first build, best memory manufacturer?

[carterarce]

mobo: Albatron VIA K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8X800 ProII" -RETAIL. AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor. Which memory would best serve me? all replies greatly appreciated.

 

[nick1985]

best brands....

mushkin(personal favorite)
corsair
buffalo
crucial(although i dont like their latencies)
kingston hyperX



i recommend the gig set of mushkin pc-3500 level 1. anand also recommends that ram in his cutting edge systen building guide

 

[carterarce]

thank you very much. I think I will take your advice

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: carterarce
mobo: Albatron VIA K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8X800 ProII" -RETAIL. AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor. Which memory would best serve me? all replies greatly appreciated.

You cant' use a socket 462 processor on a socket 754 motherboard

you need to use an A64 3000+ - 3400+ with the socket 754
you can use any tbreds, bartons, durons with the socket 462/socket A

just wanted to give you a heads up so you didn't order the wrong processor or board

 

[Shimmishim]

so if you are getting a barton, i'd recommend the abit nf7-s or the dfi infinity

 

[carterarce]

Hey shimm thanks a lot. I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this so I don't know what half the numbers and names mean.lol. That's how I learned carpentry so hopefully it'll work out. Thanks guys.

 

[zodder]

Don't forget to check out the Asus A7N8X line of nForce2 boards, too. They are extremely stable and excellent overclockers.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: carterarce
Hey shimm thanks a lot. I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this so I don't know what half the numbers and names mean.lol. That's how I learned carpentry so hopefully it'll work out. Thanks guys.

socket A = 462 pin processors which are the bartons, durons, and tbreds

socket 754 = 754 pin processors which are the newer A64 processors 3000+ newcastle, 3200+ clawhammer, and 3400+ clawhammer

that's all you need to know...

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

Originally posted by: zodder
Don't forget to check out the Asus A7N8X line of nForce2 boards, too. They are extremely stable and excellent overclockers.

tell that to my RMA'ed A7N8X

 

[Jeff7181]

Static is the enemy... always ground yourself before handling componants... don't work on carpeting... and do your best not to touch any electrical contacts or the core of the CPU. The core should always be cleaned with alcohol before installing the heatsink... if you touch any electrical contacts like the connector on an AGP card, it's not a bad idea to wipe it down with alcohol before installing it as the oils on your skin are corrosive and COULD cause a bad connection later.

Don't just bore head first into things... if you're unsure of something, come back here and ask... people can often provide exact instructions, and many times even provide pictures to illustrate something.

 

[carterarce]

Are the 3000+'s going to be outdated soon? I don't think I will be overclocking so maybe it doesn't matter? I just want the newest so I don't have to upgrade for a while.

 

[Corporate Thug]

if i had to pick one single manufacterer, it would be mushkin

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: carterarce
Are the 3000+'s going to be outdated soon? I don't think I will be overclocking so maybe it doesn't matter? I just want the newest so I don't have to upgrade for a while.

If you want the newest, wait a couple months for socket 939

 

[psiu]

Outdated? Everything you can buy will be outdated in 6 months. But that's the way these things go, so a better question is will it still be able to perform the tasks you need in a few years?

I would be half-tempted to say wait a few months for both AMD & Intel's sockets changes, PCI-Excpress, (and the accordingly new graphics cards), let serial-ATA get even more established, DDR2 memory, blah blah blah.

Forget that.

First, you don't want to be the guinea pig for all this new technology. Second, it will more than likely cost an assload of cash.

I would say go for a A64 3000, running just over $200 at newegg right now. Fast, cheap (relatively), and if (when) 64-bit software becomes prevalent, you'll be set. Should be better for hanging in with software longer than the Athlon XP's.

Memory wise, follow the above posters ideas, I personally like Crucial, I haven't had any problems with them (yet--knock on wood).

As far as a motherboard, you may as well poke around Anandtech and Tom's Hardware for reviews on A64 mobo's. Head over to newegg, they usually have links to reviews on the products they carry, for a wider range of reviews. You might want to get a fairly loaded one, to keep from limiting you later (i.e. Firewire, SATA, upgraded onboard sound).

I like Albatron, haven't had any problems with their products yet, and good performance.

Might want to head straight to a SATA drive, has the benefit of wee little cables

What video card you get is a whole new topic (for the video forum), and don't forget to get a good case and power supply, everything you put in your brand new pile of expensive electronics will be running off your psu. Don't skimp (and you probably have picked this up already, the wattage number isn't the end-all for psu's, get a good brand).

Good luck, and you'll be happy when it's all over with. Of course when you realize you built a computer yourself and it works, you will be upgrading as often as you can *insert force suggestion here*.

 

[carterarce]

wow.Thanks.The only thing i have to pick out now is a vid card. I have to say this site kicks ass. Thanks all, especially jeff and psiu. If you ever need advice in the remodeling business look me up.

 

[khurios2000]

Originally posted by: zodder
Don't forget to check out the Asus A7N8X line of nForce2 boards, too. They are extremely stable and excellent overclockers.

They are stable but I'd say so-so OC'er
Just my 2 cents