Building a computer... need some advice

[hoopkidups]

Hi everyone,
I've been reading a lot of references, and have built up enough courage to try to build a computer. I've decided that I'd stick to Newegg.com, since I have read excellent reviews about it. So now I'm faced with the difficult task of picking out the right components.
The biggest thing I'm stuck on is the Processor. My first pick was a Pentium 4 2.8 GHz, but now I'm finding out how much of a better bang for it's buck an Athlon XP is.
I'm also not quite sure what kind of a motherboard I need.
Finally, I can't pick out the right video card. I want a card that will be a strong gamer, but under $100.
Basically, I want the best gaming components I can get for under $700, not including the monitor.
I'd really apreciate some advice on good system components to fit my needs!
Thanks!

 

[mobo]

For gaming yes the athalon xp 2500 chip would be the best bang for the buck and the board you need for that would be a socket A.

 

[Wet Chicken]

I'm also not quite sure what kind of a motherboard I need. Finally, I can't pick out the right video card.

Gigabyte has some incredible new motherboards out ! For the video I would spend a little bit more on the video card than only 100.00, especially since you are going to use it for gaming! I wouldn't get anything less than a ATI 9700, and a 9800 Pro if you can swing it. Truly mind blowing video cards!

 

[Macadonious]

mobo is right. If however you want to do more and expand your computer later on, i would suggest a Intel processor. I am personally parsial to the Asus family as far as mobo goes. The video card I would recommend it the ATI Readeon 9000 Pro 128MB. I think you can pick it up now for under 100 dollars. Out of all this, I suggest putting more money on memory. Try to get the most you can and make your computer duel chanel if you get 2 stick or more

 

[Triple6]

For Video get a 9500 or higher ATI card, anything under that will not do you very well with the newest Games. If you like Nvidia then a FX5700 or better is what you need.

For motherboards I recommend ASUS, MSI, or ABIT. Athlon XP's are indeed good bang for the buck. Get a 2500 Barton or better though.

 

[Macadonious]

Triple is right. If you have the money, 9500 is the way to go.

Triple, I noticed that you have a RAID 0 with 2 hard drives. Why? Why do you not make them a RAID 5 and make it a fault tolerant system?

 

[Triple6]

The motherboard only supports RAID 0 or 1, backup isn't that important to me as I use DVD's for external backup and wipe my system every few months anyway.

 

[crjdriver]

This video card is $129 from newegg. If you go with a lesser quality card, you will not be happy at the gaming performance. As for mb, I like Epox, Asus, Abit, or Soltek [although newegg has been out of stock on Soltek for a while now] Look at what features you want then decide what board to get.

 

[hoopkidups]

Thanks for all your advice!

 

[Macadonious]

The motherboard only supports RAID 0 or 1, backup isn't that important to me as I use DVD's for external backup and wipe my system every few months anyway.

Makes sence...Have one more question though. How did you overclock your Kingston memory? I am only running 400MHz on my duel channel

 

[hoopkidups]

I kinda like a card with a bunch of games included, pretty dumb, but If there are any cards that don't have terrible prices cuz of the bundled software, I'd appreciate your help

 

[Wet Chicken]

ATI cards come with a ton of stuff...

 

[hoopkidups]

How's this for a card?
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-125-129&depa=0

 

[Wet Chicken]

That board is fair, better than the others listed above, but for only a few bucks more you could get THIS board, and I guarantee you that it would blow the doors off of any other mobo on their site (except the GA-8KNXP Ultra)


.

 

[hoopkidups]

Wow! That's a pretty wicked motherboard! Hard to turn it down
Actually, when I posted the link, I meant it to direct you to a video card I found, but I think I just fixed that...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-125-129&depa=0&section=3