Help me make my first ever custom made pc

[franciz3]

I am tired of my old computer and now i have some extra cash (not
alot) I'm planning to make my first ever custom made desktop pc. And
YOU, yes YOU, don't have a choice but to help me (jk.. but pls help
me )

I'm building my own desktop pc for experience... so i can get to know
more on hardware stuff... and of course for high-end gaming...

I personally chose AMD over INTEL on this project... because once i
googled... "AMD vs Intel duo processor" seems like AMD keeps winning
on every battle...and of course AMD seems to be less expensive than
INTEL core2duo which is a big thing (yes i'm cheap)...

ok i've been searching around the online stores and i found out that
"AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (Dual Core)" is the best AMD dual core cpu out
there, am i right? please correct me if I'm wrong.

from the site I'm planning to buy this cpu from... it comes with a
motherboard... 2 selections.. either.

Biostar K8M800MAM2
(Spec below)
# Mfr Part Number: K8M800M AM2
# CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Sempron Processor; Supports AMD Cool 'n'
Quiet Technology; FSB 1600 MHz
# Chipset: VIA K8M800 & VT8237R Plus
# Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity
2GB
# Slots: 1x AGP 8X slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 2x ATA-133 channels; 2x SATA ports support RAID 0 and 1
# Audio: Realtek ALC655/ALC658 5.1Channel AC'97 Audio CODEC
# Video: VIA UniChrome Pro Graphics Controller max shared video memory
64MB
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100Mbps Ethernet Controller
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x
Serial port; 1x Parallel port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/
O jack
# Form Factor: Micro ATX, 19.7 x 24.4 cm

OR

ECS NFORCE4M-A
(spec below)
# Mfr Part Number: NFORCE4M-A
# CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Athlon 64 X2
Dual-Core/ Sempron processor; FSB 2000/1600/1200/800/400 MT/s
# Chipset: nVidia nForce4-4X
# Memory: 4x 240pin DIMMs support Dual-channel DDR2-800/667/533memory;
Max capacity 8GB
# Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 2x PCI Express x1 slots; 3x PCI
slots
# IDE/SATA: 2x ATA-133 channels; 4x SATA ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1
# Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-Channel audio CODEC
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet PHY
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x
RJ45 LAN port; 1x Parallel port; 1x Serial port; 1x SPDIF out; Audio I/
O jack (Line-in/Line-out/Mic-in)
# Form Factor: ATX, 305 x 244 mm

ok my question is.. which motherboard should i choose? right now my
vote is for "ECS NFORCE4M-A" cuz this one has pci-e's 16x slot over
the other one with agp 8x... (i've heard about pci-e's vs agps... and
lots off ppl told me pci-e's are faster/better than AGPs).. again..
correct me if im wrong.

Oh ya, What do u guys think of the selection of the motherboards? Is
it bad? Is it just..regular? nothing advance? please tell me an honest
answer... you guys think i'm gon need a better one dont ya?

Another question... will either of the motherboard support the best
DDR2 RAM out there?.. is "DDR2 PC2-6400" the best one?.. i'm planning
to get 2gb bc i dont think i need more than that.

will either of the motherboard be able to support my current HDD which
is...
http://www.westerndigital.com/en/pro...asp?DriveID=41
( I don't wanna replace this yet... cuz 250gb is still alot and i
still haven't even max out half of it. I don't do video editing so i
don't really need much of a big space..)(also i don't wanna spend any
more money on HDD)
another question about HDD... will SATA hard drive increase a computer
performance? If so, i might have to buy a new SATA HDD then

I'm sorry i have lots of questions... this is going to be my first
time buying a cpu and a motherboard... i wanna get it right on my
first try..becuase as i said before my $$ is very limited =\ if i mess
up... this might be it!... that's why i wanna get other ppl's opinions
first before i buy it.

Please HELP me !! I really need help. hehe.

 

[Thomas Wendell]

I am tired of my old computer and now i have some extra cash (not
alot) I'm planning to make my first ever custom made desktop pc. And
YOU, yes YOU, don't have a choice but to help me (jk.. but pls help
me )

I'm building my own desktop pc for experience... so i can get to know
more on hardware stuff... and of course for high-end gaming...

I personally chose AMD over INTEL on this project... because once i
googled... "AMD vs Intel duo processor" seems like AMD keeps winning
on every battle...and of course AMD seems to be less expensive than
INTEL core2duo which is a big thing (yes i'm cheap)...

ok i've been searching around the online stores and i found out that
"AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (Dual Core)" is the best AMD dual core cpu out
there, am i right? please correct me if I'm wrong.

from the site I'm planning to buy this cpu from... it comes with a
motherboard... 2 selections.. either.

Biostar K8M800MAM2
(Spec below)
# Mfr Part Number: K8M800M AM2
# CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Sempron Processor; Supports AMD Cool 'n'
Quiet Technology; FSB 1600 MHz
# Chipset: VIA K8M800 & VT8237R Plus
# Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity
2GB
# Slots: 1x AGP 8X slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 2x ATA-133 channels; 2x SATA ports support RAID 0 and 1
# Audio: Realtek ALC655/ALC658 5.1Channel AC'97 Audio CODEC
# Video: VIA UniChrome Pro Graphics Controller max shared video memory
64MB
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100Mbps Ethernet Controller
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x
Serial port; 1x Parallel port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/
O jack
# Form Factor: Micro ATX, 19.7 x 24.4 cm

OR

ECS NFORCE4M-A
(spec below)
# Mfr Part Number: NFORCE4M-A
# CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Athlon 64 X2
Dual-Core/ Sempron processor; FSB 2000/1600/1200/800/400 MT/s
# Chipset: nVidia nForce4-4X
# Memory: 4x 240pin DIMMs support Dual-channel DDR2-800/667/533memory;
Max capacity 8GB
# Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 2x PCI Express x1 slots; 3x PCI
slots
# IDE/SATA: 2x ATA-133 channels; 4x SATA ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1
# Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-Channel audio CODEC
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet PHY
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x
RJ45 LAN port; 1x Parallel port; 1x Serial port; 1x SPDIF out; Audio
I/ O jack (Line-in/Line-out/Mic-in)
# Form Factor: ATX, 305 x 244 mm

ok my question is.. which motherboard should i choose? right now my
vote is for "ECS NFORCE4M-A" cuz this one has pci-e's 16x slot over
the other one with agp 8x... (i've heard about pci-e's vs agps... and
lots off ppl told me pci-e's are faster/better than AGPs).. again..
correct me if im wrong.

Oh ya, What do u guys think of the selection of the motherboards? Is
it bad? Is it just..regular? nothing advance? please tell me an honest
answer... you guys think i'm gon need a better one dont ya?

Another question... will either of the motherboard support the best
DDR2 RAM out there?.. is "DDR2 PC2-6400" the best one?.. i'm planning
to get 2gb bc i dont think i need more than that.

will either of the motherboard be able to support my current HDD which
is...
http://www.westerndigital.com/en/pro...asp?DriveID=41
( I don't wanna replace this yet... cuz 250gb is still alot and i
still haven't even max out half of it. I don't do video editing so i
don't really need much of a big space..)(also i don't wanna spend any
more money on HDD)
another question about HDD... will SATA hard drive increase a computer
performance? If so, i might have to buy a new SATA HDD then

I'm sorry i have lots of questions... this is going to be my first
time buying a cpu and a motherboard... i wanna get it right on my
first try..becuase as i said before my $$ is very limited =\ if i mess
up... this might be it!... that's why i wanna get other ppl's opinions
first before i buy it.

Please HELP me !! I really need help. hehe.

Well, if only those are to choose from, I'd go for the ECS as it's more
modern..
PCI-e slots, 1 additional PCI slot, more memory slots, 2 more SATAs, SPDIF
out...
But it is also bigger (ATX vs uATX) so depends on case; hasn't got on-board
graphics, so PCI-e gfx card is needed
(The Biostar doesn't seem to support that Athlon x2 6000+ processor)

--
Tumppi
=================================
A lot learned from these newsgroups
Helsinki, FINLAND
(translations from/to FI not always accurate)
=================================

 

[Paul]

I am tired of my old computer and now i have some extra cash (not
alot) I'm planning to make my first ever custom made desktop pc. And
YOU, yes YOU, don't have a choice but to help me (jk.. but pls help
me )

I'm building my own desktop pc for experience... so i can get to know
more on hardware stuff... and of course for high-end gaming...

I personally chose AMD over INTEL on this project... because once i
googled... "AMD vs Intel duo processor" seems like AMD keeps winning
on every battle...and of course AMD seems to be less expensive than
INTEL core2duo which is a big thing (yes i'm cheap)...

ok i've been searching around the online stores and i found out that
"AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (Dual Core)" is the best AMD dual core cpu out
there, am i right? please correct me if I'm wrong.

from the site I'm planning to buy this cpu from... it comes with a
motherboard... 2 selections.. either.

Biostar K8M800MAM2
(Spec below)
# Mfr Part Number: K8M800M AM2
# CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Sempron Processor; Supports AMD Cool 'n'
Quiet Technology; FSB 1600 MHz
# Chipset: VIA K8M800 & VT8237R Plus
# Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity
2GB
# Slots: 1x AGP 8X slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 2x ATA-133 channels; 2x SATA ports support RAID 0 and 1
# Audio: Realtek ALC655/ALC658 5.1Channel AC'97 Audio CODEC
# Video: VIA UniChrome Pro Graphics Controller max shared video memory
64MB
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100Mbps Ethernet Controller
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x
Serial port; 1x Parallel port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/
O jack
# Form Factor: Micro ATX, 19.7 x 24.4 cm

OR

ECS NFORCE4M-A
(spec below)
# Mfr Part Number: NFORCE4M-A
# CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Athlon 64 X2
Dual-Core/ Sempron processor; FSB 2000/1600/1200/800/400 MT/s
# Chipset: nVidia nForce4-4X
# Memory: 4x 240pin DIMMs support Dual-channel DDR2-800/667/533memory;
Max capacity 8GB
# Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 2x PCI Express x1 slots; 3x PCI
slots
# IDE/SATA: 2x ATA-133 channels; 4x SATA ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1
# Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-Channel audio CODEC
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet PHY
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x
RJ45 LAN port; 1x Parallel port; 1x Serial port; 1x SPDIF out; Audio I/
O jack (Line-in/Line-out/Mic-in)
# Form Factor: ATX, 305 x 244 mm

ok my question is.. which motherboard should i choose? right now my
vote is for "ECS NFORCE4M-A" cuz this one has pci-e's 16x slot over
the other one with agp 8x... (i've heard about pci-e's vs agps... and
lots off ppl told me pci-e's are faster/better than AGPs).. again..
correct me if im wrong.

Oh ya, What do u guys think of the selection of the motherboards? Is
it bad? Is it just..regular? nothing advance? please tell me an honest
answer... you guys think i'm gon need a better one dont ya?

Another question... will either of the motherboard support the best
DDR2 RAM out there?.. is "DDR2 PC2-6400" the best one?.. i'm planning
to get 2gb bc i dont think i need more than that.

will either of the motherboard be able to support my current HDD which
is...
http://www.westerndigital.com/en/pro...asp?DriveID=41
( I don't wanna replace this yet... cuz 250gb is still alot and i
still haven't even max out half of it. I don't do video editing so i
don't really need much of a big space..)(also i don't wanna spend any
more money on HDD)
another question about HDD... will SATA hard drive increase a computer
performance? If so, i might have to buy a new SATA HDD then

I'm sorry i have lots of questions... this is going to be my first
time buying a cpu and a motherboard... i wanna get it right on my
first try..becuase as i said before my $$ is very limited =\ if i mess
up... this might be it!... that's why i wanna get other ppl's opinions
first before i buy it.

Please HELP me !! I really need help. hehe.

AMD isn't winning every battle. In the enthusiast sector, Intel is
winning. For prebuilt computers, sometimes the AMD systems are
cheaper to put together, and I think that is where they are
concentrating.

You select a PCI Express video card slot, because more cards are available
for that interface. It isn't always absolutely necessary to use that
slot, but buying an AGP motherboard at this point would be a mistake.
If you even wanted to upgrade the AGP video card in the future, there
might not be as many good choices. We are still waiting for DX-10
compatible AGP cards, for example.

You can purchase DDR2-800 memory, and that could be a useful memory
if you need to move it to another computer in the future. It will
run at whatever speed the memory dividers support, on your processor.
For example, in the tables here, your 6000+ processor burns 125W max (ouch)
and runs at DDR2-750. (Many current Intel processors run at 65W max.
There is a table of values later in the following article.) The
DDR2-800 is slightly faster than the speed the memory will actually
run at, which is fine. A fast memory can run slower, when needed.

http://www.hwupgrade.com/articles/cpu/27/the-last-of-the-k8-the-amd-athlon-64-x2-6000+_2.html

One way to select a motherboard, is look for one which has good reviews.
This is a list of AMD AM2 socket motherboards that have PCI Express video slots.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...21489+1073607587&Configurator=&Subcategory=22

This GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 AM2 GeForce 6100 ATX is $75, and has good
reviews. The board is 12" x 9.6", a full sized board. The chipset is
from Nvidia.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034

This is a microATX board (9.6" x 9.6") and uses an ATI chipset $79.
I'm not crazy about ATI chipsets, because usually the accompanying BIOS
sucks. Since you are using a 6000+ processor, it doesn't have a lot of
room for overclocking anyway, so perhaps there is no loss to you, of
having a BIOS that lacks overclocking features.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128056

So based on the reviews of that limited list of motherboards, I think
I'd build up a full size ATX motherboard, like the GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3.
It costs another $20 more perhaps, than your other motherboard choices,
but you won't have to RMA it because it is dead when you get it.

If you are a gamer, you'll need a decent graphics card, and so the
onboard graphics capability will only be used while testing the
board. Adding a graphics card, increases 3D game frame rates by a large
factor.

Paul

 

[Bob Knowlden]

Have a look at a guide for a relatively inexpensive gaming system:

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/MVGSBG/article.php/10708_3697556__1

I don't own any of the components used in the build, but they all look like
reasonable choices. (The $1000 total may be optimistic.) I'm not
enthusiastic about their choice of case, but one point is to get a decent
power supply. (If your new mainboard uses a 24 pin power connector, you may
as well get a power supply that matches it, which could be either a 24 pin
supply or a 20+4 type.)

You may have a problem using your old HD with the newer motherboards,
because they offer few IDE connectors. (My Abit IP35 Pro, for example, only
has a single IDE connector, which supports two devices. I use them for a
DVD-ROM and a DVD burner.) The link that you provide for your HD is
incomplete, so I can't see what its specs are. If you needed to replace the
drive, here's one that I recommend for its 5 year warranty:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

(Seagate 320 GB SATA, 3 Gb/s, perpendicular recording technology, $80
shipped.) An alternative would be to use your old IDE drive with an IDE to
SATA adapter, around $14 at NewEgg. I don't know how reliable these adapters
are, but I have the impression that they're OK.

Core2 CPUs seem to be the preferred ones for gaming machines at the moment.
(A year or two ago, the AMD Athlon 64 was the CPU of choice.) The Core2
chips are especially attractive if you're interested in overclocking, but
that's a whole other story.

If you decide to go with Vista, I suggest spending some more money and
getting Home Premium. I forget what Vista Basic leaves out, but I think that
it's intended mainly to save a few dollars on prebuilt systems. (The Aero
interface is one omission, but I don't thinks that's important.) If you are
a student, you may be able to get an academic version of the OS at a
considerable discount. (That would be good, because Vista is @#$%^&
expensive.)

Don't consider onboard graphics if you want a gaming machine. They are OK
for low-end 2D business graphics, but poor to unusable for 3D games.

Have fun.

Return address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.