My first Build!

Neon · September 07, 2004, 19:21 hrs

I think you have done a pretty good job of parts selection for the budget.

You dropped the Vantec ThermoFlow - I like it, but it's not really necessary.

That case looks kind of flimsy, but there's not a lot of good choices at that price point. Pat's concern is certainly valid - you might email NewEgg and ask if it comes with screws and mobo standoffs.

Here is another possible case to consider: AMS CF-1729. It's not necessarily any better, but it looks slightly different. :P

You should be fine with the Fortron 300.

Bill · September 07, 2004, 22:20 hrs

The only other suggestion I might offer is that the biostar motherboard supports dual channel DDR memory. You might consider 2 sticks of 256 memory instead of one 512 to take advantage of the processor's capability.

Carskick · September 07, 2004, 22:25 hrs

Quote from: luddite on September 07, 2004, 22:20 hrs
The only other suggestion I might offer is that the biostar motherboard supports dual channel DDR memory. You might consider 2 sticks of 256 memory instead of one 512 to take advantage of the processor's capability.

I thought of that, but I though if I get the single stick, I could get another one in a little while, then put the 2x512 in my computer, and give the build my sig computers 2x256.

Again, thanks for all the advice. I'm glad you all like my chosen parts. As far as the case, I'm not to conserned with the build quality. If it is semi-sturdy, it will serve it's purpose. As far as the screws, Dad has tons of screws, and even if he doesn't have any, and the case doesn't include them, I'm sure a computer store in town would have them. Are they a standard size?

Bill · September 07, 2004, 22:29 hrs

Good plan. The poast spent a lot of time on the power supply issue but no one mentioned the dual channel memory. I just thought I'd bring it up, just in case.

Carskick · September 07, 2004, 22:42 hrs

I found another case, which is actually cheaper, but includes quite a few types of screws and stuff. It also has a rear 80mm fan slot, which the other did not have (I did not realize originally).

Here is the new one

Linkworld Beige/Blue Midi ATX CASE, Model "B313C02N - P4" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16811164039
$14.50

I've edited the other.

So what do you guys think of this case? I know it doesn't have any dedicated internal 3.5in spaces, yet since I'm only going to have 1 hard drive, so that's okay.

Carskick · September 07, 2004, 22:59 hrs

Quote from: luddite on September 07, 2004, 22:29 hrs
Good plan. The poast spent a lot of time on the power supply issue but no one mentioned the dual channel memory. I just thought I'd bring it up, just in case.

Atually, does that chipset have Dual Channel Capabilities? It's the same as the ASUS before, which didn't have dual channel.

Edit:
Yeah, I looked it up, and the M7NCD does not have dual channel, while the M7NCD ultra does. In an economy system, Dual channel isn't a huge factor, although I'll keep an eye out for a board that is if it is comparable in quality, yet the same price.

Edit 2:
The dual channel version with a better chipset and a few othre feautres is only $5 more, so I'll go with that one. Thanks! It's now updated above.

Bill · September 07, 2004, 23:03 hrs

If you didn't live in such a humid climate, you could probably mount all the hardware components in a really stiff cardboard box....
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

Seriously for a moment, aside from the cost issue, really inexpensive cases sometimes suffer from also being "flimsy" (neon mentioned this) as in not very rigid and components tend to rattle and the case twists and then the panels don't fit properly and the airflow is disrupted.

It might be worth the time, if you can get to a local computer store to go and actually inspect some cases.

Neon · September 07, 2004, 23:23 hrs

When on a tight budget, dual channel memory is not so important. The performance benefit on nF2 systems is maybe 10%. For only $5 extra though, you may as well go for it.

Chandler · September 09, 2004, 16:20 hrs

Regular M7NCD is single channel, M7NCG and M7NCD Pro/Ultra are dual-channel. I wanted the dual-channel version but it wasn't in stock, so I went for the regular M7NCD board.

Carskick · September 11, 2004, 00:42 hrs

QuoteIt might be worth the time, if you can get to a local computer store to go and actually inspect some cases.

I'll have to try and do that. I could order all my parts off the internet except the case if I find a good one in town. It should save me a bundel on shipping as well.

Hoot · September 12, 2004, 02:37 hrs

The really good site have free shipping. Newegg has it on loads of cases.

Carskick · September 12, 2004, 09:19 hrs

Wow, I got a lot of good advice. My next step is to wait until Mom is ready to buy it. Until then, I will see if prices go down or if I can get a good deal localy.

Hoot · September 13, 2004, 00:00 hrs

Yeah, you can go either way :) Great deals for diy'ers.

Carskick · September 17, 2004, 23:55 hrs

Well, bad news. Mom got her $70 reward thing from Best Buy, so she has decided that we will get the computer there. Most likely we will order a custom HP through them. It's ashame, but as far as an economy machine I think just going prebuilt is fine. My next computer, however, will be homemade. I guarenee it.

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My first Build!