Building a new machine.......

[Caligo]

I need to build a new machine and need to order the parts within the next week. This is what I'm currently looking at:

CPU:P3-866
MB:ASUS P3B-F
RAM:256 Corsair PC-133 (Registered or Unregistered???)
HD:27Gig Western Digital + Promise Ultra66 VID:3DFX Voodoo 5 5500
SOUND:SB LIVE!(but which one I don't know)

I'm looking for comments, opinions, and suggestions. Thanks for your time!!

[Nater21]

Looks good, I don't know much about the registered vs. nonregistered ram so I won't comment on it. As for the Sound Card. It looks like you are not hurting for money. If you can, go for the SB Live! Platinum. The live drive is really great, and it comes with all the software from both the MP3 and the X-Gamer. I absolutely love it. It is a little pricy though, but it is the best.

[thekingofpain]

Looks great! If ya dont know about it, try www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) to (order or) compare prices...

[Shnak]

looks nice... but have you thought of the AMD way? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

you should take a look... Tbird or even "Classic" Athlons are pretty good for the money...

just making suggestions http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Also, about the Live! , the Value offers excellent hmm... value... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif If you don't need the Live!Drive, then get the Value... don't bother with the +MP3 and +XGamer... they just offer software with a SbLive!Value so it's up to you...

I'm glad you chose the V5 5500... any particular reasons?

Later!
Shnak

[Caligo]

I did take a good look at the athlon, but, truth be told, I've been very pleased with Intel processors and can't think of a good reason to switch.

I decided to go with the SB LIVE! MP3+ because the software bundle looks good(and I don't need the live drive).

I decided to go with the V5 5500 because I have never had or heard of any serious conflicts with 3DFX hardware or drivers. I have, however, heard of more than a few conflicts with all flavors the GeForce boards. The only problem is that the place I intended to order the V5 from has them on backorder. With my student discount I could get it for $269. The next best price I've seen was $299. Oh well http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif

Since posting originally, I made a few changes:
P3 866 FC-PGA
ASUS CUBX
Maxtor 30.7 7200 ATA66
256mb Corsair PC133 CAS2
SB Live! MP3+
Pioneer 16x DVD (Tray Loading)

[Dave2]

I wouldn't get the P3B-F motherboard for a P3 866. You'll be overclocking the AGP bus and might run into stability problems. I'd go for the new Abit SE6 with the Intel 815E chipset.

[Dputiger]

Where do you go to get a student discount on hardware? I'm a student! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Caligo]

Dave2~

I appreciate the tip on the oc'd BX, but I have yet to encounter any stability issues running a 133 FSB or 89mhz AGP on a BX. I currently run a p3 450 at 558 using a 124FSB and an Abit BX6 rev. 2

Besides, have you looked at the info on the new 815E!!!!! It may support all the latest cool features but it benchmarks slower than the BX. It's a piece!!

Also, I don't know of any AGP cards that can't handle an 89mhz AGP slot. My FireGL 1000 Pro liked it as does my current Matrox Millennium G400 MAX and I'm sure the V5 won't have any trouble with it either.

[Dputiger]

The only reason to go AMD rather than Intel is price. AMD's T-bird offers just as much performance and has a lower cost. Also, the new motherboards for the T-bird will be upgradable.

Also, if you go AMD, you don't have to fight the RAMBUS fight. I don't know much about specific motherboards, but if you DO stay with Intel, I'd definitely get an i815 board which I've heard has full SDRAM support. Is this right?

[Caligo]

Dputiger~
For student discounts, I us www.journeyed.com. (http://www.journeyed.com.) They have discounts on just about any software you can think of and some hardware(3DFX products included). Also, if you're ever ordering from anywhere, don't hesitate to ask!! Alot of places offer them but they may not make it brutally obvious.
Later!