building a new pc

Hello,
The last PC I built was (is) a Plll 800, with a AX63Pro MB. VooDoo 5500AGP Vid card. 512 MBRAM, SBLive sound.
It is not exactly ancient. But I thought I would build a new one, piece by piece. I can't afford to go out and pick up all at one time.
Before the last PC, I built a 233MMX. So, you can kinda see how long I go before I put a new one togeather.
What I am writting about is all the new memory, processore M/B's, and Vid cards.
I couldn't believe how far I am behind in things. Especially memory and MB's.
The vid cards/sound I am not real worried about, I aready have an idea on what I want. I would have stuck with VooDoo if they didn't go down the tubes.
So, does anyone know of some goos articles on memory / MB's and processore, picking up where I seem to have stalled in time.
I have a fair knowledge, but still get lost in some of the tech jargon. So, simple is best.
I would also appreciat anyones advice on what they believe to be the better of ways to go. Which type of memory. For instance, Wern't the P4's made with a particular typ of memory in mind?
Thanks for any help.

peace be with you

 

Opinion...... A computer is like a car.... how fast ya wanna go is dependant on how much ya want to spend
'
I recently built my new machine... I did some heavy reading, and it ~seemed~ alot of the big wheels were aiming at overclockers and so forth. I could care less about overclocking.... I mean for $20 more you can ususally buy the next higher processor.....but at any rate, I set out on my quest for a nice solid/stable machine. I wound up going with a ECS motherboard <now made by Amptron... I know, sounds scary, but I was really surprised>.
My system cost me around $500.... tax , tag, and title

I just stand in awe sometimes when I go to the retqail stores and see the kind of money people pay for a computer that is even "last years" top of the line.... let alone what is top now...
feel free to check mine out at http://black85.oldsgmail.com/newsystem.htm ... I have been very happy with my system... rock solid stable, networked, got it all.
Just some input.... I just am beginning to see that namebrand is ~sometimes~ just paying for the name.... was always an ASUS fan....... the ASUS board comperable to this one 2was like $150... this one sells all day long for $70......
Later,

 

Hi spookn,
If you haven't followed the advances of the last 12-18 mos. it certainly can be confusing. Here are a few pointers.

The original P4 "Willamette" is 423 pin package w/ 256KB of L2 cache. Used on a mobo w/ an Intel i850 chipset, it was compatible only with Rambus' RDRAM.

Then came the P4 socket478 version which will not work on the older mobos. The ealier mobos with Intel's i845 chipset for this processor support only SDRAM. The newer boards (since January) support DDR and in some cases either DDR or SDRAM.

The most recent P4 is the "Northwood ". L2 cache is increased to 512KB. Still socket478. The official release was for 2.0 and 2.2Ghz cpus but there are 1.8 and 1.6 parts available at much more reasonable prices.

Further, there are a number of other chipset mfgrs. i.e. VIA, SIS, ALi, et. al., that are producing for the P4 socket478.

AMD can be even more confusing but just a couple of points.

When selecting a mobo avoid one with a VIA chipset that does not end with an "A ", e.g. KT133 vs KT133A. The Athlon XP's have been designated with a "pr" (performance rating) number. So the number after the "XP" is not the speed of the cpu.

There are a number of good hardware review sites. One of my favorites is http://www.overclockers.com
if you go there check their links for additional sites.

Tin

 

thanks

Thanks guys,
Both are great replies. Actually, when put togeather, they are the perfect response.
I have to keep money in mind, and I agree, the cost diff is amazing. What you put in to a couple paragraphs would have taken me a lot longer to sort out.

I had went back to school for awhile. But as soon as I finished I had to go on chemo. Its really frightening how fast things change in PC's, in such a short time.
I will check out the sites . I have quite a few good ones. u can never have to manyPC sites. But I have learned that peoples opinions mean a whole lot.
thnks again
peace be with you