Helo everybody.
Ive been thinking abouut purchacing a new computer for a while and have looked at various options. Howver after advice from many people on the fourum ve decided to build my own pc to run my 3 card 15dsp system.
I took a trip to a local computer trade fair looking at MOBOS and im a bit confused, what make/model should I buy, also, all mobos that i looked at including the expensive ones had on board sound chips (do these cause problems?). Are there any makes of MOBOs that I sould avoid??
Im planning on buying a 2ghz or higher pentium system. What type of ram should I use???
Sorry for the long post, but any hel would be much apriciated!!!
Thanx
I
MOBO question
I would go for the ASUS P4T533-C board with standard RDRAM (maybe even PC1066 RDRAM), with a 533mhz FSB processor - the 2.26Ghz isn't much more expensive than the 2.0Ghz CPU... This board is very nice, doesn't have a lot of onboard devices that will ruin your fun.
If you're going for a P4 with DDR, I would consider the i845G or i845GL if you want LAN... Either an Intel brand board (if you don't tweak/overclock and want mission-critical stability), or an ASUS(MSI,Gigabyte,etc) without any extra non-chipset devices (best to avoid onboard RAID, NEC USB2.0, CreativeLabs Audio, Reaktek audio, etc, as they will be sharing the PCI bus...)
If you're going for a P4 with DDR, I would consider the i845G or i845GL if you want LAN... Either an Intel brand board (if you don't tweak/overclock and want mission-critical stability), or an ASUS(MSI,Gigabyte,etc) without any extra non-chipset devices (best to avoid onboard RAID, NEC USB2.0, CreativeLabs Audio, Reaktek audio, etc, as they will be sharing the PCI bus...)
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marcuspocus
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
HI Subhuman! I'm going for P4 next thursday, and i read all your message about P4T533 and P4T533-C... COuld you tell what is the difference?
I didn't understand the difference even after reading tomshardware review on both!
Thanks...
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2002-08-23 10:54 ]</font>
I didn't understand the difference even after reading tomshardware review on both!
Thanks...
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2002-08-23 10:54 ]</font>
Hi there,
difference between p4t533 and p4t533-c you ask?
Well the -c board uses standard 16 bit RDram memory modules that need to be paired while the newer board uses 32 bit RDRAM which can be used as a single chip (no need to fill to ramslots anymore). Otherwise there's not much of a difference. And there seems to be some problems with the new p4t533 as to voltage fluctuation and stuff although I wouldn't worry about it when not overclocking.
Greetz, hope this helps
difference between p4t533 and p4t533-c you ask?
Well the -c board uses standard 16 bit RDram memory modules that need to be paired while the newer board uses 32 bit RDRAM which can be used as a single chip (no need to fill to ramslots anymore). Otherwise there's not much of a difference. And there seems to be some problems with the new p4t533 as to voltage fluctuation and stuff although I wouldn't worry about it when not overclocking.
Greetz, hope this helps
I have a P4T533-C mobo and love it.
I use the on-board LAN card for internet surfing (I have DSL) so I was able to shelve my other PCI LAN card.
I use the on-board audio only for my MusicMatch Jukebox audio requirements. MMJ for some reason doesn't like Pulsar.
My primary hard drive is partitioned using PartitionMagic and BootMagic - so I have one boot partition for office use and the other for recording use. I use Win ME on both partitions - one fully figured and the other lean and mean. Works like a charm. I disable the LAN card and on-board audio in my recording OS since I don't need them there.
If you are going to build your own PC, check out Dirt Cheap Drives (www.dirtcheapdrives) as a source for just about everything you'd need (except mobos). I buy my mobos from http://www.tccomputers.com
Consider a rack-mount case. They are great for working inside - lots of room and easy cable routing. Lot's of ventilation too. Look for rounded IDE cables from DCD. Go with a 400W power supply (I use Enermax - very quiet). Buy Seagate Barracuda IDE drives - they are dead quiet and fast.
Don't get anything less than 512MB RDRAM or better.
My PC hasn't crashed in so long I forgot what a blue screen of death actually looks like.
Get Norton Ghost and use it to create a backup of the initial OS install as well as a full-feature install. Having both backups allows you to recover quickly and/or redo an install easily.
Oh.. one last thing - if you can afford it, get an LCD display (17"). This will knock quite a few db of noise out of the system.
Have fun!
I use the on-board LAN card for internet surfing (I have DSL) so I was able to shelve my other PCI LAN card.
I use the on-board audio only for my MusicMatch Jukebox audio requirements. MMJ for some reason doesn't like Pulsar.
My primary hard drive is partitioned using PartitionMagic and BootMagic - so I have one boot partition for office use and the other for recording use. I use Win ME on both partitions - one fully figured and the other lean and mean. Works like a charm. I disable the LAN card and on-board audio in my recording OS since I don't need them there.
If you are going to build your own PC, check out Dirt Cheap Drives (www.dirtcheapdrives) as a source for just about everything you'd need (except mobos). I buy my mobos from http://www.tccomputers.com
Consider a rack-mount case. They are great for working inside - lots of room and easy cable routing. Lot's of ventilation too. Look for rounded IDE cables from DCD. Go with a 400W power supply (I use Enermax - very quiet). Buy Seagate Barracuda IDE drives - they are dead quiet and fast.
Don't get anything less than 512MB RDRAM or better.
My PC hasn't crashed in so long I forgot what a blue screen of death actually looks like.
Get Norton Ghost and use it to create a backup of the initial OS install as well as a full-feature install. Having both backups allows you to recover quickly and/or redo an install easily.
Oh.. one last thing - if you can afford it, get an LCD display (17"). This will knock quite a few db of noise out of the system.
Have fun!
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marcuspocus
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
Hi all, and thanks for answers...
I'm allready up and running with my CUSL2-C, but it is about times to upgrade for me.... So i will only buy a mobo P4T533-C (hope it is the good choice, about 16 or 32 bits ram), a P4 with FSB@533 (slowest one, cuz there pretty expensive here in Montreal), 1gig RDRAM (if i choose 16bits, it'll cost about the half!) and a powersupply...
This one i'll have to order it from somewhere, didn't found a single shop having anything good around here
And thanks Krizrox for good advices, i allready use Baracuda IV (2x), and i'm with XP, hence the upgrade.
My system is at the moment very very stable, never had any problem with it, a CUSL2-C, so a hope the new P4 will be atleast on par with 'stability'. I allready know it's gonna alot more faster! And that's a good thing. Next thing will be a Matrox Parhelia, in 2 months, and then some SRB (XTC or Scope) around Christmas... That's what i call i nice 'upgrade path'
Thanks again! Cya here on the Z!
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2002-08-24 10:33 ]</font>
I'm allready up and running with my CUSL2-C, but it is about times to upgrade for me.... So i will only buy a mobo P4T533-C (hope it is the good choice, about 16 or 32 bits ram), a P4 with FSB@533 (slowest one, cuz there pretty expensive here in Montreal), 1gig RDRAM (if i choose 16bits, it'll cost about the half!) and a powersupply...
This one i'll have to order it from somewhere, didn't found a single shop having anything good around here
And thanks Krizrox for good advices, i allready use Baracuda IV (2x), and i'm with XP, hence the upgrade.
My system is at the moment very very stable, never had any problem with it, a CUSL2-C, so a hope the new P4 will be atleast on par with 'stability'. I allready know it's gonna alot more faster! And that's a good thing. Next thing will be a Matrox Parhelia, in 2 months, and then some SRB (XTC or Scope) around Christmas... That's what i call i nice 'upgrade path'
Thanks again! Cya here on the Z!
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2002-08-24 10:33 ]</font>
If you can wait a little while longer, there is going to be some <a href=http://digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article.a ... seq=84>new motherboards required for 3ghz+</a> with slightly different power requirements. I'm going to just do a CPU upgrade until then (or even wait a bit longer...)
If upgrading from around ~1ghz P3, I would go for at least a 2.13ghz running on a 533mhz FSB for it to reallly feel like a big difference, the clock speeds are greatly different here, but they have different architecture... Right now looks like the 2.26ghz is a good sweet spot for price @ the 533mhz FSB.
P4T533 looked really promising but then I <a href=http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MzM3>saw this</a>... I am confident ASUS will resolve this, but that is the bleeding edge, maybe wait for other 32bit RDRAM solutions to show and/or this one to mature a bit, finding 512meg 32bit RDRAM may be tricky and expensive for a bit, although 2 sticks of 256meg may be plenty.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: subhuman on 2002-08-24 15:25 ]</font>
If upgrading from around ~1ghz P3, I would go for at least a 2.13ghz running on a 533mhz FSB for it to reallly feel like a big difference, the clock speeds are greatly different here, but they have different architecture... Right now looks like the 2.26ghz is a good sweet spot for price @ the 533mhz FSB.
P4T533 looked really promising but then I <a href=http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MzM3>saw this</a>... I am confident ASUS will resolve this, but that is the bleeding edge, maybe wait for other 32bit RDRAM solutions to show and/or this one to mature a bit, finding 512meg 32bit RDRAM may be tricky and expensive for a bit, although 2 sticks of 256meg may be plenty.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: subhuman on 2002-08-24 15:25 ]</font>
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marcuspocus
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
Hi Subhuman, and thanks for your comments... I did go and read the articles, and now, i also am convinced... P4T533-C. As for waiting for 3.0ghz... Well, i was already waiting for P4, enough waiting for now I want my P4! He he...
BTW, i'll go for 2.26ghz... Only 10$ difference with 2.0 here, and it's also the slowest P4 that is at 533fsb available for me here.
Also, maybe you have comments about the 'Enermax 450W Whisper'? Good one? Reliable? 'enough' silent?
I want my P4! He he...BTW, i'll go for 2.26ghz... Only 10$ difference with 2.0 here, and it's also the slowest P4 that is at 533fsb available for me here.
Also, maybe you have comments about the 'Enermax 450W Whisper'? Good one? Reliable? 'enough' silent?
Also, maybe you have comments about the 'Enermax 450W Whisper'? Good one? Reliable? 'enough' silent?
I have a 400W Whisper model and it is very quiet. I went through at least 3 other units before settling on the Enermax due to it's lower noise level. My unit has been in operation for about a year and still going strong. They give you plenty of wire connections also (more than I needed actually).
I have a 400W Whisper model and it is very quiet. I went through at least 3 other units before settling on the Enermax due to it's lower noise level. My unit has been in operation for about a year and still going strong. They give you plenty of wire connections also (more than I needed actually).
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marcuspocus
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
Ok, i just rdered the stuff now 
hey hey, the pc 's coming in thursday here what i buyed:
Asus P4T533-CL (the guy assure me i can totaly disable the network card from bios, if not he'll change the board, the supplier had no P4T533-C in stock)
512meg Samsung RAMBUS PC1066 (the one recommended by Asus), i'll had another 512meg later.
P4-2.26ghz FSB533
Enermax 450W Whisper
Hey hey, now my PC's gonna fly!
hey hey, the pc 's coming in thursday here what i buyed:Asus P4T533-CL (the guy assure me i can totaly disable the network card from bios, if not he'll change the board, the supplier had no P4T533-C in stock)
512meg Samsung RAMBUS PC1066 (the one recommended by Asus), i'll had another 512meg later.
P4-2.26ghz FSB533
Enermax 450W Whisper
Hey hey, now my PC's gonna fly!
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marcuspocus
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
FYI i now got my new PC as described above...
Except one thing, the CPU i ordered was a P4-2.26ghz, but since the shop wasn't able to get the ram one time, they lended me PC800 until they receive the PC1066 and to be nice with me, they give me the P4-2.53 ofr the price of the P4-2.26...
That's what i call customer service!
Also, for those who want to know, to be able to have to creamware card on their own IRQ, not sharing with anything else, you got to deactivate the USB2 with the jumper on the board, then put the cards in PCI2 + PCI5 and then assign them their own IRQ in bios.
I'm finally using the onbaord lan instead of using ly own lan card, and i also deactivated the onboard Audio also...
The PC is now pretty fast compared to my previous CUSL2-C with P3-1ghz. I'm happy !
Except one thing, the CPU i ordered was a P4-2.26ghz, but since the shop wasn't able to get the ram one time, they lended me PC800 until they receive the PC1066 and to be nice with me, they give me the P4-2.53 ofr the price of the P4-2.26...
That's what i call customer service!
Also, for those who want to know, to be able to have to creamware card on their own IRQ, not sharing with anything else, you got to deactivate the USB2 with the jumper on the board, then put the cards in PCI2 + PCI5 and then assign them their own IRQ in bios.
I'm finally using the onbaord lan instead of using ly own lan card, and i also deactivated the onboard Audio also...
The PC is now pretty fast compared to my previous CUSL2-C with P3-1ghz. I'm happy !