my new pc
 

k, buying all this stuff, plus got some old stuff. using it all to build my new machine. tell me what you like/dislike before I go ahead with the purchase

Buying from CompUSA (got $400 in gift cards):
KT400 333FSB Socket A (Socket 462) Motherboard
512MB PC3200 184pin DDR DIMM Memory Module
Athlon XP2400+, 2.00GHz, 266MHz Bus, Socket A Processor
Thermaltake Volcano 11 + CPU Cooler AMD up to 3400
Aluminum ATX Tower Computer Case

Parts I'm salvaging from this PC:
16X max. DVD-ROM/40X CD-ROM max
8X4X32X max. CD-RW drive
60 GB Drive
300w power supply
Floppy Drive
Necesssary Cables
Power Supply (can't find the wattage anywhere, including on the unit itself)

Other Parts I have:
120 GB 7200rpm (for my movies :P)
Geforce 4 4600fx 128mb DDR
Sound Blaster Live X-Gamer 5.1

PC3200 memory is probably overkill for that CPU.

I'd buy from Newegg instead of CompUSA. For one thing, they're selling that PC3200 chip for $81 vs. $100 from compusa... for another, they're much more reliable.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...141-424&depa=0

yea but as I said I have $400 in gift certificates to compusa, otherwise I would buy somewhere else. and surprisingly enough, the pc3200 is on sale with a better price than the pc2700! :D

Oops, sorry, you didn't say they were CompUSA gift certs. Yeah, PC3200 seems to be cheaper at Newegg too... I guess it's fine then. Have fun! :)

Maybe a beefier power supply. But DON'T buy a PS from compUSA. They charge close to double what newegg charges.

It's too bad you weren't just given the cash, comp usa fucks people over so much with their prices:

processor - $119, vs $72 (newegg)
RAM - $98.36 vs $81

The motherboard you're getting is only upgradeable to the 2600. Both the 2400 and 2600 (which I currently have) are pretty outdated, but still good enough. Unless you plan on making your next upgrade into the 64-bit processors you might want to find a MB that allows you to use a 3200.

I'd recommend bumping up to the Athlon XP 2500+ with a 333MHz core--the Barton. It's also perfectly matched to PC2700 RAM, which also runs at 333, as does the motherboard. I would also recommend a Zalman flower heatsink. They cool very well and run almost silently.

As for RAM, brand reliability rates high on the list, and you'll end up paying for that reliability. Cheaper RAM also tends to have higher timings, sometimes making it actually slower than RAM that rated at a lower clock speed. Corsair, Mushkin, Micron are your friends. OCZ and PNY are...not. High clock speeds, but higher timings as well. Lower quality RAM, so they have to raise the timings in order to sell it at a certain rated speed. It's like upgrading to a 6-cylinder engine that's only giving you 20 more horsepower over a 4-cylinder.

how about the kt600 for the same price (400mhz support+serial raid)
<a href="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=310505&pfp=SEARCH" target="_blank">[SY-KT600 Dragon Plus v.1.0 ATX Motherboard]</a>

and the xp 2500+ for $10 more....unlocked 2500+ have a good chance of hitting 3200+ speeds by changing the bus/multiplier.
<a href="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=302263&pfp=SEARCH" target="_blank">[Athlon XP2500+, 1.83GHz, 333MHz Bus, Socket A Processor]</a>