what do you think of this setup?

[iJeff]

I'm planning on building a new computer, here's the parts, would appreciate any input you guys have.

ASUS "A7N8X-E Deluxe" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-478&depa=0

AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-390&depa=1

CORSAIR XMS, Xtra-Low Latency 2-2-2-5, 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200, Model CMX512-3200XL - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-520&DEPA=1

A low price serial ATA drive, and other spare parts I have from this old computer.

This will be my first time building a computer, and want to plan for potential overclocking and high performance. What do you think?

 

[jerry5739]

i bet most people would reccomend an amd 64 chipset....

 

[diabloII]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-502&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-136-152&DEPA=1

you'll need those instead of your AXP/asus setup

 

[iJeff]

True, but I'm not on a high budget here. I guess a question is, is it worth it to spend the extra money on a 64 bit proc?

There's an XP 3200+ for 139, or a 64 3200+ for 190 that diabloII linked.

Also, the DFI mobo that diabloII also suggested is the same price as the ASUS mobo.

for 50 dollars, is it worth to upgrade to 64 bit? Also, has that DVI mobo gotten good reviews? I know at least the ASUS mobo was on maximum PC's top list for a bit.

Oh, also, that mobo has no AGP slots.. I'd need to buy a new PCI-E video card.. which will add quite a bit. My current vid card (I planned on recycling it until I saved up for a new one) is a radeon 9200 agp.

 

[diabloII]

it's DFI, not DVI

and the dfi is the best 64 bit board for overclocking and performance and has gotten good reviews

asus isn't reliable from what i've heard

and the upgrade is worth it, since you won't have to upgrade your motherboard again when you decide to upgrade your comp

 

[iJeff]

The reviews on newegg suggest that the manual is subpar and that you'd need a 400 watt power supply at least.

How difficult might it be to set up this motherboard, and is PSU wattage that important? I've only got a 350 that came with the new case I bought.

 

[diabloII]

How difficult might it be to set up this motherboard, and is PSU wattage that important? I've only got a 350 that came with the new case I bought.

you shouldn't be using any psu that comes with a case; they all suck and are unreliable (except antec ones)

you should buy a new psu even if the one that comes with the case is enough

 

[iJeff]

I'm not sure i want to buy a PCI-E video card just yet -- can anyone suggest a nice 64 bit mobo that has an AGP slot?

 

[diabloII]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-181&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-186&depa=1

 

[iJeff]

Alright, so I think i'm going to go with this mobo here: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-181&depa=1

The ABIT "AV8" K8T800 Pro. Once I feel comfortable enough to overclock it, how much should I overclock it by at first? Is there a site that discusses safe overclocking ranges that people have found for certain proc/mobo combinations?