Need computer shopping advice

[Zao]

I'm in need of a new computer, and would like to get some advice about which components I should choose.

This is what I've decided to buy:
Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz Boxed PC800 - Socket PGA478, 512kB "Northwood"
2x TwinMOS PC3200 DDR-DIMM 512MB CL2
Chieftec Dragon Big Tower m/dörr silver - Kabinett m/360W DA-01SL-D P4 / AMD
Some random DVD drive
Some random CD-R drive

I'm intending to salvage these parts from my old box:
My trusty Parhelia 128MB
WD 160GB 8MB
WD 120GB 8MB
SB Live 5.1
SkyStar2 DVB-S

The big problem I have is to choose a motherboard for the new computer.
It should (obviously) support 3200 memory, PC800 P4 and optionally have a third and fourth IDE port.
Gigabit LAN is a bonus, but not required since I'm only on 10MBit internet.

My intended use is schoolwork, programming, fair amount of gaming, satellite data receiver.
I'm going to run Windows XP Pro or Windows 2003 along with Slackware.

I'm leaning towards a motherboard with I875 on, but I've got no idea which to use.

[Admiral]

Gigabyte GA-8KNXP and Asus P4C800 Deluxe if you want the extra IDE ports and gigabyte LAN.
Gigabyte's slow with the bios updates/fixes (which mainly involve dual-channel problems) for Canterwood so I'd say get Asus, unless you're interested in the serial ATA Raid Gigabyte has (ICH5R vs ICH5).
Also think you should consider a more powerful PSU.

[dZeus]

Asus doesn't do CSA on their i865/875 line of boards afaik

[ayoub_ibrahim]

Originally posted by dZeus
Asus doesn't do CSA on their i865/875 line of boards afaik

the new p4c800-E deluxe does!

[Zao]

This is a P4C800 Deluxe:

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/k.asp?ck=1&r=1&action=info&p=34438&AvdID=1&CatID=10

There are no '-E' on it, is it the same?

[Admiral]

The E also seems to have an ICH5R southbridge beside the CSA LAN thing.
this is the E on that site

edit: ordering online from the UK, can't you find it in Sweden ?

[Gurm]

Watch out for the WD drives. Make sure wherever you get them from has a REALLY good return policy, because their build quality is EXTREMELY sketchy.

I've had TWO bad 120GB 8MB drives, which is NOT a good track record.

- Gurm

[bsdgeek]

They're very loud too.

[Zao]

Gurm, bsdgeek: I'm running three WD drives in my current computer, and they aren't that loud.
Haven't broken down yet either.

Admiral: I use komplett.se, but I thought I'd link the english version here, for those of you who aren't fluent in Swedish.

Strange, the board is in their sortiment, but is not listed in the motherboard listings...

[bsdgeek]

It's relative to everything else, for me they are loud because everything else is almost silent. Compared to Seagate or Samsung (even Hitachi/IBM) they aren't quiet.

I don't know what to say about the reliability though.

That said, if they don't bother you, I suppose it doesn't matter.

[Dr Mordrid]

Just avoid the 7205 Granite Bay and 7505 chipsets. Both have serious AGP issues you don't want to deal with.

Dr. Mordrid

[Admiral]

Originally posted by Zao

Admiral: I use komplett.se, but I thought I'd link the english version here, for those of you who aren't fluent in Swedish.

Strange, the board is in their sortiment, but is not listed in the motherboard listings...

On the UK site it is, with an unconfirmed stock starting 25th of this month. On the Swedish site (and going blindly there) only the P4C800 and P4C800 Deluxe seem to be listed.

[Zao]

If I take that link and change .co.uk to .se, it's listed as unconfirmed on 25/7 there too.

It'll probably fix itself until I'm placing my order.

[Admiral]

Just a thought (since there's a thread on this subject going on right now), maybe you should wait another month or so for Prescott compatible motherboards if you plan to sit on this motherboard and only upgrade CPU in the next 18 months.

[Zao]

That sounds like a reasonable idea.

I'm not going to really need the new computer until the beginning of September, when I go to Uni.