Low Budget Shooting for Hi End Socket 478 Build

[teknowbabble]

Ive been saving up my pennies and am interested in building a system
that can do,

* 3D CAD
* Digital Audio Production
* Be a Small Server
* Can Network with other computers

----------------------------------
I bought an Intel D865GBFLK Mobo.
----------------------------------
* Socket 478
* CPU P4 1.6-3.4EE Ghz Capability
* 6 PCI Slots
* 2 ATA 100 and 2 SATA Slots
* 1 AGP 8x Slot
* RAM up to 4 Gig Capability
* Onboard Gigabit LAN
* 4 USB ports and 4 USB headers
* Comes with onboard Audio and Video

Im definitely on a budget. But Im trying to shoot as high as I can.

Basically Im looking for AFFORDABILITY, FLEXIBLITY, UPGRADEABILITY, and
RELIABILITY.

I was told that I would need at least a P4 800 FSB CPU for graphics.
Thats means at least a 2.4C or E Ghz P4 CPU. I was also told at least
512 MB RAM to start.

I was thinking of getting a full tower case with a beefy power supply.
I want a case with as many 5.25 bays in the front and 3.5 trays inside
as possible.

Which is better Antec or Enermax? or are they both about the same.

I was thinking of getting around a 450-500 Watt PS. What do you think?
I keep hearing that at least a 350W PS will due.
If I transition to a Mobo with dual-core CPU, PCI x-press, and a SLI
graphics system down the road can I get a compatible PS now? Are there
any special connectors I need to be aware of?

I would love to get a lian li case but its out of my price rannge. What
comparable brand-name cases do you recommend? I like a simple
rectangular box like lian li's. I dont need the doors on front. I would
like simple mounting and access systems. I dont know much about cases.
Ive seen some with carry handles and quick release mounting screws that
look nice and seem functional.

As far as graphics I will have to save up for that. I guess that will
be an ATI or NVidea. I guess there is some 6-pin connector for the
higher power graphics cards to watch out for.

This is my first full build. So Im definitely open to suggestions.

Thanks
Teknowbabble

 

[ruel24]

Ive been saving up my pennies and am interested in building a system
that can do,

* 3D CAD
* Digital Audio Production
* Be a Small Server
* Can Network with other computers

Why? What was so special about that board? The price between a great
board and a not-so-great board are not that much difference. I hope
you bought it used, because the prices I've found from retailers for
this board are high - $139 at Directron. You could have bought a very
modern board with all the bells and whistles and a BIOS that'll let
you overclock every ounce of potential out for that kind of money.
Something from Gigabyte, Asus, MSI, Abit, or DFI would have been a
better choice.

Im definitely on a budget. But Im trying to shoot as high as I can.

How tight?

Basically Im looking for AFFORDABILITY, FLEXIBLITY, UPGRADEABILITY, and
RELIABILITY.

You lost upgradability with that board. It's a generation old
technology that uses AGP, which will be a dead technology before long,
and the socket 478, which the availability of future processor
upgrades is limited and will undoubtedly completely dry up before
long.

You could have bought a Gigabyte nForce 4 board with SLI for $106 that
has upgradeability: Firewire, PCI-e, socket 939 (current socket), SATA
II, lots of USB ports, gigabit LAN, and SLI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128301

And AMD Athlon 64 has 64 bits and will be ready for future software
that'll take advantage of it and is much more bang for the buck. A
nice 3200+ Venice core Athlon 64 would set you back a paltry $152.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

I was told that I would need at least a P4 800 FSB CPU for graphics.
Thats means at least a 2.4C or E Ghz P4 CPU. I was also told at least
512 MB RAM to start.

With Win XP, you should really get a full 1 MB of memory or more. It
makes a difference. Also, 2.4 GHz is awfully slow. Why not a 3.2 or
3.4 GHz? The Northwood, which is a better processor than the Prescott,
isn't even available anymore, I don't believe. If you use dual channel
memory, get matching pairs (2x512).

I was thinking of getting a full tower case with a beefy power supply.
I want a case with as many 5.25 bays in the front and 3.5 trays inside
as possible.

What's your need for all those bays? If you're on such a budget, look
into something more affordable like a mid-tower.

Which is better Antec or Enermax? or are they both about the same.

My personal preference is Antec, and get one with the PSU installed.
It's cheaper that way.

I was thinking of getting around a 450-500 Watt PS. What do you think?
I keep hearing that at least a 350W PS will due.
If I transition to a Mobo with dual-core CPU, PCI x-press, and a SLI
graphics system down the road can I get a compatible PS now? Are there
any special connectors I need to be aware of?

If you want to go with Intel in the future, make sure the power supply
is compatible with the new connector to the motherboard. I believe
it's now 24 pin, vs. the ATX 20 pin.

Wattage is less of a concern than amps. Look for the +12V rating of
amps. Two power supplies with the same wattage rating can put out
drastically different amps on the +12V line, which is the most
important. I had a 350 watt no-name PSU that put out 12 amps and an
Antec 350 watt that puts out 21 amps. Huge difference. You'll know a
quality PSU when you pick them up. Generally, a heavier PSU is a
better made one.

If you want a great case that should meet your needs, and you can live
with a mid tower design, take a look at the Antec Sonata II. It has a
SmartPower 2.0 450 watt power supply that should fill your future
needs, is a quiet design, 4 internal 3.5" bays for HDD's, 2 external
3.5 bays, and 3 external 5.25 bays - all for about $100. Great little
case...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

I would love to get a lian li case but its out of my price rannge. What
comparable brand-name cases do you recommend? I like a simple
rectangular box like lian li's. I dont need the doors on front. I would
like simple mounting and access systems. I dont know much about cases.
Ive seen some with carry handles and quick release mounting screws that
look nice and seem functional.

Those doors on the front are great for one reason - small kids. Kids
will find their way to your case and turn your computer off on you if
the power button is exposed. Hiding it behind a door fixes that.
That's a consideration if you have small kids, or plan to have kids.

If you like the exposed drive bays, consider the Antec Performance
TX640B, with a 400 watt PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129157

You could get a little creative to dress it up by using paint or vinyl
die to color the drives, or just getting pre-colored or even silver
faces on them.

As far as graphics I will have to save up for that. I guess that will
be an ATI or NVidea. I guess there is some 6-pin connector for the
higher power graphics cards to watch out for.

I would think that a 6600GT would fit your bill. You can get an EVGA
6600GT for the AGP slot for about $133 after rebate from New Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214

 

[teknowbabble]

Thanks Ruel24.

I like what you said about getting a CPU. Ive heard the same thing
about Prescotts- the pipeline is lonnnnnnnnnng and consequently cloggs
the system and produces much more heat. I would like to get a CPU with
more onboard memory but they are too pricey and Ill have to save my $$$
for that. I didnt know I needed 1MB of onboard, thats helpful to know.

I got the older board figuring that it would be more in my reach
economically because I wouldnt have to pay higher prices for the newer
technology. Im a power user at heart but dont have the change to
justify it at this point. :[

Im leaning toward Antec like you seem to be. I did look at the sonata.
Its nice. I just see myself going bezerk and adding all kinds of
drives- CD-RW, DVD-RW, Smart-Card Reader, Multi Floppy Reader (3.5 &
5.25), System Status Panels, and anything else I can amuse myself with.
Thats why Im looking at a Full Tower.

Thanks for the advice at looking at amps on the 12V lines. That should
be helpful.

I noticed that some PS have overvoltage/short-circuit protection
switches on the back like a breaker system. I cant remember seeing that
on PS advertised lately. I think that would be helpful. Id hate to fry
my board and PS at the same time.

Thanks again for your input.

Teknowbabble

 

[ruel24]

Thanks Ruel24.

I like what you said about getting a CPU. Ive heard the same thing
about Prescotts- the pipeline is lonnnnnnnnnng and consequently cloggs
the system and produces much more heat. I would like to get a CPU with
more onboard memory but they are too pricey and Ill have to save my $$$
for that. I didnt know I needed 1MB of onboard, thats helpful to know.

Well, you don't _need_ 1 MB, but it's noticably more responsive. I run
512 MB on this machine, because I've been too cheap to add another 512
MB.

I got the older board figuring that it would be more in my reach
economically because I wouldnt have to pay higher prices for the newer
technology. Im a power user at heart but dont have the change to
justify it at this point. :[

There's nothing wrong with using an older motherboard, especially with
the P4 as long as your intentions are justified. I recently assembled
an Athlon XP system for my Linux box because Linux can be troublesome
on newer hardware and I just wanted to be safe about it.

Im leaning toward Antec like you seem to be. I did look at the sonata.
Its nice. I just see myself going bezerk and adding all kinds of
drives- CD-RW, DVD-RW, Smart-Card Reader, Multi Floppy Reader (3.5 &
5.25), System Status Panels, and anything else I can amuse myself with.
Thats why Im looking at a Full Tower.

Sounds great, but consider this: Unless you plan to do CD to CD or DVD
to DVD copy, and can't wait to burn to a file before making the copy,
then a single DVD R/RW DL will do. The only reason I can see for
multiple DVD/CD drives is to burn from one to another. Second,
floppies are obsolete. You can boot to a CD/DVD now and the capacity
of a floppy is just too small to be useful anymore. The Sonata has 3
external 5.25 bays and 2 external 3.5 bays. You could easily put a
card reader in a 3.5 bay, 2 DVD drives and a system status panel in,
and still have a 3.5 bay left for something else. If you're still
intent on having a floppy, Mitsumi makes a combo floppy/card reader
that fits in a single 3.5 bay.

Antec also makes a Performance SX1050B that's a full tower with (4)
5.25 bays and (2) 3.5 bays if you need more, and comes with a 500 watt
power supply to boot. I swear by Antec power supplies. I've never had
a problem with any of them. That case is $139 at New Egg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129158

Thanks for the advice at looking at amps on the 12V lines. That should
be helpful.

I noticed that some PS have overvoltage/short-circuit protection
switches on the back like a breaker system. I cant remember seeing that
on PS advertised lately. I think that would be helpful. Id hate to fry
my board and PS at the same time.

You're probably a little over-worried. I understand completely. I
researched for about 3 months before I bought a single part for my
first build. I was scared to death to put it all together, fearing
total catastrophy.

Good luck...