Basic Hardware help, for teen on tight budget.

[Ruin]

As the topic obviously says, I'm a teen on atight budget trying to build myself a computer. I generally do a lot of heavy work in 3d graphic and 3d arts and play tons of games. I recently won a contest and sold something so I finally have enough cash tog et myself my own computer.

However, my experience with actual hardware is minimal. I need advice on the following parts for compatability and just general opinions on them. I've only got around $950 for a whole system from scratch. After pricing I've decided this is the cheaper way to go.

Anyway, enough rambling here are the parts I currently have:
Case: Raidmax Model 268WBP(BLACK/SILVER) 10-bay Case Retail $27
Motherboard: Asus VIA A7V333 KT333 Chipset ATX Motherboard Retail Boxed $94
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2200+/266 FSB Processor CPU - Retail Box $170
RAM: SimpleTech (Simple Technologies) 256MB DDR PC2100- OEM $42
Hard Drive: Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive 8MB $110
Floppy Drive: Generic $8
CD/DVD ROM: Still deciding Max: $75
Video Card: ATI RADEON 9500 PRO 128MB DDR DVI AGP $197
Speakers: Creative Labs Inspire 5.1 5200 - RETAIL $73

Total: -SEE BELOW-

Lacking:
Keyboard, Mouse, and Power Supply
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I know the RAM is small, but I already have two sticks I can use (one 256 and the other 64... thus the three slot Motherboard).

OS I already have, and the keyboard and mouse would be a present.

I really hope to get the most bang for my buck and want some knowledgable opinions.

Thanks in advance,

[lonewolfroger]

That MB don`t use PC133 ram, it uses DDR ram.

[OS-Wiz]

For some more ideas, go to the homepage here and go down the left side and click on value gaming system. Do you need a monitor? More later?

[Ruin]

Changed the RAM... can't believe I overlooked that.

I'll go ahead and check the main page. Yes, I probably will need one... unless I can bum one off someone I know.

I'm thinking no larger than 17".

[OS-Wiz]

Originally posted by OS-Wiz
For some more ideas, go to the homepage here and go down the left side and click on value gaming system. Do you need a monitor? More later?

You could find a mobo that uses SDRAM but DDR RAM will yield much better performance, especially if you're a gamer. I'll get back to you on some alternatives.

[Positron]

What about your OS? Do you use Windows 98/2K/XP or Linux?

If you use Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, I would recommend you to buy an additional 256 mb DDR ram. Your system will run much smoother with 512 MB DDR ram if you do a lot of artwork and play games.

[Ruin]

I have no ideas on where to begin with Monitors, but found this one:
Monitor: NEC/MITSUBISHI MultiSync FE770-BK 17" (BLACK) FLAT SCREEN MONITOR $148

As for RAM, I'm only cutting it small because I have an additional 320M at home that I can use. For a grand total of 578M.

My OS will be Win 98 (because I already own it) but if I have enough at the end, I'll go with Win XP Home Ed.

Current Total: $897

[AverageJoe]

Case: ANTEC SOLUTION SERIES Model# SLK2600AMB w/ANTEC SMART POWER 300W P4/AMD POWER SUPPLY ATX12V - RETAIL $56
Motherboard: Epox Motherboard for AMD Socket A Processors, model EP-8K5A2 Retail $79
Processor:A thlon XP 2100+/266 FSB Thorougbred Processor CPU 2100+/ 1.73GHz -OEM $93
HSF: COOLERMASTER DP5-7JD1B-0L CPU FAN SOCKET A/370 CPU $17
RAM: Samsung Original DDR333 PC-2700 256MB CAS2.5 - OEM Version $55
Hard Drive: Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive 8MB Model # 6Y080P0 $109
Floppy: SAMSUNG 1.44MB BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE Model# SFD321B/KEB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY $8
CD-RW: Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246SBlack OEM $58
Video Card: ATI OEM RADEON 9500 64MB DDR 8X AGP BULK $141
Speakers: Logitech Z640 5.1 Speaker - RETAIL $67
Monitor: NEC/MITSUBISHI MultiSync FE770-BK 17" (BLACK) FLAT SCREEN MONITOR - RETAIL $148
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 1 - OEM Full Version $93

TOTAL: $939

[Ruin]

Wow. Very nice.

The only things... I don't need a brand new OS. -$93
-I also am debating on Video Cards. My mind has been set on a GeForce4 Ti series for a while now, but after seeing it on another machine; I was not impressed.
-The motherboard you mention only has a 4x AGP slot, would it be better to go with the one I was shown (my original post) that has an 8x AGP?
-Will 300W be enough to support either of these systems? Or should I go with a 350W or 400W?

[ATacoGuy]

Go with the Radeon 9500. Performance is almost as good as a Ti4600 even though the price is about the same as a Ti4200. Check out the article on it. It should be on the front page.

[CadetLee]

A quality (ie Antec) 300w should run your system without any problems.

[Freakish]

jw, what are the specs on those other two sticks of ram???

[Ruin]

@ATacoGuy, I read the article. Very interesting. It's worth checking nito!

@CadetLee, thank you. Any idea how much this will run me?

@Freakish, I have no idea. The 64M came with the motherboard about 5 years ago, and the 256M was bought almost a year ago (not the cheapest, but not the most expensive).

---EDIT---
Changed the Video Cards. I'm convinced.

Current Total (using my specs in first post, monitor and new video card): $944

I'm pushing my limit.

[kidsony]

i bet the ram you have is sdram, not ddr. They are not interchangable

[Ruin]

Here's my current system, all updated (how's it look?) :
Case: Raidmax Model 268WBP(BLACK/SILVER) 10-bay Case Retail $27
Motherboard: Asus VIA A7V333 KT333 Chipset ATX Motherboard Retail Boxed $94
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2200+/266 FSB Processor CPU - Retail Box $170
RAM: SimpleTech (Simple Technologies) 256MB DDR PC2100- OEM $42 x2
Hard Drive: Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive 8MB $110
Floppy Drive: SAMSUNG 1.44MB BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE Model# SFD321B/KEB - OEM, DRIVE $8
CD/DVD ROM: Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246SBlack OEM $58
Video Card: ATI RADEON 9500 PRO 128MB DDR DVI AGP $197
Speakers: Creative Labs Inspire 5.1 5200 - RETAIL $73
Monitor: NEC/MITSUBISHI MultiSync FE770-BK 17" (BLACK) FLAT SCREEN MONITOR $148

Current Total: $979


---EDIT---

Just checked, my older RAM is SDR, not DDR. Crap, looks like I need to up it.

Changed price.