Proposed Athlon 64 System

Dear Fellow Geeks,

After upgrading and repairing my own PCs for years, I want to build my own PC. I figure successfully building my own machine will greatly enhance my geek quotient. I haven't posted much, but I have been reading the boards here and elsewhere for some time and I think I will build in the next few weeks. No major manufacturers really offer what I am looking for, and I am my own tech support dept anyway .

Here is a preliminary list of parts, I haven't selected a floppy drive or modem yet. I am going to reuse my current CRT and speakers. Feel free to make suggestions especially if there are compatibility or other issues. I am not interested in overclocking, but I do enjoy games that have significant graphics demands. My non geek husband will need to be able to use this machine too . All parts are off of Newegg.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-124-096

Powersupply
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-103-912

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=13-130-434

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=19-103-416

Memory
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=20-200-035

Videocard
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-268

Hard Drives
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=22-145-049

DVD Writer
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-106-924

OS
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=37-102-143

Thanks for reading!
usameisje

 

Nice system. Ive heard good things about the MSI Neo Mobo.

 

Although there are about 200 other topics on this i might as well repeat everyones oppinion .... DONT GET AMD64 YET. WAIT UNTILL 939 PINS COME OUT. That being said get an amd xp 3200+ low latency ram (1gb is preferable) like kingston or xms crucial. IMO that case is an eye sore and that middle fan is a bad /uselss spot to put the fan in.


You should go for a non refurbed mobo/display card[if you want nice stability get a mobo with a fan on the north bridge even if you dont OC]; oem is OK in my book...Refurbed im always icky about. My 9800pro 256mb 'refurbed' from newegg crapped out on me 4-5months into its lifetime... That WXP OEM you wont get any tech support beyond installation unless you pay 35$ a problem [but you always got MG!!].


Also i wouldnt go beyond western digital / maxtor hard drive... tell you the truth thats the first hitachi hard drive ive seen in a long while. The psu seems like a nice sweet spot.

 

Thanks for the input. I put that case link up to see if anybody actually would comment on that one! It reminds me of the paint on a fire truck. The point about the fan placement is duly noted. Probably will go with some plain jane beige case because the machine will be hiding in a computer cabinet (the back is open for air flow but the case won't be visible from the front).

Waiting for the newer version of the 64 would be nice, but I am starting a new job in July and won't have gobs of time for building after that (I am a Neonatal ICU nurse). Since my current 500mhz system is really showing its wear, I want to get a computer sooner rather than later. I can always get a new mobo and CPU later if I choose.

I will not be using any refurb parts, only new ones. Sorry if I linked to refurbs.

I have heard good and bad about EVERY brand of RAM and hard drives out there. I think at some point I will just have to pick one after reading reviews and information.

About Microsoft...I have owned systems with DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows 98SE. I have called Microsoft tech support a grand total of ONCE in 14 years when I was upgrading from the 3.1 to Win 95. They didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, I fixed the issue myself. Is XP really so hard to install and use that I should pay the 299 bucks for a retail version? Why not pay the 140 bucks for OEM and get an XP Pro guide from the bookstore, and ask the MajorGeeks if I can't figure it out myself? Not trying to be contrary, I just don't see a really strong case for paying extra.

Thanks for the honest opinions
usameisje

 

Sorry didnt explain enough; WXP installation problems are ALWAYS free of call to MS no matter what xp version you have. Once you have specific problems then they will charge you 35$/problem. I never called MS except on 2 occasions and yes I agree i rather pay OEM then retail price!

Good Luck

edit: that case reminded me of cherrys.....mmmm cherrys

edit2: Right now the 'leading' brands are really Kingstons HyperX series and Cosairs XMS series; both VERY reliable and very good in bandwith/speed etc.. They do cost more then 'value' ram but very much worth the xtra buck.

 

Hitachi is supposed to be the leading brand for Hard drives, but closley followed by Maxtor and WD.

And XP is a doodle to install with newer hardware (not TOO new... might be unsupported) but it is a pain in the a$$ if youve got SATA/raid'ed hard drives. Any problems you have probably will have been covered here and if not them I'm sure some brainy person will be able to help you

Oh and Corsair XMS is some GREAT ram. very overclockable, but also very stable at stock. In this system ive got some "value" ram, but just because im a cheapskate, and I had hardly any money left for ram after upgrading.

Oh yes and in the future it would be quite useful if you could just post the name of the items rather than just a link to it, so that we can get a quick overview without having to go to 10 or 15 different web pages