final p4 system, plz critique

[dud2k]

hey,
im building a new p4 system, would you guys help me critique the system? i had a $1000 dollar cap, so i have to use some old parts from my computer.

ASUS P4TE 850 CHIP FOR P4 478 PIN CPU SUPPORT RAMBUS MEMORY W/O AUDIO -- 153.95
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor (Northwood) 1.8GHz, 400MHz FSB, Socket 478 (No Memory) Retail -- 200.00
Samsung Original RAMBUS 256MB 800MHz Memory (http://www.googlegear.com/ggweb/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80455) - 77.00
Samsung Original RAMBUS 256MB 800MHz Memory (http://www.googlegear.com/ggweb/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80455) - 77.00
ANTEC Server Chasis (Workstation Tower) Model SX1040B Black; Antec Original P4 400 watt Power Supply (newegg.com) -- 127.00
VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ - OEM (newegg.com) -- 61.00
Seagate Barracuda IV 60GB 7200RPM ST360021A Hard Drive (newegg.com) -- 113.00
LITE-ON LTR-24102B-02 24x10x40 CDRW BLACK - OEM (newegg.com) -- 80.00
Teac 1.44MB Black Floppy Drive, Model #FD235HFA429, OEM (newegg.com) -- 17.00

Stuff I Already Have:
Radeon 7500 LE
Netgear NIC

Vendors:
atacom.com
newegg.com
googlegear.com (never bought from them before... how is there service?)



TOTAL= $906

 

[Adul]

googlegear i hear is good. the rest of the system looks sound to me. I say go wiith it.

With the exception of the p41.8 gz. try the 1.8a or 1.6a revs. they have 2x the L2 cache and overclock extremely well.

 

[KenAF]

dud2k,

That looks like it will be a fairly quiet system...if you don't mind a bit more noise, you might want to substitute an IBM 120GXP for the Barracuda IV.

Just make sure you get a P4T-E with the ICS chips...otherwise it won't do 533FSB, rendering the whole purpose of getting RDRAM pointless. Also, remember to use the mainboard DIP switches (info from P4T manual, not P4T-E manual, on Asus web site); for voltage assistance to hit 2500+MHz, you will probably need to use the pin trick. We can help you with that later.

The Rambus systems do take a bit more work...particularly for overclocking...but for those up to it, the performance is unbeatable. For the ultimate in P4 performance, you need a P4T-E board with ICS chips, two sticks of Samsung PC800 RDRAM (which will do PC1066 easily), the P4T manual from Asus' web site, and very small piece of thin copper wire for the pin trick. In order to run the RDRAM at 533MHz (PC1066) to 600MHz (PC600MHz), you have to overclock using the mainboard DIP switches, as that's the only way you can gain access to the AGP/2 and PCI/4 dividers (at least, until the CPUFSB program adds support for this board). When you use the mainboard DIP switches, you lose access to the voltage options in the bios, so you have to increase voltage manually (in order to overclock to ultra high speeds) using the pin trick. We'll discuss the pin trick in another thread...

Again, a high performance RDRAM system is much more work to setup for massive overclocking than a DDR board like the Asus P4B266...but if you're up to the task, the extra performance of PC1066+MHz RDRAM may be worth it.

 

[Strawberrymom]

googlegear will screw you if you have to do a return.

and rambus based boards cant OC as well as DDR

my DDR @ 133 with kingmax pc2700 hauls

if only I didnt get a 8IRXP and try and return it

 

[dud2k]

thx, how will googlegear screw u on returns? has anyone else had the same problem?

 

[Grendel99]

I have ordered a few things from googlegear and they did a good job. I don't know about the returns though, so can't help you there.

 

[bluesky]

Newegg is 3 bucks more for the cpu, but if they have all the parts you want to buy, shop from them.
You will get better price w/2day fedex.
Compare the prices with shipping.
I considered 3 chips buying from googlegear and 3 mbs from newegg, but it turned out more expensive than ordering from newegg.
Well, if you go to resellerratings.com, you'll find some horror stories regarding returns on googlegear.

 

[dud2k]

googlegear is the only place i know of that has samsung rdram

 

[dud2k]

hmm ok , ill just get everything from newegg then. but would the corsair memory be just as good as samsung?

 

[Diable]

Corsair uses Samsung memory modules on there sticks so you should be fine. I had 1GB of Corsair RIMM's(4x256mb)in my gaming rig running 127mhz(508mhz QDR)on a Asus P4T-E without a problem until I swapped the memory into my new workstation. Now I have 512mb of Corsair RIMM's in my gaming rig and its still running 127mhz with a problem.

 

[microAmp]

Go with SDRAM!! j/k

 

[Strawberrymom]

well I never had to return anything to googlegear until now and they screw you on every corner they can.

 

[Amused]

<< well I never had to return anything to googlegear until now and they screw you on every corner they can. >>



A 15% restocking fee and price adjustments for market drops is pretty much standard practice at most of the bargain online computer parts retailers when returning non-defective products. Especially if you are PAST their 15 day cut off point.

Did you not read the return policy before you bought?

Don't mind Strawberrymom. Googlegear is a reputable dealer so long as you understand their return policy that is CLEARLY posted on their site:



<< Products sold by Googlegear are covered under our 15-day money back guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Policies regarding items that are not covered by 15-day money back guarantee are specified on the product's individual page as well as the special exceptions section below.

All returns covered under our 15-day money back guarantee are subject to the following:

A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number issued by Googlegear must accompany all returns.
RMA numbers must be obtained no later than 15-days from the date the product was shipped out to you. After 15-days, all product returns must be handled directly by the manufacturer or warranty provider.
All RMA numbers are valid for 10 days from the date of issuance.
All products must be returned in like-new condition, including original packaging and all documentation and accessories. Charges will be applied for all missing accessories or parts. Googlegear will not accept items that have been physically damaged or misused.
All returns must be shipped freight prepaid.
All related fees (shipping & return shipping fees) are NON-REFUNDABLE for all products in all cases.
Please allow 1-2 weeks for all refunds.
After 15-days of the purchase date, all items that need to be returned for repair will have to be sent directly to the manufacturer or warranty provider. Please see product's individual page for further details on warranty coverage.
SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS


CPU | Hard Drive | Memory | Monitor | Notebook | Selected Web Cams

Arrangement for a return must be made within 15-days from the date the item is shipped.
15% restocking fee applies to all refunds.
Products that are defective and/or the seal of included software is broken, can only be returned for repair / replacement.
All returns must also follow the return procedures mentioned above.
CDR/RW Media | Digital Camera & Accessories | DVD-RAM/RW | Opened Software | Printer & Accessories | Projectors/Lamps/Accessories | Refurbished Products | Server & Server related products | Special Order Items

NO REFUNDS are accepted for any items in these categories.
Products that are defective can only be returned for repair/replacement.
Arrangement for a return must be made within 15-days from the date the item is shipped.
All returns must also follow the return procedures mentioned in the 15-day money back guarantee section.
Bundled Items

Bundled item that are returned for a refund, will be subject to the single unit price of the item on the original purchase date.
Arrangement for a return must be made within 15-days from the date the item is shipped.
15% restocking fee applies to all CPU & Hard Drive refunds.
Products that are defective and/or the seal of included software is broken, can only be returned for repair / replacement.
All returns must also follow the return procedures mentioned above. >>

 

[Strawberrymom]

<<

<< well I never had to return anything to googlegear until now and they screw you on every corner they can. >>



A 15% restocking fee and price adjustments for market drops is pretty much standard practice at most of the bargain online computer parts retailers when returning non-defective products. Especially if you are PAST their 15 day cut off point.

Did you not read the return policy before you bought?

Don't mind Strawberrymom. Googlegear is a reputable dealer so long as you understand their return policy that is CLEARLY posted on their site: >>



dont mind AmusedOne if you go to reseller ratings they only get a 4.0 and their returns is apauling.

and the board is defective. and you dont know the story so I say STFU until you do

 

[Amused]

<<

<<

<< well I never had to return anything to googlegear until now and they screw you on every corner they can. >>



A 15% restocking fee and price adjustments for market drops is pretty much standard practice at most of the bargain online computer parts retailers when returning non-defective products. Especially if you are PAST their 15 day cut off point.

Did you not read the return policy before you bought?

Don't mind Strawberrymom. Googlegear is a reputable dealer so long as you understand their return policy that is CLEARLY posted on their site: >>



dont mind AmusedOne if you go to reseller ratings they only get a 4.0 and their returns is apauling.

and the board is defective. and you dont know the story so I say STFU until you do >>



Oh I know the story. This is the same board you used for a month or so, and touted as the best and most stable OCing mobo out there. That is, until other REAL OCers found that it can't boot past 125 FSB.

OOPS!

Now, you want to return it as "defective" when it runs fine at stock speeds... PAST Googlegears 15 day period... and you're mad at Googlegear because they wont give you a full refund.

Cry me a river.

I posted Googlegear's refund policy (which is easily found on thier website) for everyone to see. Tell me, Strawberrymom, what part of their return policy did you not understand when you bought the board?

As for a 4.0 rating, that's about average. resellerratings has a scale of 7.

 

[ToBeMe]

I've probably spent in the neighborhood of $3000 at Googlegear in the last few months and never had any problems whatsoever. Had one board I had to return, (DOA) and they were quite polite and the entire process took less than a week! Prices are great, can't complain on shipping and their speed on shipping has gotten a lot better! (used them a few times about a year ago and stopped only because of long shipping times) I sure won't hesitate to use them! I'm sure some people have problems with them though..........just as some people have problems with Newegg and others..............