I'm giving my current computer to my mother and have about $750 (before tax and shipping) to play with for a new build for myself (everything but OS and monitor). I am very much a newbie and could use some help. Here's what I have:
865 based Motherboard -- $96
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-484&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
P4 Northwood 2.4c CPU -- $142
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
2 x 256MB of DDR400 RAM -- $76
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-413&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Radeon 9800 AIW pro (includes HL2) -- $254
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-454&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
hard disk -- $59
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-145-049&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
burner -- $56.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-204&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
case and power supply -- $59.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-150&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
keyboard -- $19.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=23-126-152&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
floppy -- $7.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=21-152-005&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
So using these parts my system will cost $769, but I hope will be one screaming machine with fast perfornance right out of the box and even more with potential for overclocking.
So how does this system look? Is everything compatible? Suitable for a first-time builder? Should I be buying more expensive (or cheaper) RAM? Should I be using 1 stick of 512mb or am I better with 2x256mb? Is SATA HD a smart choice? Will the Mobo fit in my case nicely? Have I missed anything? My selection process at newegg seemed sorta arbitrary (so many choices!!) so maybe my configuration could be improved? Any suggestions for shaving a dollar or two or getting more bang for the buck? Thanks!!!
865 based Motherboard -- $96
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-484&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
P4 Northwood 2.4c CPU -- $142
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
2 x 256MB of DDR400 RAM -- $76
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-413&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Radeon 9800 AIW pro (includes HL2) -- $254
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-454&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
hard disk -- $59
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-145-049&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
burner -- $56.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-204&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
case and power supply -- $59.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-150&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
keyboard -- $19.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=23-126-152&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
floppy -- $7.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=21-152-005&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
So using these parts my system will cost $769, but I hope will be one screaming machine with fast perfornance right out of the box and even more with potential for overclocking.
So how does this system look? Is everything compatible? Suitable for a first-time builder? Should I be buying more expensive (or cheaper) RAM? Should I be using 1 stick of 512mb or am I better with 2x256mb? Is SATA HD a smart choice? Will the Mobo fit in my case nicely? Have I missed anything? My selection process at newegg seemed sorta arbitrary (so many choices!!) so maybe my configuration could be improved? Any suggestions for shaving a dollar or two or getting more bang for the buck? Thanks!!!