Need Mobo Opinions plz

[MCT]

aloha

im going 2 build a new pc once i have enough cash, im going from a amd1600 512Ram 80GB hdd to this

Pentium 4 3.0E GHz 1MB cache RETAIL BOX $302

ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON™ 9600XT 128MB DDR $285

**ABIT IS7 Intel 865PE, 800MHz FSB, Dual DDR400 $125

Western Digital 120GB w/ 8MB cache $115x2

KingMax 512MB PC-4000 DDR500 SDRAM $146x2

Diabolic Minotaur Gaming Tower (Blue/Green/Red) w/ 350W $138

BenQ P992 19" .25mm, Shadow Mask Flat Tube (Black) $209

the abit mobo i need 2 know if its good for what i have, im not a big hardware guy & maybe that mobo has a flaw i dont know about

thanks

[gandalfgrey]

The IS7 is fine, although for prescott AI7 is better(it has reinforced power circuitry and uguru). I would consider buying an AMD64 platform though or at least a p4 with a northwood core.

[MCT]

why?

[prathapml]

Well, the northwood core (Pentium4) is old today - that was the core used before hyper-threading and prescotts made an appearance. The one MCT is going to get is based on a Prescott core - happy over-heating!!!!!!

Go for an i875PE-chipset based MoBo - Asus or MSI. The rest of the config seems fine.

[MCT]

ill look into it thanks , also.. will the psu be good, or should i go 4 something a bit higher & if so, what

[MCT]

also, i cannot find "i875PE" on either asus or msi's websites

[premier69]

also, i cannot find "i875PE" on either asus or msi's websites

that is the chipset, you should by my opinion buy some variant of the Asus P4P800, it's the best mobo I've had the pleasure of building with.

[Aaron]

Yep, look for a mobo with an Intel chipset, I'm very happy with my Abit IC7-G (875) and IS7-E2 (865)

[prathapml]

will the psu be good, or should i go 4 something a bit higher & if so, what

Well, now that you mention it.......

350 watts is too under-powered for a modern system, especially with all those power-guzzling components that you already have. Add a DVD-writer, a high-end graphics card, a USB 2.0 scanner (which _could_ draw power from your PC, instead of a power socket), and you'd see what I mean. It wouldn't be sufficient power at all.

Today, 400 W is standard. And I think that is sufficient - if you have the $$$, get a higher rated PSU than 400W (maybe 550W ?). Just so you know, my current PSU (Codegen, 400W) cost $16 - so its pretty cheap actually. And another PSU brand you could consider is Antec (they demand a price-premium, though).

You MoBo listed above is actually pretty good, I just meant to say "go for a better MoBo, if its affordable" (instead of your currently listed i865-based MoBo, go for an i875). But yes, the Abit you already have listed isn't bad.

Hoping this helps......

[MCT]

thanks prathapml

400W P4 ATX w/ 2 Fans $38

that'll work

[Aaron]

Get a good PSU though, among the best are Antec, Enermax and Tagan

[gandalfgrey]

Well, the northwood core (Pentium4) is old today - that was the core used before hyper-threading and prescotts made an appearance.

Not True..

NW-B has HT, but only the 3.06 ghz model

NW-C has HT, 800 bus and extreme overclockability.

Prescott offers nothing better for typical(non-overclocker) end-user over northwood.

I just meant to say "go for a better MoBo, if its affordable" (instead of your currently listed i865-based MoBo, go for an i875)

Both Asus an Abit have their 865 boards with "PAT-like" technologies which make them as fast or sometimes faster than 875 boards

Also, MCT, why pc4000 ram? Plan on overclocking?

[prathapml]

Prescott offers nothing better for typical(non-overclocker) end-user over northwood.

Exactly! It overheats too!

But the northwood IS an older generation than prescott, and will be stopped soon - all new (consumer) P4s will be based on the prescott.

Both Asus an Abit have their 865 boards with "PAT-like" technologies which make them as fast or sometimes faster than 875 boards

You're right about that - but there's some more difference among the two - the details must be available on the respective MoBo maker's site.