Still getting a computer...

[scuzzy]

The Antec Plus 880 is the model I bought, I can honestly say that it is a solid, roomy case. I'm sold on Antec. The side panel goes on and off exceptionally easy, the steel is high quality with rolled edges, and the 430 watt power supply is easily one of the best available.

[poast78]

According to the user reviews on Newegg, that case has a few problems. There was also a power supply failure, but I think that was probably just a fluke. I'll look more into it though.

[scuzzy]

I looked through the user reviews, but I can't say that I experienced any of those problems. So far, I'm very satisfied.

[Neon]

there were some problems with the Via KT266 chipset and conflicts with some of the creative sound blaster sound cards, I think that the problems were a result of the sound blasters failure to adhere to the PCI standard. Anyway, those problems should be fixed in the KT333 chipset.

for what it's worth, I have two systems with Via chipsets: KT133 , which has an Ensoniq audio PCI card, and KT266A, which has a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz in it. Never a problem with either one.

[poast78]

Thanks Neon.

[cowofsteel]

im sure that im too late already but for fans and cpu cooling i recommened www.nexfan.com  very cheap.

[Chandler]

I've not had any problems on my VIA system with regard to audio.  Certain websites like to give VIA a bad reputation, and then claim that Intel has had a clean record (cough! ... MTH ... cough!... i820)

[dcsun]

I've also never had any problems with the VIA chipsets, other than the KT133 which was terrible, but I think they were pressured into releasing it before it was ready.  Intel has certainly had their share of problems too, as have most of the other companies.

[poast78]

Okay, I'm back but this time for real.  I'm actually going to do this now within about two months and have a bit more to spend.  Here we go (I hope you don't mind):

~$1,600

mobo
Asus A7S333...........................$70

processor
AMD ATHLON XP 2100+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU - RETAIL BOX............$140
# AXP2100BOX

ram
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS CMX512-2700C2 PC2700 DDR RAM 333MHz w/ Heat Spreader - OEM
# CMX512-2700C2???.......................................$165

hd
MAXTOR Quiet Drive 40GB 7200RPM OEM (audio)...................$80
# 6L040L2 -D740X
MAXTOR Quiet Drive 20GB 7200RPM OEM (OS, programs)...................$70
# 6L020L1

cd
PLEXTOR PX-W4012TA-BPS/BLACK 40x12x40 CD-RW - OEM..................$125
PX-W4012TA-BPS/BL

power supply
Antec 430W Power Supply TRUE430.............................$80
# TRUE430

case
Chieftec Server tower DX-01BLD,SPX-2...............$80
# DX-01BLD,SPX-02/F

floppy
SAMSUNG 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE - OEM...........................$10
# SFD321B/LEB

modem
ENCORE ENF656-PCI-IN 56K INTERNAL PCI.......................$15
# ENF656-PCIE-IN

moniter
refurbished 19" from softwareandstuff.com..................$100

video card
MATROX G450 32MB DDR 4X AGP - OEM..............$80

sound card
Aardvark directpro 24/96....................................$500

mouse/keyboard
????????...................................................~$50

[poast78]

I'm guessing this either means everyone likes it, or everyone hates it...

BTW, I like the off-color "a" in "Poasters", though I probably wouldn't have gone with red and blue together.  Either way, it's cool.

[dcsun]

Sorry about that, I read it but didn't reply and then I forgot all about it.  Ya, the specs look good.  I can't guarantee that they'll all work together, but I don't see any problem spots.  I built a system for my new server with the ASUS A7V333 and it's been running great, though it doesn't have Windows on it so I don't know about the stability of the drivers.  I would imagine the A7S is fine as well.


Dave

[poast78]

Thanks Dave, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.  ;)

[poast78]

I've changed things around a little bit (info on last page edited) and that brought the price down to around $1600.  I'm pretty sure that's all finished now (finally)!  Now I want to focus on little things.

I want round cables inside the case instead of ribbons to help with the cooling (even if only slightly), but I have no idea what type of cables I need, or how many.  Any tips on that would be greatly appreciated.

I'm also looking for anything else that I could get to help with cooling, and noise.

Thank you all a million, and we can soon put this old thread to rest!

[dcsun]

Looks good to me.  As for round cables, you can probably order them from the same place you're getting the parts from.  You'll need two ide and one floppy -- make sure they're long enough since you've selected a large tower.


Dave

[poast78]

Thank you again.
So there's no particular type I need with that motherboard?  You mean there's actually a part of a computer that's easy to buy? ;-)

Thank you DC.

[dcsun]

Yep, ide cables are the same for any motherboard.  :)

[poast78]

Oops...
I don't mean to keep bringing this thread back up, I'm seeing "2-connector", "3-connector", "booted"...
Which do I need for what?

[scuzzy]

I bought Virgonet cables from NewEgg.com. They are excellent cables for an excellent value. Don't waste your money on more expensive cables.

Find them, as well as other brands, by clicking here.

[scuzzy]

Oh, I forgot to tell you to avoid cables over 18" in length. Actually, the shorter, the better. But, make sure you get something that will be sufficient. Unless you buy a full size tower, 18" should be fine.

As for connectors, look for 3 connectors for IDE, and just 2 for floppy.

I edited my last poast to you. I actually bought Virgonet cables (not Vangtec), and they are excellent. I bought the SILVER/CLEAR, and they look sharp as well as work perfectly.

[poast78]

So do I need two 3-connector IDEs, or just one?

[scuzzy]

I would suggest two IDE cables, both 3 connectors. One cable would be used for the Primary channel, capable of holding two hard drives. The other cable would be for the Secondary channel, capable of holding a DVD-ROM and a CD burner (for example).

Of course, you need a single, 2 connector cable for the floppy. A 3 connector for the floppy is fairly useless these days.

[dcsun]

No, you still need two -- one for each of the primary and secondary ide channels.  Don't forget that one of the connectors is for the motherboard, leaving one device connector on a two-connector cable and two on a three-connector cable.  Use the primary channel for your two hard drives, and the secondary for your optical drive.  That will also leave you another connector for a future peripheral.


Dave

[poast78]

Wonderful!
I've actually chosen the same ones you pointed out.  I can't believe how cheap this system is, it makes me think there's something wrong with it!  ;D
I'll be picking up a copy of Windows 2000 as well for stability.  I'm going to start a new thread in the software forum about it.

Thank you everyone who participated in this topic, you've helped TONS.  That's why I love Poasters!  ;)

[scuzzy]

I like Poasters because it's so darn easy to gang up on Ace here.

[dcsun]

I like Poasters because it's a constructive way to waste time.

[poast78]

And there's certainly nothing wrong with either of those.

[Eric M.]

Yikes, if I do get that system... I think the hardest thing will be the cables ::) :P