Order my Setup Tonight! Comments Please

[VERT]

Just would like to add, for not too much extra (than an MX400) you could get a Geforce 2 Pro, in which you will get greatly improved performance at 1024 x 768 and above.

[card_magic]

Nice system... and newegg is a good dealer to buy from. I take it you are actually ordering your memory directly from Crucial?.. another good product choice.
If you have an extra 40 bucks or so, you might concider getting an extra 256 of memory. As far as soundcard and speakers are concerned... Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT get an Aureal Vortex... they are out of business, and thus, the driver support sucks. For speakers, if you can afford it, go with a Klipsch system. I admit that I am biased towards Klipsch, because I use the Klipsch Reference series in my home theater system.. but their computer systems get rave reviews, and are THX certified. Its actually a computer speaker package manufactured by people who KNOW speakers.

-Jim

[joerg]

I like the setup but for around ten dollars more you can get the athlon 1.4ghz. Also i would'nt get the extra ram unless you really need it and for the sound card just use the intergrate unless you need better and if you do go for the game theater xp it sounds like a great card. Oh and one more thing depending on your needs you will probablly want a better graphics card.

[omeyehead]

Altec-Lansing has a pretty respectable sound for the price. SB live! makes them sound better.

[Kuasimodem]

For the better graphics card, how about a Leadtek GeForce 2 Pro 32Mb DDR for $129 with free shipping?

Where? you ask...why at NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com) .

I like my Altec Lansing speakers (ACS45.2), I can even PO the people in the apartment next door with em http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Cody]

Ok: Pretend we're in IRC:

<cooter007> What do you guys think of the system I am ordering?
<Cody> It sucks
<Cody> Go for a Gateway Performance 1800XL
Cody ducks his head for warning of tomatoes
<Cody> :-)

[Cody]

Oh yeah... I forgot: How are you going to RUN that system with 256k of ram?

:-)

/me ducks again

[Underclocked]

Yep, go for 512MB while memory is so cheap. May not stay that way long. I think you've made nice choices overall although I'm not crazy over the Enlight case. Does the job though and is at a fair price at NewEgg.
Didn't say if that cpu was oem or retail. If oem you might take a look at http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/index.html for some nice buys on good cooling. Good experiences here ordering from them.

Meant to add that Sam's Club has some Altec 33 speakers for 19.98 a set. Great little 3 piece set for short money.

[This message has been edited by Underclocked (edited 08-16-2001).]

[cooter007]

It has been 7 years since I put a computer together! ... I have been out of the loop.

I have researched until my fingers hurt. This is what I came up with :

Enlight 72370 (300Watt)
Epox 8K7A w/sound
T-Bird 1.33GHz 266FSB
IBM 40G 7200RPM (60GXP)
256k PC2100 (Crucial)
ABIT MX400 Video Card

Still deciding on Sound Card and Speakers.

Comments will be much appreciated http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Forgot to tell you that I'm going to order the whole thing from newegg.com


[This message has been edited by cooter007 (edited 08-16-2001).]

[jaida]

it looks pretty good looks like you've done your homework http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


Can't help you with the speakers but I would recommend you picked up a sound blaster live oem for your soundcard. They are pretty inexpensive and the sound quality is excellent.

[eagle1]

I noticed that your motherboard has integrated sound! All I can say is, look for great speakers and try them with the integrated solution! It should suffice for MP3's and games! If you don't like the sound produced by the sound card, upgrade!

Remember Good Sound card + Crappy speakers is not better than Crappy Sound card + Great Speakers.!

THe MX video card should do you good if you are not going to play at high resolutions (and by High I mean 1024x768 or higher)!

If you want a modem look for a good modem and not a winmodem one! Winmodems take resources from your computer!

What about CD media? If you are going with cdrw's, look for a Plextor, TDK or something with Burn Proof technology so that you don't make coasters when burning cd's!

Otherwise, great selection!!!

[Cody]

I have altec Lansing ACS33's... one word: THEY-ROCK!.

BTW: Look at the Antec 1030B... rated very highly and a very nice case.

[cooter007]

I appreciate everybody’s input!!!!

I have researched your recommendations and this Is what I have come up with:

Enlight 72370 Case $50
Epox 8K7A w/sound OEM $120
T-Bird 1.33GHZ 266FSB – Retail Box Version w/fan and heatsink $125
512MB PC2100 (Crucail.com) $82

Total So Far $377

GeForce2 PRO 64MB Video Card ------ Okay I need help with this one. What brand is the best?

[eagle1]

Visit the Video card forum! I think you'll have your answers right there!

If you want a Pro card, go with Gainward's one (they have 4.5ns mem modules -- that means that if you are going to overclock, the card can take higher frequencies!) or anything from Elsa and Leadtek is good!

[cooter007]

It's Done!!! Thanks for the input http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Enlight ATX 72370 (300Watt)
Epox 8K7A
AMD 1.33GHZ 266/FSB
512mB PC2100
CardExPert GeForce2 Pro/450 64MB
IBM 40GB (60GXP)
Creative Lab 52x CDROM

Microsoft Explorer Mouse
Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard

Linksys 4-Port Cable/DSL Router

$815 http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Hopefully it will be here next week!

[This message has been edited by cooter007 (edited 08-17-2001).]

[RADAR1797]

Cooter,

It is so funny, I ordered almost the exact same setup from Newegg. I can't wait to get mine next week.

-RADAR

[This message has been edited by RADAR1797 (edited 08-17-2001).]

[Imperion1]

Pretty good setup you have there.
If you have any problems setting up the mobo give us a hollar. A few of us have either the 8k7a or 8k7a+.
And I just ordered another 256mb PC2100 from Crucial to add to my board. Main reason, ram is so inexpensive right now and when I build another DDR system I won't have to buy ram right away.

Have fun with your build and Welcome to Sysopt.

[PassnThru]

You will be happy. Epox is my favorite 'less expensive' board - you will find it very friendly. Please share any problems for immediate resolution and all triumphs for review. I especially want to know how that vid card does!
BTW - 512MB is, in my opinion, a bit much. Win 9X or ME can barely do anything with 256M. Of course, if DDR stays with us for another few years, I'm sure M$ will release an OS that requires at least 512M to even run so at todays prices I would say good deal.

[This message has been edited by PassnThru (edited 08-17-2001).]

[Cody]

AWWW MAN!

How come you didn't get a Gateway rockbottomPerformance 1800XL?

I bet the Generic parts and crappy hardware setup would have worked just as well as this old i386 I have here :-)