Tempest's Dream PC

[TeMpEsT]

Went to iBuyPower.com to help me configure the PC I wanted, but I wasn't satisfied with the price. So, I'm going to use iBuyPower to help me configure the parts I want then order all the parts individually off of NewEgg.com. I'm pretty sure that when I buy the case and hardware that my parents would buy the monitor, keyboard, mouse, warranty, etc. I'm going to put the monster together with my dad.


Power Supply ( 400 watt )
Processor ( AMD® Athlon XP 2500+ QuantiSpeed CPU [512K L2 Cache] )
Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink + 2 Extra Case Fans )
Motherboard ( Biostar M7NCD-PRO nForce2 Ultra-400 Chip W/LAN, 5.1 Sound, USB 2.0 8x AGP Motherboard )
Memory ( 1024 MB [512MB X2] DDR-333 PC2700 Memory Module )
Video Card ( Nvidia Geforce-FX 5600-XT 256MB w/DVI + TV Out 8x AGP Video )
Hard Drive ( 80 GB HARD DRIVE 80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive )
CD/DVD Drive ( 56x CD-ROM Drive Black )
Sound Card ( [External] Creative Lab Sound Blaster Audigy-2 ZS PlatinumPro 7.1 )
Speaker System ( [Black] Logitech Z-640 5.1 Surround Speakers + Subwoofer )
Network Card ( Intel Pro 10/100/1000 Network Card )
Floppy Drive ( Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive Black )
Headset ( Plantronics DSP-500 USB Digital Audio Headset )
Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )


The case is coming from XPCases.com and here is the monster bitch:
One (http://www.xpcases.com/images/items/_908Detail_2.jpg)
Two (http://www.xpcases.com/images/items/_908Detail_3.jpg)
Three (http://www.xpcases.com/images/items/_908Detail_1.jpg)

So what do you guys think?

[WolfmanNCSU]

Yes, build the machine. Thats how you roll with it.

Nice specs. Slap in a 100 GB HDD at least. Why don't you throw in a CDRW or DVD+- RW?

[JasonXE]

Power Supply ( 400 watt )

400 watts...alittle to much but still good. You can also buy it with the case to.

Processor ( AMD® Athlon XP 2500+ QuantiSpeed CPU [512K L2 Cache] )

For like 9 buxs extra i would buy the AMD Athlon xp 2600 "barton" retail


Motherboard ( Biostar M7NCD-PRO nForce2 Ultra-400 Chip W/LAN, 5.1 Sound, USB 2.0 8x AGP Motherboard )

I check this mobo out and only supports 400FSB and not 333fsb or below for your processor. You should buy mobos from asus because they make quailty motherboards and probably should get this in your price range. ASUS KT400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "A7V8X-X" -RETAIL... Supports 333fsb for your processor.

Memory ( 1024 MB [512MB X2] DDR-333 PC2700 Memory Module )

I can't tell what kind of brand it is but the pc2700 will work with the mobo I picked out. If you pick the brand then go with corsair xms/ or regular, crucial or kingstrom.

Video Card ( Nvidia Geforce-FX 5600-XT 256MB w/DVI + TV Out 8x AGP Video )

I m not sure what the cost of this item or the speed but could be around 139 or something.

I ll buy this SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "ATLANTIS RADEON 9800SE" -OEM. Funny about this vid card is that it is a 256mb interface said by people who bought this product. I believe newegg got the info wrong. Its 136 buxs. Also i would never suggest to buy a nvidia card because the quailty of ati is much more better. Nvidia just mass produce there product and not as good.


Hard Drive ( 80 GB HARD DRIVE 80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive )

Can't tell which brand name you bought but maxtor, samsung are pretty good with prices for 80gb.

CD/DVD Drive ( 56x CD-ROM Drive Black )
Sound Card ( [External] Creative Lab Sound Blaster Audigy-2 ZS PlatinumPro 7.1 )
Speaker System ( [Black] Logitech Z-640 5.1 Surround Speakers + Subwoofer )

Good... i was thinking of getting the creative 5.1 but i want the extra speakers for the z640. The creative speakers 5.1 has a better quailty for music, games, dvds and the logitech z640 are good with games, and dvds. It does not perform well with music though. Still both are good

Network Card ( Intel Pro 10/100/1000 Network Card )
Floppy Drive ( Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive Black )
Headset ( Plantronics DSP-500 USB Digital Audio Headset )
Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )

Cool
--------------------

Thats about it :-)

[TeMpEsT]

My friend had 2 Asus mobos, both of them fried.

Edit: Wolfman, I'm planning on buying the CD/DVD-RW later on after I put it together.

[JasonXE]

Must be a bad product but if you do not want to listen to me then do what you will. But when you send your mobo back b/c of incompatiable then to bad.

[TeMpEsT]

So I should take a chance with the Asus mobo?

[JasonXE]

its not really a chance because Asus makes the best mobos. I dunno what your friend was doing but there was obviously something wrong with his compoments. You do what you want...

[TeMpEsT]

This is my first time building a kickass computer like this, so I'm just curious as to what you would do, seems like you know what you're doing more than I do. Just asking for opinions.

[TeMpEsT]

Alright, double post but I checked the mobo out too.

Supported CPU: Socket A AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Processors
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 400 + MCP
FSB: 400/333/266/200MHz
RAM: 2x DIMM for DDR400/333/266/200 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 4X/8X, 5x PCI, 1x CNR
Ports: 2xPS2,2xCOM,1xLPT,6xUSB2.0(Rear 4),1xLAN,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 6-Channel AC97 Codec
Onboard LAN: MCP + Realtek RTL8201BL PHY 10/100Mbps
Form Factor: ATX

[JasonXE]

Yeah thats cool. Also your friend is a freaking noob and wouldn't let him near your computer parts. He would destroy it in a heart beat. You should of seen him going on about how asus suxs. He also said nvidiva is better than ati... he also like a pentuim over amd....what a noob. Your basically better off doing it with yourself and with your dad.

[TeMpEsT]

I didn't tell him to IM you or anything, I just sent him the link to see if the hardware worked out.

EDIT: You spelled Nvidia wrong.

[8 Ball]

I like it Temp. The one thing I think you should upgrade though is the processor. I would upgrade to the 2800 atleast.

[TeMpEsT]

Re-done (http://img36.photobucket.com/albums/v109/thanatopsin/dreampc.jpg)

[MoX]

Nah, 400W of power is good. If you plan on getting a powerful video card, I would HIGHLY suggest at least an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro..but 9800 would be better.

The processor is sort of weak, too. It's not WEAK, but if you don't want to buy a processor for a few more years and want to use this for games, I'd get a better AMD processor, although 2500s ARE good at overclocking...

[JasonXE]

Yeah but the last thing you want is to overclock and something goes wrong. A better amd processor would do better.

[TeMpEsT]

I won't be overclocking anyway, the most tweaking I'm going to do on this thing would be with Windows or with the case.

I shot the Biostar mobo out, and decided to get a Epox (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-198&depa=1). Plus, I upgraded the processor, like you suggested, to the AMD 2800.

[8 Ball]

Your pc is going to be kickass Temp. I ****ing blew all my money so I probably wont have mine for a couple more months lol.

[TeMpEsT]

I'm going to get a 21'' flatscreen from this guy for $150 too.

[Kantes]

i woulda recommended the amd 3000 they're on sale in newegg and those babies combined with the ati card you got will run shit like UT2k3 like a racehorse on steroids!

[8 Ball]

Are we trying to make Temp spend all of his money people? Maybe he needs some left over for some xbox games lol.

[TeMpEsT]

Actually, I'd rather spend as much of my money on the computer, because money will keep on coming when I get a job.

[Kantes]

well you can upgrade later anyones, that is one miiiighty fine pc tempest *envious*

[TeMpEsT]

Danke schon.