Building a new computer

[One Winged Angel]

I have most of my parts I'll be needing. Here's the spec list.

Video Card: Nvidia Geforce FX 5600 256 mb

Processor: AMD Athlon XP 3000+ "Barton" processor CPU.

Motherboard: Aopen AK790 400 max Motherboard for AMD.

Case: Shuttle Case, looking more into it.

RAM: Crucial Miero 512 MB 64 x 64 PC2100 DDR RAM.



There are still a few things I need to get, like a CD drive and audio card. this is my first comp i'm building on my own, so will my video card support HL2 and Doom 3? I just need something that will last awhile.

I'm deciding whether to get Audigy Platinum or Audigy 2 card. does anyone know the sound quality between the 2 is?

one more thing, I'm in really need for a few USB 2 ports. Do all mobo's have USB 2 ports now or are they much more expensive?

[PureEvil]

Originally Posted by One Winged Angel

...so will my video card support HL2 and Doom 3?

Half-Life 2:

While the new engine has all sorts of fancy features, it's still designed to scale and work on lower-end machines. Apparently a 700mhz processor and a video card capable of running DX6 is enough, although a 2ghz with a GeForce4 is recommended.

Doom 3:

Early indications suggest that the target system for Doom 3 will be a 700 mhz system with 128 megabytes of RAM and a "high-end" video card (assumably GeForce-level or higher).

So... Yes.

[Null]

yes your computer will be fine for any game.

ppl for some reason think they need the best of the best computer to run new games. usually thats not the case.

[Yoda9864]

That's sounds like an excellent computer so far. Most mobo's (especially the newer ones that support the barton's) will have USB 2, probably about 6 of them.

As for hte sound question, I think Audigy 2 is slightly better, not sure though. Whichever one is 24-bit. If they are both, go for the one that has more extras.


EDIT: Also, if you're gonna pimp out hte rest of your comp like that, I'd go ahead and upgrade to a gig of memory .

[Null]

correct me if im wrong. but the Audigy platnuim, and the Audigy 2, have about the same quality sound.

the difference is i THINK Audigy 2 is Surround sound 6.1 (6 speakers. one front center. 2 front, 2 back...and the new one, in the rear center)

and audigy platnuim is surround 5.1


perhaps im wrong tho :P depends on what your speaker setup is going to be really. i have 4 speakers (simulated surround) with an Audigy X Gamer. which could if i wanted i think do 5.1 surround. but i never bothered cuz i have no place to put the extra speaker with my layout.

[Happydude]

i would go for the audigy platinum...looks better and has a remote control

and i doub't you would ever need 6.1 speakers connected to your computer

so i think you should go with the platinum.

[Canyarion]

Originally Posted by Yoda9864

EDIT: Also, if you're gonna pimp out hte rest of your comp like that, I'd go ahead and upgrade to a gig of memory .

Meaning 2x 512MB, because 1GB cards are way too expansive.

[PureEvil]

What's the deal with all that RAM stuff anyway?

Is there any advantage (or disadvantage) to having, say, two 512 MB sticks as compared to two 256 sticks and a 512? Or like, four 256 ones or something?

[Jonbo298]

I'd recommend getting PC2700 RAM. It's faster then PC2100 and if you look around, PC2700 are sometimes the same price as PC2100. Or if you have the money to just spend, get PC3200. Since I'm guessing your mobo is pretty new, it should be able to handle it. Also, could I have a link to the mobo you're getting? I'd like to see the specs.
Also, your video card will be able to handle Doom3/HL2. You got to think, when they started Doom, the GeForce FX wasn't even close to being out. But if Doom3 was started just recently, it might need the more high end cards. But don't feel nervous that yours might not. It will.
When I got my mobo a month or 2 ago, it came with 2 built in USB2 ports. And 4 more that I just plug into on the mobo and just use an extra slot on the back for 4 more USB2 ports. So it shouldn't even be expensive to have USB2 ports.
I can't help you much on the sound issue because thats one area I'm not very knowledgeable when building a comp. I just like as much power as I can afford/get.

[Null]

Originally Posted by PureEvil

What's the deal with all that RAM stuff anyway?

Is there any advantage (or disadvantage) to having, say, two 512 MB sticks as compared to two 256 sticks and a 512? Or like, four 256 ones or something?

well for one, the more higher sticks you use. less slots they take up.

say you have 1 512 and 2 256's, and you want to upgrade to 1.5gig.

you'd have to buy 2 512's and replace the 2 256's

(assuming you have 3 slots) then you have the 2 256's and cant use em.

performance wise, i've never really noticed a difference. but upgradability. its just planning ahead to get more higher sized sticks if you can.

[One Winged Angel]

Originally Posted by Yoda9864

That's sounds like an excellent computer so far. Most mobo's (especially the newer ones that support the barton's) will have USB 2, probably about 6 of them.

As for hte sound question, I think Audigy 2 is slightly better, not sure though. Whichever one is 24-bit. If they are both, go for the one that has more extras.


EDIT: Also, if you're gonna pimp out hte rest of your comp like that, I'd go ahead and upgrade to a gig of memory .

I'm going to get Audigy 2, cheaper anyways.

also i read in PcWorld that anything over 512 RAM only makes less than 1% of a difference. I'm going to ugrade my RAM later on.

thanks for the USB advice, it was bothering me for a long time -_-

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...137-035&DEPA=1 <--- there Jonbo

P.S.- www.newegg.com rocks!

[gekko]

Originally Posted by One Winged Angel

also i read in PcWorld that anything over 512 RAM only makes less than 1% of a difference. I'm going to ugrade my RAM later on

I really wonder what they base it on.

[One Winged Angel]

Originally Posted by gekko

I really wonder what they base it on.

I'm nto sure either, but Im still only going to stay with 512. I'll probably upgrade later on, but for now, I dont think I really need the extra RAM.

[Null]

what they said it makes 1% difference is for normal computer operations.

normal things you do dont tend to use that much.

it CAN however, depending on what you do make huge differences. and speed certain things up.

but you are right in that you should stick with 512 for now. if you decide you need more later on. its that easy to just plug it in. so no big deal

[Jason1]

That system will be able to run everything out there, and run it all very well to boot. I just hope my 2.6 ghz w/ Radeon 9500Pro will be able to run HL2 without hiccups.