New system specs tips?

[Insthink]

Alright, my VERY VERY old system is showing an age where it cannot simple run any new games... its a p2-300mhz 128M hehe.. so after 3 years I decided... yup its time for the birth of a new computer, but since im only a student, I cant afford the top notch but here is what I was thinking


AMD-Tbird 266-1333 DDR
Abit KT7-E
512MB DRR PC2100 No-ECC
20.4G 6200rpm Maxtor
Asus V8200 G3 64M pure

Thats it... ill take off parts of my old comp, such as my Sound Blaster Live value, 46X cd rom, and use my 30G HD 5200RPM as a storage disk, use my old 17 inch screen, keyboard etc, in other hand my old machine will be connected on Lan to be used as storage only, cant use it =)


Anyways, give me your opinions, Question tho, what doesnt come with the PURE compared to Deluxe, I couldnt find info on Asus site, I know both cards are the same, but what is diffrent in the package?

[Insthink]

Oh i forgot to mention, the system comes at 1571$ canadian, thats 1026$ US. Just to ask if its overpriced or not =) consider the fact that the system will be built by the shop and ... ya

[Barney]

The Abit KT7-E officially doesn't support 266MHz FSB Athlons. For the amount of money you're spending, I'd take the KT7-A instead of the E.

The Deluxe version has TV-in, TV-out and 3D glasses. The Pure hasn't got any of those things or only TV-out. It shouldn't be hard to find @ www.asus.com (http://www.asus.com) .

[Insthink]

ok, then ill take the A, only 15$ diff. Btw, the T-bird 266 bus and the normal T-bird, how big is the diffrence in gaming? and with the DDR no-ECC ram compared to normal ram?


And how high could I overclock my system? =) im asking a lot arent I

[Barney]

There is little difference. About 10~15% in business apps (I think) if you also use PC-2100. BTW, both the KT7-A and E don't support DDR ram, only SDR (PC-100 and 133).

I believe most Tbird 1.33's can run at 1500~1600MHz.

[Insthink]

so the 266mhz DDR ram wouldnt be worth it for games? Such as Tribes2 and other new heavy graphics games?

I tought the MHZ of the ram would affect how high u can overclock too

[Barney]

As far as I know processors overclock better in mainboards that support SDRAM than DDR RAM. Mainboards like the KT7-A simply offer more options for overclocking.

If you have good PC-133 CAS2 memory I doubt you'll notice any difference between a system with SDRAM and DDR RAM in games.

[hallam2003]

yes, but in the sd-dd debate, why buy yesterday's technology?? especially when DDR RAM is the same price as PC133, and the DDR mobo will only cost you, maybe a max of $30 more (USD)

Hallam

[giant69]

I bought a KT7E and a 1.0 Athlon (200 FSB AXIAR-Y stepping model) over the last 2 weeks. Its an absolutely awesome system. I cranked it the 1st time at 133/33 for a 1.3 Gig out of the box! I then bumped it up to 1.4. I decided to stop at that point as the system was brand new. I did put a Vantec with the Delta (VERY LOUD)fan on it. I lapped the HSF and used AS 2 as described by SYSOPT to the letter. My temps using the VIA HWM are 32c at idle and the max Ive been able to get it to is 43c.It is the fastest system that Ive ever had the opportunity to own. I love this thing! I read all the reviews and they all come to the conclusion that the KT7E is equal to the last couple of percentage points performance wise as the KT7A at a lesser cost. It also looks cool having a blue mobo.Make sure that you have plenty of system cooling properly mounted and an approved PSU. I will admit that I was scared the 1st few seconds of trying to put the HSF on but that was why I bought the Vantec as their clip is better than just about all others. As far as costs, I paid $91 for the board and $105 for the cpu for a total of $196 US + tax. The Vantec was $19 and the AS 2 was $8. I already had the other components from my PEETHREE 550 @770 system. hehe That machine is just a spare now. Ive gotta figure out a use for it. Hope that gives you some insight...steve http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Insthink]

I found an other PC shop in my area with their price list here http://www.lcimtl.com/transfert/produits.pdf

Its in french, but has a english version of subtitles next to the french one, so you can go trough it =) Again the Prices are CANADIAN.

Would like to know which of the Mobos offered should I take, which CPU fan *i want it quiet so I can sleep, yet powerful enought to cool my house =) *overclock high*)


Dont forget, im going for DDR ram, so chose a DDR mobo

[Insthink]

bumpidoo

[PrimalX]

System Spec:

AMD-Tbird 266-1333 DDR <-- WOW X 3
Abit KT7-E <-- WOW X 2
512MB DRR PC2100 No-ECC <-- WOW X 2
20.4G 6200rpm Maxtor <-- no WOW
Asus V8200 G3 64M pure <-- WOW x 4

Are you sure u r a student????

man i can't even afford a new mainboard+cpu.

[Insthink]

hehe yes im sure im a student, btw the HDD, its 7200rpm and not 6200rpm, typo and im taking it 30gig, but i wont go scsi, jeez thats a bit overkill for a gaming system, pay several $$$ just to load faster? =)