Hi

Jephree pointed me to the right direction.

I was thinking of buying a PC and inspired by Jephree I thought heck, why not build it as I have done that previously but a little while ago.

So thats my budget for a PC that will run many applications.

My requirements:

CPU over 2.8Ghz
FSB over 400Mhz
L1 over 128Kb
L2 over 128Kb
RAM over 512MB
Any plus 17" TFT
Built in Ethernet and USB 2.0 (preferebaly USB 2.0 port at the front)
Good mobo with CPU not soldered on
Pretty fast DVD RW/CD RW (need this much)
COOLING! This has disrupted my computers ever since I had one. I need good cooling. Two chunky fans would do
A Micro ATX would be preferable in a micro tower (or at least small)
Obviously a floppy drive
Any decent 80GB 7200RPM HDD
Graphics isn't an issue with me as unlike most computer technos, I dont game at all
I wanted a wireless keyboard/mouse but as I have two, they cost too much on battery replacements every third day! £420/$750 a year they cost me!!
So unless someone knows a cheaper way to have a wireless keyboard, its out!

Thats about all I can think of at the moment, out of the big fish.

Oh btw, its been a loooong whle since I built any comps, so take it easy, I'm no where near up to any last 5 year date on them!

So, is it possible?

Idea's would be very helpful please as I dunno where to start

TIA!

Any response to such a question will involve a lot of personal preference. That being said: having worked with micro ATX boards and cases I would never do so again. This form factor greatly reduces your options and performance as well as being more expensive.

In general I would say if size is for whatever reason an issue get a laptop. If you want a format to work on and develop then at a minimum get a mini tower that will take a full size ATX board but better yet get a full size tower and ATX board.

Another consideration is how you are going to purchase. If online you could get all your parts from different sources but then you will be paying a lot in shipping charges. Many companies offer what is generally known as Bare Bones systems which offer the Case; Motherboard: PSU; CPU; (sometimes RAM); (sometimes other options). Many of the same companies will let you pick all the parts and they will build it for you. As for myself I prefer to do it all myself.

I would want a full size tower and full ATX motherboard which supports the latest 64 bit dual {or even quad core processors). At least one (if not dual SLI) PCI_E X16 Graphics slot(s). Most new boards support up to 4GB RAM in 4 slots Dual channel. Most new boards will also support SATA hard drives as well as the IDE Primary and secondary and floppy. SATA hard drives are faster than IDE ATA and the price is not much different.

As to cooling the case should come with intake and out-take (exhaust) fans. I myself am addicted to liquid cooling which will cut your heat on the CPU and chipset as well as GPU (if desired) almost in half from standard fans.

As to how you go about picking your pieces I guess you need to go shopping online. Use Google and search for all the parts. As you get some ideas perhaps others can begin to offer opinions on specific hardware.

I will post a few links from my New Build folder and hope this helps:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

http://www.xpcgear.com/

http://www.asus.com/products1.aspx?l1=3

http://www.extremetech.com/category2...,644478,00.asp

http://www.hardwareguys.com/index.html

http://www.motherboards.org/

http://www.systemcooling.com/index.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/

http://www.water-cooling.com/index.php

Thanks Jephree!

As far as I've researched now, it seems your right. I may have to go for the full size ATX mobo's.

I don't understand why the dual core or the 64 editions? What difference will they make, and what about compataibility issues?
Do the same software, hardware ranges run on single core and 32 bit editions or not?

Again, with SATA I don't really understand them fully. I know they are the advanced form of ATA but how much difference there is, I still have to find out.

Never had experience with liquid cooling and I've heard there are a few instances that can make it dangerous..!!? Not sure but again I have to do much further reading.

I have to think about replacement/repair, upgrade feasibility and costs, and that it being my third PC so I don't have much to spend on it annually.

I'd have to sell this PC to be able to make that the main one, but I doubt this would fetch anything. Hence no point.

No, I'd want to order online, separate components and then build it all myself.

Again, with the Dual Channels, they offer some better performance than the single, but a one module upgrade is not possible. Is it?

Right now, I'm going to read the links as I get time and then respond.
I'm also getting an external storage cage for sure as an accessory and have bought two 2GB Kingston USB pens for £30. These extra's are needed for me but drain the monie$ I have left over in the budget!

External USB attachment Storage chosen (as backup):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817155601

The budget has been decreased by £165 due to purchasing a new ATA HDD compatible with this external drive, a massive pack of batteries for my two wireless keyboards/mice and the USB pens.

So I have $700 tops and $500 average to spend.

This motherboard looked pretty good to me:

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium - Socket 939 AMD - Chipset NVIDIA nForce4 SLI - ATX

Wadya reckon about it anyone?

Just seeing you online I post what I've been looking at:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/03/23/asus_a8n/

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1925

http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?m...1=3&l2=15&l3=0

http://www.google.com/search?q=ASUS+...e=utf8&oe=utf8

Looks good from this.

As to other questions asked from a brief review and reply:

Even tho there is dual channel RAM as well as SLI dual PCI_E you can work with singles as well in both cases. The positive is it always leaves future upgrades there for you.

I did notice one reviewer suggesting that you have good case fans (ventilation) to go with this board.

All I have time for at the moment.

Wow, nice links. The board was out in 2004 so its not exactly new in computer terms but for what it is, I'm quite impressed. Some of my tech friends have used this mobo for many builds, like over 100 and have faced no problems at all. I've heard the ventilation is very good with the heat pipe.

I've found one around my local area for £77. So I think by the start of next week I would be in posession of it: UNLESS someone can get one better for a similar price?

Thanks a lot Jephree. Just finished reading the above links. Haven't still read the ones you provided earlier in complete nor done enough researching yet!

I was kinda stuck staring at the water cooling link. I got blown off track everytime I visit it :embarassed:

I have a query...

Whats are the maximum and average L1 and L2 caches available nowadays?

I have 128KB and 64 Kb with a 133MHz FSB on this low performance 4yr old system.

I wanted much more: around L1 512Kb and L2 1MB with 400Mhz FSB at least

These are the main aspects I much prefer with the mobo along with good cooling.

Suggestions welcome

Thanks

One thing I know with this Asus A8N-SLI Premium Motherboard is that it has 2000Mhz FSB and the SATA 3GB/s supports, internal and external. Now that is nicee...

I liked this offer:
http://cgi.ebay.com/AMD-FX-60-CPU-AS...QQcmdZViewItem

Anything similar especially with that FAN is a must for me!