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New PC, Please Check Components for me

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wantstolearncfm

wantstolearncfm

IS-IT--Management
Jun 29, 2004
160
GB
Hi,
I am about to build my 4th system but before i do i like to ask computer friends and on forums whether the pc components will work together etc etc.....
So i am asking you for a review of my components, possible *cheap* upgrades to the current system. And any issues you have seen arise from a system like this.
One potential thing i have read somewhere is an issue with asus boards and 2 DDR400 sticks so could people help me to look into this?
The specs follow below with relevant links.

NEC Double Layer 8x DVD Dual R/RW DVD Writer - OEM


AMD Athlon XP2700 333FSB 256Cache Retail Boxed Inc Heatsink & Fan with 3year Warranty
(would it be any good going to the barton 2500 with the 512 cache?)


Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe SKTA NVNorce2ST ATX 8xAGP Giga LAN, SATA, Firewire, 6 channel Audio, USB2 Dual chan. DDR +WiFi slot (up to DDR400)
(when it says up to DDR400 will the ddr400 sticks be ok?)


Crucial 512 DDR400 PC3200 CL=3 Memory Module


XFX GeForce FX5600XT AGP 8x 128MB DDR TV-Out DVI Retail Box



Seagate ST3120026A 120gb 7200rpm 8mb Cache Barracuda 7200.7 Plus - OEM

Plus a couple of cooling fans, a dvd rom, cdrom, etc...
The PSU will be in the case pre built in(i am currently running the case with the PS in it is a 350W one would i be better buying a 400W PS and getting a case fitting it myself?

Any questions ask me but i would like some suggestions on components and the ram, cpu, mobo compatability confirmed

Cheers

Please dont make this a super computer discussion (i was always tempted to do it in threads )

Dan
 
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If you have a Motherboard and Memory capable of 400MHz FSB, why not get a CPU capable of 400MHz FSB?

Namely, the Barton 3000+, 3200+ and possibly the 2800+ (just check for the 400MHz FSB in the description). This will mean you get the most out of your system.


Yes, I would recommend a 400W PSU. A 400W PSU will run a Athlon 3200+, 1GB DDR400 RAM, 120GB HDD System easily, so yours will work fine with a 400W PSU.


One last thing, 512MB of RAM should be fine, I personally chose 1GB because I play lots of games on the net (where connection speed and ram are the key factors), but if you don't play many games then 512MB will be OK.

Oh, and congrats on choosing ebuyer! They're great! The system I described above (with a 52x32x53 CDRW, 128MB Gefore FX5600XT and 2 Case Fans and Arctic Cooling etc. was only £450!)
 
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Im back again are the ebuyer PSU's ok?
Seems to be a real bargin, i know generic ones sometimes produce lower than they say, hence why i am going for 500W.

The superflower ones just seem sooo expensive!
Otherwise are Qtech
Anygood?

I still think that the 350 i have would be ok but as i am putting more powerful components in perhaps i should be buying a better PS
 
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Yep my 400W PSU is a generic and it powers my system (slightly higher specs than yours) perfectly, so go for the generic one.

That CPU will ensure maximum performance from your motherboard and RAM, and I would recommend this cooler:


It's not only cheap, but it has a cool blue light which you can see through any case holes, AND it has 3 different modes which are on a switch which fits into a spare PCI Slot - it supports up to 3400+ on full power (I use mine on full power and it's silent compared to my case fans)! It also comes with enough Arctic Cooling Thermal Paste for at least 20+ CPUs, to ensure maximum sooling (compared to geenric thermal paste or thermal pads) -- All for £8!
 
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Right, DragonQ0105
Cheers for helping me, i may as well give you the ebuyer quickfind codes, do you mind just looking through what i have listed here.
for anyone else type the codes after the final word of the item into the search box and the item will come on screen for you

The total is £549.08, which for a machine of this spec seems quite reasonable
Right
<------------------->

Seagate ST3120026A 120gb 7200rpm 8mb Cache Barracuda 7200.7 Plus - OEM 52159

XFX GeForce FX5600XT AGP 8x 128MB DDR TV-Out DVI Retail Box 56625

NEC Double Layer 8x DVD Dual R/RW DVD Writer - OEM 62725

2 x Crucial 512 DDR400 PC3200 CL=3 Memory Module 46420
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe SKTA NVNorce2ST ATX 8xAGP Giga LAN, SATA, Firewire, 6 channel Audio, USB2 Dual chan. DDR +WiFi slot (up to DDR400) 58198

AMD Athlon XP3000+ 400Mhz FSB 512 L2 Cache Barton Cpu - OEM 55149

Qtec 450watt Psu Twin Fan Pfc Compliant Retail Box 54451

Arctic Cooling Slim Silent Pro (supports Upto) Xp3400+ 58508

Chieftec MA-01WD Matrix White ATX Tower Case No PSU 55649

Lg 16x52 Ide DVD-rom Drive - Oem 62566

Panasonic Floppy Drive 1.44mb - OEM 47896

2 x Ebuyer Extra Value 8cm Internal Case Cooling Fan 4 pin 23880

2 x High Quality Round IDECable ATA133 60cm in Yellow 36347

Ebuyer High Quality Round Floppy Cable 60cm in Blue 36345

The cables are just as an incase measure, ive known mobos to come minus there important bits!!


So now the processor matches the ram and the board, hopefully this pc will fly.

Can i confirm that the ram banks will be ok i know in the Asus A7v8x-x i can only put one DDR400 PC3200 stick in, this board the Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe seems to let me, it says "dual-channel DDR 400"

"Serial ATA" makes me worry seeing as my hdd's, dvd etc are IDE, im more of a software guy so dont flame me if im wrong here but can i confirm that the ide dvd, dvdrw, hdd will all work with the mobo (2Xide channels i hope)

Cheers then
 
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The product reviews on Ebuyer will give you a good idea of how good they are....

My dealings with them have not always gone well; I probably won't use them much in the next three years....

The retail Athlons come with h/s and fan....and a three year warranty.

The PSU has only 4 reviews - over two months, I've had decent 250 watt PSUs that would cope with what the reviewers have in their rigs. Do yourself a favour, everything in the PC needs a clean supply; buy a decent one look at this - - only twice the price.

>"I bought this to replace an older power supply which had started to make the whole system run slow when you tried to read C.D.s, and it solved the problem perfectly. It's connected to 19 different components and can easily take the strain. The speed controlled dual fans are quieter than the original one fan, and look very nice (chrome grills). System temperature has dropped by several degrees, and it has plenty of 12v connectors."<

Andy.
 
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Ok upgraded to the better one i suppose it is the backbone!
i take it the rest is ok then?
I think ebuyer are fine as i said 4th system and as of yet nothing is dead
Im not going for retail packs they cost more and the fans are less efficent, for the worry gutting of a 3yr guarentee if it goes wrong ill buy a new processor!
Im not into over clocking so its not an issue
 
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Ebuyer are fine if you order something that they have plenty of stock......and you don't get a DOA.

Andy.
 
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My compter building mates buy off there and one has had a dead ram stick they replaced it F.O.C within a week.
Seems ok to me, if not who else do you reccomend? ive heard of scan but didnt like the site layout.
 
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I only buy RAM guaranteed to work with the 'board! eg. Crucial - no quibble. I don't think the guy that knew how to test RAM works there now ;-)

The Ebuyer own label stuff can change supplier by the week; whoever can supply at the cheapest price.

If your parts are of reasonable quality and they have plenty in stock, you are likely to do ok (and save a few pounds if you're not in a rush).

Andy.
 
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Yeh i know, the ebuyer generic is normally a bit odd, although i brought 3 lan cards and there perfect !
But yes you are not sure what you are getting hence the resaon i go towards fairly good named brands crucial, asus, amd etc.. ok im not sure why LG got good ratings but its been reccomeded as a quick and silent drive.
The NECs are good
Anyway thanks for your responses, i will check back tomorrow to see if anyone has any technical problems with my spec otherwise the old convert quote to order button will be pressed and away i go !

Cheers All
 
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Double-check the stock levels before you hit the order button!

Andy.
 
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I'd make sure you get Crucial/Kingston/Corsair RAM - they are the top makes and are VERY reliable (I've had 2 256MB PC100 Sticks in my older PC for 3 years no probs!)

Serial ATA means that it can SUPPORT Serial ATA Drives - but it'll still have the standard IDE Interface for 4 EIDE Drives (Probably ATA150 or ATA133 Maximum).

Although many drives AND motherboard come with IDE Cables, I would buy extras in case (as you are doing) - I did, and I now have 3 spare Cables (bought 2 spearate, got 2 with motherboard, one with CDRW, and I only needed 2 cables, lol), but hey, why not? :)
 
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As its a rather essential item i feel that my CPU cooler needs to be a good one.
The one reccomended to me on here seems to say it is for a 3400+ but in the reviews someone points out it says ratedfor a 2900+ on the box.
Running a 3000+ i dont want to go and bust the processor.
So on ebuyer can someone give me a good fan to look for, i would buy a cpu cooler off ebay if i know a really good one to look for
Cheers
 
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No one got any reccomendations the one suggested to me a bit higher in this thread is out of stock.
 
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Hey DragonQ0105,

How many 62486s have you used? Or is your 'good one' comment based on the TWO reviews? Five days (if they arrive then...) plus five more to deliver....?

wantstolearncfm - it's the COMBINATION of heatsink AND fan efficiency that is important - the retail AMD will work fine!

Andy.
 
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They dont do a 3000+ with HS 400FSB retail pack they do the 3200 which is more expensive at £130 compared to the £98 of the 3000+ but i suppose a 3yr warentee and no worry of getting a new fan is worth it.
Ill have to see what my bank a/c will think of all this lol
 
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