First-time computer builder

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MightyOne

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OK, I have been sitting on the idea of buying one of various computers for a few months now and have now decided to build one myself. Its primary use will be for recording but I'll use it for some other miscellaneous, less-demanding apps. The way I figure it, who cares if I don't know a hell of a lot about computers, my B in H.S. physics should suit me just fine:). Anyway, I can follow step by step instructions.

Could some knowledgable poster please critique the list of componants I have in my Newegg basket and affirm or steer me away from some of my choices? I want to keep things somewhat cheap, very stable, and have badass performance. It would be nice to eventually record songs with 16 or more audio tracks.
The list goes:

Processor-AMD Athlon XP 1800+

Motherboard-Epox EP-8K7A w/AMD 760 chipset (it was very favorably reviewed for stability and ease of use for first-timers.)

RAM- Crucial Micron 256 MB DDR RAM (2 of those).

Video Card- Visiontek Xtasy5632 Geforce2

Hard drive- Seagate Barracuda IV 60 GB

CD-RW- Lite On 40*12*48

Soundcard- Delta 66

Am I in over my head?
Suggestion are much appreciated. Thanks.

MR
 
Don't Athlons generally run hotter(louder) than the P4 Nothwoods? I know the retail P4 comes with a quiet fan that cools reasonably well. I don't think the Athlon XPs have clock-throttling to protect the chip from meltdown? Will the motherboard work with your soundcard?

Seems like a gamble to me. I think you'll get what you pay for here.
 
I would stick with Intel, especially if you are using Cakewalk software. It is a known fact Cakewalk works closely with Intel when developing their software and CAkewalk products run better with Intel CPU/mobo's.

I'm looking to upgrade in the near future and gave up on AMD products. They may perform better than their P4 counterparts, but at least the risk of system problems and incompatibilities is minimized with Intel.

I plan to go with a 1.8Ghz Northwood with an Intel mobo using the 845 chipset.


Ditto on the heat issue. Go over www.tomshardware.com and watch the video comparisin of what happens to the P4 and Athlon when the fan is removed. The P4 simply slows down while the Atlhon goes up in a cloud of smoke!
 
They may perform better than their P4 counterparts, but at least the risk of system problems and incompatibilities is minimized with Intel.
Click to expand...

Exactly! And easily overclock that 1.8a to over 2ghz.
 
I'm of the opinion that you can safely assemble an AMD system. It does require more careful planning than assembling a P4 system, but it can be done. The P4 just doesn't seem like a good deal. You can get the price of a P4 rig down by using a DDR mobo, but that negates some of the P4's performance potential. An overclocked 1.6a P4 might be worth it though.
 
AMD systems work just fine, just stay away from Via chipsets (as you should do in Intel systems as well)

I have yet to come across a single issue with my XP1700+ XP on an A7N266-c mobo (nforce chipset).
 
While I can't speak to the Cakewalk issue, I can tell you that I built a system based on the AMD XP1800 and *gasp* a VIA CHIPSET, and I've had no stability issues whatsoever.

I run a Delta 1010 and n-Track for audio purposes. The mobo is an Abit KR7-133, with the VIA 266A chipset.

Heat is a concern with these processors though. You will want to invest in a case with a good ventilation scheme. At least one intake and one exhaust fan should do it.

You will probably also want to upgrade the CPU heatsink/fan to something that is quieter and more effective.

I found this site very helpful when building my system:

www.amdmb.com

Good luck!
 
Forgot to add that you might want to compare that Epox mobo to the Gigabyte GA7DXR+, which has also received a good deal of praise.

[edit]
Oh yea, one more thing. You didn't mention a case. Don't get some cheap piece of crap. Also, get a good power supply. I would say 350W minimum, just to be safe. Computer problems due to inadequate power are very random and hard to trace because it looks like some other component is failing, but only because it's lacking the juice it needs.
 
Thanks for all of the responses. Please keep any and all suggestions coming, if you are so inclined.

I haven't completely discounted the idea of the Athlon but now I must admit the P4 1.6A has me intrigued.
As with anything, money is a concern but in this case it falls behind reliability and ease of assembly for a first-timer, in terms of importance.

I will do continue to do some investigating, however I'm eager to get started. I just want the most potential with the least headaches.

elevate, thanks for the 350W recommendation; I meant to ask about 300 vs. 350 in my original post.
 
You should really stay away from a transistor based computer and go with an all tube model. They have a much warmer sound.

I have a UNIVAC, and it rocks! The only drawback is I had to get rid of all my furniture to make room for it. That, and it weighs fourteen tons.

If you want a more old school sound, consider a punch card machine.

:)
 
As long as you have to buy a video card, get one with dual outputs. Having two monitors is fantastic. Be sure your O.S. supports this. I don't think it will work in NT.

The Matrox 450 is a very popular board for dual output.
I bought the ATI Radeon VE. It also works well, but I had to buy an additional adaptor for the second output. (didn't read the fine print)
 
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