component recommendations

Brand loyality doesn't mean much when it comes to computer components ("here
today, gone tomorrow" in many cases), but I'm partial to Intel too. Price
isn't a big deal so why not.

"Boba & Ilinka" wrote in message
news

"JK" wrote in message
...


Han wrote:

I'm preparing to build a new machine and have started to research
components.

I have budgeted $1,200 to purchase the following components. I suspect
for
the money the chipset will be i850.

Why Intel?


It's more reliable. Read Tomas hardware regarding what happen if the fan
fell off http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/2001...tvideo-03.html

Boba Vancouver BC




case w/power supply (which?)

Go with Antec. One that is 350 or 400 watts would be nice.


motherboard (manufacture?)

An nForce2 motherboard would be great. There are several
manufacturers. The Asus A7N8x Deluxe rev 2 is very popular.


cpu (2.8 ghz?)

An Athlon XP3000+ 333 would be nice. It is only around $240.
I personally would probably go for an XP2600+ 333 at around
$100. The price difference can almost buy a DVD writer.
There is also the XP2800+ 333 at around $170.


memory (512-1024 mb, what type and how fast?)

2 512 meg sticks PC2700 ddr ram(unless you might want
to consider ram that is faster?)


hard drive (ATA100)
video (nVidia or Radeon?)

It depends on what you want to run? Are you a gamer?




dvd rom drive (samsung, etc.)

Just a dvd rom, or perhaps dvd burner? DVD burners are starting
to get very inexpensive. There are a few in the $160-200 range.


floppy

I already have a monitor (Sony 19" G400), speakers (Klipsch 5:1),
keyboard,
mouse and nic.

Oh.



The machine will be used for productivity purposes, but also for
high-end
gaming (FPS's like Half Life 2, Doom 3, etc.)

Oh.



How far will $1,200 take me?

Very far if you go with an AMD based system. You also don't have
to spend the full $1200 now. You could leave some money for future
upgrades.



All comments/suggestions welcome.

Thanks.