two question about computer congfiguring

[ajg126]

im configuring my computer on cyberpowersystem.com and ran into two questions.

First, I dont really know much about operating systems and was curious as to whether or not i could customize a computer without an operating system and then install windows 2000 form a disk i have at home. the same question applies to office suites, do i have to have it included in the PC i customize or can i just install microsoft office 2000 from a disk at home.

Next- if i get a computer with a barton 2500+ processor and ASUS A7NX deluxe motherboard, can i run two sticks of 256 mb PC3200 ram? From what i undertsand PC3200 ram is like 400 MHZ but barton 2500+ CPu runs at 333 MHz Fsb i think.

Any help is greatly appreciated

[SSJChrono]

well les start with the os. IF the OS is a full install, rather than an upgrade yes, just put the disc in and install. IF not you have to buy a OS. but fuck M$, find a illegal version.

Now for the ram. That board supports dual channel so YES buy 2 sticks of 3200... matter of fact you cant get high enough ram. If you were an enthusiest (which you obviously not, no offence) i would suggest 4200, GOD i wish they had 6000+. I cant get high enough ram. Anyway. The bartons have a FSB of 200x2... i say that cause 400 is really the system bus, and the RAM will run at a divider of 1:1 if you get 3200. That means it will run at the same speed of the FSB. If the FSB is lower it will run at 3:2 err well 4:5. since the Ram is faster, (if that is even possible). Otherwise it will just default to 333 and run 1:1. But Barton has a 200x2=400FSB. PC3200 has a speed of 400. SO yeah it works.

[ajg126]

thanks for your help chrono. I have install discs for windows 2000 and keys (its all legal btw too =) ). i custom built a computer on cyberpowersystems.com i know i could prolly make one cheaper, but i havent built a comp before and none of my frineds know how so i didnt want to worry about it. This is the configuration i have and if anyone could give me any comments that would be greatly appreciated.


CABLE: NONE
CAS: ASPIRE X-DREAMER CASE 350 WATT W/ WINDOW (BLACK COLOR)
CASUPGRADE: NONE
CD: 16X DVD ROM (BEIGE COLOR)
CDRW: NONE [-30]
CPU: AMD™ Athlon™ XP-2500+ Processor [Barton 512K L2 Cache] [+519]
FAN: AMD CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK
FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 6in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BEIGE COLOR)
FLOPPY: NONE [-5]
HDD: 40GB 7200 RPM ATA 100 HARD DRIVE [-9]
HDD2: NONE
IEEE_CARD: NONE
KEYBOARD: PS2 MULTIMEDIA INTERNET CONTROL KEYBOARD (WHITE COLOR)
MEMORY: 512 MB (256MBx2) PC3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR MEMORY [+44]
METER: NONE
MONITOR: NONE
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS A7N8X-DX (DELUXE) nVidia nForce-2 ULTRA 400 FSB 8X AGP [+63]
MOUSE: PS2 INTERNET MOUSE W/ WHEEL (BLACK COLOR)
NETWORK: PCI 32 BIT 10/100 NETWORK CARD [+9]
OS: NONE OS - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
PRICE: (+666)
RUSH: NO; SHIP OUT IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY PLUS ONE-YEAR ONSITE SERVICE
SOFT1: NONE
SOFT2: NONE
SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD
SPEAKERS: NONE [-5]
TEMP: NONE [AS SHOWN]
VIDEO: ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB DDR AGP 8X W/ TV-OUT & DVI [+80]
VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
WIRELESSCARD: NONE
WIRELESSPOINT: NONE
ZIP: NONE


Also if im forgetting something important please let me know!

[Lesalius]

Just a few small things:

You might want speakers unless you have good ones from your old system.

Make your drive color, keyboard color ect. black so it matches with your computer. (Just nitpicking you don't have to do it)

You have to add the monitor to the cart seperately. Make sure you do that unless your using the monitor from the old system.

[SSJChrono]

looks good, are they gonna put it together for you?
You dont need that network card, the mobo SHOULD have it on board.
That case is sweet, good choice.
I take it you have a monitor.
40gigs isnt alot of space... i would suggest at least 80. You WILL see your space go by fast. I think FFXI alone is 5gig. Pluss i think you got cable... I assume you got some sort of broadband, so you may be dwnloading shiznich like crazy mad. Also get SATA, you may have to also buy a power adatper for the SATA drive, but that mobo supports SATA its HELLA fast. make sure you start out on the promise controller (if you dont know anything about it dont worry)

Speaking of Broadband. Get a router. IT IS A MUST! Ok well i know im a damn hypocrite for saying so (i dont have one) BUT i really really really need one..... Its the best way to protect against hackers and such. Also if you have multiple computers you may want to get a hub, depending on what router you got. (if there are enough ports on the router, or if you need more room or things like that)

i think i see the price as 666.... change that price now!!! lol jk
but thats preatty good start. You should have fun with it.

[ajg126]

haha thanks for you help. yeah i changed the price so its not 666 anymore, i dont want any crazy accidents during delivery =). o and im guessing that by SATA you mean serial ATA hardrive. I dont reall know what that is but its one of the options. Could you provide any more info about what it is/does? Thanks again for all your help. If any of you are on the cerberus server let me know. I may not know a lot about computers but i do know a lot about ffxi and im sure i could make it up to you somehow

[SSJChrono]

serial ata is a a new way of HDD connectivity. Its faster 150mb/s compared to ATA's max of 133mb/s. Thats all. Oh i guess smaller cables and different power. Its good for RAID aswell (or at least all the mobos have em now).