Proposed PC Help

I am in the process of building my first computer and I would like to be sure that everything will work together properly so I would really appreciate anyone's input on the proposed hardware listed below. Thanks!

Raidmax 350W (1 case fan)
ASUS A7V8X-X Mobo
AMD Athlon XP 2000+
ATI Radeon 7000 64MB DDR
Hitachi 80GB DMA100 7200RPM
Kingston 256MB PC2700*

*The Kingston RAM is what I had originally planned, however after some time reading on forums, I read something about the ASUS A7V8X-X mobo only working with Samsung RAM. Is this true? And also, I read that because the PC2700 RAM has a 333MHz clock speed it won't work correctly with the XP 2000+ because it only has a 266MHz clock speed. I'm a n00b at this so please excuse me if I have asked any stupid questions. I really appreciate any help!

All the hardware looks good, with the exception of two things...

First, the video card. I don't know what you plan on doing with this machine, but I would not pick that card. Depending on what you want to spend, there are much better choices...

Second, I wouldn't go with anything under 512 for the ram. 256 is low entry level now. As far as Kingston not working with an ASUS board, I put together a system with that same mobo, and he uses Kingston. He is running a 2500+, but that shouldn't make a difference.

Another of my friends has an MSI board, with a 2000+ and he has no problem with his PC2700.

Most of this is just my opinion, but there it is! Good luck!

Yeah, those things I read didn't seem right to me either but I just wanted to make sure!

But about the video card... It's too late because I already purchased the ATI Radeon 7000 64MB DDR ($38) and I can't take it back. I had originally planned on getting an MSI GeF4 MX440-T8X 64MB ($44) but I consulted my girlfriend's brother (whom I trusted because he had built many systems and works for a computer company) and he told me that I should go for the ATI Radeon 7000 because I don't plan on doing any serious gaming or video editing and because I'm on a budget. I guess I should have asked here first!

And about the RAM, is there any point in buying PC2700 RAM if my processor can't use it to it's full potential? Should I just go with PC2100? Also, the reason I was going with 256 MB is because it will cost me $42 for 1 Kingston 256MB PC2700 and $84 for 1 Kingston 512 MB PC2700 and $84 seems an awful lot to pay for RAM. However, if I choose to buy DIMM (w/ Samsung/Micron/Infineon Chipset) I can get two 256 MB PC2100 or PC2700 for $72 or I can get one 512 MB DDR SDRAM PC2100 or PC2700 for $71. One other option is Kreton/Elixir 512MB PC2700 for $67.

I'm not so sure what to do now, what do you think?

I would have to agree with your girlfriends brother, but I still would have looked at the GeForce 5200, at under $100, but oh well.

The only reason it would make a difference for the memory is if you were thinking about upgrading.. I would probably go with the PC2700.

What made you go with the 80GB drive? The prices are dropping for HD's lately.. I think I saw a 160GB for about $100....

Oh yeah? 160GB for $100? That would be nice, the 80GB I am looking at is $68 and I was looking at a 40GB WD 2MB Cache before that for $58. But twice the size for only $32 more looks really nice. Where'd you see it at? Do you remember?

As far as the RAM goes, I think I will go with the PC2700 because I'm sure someday I will upgrade to a faster cpu. Thanks for all your help!

er the difference between $68 and $58 is $10, no?

Yes, the difference between the 40GB and 80GB is $10, but I was talking about the difference between the 80GB and 160GB (Hence the "twice the size") which is $32.

difference between 40 and 80 is twice the size too

Sorry for the lateness, but I think it was BestBuy or Compusa that had the 160GB. After rebates, I think...

Heh... Yes 40 x 2 = 80 ... >.> Wow. What was I thinking? >.<!

This all might be to late since it seems you already ordered but whenever I need a new hard drive I usually check either www.techbargains.com or www.niftyness.com/nndd/. Both of these sites keeps lists of good internet deals and they usually contain a few hard drives. I'd stay away from Maxtor though, I've never had much luck with them.

As for RAM I would recomend www.crucial.com. They are not the cheapest, but usually very competitive, they produce high quality memory and it is guaranteed for life. Not that there is anything wrong with Kingston, I just prefer Crucial.

I also agree with sgtsyrup, definitely go with 512MB if you can afford it. Your system will run much better.

Ian

Thanks a lot, I'll definitely take your advice and check those places out!

I've been thinking and since the price of 512MB PC3200 is only $1 more expensive than PC2700, that maybe I should go ahead and get the PC3200 since my mobo can take up to PC3200 and that way, when I upgrade the processor later, I wont need to upgrade the RAM. What do you think?

I think that PC3200, PC2700, and PC2100 should all be compatible. So if your MOBO will work with PC3200 I would say go ahead and buy it.

good idea