New computer, whats the best?

[The_Other_One]

Alright, I'm about to start building my new computer for college...I may wait a bit longer to if anything new is comming out, but I'd like to start getting everything in mind...

First, I was wondering what the best sound card is now...I'm looking more for speed then anything. I don't need anything more then 5.1, and I'd rather not have anything less...

As for graphics...I suppose I'll go with ATI again. Do they have any new models comming out soon? Or is the 9800 the higest for a good while.

For storage, probably two WD 80G with 8M cache raided together...is this a good idea, or would a single 160G be faster?

I think thats all for now...but I may be back in a bit with some more questions

[oboeman2002]

dude...u need to understand that even after a second u buy something, there will most always be something better than that. You need to know what your needs are and buy accordingly.

Yes... go with the radeon 9800 pro, and the best sound card out there so far is the sound blaster 2 audigy platinum which runs around 250$ or something like that

im not sure about the hard drive.

Hope this helps :o 8)

[Prometheus]

what will the comp be used for

[The_Other_One]

I know whatever I get will basically already be out of date, but I want some of the best stuff around to keep it as upto date as possible without constantly upgrading...

I was reading about the Audigy 2, and I'm just wondering if it's any better performing then like a SB Live. As long as the quality is that of my current SB Live, I'd be happy... I just don't want something that would cause my system to lag, as I have seen some cheap cards that really kill performace.

As for it's uses... I can't really say. I may do some video editing on it, but I plan to just use my old main computer and replace my video computer. I'm starting to get back into gamming, so I'm sure I'll be playing many new games on it.

[Keefe]

Dude, you should buy a dell.

[Prometheus]

512 ram
basic mb unless u plan on overclocking
2.2 ghz?
radeon sounds good
5.1 soundcard

[The_Other_One]

512M RAM should be fine...that's pretty easy and cheap to upgrade later anyway... However, I would like a faster processor...though I don't know what speeds AMD plans to make with their new processors...

And I don't want a prebuilt computer... Half the fun of a new computer is building it :P

[eviltechie]

exactly, go with a dell

it seems like you have too much money to spend...

[The_Other_One]

I don't think you people understand... I'm not BUYING a new computer, I'm BUILDING one :/

And yes, I have quite a bit of money to spend on a new compy... I have been saving for some time now, I just graduated, and my parents are helping me out...

[eviltechie]

if you are building a comp, dont get best of the best

its not worth it

[oboeman2002]

Dude, you should buy a dell.

i 2nd that. U probabbly will not need the best brands of components so just go with dell...it will suit u just fine :wavey:

[BobyJo]

My 2c worth of suggestions::
I would first start with a case that looks great, has super air flow features, no less than 7 case fans.
Then look at the most important appliance of all, the power supply.
Pick a power supply in the top end of the best, IMO no less than 450 watts.
For the MOBO, We suggest the ASUS A7N8X/Deluxe over all others.
In the cpu dept, The XP2500 Barton or the XP2800 Barton if probably the best in OC'ing, staying cool, and extremely stable.
Heat Sink is a no brainer, go for the SLK900 and place a Tt smart 80mm fan on top of the hs. This will keep the cpu in the 30c area.
In the Memory area, Mushkin Black PCB matched pair, or Corsair XMS matched pair would by the top suggestions.
Hard drives, the WD 80gb SE matched in a pair using Raid 0 will give you a 160gb hard drive and would be noticable faster than a singled 160gb hard drive.
The Radeon 9800 Pro DDR128 is the top choice. This video card is only $10 more than the 9700 Pro, but delivers noticable better performance.
We have used Lite-On DVD drives and CDRW Drives for a long time. I would suggest taking the 16X DVD drive, and the 48x24x48 CDRW w/burn proof. The 3.5 floppy should be a Teac.
Rounded Cables to all drives, SATA cables to the HD's make the view through the side window something to get excited about.

[sly_61019]

You guys sound like you work for Dell. Screw Dell, I can build a computer for half the price of a Dell. Build your own The_Other_One.

[vee_ess]

They thought that he meant buying a computer, but that issue has been clarified by the poster of this thread.

[eviltechie]

dream machine?
gonna get outdated soon

Q2 2004 will be a new era of CPUs
LGA will be out for new socket config
CPUs will be bold...

i would get an ok system for now and maybe sell the mobo and cpu later for an upgrade if you want to be that kid on the block who is always proud of his expensive rig

the best CPU intel has now for desktop is the 3.2GHz
its not that great for the price and i dont think its worth buying at all since its going to be buried down in a pile of new tech soon

9800 Pro is good though
its worth it if you are a hardcore gamer

XP longhorn might come out in November if everything goes along with the plans
so it will be good for your system too

if you really have that much money to waste, maybe get a gigabit router with OC3 connection coming into your house...
start your own CIA headquarter... and we all will call you Q

[xMerCLorDx]

My 2c worth of suggestions::
I would first start with a case that looks great, has super air flow features, no less than 7 case fans.
Then look at the most important appliance of all, the power supply.
Pick a power supply in the top end of the best, IMO no less than 450 watts.
For the MOBO, We suggest the ASUS A7N8X/Deluxe over all others.
In the cpu dept, The XP2500 Barton or the XP2800 Barton if probably the best in OC'ing, staying cool, and extremely stable.
Heat Sink is a no brainer, go for the SLK900 and place a Tt smart 80mm fan on top of the hs. This will keep the cpu in the 30c area.
In the Memory area, Mushkin Black PCB matched pair, or Corsair XMS matched pair would by the top suggestions.
Hard drives, the WD 80gb SE matched in a pair using Raid 0 will give you a 160gb hard drive and would be noticable faster than a singled 160gb hard drive.
The Radeon 9800 Pro DDR128 is the top choice. This video card is only $10 more than the 9700 Pro, but delivers noticable better performance.
We have used Lite-On DVD drives and CDRW Drives for a long time. I would suggest taking the 16X DVD drive, and the 48x24x48 CDRW w/burn proof. The 3.5 floppy should be a Teac.
Rounded Cables to all drives, SATA cables to the HD's make the view through the side window something to get excited about.

i just built one very similar to this and its some slick shit and it cost about $1500.

Asus P4P800 Deluxe
420 Watt Thermaltake silent psu
P4 2.8 @ 800mhz fsb w/ Hyperthreading
SLK-900-U hsf w/panaflow 92mm fan
2x Crucial PC3200 DDR [ taking advantage of the dual channel ddr ]
2x SATA 160 gig Raid-0
Radeon 9600 Pro
Sony 16x DVD
Sony 52x24x52 CD/RW
Sony floppy 1.44 drive


btw bobyjo who's we, you keep saying 'we'?

[eviltechie]

maybe go watercooling

also some ppl say that enermax's 92mm adjustable is better than 92mm panaflo

so check that out too if you want to stick with air

btw
OCZ is coming out with PC4000
lol
500MHz DDR

insane but i think its overrated a bit
thats one more reason i dont buy the best of the best
because i dont like to stand on grounds that arent firmly established yet

[MIK3]

btw bobyjo who's we, you keep saying 'we'?

I take it he either got it off of a review he did for a site, or just off another review all together.

[eviltechie]

i think hes talking about the comp online store he owns