Help on building my first computer

[nikunjg]

Hello Experts,

I need your help. I am going to build my first computer.
I am basically looking to get a P4 3.0 GHz processor based system with 1 GB RAM. What I need help is deciding what processor, mother board, case/power supply and RAM to get. My wallet allows me to spend about 500 bucks on this configuration.
Later on I'll be adding a nice video card also.
Your suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance

 

[CheesePoofs]

What will you be using the system for??

For the processor, it might make more sence to get an Athlon 64. The do better than P4's for most applications, are cheaper, and run cooler. But i don't know what you will be using the system for, so its hard to say which you should get.

mobo:
intel- any using the 865 chipset.
Amd- one using the nforce3 chipset.

Ram: Value ram, a 2 512 dimms if you can afford it, if not then get 2 256 dimms.

Case/PS. Any case/ps combo that has a power supply with more than 20amps on the 12v rail. An easy way to find out how much it has if its not listed on the case's website is to find it on newegg and look at the pics. They almost always have one of teh power supply that lists the amps for each rail.

 

[ts3433]

A64 3000+ S939 retail ($155; this is a bit better than a P4 3.0 at stock speed and should overclock to 2.6-2.7 GHz, which is about equivalent to a P4 at 4GHz)
Epox EP-9NDA3+ ($120)
2x512MB Mushkin/Corsair/Crucial value PC3200 ($140)
Antec Sonata w/Antec True380S ($100; the best value you'll find for a case/PSU)

Total: $515

 

[nikunjg]

Thanks for the quick responses.
I'll be using it mostly to run a 32 bit Oracle Database on linux 9.0. A 64 bit processor would unnecessarily add more complexity to it, that's why I would like to stick to P4.
Should I be concerned about any compatilbility issues in motherboard/RAM/cases?

 

[ts3433]

Why would it add more "complexity" to it? The thing natively runs 32-bit code, simply offering 64-bit as a bonus to take advantage of later.

RAM compatibility with motherboards: As long as you get brands like those I mentioned above (they're accepted about as widely as Visa credit cards), you should have no problems.

Motherboard compatibility with cases: It's practically all standard ATX. Don't worry.

 

[CheesePoofs]

the reason to get an athlon 64 is not becasue it is 64 bit, but becasue it is a faster processor most of the time for 32 bit code. I would still recomend getting an A64, it will be faster on most things and yet still cost less. And they don't add complexity to a system, its just as easy to use/set up as a P4 would be.

The only compatablility i can think of is to make sure you get a DDR mobo and DDR ram or a DDRII mobo and DDRII ram. I'd recomend DDR, it is no slower than current DDRII and its much cheaper.