Building a new game box...

Okay boys and girls, looking for a little help here. I have always bought off the shelf for a computer, but due to the fact that my son-in-law, a network tech by trade, has offered to build me a box of my choice, I am going to need a little input from you sim guru's. Probably going with an Athlon P-4 2.4, a GeForce card (have a Radeon and not happy with it) Soundblaster audio, 512-1024 ram, but other than that, anything you guys can pass on to me would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, off topic...last night I was informed that I will be a GRANDFATHER for the first time! Can't seem to wipe the smile off of my face. Michael

[email hidden] (Race1530) wrote in news:[email hidden]:

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> Okay boys and girls, looking for a little help here. I have always > bought off the shelf for a computer, but due to the fact that my > son-in-law, a network tech by trade, has offered to build me a box of > my choice, I am going to need a little input from you sim guru's. > > Probably going with an Athlon P-4 2.4, a GeForce card (have a Radeon > and not happy with it) Soundblaster audio, 512-1024 ram, but other > than that, anything you guys can pass on to me would be greatly > appreciated.

THe P4 2.4 is an Intel chip, not an Athlon. A Geforce 4 is good so long as you avoid any of the MX line. Depending upon your OS, (windows 98 or xp) you should stop at 512 ram for windows 98, but have at LEAST 1024 for xp(the more the better) The biggest advantage of building your own is future upgradability. Too often the major retailors sell boxes that don't have standard components. You can't slap a new mother board in a Gateway because they use non- standard powersupplies and connectors, A HP might not be upgradable because the have a 2 piece mother board on some systems. Most have custom vanilla drivers that are designed not so much for speed and features but a lack of problems. You will be much happier, if your son is any sort of tech, with a homebuilt. goodluck.

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> > Oh yeah, off topic...last night I was informed that I will be a > GRANDFATHER for the first time! Can't seem to wipe the smile off of > my face. > > Michael >

Get as much computer hardware as you can now...Your missus will spend tons on the baby. dave henrie

"Race1530" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Okay boys and girls, looking for a little help here. I have always boughtoff > the shelf for a computer, but due to the fact that my son-in-law, anetwork > tech by trade, has offered to build me a box of my choice, I am going toneed a > little input from you sim guru's. > > Probably going with an Athlon P-4 2.4, a GeForce card (have a Radeon andnot > happy with it) Soundblaster audio, 512-1024 ram, but other than that,anything > you guys can pass on to me would be greatly appreciated. > > Oh yeah, off topic...last night I was informed that I will be aGRANDFATHER for > the first time! Can't seem to wipe the smile off of my face. > > Michael I'll jump in with some components that seem to be the common choice (and what I would build as an upgrade from my AMD 1600/512MB RAM/GF4 Ti4400 rig): Asus A7N8X Mobo Deluxe Popular because of dual channel memory=more speed (need 2 dimms to take advantage), highly regarding BUILT IN 5.1 sound, USB 2.0 (1.1 compatible), built in ethernet, built in fire wire, etc. Great deal for $147 (deluxe model). AMD 2400+ (best bang for the $ at $175) or if you can splurge go for the AMD 2800+ ($395). 2x512 MB PC 2700 DDR RAM (take advantage of dual channel architecture - Corsair XMS - $300 total but worth it for the speed - one review showed a gain of 10-15% between identical processors/video cards due to the mobo and ram configuration). This RAM will also support 333 FSB processor for a later upgrade. ATI 9700 Pro - should really reconsider graphics card, this thing will fly on your system and driver support has been great ($339). You can run most games with 4x or 6xFSAA and 16xAnis with little performance loss. Sound Card - built-in see above. Since you didn't mention a budget I opted for high end. You can save on 2x256 MB Ram and a cheaper video card (GF4 Ti 4600 128 MB RAM). -- Joe M.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] (Race1530) writes: >Oh yeah, off topic...last night I was informed that I will be a GRANDFATHER >for >the first time! Can't seem to wipe the smile off of my face. Congrats! Eldred -- Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPLRank:-0.381 MonsterRank: +339.873 N2002 Rank:+17.59 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Thanks all for the help. Hopefully I will be in hog heaven by the middle of March. And thanks Eldred! Still can't keep the smile off,,,,:))) Mike

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] (Race1530) writes: >Thanks all for the help. Hopefully I will be in hog heaven by the middle of >March. And thanks Eldred! Still can't keep the smile off,,,,:))) > >Mike You're welcome...but I don't remember what I did to help...<g> Eldred -- Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPLRank:-0.381 MonsterRank: +339.873 N2002 Rank:+17.59 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.