New comp

[Neutrino]

Alright, I finally got around to putting together a comp I've been meaning to build for a while. Basically the requirement was to get the most I could for around $400.

Here's the list:

Case:
APEX Beige Mid-Tower Super Case with 350W $24
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-154-017&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
DVD/CD-RW
Samsung Beige 52X32X52X16 DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive - OEM $35.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-050&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Hard Drive:
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive - OEM $47
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-140-133&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Memory:
Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail $71.36
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
CPU:
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 55W 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - OEM $83.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-506&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Fan/Heatsink
Dynatron Copper CPU Cooler for Socket A - Retail $8.55
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=35-114-011&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Thermal Paste
Arctic Silver Premium Silver Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound - Tube $7.59
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=35-100-007&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Motherboard:
ASUS "A7V600-X" KT600 Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU - Retail $59.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-486&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Video Card:
ROSEWILL RADEON 9600 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP - Retail $88.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-021&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Total: $425.50

But I have a few concerns.

1) Is the case/PSU combo alright? I was able to save a lot of money that way, but I'm not sure how realiable it will be? Also, is 350W acceptable?
2) How is the heatsink? I haven't bought a heatsink seperately before so I wasn't sure what was the best option.
3) What do you think of the video card? It had good reviews and seemed to be the best bang for the buck, but is there anything better?
4) And of course any suggestions on the other parts are always welcome.

Thanks.

 

[blahblahblah]

I have a bunch of options for you. I personally would build your computer a bit differently. Of course the final decision is up to you.

Also, remember to take shipping costs in to account. Total out the door cost is always more important than the cost of the parts.

CPU - The Athlon XP 2500+ is a great CPU, but is being discontinued. That means prices have jumped considerably for it. If you wish to save $10, buy a AMD Sempron 2600+ Retail (saving the cost of buying a heatsink), however you will have a little bit less on the performance side. Option 2 is to spend the same amount on a XP-M 2500+, this gives you the option to overclock a lot more (assuming you buy a quality heatsink later). Personally, I'm more for option 1 (Sempron) just because this is a budget computer and the rest of your system will hold you back if you aggresively overclock your XP-M. Plus it will save you $20.

Memory - Saves you $2 (every penny counts). The memory is still very good quality. In case you don't know, make sure you bump the memory speed down to 333 MHz so it matches the FSB on your processor (regardless of what option you go with above). XP/Semprons take a hit when FSB/Memory speeds are not in syncrhonization.

Thermal Paste - If going with the Sempron, skip out on this, it will save you $7.

Heatsink - I've heard some horror stories about people not buying a quality heatsink/fan. I'll just leave it at that. Chances are the one selected will work, but why take that chance?

Motherboard - Newegg is advertising this one. It's cheaper too. NForce 2, enough said.

Video Card - That is a good video card you selected. For a speed improvement (that will be a fair jump over the 9600), this 9600 Pro looks good (notice how its memory clock rate is higher than the cheaper 9600 Pro's.. Which one you go with is completely up to you. If money is more important, go with the one you selected, if you have that extra money, buy the 9600 Pro (with a 600 MHz memory clock rate).

Case - Buying cheap cases and power supplies is usually a bad idea. However, this case/power supply has received a lot of good reviews. A 350 Watt power supply will be more than enough. If you notice, the vanilla 9600 is passively cooled. The components you selected do not have notorious energy requirements.

Hope this helps some.

 

[Neutrino]

Thanks very much, blah. That's quite helpful.

I think I'm a bit inclined to go with the sempron as I'd prefer a retail cpu as oppose to an oem. But what exactly is the difference between the XP's and the Sempron's anyway? I did notice it has a 256K cache instead of the Xp's 512. How much difference does that make?

Concerning thermal paste, I assume you mean I could just use the thermal pad that comes with the sempron correct? Are there any disadvantages to this? I've read a lot of people say that paste is better.

I'm still undedided about the case. I'm quite tempted to go with it though for the exact reason you pointed out. 5 stars from 112 voters.

 

[blahblahblah]

Thanks very much, blah. That's quite helpful.

I think I'm a bit inclined to go with the sempron as I'd prefer a retail cpu as oppose to an oem. But what exactly is the difference between the XP's and the Sempron's anyway?

Concerning thermal paste, I assume you mean I could just use the thermal pad that comes with the sempron correct? Are there any disadvantages to this? I've read a lot of people say that paste is better.

I'm still undedided about the case. I'm quite tempted to go with it though for the exact reason you pointed out. 5 stars from 112 voters.

If you know anything about processors, certain processors revisions (for lack of a better word) are given names. For instance the Barton core and the Thoroughbred core are both processor revisions for the Athlon XP. The names are usually given to processors to signify that they have something different about them (aside from speed increases).

The Athlon XP 2500+ is a barton core. The Sempron 2600+ is based upon the thoroughbred core (which pre-dates the barton core). The biggest difference between the two is the Athlon XP has more cache than the Sempron. However, with AMD processors, more cache does not make a big difference at all. If I were to make a guess, your Sempron 2600+ would likely perform between a XP 2400+ and a XP 2500+.

The reason why AMD killed the XP line is because Semprons are cheaper for them to make. Like I've said before, there is a performance difference between the two, but it isn't that great. Plus you will be saving money if you go Sempron. Not to mention the reliability of going with a AMD made heatsink.

As for the thermal pad, use it. AMD designed their thermal pads exactly for what you will use it for. Yes, thermal paste is more efficient, but unless you obsess about tempertures or heavily overclock, spending the money on Artic Silver just isn't worth it.

Concerning the case, it will cost you around 20 more dollars to get something I would call trustworthy. It is up to you if you want to spend that type of money. To save money, why don't you re-use the case you have now and just buy a new power supply?

The option is if you don't feel trust worthy about that selection is to buy this spiffy $25 antec case (doesn't come with a power supply) at CompUSA. On top of that buy a Forton/Allied (or whatever quality named power supply) for around $25. Not only is the case is quality made, but you will be getting a good power supply. (My numbers don't include tax or shipping, so be careful). However, the case/power supply you selected should get you just fine.

Sorry about the spelling/grammar mistakes. Long day of cramming and it ended with a comprehensive final. :x Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[Neutrino]

Thanks! :cheers: