How's This For My First Comp?

[JimShorts]

Here's what I was thinking of for my first computer (project for school). What do you guys think. Go ahead and pick it apart. All prices are NewEgg prices, except for the case, so if you know of a cheaper place for anything please sound off. I'll probably get some of this stuff off eBay or local stores too.

CASE
Xoxide Spiderman Case (Black) $55
http://store.yahoo.com/xoxide/xospcab.html

PROCESSOR
AMD Athlon XP 2400+ "Thoroughbred" 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail $73

Model: AMD Athlon XP 2400+
Core: Thoroughbred
Operating Frequency: 2GHz
FSB: 266MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/256K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)

MOTHERBOARD
Shuttle nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard, Model "AN35N-Ultra" $62

Supported CPU: Socket A AMD Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron Processors
Chipset: nVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 + MCP
FSB: 200/266/333/400MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR400/333/266/200 Max 3GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,2xCOM,1xLAN,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 5.1 Channel Codec
Onboard LAN: Realtek 8201BL 10/100M
Form Factor: ATX

HARD DRIVE
Western Digital 40GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD400BB $58

Capacity: 40GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 2MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Features: Quiet Drive technology
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

MEMORY
Kingston ValueRAM 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 $44

Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 32M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime

CD/RW DRIVE
SONY Black 52x32x52 IDE Internal CD-RW Drive, Model CRX230E-B2 $33

Write Speed: 52X CD-R,32X CD-RW
Read Speed: 52X CD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
Features: PowerBurn Conformed, VAS Vibration Reduction

FLOPPY DRIVE
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920 $13

Capacity: 1.44MB
Average Access Time: 94 ms
Interface: 34 Pin Standard Floppy Connector
Form: 3.5 inch
Media Type: All Standard 1.44MB & 720KB 3.5 Floppy Diskettes
Features: High Quality and Reliability,Customized colors available

POWER SUPPLY
As for the Power Supply, I'm stuck between these two. Which should I get?

Allied 400W Power Supply ATX400P4 w/ Two Fans ***AMD APPROVED*** $30

Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 400W
PFC: No
Power Good Signal: Not specified
Hold-up Time: Not specified
Efficiency: 65% minimum, 75% typical, at full load
Over Voltage Protection: +3.3V, +5V, +12V
Overload Protection: All outputs
Input Voltage: Select 90-132VAC or 180-264VAC
Input Frequency Range: 47-63 Hz
Input Current: Not specified
Output: +5V@40A, +3.3V@28A, +12V@15A, -5V@0.3A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
MTBF: 50,000 hours
Approvals: UL, CSA, TUV, NEMKO, DEMKO, SEMKO, FI,CE
Special Features: w/ Serial ATA Conne

...OR...

Antec P4 ATX12V 400 Watt Power Supply With 2 Fans, Model "SL400" $52

Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 400W
PFC: No
Power Good Signal: 100-500ms
Hold-up Time: < 17ms at Full Load
Efficiency: >68%
Over Voltage Protection: +5V trip point<+6.5V;+3.3V trip point<+4.1V;+12V trip point<+15.6V
Overload Protection: Latching Protection+5V @<53A;+3.3V @ <48A;+12V @ <23A
Input Voltage: 115 VAC / 230VAC
Input Frequency Range: 47-63 Hz
Input Current: 10A for 115VAC;5.0A for 230VAC
Output: +3.3V@28A;+5V@38A;-5V@0.5A;+12V@18A;-12V@0.8A;+5VSB@2A
MTBF: 50,000 hrs. @ 25C
Approvals: UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, NEMKO

OTHER

Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Office 2004 Teacher/Student
(2) Blue Cold Cathode Lights $25[/b]
(4) Blue Cold Cathode Fans $25[/b]
Graphics Card (dependant on sufficient funds)

APPROX. COST: $429

 

[Shrapnill]

You need a hard drive with an 8MB buffer. That one has 2MB. NOt gonna cut it. I would also try to up the processor to a 2500+.

Go with the Antec power supply.

Otherwise looks decent if money is a concern.

 

[Demalii]

get at least 512mb of ram, for an extra 14 bucks get the 80 gig hard drive with 8mb cache... and for pennies more get the 2500+ barton, you can just change the fsb to 200, and you'll be set... the t-bred's aren't all that great i don't think...

 

[yashar]

well i'm pretty much a newb's point of view, we only look at the structure of the case. so in my point of view its awsome. but i would rather listen to damalii and shrapnill

 

[True_Orb]

$429 for a pretty decent system, I am impressed.
I would listen to Shrap though.

 

[Shrapnill]

Well, when I say "looks decent if money is a concern" I mean just that. That is no supercomputer, but if money is holding you back then it looks fine with a better HDD and a 2500+.

By the way, a Barton core XP 2500+ is THREE DOLLARS more than that 2400+. GO WITH THE 2500+.

 

[yashar]

My penis is bigger than yours.

no hatin homey.. no personal attacks..... i can prove it. wanna pic.. no jk

 

[Shrapnill]

Hehehe...

The signature is just a jab at how listing your specs in your signature STARTED because it was easier than listing em every time you have a problem but now its some bull**** bragging thing. Bragging about your computer over the internet is fuggin stupid in my opinion.

Ive said it before, Im surprised the mods have let me keep the signature. I figured Id get a private message within a week, but they seem cool with it.

 

[JimShorts]

Hey guys thanx for all the feedback so far.

I'll probably stick with 256mb RAM unless I think its too slow and I have some extra cash, then I'll throw in another 256mb.

As for the hard drive, is there a noticable difference between a 2mb and a 8mb buffer? A local place just had the 40gb on sale for $20 so I was going to get that when it went back on sale.

Thanx for all the input on the processor. Is the 2500+ barton really that much better? The 2400+ t-bred is 2.0ghz and the 2500+ barton is 1.83ghz. Does it just perform better?

Regarding the power supply, what makes the Antec better? Just a better brand?

Once again, thanx for taking the time to help me out everyone.

 

[Shrapnill]

Hey guys thanx for all the feedback so far.

I'll probably stick with 256mb RAM unless I think its too slow and I have some extra cash, then I'll throw in another 256mb.

As for the hard drive, I'm going to stick with the 40gb cuz a local place just had it on sale for $20 so i'm just going to get it when it goes back on sale.

Thanx for all the input on the processor. Is the 2500+ barton really that much better? The 2400+ t-bird is 2.0ghz and the 2500+ barton is 1.83ghz. Does it just perform better?

Once again, thanx everyone.

Yes the 2500 performs better. The Barton core was the newer thing after T-Bird. Its a much better core and despite the numbers, it outperforms.

Youll regret that HDD. Mark my words.