ringfinger

Alright, couple more questions. First of all the difference between the Retail and OEM versions of the 74gb Raptor. Retail: $236, OEM: $186. Are they the exact same drive, just don't come with all the cables and fancy packaging, i see no difference in cache, latency and write/seek times...? I mean the MB comes with cabling, so why pay and extra $50?? Now, as far as the processor... first of all whats the difference between a 550j and 550, or 660j and 660?? What does the "j" mean. And since I'm getting such a deal on the LCD and video card I'm now torn between the 3.6 w/ 1mb cache and 3.4 with 2mb cache w/ 64-bit support. Does the extra 200MHz outweigh the benifits of a 2mb cache??? Or I could always just get the 3.4, 1mb cache with no 64-bit support for over a hundred less than the other 2. Recommendations? Thanks.

Alright thanks... I think I'll go for it. He said the card is basically free and the 260 is for the LCD and shipping of it. So you think that card can support all the new gen games and all that good stuff? I just want to confirm from him that the card will support the monitor and I'll get it. Thanks as usual!

Hey... I have a buddy of mine that works at a computer repair shop that gets shipments in from dell outlets all over the nation. He told me they've got an ATI RADEON X300 SE 128 MB (d p/n: F3988) along with a brand new 19" Samsung Sync Master 910t for only $260. The vid card is used, but I figure it will get me through till I can buy a really nice one. The LCD requires DVI-D input, does the card havd DVI-D? Everything I'm reading about it says only DVI-I...?? What do you think about the LCD though? I figure hell, not that bad for only $260, I used to work there thats why I still get killer deals heh. Is the deal even worth that much? Thanks.

LOL jcarle, I completly agree with the case comment.

Thanks all!

I don't think its and upgrade only, it should be the full install... I have read that its exactly the same just a little cheaper for college students. Just wondering if anyone knew anything different.

Alright, now I just need to decide on which case to get... so many options!?! Thanks again.

Yeah, I suppose I should wait on the motherboard... its just so sweet I want it now! And as far as the processor, Iw as planning on waiting a little bit and maybe by the time I'm ready to buy for a little more than I was going to pay for the 3.4 and I can get the 3.6. That PSU is sweet, 500W, WOW! As far as the revision on the MB, I'm not seeing any versions on the ASUS website, maybe I'm just blind or not looking hard enough. How will I know when it has been updated. And also, all the reviews I've read said it comes with the WiFI-TV card, but on the site it says "Optional" or "extra" ... I guess it doesnt come with? BTW, that wattage calculator is great! Thanks!

I would check to see if you can get any software from the cell phone vendor to support that. I have an LG phone and ended up having to buy a proprietary USB cable and use BitPim to hack into my phone. Well worth it though.

Ahh, I see. I was just under the assumtion that only a specific wattage was able to power a specific range of MBs... makes sense though... having the PSU throttle power as needed with more or less devices (hence 'power supply' d'oh). Alright, thanks again for the advice! I'm most likely going to build the machine over the next couple months buying different components around payday ya know.. I'm thinking the best first things to buy would be the case and the MB... agree?

I have an old college buddy that is still in college (LOL), he hooked me up with a copy of XP SP2 from the store on campus. Little did I know it was the student version. Anyone know the differences between the two versions? Pros/Cons? TIA.

jcarle, what wattage of PSU will I need for the P5WD2 Premium??

I am new to this site and maybe I just toggled something that I shouldn't have. But now when I go into a particular forum instead of seeing the little paperclip beside the topic letting me know theres an attatchment I get this blank white box that links me to the items that are attached inside the topic. I know, I know... lol .. any help plz. TIA. EDIT.... Scratch that... guess it was just my browser. Everything's cool now. Thanks.

You may have seen this one before, but its still funny! http://perseus.franklins.net/whymacssuck.wmv

I have 3 x 120gb drives and one 40gb drive. 2 of the 120s I have a exteranl as I'm a laptop user, the other 120 is in my xbox! I fill them up constantly, I'm sitting at about 40gb free right now total out of all of em. Moives, TONS of music, music vids... I have about 35 xbox games backed up at between 1-5gb/each so thats most of my space!

Make sure you have your cable/dsl modem in to correct RJ-45 on the back of the router first and formost. You should see activity on the router once the modem is plugged in and online. Then use a Cat5/5e/6 cable and run it to your NIC on your desktop to the back of the router. You should then either get a "network cable unplugged" error or be connected. If unplugged, go into network places and check our TCP/IP settings for the connection, make sure they are "Obtain IP address automatically" and same for DNS information. Also, log into the router by going to http://192.168.1.1 in your browser and setup DHCP, DNS, forwarding etc. Like Medicsix said, if using SP2 get the newest up to date firmware for the router and flash it.

You know if the processor is hyper threading or not whenever you see a description of it before you're buying it and it says Hyper-Threading Eabled: Yes. Or research the type of processor you have if you're talking about one you've already got. Hyperthreading allows a CPU to exucute multiple threads simulaneously in parallel on one chip, its almost like having two processors working together.

Alright, thanks again jcarle.

What do you think about the P4 630 Prescott 800MHz FSB LGA 775 EM64T Processor Model BX80547PG3000F. It has 64-bit support along with HT and a 2 MB L2 cache. Only 3.0GHz, but also only $220. Also, if a processor doesn't say that its a BTX form factor, is it safe to assume that its ATX? I'm looking at getting either to 660 or 550j.

Oh I most definatly will let you know what I end up with. I think I will choose the 34gb WD because I have 240GB total external USB 2.0 HD space, and one of the 120s that I have is actually a IDE drive in an external case, so I can throw that on the IDE controller once I have the board. That will provide me with plenty of storage for now. I do believe the 10k RPM is the best way to go for a system drive (I read XP can be installed in 6 mins flat???), however I know after a couple months I will sure wish I bought the 76! Any recommendations of a 19" digi LCD along with which type of connection and any particular good ASUS vid cards or any other brands/models?? Looking for something that will play with good framerates on games such as Doom 3 and Farcry @ 1024/768 - 1200/1600. Gracias.

Alright, well thanks for all your imput I really appriciate it. I may be PM'ing you once I get all the components together. I'm still not sure on the Vid card I'm going to get. I'm also trying to decide on whether to get the WD 34gb or the 76gb. I really want to have a 10,000 rpm drive as my system drive. But my guess is since I will be using it only for a system/application drive... the 34gb will be fine. And then get a couple other big SATAs for storage. Thanks for everything, and any other imput before I go on my shopping spree is welcome!

Alright, thanks for the advice. I just want the fastest! As everyone does I'm sure, 173 for the 3.0, 227 for the 3.2, 269 for the 3.4... I'm so torn. However, right now I'm running a maxed out Latitude CPxJ with 750MHz p3, 512MB RAM and 80gb HD... LOL. So a 3ghz will still rock. I guess I'll have to make the decision soon. Next, is it possible/a good idea to combine different MHz of RAM together? Like if I take your advice and get the 2 x 512 Kingston 533 can I have both the 533 and say 800 running at the same time or will the 533 RAM restrict me to only 533MHz on all sticks? Also, JCarle... can you explin to me the difference between the northbridge and the southbridge?? I notice that in the 'package' with the MB there seems to be a cable for the southbridge (I went to Fry's today and saw it in the description on the box). This looks like something that is manualy connected.. what is it's use and is the northbridge hardwired? Thanks.

Wow... really feel like a noob now. Thanks JCarle, I figured there must be a recmovable/customizable way to fit the boards. On to my next thing... RAM. Do you recommend the 533MHz RAM or the 667? Would I be better off with first just getting 1 stick of 667 and another later or 2gb of 533 right off the bat? My ultimate goal is 2GB, but I know that the 667 is a heftier price. Also, ECC or Non-ECC? As far as the processor, I'm stuck between the P4 3.4 and 3.6. Is there a p4 3.4 with a 2M L2 cache? I don't think I want to shell out the extra cash for the 2M L2 cache on the 3.6... and is it even woth it? How much difference in performance do you think I would notice between the P4 3.4 1MB L2 and the 3.6 2MB L2?? Whats the best performance/cost ratio? TIA.

Thanks JCarle... I understand that I will need to get an ATX case and PSU, my question is how can I find one that is compatible with the specific MB iteself allowing for the ports on the board. For example, the links you provided... I don't see anything that will allow for all the ports on the MB to be accessible. How can I find one that will fit the board perfectly? Or with these cases, is there a way to change out the metal in the back or some way to make them fit?

Thank all of you for your input. I realize it is kinda of a high end machine for my first time build, but I've been needing to upgrade for a long time and want to have something I will have room to upgrade farther down the road. I think this board is perfect as I didn't want to get the dual-core Pentium D's right off the bat but just wanted something with HT, and an external SATA?? I mean c'mon, that rocks! JCarle, thanks so much for your imput. I was leaning toward the Kingston memory as I have heard the same as what you said, but was totally lost on which PSU and Vid Card to get. As far as the cases go, is there a site somewhere which tells you compatibility to which motherboard you'd like? Like I put in the P5WD2 Premium and it will tell me what my options are? Like rikgale said, i'd like to get something roomy to allow for good airflow and something thats easily opened as well. Thanks again for the imput and if you ahve anything else to add please do!