I got my controls figured out but my PC needs upgrading...

[TheManuel]

I already have my control panel designed and prototyped and I'm working on building the final product.  However, my guetto PC could really use upgrading.
Can a kind soul, more abreast than myself, with current PC hardware make a couple recommendations regarding the upgrade of my PC?

I already went through the process of choosing between AMD and Intel and decided I want the following processor, limited by cost:
Intel Pentium 4 2.4BGHz 512K 533MHz CPU Northwood P478 Processor Retail Box
$163
Also, I'm in love with the Radeon 8500DV for all my tv-out, 3D acceleration and video capturing needs.
That's all I'm pretty sure about.
This is where you guys/gals come in:

1)  Reading a couple of articles at Tom's Hardware, I figured the following SIS 648 chipset motherboard would do well for the money:
MSI Motherboard for Intel Processors Model 648 Max-L MS-6585-L (6585-020) RETAIL
$79

2)  I'm also guessing this is the memory to go with that (brand selected almost randomly):
KINGSTON KVR400X64C3/512 512MB 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM RAM CL3
$85

3)  Finally, I'm guessing the following 300W PSU case will work:
FOXCONN SUPER CASE Front USB MID TOWER CASE ATX3300-P4 **300W Power Supply AMD Listed***  ***INTEL Approved Chassis***
$35 + $15(s&h)

All of the above are from www.newegg.com which I get the impression to be one of the best places to buy this stuff.

NOW:

1)  Can you people please tell me if that motherboard is a good choice or should I be looking at something else?  I don't really want the latest in the Hit Parade ($$$), but I do want a solid setup.

2)  I got lost already with the Rambus, DDR333, PC3200, Dual Channel, sputter, stutter, gasp!, so plese do recommend a type of memory with whatever motherboard you may recommend.

3)  Finally, is that power supply adequate for the processor?  Should I be looking for a higher quality case?

I thank you very much in advance.

Manuel

[Homebrew]

This is just my preference, i'm sure others will disagree, but i tend to avoid 3rd party chipsets on intel based systems.  On intel systems, i've never been impressed by anything other than an intel chipset.  Again this is just my experience, others will probably tell you differently.  I'm not gonna argue intel vs. amd here since i like and use both, but amd would offer you more bang for the buck.  But enough of all that.  The only thing i would seriously consider is an upgrade power supply.  Mainly if you plan to run any non computer stuff such as lighting off the power supply.  300w is kinda low for a Pentium 4 if you start adding all kinds of other loads on the PS. P4's are very power hungry.   As far as the ram goes, there alot to explain but i'll do what i can.  Rambus is a type of ram that you typically only see on intel sytems.  It definetly offers high performance, but its expansive and on the way out.  Intel has dropped their support for it so Rambus may dissapear before long.  I'd personally opt for DDR.  DDR now comes in many speeds, most noteably:
PC2100 = DDR266 *operates at 266mhz*
PC2700 = DDR333 *operates at 333mhz*
PC3000 = DDR366 *operates at 366mhz*
PC3200 = DDR400 *operates at 400mhz*
PC3500 = DDR433 *operates at 433mhz*
PC3700 = DDR466 *operates at 466mhz*

The mhz is what you should try to match to your FSB on your CPU.  For example, the CPU you listed has a 533mhz FSB, so to get the most out of your CPU, you would want ram rated at 533mhz.  This doesn't exist in DDR yet, which is where rambus has come in previously.  Rambus offered more than enough bandwidth, though i'm not familiar with the exact speeds.  Maybe someone else can comment on that.  Its not like your system wont run with say DDR266, but you will take a performance hit.  Whether or not its considerably noticeable is debatable.  I run a 400mhz FSB P4 with DDR333 and i'm happy with the performance of the system.  Getting higher rated ram offers you headroom for overclocking if thats something you plan to do.  As far as DDR400 ram goes, that kinsington probably isn't the best out there, but its probably ok.  Does it have a lifetime warranty?  If not i'd consider something else that does such as Samsung, Crucial(aka micron), etc.  I'm not too familiar with Dual channel DDR, so i'll leave that to someone else.  I will say that it is probably the future of DDR.  I wouldn't worry to much about the case.  Its not too important if its just going in your cab.  Newegg is definetly a good company to deal with so you fine there.  Hopefully somehting i've said helps or at least makes sense.  Hopefully others can offer so more info and correct me if i made any mistakes.  

-Kevin

[cdbrown]

Another respected brand for memory is Corsair, although they are expensive.

As Homebrew mentioned, the psu may cause a problem.  I have not heard of that brand before.  Also note that it doesn't say that the power supply is intel approved, just the chasis.  I personally use Antec case and power supply as they have a good rep.  You need to realise that the power supply is an essential part of the PC that many people overlook.  A friend of mine had his pc resetting itself whenever the dvd player was accessed.  The problem was the system was drawing near capacity of the psu and when the dvd needed power the psu would trip.  A new, higher rated and more reliable fixed the problem.  Try for a 350W or even higher if your budget allows and make sure it's a reliable performer (check out various hardware sites)

Cheers
-cdbrown

[Wienerdog]

TheManuel,
I just ordered this now from Dell:

Pentium

[TheManuel]

Thanks everyone so far for the input.
You guys helped me understand the memory issue better and brought the power supply issue to the forefront which was one of the things I was totally ignorant about.

About the Dell computer, it certainly is a big time deal, although, I wanted more memory, I already have a hard drive and I want to buy the Radeon 8500DV.  That pretty much makes it a bad match for my situation.

If I could get some input as to what motherboard and case to get, that would get me there.

Thank you all and keep the suggestions coming.

Regards.

[Brad Lee]

About the Radeon8500dv... Yes it is a very nice card and ati has a good reputation for tv-out, but you need to ask yourself if you're going to be doing video capturing, editing, 3d, etc on this machine

If that's a yes, or if I misread and this is your main pc and your just building a panel to play on, then go ahead
If it is a standalone cabinet jsut for games, maybe just go for a lesser 8500 that's still got tv-out

My $.02(USD, not no funny Aussie money or loonies)  I've got a 7500all-in-wonder, with video in and out etc, because that was what card I was using already. I'm still considering getting liek an 8500 or 9000 with jsut tv-out and moving the capture card to my main PC

[BASSOFeeSH]

Since the case is going inside a cab(right?), that doesn't matter too much.  The power supply MUST be compatible with Pentium4 boards though.  I think they introduced some new power requirements/connections.

[Wienerdog]

About the Dell computer, it certainly is a big time deal, although, I wanted more memory, I already have a hard drive and I want to buy the Radeon 8500DV.  That pretty much makes it a bad match for my situation.

I added up your processor, mobo, case, and power supply to see that you were spending $292.  That is $292 without memory.  

I am paying $324.15 + tax for the machine I listed above, which has a 2.53Ghz processor instead of 2.4Ghz, a 32MB ATI

[skirge66]

let's see...about motherboards, if you are buying a new case look at the power supply in it, does it have the new 4 pin 12v atx plug or not? if it does then i would say the albatron board is pretty nice, works really good with the pentium 4's and is pretty fast, will support up to 3gigs of 400 mhz ram, if you are sick and have a ram fetish or something, if you don't have this plug ecs makes a mainboard that will run p4's pretty good, though not as well as a board with dedicated 12v for the cpu. personally i would go with a combo with the atx plug...if you don't know already the p4 is a powerhog, if you give it that power it will scream and bury AMD hands down, and handles heat much better. As for power supplys i wouldn't think you would need anything over 300w.  

the ecs P4vxasd2+ is pretty cheep at about $50, the albatron, a much better board is more like $90...power supply shouldn't run you more than $60 tops...and honestly the case?  who cares, it's whats in the case that matters...the case just keeps the insides on the insides and gives you a place to mount your stuff.  video cards...if it's to run mame only or maybe a jukebox...why overkill the requirements aren't that great.