Help with building first computer...

[terrafirma]

Hi. I'm wanting to put together a system myself -- haven't
really much in the way of experience...but, I can't see
how else I'm going to get it. (Besides, my computer now is
practically older than I am...*ugh* I can barely manage
to click through the forum.)

So...anyway, I'm here begging for any kind of helpful advice.
Below is kind of what I've come up with & priced out. ...I
got a little thrown off as far as the processors...For the
1GHz processors...Is the only real difference between the
two the fact that the retail box version comes with heatsink
and fan...and with the OEM version, I'd have to get
those separately? ...And would I more than likely be
better off paying the extra $$ and going with the retail
box version & just avoid making things more complicated,
or is it not that big of a deal?


Case: Antec SX1030B ($104.94)
Motherboard: EPoX EP-8K7A AMD 761 + VIA 686B ($132.00)
Processor: AMD Athlon Thunderbird 1GHz 266MHz
Bus Socket A PGA Processor-OEM Version ($126.00)
-or-
AMD Thunderbird 1GHz 266MHz Bus
Socket A processor 256K cache
Retail Box Version with HeatSink and Fan ($162.00)
Memory: (2) 256 MB DDR PC2100 CL=2.5 ($118.78)
Video Card: ATI Radeon 32MB DDR LE (OEM) ( $78.00)

I already have on hand a Plextor CD-RW 12x10x32 drive and
I figure I can manage to make a decision on a hard drive,
floppy, modem, etc...

I appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[GregMal]

You can: purchase a MB/CPU/HSF combo OR purchase them separately.
If you go with the combo, usually you'll get it pretested and with
a 1-3 yr warranty. Purchased separately if you go with a retail
CPU, you'll get a 3 yr warranty and also be guaranteed that the HSF
will fit. With OEM CPUs you usually get a 15 day warranty and that's
it! So make your choice.....I've done them all......
I usually go with the best deal......
Greg

 

[Duvie]

Go to http://www.tcwo.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1020&sid=1gi2Ty0GaJwA5kP

they have chip for 125.00 get the 9.00 HSF they recommend and stand behind...company has great resellers rate...PLus get a 1 year warranty on the oem chip which is about unheard of.

thats a total of 134.00 then 6.95 for shipping for 140.95.

I have this fan on my 1.121.2 tbird and temps are 38c idle 45c full...It is running 5700rpm with a 60mm fan on the heatsink...I use the thermal pad it works!!! It worked on my 750 tbird as well. "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

the 6.95 is a flat fee up to 150lbs so if you need anthing else get it there...

 

[terrafirma]

While I'm asking (and before I buy) is the ATI Radeon LE 32MB DDR
video card a decent option...Any opinions?

TIA. (And, Duvie, thanks for the info about tcwo.com -- looks like it will save me a little cash, and give me a little sense of security.)

 

[compudog]

TCWO.com is awesome. Highly recommended. Great service, great technical support and excellent shipping rate. I buy from TCWO alot. Have never had a problem! (No, I don't work for them!!!)

 

[Syborg1211]

The Radeon Le is a good choice if you plan on doing teh Bios hack and overclocking it. If you don't want to overclock, you should get a retail Radeon 32 mb card. The Radeon series is an excellent set of cards with awesome picture quality up to par speeds with teh geforce 2 gts and a mich wider range of features than the geforces