Building my first comp.

[joerg]

I have decided to build a new computer it will be the first i have built. i currently own 2 compaqs one a p2 @ 270mhz and another a p3 @ 600mhz both are good for anything but gaming. I have decided to build one and was wondering if the following are very good specs for the price.

Case=Future Power w/400w ps and fan $40
Motherboard=MB-7ZX-1 Gigabyte Socket A $112
Proccessor=AMD tbird @ 1.33ghz $144
Memory=2 syncmax 133 256meg modules $28each
HardDrive=2 60gb maxtor 5400rpm $110each
DVD=Delta 12x $40
Cdrw=Sony 12x/8x/32x $98
Floppy=Mitisumi 1.44meg $5
Modem=56k v.90 pci Pctel $10
NetworkingCard=10/100Bt Wisecomm $7
Graphics=Elsa Gladica G2 mx400 64mb tvout $113
Speakers=CambrigeSoundWorks digital 5point $89
Monitor=E-View 17" 1280x1024 0.25 $99

Laso i have cable internet and would like to network all 3 comps. Any help would be great.

[dragonB]

yea, I'd say those are awesome prices.
Especially the case, speakers and monitor. Where are you getting them?
One warning: be careful with memory that is too cheap..
dragonB

[DemonKnight]

If you have a cable internet what do you need a 56K phone line modem for? also that is extremely cheap for 256MB of RAM you sure it was 2 128 meg sticks and not 2 256? Also what OS are you planing on using? other than those two things that should be a very nice system.

[joerg]

I got most of the prices from a website called pricecombat.com it is a price search engine i did all the research on the sites that i will be buying everything on to. The ram is really that cheap i just updated my p3 with it from the same company for the same price it has been working great and yes it is 256. and i just thaught that as cheap as the modem was i would go ahead and get it. How good of quality are gf2 mx cards? and how do i network my systems if anyone knows it would be helpful.
Oh and i am going to be using win95 to start it and then once i hook cable up i will download a copy of 2000 or me

[This message has been edited by joerg (edited 06-24-2001).]

[DemonKnight]

Pirated software is wrong..( http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif) in Win95 stick with 256, get win2k and load as much ram as the motherboard can take. my point with the modem was if your not going to use it, whats the use of having it? it would just be taking up a PCI slot. the gf2 MX is a good card, but I think there are card that are slightly better than it out right now. the Kyro II seems to come to mind. (but I've never used either of them, my ATI Xpert 128 2000 is doing just fine for now in my system, which is weaker than your other two, except for the p2.) to net work them um I dont know.. sorry. thanks for the URL to that site though, wish I would have found it before I spent 32$ on 128MB of RAM.

[Tekkitan]

if i were you i would look into getting a better name brand of sdram, like micron(crucial), kingston, etc. Cheap ram has shown not to work too well for AMD based systems. So if you want a lot of performance out of your new system, I would get better ram. also, if your buying a modem, why not get one with voice/fax capabilities, in case you decide to setup a phone monitoring system or fax with your computer. my 2 cents http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[eagle1]

I have almost the same components as you do (even the Gigabyte mobo) and my system is performing really well.! Oh .. and you know what, I have the same video card!!!

The GeForce performs really well (at least compared to my voodoo). All the new games run smooth as silk and at high resolutions.
My benchmarks are high too. It's a really all around card. Doesn't run that hot either.!

[marc666]

get real sound card as far as the mem prices sound bout right can get same at a computer fair. I wouldnt change a thing as far as networking all three sys you will need a four port hub (as i dont think they come in three)
some cable and Network cards for the other two sys and you should be good to go.

[j moy]

A great sound card would be the Her cules Game Theater XP.. get it from Best Buy for 130 because it's supposed to be on "sale"... it's been like that for like 2 months... so you better act fast... or you buy it from jandr.com.. same price... Good luck hunting... sounds like a nice system too..
Keep me updated...

J Moy

[joerg]

I would get a better brand of ram but i am on a tight budget also my friend has the same brand just not for that price in his tbird 1.4ghz and it seems to run great. also i am alomst sure the modem had the voice fax and if it doesnt it wont matter i will only be using this system for gaming. The mother board has 5pci so i shouldnt have to worry about ruuning out of slots. One more question do you think i should use the motherboards onboard sound or get a real sound card.

[joerg]

I would get a better brand of ram but i am on a tight budget also my friend has the same brand just not for that price in his tbird 1.4ghz and it seems to run great. also i am alomst sure the modem had the voice fax and if it doesnt it wont matter i will only be using this system for gaming. The mother board has 5pci so i shouldnt have to worry about ruuning out of slots. One more question do you think i should use the motherboards onboard sound or get a real sound card.

[hallam2003]

i'd recommend you use a 7200RPM hard drive. and use better RAM, sure it's a good price, but not if it doens't work. also, you said your going to use a 5-point speaker system, but then ask if you should buy a sound card or use on-board. CAn you even use a 5-point with a 2 channel sound card? your going to have to get a 5.1 surround sound card.


Hallam