Newbie Needs Input

[oddjobguy147]

I just wanna say thanks for anyones advice because I'm from a family big on computers, but i myself havent had too much experience.
Anyways, I'd like some advice on what I plan on buying. I've done a bit of research, but bieng new to building computers, I'm still naive about compatability. Thanks again for any advice
Here what i Plan to buy:

Antec Solution SLK1650 Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - $64.00

Western Digital Caviar SE WD400JB 40GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - $58.00?

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard-$120.00

Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model KVR400X64C3AK2/1G

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - $146.00

ASUS Beige IDE DVD Burner Model DRW-1608P - $39.99

CHAINTECH SE6600G Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $158.00

All prices are from Newegg, totalled at $766.36 w/ shipping/tax, but I looked around and lowered it to $680.98- but this is besides the point.
I do however have a relatively low budget (I origianally was spending $400-$500, but obviously not enough, so i decided to sell sum old video games and wait for christmas) so i cant really bump over $750. Thanks again for any suggestions.

[trginter]

Why the small hard drive? And ATA100? Get SATA II. I would also get an eVGA 6600GT instead of the Chaintech. Your also going to want to upgrade your PSU. I don't know too much about them, I'm sure someone can tell you what to get.

[mystvearn]

PSU will be enough to power all that hardware. I would say a 80GB hd will be good enough for you. You may want extra space. the price is not much higher anyway.

[oddjobguy147]

Ya I was thinking on an eVGA anyways. I really only need 40GB's cause I'm using the computer for only like school work, games, and media, so I highly doubt I will need more than 40GB's until I use it for more serious things, but thanks for your guys' input. Anyones elses thoughts will help.

EDIT- I'll probably look at it later, but whats the difference between SATA and ATA 100? thanks

[maxnik]

EDIT- I'll probably look at it later, but whats the difference between SATA and ATA 100? thanks

SATA - has faster data transfer, nice skinny cables, no need to lpay with jumpers to set master or slave. There are the way to go

[oddjobguy147]

hey i just finished looked a western digital's website and the hard drive im lookin at runs uses SATA. any idea on whats going on?

[kosova]

hey i just finished looked a western digital's website and the hard drive im lookin at runs uses SATA. any idea on whats going on?
im not really sure what the diff between sata and sata 2 is but Sata which stands for SERIAL ATA is the cable u connect optical drives (hardware with lasers, i.e DVD rom, CD BURNER)..its better then ATA or IDE (same thing) because instead of using 40-80 wires it uses one simple cable and its easier, not to mention it helps with the air circulation. SATA is the new thing pretty soon 1-2 years ATA's will be a thing of the past. read some more here about SATA (http://www.answers.com/Serial%20ATA)

[rspassey]

hey i just finished looked a western digital's website and the hard drive im lookin at runs uses SATA. any idea on whats going on?

What do you mean? The one you are looking at is probably a SATA hard drive. Like mentioned above, you should get a sata harddrive, they have faster data transfer, they also have skinier cables. SATA is the way to go.

[oddjobguy147]

Well, thanx true ks for the info. Now with the SATA, my asus a8n-e says it can take SATA 2.0, so does it have backwards compatability w/ earlier versions of SATA? I think so but I don't wanna take any chances. but that aside, is my cpu/motherboard/video card compatable w/ one another(note i am considered the eVGA over Chaintech, i found a lot of complaints from them)? I dont mean to sound like i'm 2 lazy to do it myself or like someone who worries 2 much, but my friend had an issue w/ his video card/motherboard so i'd like as few screw-ups as possible. Thanx again.

[kosova]

if u have uer mobo supports it will support SATA IDE aka ATA/Pata..im not sure about uer video card question cant help u there but dont worry go with SATA its the new thing plus it will keep uer comp a little cooler and u definetly want that..good luck with everything

[oddjobguy147]

Ok, well here my new list, after what you guys suggested:

Antec Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129149

Lite-On DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106990

Western Digital 80GB HD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

ASUS A8N-E http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

Athlon 64 3000+ CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

EVGA 6600GT videocard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214

Corsair valueselect memory 1GB (512x2MB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

I'd write more but i haveta work on my car.

[rspassey]

What PSU did you decide to use?
I dont think the one that comes with the case is sufficent for you specs.

[glc]

If you want an Antec case, get one without a power supply (and buy a separate 2.0-spec power supply) or one of the new models that have the 2.0-spec power supplies preinstalled.

[oddjobguy147]

I'm pretty sure 350 will do for now, I already knew i'd need an extra power supply in the future, but i dont think i'll need something more until later on. So i think this is wut imma stick w/ unless someone know about compatability issues between what i intend on purchasing. I still need to sell my old games and wait for Christmas before things can officially start moving.

[rspassey]

I dont think that PSU is compatible with your mobo, I dont think it is ATX 2.0 and doesnt have the 24 pin mobo connection you need.

[oddjobguy147]

Neither the mobo or the case is ATX 2.0

[rspassey]

Yes the mobo needs an ATX 2.0 PSU to run, it has 24 pin mobo connector (just counted again, b/c i thought i did in the first place)

Cases just need to be specified to hold at 12 x 9.6 mobo.

[jayb1234]

What you need for that motherboard is something like thisantec tx1050 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129158) ATX 2.0 and Intel TAC compliant, and has plenty of power. Although the AMD processors dont run as hot as the newer Intels, so the TAC isn't as big an issue.

[oddjobguy147]

I dont know if I'm doing this right, but i just went to Antec's website and the solution slk1650 can hold a 12.0" by 9.6" ATX mobo, and i went to Asus and the A8N-E is a 12.0" by 9.6" ATX mobo. Am i looking at the wrong thing?

EDIT: i have just read someone review, saying that ASUS says itz a 20 pin even though itz a 24 pin. but he did say it would work with a 20 pin.........
would that be safet to do?

[blue60007]

The case and mobo will be fine. The mobo physically has 24-pins, so it is ATX 2.0 spec, and you'll need an ATX 2.0 spec PSU.

[oddjobguy147]

So you guys are saying that the mobo will fit just fine in the case, but the power supply pins and the mobo pins dont match?

[blue60007]

Right, the mobo will fit, but the ATX 1.0 PSU included in the case won't. Antec has a "2.0" version of the same PSU included in the case that will work for you.

[oddjobguy147]

how about this? im on a tight budget

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129163

[rspassey]

Perfect case and PSU.

[oddjobguy147]

w00t! thanx. So I think I'm done unless anyone knows any other flaws in my plan.

[oddjobguy147]

Ok, so i decided imma go buy stuff maybe this weekend since friday is teacher in service (w00t! no skool!). I think itz obvious i have to buy the case and motherboard first, but is there any particualar part i should get after. what i'm saying is that is there any other necessary components that have a better change of being faulty so i can get it handled sooner? yup thatz about it. Well, Imma go eat sum steak and baked potatoes, i'll check in about an hour or so.

[Cricket]

Ideally you should get everything at once and then do a quick out of case POST test with the motherboard, CPU, heatsink, video card, RAM, power supply, monitor and keyboard. If you get an image on the monitor and the one good POST beep you know your core components are good to go.

:) Cricket

[oddjobguy147]

hey does anybody know anything about cyberpowersystem.com? i dont think i'll order a prebuilt system, but my buddy wants to know if they are any good. thanks for any info

[oddjobguy147]

Ok heres what i hope to be getting and the places im getting them.
Antec SLK3800 w/ 400watt psu
http://www.provantage.com/buy-7ANTG03K-slk3800b-11-bay-mid-tower-black-atx-400w-smartpower-120mm-rear-fan-antec-cases-shopping.htm
ASUS A8N-E mobo
http://www.a2zcomp.com/buy.asp?REF=12&SKU=MBA8NE
Athlon64 3000+ venice core retail
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120211&Category_Code=AMD64
West. Digital 80gb SATA hd
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=150935&Category_Code=SATAHardDrives
Corsair ValueSelect memory 1gb
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=140443&Category_Code=Unbuffered_Corsair
Lite-On DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106988&ATT=CD+DVD+Burners+RW+Dr&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r
EGVA GeForce 6600GT PCIE video card
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=EV-6600GT

I'd just like to know if these are all reliable sites ( or just your opinion on what i'm getting ) Thanks for all the help so far.

[blue60007]

Looks good...Personally I think its better to just buy from one site, a lot of times you get discounts on shipping by combining things. I know Newegg is good, and I've heard good things about monarchcomputer, but I've never heard of the othe 3.

[jayb1234]

Here (http://www.compsourcecomputers.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=SLK3800B&tabs=shipping&techinfo=&more=#ship) is a link to that case with free shipping for $88.00. You can save a few bucks there probably. For the rest of the stuff try pricing it all together at a couple places and compare the totals with shipping.

[oddjobguy147]

OK so heres the deal.

Monarch Computer- $691.00
Problem is doesnt show shipping/tax. I'm not sure if its included or not. Could use a lil help there

Newegg- $764.17
I do know that shipping and tax is included here.

Yup. So i just wanna know bout the shipping/tax thing.

o yea, just outta curiosity, how can u compare ATI to nVidia (for example, a nVidia 6600gt can be compared to an ATI XXXX.

[oddjobguy147]

I have just lost almost half of my budget due 2 my brother dropping out of the PC build for a Xbox 360 :mad: so now i have 2 downgrade to get anywhere w/ my pc build. heres the newer, cheaper outline. :/

Antec SLK3800b case - $127.23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129163

ASUS K8N4-E Deluxe Sckt. 754 mobo - $98.84
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131533

Athlon 64 2800+ Clawhammer Sckt. 754 - $131.89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103485

Western Digital WD800JD 80GB SATA hard drive - $61.30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822135106

Corsair ValueSelect RAM 1GB - $95.30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145440

Lite-On Black SOHR IDE CD burner - $28.89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106997

ASUS geforce 6600 videocard (currently outta stock) - $151.14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121179

Total = $694.59 Prices from Newegg including tax/shipping

I will most likely hafta wait 4 Christmas to come, and even then i might drop some items. So i guess u guyz can tell me watcha think.

[oddjobguy147]

I have updated and downgraded...
I decided to drop to a Sempron 2600 - it should work
also downgraded to ASUS K8N-E with an AGP 4x/8x
That means i went to eVGA 6600 AGP video card.
I couldnt find out if the K8N-E need a 20 or 24 pin connector to the psu, which would be nice to know since i still need to drop prices.
Thanks for your guyz' support.