Building up a PC questions

[rockhopper]

Hey Guys,

For my cocktail cab i'm building, I plan on using my existing desktop computer parts (AMD XP1600+ etc) and then upgrading my desktop to replace the missing bits.

Now since I don't have a great deal of experience with upgrading computer hardware etc. I'm not entirely sure what to look for when buying a motherboard that will fit the new CPU i was going to buy (AMD XP2600+ probably), and same with memory, hdd etc.  Does anyone know any good websites that will give me this info on compatibility issues?

I've found a number of websites on building your own PC and i've added stuff to my won PC so i'm quite capable of doing it all, I just need to know what works with what.


Thanks again to all the helpful people on this site

 

[Spaced Invader]

Any motherboard that supports the XP processor and 333MHz FSB should work for you. You didn't say what your priorities are (the best regardless of cost or sumptin cheap) so,,,no suggestions. But I do have a link (just look for XP and 333):

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

Hope this helps!  

[menace]

I'm just doing the same--just make sure your fsb (front side bus speed) of your memory matches your cpu and motherboard and you'll be good to go--also make sure motherboard supports the processor speed you are looking for--and oh yeah--make sure your power supply is up to any upgrades you undertake--350W or better is good nowadays for systems.

Also, your memory speed will only be as fast as your slowest stick so if you have pc100 and pc133 ram, it will both run at pc100--and if you have spare parts please mail them to....just seeing if you read this far

[Tiger-Heli]

Any motherboard that supports the XP processor and 333MHz FSB should work for you. You didn't say what your priorities are (the best regardless of cost or sumptin cheap) so,,,no suggestions. But I do have a link (just look for XP and 333):

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

Hope this helps!  

One thing to keep in mind is the VIA chipsets after KT266A (which is slower than you want) refer to memory speed, not FSB speed.

For example, the KT333 chipset may or may not support FSB333, most Shuttle and Gigabyte KT333 boards do, most Biostar KT333 boards don't.  KT400 boards support DDR400 memory, but not 400FSB officially,  KT600 boards support 400 FSB, etc.

BTW, since someone mentioned www.newegg.com, the reason I know all this is b/c I recently purchased a refurbished Shuttle KT333 mobo for $23 with shipping from newegg, and I am very pleased with it.  You only get a 15-day warranty on refurbs, but for 1/3 of the price, it's hard to beat.

[Inaba]

www.pricewatch.com for all your computer part needs.  

[CCM]

check out the general  hardware forum at www.sharkyforums.com there are some very knowledgeable and helpful people there... also check out the main site www.sharkyextreme.com

[rockhopper]

Thanks guys,

Im on to it!

[grafixmonkey]

I've built many computers from scratch, and nowadays I buy everything from these suppliers:

www.mwave.com
www.newegg.com
www.heatsinkfactory.com (if the heatsink I want isn't on the other two)

It saves me a lot of time and hassle, and even if they're not #1 on the lowest price list, they're usually #4 or #5, have very low shipping prices, and I don't end up paying shipping charges for 6 small boxes coming from different places, so that saves shipping fees too.

[Lilwolf]

Motherboards can be annoying.

The base motherboard from http://www.smksuperstore.com/7770/viewitem.htm (the best price mobo/2600) offers about 5 motherboards.  

Default is a VIA KT400 and 333fsb.  

Then its 50 bucks more to get to the fastest one (NForce2).  But for that price, you can jump to a 2700... which one is faster??  I'm not sure but its somethign to take into account.

I really like my motherboard that I got.  Had a bunch of extra little features... but most aren't really necessary.

[Tiger-Heli]

Then its 50 bucks more to get to the fastest one (NForce2).  But for that price, you can jump to a 2700... which one is faster??  I'm not sure but its somethign to take into account.

Actually, according to www.pricewatch.com, there's only a $60 spread between the 2600 and the 2800.  I'm pretty sure the 2700 KT400 will be faster than the 2600 Nforce 2, but dunno for sure.

BTW, this is helpful -

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030623/images/cpu_history_big.gif

Basically, 266 FSB supports up to XP2400, 333 FSB supports all processors except the Barton XP3200.  XP3200 requires Nforce2 Ultra 400,  Nforce2 400, or KT600.