New computer on horizon! Brand suggestions

[Datheus]

It's that time again ^_^

 

I think I'm gonna be getting a new rig...

 

I like to list stuff... so this is the hardware I need... I feel like I'm forgeting something... maybe someone will see that...

 

Motherboard

Processor

RAM

HDD

FDD

CD Drive

CD RW Drive

Video card

Sound card

NIC

Monitor

 

But yea... The main idea here is for you guys to throw some brands at me for all the hardware I listed up there (or for other hardware I forgot)... I've never actually built a computer from scratch (although I've taken this rig apart and put it back together so much, I can totally dissemble it and put it back together within 30 minutes...) So due to my inexperience as far as buying the actual goods... I need some suggestions and links

 

I've heard Creative Labs is the ONLY sound card worth buying, and that Asus and Abit are the best motherboards around...

 

I've heard different things about the GeForce4... does it live up to the hype or what?

 

etc etc.. crap like that

[BCanr2d2]

Well, it really depends on how much you are prepared to spend.....

 

As for the Graphics card, if you wait for the Geforce FX to come out, a Geforce 4 Ti 4200 will be very good bang for your buck. It will no doubt drop in price with the FX forcing the older cards to at least drop a little.

 

I believe the Audigy 2 is un paralled, but that it also expensive. The Audigy and Hercules Gametheatre XP are very similar. I have a Gametheatre, sounds awesome, has digital in and out, and with drivers, supports up to 7.1 surround sound. If you need a cheaper option than the Audigy 2, then the XP is another bang for your buck card..

 

As for CD-RW drive, I think it is LG that uses the Plextor drives rebadged, someone verify that for me, which means that it'd burn very, very well. Make sure to get one that has a buffer under run protection feature, so that you can never really make coasters.