Buliding my own computer phase 1

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333 Mhz is the absolute minimum, 800 Mhz is recommended. If you can find faster, go with the faster one.

Macs can go to 1.25 Ghz FBS… :stuck_out_tongue:

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drools

I’m getting excited by all this. Can I build a super computer with $2,000 Canadian? I mean one with the 64 bit, 3.6ghz etc?

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Definetly CG,
with ease :wink:

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You think you’re excited? Hardware turns me on.

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Just the word gigabyte gives my the goosebumps… :stuck_out_tongue:

When I hear my power supply kick in, and my HD’s start running, it’s like Barry White to my ears.

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:geek: :wink:

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Can’t say the same. I have a piece of over tweaked out junk that’s basically better at being a footrest than anything else.

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Lol not as much as when I hear my turbo rev in an 86 corolla while drifting at extreme angles… :nerd:

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86’ Corolla, not bad but I personally prefer my 88’ Mustang.

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1999 Corolla, in-line 4 baby!

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I’m getting excited by all this. Can I build a super computer with $2,000 Canadian? I mean one with the 64 bit, 3.6ghz etc?

I don’t know if 64 bit is the way to go at this point and time. I read an article comparing the 64 bit AMD processors to some of Intel’s newer processors (with prescott architecture), and the 64 bit chips just couldn’t keep up. Of course, another article might say the exact opposite (you can trust everything you read on the internet).

As for building your own computer, these are things I would do/look for:

  1. I would use an intel motherboard. Make sure it has AGP 8x, and PCI-x would be cool too (although those might be too pricey). Make sure it supports 800 mhz front side bus. Make sure it supports the prescott chip. Make sure it supports DDR 400 memory (I think that’s the fastest they have right now). Make sure it supports serial ATA hard drives. On board sound would be good, but I would try to find a mobo without onboard video (you’ll want to use your own card anyway).

  2. I would use an intel processor (what can I say? I’m an intel man). Pentium 4, hyperthreading, 800 mhz front side bus, prescott architecture.

  3. I have no preference on memory. Kingston is a good company. You’ll probably want 1 gigabyte of DDR 400 memory.

  4. I would go with an NVidia video card. Geforce 4 ti cards are fast and relatively cheap now, or you could go all out and get the top of the line NVidia.

  5. I would use a Seagate Barracuda or Western Digital Harddrive. Make sure it’s a serial ATA drive (7200 RPM minimum).

  6. I would get whatever case has a large enough power supply, enough bays, and is the cheapest…who cares what your machine looks like.

That’s pretty much it, you’ll also want to pick up a floppy drive and 52x CDRW (maybe even a DVD burner??? make sure it’s dual layer!).

-teet

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What good is a 64-bit processor if you do not have applications running running in 64-bit. The reason I pick an Intel over AMD almost always is that, at least in the past, when the CPU overheated, Intel CPUs contained built-in technology that prevented the CPU from melting. Intel, in my view, simply makes better quality products. I would rather use the intel mobo reference designs over an AMD any day. My choice of Intel is part personal preference and part bad experiences with AMD in the past.

About the video card on the mobo, I’m going to have to disagree max! Nothing that is embedded on your motherboard is good. See I’m a Right Wing Conservative…when it comes to computers :stuck_out_tongue: The motherboard has to have limited powers. The motherboard’s only job is the make sure that all its citizen PCI/AGP cards don’t run away. Something that is embedded means that it can’t be upgraded in the future, and if some hardware conflict occurs, you may have some issues trying to disable something that is attached to your motherboard. Impeaching troublesome hardware is more difficult if that hardware is stuck on the motherboard itself. Also, for the most part, graphics cards from reputable manufacturers such as Hercules, Sapphire, etc. don’t have a high likelihood of failing.

Also, AGP 8X is what you need for today’s games. Unlike 64-bit processing, old and new games will take advantage of the extra data throughput offered by AGP 8X.

EDIT: Also, I’ve been tempted by ATI because of their lower prices (and I even bought a new ATI a few weeks ago!), but their shoddy driver support makes me regret my choice everytime. The new nVidia card is not all that bad, and it is capable of playing all new games. Better drivers imo are far better than a few fps that your eyes probably will never recognize.

:ub:

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kman: I have to disagree with you there on the AMD overheating part. I have tried overclocking my computer to almost that point and was able to use my processor again in about 1 hr. My friend who is a little more daring than I over heated his and still managed to use it again in 2.5hrs approx. Not only that, but I find that AMD processors are more, “overclockable” I guess you would say, in the sense that they can go higher and faster before becoming unstable.

also about nVidia drivers, I have a massive grudge against the driver because I cannot change many of my visual settings without it changing them back (I know it’s the driver because when I removed it the problems vanished) as for ATI, I haven’t had so much as an inconvienience with their driver. On my next computer, I’m going ATI all the way.

however, I do agree with you on the AGP front

edit: and one more thing, I will admit that AMD’s do pump out a lot of heat. My room temperature rises 7 degrees (Celcius) when I leave it on for 2+ hours.

note: I no longer overclock since that incident.

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Exactly. AMD processors are more tweakable than Intel. Intel tends to lock their speeds/frequencies. If you’re really hardcore, get some water cooling! If not, moderate your overclocking. When it’s a cold night, overclock it, when it’s hot during the day, dub it down to normal or even underclock it. I do it with my GFX.

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When it’s hot out I lie on the floor of the basement with a straw in my mouth leading to 2 cans of pop

@max: AMD processors are locked too, however AMD doesn’t appear to make much of an effort to support that as the Athalon T-Bird cores could be unlocked by a pencil stroke, and the XP ones could be unlocked through a simple (but delicate) method of masking, filling, and “painting” (with silver laquer). Not only that but some mobos are advertised to “unlock AMD processors” and finally to top it all off, the AMD +2500 Mobile has an unlocked multiplier that is ment for laptops, however can be used in desktop models - allowing you to get the most out of them as they run cooler than others, even when overclocking to +3200 levels. (It’s one of the alternatives that I’m looking at)

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Please note that in my previous post I was only stating what I would do.

I work for a local computer store when I’m home from college. If somebody came into the shop today and asked me to build them a kick butt computer, that is what I would build them. I have never used AMD or ATI products so I can’t really vouch for them…but I do know that Intel and NVidia make quality products and we have never had any trouble with them (within reason).

  1. I would use an intel processor (what can I say? I’m an intel man). Pentium 4, hyperthreading, 800 mhz front side bus, prescott architecture.

Defeats the purpose of the 64bit processor doesn’t it?

I’m not really sure what you’re asking, could you restate your comment?

-teet

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Maybe I’m wrong, but Intel hasn’t made a commercial version of it’s 64bit chips correct? If so, you mentioned a 64bit processor, then you go onto Intel/Pentium 4.