new to p4... suggestions

[The Terk]

With tax return season coming, i will be building a new computer system, this time trying out a pentium based system because i have never used/built one due to extreme expense! so here it is... comments are greatly accepted

Proc: P4 2.4Ghz C (many good reviews)
Mobo: Abit IS7
RAM: Corsair XMS 256mb PC400 w/ heatspreaders
Video: ATI 9600XT (comes w/ HL2!)
HDD: Maxtor 80gig 8mb SATA

like i said i am new to some of this technology because i am used to buildin amd systems.
Also, do i need to buy any extra converters or power things for the hdd? will the setup be much different than an amd? Once again, advise is greatly accepted!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

[XxCowOfChaosxX]

get the 2.6c p4, its usually cheaper than the 2.4c
also, the amount of RAM is a little on the skimpy side...512m or 1g should be better(and i think u mean pc-3200)
the SATA thing depends if ur power supply has sata connectors, if not, ull need a converter
and the setup should be about the same except for the hsf installation

[slinky]

What video card did you have in your previous system? If it's a Ti4200 or around you should keep it for that P4 system until February when new cards come out.

[dr_roberts49]

Looks like the same system I put together about 3 months ago. Awesome system. I'm VERY happy with mine. Not a single problem in building. No problems in operation. Very stable.

Robert

[John Prophet]

Have you already bought the parts?

Just asking cuz of the issue of "PAT"..wherein the 865 chipsets can be made to have the performance of the 875 chipsets. Im not sure if the particular abit board you listed can do "PAT" or not.

an article about PAT

[The Terk]

slinky: i am running a sapphire 9500np (no softmod :-( ) i just heard the 9600xt is a very nice card for the money, suggestions around the $200 range?
JP: i have heard of this "PAT" stuff from toms hardware guide, and no i havent bought the system yet, not enough money in the account just yet should i go with an asus that has PAT? any specific board?
CoC: i am purchasing all my parts from newegg.com simply because they are very reliable (to me atleast) so they OC at around the same? a couple bucks never killed a man (or did it?)*EDIT:also i dont need too much RAM, no video editing or anything, so spendin another 200 dollars doesnt seem feasable right now

thank you all for the input, keep it coming!

[slinky]

Well, i'm not sure if you're the diehard ATi fan or not but the best bang for the buck is currently the 128MB 5900 non-ultra ($192). Some $199 models have VIVO too. That's the whole reason why i suggested for you to wait. By the time HL2 is out, you will probably want to upgrade again. The Sapphire 9500 np is a good card to hold on to for the time being.