the "help Cruez build another PC" thread

[Cruez]

Ok... here is what I think I'm doing so far...

X-Dreamer II (Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply

(2) CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2700 DDR (for dual channel support, 128 bit performance)...I think I got that right

Biostar M7NCD PRO, Chipset: Nvidia nForce2 Ultra 400, MCP2

AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ 333 FSB

I have been out of the technology loop for a while, so bear with me.

Now... I am not a gaming fanatic. but I can handle running at 1072x768 with most of the options on without skipping... but I want a decent video card... I am using a old Geforce GF2MX400 64M DDR.

What does it look like so far..?? I am trying to keep the expenses down a bit... What about video card suggestions?

[eagle1]

Definitely a 9600 Pro will go great with that system.!
It's the best Midrange card out there and you will be assured DX9 compatibility, great 2d quality and great 3d quality with all the goodies turned on. (Heck, I have this card on a 1.2 T-Bird system and it kicks ass.!).
It currently sells for $150.

If you want to go cheaper, there's always that trusty GeForce 4 Ti 4200.!

[Cruez]

Now... is the only chipset t that will correctly work with the Nvidia nForce2....a Geforce4 ??

[John Prophet]

Thats the same board I am considering for some system builds.

[Cruez]

Can someone check my setup as far as the mainboard/mem/cpu is concerned... I don't want to make a mistake...

and the GF4 / nforce2 question...

[MadMan2k]

As far as I know, nforce2 shouldn't have a problem with using a non-nvidia graphics chip. The nforce2 is the chipset, doesn't really have much to do with the graphics card, so it should work.

[iseeu_3]

i heard that the nforce2 chipset works great with nvidia cards, i'm almost positive that you could put in an ati and it work good (and as for me, i'm actually jumping on the ati bandwagon after reading about the new 9800 pro xt and the 9600 pro xt's coming out). i looked on ebay and found an xp2600+ barton chip with 512mb L2 cache for $110 (but the shipping is $14, not that much for me but others may not agree) which is clocked at 1.917GHZ, so the seller says, i looked on xbitlabs.com and they said that it's clocked at 2083MHZ w/ 333FSB. not that bad, i might get me one of those!

The nForce-2 chipset closely conforms to the industry standard AGP specification. Any common AGP card will work; be it ATI, nVidia, SiS, STMicro, etc. Just take a pick.

BTW, I am using an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro with my nF-2 motherboard as I am typing this reply. Great card for the price. I would tend to rate it (or 9600 XT, slightly faster) as the best mid-range gaming card currently available.

Robert Richmond

[ZL1]

Originally posted by Cruez
Can someone check my setup as far as the mainboard/mem/cpu is concerned... I don't want to make a mistake...

and the GF4 / nforce2 question...

checking...... checking .....

no errors found


its a nice setup, the only thing you might want to get is faster ram if you plan to OC or upgrade later on, lets say to a 400mhz fsb cpu (it would be very easy since the board supports 400mhz and if you get 400mhz ram you wont need to change anything else), if not you're all good
if you run it stock that ram is definetly a good choice for stability

and dont worry about GF4/nForce2 , like others said - there shouldnt be any problems

my v-card recommendations are pretty much as the ones above 9600pro or TI4200s ($60 dude )


D

P.S. forgot one thing, make sure to get a good brand name power supply, a bad PS will ruin your life

[Cruez]

Thanks for the replies.... now to look for a DVD RW

One other question.... I have 2 HDDs in my old box, 30 and 40 gig, I am pretty sure they are 5400 rpm... (oops)

Would I notice a big difference by buying a new 7200 hdd?
besides the WD SE drives?