First Build Help

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BoomerM3

I'm wanting to build, rather than buy. I will replace a desktop PC that
I use primarily for business applications, the internet, and Photoshop
editing (this is the heaviest processing I do).

I have some components that I would like to re-use, if possible. A 120
Gb drive (Ultra Ata/100); 512Mb SDRAM (DIMM PC-133), and a Leadtek
graphics card (AGP). I may eventually upgrade these - later rather than
sooner.

I am not interested in overclocking. I am interested in having a system
that I can upgrade over the next 5 years.

I want to use an Intel CPU and from what I read here, ASUS motherboards
look good.

Can anyone tell me how to proceed or what sites would be good sources
of info. Seems like most forums are overclockers.


peter
 
BoomerM3 said:
I'm wanting to build, rather than buy. I will replace a desktop PC that
I use primarily for business applications, the internet, and Photoshop
editing (this is the heaviest processing I do).

I have some components that I would like to re-use, if possible. A 120
Gb drive (Ultra Ata/100); 512Mb SDRAM (DIMM PC-133), and a Leadtek
graphics card (AGP). I may eventually upgrade these - later rather than
sooner.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can use that memory in a new build. It's old style
SingleDataRate, and newer boards use DoubleDataRate memory.
The HD and AGP card (what card?) are usable..
Photoshop editing? How big are the pictures? Maybe going for 1GB of memory
would be a good idea?

I am not interested in overclocking. I am interested in having a system
that I can upgrade over the next 5 years.

I want to use an Intel CPU and from what I read here, ASUS motherboards
look good.

Can anyone tell me how to proceed or what sites would be good sources
of info. Seems like most forums are overclockers.


peter
Click to expand...


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Reply to group
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I think your best bet is an Intel board. Intel site is very good for
building help. Look at the Intel D865PERL. Very good board. Can be had
for ~$95 on line. Pentium 4 @ 3.0 GHz with HyperThreading goes for
$200.
 
The SDRAM that you want to reuse is no longer used in modern motherboards.
DDR RAM has been in use for years now and the first motherboards using the
next generation DDR2 are appearing. I would recommend you rethink your
upgrade.
 
The SDRAM that you want to reuse is no longer used in modern motherboards.
DDR RAM has been in use for years now and the first motherboards using the
next generation DDR2 are appearing. I would recommend you rethink your
upgrade.
 
BoomerM3 said:
I'm wanting to build, rather than buy. I will replace a desktop PC that
I use primarily for business applications, the internet, and Photoshop
editing (this is the heaviest processing I do).

I have some components that I would like to re-use, if possible. A 120
Gb drive (Ultra Ata/100); 512Mb SDRAM (DIMM PC-133), and a Leadtek
graphics card (AGP). I may eventually upgrade these - later rather than
sooner.

I am not interested in overclocking. I am interested in having a system
that I can upgrade over the next 5 years.

I want to use an Intel CPU and from what I read here, ASUS motherboards
look good.

Can anyone tell me how to proceed or what sites would be good sources
of info. Seems like most forums are overclockers.
Click to expand...

First off, why continue to use SDRAM? Is it a money thing? If so, then you
either need to consider AMD and get more bang for your $ and get some new
memory, or get a slower Intel P4 and get some memory.

That SDRAM will bottlneck your system and ssssslllllloooowwwww iiiiitttt
dddddooooowwwwwnnnnn... Seriously. You need new RAM. Generally, when you
upgrade a motherboard, you can count on getting new RAM and a new
processor.

Photoshop is resource heavy. You need fast RAM and lots of it. You also need
a fast processor. The graphics card isn't so important, as Photoshop is 2D
and a GeForce FX5200 is just as fast as a 6800 Ultra in 2D.

I have no idea why you're stuck on Intel. They run hot, they're expensive,
and they're slower than AMD overall. When Windows 64 hits, expect generally
a 20% speed increase for 64 bit processors. You can't even have 64 bit
processors with an Intel board that supports AGP.

If you want Intel, then check out these:

ASUS "P4P800-E Deluxe" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU
-RETAIL

Supported CPU: Intel Pentium 4/Celeron Processor (Prescott Ready)
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5R
FSB: 800/533/400MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR400 Max 4GB
IDE: 2x UDMA 100 by ICH5R, 1x UDMA 133 by Promise 20378
Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI, 1x ASUS Wi-Fi
Ports: 2xPS/2,2xCOM(Rear 1),1xLPT,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),2xIEEE1394(Rear
1),1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: ALC850 8-CH
Onboard LAN: Marvell 88E8001 GbE
Onboard 1394: VT6307
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x SATA RAID 0/1 by ICH5R, 2x SATA RAID 0/1/0+1 by
Promise 20378
Form Factor: ATX

$113.00

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading
Technology - Retail

Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading Technology
Core: Prescott
Operating Frequency: 3.2GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB
Voltage: 1.25V-1.525V
Process: 0.09Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail(with Heatsink and Fan)

$217.00

Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 -
Retail

Manufacturer: Corsair
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: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime

$128.67

You'll need a new power supply, because there is no way on Earth the old
power supply you're currently using can put out enough juice to satisfy the
new hardware. You get what you pay for for power supplies. Antec is the
best, IMO, and is a bargain when purchased as part of a new case. Consider
one of these two:

ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"

Case Type: Mid Tower
Color: Piano Black
Material: 0.8mm SECC Steel
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 3/0, 3.5" x 2/4 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2xUSB & 1xIEEE1394 & Audio
Power Supply: 380W
Cooling System: 1 x 120mm Fans Rear
Mainboard Compatibility: Standard ATX
Dimensions: 16.75"x18.25"x8.13"

$96.00

--OR--

Antec Solution Series Quiet Black Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply,
Model "SLK2650-BQE" - Retail

Case Type: Mid Tower
Color: Black
Material: Steel
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4, 3.5" x 2/2 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: USB2.0 x 2
Power Supply: Antec SL350S 350W
Cooling System: 1 x 120mm rear
Motherboard Compatibility: up to Standard ATX
Dimensions: 16.5"(H) x 8.25"(W) x 16.5"(D)
Special Features: Chassis Air Guide (on side panel)

$72.00


Good Luck!
 
Your thinking is outdated. You would save money in
the long run if you bought a system from a reputable
retailer ... plus you "might" have a better warranty.
5 years is nearly 3 generations in computer development.
Your idea of upgrading over 5 years is just about
impossible. I think you might do better to get creative
about a payment plan with rebates. Also, many times
a used computer from a private owner is not a bad
deal. People turn loose of P4s loaded with software
all the time for around $500.

johns
 
BoomerM3 said:
I have some components that I would like to re-use, if possible. A 120
Gb drive (Ultra Ata/100); 512Mb SDRAM (DIMM PC-133), and a Leadtek
graphics card (AGP). I may eventually upgrade these - later rather than
sooner.
Click to expand...

I expect you can get twenty to fifty dollars for that old RAM on ebay or
at a computer show.
 
johns said:
Your thinking is outdated. You would save money in
the long run if you bought a system from a reputable
retailer ... plus you "might" have a better warranty.
Click to expand...

If you buy the Retail-boxed parts, better warranties may be seen as one
of the advantages of building yourself. 3 years for a CPU, 5 years for
a Seagate drive, 3 years for an Antec case/PSU combo. Newegg will sell
you cheap warranty extensions on motherboards, video cards, and optical
drives.
 
You get that anyway. Buying from a retailer doesn't
void the manufacturers warranty. As a matter of fact,
most vendors now don't give more than a 90 day
warrantee. Only private integrators will give a total
system warranty .. and that is on the build so you
don't take a buggy box home, and then have to call
Maxtor or Seagate and start RMAing your stuff. I
know whereof I speak. I've had to RMA AMD64
cpus by themselves back to AMD for testing when
I just bought the dam thing from Mwave.com, and
it failed out of the box. Fair warning about rolling your
own. You can get really screwed unless you make it
clear that you are going to strangle Mwave or NewEgg
if they mess with you !!!! Make darn sure you buy
the mobo bundle tested ( pay the stupid $9 ) and
assembled. Warranty extensions are a very good idea
when building a system.

johns
 
Thanks for all your suggestions. Does this config make more sense?
- ASUS P4P800-E Delux
- Intel Pentium 4 3.0E Ghz (But, seems most processors in this range
use the LGA775 boards. Is this a reason to switch MB?
- Antec cases are recommended. Other say the 120 mm fan is very noisy.
True? Switch cases?
- I have an AGP video card (Leadtek/Winfast A310). The ASUS specs
support AGP8X (AGP 3.0). Will my card work?

All your input is appreciated.

peter
 
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