Im throwing a new machine together and would be grateful for any help and opinions offered on which components to go with. Want the machine to be fast but dont need the fastest stuff! Looking for good value components that do a job well really. :)


I have 2 motherboards I bought, one of which I will build this around.

The first is an Asus P4T533-C.
http://www.asus.com.tw/mb/socket478/p4t533-c/overview.htm

The second is an Asus A7V333 with RAID.
http://www.asus.com.tw/mb/socketa/a7v333/overview.htm

Both boards seem to be very good according to reviews. The Intel one appears to support faster components etc.
This is going to be the first step, deciding which processor to buy. So opinions on this are really sought here and welcomed. I aint clued up too much about this so really need the help.
The Intel board though I think only supports RDRAM memory? Is this good, bad??? Is RDRAM memory a lot more expensive?
The AMD board has RAID. How much of an advantage will this be? I want to add a couple off HDDs, DVD Writer, DVD Reader and CD Writer if I can. I dont really know how RAID works so can u advise on this??

I have a new WD 120gig HDD here to put in. How many more would it be possible to add?
I also have a new Audigy soundcard I bought for it. I also bought a Radeon 8500LE last week as I got it cheap but will put a better card in.


Thanks in advance for any help offered here guys. What Id like to do here is get advice on what parts to buy and update the post as I get them and throw it together in next couple of weeks.
If u can advise best deals on any components or post links that would be cool. Cheers ppl
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

These Qs are for CoOp Forums (http://www.cdrom-guide.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=5).

Have a look at This (http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,109365,00.asp), originally posted by ps2wiz.

Sorry if in wrong forum, thought it was probly best suited here.

Anyone advise on processor etc??

I'd get a p4c (800 MHz bus). 2.4c or 2.6c seem to be a good value.

Try www.komplett.co.uk they have all your needs and are nice n cheap

OK, so I go with this Intel board. :)
Now I need RDRAM memory. What is the benefits of this over normall DDR memory? from what Ive seen, its a lot more expensive. Is the price hike justified?

Where can I get this memory the cheapest? :cheers:

Cheapest : Don't know. Quality : www.crucial.com

Crucial will also answer your Q about the difference between RD and DDR. :tup:

Can someone plz explain how many IDE devices I can use here?
I dont know how RAID works exactly but am I right in thinking this allows me to add more? I want to start with a CDRW, DVDRW and DVD Reader and 2 HDDs. Can I do this on the Intel board or will it only allow me to have 4 devices?? The AMD board has RAID so what would that allow me to do?
I would also like to be able to add more HDDs later if possible.

Checked the Crucial site Mastermind, but heres what I got when searching for RDRAM:

Description:

Do you sell Rambus memory?

Solution:

At Crucial Technology we work hard to provide high quality, low-cost memory solutions. Crucial makes every effort to stay at the forefront of the memory industry while providing our customers with what they want and need. We do not currently offer Rambus upgrades because a relatively small number of our customers have expressed interest in it, and we believe that long-term demand for Rambus product will not be great enough for us to maintain the low-cost pricing our customers have come to expect.

:confused: :confused:

you can have 2 devices per IDE controller. you usually have 2 controllers = 4 devices, sometimes you can have 3 or maybe 4 controllers. i don't know of a motherboard that will do this off the top of my head, but have a look at www.pcpro.co.uk

they recently had a review of intel MB.

no, raid does not let you use more devices, but its perhaps more likely that you will have more controllers.

if you go for a motherbaord with serial ATA controllers in addition to 2 IDE controllers, you can use an IDE hard disc on the serial ata controller if you use an IDE/SATA adaptor. one may come with the MB.

that would leave you with 2 IDE controllers = 4 devices for your drives

dgr

each board has 2 controllers m8. With RAID is it not possible to add more HDDs?

If the board has a RAID controller to can use a further 4 harddrives usually you can only use harddrives on a RAID controller. And personaly i would not have gone with a RD-RAM based board as RD-RAM tecnology is dead.

Well to be honest m8, thinking of using the AMD board now anyway for a few reasons, RAID for added HDDs, cheaper CPUs and as u say, the RDRAM memory becoming obsolete (See above statement from Crucial website).

So, going with the AMD board, which also has been recommended highly to me by others, an A7V333, any recommendations which CPU and memory to use? Can someone explain difference between "Barton" and "Thoroughbred" etc? Here is a link to the board
http://www.thepcstore.co.uk/Motherboards/Asus/MB5013.php

What is the fastest Athlon I can put in? Would it take the 3.2 one for example? And which memory would I be looking to use?

Im aware this information can be found but it's the feedback of ppl here I value a lot more and appreciate. :cheers: