Building A PC from Scratch

I am going to attempt to build a PC to win a bet with a friend, so, that being the case I have to build a serious PC w/strong overall performance but not go overboard on the price, limit $1500. Ugradability counts so I am starting with the processor first and moving to the components, I am thinking AMD 64 3700 and P4c800 E for starters in suggestions??? AND JUST EGO IS A MAJOR FACTOR HERE!!

 

This is just the PC right? Not the monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers, right?

As far as components go, an Athlon 64 3700 and the P4C800-E won't work, because the motherboard is for a Socket 478 Pentium 4 CPU.

If you're starting with the CPU, you'll have to get at least a new motherboard, and likely new memory to go with it. Depending on the power supply, you'll need to factor that in as well.

For AMD, you want to go with a Socket 939 setup, since this will be the socket with the most upgrade options.

Prices from Newegg.

Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum (Socket 939)---$132.00
CPU: Athlon 64 3500+ (socket 939) retail (incl heatsink) ---$341.00
Memory: Kingston HyperX 1GB (2x 512MB) PC3500 kit ---$283.00
Video Card: Asus V9999GT/TD/128 GeForce 6800GT ---$380.00
Hard Drive: Samsung 160GB, 8MB cache 7200RPM SATA ---$95.99
Optical: Samsung CD/DVD-RW +/- 16x ---$85.00
Power Supply: Thermaltake W0014 480W Silent Purepower Xaser Edition ---$55.00
Case: Lian Li PC-78B USB mid-tower case ---$85.00

Total: $1,456.99

This still leaves room for shipping costs, but the only thing that's going to have much of a shipping cost (if anything does) would be the case.

Right now, Socket 939 is expensive, but the upgrade path is much better than with Socket 754. Additionally, all 939 boards have dual-channel memory capabilities (why you want to identical sticks), which adds some performance. 1GB is becoming more of a standard now, but it still has something of an awe factor. For futures sake, since you're dropping some serious cash on the box would be to stick with 1GB, but if you need to cut a little cash, go with the HyperX PC3200 instead of the PC3500 I listed, but don't get anything slower than PC3200, unless you want to cut into your performance. The 6800GT is the midrange of the 6800 line. You can save some extra cash if you go to the plain 6800, however, and still have some real graphics grunt. The other thing you could do to cut some corners would be to not have the DVD burner. I would suggest getting a CD-RW drive, possibly even a CD-RW/DVD read drive. Samsung has some running around $40, and I've been very pleased with all of their optical drives I've used. You're probably not going to find a cheaper power supply with as good of quality as that Thermaltake. It's got the juice to

The motherboard itself is regarded to be one of the best socket 939 boards out their at this point in time. It has USB 2.0, Firewire (IEEE1394), and Serial ATA (SATA).

Most of the components, save the video card and RAM, are black. When in doubt, black is always in style. The power supply, motherboard, and optical drive are black to go with the case, so you can be l33t in style. Lian Li, CoolerMaster, and Antec have classy cases 99% of the time. There's alot of cases out there that just scream ricer PC when you look at them.

 

Right it might help huh? In all seriousness, just the actual PC, it is atesterone thing, but the 939 pin huh? Cool, because if I understand the AMD charts right upgrading to the FX model won't make a big difference in performance. I think my "friend" is going with an Intel CPU but he is planning on overclocking it so in the short run he is going to smoke me by the end of the year I should be better off with the 64 bit, right?

Actually, it is economically feasible with my constraints go for the gusto and double the HD and RAID away!!!! I can't lose....might have to fake some receipts or something!!!

 

Well, when you say RAID, if you mean RAID 0, you're putting your data at risk while doing little for performance. RAID 1 would be useful, but you can take a small hit in disk performance. To be real honest, unless you're set on a RAID array, it's really not worth the risk or hassle of putting your data on the line.

Intel has made their CPU's to scale pretty high, however, they are beginning to run into trouble getting there and some consumers are seeing that a faster CPU doesn't always mean it's the best.

And you're right about the FX. They are a little faster, but unless you have to have the absolute fastest CPU, and cost isn't an issue, there are much cheaper alternatives that perform slower, but nothing you'll notice in actual use.

Yeah, you definitely want Socket 939. As a newer technology, it's price is a bit high, not because of the motherboards so much (depends on which one, though), but because the CPU's for it pretty much start at the 3500+ mark. You can buy just the CPU, but it's $20 cheaper, and then you'd need to get a heatsink for it. If overclocking isn't a huge priority, stick with the retail packaging. If need be, you can always get a heartier heatsink.

 

I thought RAID would optimize the disk performance? Well, if doesn't help the speed then I don't need it. My main cocern is that by conceding some performance speed initially, I will be able to demonstrate better performance and functionability in the future. And will any luck he will scrimp on the fan action and fry the board!!!!

 

STEP ONE: INTIAL ORDER, should be approved and processed by the afternoon then going for the rest, not sure if I am going to be able scavenge some parts from other computers to get costs in line or not...............tbc
AMD 3800
ULTRA ATX 400W W/DUAL 80MM FAN
GA-K8NSNXP-939
EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video

 

You should really go with the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum. Read around, this is the board to buy if you're going the S939 route. The only flaw it has is the temp sensor is off by about 20 degrees...

As for the cpu, you'll be fine with it.

What's the brand of the psu ?

 

psu is an ultra something or other:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=90849&Sku=ULT31394
next on order are:
Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive<not sure about this though because my competitor has a dedicated rom and burner; also has a DVD-burner but I think currently they are widely used enough to warrant install>

Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 240-Pin 1GB(512MB x 2) DDR2 PC2-3200 - OEM

have to find a decent soundcard(7.1) hardcore but no editing or mixing needed, card reader, router, and possible some more usb ports............going to sneak a peek and my friend's to see what is got!!

 

That Kingston DDR2 won't work. It's DDR2 and your motherboard uses DDR. Only motherboards with the Intel i915 and i925 chipsets can use DDR2. No Athlon platform uses DDR2.

DDR2 and old DDR are NOT compatible, so I really hope you haven't ordered it.

That ultra's not too bad, but the Thermaltake 480W I listed has better rails on it and is cheaper.

 

Well I attempted to but I send my orders in to another guy, he already shot it down big time, I need to pay more attention, because of the mistake nothing got processed. Whats funny is he actually mentioned the same model ps you mentioned.....so going to go with public majority.....alright here is what my friend is got going...

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache
NVIDIA® GeForce FX™ 5600
Asus P4P800SE P4 DUAL-DDR
OCZ PC3200 Perf. DC - 2x 512mb

thats all he has right now...so I am bit behind oh well as you can tell we are both dysfunctional because neither of us have case yet!!!

 

If he's into gaming, that GeForce FX 5600 is overpriced for the performance it gives.

Technically, you don't need a case to run a PC, but it does tend to help organize it better.

 

Honestly, he probably more into dl porn more than anything else. But he wants to build the "BETTER" PC. I just want him to spend his $$$$, run his mouth, and look like an @$$. He congraduated w/an MIS degree and I have got the finance so he is assuming because I really haven't been into computers for awhile is going to work me over. Just some FYI. Anyway, what about a sound card, got any favs?

For the record, if it weren't for the high cost of the components I would run no case just for kicks!!!

 

Some people might say an Audigy 2, but I dunno. I wasn't impressed all that much by the original Audigy considering the sound for the price. Of course, I'm not a real big Creative fan either.

You probably want to look at something with the Via ENVY chipset on it for sound. Cards with this chip (and it's different variants) run anywhere from about $25-100 online, depending on the manufacturer. Gainward and Chaintech have some uber cheap cards under $30, and they are 7.1-channel sound.

 

Why don't you save some hassle and go with BigB's system.

Then when you win, give half your prize to him

But seriously, his AMD64 will beat the crap out of your friend's P4

And be prepared for a fight (litterally), because the way it's going, BigB's system's twice as fast, if not more, than your friend's....

 

Thats cool, physically I would win any fight....tech-wise its a toss up that is why I am trying to research everything I can. The only problem I have a million other things going on and my boy over here doesn't have anything but work. I am probably going a bit above and beyond but I HATE TO LOSE, so that being the case I will go to great lengths. But I greatly appreciate the input. :good: gives me time to throw back a few more scotch and rocks!!!

 

YES HE GOT WHOOPED.....I WENT OVER IN BUDGET BUT SO DID HE.....SYSTEM FINALE WAS:

-Athlon 64 3500-<REFURB FROM NEW EGG 263.50>
-MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
-Kingston HyperX 1GB
-ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card
-ASPIRE X-Navigator Black/Blue Aluminum ATX Mid-Tower Case with side window and 500W Power Supply
-Turtle Beach 7.1-Channel PCI Sound Card <WELL I COULDN'T HAVE IT ALL...REFURB>
-Western Digital Raptor 74GB


Oh well, sometimes it fun!

 

Did your rig beat his in benchmarks?

 

Yeah, I think overall his was a bit faster and he definitely had more memory (200gb), we didn't have an "official" test just had some guys around the office play with his computer than mine. I added a led stand and some extra led fans that made mine stand out. Basically, they liked mine more because it would be able to last another two years without having a problem. I had to kick in some of my own money but bragging rights was worth it.

 

Now My Next Question For Everybody Is What Type Of System Would You Build If You Had Only 1800 To Spend??????? No More & The Computer Has To Be Multi-faceted!!!!! Matter Of Fact It Had To Perform As Your Source Of Media (video And Audio) And As Your Sole Game Console. The Screen And Printer Can Be Whatever You Feel Like, Sky Is The Limit.

 

Hmm. let us see shall we?

I like Aspire. So I would go with the ASPIRE X-Navigator Black/Red Aluminum ATX Mid-Tower Case with side window and 500W Power Supply
The power supply is actually pretty alright.

AMD Athlon 64 3700+, Socket 754, 1MB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail

MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8N Neo Platinum" (MS-7030) -RETAIL

BUFFALO Firestix 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-3500, Model FSX433DV-512M - Retail
Two of those^^^

BFG nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card with Doom 3, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "BFGR68256GTD3" -RETAIL


Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD1600JD, OEM Drive Only

Vantec "IceBerq" Coppery All-In-One VGA & Chipset Cooling Kit, Model "CCB-A1C" -RETAIL

Thermaltake 80mm LED Fan for PC case and CPU fan
four of those^^^^


Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Model "XP-90" -RETAIL

And for a fan on that shnazzy heatsink- Thermaltake UFO#2 BLUE UV 90mm Cooling Fan, 80 to 90mm fan adapter included, Model "UFO#2 BLUE UV" -RETAIL

Around $1600 Total, without shipping

NEC/MITSUBISHI AS70 17" CRT Monitor -RETAIL

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL

Aroound $1800 with sound card and Monitor. No more than $5 off