Im thinking about building a new PC...

[DMJohn0X]

I think imma build a new PC with these parts:

Monitor: $136

ViewSonic E70f 17" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor RETAIL:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=24-116-169R&depa=99

MotherBoard: $116

GIGABYTE nForce3 150 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-200&depa=0

Processor: $165

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor :
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-424R&depa=0

RAM: $87

Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 8T - OEM:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-541R&type=Refurbish

KRETON 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail: $87
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-207-014R&depa=99

Case: $50

POWMAX DEMON Black Mid Tower ATX Case, Model "CPDEM-1" -RETAIL:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-145-025&depa=0

PowerSuply: $32

POWMAX Demon 580W Power Supply, Model "PSDE580" -RETAIL:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-018&depa=0

I already have 2 DVD+/-R Drives and 2 60gb HDDs.

[Element]

Try to get matching ram sticks. That is a kick ass PSU for $32. :D

[DMJohn0X]

Oh, I am, im going with the second one. I only kept the other link becuase I wasnt so sure which one I wanted. Ive also Decided on a Better and Cheaper Monitor that is Black (Matches my Case) for $105 and Im gonna go ahead and get a new vid card, Radeon 9600XT 256mb DDR for $160.

[Bobert]

I can't seem to find the power supplies output at operating temperatures. And I can't find any reviews on it as it seems really cheap for what you get. I bought a high quality 480 watt PSU for more than that...

[bojangles]

Try to get matching sticks of ram, dual channel. Also, try and go for the nForce 250 mobo. Ahh yes, and if you want better performance from your vid card get the 128mb version. GeXcube preferrably.

[Samuel]

Element, bojanges, do you or have you run dual sticks (Hitting the 800mghz bus speeds) before to recommend it? I am running at 400 on the buss with a pentium 4 and considering double the ram to hit the 800 but not sure its worth it.

[bojangles]

im pretty sure you don't have to, although have dual channel ram offers optimal performance, as they work in sync with eachother. but as far as i know, any sticks of ram that each 800mhz will do exactly that.

[Samuel]

Can you retype your reply? I'm having trouble understanding it.

[Grandmaster]

Anysticks of ram with the front side buss of 800mhz, will run at 800mhz is what i beleive he said.

[Bobert]

No DDR runs at 800mhz. What happens with dual channel ram, and it does work best in identical pairs, is that a single larger channel is split into two smaller channels (6.4gbps -> 3.2gbps) and sent out to two ram banks. DDR400 actually runs at 200mhz, but it is Double Data Rate (hence DDR) and transmits on both the rise and fall of the clock cycle. The only Ram that I know of that runs that fast would be RDRAM, and it's not really supported by anyone other than SIS right now...

[White Rabbitt]

so the 400mhz PC3700 is simulated?

DDR 2 (new ram) supports 800mhz or so I've heard (so what, 400 mhz a side?) So there is 800 mhz DDR, technically

[Element]

Samuel, Are you running RDRAM or DDR?

Dual channel works differently on Intel systems then it does on AMD systems.
Dual channel DDR on an AMD system just means one control reads and writes while the other gets ready for the next thing. Preformane increase is like 1-2% if any. Good for multi-tasking.
Dual channel RDRAM on an Intel system delivers twice the memory bandwidth (3.2GB > 6.2GB).

White Rabbitt:
All DDR is 2x???Mhz. Thats why its called Double Data Rate.
PC2100 2x133Mhz = 266Mhz, PC2700 2x166Mhz = 333Mhz, PC3200 2x200Mhz = 400Mhz, PC4500 2x283Mhz = 566Mhz.
Fastest DDR is PC4500 (DDR566).

[Bobert]

Actually the fastest DDR2 I've heard of that's avaible is 667 mhz. PC3700 DDR runs at 466mhz. Remember, the number after PC is the rams bandwidth, and is twice as much when running in dual channel mode.
Oh, and GDDR3 (for graphics cards only) has clock speeds over 1.2 ghz.