building a new computer from scratch

[goense]

I want to build a new P-4 from the bottom up what are the best choices for mobo/cpu/ram just looking for opionions on reliability and where to buy (web or local shop)
also I would like to make it a screamer within reason,Like one processor and a price that is not the same as my morgage payment (small house)
Thanks for the input, mag

 

[cdogg]

Here's an article that reviews 19 of the newest DDR-RAM P4 motherboards. If you plan on overclocking or upgrading above 2.4GHz, you may want to stick with RDRAM boards, though they're more expensive. The reason? It's all in this article:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/mainboard/02q1/020318/index.html

After you decide on a board, go here to find the best price:

http://www.pricewatch.com

~cdogg

 

[dakota81]

I would go with a DDR board, the only time RDRAM is going to really help you out is if you've got the fasted 2+ GHz P4's, but for me the much higher price tag is not worth the minimal benifits.

For a motherboard, just buy one from a big name company, Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Abit, FIC, stay away from bargain motherboards, as many times the price advantages are not worth the headaches trying to get them to work.

For where to buy, I find it more trouble to try and shave every dollar on pricewatch buy buying from several different companies to build a single computer. I buy from

http://www.newegg.com

or

http://www.z-buy.com,

they were good on not screwing you over on shipping, but they have changed recently, charging a bunch, but their prices and selection are still better than most other places out there.

 

[ANFPS26]

cdogg recommends Pricewatch, as do I, but be sure you figure shipping costs into your price. Some sites have good deals but make up the difference in the shipping. I think

http://www.newegg.com

is one of the best sites for price and quality and speed of shipping. Jakespeare put me on to this site. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....."

 

[Shohan]

I agree I just bought everything for a new system from NewEgg.com. I have also talked in person to people who use NewEgg and highly recommended them. I can't wait to start putting the peices together!!!

AMD Athalon XP 1900+
Soltek SL-75DRV5
1024MB Corsair PC-2700
WD 100GB 7200RPM HDD
LeadTek GeForce4 Ti 4600
SB Audigy Platinum w/ Internal Control Box
Plextor Plexwriter 40x12x40x
Toshiba 16x DVD-ROM
ThermalRight AX-7
4x Thermaltake 80x80x25 Smart Fans
Antec SX1040B

Not to mention I got some cool clear round IDE cables for when I mount a window in the Antec chassis.

 

[ANFPS26]

Wow! I envy you!! "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....."