** almost done with setup - few more questions **

[leepark]

After numerous posts and searches, I am almost set on my system (see below). I pretty much decided that I will go with PCI-E. I need to ask a few more questions:
1. Which CPU & RAM do I go with? (choices are within each category)
2. Are there any other components that you would change to optimize my setup?
3. Will all of the selected components be compatible with each other?
4. Which components can you get away with getting oem (to save $)?

Note: Main purpose for computer is internet (& VOD), DVD, photoshop, office, and occassional gaming. I'm not planning to OC for now but who knows in the future.

My proposed setup:

CPU: AMD Athlon64 ?Winchester? 90nm <socket 939> 3000+ OR 3200+

MB: Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe <socket 939> PCI-E

Case: Antec Sonata w/ 380W TruePower

Video: Leadtek Winfast PX6600GT TDH PCI-E

Audio: Creative Labs Audigy2 PCI

TV: Leadtek Winfast TV 2000XP Expert

HDD: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 200GB SATA

DVD: NEC 3520A 16x8x4x

FDD: Mitsumi 7 in 1 Floppy & Card Reader

Memory (all are 184 pin, PC3200, 1GB (512MBx2): Do I want to get a PC3200?

Mushkin Dual Channel DDR#991368 ($185)

Mushkin Blue Dual DDR #991140 ($179)

Mushkin Dual Pack DDR #991145 ($137.25)

PDP DDR #PDC1G3200LLK ($183)

Patriot Signature Dual Channel #PSD1G400KH ($146)

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed #TWINX1024-3200C2PT ($189)

Corsair Value Select Dual Channel #VS1GBKIT400C3 ($139.67)

 

[mwmorph]

3200+ if yuo can afford it. you can oc abiout 200mhz higher with a 3200+ if you really want to, bringing it almost up to performance of fx53s&55s.
memory, value ram dosen't affect performance much a couple percent.(at least in gaming, which is all that i have experience with)

also, yuo dont NEED a sound card unless you have some good speakers to go with it.

 

[slash196]

Why would you get an SLI board? Get a cheap NF4 board, your PSU won't even power an SLI rig.

 

[mwmorph]

nf4 ultra with a mod from the anand site. sli requires a 500-550Wps at least. 2 6800ultras suck up over 300w if my memory is right.

 

[Dragonbate]

I like the look of the build. I'd go with 1gb of pc 3200 RAM.(2 x 512 mb chips) I've had good experience with corsair value and its on sale: use anandtech's live prices. I'm also interested in your choice of hard drives. Has anyone seen a review of these drives compared to a raptor? Someone on another post stated that they boot windows a little faster than a raptor. They also have double the capacity for the price.

 

[leepark]

Originally posted by: slash196
Why would you get an SLI board? Get a cheap NF4 board, your PSU won't even power an SLI rig.

This is exactly the type of advice I need... because I don't know anything about components. Thanks.

Can you recommend any good non-SLI board? Does the MSI K8N-Neo4 Platinum or CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra fit the non-SLI category? If so, are they good boards? What others are out there worth looking at? What other drawbacks (besides price) are there in going to an SLI board when not using SLI?

BTW, am I making the right choice in going to the PCI-E over AGP?

 

[leepark]

anyone?