Computer Components

Hello, im making a new computer for my family and ive selected the following components. Anyone here know whether they will work together or whether im getting ripped off etc? Thanks for any advice.
Here are the components:

MotherBoard SoA VIA KT400 ATX A = ?43.51
dabs.com/uk/channels/compone … klinx=285V

Processor Athlon XP 2500+ 1.83GHz 512Kb SoA Box = ?57.50
dabs.com/uk/channels/compone … milyid=183

Fan Silent Boost for XP upto 3400+ = ?14.99
dabs.com/uk/channels/compone … klinx=2RSQ

Ram 512MB 184Pin DIMM PC2700 DDR RAM Non-Parity CL2.5 = ?67.50
dabs.com/uk/channels/compone … klinx=28PJ

Graphics Card2 Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB DDR AGP RP DVI VO = ?159.99
dabs.com/uk/channels/compone … milyid=186

Total Cost = ?343.49

Thanks,
Jameth

It might be cause you named the prices in punds but I think that’s kindda cheap for such quality products.

I think all those components should work together, although don’t quote me on that. You seem to have selected a good selection of parts, from what I can see. I’m not entirely sure about the motherboard, but that’s because I don’t know much about them.

By the way, I assume you’ve already got the hard drive, power supply, case, and other assessories?

Before you build computers for other people build a few cheap ones for yourself to get used to technology. You should also read one of the many books about building PCs.

Homebuilt computers often have problems. I’m not sure why but it seems my geeky friends who build their own computers are always having problems in with things. This is going to sound very un-nerdy but you should probably just get a Dell or something, unless your family won’t mind if the motherboard short circuts or the HDD randomly corrupts or something similar. Also, Pentium 4’s are better than Athlon XPs, unless you want your computer to double as an “Easy Bake Oven”. They can be overclocked but get pretty toasty and fans can suck up a lot of juice, plus the noice gets bothersome.

Im one of the geeky people who has built a few computers before I usually have loads of problems with the components at first but after sending them back a couple of times the PCs have been allways been stable.
I would get a P4 for this one but they are expensive and my family have a limit of ?350 for the upgrade. My own computer is a P4 2.5GHz but i have a crappy graphics card so it isnt that great for games.
These components are an upgrade for my family’s PC and they wouldnt want to overclock it at all. Im hoping the atlhon will be reliable non overclocked. Im using all the other components from their previous computer which should be ok, Athlons dont require a special power supply like P4s do they?

[quote=“Dopefish”]Before you build computers for other people build a few cheap ones for yourself to get used to technology. You should also read one of the many books about building PCs.

Homebuilt computers often have problems. I’m not sure why but it seems my geeky friends who build their own computers are always having problems in with things. This is going to sound very un-nerdy but you should probably just get a Dell or something, unless your family won’t mind if the motherboard short circuts or the HDD randomly corrupts or something similar.[/quote]

On the other hand, my cousin, who had never built a computer before in his life, spent about $1600 US building himself a monster of a machine. And the thing ran beautifully. It’s downright staggering the amount of money you can save building your own computer rather than ordering one from Dell. I shudder to think what that thing would’ve cost if he’d bought it from Alienware or somesuch.

Which, actually, brings me to the way he went about doing it. He basically went to Alienware or VoodooPC and went through the entire design process right up to before you actually pay, then he copied down all the components and shopped around until he got good prices. That way he was sure to get stuff that went together correctly, and was generally high quality. It seems to have worked.

When i first made a computer 6 years ago you could save half price by building it yourself, i saved ?1000! Not as good these days but you can still save a fair bit.

Doh I noticed a conflict in my components, the motherboard doesnt support a 512 kb cache, anyone know how serious this problem is?