So yeah, I need a new PC..

[teufelhunden]

I'm putting together a new PC for when I go to college. I used to be really into the whole PC hardware scene about 18 months ago, but I've no clue anymore.

Anyway, how does this setup sound?

Prescott P4 3.2E OEM - 277
Asus P4S800D-E Deluxe - 100
2x WD 120GB 7200RPM SATA - 200
Sapphire Radeon 9800P 256mb - 275
Mushkin Blue Dual Pack 512mbx2 PC3200 - 235
Samsung Black 16x DVD - 28
Optorite 8x DVD+-RW 70
OEM Audigy 2- 72
Artic Cooling ACSS4PL - 18
Artic Silver 5 - 8
Raidmax ATX-822WSP - 50
6x Enermax UC-001B-TC - 27

I've linked to the products that you probably won't know of off the top of your head. Thanks for input.

[Thordic]

My brothers Sapphire Radeon 9600P 256 blew up LITERALLY a week after the 90 day warranty expired.

I've heard other people having decent luck with them, but I'd rather buy the real thing. He just got a real ATI one off NewEgg, I believe, for the same price you have the Sapphire listed at.

[teufelhunden]

Hadn't heard that. I'll spend the extra buck for the ATI card.

[Thordic]

I heard lots of good stuff about sapphire, but after seeing my brother lose $150 on his 9600P, I decided I'll stick to only pure brands in the future.

[Thordic]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-361&depa=1

$276, yep, one extra buck

[teufelhunden]

Based on what I've been told elsewhere, I should consider Athlon64s and a 128mb 9800Pro. So, what if these parts were thrown into the mix--

Athlon 64 3200+ - 270
Asus K8V K8T800 - 111
Radeon 9800P 128mb - 210


And the proper hs/f for the Athlon.

Also, I'm aware 32bit Athlons are good overclockers, as I've done a bunch of it, but how are the 64bit Athlons?

[Skoad]

not sure on the 64 bits but the 32's are extemely overclockable

you can overclock a amd 2500 to a 3200 by just switching the multiplier, of course its recommended to get a new heatsink/fan combo :P

[jjraf]

get dual 70 gig hard drives w/ the raid regulator that writes half the info to 1 and half tthe info to the other. your comp goes 2 times as fast!

*edit*
get the suer fast rapter hard drives!

[teufelhunden]

Um, I'm getting dual 120 gig drives and RAIDing them. RAID 0, it's called. Gonna BLAZE.