First time building

[AbominableJinx]

This will be my first time building a pc. I have a Monarch built AMD 64 3400+ with a 6800gt GPU that I use as a gaming rig, but I want to build me cheap backup box to have in case my main pc ever crashes or frys. Would like to keep it as cheap as possible if I can. I plan on using it to surf the web, and maybe play games such as Hitman, Neverwinternights, and a few other mid range games while the other is in the shop for 2 to 3 months being repaired (knowing Monarch).

I was thinking about going with an AMD Duron, but not sure which Motherboard setup to go with. Do they sell the motherboard/processor together with the heatsink & processor already mounted to the board? My greatest fear in building this thing is installing the heatsink to processor with the thermalpaste stuff and then to motherboard. At least this way, I would have a head start in case I screw it up

This is what I thought of getting:

AMD Duron 1.8 Applebred 266MHz FSB 64KB L2 Cache Socket A Processor - OEM

Foxconn 600A01-6LRS Socket A (Socket 462) VIA KT600 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Seagate 160GB Serial ATA/150 8MB Buffer ST3160827AS-RK - Retail Hard Drive Kit

nVidia GeForce4 Ti 4200 128MB AGP Video Card w/TV-Out

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM

The case I already have and I have a brand new stock heatsink that came with my AMD 64 3400+, cause they put a Thermaltake Venus on my 64. I am not sure if it will work on a Duron or Semperon? Thanks in advance.

 

[mechBgon]

1) get an nForce2 motherboard

2) get an ATA/100 hard drive

3) get DDR, not DDR2

4) don't forget an OS

5) if you need it, photo guide for newbie builders

6) the A64 heatsink won't work on a Duron, get a SocketA-compatible heatsink/fan unit

 

[CheesePoofs]

If you're afraid of installing the heatsink, get a retail CPU. They come with the thermal paste pre-applied on the heatsink, so all you have to do is put the CPU in and pop the heatsink on and you're good to go.

 

[AMDCrazy]

I didn't know Socket A motherboards came with SATA connectors?

 

[Gerbil333]

Follow mechBgon's help and be sure to use his "1st-time builders" guide! The RAM won't work. The SATA drive will, but it's going to cost more.

The case I already have and I have a brand new stock heatsink that came with my AMD 64 3400+, cause they put a Thermaltake Venus on my 64. I am not sure if it will work on a Duron or Semperon?

A stock A64 hsf won't fit on a socket A motherboard. So, no, it won't work.

I didn't know Socket A motherboards came with SATA connectors?

They were some of the first boards with SATA headers actually.

 

[Kogan]

Looks like a pretty good setup to me. If you'll be playing older games with it, 1gb of ram may be a little much, so look for good deals on 2x256mb or 1x512mb pc3200 DDR ram. Hell, 512mb ram runs current games fine if you don't mind the occasional stutter..

And don't forget to get a socket A heatsink.

 

[AbominableJinx]

Thanks all! I updated my list. I noticed no one knocked the Duron yet... hehe, so would it be ok for what I want to use it for? The ram I thought of using 1GB since thats what my gamer has, but if half of that would be ok, I may just go with 512 then.

I changed what you said about the nforce board, Mechbgone, and added that to my list. If I may ask though, why use nforce and not the one I chose? Is that so it would be compatable with the Video card and the ram? Only thing, I cant find an nforce board to match the durons socket A (unless I am over-looking something?). Would that mean I have to change to a Sempron or Athlon? Thanks again !




AMD Duron 1.8 Applebred 266MHz FSB 64KB L2 Cache Socket A Processor - OEM

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail

nVidia GeForce4 Ti 4200 128MB AGP Video Card w/TV-Out
Sold out

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3160021A 160GB 7200 RPM 2MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM

or

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3160023A 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM

 

[mechBgon]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner to this...

Originally posted by: AbominableJinx
Thanks all! I updated my list. I noticed no one knocked the Duron yet... hehe, so would it be ok for what I want to use it for? The ram I thought of using 1GB since thats what my gamer has, but if half of that would be ok, I may just go with 512 then.

My 65-year-old mom has a 1.8GHz Duron with 512MB of RAM, and it manages some video capture/editing from their budget HandyCam More power would be better, though. I wish I had a nice Barton 2600+ for their riggie.

I changed what you said about the nforce board, mechBgon, and added that to my list. If I may ask though, why use nforce and not the one I chose? Is that so it would be compatable with the Video card and the ram? Only thing, I cant find an nforce board to match the durons socket A (unless I am over-looking something?). Would that mean I have to change to a Sempron or Athlon? Thanks again !

Two reasons: 1) nForce is a better performer per MHz, and 2) VIA SATA can be difficult/impossible to use as a boot-drive controller and I would like to steer you clear of it, which is why I also suggested an ATA/100 hard drive. Double the chances of keeping you out of trouble that way. If you want an nForce2 board that has full-on native SATA support, Abit NF7-S2G might be worth a look.

Most nForce2 boards don't have native SATA support, but rather use a PCI-based SATA chiplet, and if that's good enough for you then also check out the NF7-S revision 2 (different from the NF7-S2 or -S2G, and known as a great overclocker too).

 

[AbominableJinx]

Oh No problem Mechbgone! Thankyou for getting back to me, and for the good info! I may be gone for a couple weeks so may be late replying, but thanks in advance for anyone replying to my post.

I want to stay as cheap as I can when I build this box, so would you know of a decent nforce board at a low price? Some things I may buy used, but the motherboard I think it might be best for me to go new, still debating though.

 

[superfly27]

I currently have:
Asus A7V600-X
Duron 1.8 GHz
Kingston 512 MB 400 MHz (value, cheap)
Ti4200

Anyway, plays UT2004 OK on low settings. Also plays demos of Far Cry, Call of Duty, Halo, Doom3, Half-Life 2...

BUT, when I raised the FSB once to get 2250 MHz, I notice a LARGE difference in UT2004. The kind of difference that all of a sudden made all the DM maps play smooth.