New computer

[nychris86]

Hello,
I've spent about 8 hours today running all over the internet, reading all about assembling your own computer. This splurge of research was spawned by my frusteration at not being able to play Morrowind because of my sound card, which made me realize my computer is once again obsolete. I've decided to build my own computer this time, and keep it under 900 dollars.

I threw together these components on a discount store, and I'm wondering how well it would all match up

-Athlon 1.4GHZ 266MHZ OEM W/O COOLING FAN
-VisionTek XTASY GeForce3 Ti 200 6564 64MB AGP NVIDIA Video Card
-Kingston 512MB PC2100 266MHZ DDR-RAM
-Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy Gamer Sound Card
-Asus A7M266 AMD 761 CHIPSET ULTRA ATA100 ATX FORM FACTOR 1xAGP(PRO)/5xPCI/1xAMR/2xDDR W/AUDIO
-Western Digital 20.GB 200BB EIDE ULTRA-ATA/66-100 9.5MS 7200RPM 2MB BUFFER harddrive
-Promise ULTRA100 TX2 PCI ULTRA-ATA/100 Hard Drive controller

I'm a bit iffy with some of the details, especially about the Hard drive controller (of which I have practically no idea why its necessary, and what parts of it are important), and if the "W/O cooling fan" detail on the processor should have me worried. I dont expect to overclock it.
All of that came out to about 600 dollars at the discount store I went to (Mwave.com), but I've seen lower prices for the components I want mentioned elsewhere.

If anyone has any recommendations or help, that'd be great.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[o1die]

I would go with the kr7a-raid or a7v333. The amd 761 chipset is already outdated.

 

[dbal]

All components should be enough for you but change the cpu/mobo combo-too much outdated....

 

[nychris86]

ok, found an a7v333 for little more than the other mobo. But what about the processor? I dont really need to stay on top with that, and the price between a 1.4 and 1.9 is a decent sized jump (in my budget). Even if the 1.4 is outdated, does it still perform well? Or should I really spend 60 more and go to a 1.9?

 

[rogue1979]

Then just get the XP 1600, it is cheaper, faster and cooler than a 1.4 t-bird. It will also overclock better. Just a suggestion, but maybe a Radeon 8500 retail instead of the Geforce 3 Ti 200. The drivers are much better and faster, overall performance of the Radeon 8500 is now about equal with a Ti 500. If you wnat a Raid controller but don't have a use for it, just get a motherboard that has one included. You might want to try newegg for your shopping, much better service than Mwave. I would get the Thermalright AX-7 with a variable fan for a heatsink, make sure your motherbaord can accomodate the size. Best Byte Computers on pricewatch has it for $35.99 shipped with a speed adjustable 80mm fan.

 

[nychris86]

It was suggested to me that I should just get a retail version of a cpu, not the oem, since I likely won't be overclocking, and the retail will have a fan included.

I was looking at the Radeon, but I've had good results with the geforce line before, so I'll likely stick with it.

One question about an athlon xp 1600. I know they're optimised for windows xp, but would they still perform well if I used an older OS like Win 98 SE? I still enjoy that OS, and the way I can still play some very old DOS games on it.

 

[FlippyBoy]

first of all, the name (athlonxp) has nothing to do with its optimizations - you will enjoy the speed benefits on any operating system. you dont need the extra controller unless you plan on adding a buttload of drives to your system. as for the cooling fan, i second the AX-7 - an excellent heatsink with almost any fan, so buy a fan that will suit your noise tolerance levels. also, dont forget to pick up some arctic silver - BIG difference (versus no compund).