what to do w/ this hardware

[galonzo]

here are the specs so far:
AMD athlon XP2200+ CPU
gigabyte k7 triton series GA-7VA-C mobo
kingston 256MB PC2100 DDR ram
G4 ti4200 64MB vid card(only need DX8.1, cheap)
rounded IDE and FDD cables
prob same HDD, burner
so far, $360 US for new parts
prob about $100 more to spend. any suggestions? DVD? sell it and start over?

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/alonzofam/newcompsmall.jpg

[GSDragoon]

MORE RAM. It's dirt cheap right now. I got 256 MB Crucial RAM from newegg for only $30 with free shipping. http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=20-145-001&DEPA=1

www.svc.com has tons of cheap acessories for your comp. LED fans would light up the case more.

You could also straighten up the power cords on your comp. Get the out of the way. I put mine above the top CD ROM drive, or somewhere that's empty that won't get in the way of airflow or viewing.

[galonzo]

cool! thanks for the tips:)
(those cords will be out of the way when I put some drives in there:))

[GSDragoon]

Ok, because the look like crap there. There might be some people in here that think you should sell the GF4 and get a 9500 instead. Unless you like AA or need a DX9 card, I see no reason right now. My GF4 runs games great still.

[Galway no Sora]

Almost same as [FF]Dragoon, I suggest you to get 512MB of RAM at least PC2700 CL2 [333MHz]. If you want to go to DVD, I suggest 2 brands : Pionner or LiteOn. Its up to you, choose one that you like. Pionner have more name, and also higher price, meanwhile LiteOn newer but received many rewards and ... cheap :p

[GSDragoon]

The RAM i gave a link for is 6ns. aka pc2700. It runs ok at 166MHZ for me. But it won't make much of a difference since your 2200+ CPU runs at 266MHz FSB. HE already has 256MB of 266, he should just get more 266 then.

[galonzo]

yeah, the mobo says it will only support up to PC2100/DDR266 :(

[GSDragoon]

It's a KT333 chipset. That would be a typo. It supports 333MHz FSB on the CPU and RAM.

http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-7VA-C.htm

[zerocopy]

get a writer, a kick@ss speaker set, get the logitech z-640 it's way below the 100 dollar price range then you'll have enough spare for the writer.

[galonzo]

It supports 333MHz FSB on the CPU and RAM
damn it! oh well, I found that 256MB ram for only $20US on amazon, and I was planning on using my pc133 for now, until I got the mobo and realized I couldn't:((more research next time I guess, I was also going to try and use my V5, but the mobo has AGP 4x slot, that's why I suggested selling it and starting over:))

get a writer
I also put I am using my old drives (in my sig), more money to spend:)

[GSDragoon]

LiteON has a good cheap burner. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-106-185

Since you don't have a sound card for surround sound speakers, so get a set of good 2.1 speakers. I got these Rock 2001 speakers. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=36-153-002 For the price their very good. They go louder that what i'm aloud to blast then here at home. The sub is loud, if you like that. There is also a bass control on them. Like the reviews say, they are very good for the money. And the blue LED on the sub is bright.

For ~$100 get more RAM, a burner, and make sure you have decent speakers. You should be all set then.

EDIT: One more thing, I hope you have a laser mouse. Their soooo much better than a stupid ball. Laser mice are cheap too. Shouldn't cost more than $20.

[Galway no Sora]

If KT333 my suggestion would not be wrong isn't ? PC2700 = 333MHz.

[GSDragoon]

Yeah, pc2100=266mhz, pc2700=333mhz and pc3200=400mhz.

My mobo also had a typo saying it only supports 266mhz fbs. NewEgg needs to fix thoes errors.

[Galway no Sora]

Yeah, pc2100=266mhz, pc2700=333mhz and pc3200=400mhz.
PC3500=434MHz, PC3700=466MHz <-- the newest, as I know OCZ have it.

My mobo also had a typo saying it only supports 266mhz fbs. NewEgg needs to fix thoes errors
Wrong information always suxxx :p

[galonzo]

Since you don't have a sound card for surround sound speakers, so get a set of good 2.1 speakers.
oh, forgot to mention, I already have 2 cambridge satellites w/ sub. Plus, I can use my SBLive! value(in my sig and profile), unless the onboard 6 channel (seen here: http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard...ts_GA-7VA-C.htm )is too crappy or something?
aka pc2700. It runs ok at 166MHZ for me. But it won't make much of a difference since your 2200+ CPU runs at 266MHz FSB
so if I were to go w/ pc2700 ram over the pc2100 i already have, will I be able to run the pc2700 @ a different speed than the fsb? or will I not see a difference anyway?

[Galway no Sora]

Well, when motherboard+processor+ram match its requirements to same FSB, it will revealed its true power/speed.

[galonzo]

so I think you're saying to just stick w/ my pc2100 (and get some more) until I upgrade my CPU to a 333fsb then?

[Chinoz]

Get at least 512ram, a 9500pro/9600pro, decent sound card (sblive 5.1 or audigy) and sweet speaks (atp3, atp5, am4100, 251)

[GSDragoon]

I would say just get 256mb more of 266mhz. The soundblaster live is better than the onboard. Thoes cards tend to cause problems with older VIA mobo's. It shouldn't cause you any problems with the newest drivers. But if you hear and poping or cracking, like I did on my KT333, then try switching it to anyother PCI slot. Doing that cleared up my problems. Your speakers you have should be ok too.

[galonzo]

well [FF]Dragoon, you have been very helpful and I thank you;) 256MB more of pc2100 it is then, and I guess I'll just put the rest in a fund for the CPU upgrade:)