A64 Venice System Build for school

[MikhailT]

My 2 year old pc finally died and long story short, i need to bulid a new system for next year.
I have been busy at college and I couldn't keep up with the pc hardware world. So I'm asking you guys to help me out with this.

I do a lot of coding, photoshop and especially gaming. So consider those as my needs for this build.
The budget is around 500-1000 bucks.



Stuff I am going to slavage from the old system,
1. 3 western digital hdds, so i dont need any hdds, (maybe 74 raptor if budget lets me)
2. 3 sticks of ram, 2x256mb Corsair XMS TwinX 3200LL + 512mb Corsair XMS 3200LL
3. first gen Antec 550watt trupower
4. dvd burner, so dont need any optical drives
5. Antec P160 case

New System parts(where you guys come in)

1. Definitely Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego Rev E core [$315.00 at Monarch]
2. Zalman CNPS7700B-ALCU for cpu[$45.99 at newegg]
3. MSI K8N NEO4 Platinum Non-SLI[$137.00 at Monarch]
4. MSI Radeon X800XL 256mb Dual DVI Retail[$289.99 at newegg]

[Total =850(including shipping/tax)]

Questions about the parts
1. I can run 3x sticks of ram at 400mhz on the msi board with 3700+ Rev E core, right?

2. Is this Zalman HSF good and cool enough for gaming and full time use?(im talking 24x7 operations) or does anybody recommand a better hsf? I want quietness but not too quiet to the point where my cpu gets too hot at full load(which could be 24x7)

3. Anybody heard any extra things that you have to do to get zalman installed on the mobo(im talking like if the msi board comes with glued backplate or if ram stick is in the way of huge hsf)

4. Reason for the MSI is because I might get another 2005fpw monitor for dual screens. I also perfer ATi cards as i am a huge fan of their cards. Don't know if you guys know any other X800xl cards with dual dvi under 350 bucks. (I will sell 9800pro card on ebay after the build is done)


oh btw, im planning to get both cpu/mobo as a combo order from MonarchComputer.com

[update3: replaced powercooler with msi video card, 7700alcu] thanks to all who responded to my thread, you all have been very helpful!

 

[imported_Kensai]

1: Yes
2: Zalman 7700Cu
3: You'll need a screwdriver to crank the backplane off or something else.
4: MSI has one.

 

[SlitheryDee]

1. Yes
2. Yes (the stock fan that comes with that retail processor would be fine if you're not overclocking)
3. I haven't the slightest.
4. What about this?

 

[SrGuapo]

1. yep...

2. The Zalman is a good quiet cooler. It probably won't be too muich cooler than the stock however. If you don't plan on OCing, the stock should be fine. If you do OC, I may have to recommend a different HGSF, such as the xp-90, but I have nbo experience with the zalman.

3. Just check the MSI and zalman sites to see if they are supported. I would assume so, but it may take a bit of nail polish remover to get the mounting mechanism off...

4. The x800xl is the best card for around $300. I wouldn't pay $350 for it as that is getting into 6800gt range (which is slightly better in everything except HL2). I would try to find a good deal or another brand.

Edit: That MSI is a much better deal. I haven't any idea about MSI quality is graphics cards, but it is actually at the MSRP of the card, so you can't complain. If you check a few more sites (zzf, mwave, monarch, etc.) you may be able to find better deals on better brands.

 

[theMan]

1. definately
2. if you overclock, i would suggest a thermalright xp-120. if not, stick with stock, or get an xp-90

 

[MikhailT]

Thanks for the replies, didnt expect to get so much in a few sec. I keep forgetting how much people hang out at Anand.
is stock hsf as quiet at the zalman?

 

[MDE]

I'd get the 7000B-AlCu or the 7700-AlCu because the 7700Cu is ridiculously heavy. I'm running a Winchester 3000+ @ 2.5GHz (1.5V) with a 7000A-AlCu and it's hovering around 45C at full load (I run Folding@Home 24\7) with the fan turned down a bit.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: MikhailT
Thanks for the replies, didnt expect to get so much in a few sec. I keep forgetting how much people hang out at Anand.
is stock hsf as quiet at the zalman?

With that 120mm fan I think the zalman would make less noise.

 

[MikhailT]

Originally posted by: MDE
I'd get the 7000B-AlCu or the 7700-AlCu because the 7700Cu is ridiculously heavy. I'm running a Winchester 3000+ @ 2.5GHz (1.5V) with a 7000A-AlCu and it's hovering around 45C at full load (I run Folding@Home 24\7) with the fan turned down a bit.

Thanks for the suggestion, I forgot there was alcu for 7700.

Well the only reason I'm thinking of zalman instead of stock is because of the hot room temp in the dorms. It just tend to hover at 70-75f here, get worse in the summer. So I have seen some temp going up to 60f at full load with the stock hsf which I really do not want as I am just paranoid when it is at that range.

And to answer most of the questions, no I am not planning to overclock. I just want the fastest stock operation i can get.

 

[ericlala]

i am buying the xp-90 instead of the zalmans for a few reasons:

1. lightness, 300-ish g vs 900-ish g
2. 90mm, fits most boards
3. one of the best air cooling unit, as seen in the reviews
4. gotta admit it looks awesome