C
Chris Hafner
Hello all,
I *used* to know something about computer, back in the dark old ages, but
now after several years of slogging along with a P-366 with a breathtaking
64 MB of RAM and 6 GB HD, my wife has finally given me the nod to pursue a
new system.
While I'm not a programmer or network engineer, I'm decent with computers
dating back to the VIC-20, Apple II, and IBM 8086
and (though it might not be obvious from my current deep-sea anchor) enjoy
having a good machine. However, I'm not a hard-core gamer (though
I do enjoy firing up a DOS game from time to time), nor will I be doing any
video editing on this machine. I do a fair amount in spreadsheet
and database programs and will be storing and editing digital photos, though
not to a professional level. The problem is that while I would
be comfortable picking out the right components and building a machine in
the mid-to-late 1990s, I haven't been keeping up with the
technology.
What I do know is that the 486/100 I built for myself back in 1995
RULED!!!!!1!!!!11!!!
My wife writes e-mail and, from time to time, opens up Microsoft Word.
Her needs are pretty minimal.
Our budget is somewhat small; my wife would love to get a machine for
roughly $400; I've been able to convince her to open things up to
around $850. However, ideally, we'd come down around the midpoint there. So,
not very much.
With the help of some friends in another NG who gave me some baselines, I've
assembled this system with components that look like a good balance between
power and budget from newegg.com. My hope is to dispense with some of the
flashy stuff but to assemble a computer with good bones that I can use until
it's pathetically out of date and I get laughed at by my friends as I am
right now.
Any comments on whether or not this makes sense or if there are any glaring
compatibility issues would be welcome. I am not in need of a monitor,
keyboard, or printer at this time.
---
GIGABYTE "GA-K8NS-939" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard For
AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 939 AMD Athlon 64FX/64 processor
Chipset: nForce3 ULTRA
RAM: 4x DIMM Supports dual channel DDR266/333/400 Max 4GB
Slots: 1x AGP 4X/8X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 2x COM, 1x LPT, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 1x RJ45, Audio
Ports
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices with NV Raid 0/1/0+1
SATA/RAID: 2x SATA with NV Raid 0/1/0+1
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC850 Audio AC'97 Codec
Onboard LAN: Marvell 8001 Gigabit Ethernet
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813128274 $85.00
This looked like a decent enough 939 motherboard to fit the Athlon 64 - it
seems to have the features that I would need, I imagine.
How is the onboard audio with motherboards? I'm so old-school that I can't
imagine much other than ISA sound cards ...
---
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor -
Retail
Specifications:
Model: Athlon 64 3000+
Core: Winchester
Operating Frequency: 1.8GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 512KB
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 90 nm
Socket: Socket 939
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail(with Heatsink and Fan) more info-> N82E16819103501
$165.00
From what I've heard, the Athlon 64 is the hot ticket for bang for the buck
and will be very upgradeable for 64-bit applications. True?
How does the 3000+ Athlon match up with Intel P4 processors? Is it a rough
patch for the P4 3.0?
<shrug>
---
PQI POWER Series 184-Pin 1GB DDR PC-3200, Model MD441GUOE - Retail
Specifications:
Manufacturer: PQI
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 128M x 64-Bit
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820141198 $155.50 $155.50
At first, I picked two 512MB PC2100 DDRs, but then I thought maybe I should
get one PC3200 DDR - albeit for significantly more money. This is DDR
SDRAM - is that better or worse that just straight DDR? Should I have two
512 MB sticks instead to take advantage of dual-channel? What's the
difference between PC3200 and PC2100? And is this RAM compatible with the
motherboard selected above?
---
Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive, Model SP1614N, OEM Drive Only
Specifications:
Capacity: 160GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE Ultra ATA133
Features: Fluid Dynamic Bearing Spindle Motor Technology
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Remark: OEM Drive Only more info-> N82E16822152014 $89.00
This one had fairly good reviews - I'd probably prefer a Western Digital or
Maxtor, but Samsung isn't a bad brand, from what I know. It is not an SATA
drive - should I care? It does have an 8MB buffer, which seems pretty good,
and its seek time seems solid. Most importantly, the capacity and the price
seem to be in a good balance.
---
Rosewill GRAY 52X32X52 CDRW Drive, Model RR-521, Retail
Specifications:
Write Speed: 52X CD-R, 32X CD-RW
Read Speed: 52X CD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
Features: Buffer under run errors prevention. Adopts Buffer Underrun
Prevention technology. Low power consumption.
Packaging: Full Retail Package (see pictures for details) more info->
N82E16827190011 $20.00
Just a cheap-o CDRW drive as my primary optical to spare the DVD drive the
wear and tear. The speed is good, the reviews were pretty good, and the
price is very right.
---
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Beige, Model ND-3520A, OEM
Specifications:
Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD-RW,
48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details) more info-> N82E16827152039
$62.99
I decided to go with more of a name brand for the DL DVD-RW. It's still a
great price, and this is supposed to be one of the better DL burners out
there - although I'll probably do more single-layer burning until DL media
drops a little.
---
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 7000(RADEON VE) Video Card, 64MB DDR, 64-bit,
TV-Out, 4X AGP -BULK
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 7000(RADEON VE)/166MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 64MB DDR/400MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video+Composite)
Support 3D API: DirectX®, OpenGL®
Cable/Accessories: 1 Adapter, Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@60Hz more info->
I understand this is an older card, which doesn't bother me much - I
won't be playing the most up-to-date games - probably year-old stuff and
older. The price seemed right, and I understand Sapphire ATI is pretty
decent. It's not the cheapest card out there, but it's close with a
recognizable name and, hopefully, good compatibility.
---
Linkworld Beige/Blue Midi ATX CASE, Model "B313C02N -
P4" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Case Type: Midi ATX CASE
Color: Beige/Blue
Material: Metal
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4/0, 3.5" x 2/2 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2xUSB
Cooling System: 1 front fan
Motherboard Compatibility: ATX
Dimensions: 20.5" x 10" x 19.5" more info-> N82E16811164039
$17.00
N82E16814102231 $31.00
Yeah, it's a cheap case. I don't need anything that looks like Alienware - I
just need a box for the parts to sit in. Am I an idiot for thinking this
way, or will I get by just fine with something cheap and chintzy like this?
I'd prefer to save my money for hardware rather than haute couture.
---
Rosewill Value Series 300W Dual Fan Power Supply for Intel and AMD
systems, Model "RV300" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 300W
PFC: No
Efficiency: 70% Min. at full load
Over Voltage Protection: On all outputs
Input Voltage: 115/230V AC
Input Frequency Range: 60/ 50Hz
Input Current: 10A/6A
Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@30A, [email protected], +12V@15A, [email protected], +5VSB@2A
MTBF: 100K hrs at 25ºC
Approvals: UL, CB, CE, TUV, FCC more info-> N82E16817182001 $13.00
As tempting as it is for me to think a power supply is a power supply is a
power supply, neither do I want an unstable machine. Will this do the job?
---
DCT Factory 03M-OPT-BCLI Optical Mouse PS/2 -RETAIL
Specifications:
Interface: PS/2
Number Of Buttons: 3x Buttons + 1x Wheel
Optical/Ball: Optical
Wireless Technology: N/A
Features: Middle button lights up more info-> N82E16826147001 $5.56
Cheap, generic mouse - our current mouse doesn't have a wheel on it, so what
the heck, right?
---
All told, this adds up to $641.22, which seems pretty good for what's
included. Any thoughts?
TIA for any help.
Cheers,
Chris Hafner
I *used* to know something about computer, back in the dark old ages, but
now after several years of slogging along with a P-366 with a breathtaking
64 MB of RAM and 6 GB HD, my wife has finally given me the nod to pursue a
new system.
While I'm not a programmer or network engineer, I'm decent with computers
dating back to the VIC-20, Apple II, and IBM 8086
and (though it might not be obvious from my current deep-sea anchor) enjoy
having a good machine. However, I'm not a hard-core gamer (though
I do enjoy firing up a DOS game from time to time), nor will I be doing any
video editing on this machine. I do a fair amount in spreadsheet
and database programs and will be storing and editing digital photos, though
not to a professional level. The problem is that while I would
be comfortable picking out the right components and building a machine in
the mid-to-late 1990s, I haven't been keeping up with the
technology.
What I do know is that the 486/100 I built for myself back in 1995
RULED!!!!!1!!!!11!!!
My wife writes e-mail and, from time to time, opens up Microsoft Word.
Her needs are pretty minimal.
Our budget is somewhat small; my wife would love to get a machine for
roughly $400; I've been able to convince her to open things up to
around $850. However, ideally, we'd come down around the midpoint there. So,
not very much.
With the help of some friends in another NG who gave me some baselines, I've
assembled this system with components that look like a good balance between
power and budget from newegg.com. My hope is to dispense with some of the
flashy stuff but to assemble a computer with good bones that I can use until
it's pathetically out of date and I get laughed at by my friends as I am
right now.
Any comments on whether or not this makes sense or if there are any glaring
compatibility issues would be welcome. I am not in need of a monitor,
keyboard, or printer at this time.
---
GIGABYTE "GA-K8NS-939" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard For
AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 939 AMD Athlon 64FX/64 processor
Chipset: nForce3 ULTRA
RAM: 4x DIMM Supports dual channel DDR266/333/400 Max 4GB
Slots: 1x AGP 4X/8X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 2x COM, 1x LPT, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 1x RJ45, Audio
Ports
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices with NV Raid 0/1/0+1
SATA/RAID: 2x SATA with NV Raid 0/1/0+1
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC850 Audio AC'97 Codec
Onboard LAN: Marvell 8001 Gigabit Ethernet
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813128274 $85.00
This looked like a decent enough 939 motherboard to fit the Athlon 64 - it
seems to have the features that I would need, I imagine.
How is the onboard audio with motherboards? I'm so old-school that I can't
imagine much other than ISA sound cards ...
---
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor -
Retail
Specifications:
Model: Athlon 64 3000+
Core: Winchester
Operating Frequency: 1.8GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 512KB
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 90 nm
Socket: Socket 939
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail(with Heatsink and Fan) more info-> N82E16819103501
$165.00
From what I've heard, the Athlon 64 is the hot ticket for bang for the buck
and will be very upgradeable for 64-bit applications. True?
How does the 3000+ Athlon match up with Intel P4 processors? Is it a rough
patch for the P4 3.0?
<shrug>
---
PQI POWER Series 184-Pin 1GB DDR PC-3200, Model MD441GUOE - Retail
Specifications:
Manufacturer: PQI
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 128M x 64-Bit
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820141198 $155.50 $155.50
At first, I picked two 512MB PC2100 DDRs, but then I thought maybe I should
get one PC3200 DDR - albeit for significantly more money. This is DDR
SDRAM - is that better or worse that just straight DDR? Should I have two
512 MB sticks instead to take advantage of dual-channel? What's the
difference between PC3200 and PC2100? And is this RAM compatible with the
motherboard selected above?
---
Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive, Model SP1614N, OEM Drive Only
Specifications:
Capacity: 160GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE Ultra ATA133
Features: Fluid Dynamic Bearing Spindle Motor Technology
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Remark: OEM Drive Only more info-> N82E16822152014 $89.00
This one had fairly good reviews - I'd probably prefer a Western Digital or
Maxtor, but Samsung isn't a bad brand, from what I know. It is not an SATA
drive - should I care? It does have an 8MB buffer, which seems pretty good,
and its seek time seems solid. Most importantly, the capacity and the price
seem to be in a good balance.
---
Rosewill GRAY 52X32X52 CDRW Drive, Model RR-521, Retail
Specifications:
Write Speed: 52X CD-R, 32X CD-RW
Read Speed: 52X CD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
Features: Buffer under run errors prevention. Adopts Buffer Underrun
Prevention technology. Low power consumption.
Packaging: Full Retail Package (see pictures for details) more info->
N82E16827190011 $20.00
Just a cheap-o CDRW drive as my primary optical to spare the DVD drive the
wear and tear. The speed is good, the reviews were pretty good, and the
price is very right.
---
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Beige, Model ND-3520A, OEM
Specifications:
Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD-RW,
48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details) more info-> N82E16827152039
$62.99
I decided to go with more of a name brand for the DL DVD-RW. It's still a
great price, and this is supposed to be one of the better DL burners out
there - although I'll probably do more single-layer burning until DL media
drops a little.
---
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 7000(RADEON VE) Video Card, 64MB DDR, 64-bit,
TV-Out, 4X AGP -BULK
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 7000(RADEON VE)/166MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 64MB DDR/400MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video+Composite)
Support 3D API: DirectX®, OpenGL®
Cable/Accessories: 1 Adapter, Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@60Hz more info->
I understand this is an older card, which doesn't bother me much - I
won't be playing the most up-to-date games - probably year-old stuff and
older. The price seemed right, and I understand Sapphire ATI is pretty
decent. It's not the cheapest card out there, but it's close with a
recognizable name and, hopefully, good compatibility.
---
Linkworld Beige/Blue Midi ATX CASE, Model "B313C02N -
P4" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Case Type: Midi ATX CASE
Color: Beige/Blue
Material: Metal
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4/0, 3.5" x 2/2 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2xUSB
Cooling System: 1 front fan
Motherboard Compatibility: ATX
Dimensions: 20.5" x 10" x 19.5" more info-> N82E16811164039
$17.00
N82E16814102231 $31.00
Yeah, it's a cheap case. I don't need anything that looks like Alienware - I
just need a box for the parts to sit in. Am I an idiot for thinking this
way, or will I get by just fine with something cheap and chintzy like this?
I'd prefer to save my money for hardware rather than haute couture.
---
Rosewill Value Series 300W Dual Fan Power Supply for Intel and AMD
systems, Model "RV300" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 300W
PFC: No
Efficiency: 70% Min. at full load
Over Voltage Protection: On all outputs
Input Voltage: 115/230V AC
Input Frequency Range: 60/ 50Hz
Input Current: 10A/6A
Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@30A, [email protected], +12V@15A, [email protected], +5VSB@2A
MTBF: 100K hrs at 25ºC
Approvals: UL, CB, CE, TUV, FCC more info-> N82E16817182001 $13.00
As tempting as it is for me to think a power supply is a power supply is a
power supply, neither do I want an unstable machine. Will this do the job?
---
DCT Factory 03M-OPT-BCLI Optical Mouse PS/2 -RETAIL
Specifications:
Interface: PS/2
Number Of Buttons: 3x Buttons + 1x Wheel
Optical/Ball: Optical
Wireless Technology: N/A
Features: Middle button lights up more info-> N82E16826147001 $5.56
Cheap, generic mouse - our current mouse doesn't have a wheel on it, so what
the heck, right?
---
All told, this adds up to $641.22, which seems pretty good for what's
included. Any thoughts?
TIA for any help.
Cheers,
Chris Hafner