Uber computer from scratch?
 

I'm thinking of turning my current computer into my router and building a new one to use, and I want to build it from scratch.

I'm reading around Tom's Hardware but some of this new stuff is so confusing to me, haven't looked at many computer parts in over a year.

Anyway, I'm looking for recommendation for parts, I need:

Processor: P4 2.6 GHz 800 FSB ($299)
Motherboard: Abit IC7-G ($245)
RAM: Crucial DDR PC3200, 2x256 ($107)
Case: Antec Solution SLK3700AMB + 350W Power Supply, P4 Compatible ($74)

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Current issue:

Looking for case / power supply ... cool and quiet.

Accessories, don't want to forget anything:

Arctic silver
Round ATA cables
?

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Thanks in advance, as always.

PS: Editing this as I go.

Someone here must have good ideas for a processor / motherboard combo ;) Or good deals ;)

It all depends on what you are looking for.

With $1000, I would build a nice dual MP with scsi......but a lot of people wouldnt want that.

Pentiums have faster clock speeds....AMD is cheaper. There are really too many combos to list.

If I was going to build a single-proc machine, It would have an AsusA7N8X Deluxe mobo, XP 3000, and 2 Corsair XMS 512MB/PC3200 sticks of ram. Add whatever you want to that and you will have a killer system.

nForce
 

Something I'm confused about, this new nForce stuff, it sounds so much like geForce that I think its Nvidia. Is it related at all? I don't understand what it does, but because of the name I always think it helpds graphics and it'll have problems with my Radeon, heh.

The nForce is just nvidia's name for the motherboard chipset. I am not aware of any issues with using an nForce mobo with an ATI card. If you want a cheaper nforce 2 mobo, I have heard that the Epox 8rda is a very good mobo.

Other than that you really want a good quality power supply like
the Antec True Power.

This link should help you to pick a good powersupply, and they also give good prices on power supplies as well.
http://www.directron.com/psu.html

Looking for good cooling for P4 with 800mHz FSB now...

By the way I've posted the best prices I've found (from trustworthy sites, and places with it in stock (none of that 'if you buy well ship it eventually shit)) ...

Feel free to let me know if you've seen better deals or have better ideas, PLEASE! :)

I'd just recommend NewEgg for parts and Crucial.com for memory. I've never had any problems with either one, in fact, both services have been pretty fantastic.

Yeah same for me.

Although, current problem is I like the quiet from the Lian Li, but I understand its not the coolest, because it's not loaded with fans and doesn't have a huge front intake... so I'm kind of at a loss for a case and cpu cooling right now...

*need cooling ideas!*

Anyone have good sites with current cooling reviews? Don't want water cooling or a big system, just good high end fan reviews and such.

the only advice I can offer right now about comp building is to make sure you get ECC parity RAM... yeah, it costs a bit more, but with the error correction, you'll have fewer crashes/lockups/BSoD's

Ok question for any experts out there, I'm looking into fans and such, and most of them are a categorized into...

Socket 478 up to 3.06mHz
Socket 478 above 3.06mHz

So, does this mean they are actually different? Or just a recommendation for cooling?

I'm looking at the Cpumate DIA-14500 (http://www.cpumate.com.tw/productDIA14500.htm), but I am going to be using a 2.6 gHz (800 mHz FSB) on a Abit IC7-G (http://www.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjs...DEL_NAME=IC7-G) motherboard. So, will my processor work fine in this, and will that CPU fan fit on the processor correctly?

Thanks in advance.

Sure...it should fit. But why dont you just stick with OEM cooling?

If you arent going to OC, the stock hsf should be cool enough.

Edit - Also....if you are going for the ic7-g, why not trade that 512MB stick in for 2 256MB. That board has dual channel DDR.
If you are going to spend that much on just a mobo, you might as well take better advantage of it.

About the nforce2....it wouldnt have any probs with the ati. Its just a very nice chipset for Athlons. Lots of features (dual channel ddr, sata, dual onboard lan support, etc....read an article.)

Any particular reason you are going for that expensive combo? Afaik, that chip you are getting is not running a 800MHz FSB......you are going to be looking at a 3GHz+ chip for that.

If it really does run at 800MHz, then intel forgot to list it on their site.

Pay attention to your RAM speed......you didnt list what speed RAM you were thinking of......there is a big perf diff in pc2100 and pc3200.

Lastly, any reasons for the lian-li case? You can get a nice antec or similar that will be fine for your stock cooling and power needs for about a third of what you are trying to pay for your case/ps combo.

case: I like the Lian-Li look, and my biggest beef with my current computer is I can't sleep with it on, its like a vacuum cleaner. If theres another sem-quiet one out there I'd definitly look into it.

Ram: wasn't set on this yet, I didn't know about the Dual DDR, I'm kind of out of the loop like I said, the speed I was looking at though was 3200.

Processor: I found a bunch of processors on pricwatch starting at 2.4 that support 800 mHz FSB (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merch...ct_Code=120444), and the IC7-G looked like the nicest new 800mHz fsb board out there.

The jump from 2.6 to 3.0 was like 300 bucks, seems kinda pointless to me, while I'm willing to spend alot, I don't want to just completely waste it.

And also, I wasn't sure about the cooling, because the case is kind of restricted (not alot of intake in front I believe) I don't want the inside to get to hot or anything.

Antec Solution SLK3700AMB with 350W powersource for $74, you were right termnl ;) Does anyone have one of these or know if its very quiet? :D

If you do get ECC RAM, be certain that the mobo doesn't just "support" ECC. Otherwise, it's useless to get ECC. Most mobos that can actually "utilize" ECC are more expensive than average. True ECC mobos are usually for servers. Personally, I'd recommend some Crucial or Mushkin DDR non-ECC ram. Have fun.

Wasn't planning on ECC as its not going to be a server ;)

Ok....I have seen a lot of retail sites saying the chips were 800MHz FSB, but Intel lists the 3GHz as the ONLY chip with 800MHz.

http://www.intel.com/products/deskto...proc+prod_p4p&

Just make sure you know what you are getting. Sometimes retail makes mistakes.

I have always liked antec cases. I know the SLK series are fairly quiet, and the performance plus series are some of the quietest I have ever used.

Some advice for a quiet computer:
Get adjustable-speed fans. Watch your cpu temp and figure out the lowest setting you can keep them at when the comp is idle while still keeping the proc cool. You can set your case fans to a low speed when you are not gaming or using intensive apps.

I had a friend recommend the Antec True Power Supply, which supposivly adjusts fan speeds automatically due to temp change, the problem is, the Antec case comes with a different type, so it'd be kind of redundant to buy both. I'm still tossing around the idea of the Lian Li quiet case, because silence is my biggest priority behind speed.

By the way thanks for the note termnl, I can't seem to find another site offering 800mHz P4 that're under 3.0gHz. So I guess that knocks out my whole mb/processor idea, sigh. I really don't want to spend $500 for a 3.0gHz with 800fsb :/

I know what you mean....thats why I reccomended AMD. Using new Intel technology will eat up your entire budget on just a mobo/proc.

Intel is excellent, but their stuff is soooo expensive.

Both companies have their niche....but you can expect similar performance out of an AMD-based system at a much lower price.

If you can afford it, Intel has a lot of advantages.....but $1000 doesnt really cut it for a top notch Intel system.

Ok....back to work....have fun looking around!

Well, while looking into the retail sites more, I found:

Intel Part Number: BX80532PG2600D

And a google search finds more 2.6gHz processors with 800mHz FSB also, so this might actually be the case. I'm still pondering the whole idea. I would do AMD, but looking at benchmarks and seeing the complete ownage of the new P4 makes me want to cry, my current system isn't even on the huge list of CPUs seen at tomshardware :P

Yea....that FSB may be right. Just the fact that intel doesnt list it on their own site makes me leary.

I dont really keep up with intel b/c after spending all day working around computers, I dont have the desire to spend more than a few hundred bucks on one. :p

Oh yea....and benchmarks dont mean a whole lot when it comes to real world performance. Look at Radeon vs. GF FX benchmarks......then look at how they perform in games.

Asus has some great stuff, and if you looking for quiet the Qfan Tech is wonderful, it reduces the voltage to the CPY fan when ever the CPU temp is acceptible but the only board they have that suports the 800mhz FSB is $200 because it has a bunch of extra bells and whistles

Xaser case