Building first-ever rig

[bramma]

Hey, guys! After tweaking my budget, I will be able to affore about $900 on this build. I would just like some recommendations as to he parts I have chosen, and any advice that will help a novice on his first build. Here is what I am considering using so far:

Case: Antec solution series Super mid tower case with 350W Smartpower power supply 'SLK3700AMB) $69

CPU: AMD Athlon Xp 2500 333 fsb, 512K Cache processor $80 (What is the difference between the barton version)

Motherboard: Epox 8rda3+ $96

Ram:Kingston ValueRAM 184 PIN 256 MB DDR PC-2700 $48

Sound: Built into motherboard. Figure I can get a cheap set of speakrs for $15 to $20 bucks.

Video Card: Powercolor ATI Radeon 9600 PRO Video card, 128 MB DDR, 128 bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8x AGP, model R96A-C3N" $124 (Should I use a nvidia based graphics card on a nforce 2 motherboard?

Hard Drive:Samsung 80 GB 7200 RPM hard erive, oem $68

Also, I may need a case fan or two for cooling, because I'm not sure if this case comes with enough to keep the system cool.

Optical drives: Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW drive, model LTR-52327S $33

Floppy Drive: OEM drive from newegg $10

Keyboard: Saw a nice cordless at walmart for $30

Monitor: Samsung 753DF-T/T 17" Dynaflat crt monitor $169

Operating system: at a loss for this one. Was looking for a lost-cost solution for windows xp. But retail, it is about $150

Extra IDE Cable for hard drive: $5 at dealsonic.com

Antistatic wrist strap: $7 at dealsonic.com

Right now, this comes to about $900. any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, let me know if all of these components are compatible.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Wrong forums

 

[TrentSteel]

If you do some research, you'll find a lot of useful information here.

 

[wkabel23]

You'd probably get more feedback in General Hardware.

 

[dc]

get the barton, and you should be able to get prices better than those.

 

[huesmann]

Good mobo, but might not like your KVR. And try another forum.

 

[mrchan]

for $900 you could probably get something comparable or better from DELL

 

[imported_chrisbtx]

Originally posted by: mrchan
for $900 you could probably get something comparable or better from DELL

BAH... you said that four-letter word!

 

[erbosch]

Try to get xp from one of your hardware suppliers they will lower the cost with the purchase of a hd
Ie. xp home for around 80 bucks oem of course
\

 

[modedepe]

Some of those prices look kinda high to me. 256mb of ram is NOT going to cut it unless you're only doing just light office apps and web, which I'm guessing you're not. Get at least 512mb. For OS you can get winxp pro for a little over $100 if you get the oem version and look around. You could get xp home oem for even less.

Oh and btw, wrong forum

 

[guitarizt]

I added up all the stuff you're getting and got less than $800. And that's if you get 512 mb of ram and a barton which you should do. I'm not seeing where you're getting the other $100, though. Should be able to do it for less than $800.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

If you shop around a bit, you should be able to save an extra $30 - $50. Then use that money to get more RAM. 256MB is hardly enough if you plan on running Win XP. Get at least 512MB.

If you plan on OCing, you'll also want better memory than the Kingston Value stuff. If not, then you'll be okay.

 

[breweyez]

take the blue pill

 

[hans007]

i'd buy ram. on a hot deal like $60 for 512 is doable. not to mention that being an nforce2 board, i'd probably buy 2 256mb stiicks.

 

[lowenbotten]

Mods, lock this thread. This is the wrong forum.

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

I am curious (not bi curious) is this the wrong forum? a few most posts confirming this will satisfy me (not sexually)

 

[mrrman]

wrong post...sorry