New parts and what is the importance of a good power supply?

[Octavian]

So I've been researching and following the advice of a Dutch (it must mean he's smart) friend. So with my $800 or so I'll be buying a new CPU, mobo, memory, graphics card and have been advised for another power supply (which leads me to my second question soon). Below is the old system.

1.7GHz Celeron
GeForce FX 5200 128MB
512MB SDRAM
Some Audigy card
Some Microsoft/Dell keyboard and mo
(Sis motherboard)

Below is the new parts which I hope to buy, mostly from an Australian site, but they're quite expensive.

CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (http://www.emagen.com.au/parts_info.php?sku=100901&SID=41e4df610245c62ccb28a2680f9d5107)

Mobo: ASUS A7N8X-E nForce 2 Deluxe (http://www.emagen.com.au/parts_info.php?sku=100612&SID=41e4df610245c62ccb28a2680f9d5107)

Memory: Haven't really decided which brand yet, either Corsair or Kingston.

GFX: Either this one Radeon 9600XT (http://www.emagen.com.au/parts_info.php?sku=101146&SID=41e4df610245c62ccb28a2680f9d5107) or this... Radeon 9800 Pro (http://www.emagen.com.au/parts_info.php?sku=101022&SID=41e4df610245c62ccb28a2680f9d5107)

Anyhow, what exactly does the power supply do other than powering the PC? How does it affect the components?

[Rbstr]

alll it does is power the PC, but if compentnets don't get enough voltage/watage/ampers they can't function, or function very well

[Nereid]

With that setup a 400 watt powersupply would work just fine. I wouldn't use anything below that though.

[Corrosion]

You have 800 to spend and you're getting a 2800+

Gimme a couple minutes and I'll post a killer rig for $800

[Corrosion]

Case (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-019&depa=1) - I don't know what case you'd like, so I just put the case I have right now
Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-148-002&depa=1) - 520 W, GREAT! I use the same one and it's freaking awesome
CD-RW/DVD-ROM (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-042&depa=1)
CPU (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-424&depa=1)
Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-107&depa=1)
RAM (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=20-141-423&DEPA=1)
Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-219&depa=1)
Video Card - Radeon 9600XT (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-242&depa=1)


Total (Before tax): $ 866.25
Shipping set to Califonia.

This is a great system, 64 bit processor with the best motherboard chipset out there.

[Octavian]

But Corrosion, I don't live in California. Unless of course you could buy it all for me.

[Corrosion]

But Corrosion, I don't live in California. Unless of course you could buy it all for me.
It doesn't matter, shipping is the same everywhere.
What state are you in?

[Octavian]

NSW: other side of the world.

[TekDragon]

Octavion, you consider building a pentium based system? Extremely reliable.

[Octavian]

Octavion, you consider building a pentium based system? Extremely reliable.

I've lived with Intel processors my entire life, same with NVIDIA chips. I just want to try and have a change.

[EineBeBoP]

I'm happier with my AMD system than I ever was with my P3 (THis is when It was brand new, and 850 Mhz was top of the line)

[TekDragon]

I've lived with Intel processors my entire life, same with NVIDIA chips. I just want to try and have a change.

Ok, well if you change your mind and decide to build a top of the line Pentium system that you can then overclock at a later time to KEEP it top of the line, contact me.

[Corrosion]

Ok, well if you change your mind and decide to build a top of the line Pentium system that you can then overclock at a later time to KEEP it top of the line, contact me.
You could do the same with AMD... and even have 64-bit.

[Octavian]

You could do the same with AMD... and even have 64-bit.

But the cheapest 64-bit AMD CPU I've seen is around $750.

[Corrosion]

But the cheapest 64-bit AMD CPU I've seen is around $750.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-424&depa=1

220$

[Octavian]

But Corr, I don't live in the US. Even if it shipped internationally, it's likely to be $220USD. I can't afford all that.

[TekDragon]

You could do the same with AMD... and even have 64-bit.

You wouldn't get hyperthreading, and what is the FSB on an AMD?

I wouldn't mind doing a system test comparison, Corrosion. My PC vs yours. I admit, mine doesn't have a l33t h4x0r window, but i know it'd win.

[TekDragon]

You could do the same with AMD... and even have 64-bit.

You wouldn't get hyperthreading, and what is the FSB on an AMD? I can sit here all day debating AMD vs Pentiums. Fact is Pentiums are the most reliable. You don't have to worry about your chip melting like AMD users do. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone, including myself, in both UMBC and Binghampton who builds PC's builds Pentium machines (at least those that aren't Mac fanatics).

The AMD users i've seen are the ones who bought the PC pre-built and who don't know squat about building PC's. Now, im not saying ALL AMD users are like that. But, from what i've seen, the people who know how hardware works go with Pentium based machines.

I wouldn't mind doing a system test comparison, Corrosion. My PC vs yours. I admit, mine doesn't have a l33t h4x0r window, but i know it'd win.

[Octavian]

Would better case fans stop it from overheating?

[TekDragon]

Yep. They used to say that you could save money buying an AMD, but you'd have to spend that money anyway on a uber cooling system. Since all serious PC builders know that the level of heat has a direct proportionality to the life of your hardware, most people choose to go with Pentium rigs when the word "reliable" pops up anywhere in the customer's wish list.

It's really all up to you man. With hyperthreading and the 800MHz FSB (easily overclocked to 1000MHz) I, personally, see no reason to go AMD until they get their act together. They've been beating the same drum for too long, and let Pentium surpass them in too many ways.

[TekDragon]

Oh, and someone up above suggested a 520 Watt power supply. That's complete crap. Unless your planning on hooking a refrigerator to your PC, you don't need that much. An Antec 430 Wat "True Power" PSU will do you fine for years to come. Just check the reviews on NewEgg for Antec reliability.

But who knows, maybe AMD's require that much power. Wouldn't suprise me. *rolleyes*

More likely though, the person just has 520W so they can power all the "cool" LED's and shit making his PC one big christmas tree.