Making a computer

OEM isn't 100% safe, I would say around 80-90% safe. OEM stuff usually comes in a an anti-static bag and thats it. No packaging, no instruction, and no warranty. So if you happen to receive something that dies on after the RMA period, you are out of luck (like me with my harddrives). However, if you go with OEM stuff, you can usually save yourself a lot of money.

Foxtrot - your computer looks pretty good. I would add one more thing to make your computer go about 5-10% faster. Get another identical stick of RAM so you can have dual channel RAM. Plus it will help out games a lot more (Battlefield Vietnam takes way more than 512 MB of RAM to properly play).

Dual Channel is kinda of like RAID for your memory - it makes it work a lot faster than it normally can.
 
I am going to buy another 512 stick when I get the money.
 
blahblahblah said:
OEM isn't 100% safe, I would say around 80-90% safe. OEM stuff usually comes in a an anti-static bag and thats it. No packaging, no instruction, and no warranty. So if you happen to receive something that dies on after the RMA period, you are out of luck (like me with my harddrives). However, if you go with OEM stuff, you can usually save yourself a lot of money.
Click to expand...

I was speaking from a respectable site's stand point

IE. OEM is 100% safe from newegg
 
Just got a cooler from NewEgg today...had to squeeze the thing in there which involved a hack saw, but its working fine and dandy.
 
Any help please? I don't want to screw up....
mobo:
ASUS K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V SE Deluxe" -RETAIL
cpu:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
RAM:
Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 - OEM
 
I hate to keep bumping this but does this all match up? Am I getting a good deal or am I getting screwed? All of that is like $400
 
I'd get faster RAM, you wouldn't want PC2700 potentially bottlenecking the CPU.
DDR400 would be your best bet, not DDR333

Other than that, it'll work fine. It'd even work with that RAM, but, like I said, DDR400 would be preferable
 
The ram speeds have no impact on performance if they are as fast or faster then the FSB speed of the CPU.
 
Ahhhh! Conflicting opinions!!! As long as I have 1 gig of RAM I should be ok though right?
 
Ok that is good, I am going to start off with 512 then buy 2 more 512 sticks as I get more money.
 
Ahh I just found out that I need a surround sound sound card to use my surround sound headphones...and only one I can find is $75....I am correct on this right? And can anyone find one cheaper?
 
Foxtrot - You sound really confused. let me explain some things.

- Surround sound headphones are not a good deal. You should buy a decent pair of regular headphones and then a set of decent speakers. See link.

http://www4.tomshardware.com/video/20030926/index.html

- Don't buy faster memory than what is recommended for your processor. FSB should equal memory speed. If it doesn't equal, it slows down your computer around 5%. If you know anything about trig. or physics try thinking as the FSB and Memory Speeds as waves. Then consider what would happen if they had different frequency's.

- Get 2 sticks of 512 of memory. That way you can have dual channel memory (through motherboard) and you will have enough memory for upcoming games.

- If you do go with that MB, you should atleast consider a soundcard. On board sound is usually junk (except Nvidia soundstorm) because it does all of the audio processing on the CPU. So it slows down your games a little bit, and I expect the sound quality is subpar.

Also, how much are you looking to spend? You can easily spend the down payment on a new car if you are not careful. Just for ease of looking up next time, could you post all of your current components decisions. That way its easier to see what you are getting yourself into.
 
Foxtrot - What do you plan to use this computer for? What things do you want this computer to do? I am asking these questions because you probably will not be able to afford the best computer money can buy. So you have to start figuring out what trade-offs do you want (better graphics vs. better harddrives vs CPU).
 
Just gaming....that is all I know. I was talking to some people in IRC and they said a lot of new hardware is coming out and it wouldnt be worth getting a comp now. I will have atleast $1000 to spend in abut 2 months.
 
Also, that review said that the headphones are just fine for gaming...but would it be worth the money for a surround sound sound card and the head phones?

mobo:
ASUS K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V SE Deluxe" -RETAIL
cpu:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
RAM:
Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 - OEM

Western Digital Special Edition 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200JB, OEM Drive Only

Enlight ATX 420W P4 Power Supply, Model "EN-8420934" -RETAIL

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-
 
it would seem SS would cost a lot more :upstare:

damn...i wish i could have gotten a 64 bit processer.... :(

anyway, what sound card do you have in mind? i've been looking at the Zalman USB sound card.
 
those look nice, for temp anyway :)

the SC i dont know, i dont trust cheap cards >:P
 
mm, how ever much you want? i just bought a card it was 80$
 
Wow that is a lot...I think I will just stick with onboard.
 
Does all of this look good?


Western Digital Special Edition 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200JB, OEM Drive Only
Item# N82E16822144118


ALL COMPONENTS 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM

Item# N82E16820159308

Enlight ATX 420W P4 Power Supply, Model "EN-8420934" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16817103604


AMD Athlon XP 3000+ "Barton", 400 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - OEM

Item# N82E16819103394

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK
Item# N82E16814102268
 
Quick question before I order my case, how many fans should I get? I think I am just going to get 4, and are these fans alright?
http://store.yahoo.com/xoxide/quadledred80.html
They are the fans that I can order with the case but for some reason they are much cheaper when I order them seperately.
 
In my experience, 80mm case fans are all the same. Exception being ones that have variable speed controls (or LED lights, like the ones you're looking at).

Anyway, I have 3 case fans and 2 PCI slot fans myself.. 4 case fans should do just fine :)
(The only reason I have PCI slot fans is because my graphics card would get too hot, solved that problem)
 
4 Case fans will make his computer sound like an airplane. Unless you are going to overclock, 3 case fans should be plenty.
 
Foxtrot said:
Damn, so my computer will be super loud?
Click to expand...

It depends what you consider "loud."
I have 3 case fans, 2 PCI slot fans, a Vantec Aeroflow HSF and the fan on my GPU, it makes a little noise, but it doesn't bother me

All depends on what you're used to/what bothers you, I suppose. 3 case fans shouldn't be too loud at all
 
That is good, my Dell is super loud with one fan so I should be use to it. I don't know what is wrong with my Dell(other then it is a Dell) but it makes a really loud sound that sounds like a fan...but there is only 1 fan in it.
 
Shuzer said:
You need PC2700 (DDR333) to run the XP 2800+. Getting PC3200 is a waste (and could possibly be slower than matching RAM) unless you plan on overclocking the 2800's FSB

The RAM speed needs to match the FSB of the processor
Click to expand...


For some reason this post jumped out and slapped me, Hard!. :borg:

Are you saying that my cpu/ram wont be running fast because of my cpu fsb and RAM mhz? Im using a 2.6+ AMD 333fsb and im using 1024mb DDR400 memory, please clarify this...someone anyone, shuzer!? thx :p
 
Alig said:
For some reason this post jumped out and slapped me, Hard!. :borg:

Are you saying that my cpu/ram wont be running fast because of my cpu fsb and RAM mhz? Im using a 2.6+ AMD 333fsb and im using 1024mb DDR400 memory, please clarify this...someone anyone, shuzer!? thx :p
Click to expand...

Well, to my understanding, you're fine. You're just not getting the extra speed out of your RAM, and it's clocking down to your processor's FSB.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is how it works (I always buy appropriate RAM, so I've never been in that situation).
 
Alig said:
For some reason this post jumped out and slapped me, Hard!. :borg:

Are you saying that my cpu/ram wont be running fast because of my cpu fsb and RAM mhz? Im using a 2.6+ AMD 333fsb and im using 1024mb DDR400 memory, please clarify this...someone anyone, shuzer!? thx :p
Click to expand...

I have DDR 400 RAM with a Athlon XP 2800+. I found if you clock the ram down to match the FSB, most games will run faster. If I remember correctly UT2k3 ran about 5 to 10 % faster.

You should find a benchmark utility and try it out yourself, I could be crazy.
 
Shuzer said:
Well, to my understanding, you're fine. You're just not getting the extra speed out of your RAM, and it's clocking down to your processor's FSB.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is how it works (I always buy appropriate RAM, so I've never been in that situation).
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're 100% correct, thats exactly how it works.
 
Which actually gives you an interesting opportunity. With the RAM running slower than it's capable, you can tighten up those timings. Personally, I'm a sucker for tight timings. :p

There are many memory benchmarks out there. A good sort of benchmark suite is Sandra from SiSoftware. It includes a memory benchmark. Keep in mind that these are synthetic benchmarks though.

Foxtrot, the number of fans you'll need might depend. Some good guidlines are to get the biggest fans possible (in diameter) and to try to keep about as much air going in your case as going out. Bigger fans can push more air with less noise.
 
So will my RAM and CPU match up and not slow eachother down? I also need a DVD drive, anything I should look for when looking for one?
 
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