About time for a new box...

[Fan]

Hi all.

My current PC is a P3-500, 128 mb RAM, GeForce256 GTS 32 mb vid, SBLive 5.1 EAX Gamers, Sony 17" monitor, MS Sidewinder Precision Pro stick, Win 98 SE.  I get adequate frame rates in AH, but *only* adequate.

I've been kinda out of the loop for a year or so on hardware.

If you were going to build a new rig, and money was an object, but not insurmountable, what would you build?  What OS would you run?  98SE has been pretty stable for me, but it's getting a bit long in the tooth.  

I should also mention that I have strong preferences for Intel CPUs.

Thanks all for any help/advice,
Fan

[bloom25]

Intel CPUs + limited budget can = cutting corners.  If you really want to build an Intel based system (a fairly fast one, though not nearly as fast as you could get if you went AMD), this is what I would do:  Get yourself a P4 1.8A (that A is IMPORTANT).  If you can only do one thing right on this system, do this.  This is the new Northwood core P4, not the old underperforming "Willamette" core.  You are going to need a socket 478 board.  For cost reasons I'd find a board that uses PC2100 DDR ram.  (DDR266)  Asus is the brand I recommend.  If money is really tight, the SiS 645 chipset based boards are pretty good and much cheaper than the i845D chipset boards.  (Slightly better performing as well if you spend the big bucks to get PC2700 (DDR 333) ram.)  I recommend you use Crucial (http://www.crucial.com) ram.  If you can afford it a GF 3 Titanium 200 or Radeon 8500 plus a good 7200 rpm hard drive as well.  I used to recommend IBM harddrives, but it seems they may now be having some issues.  The fastest current hard drives (IDE) are made by Western Digital and a very few select ATA133 Maxtor drives.  I've had a couple WDs fail on me recently though, so I don't know that they are any more reliable than the very fast and quiet 60GXP and 120GXP series IBM drives.

Contact Skuzzy if you want some more information on building and configuring such a system optimally.

I won't try to persuade you to go with an Athlon XP, but I would advise you to look at http://www.anandtech.com so you can get some idea on how the chips stack up vs one another.  They also often publish pricing guides, which is what you should really be looking at.

Either way you go, realize that it is likely anything you build at this point will have limited CPU upgradability options.  Intel is changing their FSB speed (which may make some current boards unable to accept >2.4 Ghz P4s).  AMD is releasing an improved Athlon XP this month and a whole new processor design at the end of this year.  I do not know if the new Athlon design coming later this month will be compatible with current socket "A" (socket 462) boards.  I do know for a fact that AMDs "hammer"  (probably going to end up being called Athlon 2 or something else uninspiring) will certainly require new motherboards.

Depending on how long you wait to do this, look and see if USB 2.0 is available on the board you get.  Some boards are starting to include it now.  Serial ATA is probably too far away to be available within the timeframe you will be building your system.  Also be aware that P4s require a special powersupply connector, meaning your current case and powersupply are not likely reusable.

You can reuse your floppy, sound card, CD drives, etc and save yourself some money.

[Camel]

Solid advice from Bloom,

The P4 1.8a ("a" being very important) is a great choice. I am using it on the Asus P4S333(which WILL support 533fsb P4 Northwoods) with the SIS645(dx) chipset. When installing the P4 I get two preset choices 1800(stock 100fsb x4 400), or 2400 (133fsb x4 533). Useing the 133fsb setting on the AsusP4s333 sets the AGP, and PCI to stock (66/33).
Using the Vcore motherboard jumper for an added .01volts it easily runs at 2400mhz (Currently @2538mhz 141fsb, or quad 564fsb, and 1.6v vcore). I would also suggest the Kingmax DDR333 true PC2700 5ns tiny BGA ram, or Samsung true PC2700(Crucial is having some problems with there PC2700). The slight extra cost for PC2700 is worth it on a board that supports it. My Kingmax is running @ 352mhz, with plenty of room(in my testing 390'ish is its limit), Sandra2002 memory scores of 2695/2690, stock speeds give me just under rambus scores(rambus scores= 2400/2400). Speaking of Rambus, the introduction of a 533 Rambus module is just around the corner, probably when the P4 533fsb hit with the 1st being 2533mhz. There is talk of dual channel single sticks(expensive) to remove the need for 2 sticks to be used, but this will require a new motherboard. As it stands now you will need to install 2 sticks at a time making upgrading a pain with the rambus(not to mention current Intel 850 chipsets DO NOT support 533 P4's).

http://www.asusboards.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=43  

This link has some great info on many SiS645 chipsets Motherboards.

You can reuse your case, but a new Power Supply would be recomended in atleast a 350w flavor. I am using the Enermax 365p-VE.
For cooling im using a Thermaltake Dragon478 orb copper Heatsink with the Stock Intel fan(2750rpm). I found the TT fan WAY to loud at 7000rpm.
Ive used a Gf3 ti200 and been happy with it, but recently puchased an ATI Radeon8500 retail and would recomend it over the Gf3 ti200.
For great sound the Santa Cruz is awsome paired with my Logitech Z560's. The SB may infact be better for gaming, but music is abit crunchy.

The Asus P4B266(Intel 854D Chipset) is also a solid choice, but doesnt support DDR333(PC2700) or future P4's with the 533fsb.

(: DISCLAIMER: Nothing with O/C'ing is guaranteed, just my expirence with the 1.8a)