AMD 64 System OS?? what to do?(FIRST BUILD)

[MarkAm_i]

Hello, I've built a wish list for a pc that I want to build at newegg.com.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1622295&WishListTitle=WWW.MARKNEEDSANEWPC.COM

I want to use the AMD 64 technology but I will only barely be able to afford the system when I get it. The only thing left (other than probably upgrading the video card) is the operating system. I see XP Home is $90, which I might be able to swing. Much more than that and I will have bought a bunch of parts that I can't afford to get an OS for. I looked on the Microsoft site for information on 64 bit systems and didn't find anything but a ton of links, none of which seemed to be one that would point me toward the list of 64 bit options quickly.

My questions are, does Windows XP work on AMD 64 and if it does, does it defeat the purpose of paying for the dual channel technology? Is there a 64 bit Home edition? The only 64 bit OS's that I saw on newegg were $150 and Professionals. A friend mentioned earlier that he thought there might be a free beta version for XP 64 Home. I couldn't find that at the msn site if there is.
Before I actually buy my system and build it, I want to be confident that I won't be stuck without an OS. I expect it to be intense enough as it is, being my first build and with all the work of a noob getting it up and going.

Any advice on my selection of parts, Operating Systems, or on building a new pc in general will be appreciated.

Thanks,
MarkAm_i

[David M]

A few things to clarify. The vast majority of people are using 32 bit machines. It's true that many people now have 64 bit CAPABLE machines but because very little 64 bit software that is available, most people are choosing to keep their machines as 32 bit machines for now.

To run your machine as a 64 bit machine you will need a 64 bit processor, 64 bit operating system, 64 bit drivers and 64 bit software.

You could set your machine up as a dual boot machine where you can choose to boot up regular 32 bit Windows XP or the 64 bit version of WIndows. As 64 bit software becomes more commonplace, you will be all set.

Dual cores work now under 32 or 64 bit operating systems. The purpose of dual cores for now is to be able to run two applications much more efficiently, as opposed to having a single core share the running of two applications. Eventually we will see software written that can much better utilize a dual core CPU.

You can get OEM versions of Windows for less than that but they do not come with tech suport. Thats what we do...or try at least. :)

Here is a good place to start in designing your build. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=130280

You have a few more questions but I will leave those to the experts.

[rspassey]

You have choosen a socket 754 mobo, and a socket 939 processor, they have to be the same socket to fit together.

I did notice that you need an optical drive, you might also want a floppy drive.

[DonVito]

Thats not a quality power supply, you need to get a quality one, but before you can pick a power supply you have to decide on a motherboard and processor. These two parts while determine if you need an ATX 1.x or a ATX 2.0 spec psu. You will probly want to go with a socket 939 motherboard and processor, pci-express graphics interface (instead of agp), as these are the newer technologies and cost the same (if not sometimes cheaper).

Heres what i would recommend thats about the same price as what you picked out.

Motherboard- ABIT KN8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127221

CPU- AMD Athlon 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

Case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811213013

PSU-Xclio 450 watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

Vidoe Card- I just picked this one, it really depends on what youll be using this comp for.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131305

RAM-
Same as you picked

HDD- Seagate Barracuda SATA 80gig
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148040


And as mentioned above. Do you need a cd drive?

[spyder003]

Just run a 32 bit OS as your main OS right now - XP Home is fine. 64 bit software is nowhere near up to par to depend on it solely.

If you want to play around with XP Pro x64, you can download a free trial (good for four months) here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/evaluation/trial.mspx) .

Then you can dual boot XP and x64 if you want to play around with it.

[rspassey]

Thats not a quality power supply, you need to get a quality one, but before you can pick a power supply you have to decide on a motherboard and processor. These two parts while determine if you need an ATX 1.x or a ATX 2.0 spec psu. You will probly want to go with a socket 939 motherboard and processor, pci-express graphics interface (instead of agp), as these are the newer technologies and cost the same (if not sometimes cheaper).

Heres what i would recommend thats about the same price as what you picked out.

Motherboard- ABIT KN8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127221

CPU- AMD Athlon 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

Case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811213013

PSU-Xclio 450 watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

Vidoe Card- I just picked this one, it really depends on what youll be using this comp for.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131305

RAM-
Same as you picked

HDD- Seagate Barracuda SATA 80gig
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148040


And as mentioned above. Do you need a cd drive?


You put together a part list of $613.50, without an OS and without an optical drive. MarkAm_i has choosen 505$ of parts and might be able to swing 90$ more for the OS. The parts you selected are above his budget.

[MarkAm_i]

Thanks to those who took time to reply. I just realized today that my sockets weren't matching up, thanks for pointing that out ryan.

David, since I can't afford the 64 bit OS, I think I'll go with XP home for starters.
I am building the pc for gaming. I understand that AMD is better than Intel for games, but will games likely be utilizing the dual core technology or should I get a 32 bit processor to save money? If anyone knows of any articles about it I'd like to see them.
David, I don't know what OEM versions mean. :confused:

Before I forget to ask, is there a way to "watch a thread" and get email notifications on the ones you follow?

Thanks for that link david, when I first found the forum it's the first thread I checked out. I got that list saved on my desktop.


Freak, thanks for taking the time to look for, and link the parts. I'll check them out. If they add up as ryan said then they will be over my budget, maybe I need to use socket 754 with AMD 2800....I don't have much flexibility. I got to stretch to afford a $500 pc. :eek:
By the way, I'm out in Laurel. How long have you been in Billings?


Thanks for the advice spyder, the 32 bit system is the way to go I think.



I got a spare $20 RW ROM. I was planning to use that until I can get something better. I'll repost here if I change around my wishlist. Thanks guys, for being so helpful.

Mark

[rspassey]

I'll try to put a parts list together for you. I will edit it on in a bit, under $500 with the OS, right?

EDIT : Sorry man, I tried to get a part list together for you, then I realized, will you be needing a monitor, keyboard and mouse? I dont think I could get an AMD system together with a monitor for under $500.

Ill continue looking for you though.

[DonVito]

[QUOTE=MarkAm_i]
By the way, I'm out in Laurel. How long have you been in Billings?[quote]


Whoa, talk about a small world, lol :eek: . Im in high school i was born and raised here.


Ill see what i can do to my list to match your budget.

[MarkAm_i]

Cool ryan, I got an old 15" eMachine monitor. Should work well enough from what I understand. I'm building the tower only, I got keyboard, mouse and monitor. Yeah, that's about my budget.

Freak, same here. I grew up in Laurel. That's pretty cool to meet someone so close.

[rspassey]

opps, double post, see below.

[rspassey]

Aight, this is everything except a case and OS, I picked parts that are not 'high quality' but not cheap either, what I mean to say is that, you could get lower quality parts to fit your budget, but it wont preform as well.


AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Processor (Venice) Socket 939 Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
$146.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5


Sparkle Power FSP350-60TH 350 Watts ATX12V 2.0 Switching Power Supply Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
$44.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270537


Western Digital Caviar WD800BB 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive *** Free 2nd Day ***
$54.30
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101318


Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Memory Retail *** Free 2nd Day ***
$92.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21


Gigabyte GA-K8VT890-9 Via K8T890 Athlon 64(FX) Skt939 DDR ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, Serial ATA Openbox ***Free 2nd Day***
$76.49
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241797-OP


Sapphire RADEON X550 PCI Express 256MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
$74.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=326814

Subtotal: $489.67


I am pretty sure its all compatible.