The original 9 GB movies don't fit on 4.7 GB media. That means compression is needed and that means to the HDD then burning afterwards.

[Virtualbody1234]

and what does a 9800xt go for in cdn funds?
I didn't find the XT but from what I found I think it's over your budget:

9800Pro $290 CDN: http://www.oemexpress.com/Itemdesc.asp?CartId={9F6DEC52-68B8-4A27-991F-F4EE3C06D55E}&ic=VIDATI%2DR98P128&Tp=

[accat13]

Technically, you are ( of course) correct.
With the shop's new builds however, we like to supplement the DVD burner with a CD-ROM
We've found that the most common use of optical drives is reading (or playing ) CDs so we place the inexpensive ROM in the top (most easily accessed) slot of the case and place the more expensive drive below...basically, trying to reduce wear and tear on the dearest component.

It's a concept.....
Clocker normally I hole heartedly agree with your posts.You seem to very much in the know..(I've learned alot in your posts but)The optimal position for a dvd burner is in the top slot of the computer..Secondary ide master position(normally the top slot)..I also wouldn't suggest copying on the fly(drive to drive),can create buffer underrun issues and cause a bad burn.Your better off copying from the hardrive..I agree with VB why buy two drives..The only thing I seem to remeber is there is some issue about copy protection on certain discs not playing in a burner(could be wrong on this issue)...

[clocker]

Ok...
As VB has already pointed out, most DVD burning will require compression software...hence a trip to the HDD at some point, not a direct transfer from one device to the other.
In most installations, the top bay slot is the most easily accessable- so we put the cheap(er) drive there so it will be used the most.
Why do you think the "optimal" place is the upper "master" slot?
As long as only one drive is in use at a time what difference would it make?

[Smith]

I didn't find the XT but from what I found I think it's over your budget:

9800Pro $290 CDN: http://www.oemexpress.com/Itemdesc.asp?CartId={9F6DEC52-68B8-4A27-991F-F4EE3C06D55E}&ic=VIDATI%2DR98P128&Tp=


but i cant order off the net :(

im going to go down to college street (small computer store central) and buy my parts.

is there a big difference between the 9800 and the 5900?

[cow_dung]

try anitec.ca or ncix.com
both in vancouver bc

[Mr. Elmo]

yea, but he's planning on a dual layer burner, so if he pick up some dual layer dvds, that problem will be solved.

[accat13]

Ok...
As VB has already pointed out, most DVD burning will require compression software...hence a trip to the HDD at some point, not a direct transfer from one device to the other.
In most installations, the top bay slot is the most easily accessable- so we put the cheap(er) drive there so it will be used the most.
Why do you think the "optimal" place is the upper "master" slot?
As long as only one drive is in use at a time what difference would it make?Sorry for the delay in responding.After some research I've come to the conclusion that it may not matter as much as I thought.It just seems that when ever I hear of someone with dvd burner problems the first suggestion is to set it to master on the secondary..I'll quote you a response I got from another forum "Putting it on master is a matter of convenice and usually alleviates any problems with other drives that might interfere if it was set in slave."

[clocker]

OK.
That advice assumes that there is a problem with the drives. Typically we don't see any, but I suppose if we did we would try a different config.
This week alone I have assembled four PCs (thank the Lord for last minute Christmas shoppers!) with a CD-ROM as master and a DVD+/-RW slave without any issues at all.
Beginner's luck perhaps.

[Mr. Elmo]

yea...i dont see what the big fuss about master/slave. i did the same thign as you, no problem, and then i had a dvd burner as master on ide2 and a hdd as master on ide1 with no problem.