Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
05-31-2005, 05:56 AM
#1
3.0 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,830
Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
So yeah, time to step up from the Duron 
Its been a few years since Ive built a new computer, and even after a few hrs of reading up, Im still not sure.
Deff. going with AMD, but having a hard time deciding if the Athlon64 is worth it over the XP. Especialy once you consider the price of a supporting MB.
Im trying to find something that is fast, but right on the edge of where the price-per-performance sky rockets.
So far I've come up with this:
Athlon64 3000+ socket939 winchester core
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum nForce3 Ultra Athlon64(fx)
$280
Also, for memory it seems that pc3200 DDR400 is the way to go with this combo? Is it better to go with duel mem sticks or just one fatty 1g stick?
Basically I want the best mobo-cpu combo for around $250-$300. I want something that is fast with video; assuming Ill get a decent vid card.
Also, do you think a 350w PS will do it?
Its been a few years since Ive built a new computer, and even after a few hrs of reading up, Im still not sure.
Deff. going with AMD, but having a hard time deciding if the Athlon64 is worth it over the XP. Especialy once you consider the price of a supporting MB.
Im trying to find something that is fast, but right on the edge of where the price-per-performance sky rockets.
So far I've come up with this:
Athlon64 3000+ socket939 winchester core
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum nForce3 Ultra Athlon64(fx)
$280
Also, for memory it seems that pc3200 DDR400 is the way to go with this combo? Is it better to go with duel mem sticks or just one fatty 1g stick?
Basically I want the best mobo-cpu combo for around $250-$300. I want something that is fast with video; assuming Ill get a decent vid card.
Also, do you think a 350w PS will do it?
05-31-2005, 07:29 AM
#2
0.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 0
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
My Athalon 64 / MSI k8n Neo Platninum board, with the nforce 3 250gb chipset works great. I almost have problems getting into safe mode sometimes since it post up in like 2 seconds. 350w should be enough unless you have 2 or 3 sata drives, realy depends on how much of a power hog the video card is. The 1 gig stick will be better in the long run if you ever want to get more.
05-31-2005, 08:13 AM
#5
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,089
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
Originally Posted by kain
thats fine bro. 64 bit isnt the way to go just yet, but if you get it now youll be st for the future.
get the Venice core if u can.
www.ncix.com has AWSOME prices.. plus the will pricematch Internet prices (if u can prove it).
A64 3200+ Venice s939
Soltek K890Pro (pci-e)
2x samsung 512mb ddr400
160gb SATA Seagate
NEC 3520
Antec case
Geforce 6600GT video card 128mb, pci-e.
that pc is cheap and kicks ***.
Like I said. give me a budget and i'll get you a sweet list to go and find the parts
05-31-2005, 08:46 AM
#6
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,089
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
here's an example.. prices in CDN$ but they do US too (and ship there)
everything but a keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakes (which u probably already have)
the video card is the budget area. you can get the 6600gt for about $60CDN more.
everything but a keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakes (which u probably already have)
the video card is the budget area. you can get the 6600gt for about $60CDN more.
05-31-2005, 12:03 PM
#7
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,028
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
Athlon XP's do support dual channel...dunno where you got the idea that they didn't. A64 is definately worth it because it has a built in memory controller, which means much faster access to the memory. Once you add it all up you won't pay much more for the A64, and in my opinion it is worth it to be future proof for awhile anyway. Then again if you're not a gamer it's not really nescessary at the same time unless you work with some hardcore applications that can address tons of memory (like photoshop or movie editing stuff).
05-31-2005, 12:26 PM
#8
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,089
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
Originally Posted by N1ghtM0nkey
Athlon XP's do support dual channel...dunno where you got the idea that they didn't. A64 is definately worth it because it has a built in memory controller, which means much faster access to the memory. Once you add it all up you won't pay much more for the A64, and in my opinion it is worth it to be future proof for awhile anyway. Then again if you're not a gamer it's not really nescessary at the same time unless you work with some hardcore applications that can address tons of memory (like photoshop or movie editing stuff).
either way, 4dimm slots is the way to go w/ Dual Channel
05-31-2005, 12:52 PM
#9
1.5 BAR
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 762
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
You haven't really told us what the computer will be used for...kinda like people who say "what's the best engine for turbo?"....etc..
But you did say you want good video, so I assume you'll be doing gaming.
I suggest checking out pricewatch.com ...they have good prices on combos....
As for the video card, I suggest going with ATI....they give you more for the $$.
But you did say you want good video, so I assume you'll be doing gaming.
I suggest checking out pricewatch.com ...they have good prices on combos....
As for the video card, I suggest going with ATI....they give you more for the $$.
05-31-2005, 01:07 PM
#10
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,089
Re: Building a new computer, need some HMT geek advice.
Originally Posted by gurusan
As for the video card, I suggest going with ATI....they give you more for the $$.
Mid-range, nVidia smokes it. the 6600gt is CDN$225'ish a ATI Card around the same price (x700Pro) gets its *** handed to it by a 6600gt which is more in a normal persons price range.
Then we have SLI
two identicle vid cards rendering either 1. Half of each screen, or 2. every other frame.read for yourself.. focus on the 6600gt and x700Pro 128 or 256.
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...524/index.html
