Buying computer parts at LA computer fair

[hero]

Alright this weekend i'm going to The L.A. Computer Fair and buying computer parts for the first computer im building.

Im wondering what i should look for in the different products (ex-different slots in motherboards, proccesors, videocards, hard drives, sound cards)

also, who makes good motherboards?

I want to have a 3.0 or higher processor in it, a ati 9800xp or pro, and a 1 gig of ram upgradable to 2

what should i look for in cases?

what voltage powersupply should i get?

hopefuly with your help i wont screw up cause i probally wont be able to return stuff

 

[spin03]

i would recommend at least a 400W power supply. go with 450+ so there wont be any problems.

instead of getting a 3.0+ ghz processor from intel, get a amd athlon 64 processor. i would say go for a 3400+ or higher.

 

[hero]

im kinda new with amd's like the numbers 3400+ and stuff

if u could what would that be equivalent to pentium like for ex: 2.4 = like +1800 or something

 

[skarrob]

go to www.motherboards.com and get a general idea

 

[skarrob]

Asus is the best mobo for me ,but others are good also

 

[h4vvok]

Chaintech makes good ones (they bundle with very nice accessaries), Abit has a few (I think), Asus also is a good brand.

 

[spin03]

im kinda new with amd's like the numbers 3400+ and stuff

if u could what would that be equivalent to pentium like for ex: 2.4 = like +1800 or something

a 3400+ is basically the equivlent to a 3.2 ghz CPU from intel. amd is much better for gaming and multimedia.

actually it is pretty much better that tthe 3.2 ghz intel at about every category

 

[Adrien C]

If you plan to upgrade it in the future you really need :

450 watts supply (New vid cards will need them)
AGP x8 or PCI 16
1 gig ram
And the 9800 XT, is getting old man, you could get a 6800 vanilla for a good price.

 

[hero]

u think i could get a pretty awesome price on the super high end vid cards at this place?

 

[ailevation]

:naughty: Thanks for the heads up I think i'm going to go!!! What's the estimation on how much prices will fall?

 

[hero]

im not sure this is the first time that i have been

 

[Asus]

A 3400+ AMD rating is supposed to be matched with the 3.4GHz on the Intel side. It doesn't always match up as AMD wins and Intel wins depending on the use.