Second Build

[lenny]

I believe I have finalized the completion of my wishlist perhaps I should progress to the next level
to start on my second build. Visiting the Forum as of as often as possible in order to familiariize
myself within the proper process of its function since my near fatal injury of Aug.13,2005, when I

attempted to pick up a rock in 4-5 foot of water at home in the lake I suffered damage to my spine,
thus being hopitalized for 4 months. With regular and consistitant theraphy I have regained good
walking qualities and fairly well hands dexterity.
Checking back on my old notes which indicated my previous choice for the motherboard was,
Asus A8N-E AMD socket 939 nvidia nforce ultra ATX (#n82e16813131530)
Processor AMD Athlon 64 3200+Venice socket 939 2000Hz (#n82e16819103535)
Memory Corsair ValueSelect 1GB DDR 400 (pc3200)dualchannel kit (#82e16820145440)
Harddrive Western digital Caviar re WD 2500yd 250GB 7200rpm (#n82e16822144701)
Floppy drive Samsung 1.44mb internal (#n82e16821103203)
LITE-ON 16 x DVD+R DVD Burner and 5 x DVD-RAM ATAPI/E IDE M (#n82e16827106019)
Keyboard and Mouse Microsoftcomfort curve and mouse (#n82e16823109156)
Modem U.S. Robotics usr 5670 56 kps (#n82e16825104001)
CASE ANTEC Life Style Sonato ATX black (#n82e16811129155)
As for my Windows XP Home Edition CD which was given to me (2005) has worked well
but do not know of it`s authenticity since there has been some chat about it.
Use dial up and LAN with my provider as I go from region to region.

[DustinM]

Any particular reason why you went with an AMD build instead of going with a C2D? I know people get tired of hearing it, but there is reason why C2D is recommended so highly right now. At the very least, I wouldn't do a 939 Socket build because AMD is not going to support it much longer, and you'll be stuck at a dead end if you ever want to upgrade your processor.

I'd suggest you check out Gigabyte S3 board ahttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128017
along with a E6300, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005
and some DDR2 667 ram, Patriot is a good brand, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220070

I know this is a little bit pricier than your orginal build, but it'll save you a lot of headache down the road. If its just out of your price range, put a Pentium 4 (Socket 775 of course) in the mobo until you can/want to upgrade to a C2D.

Good luck with the build and continued recovery!

[blue60007]

Dustin, Lenny made the list over a year ago. I do agree that the best option now is to go with a Core 2 Duo build, but if that's out of your price range do what you said about using a Pentium D for now so you have the option of C2D later on.

ASUS P5L-VM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131046) or
ASUS P5B-VM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131043)
(both have onboard video - I see your original list doesn't include a video card, so I assume you won't need a lot of graphics power)
Intel E6300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005) or Intel Pentium D 915 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116253) (not a whole lot cheaper though)
Corsair VS 1GB DC kit, DDR2-667 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145568)
Original drive, case, extras, etc choices look fine.

Hopefully the suggestions given will give you some more choices to consider, also let us know if this is pushing your budget.

[glc]

There is still nothing wrong with an AMD 939 build, but 939 is not going to be updated any more. You would want to get one of the dual core Athlon X2's to do it right now and you need a video card.

[lenny]

glc:
To the best of my knowledge, each of all of the components listed have been suggested by
previous Forum members, with the exception of the modem, and I just wish to build it, and
run it. Then perhaps with that incentive, I may wish to start for another? I am still a low end
user who would like to improve my skills with the computer.
Lenny

[glc]

Lenny, you picked out those parts so long ago they are no longer current.

[lenny]

glc:
OK, I will file away all current components and commence on the first three items:
Motherboard, Processor and Memory for review with the thought to cast aside my thinking
completly as of a " low end user" , prepare for video, and sound , and whatever comes up for
me to review and understand that may be suggested by fellow members.
Thank you,
Lenny

[glc]

With today's processor situation, there are only 2 ways I recommend to go. One is, yes, a 939 AMD build like you have - which will be a dead end upgrade situation - and the other, which I prefer, is a Core 2 Duo Intel build.

If you do the AMD, the motherboard and ram you chose is still available, but for a processor, I recommend doing a dual core. However, dual core 939's are getting hard to find already. If you are doing a cheap entry level build, the 3200+ Venice in your original plan is still around - and is only $59. Why don't I recommend an AM2? Because it has memory controller issues.

For a good current technology build, I'd recommend a Core 2 Duo E6300 processor, an Asus P5B motherboard, and a 1gb dual channel kit of Corsair Value Select DDR2-667 ram. The Sonata II is still a very valid case. Small adjustments recommended - a Seagate 7200.10 SATA hard drive with 16mb cache and a current Lite-On DVD burner (retail box, not OEM).

You will need a video card unless you go for onboard video - in that case, the Asus P5B-VM is a good motherboard to use.

[lenny]

glc:
I am hoping I understand the process better, henceforth I took a different direction.
Motherboard>Asus M2N-E socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 UltraMCP ATX AMD
Processor>AMD Athlon 64 x2 512 4200+ Windsor 2,2GHz 2 x 512kb L2 cache socket AM2
Memory>Corsair mxs2 1GB (2 x 512 ) 240 pin DDR2(pc26400) dual channel
Harddrive>Western Digital SE16 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0b/s
Floppy>MITSUMI 1.44 3.5" model D359md3
Video card>EVGA Ge force FX 5500 256 mb 128-bit DDR AGP 4x8x
Keyboard and Mouse> Microsoft comfortcurve 2000 BL2 & mouse
Modem> US Robotics USR5670 56bps bus(plug and play)
CASE> Antec Lifestyle SONATA ATX midtower 450 watt Smart Power for AMD system
Hoping I am on the right track --Thank you
Lenny

[newbuilder14]

If you must go AMD then I would suggest what you have there with the exception of a Seagate 7200.10 hard drive and a retail Lite-ON DVD burner. Why such a low end video card? If you don't game, get an Asus board with onboard video, if you do game, get a 7600gs.

I still concur with GLC regarding a much more powerful Intel build.

[blue60007]

You've picked a AGP card with a PCI-Express motherboard. You'll want a PCI-Express video card...

[glc]

You can't put an AGP video card into a board that only has PCI-E slots.

I recommend *against* an AM2 build for the reason I stated.

[lenny]

glc:
I understand the process better, henceforth I took your direction, and I understand it as such.
Motherboard>Asus P5B-VM LGA775 Intel G965 Express Micro ATX Intel
Processor>Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe LGA775 1.86GHz 2M shared
Memory>Corsair VS 1GB(2x512) 240pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667(pc2 5300)
Harddrive>Seagate 7200.10 SATA 3.gb/s 16 mbcache 7200 rpm
Floppy>MITSUMI 1.44 3,5 model D359md3
LITE-ON SATA DVD Burner 16x DVD+R 8xDVD+RW 8x DVD+R DL ( retail)
Keyboard and Mouse> Microsoft comfortcurve 2000 BL2 & mouse
Modem>US Robotics USR 5670 56bps bus (plug and play
CASE>Antec Lifestyle SONATA ATX midtower 450watt Smart power
Thank you----Lenny

[Alaron]

That looks great to me. Enjoy it. :)

[glc]

Excellent choices for a general use computer that won't be gaming. If you have any Internet connectivity or stability issues with that cheap software based modem, let us know, we can recommend a hardware based modem. They are getting hard to find.

[lenny]

glc:
I am beginning to realize and understand things better now.
In the past you suggested MWAV.COM
I came up with >USR 56k/v data fax Hardware Modem #2973
Mwave Part #AA28240
Manufactured Part#USR2973-OEM
After reading the specifications, I passed on it then, since I was running LAN,
and I may have problems. My Internet Provider has serviced excellently for over 13 years
with their T.S. and in the setting up of LAN, which prompted me of thinking "conflict"??
Am I confused ? Yes. If you feel I could use MWAVE, no problem.
Most grateful, Thank you --Lenny

[glc]

The 2973 is still in stock at Mwave - that would be a good move. It's not a conflict issue - it's the ability of a software controlled modem to maintain a solid connection. A hardware modem does its own processing and doesn't rely on the system resources to manage the connection.