Alright... im finally upgrading from my Dell p2 400mhz. How's it look?

[PaperclipGod]

P4 3ghz ($400)
Abit IC7 MAX3 ($225)
Kingston PC3500 512mb (x2) ($284)
Western Digital 36gb Raptor (x2) ($266)
Hercules Radeon 9800 Pro 256mb ($450)
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ($112)
Plextor 8x DVD+R ($260)
Arctic Silver Ceramique ($5)
Ratpadz ($15)
Logitech MX500 ($46)

Total: $2063

All priced from newegg. A couple of the things arent being released until next week (the Plextor and the MAX3), but ill get em then.

I've already got the monitor, powersupply, and case (Mitsubishi 2070sb, Antec TruePower 430, and Coolermaster ATC-201C).

How's it look? Anything i should change? Am i missing anything?

Thanks!

 

[John]

Do you really need everything the IC7 max 3 offers? You can pick up a standard IC7 for 124.00 shipped

 

[zamacman1]

wow, wish that was mine

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: John
Do you really need everything the IC7 max 3 offers? You can pick up a standard IC7 for 124.00 shipped

The onboard lan and raid was nice... and ive heard nothing but good things about the card.

What doesnt the IC7 have that the MAX3 does?

Anyway... i kind of want to go all out. After all, ive had this same system since 1998. LOL

 

[brettjrob]

The IC7-G, which is at least $40 or $50 less than the MAX3, also comes with Gigabit LAN and onboard RAID. The only difference with the MAX3 is an "advanced" cooling system and, more importantly, options for higher VDimm (memory voltage), if you're into overclocking.

 

[Arcanedeath]

If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

Ive heard talk that HL2 and Doom 3 will be able to take advantage of the 256mb vid cards.

Also, this is the first system ive ever built - and since im upgrading from 400mhz to 3000mhz, i think this system will be able to keep me happy for quite a while before i need to start overclocking. :/

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

Ive heard talk that HL2 and Doom 3 will be able to take advantage of the 256mb vid cards.

Also, this is the first system ive ever built - and since im upgrading from 400mhz to 3000mhz, i think this system will be able to keep me happy for quite a while before i need to start overclocking. :/

The 256MB will probably not show any real world difference. That hercules card, although pretty, will not perform any better than the cheaper Saphire cards. Check out the reviews at
Sharky's he has a pretty good comparisons between the 256Mb and 128Mb cards. Of course they don't use Doom 3 or HL2 but from what I've read the 128Mb cards will easily run both at high resolutions and all the eye candy.

 

[BigJelly]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

Ive heard talk that HL2 and Doom 3 will be able to take advantage of the 256mb vid cards.

Also, this is the first system ive ever built - and since im upgrading from 400mhz to 3000mhz, i think this system will be able to keep me happy for quite a while before i need to start overclocking. :/

I went from a P4 1.5 Ghz to a 2.4 Ghz with 800FSB and noticed a huge difference, dont waste your money on the 3 Ghz processor, get the 2.6 for ~$200. And the 256MB video card is like killing ants with a A-Bomb--total over kill. There i just saved you ~$400 get a 17" LCD

Take a look at my rig and compare the prices between yours (will yours be 2 times faster because it will cost 2 times more) Don't take it as an insult but i did a lot of research before i bought my computer parts and decided that an ATI 9600 Pro was more than i needed and 2.4Ghz was enough. Ram is not an issue because my motherboard can run 3 sets of duel channel DDR. I am able to watch T2 extreme edition DVD on my system even though it says 3Ghz required (that was pre 800Mhz FSB).
In conclusion, make sure you're not wasting money on something that is extreme over kill.

 

[JSSheridan]

Keyboard, speakers, chair, desk.

Klipsch Promedia speakers would be good, or run the signal to a home theater reciever. I like my MS Natural Keyboard. Get a comfy chair, cause it's hard to enjoy the system when you are uncomfortable.

Get the 128MB version of the 9800Pro, it's not worth it. I would get some 15k rpm SCSI equipment also, and ditch the Raptors. Awesome system though. Peace.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: BigJelly

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

Ive heard talk that HL2 and Doom 3 will be able to take advantage of the 256mb vid cards.

Also, this is the first system ive ever built - and since im upgrading from 400mhz to 3000mhz, i think this system will be able to keep me happy for quite a while before i need to start overclocking. :/

I went from a P4 1.5 Ghz to a 2.4 Ghz with 800FSB and noticed a huge difference, dont waste your money on the 3 Ghz processor, get the 2.6 for ~$200. And the 256MB video card is like killing ants with a A-Bomb--total over kill. There i just saved you ~$400 get a 17" LCD

Take a look at my rig and compare the prices between yours (will yours be 2 times faster because it will cost 2 times more) Don't take it as an insult but i did a lot of research before i bought my computer parts and decided that an ATI 9600 Pro was more than i needed and 2.4Ghz was enough. Ram is not an issue because my motherboard can run 3 sets of duel channel DDR. I am able to watch T2 extreme edition DVD on my system even though it says 3Ghz required (that was pre 800Mhz FSB).
In conclusion, make sure you're not wasting money on something that is extreme over kill.

I agree you have a nice rig but you will probably need to upgrade again before he does. I'm sure you will again go for the bang for the buck. So take what you paid and double it and now what he is paying doesn't seem so outrageous. He also said this is his first system and he wants to go all out. He didn't say "Dude, I'm building a Dell".
Just the satisfaction of building it is somewhat pointless. Its not hard. Think about the "next" next generation of games that his will probably easily still run but you will need to upgrade.

 

[BigJelly]

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: BigJelly

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

Ive heard talk that HL2 and Doom 3 will be able to take advantage of the 256mb vid cards.

Also, this is the first system ive ever built - and since im upgrading from 400mhz to 3000mhz, i think this system will be able to keep me happy for quite a while before i need to start overclocking. :/

I went from a P4 1.5 Ghz to a 2.4 Ghz with 800FSB and noticed a huge difference, dont waste your money on the 3 Ghz processor, get the 2.6 for ~$200. And the 256MB video card is like killing ants with a A-Bomb--total over kill. There i just saved you ~$400 get a 17" LCD

Take a look at my rig and compare the prices between yours (will yours be 2 times faster because it will cost 2 times more) Don't take it as an insult but i did a lot of research before i bought my computer parts and decided that an ATI 9600 Pro was more than i needed and 2.4Ghz was enough. Ram is not an issue because my motherboard can run 3 sets of duel channel DDR. I am able to watch T2 extreme edition DVD on my system even though it says 3Ghz required (that was pre 800Mhz FSB).
In conclusion, make sure you're not wasting money on something that is extreme over kill.

I agree you have a nice rig but you will probably need to upgrade again before he does. I'm sure you will again go for the bang for the buck. So take what you paid and double it and now what he is paying doesn't seem so outrageous. He also said this is his first system and he wants to go all out. He didn't say "Dude, I'm building a Dell".
Just the satisfaction of building it is somewhat pointless. Its not hard. Think about the "next" next generation of games that his will probably easily still run but you will need to upgrade.

You didn't get my messege and thats fine--I'm never good at explaining myself. My main point was will you NEED the power. I almost went all out like him but i realized that I am getting board of PC games and don't need to fork over the money for an extreme machine. If this guy is heavy on computer games than he should get what he wants--it's his money. All i'm saying is get what you will need for 4 years and thats what i did--it may not last 4 years for other people but it will for me. I came across as someone who was being very critical of his purchases (realized this when i reread my post) that wasn't my point; my point was to make a suggestion on saving a few dollars--with little to no proformess change.
FYI my rig was the first comp i ever built and I even point out in the "notes section" that it is not perfect, but i spent a lot of time deciding what i would need in a computer to last for 4 years and i just want this guy to make the same judgment.

Also the satisfaction of building my comp was high (but i have low expectations for my self ). And i think i learned a lot of building my comp even though it is not hard to the average Anandtech person. Also having stubby fingers makes hooking up the front usb and firewire ports hard

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: BigJelly

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: BigJelly

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
If your into OCing, I'd suggest just getting a 2.4C and some higher spec. Memory and Pushing your systems FSB as far as it will go at 1:1, also I'd suggest getting the 128mb Raedon 9800 Pro, at this point the 256mb card is just a waste

Ive heard talk that HL2 and Doom 3 will be able to take advantage of the 256mb vid cards.

Also, this is the first system ive ever built - and since im upgrading from 400mhz to 3000mhz, i think this system will be able to keep me happy for quite a while before i need to start overclocking. :/

I went from a P4 1.5 Ghz to a 2.4 Ghz with 800FSB and noticed a huge difference, dont waste your money on the 3 Ghz processor, get the 2.6 for ~$200. And the 256MB video card is like killing ants with a A-Bomb--total over kill. There i just saved you ~$400 get a 17" LCD

Take a look at my rig and compare the prices between yours (will yours be 2 times faster because it will cost 2 times more) Don't take it as an insult but i did a lot of research before i bought my computer parts and decided that an ATI 9600 Pro was more than i needed and 2.4Ghz was enough. Ram is not an issue because my motherboard can run 3 sets of duel channel DDR. I am able to watch T2 extreme edition DVD on my system even though it says 3Ghz required (that was pre 800Mhz FSB).
In conclusion, make sure you're not wasting money on something that is extreme over kill.

I agree you have a nice rig but you will probably need to upgrade again before he does. I'm sure you will again go for the bang for the buck. So take what you paid and double it and now what he is paying doesn't seem so outrageous. He also said this is his first system and he wants to go all out. He didn't say "Dude, I'm building a Dell".
Just the satisfaction of building it is somewhat pointless. Its not hard. Think about the "next" next generation of games that his will probably easily still run but you will need to upgrade.

You didn't get my messege and thats fine--I'm never good at explaining myself. My main point was will you NEED the power. I almost went all out like him but i realized that I am getting board of PC games and don't need to fork over the money for an extreme machine. If this guy is heavy on computer games than he should get what he wants--it's his money. All i'm saying is get what you will need for 4 years and thats what i did--it may not last 4 years for other people but it will for me. I came across as someone who was being very critical of his purchases (realized this when i reread my post) that wasn't my point; my point was to make a suggestion on saving a few dollars--with little to no proformess change.
FYI my rig was the first comp i ever built and I even point out in the "notes section" that it is not perfect, but i spent a lot of time deciding what i would need in a computer to last for 4 years and i just want this guy to make the same judgment.

Also the satisfaction of building my comp was high (but i have low expectations for my self ). And i think i learned a lot of building my comp even though it is not hard to the average Anandtech person. Also having stubby fingers makes hooking up the front usb and firewire ports hard

Don't jump dude. Its not wort it. I was simply playing Devil's Advocate. Your system looks good to me. I kinda went all out on mine. I don't play games that much but I like knowing I won't have any problems if I decide to. I think I'll pick it back up with HL2. I got satisfaction out of building mine but its like my tattoos unless someone ask me about it I don't think about it. I'm definately with you on the stubby fingers. I just got some tweezers.

 

[4x4expy]

When you go all out, you do just that. Only thing I see is if you only upgrade every 5 years, that 72gb will fill up fast. You might pick up a fat storage drive, the 200gb WD drives are good bang for the buck. And if you're not overclocking you could save a few bucks with pc3200, since you will be running dc ddr400 anyway. If you will overclock get the pc3500 and the 2.4ghz cpu as someone else said.

 

[billyjak]

Stick with the 3.0 gig, I have one and it's better than oc/ing for processor life.
I also have the Kingston PC 3500 ram and am running my 3 gig at 3.250 with it. It will go higher but I just want a nice mild oc/that's extremely stable.
I also have the raptors on Intel sata raid ICHR5, you'll be very happy with those drives.
I had 2- wd 1200JB's already, so you can add a 200 gig or higheer later.
I have the 128 meg 9800 pro and it flies. They didn't have the 250 when I ordered or else I would of gotten it instead.
Keep the 250 Herc, you'll need it later on, especially if you don't upgrade that much.
That system looks sweet.
Have fun with it, you'll be amazed going to your new setup after running a 400mz

 

[PaperclipGod]

I posted this over at Sharky's, and a few people there seem to think i'd be better off with a 2.4 or a 2.6 and just overclocking it. Assuming i want to overclock this system, will i be able to go higher with a 2.4 or a 3.0? And if i want to overclock, is that Kingston PC3500 gonna be enough? Should i get some PC3700/4000?

 

[fredtam]

Just buy a3.0C if you choose to overclock it in the future you may be able to. There is no guarantee that the processor you get will overclock much at all. The people that tell you that are the ones that were able to get 3000MHz out of 2.4. They are also probably the same a$$hats that sent their first two processors back because the would not go faster than the rated spec. Do a search and see all the people that can only get a minimal OC out of their chip. I f you order a 3.0 from the start your system will already be running 3.0 rather than hoping you can get it there. Then if you ever find the need to OC you can try to push that one higher. By the time you find apps that will stress the system you have configured you will probably want a 6Ghz Tehas,PCI express,Longhorn and the ATI 10500pro or whatever it will be called then.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: fredtam
Just buy a3.0C if you choose to overclock it in the future you may be able to. There is no guarantee that the processor you get will overclock much at all. The people that tell you that are the ones that were able to get 3000MHz out of 2.4. They are also probably the same a$$hats that sent their first two processors back because the would not go faster than the rated spec. Do a search and see all the people that can only get a minimal OC out of their chip. I f you order a 3.0 from the start your system will already be running 3.0 rather than hoping you can get it there. Then if you ever find the need to OC you can try to push that one higher. By the time you find apps that will stress the system you have configured you will probably want a 6Ghz Tehas,PCI express,Longhorn and the ATI 10500pro or whatever it will be called then.

lol. good point. :/

 

[JavaMomma]

I know if i was going all out, I would go for a 2.6 P4 with PC4000 memory. I would shoot for 3.25Ghz.
I dont know what % the 2.6s reach that overclocked. But man that would be fast running 1000Mhz FSB with memory running in sync.

Anyways if you do not want to overclock or are not comfortable with it. Go for the 3.0ghz P4.

If your intrested in O/Cing check this out:
Searching for the Memory Holy Grail - Part 2

 

[PaperclipGod]

Ok... couple more questions on this system, please:

Someone mentioned that the 72gigs on the raptors might fill up rather quickly. Is it possible to have FOUR raptors in a Raid 0 config with the Abit MAX3?

Also, whats the best PC4000 memory? The memory holy grail seemed to point to the OCZ stuff. Is that what everyone else recommends?

Thx!

 

[Ionizer86]

Hard drive issue? Pick up the Maxtor 120GB with 8MB for $60 @ CUSA

Personally, if this system's $ makes you lack upgrade $ for another 4 years it'd be better to back it down a bit and save $ for more incremental upgrades. IE once the P4 3.0 runs like a P2 400 runs today, and you are still waiting for dough to upgrade, it's very tormenting. Components down a few notches on the ladder cost a lot less.

BTW the new Audigy 2 ZS is coming out. Otherwise, Newegg sells Audigy 2's for $79 or so, and some local store has $129 Audigy 2 Platinum EX's.

Most DVD disks now are 4x or so; a 2.4x or 4x burner should be sufficient. I'd pick up the HP DVD Writer 210i for $70 after rebate and coupon. A lot cheaper.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Looks like you are going top end with everything. You can go slightly below top end and save alot of money that you can put to better use later on for upgrades.