AMD X2 4200+ System Opinions

[CraigRT]

I'd go for the faster CPU over the lower latency RAM... lower latency really does not give good gains like the faster CPU might.

 

[Weatherton]

I hope I didn't shoot myself in the foot by getting an ATI card... since they don't support SM 3 right now.... will that make a big difference?

 

[Zebo]

For ram you either want the crucial 16T or ballistix 1G sticks. It's the best and only mem that can run 1T 2-2-2 in 2GB config.

 

[Weatherton]

Maybe so, but how expensive is that RAM Zebo? I thought that stuff was a pretty large premium over OCZ/Patriot CAS 2.0 RAM (which is ~ $240 for 2x1GB)

 

[Zebo]

Crucial 16T like $100 per gig so $200 total
here are the results
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=67762&highlight=crucial

edit here is link at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/Vi...Desc.asp?description=20-146-545&depa=0

EDIT 2 - and please upgrade your motherboard if someone's not already said so. Chaintech is alright for budget users but not really for someone putting together an X2. It's built cheapo.

Checkout Abit An8 ultra, DFi NF4 ultra, or Gigabyte k8n ultra... all three very high quality and around $120.

 

[Weatherton]

Hmm, so buying two sticks of the Crucial memory you linked to on Newegg will let me run in 1T 2-2-2?? It says CAS 3 .... and not being sold in a kit, will these run stably in dual channel? That other link seemed to concentrate on overclocking rather than tight timings....

*Edit* Also, would I need to buy heat-spreaders with those crucial sticks?

 

[Weatherton]

I read that the nforce 4 Ultra SLI chipset has a supior memory controller to non-SLI.... how is it superior? I don't plan to overclock... will I notice a difference?

Right now I'm debating between:
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX -- $85.00
Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-SLI -- $137
Asus A8N-SLI Premium nForce4 SLI -- $179

The Asus has all of the features I want in addition to being praised around here.... but I'm not interested in overclocking... Would I notice performance differences (stock speeds) with the above mobos?

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Weatherton
Hmm, so buying two sticks of the Crucial memory you linked to on Newegg will let me run in 1T 2-2-2?? It says CAS 3 .... and not being sold in a kit, will these run stably in dual channel? That other link seemed to concentrate on overclocking rather than tight timings....

*Edit* Also, would I need to buy heat-spreaders with those crucial sticks?

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=917512&page=1&pp=20&highlight=crucial

and no heat containers needed

 

[shoRunner]

memory controller is not on the mobo, its in the processor, there will be no difference. if you don't need the features of the other boards, the chaintech will work fine. stock speeds on all the motherboards with be almost exactly the same the fastest board being the epox nforce4 ultra(maybe a 2% difference between the slowest and fastest board)

 

[Weatherton]

Well, I've stumbled accross a mobo with exactly the features I was hoping for at a price that seems about right. What do you guys think of the MSI K8N NEO4 Platinum

BTW, I am now planning on buying this mobo, 2 GB (2 pcs 1GB) DDR (400) PC-3200 Patriot (PDC2G3200LLK), and a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ from Monarch Computer (that way they do a quick test to ensure everything functions and the mobo has newest BIOS and.... I get Far Cry DVD version for free 🙂 )

 

[Hacp]

Ya just to warn you, I may have not. Monarch is very slow with its combos/systems so be prepared to wait around 1.5 of the stated time. There good for invidual orders and ship fast with those though.

 

[Weatherton]

My plan is to wait until next wednesday to order (hoping the release of the X2 3800+ will push down the 4200+ price), at that point I have 10 days for them to get the order to me before I plan on building my system (the weekend of August 13th). Hopefully 10 days would be enough time.... I really hope that price drops 🙁

 

[Hacp]

Make sure that you order on a monday.

 

[Weatherton]

Why monday? If I allow for 10 days from Wednesday that seems like enough.... if I order that monday it will be the say day as the X2 3800+ launch which may mean it won't have time to impact the 4200+ price. Of course, I suppose there is a chance that the 4200+ price will go up due to the release of the 3800+ but I think that's far less likely.

 

[Hacp]

Well, if you order on a wednesday, with the best luck in the world, then they will ship it on a monday. Then with 5-6 day shipping(cheapest), you will get it in around 10 days. BUT if they have any delays whatsoever, your going to get screwed and end up waiting like 2 weeks total.

Many people have had delays with monarch combos/systems.

 

[Weatherton]

hmm, maybe I should order next monday then....heck maybe even today. What does everyone think the chances are of the 4200+ dropping in price due to the launch of the 3800+? I don't want to buy the 4200+ today and have the price be $200 lower in 2 weeks! (Especially when I skimped on the video card by getting a vanilla x800 to save $90 from the x800 xl...)

 

[Macro2]

Where did you get the truepower for 70?

 

[Hacp]

I dunno, if you really want to save money, I think that waiting 3 weeks is good. Prices will DEFENETLY drop(even if its a little). It all depends on how early you want to get your system.
I remember when Monarch was selling the 4200+ for 499 shipped....

 

[Sixtyfour]

AMD is not so picky about RAM, so get some Kingston value sticks and you are fine.
(im commenting those "get some 1337 and expensive RAM comments)

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Weatherton
Why monday? If I allow for 10 days from Wednesday that seems like enough.... if I order that monday it will be the say day as the X2 3800+ launch which may mean it won't have time to impact the 4200+ price. Of course, I suppose there is a chance that the 4200+ price will go up due to the release of the 3800+ but I think that's far less likely.

4200+ price is fixed. It won't drop anymore. The FX-57 didn't impact 3700+ prices did it?

 

[Weatherton]

I got my TruePower 2 480 W from Fry's (Outpost.com) .... it was using a $30 rebate that is no longer effective though.... here's a link anyways: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4455926?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I would have mentioned the rebate but it was already passed when I joined, sorry.

 

[Weatherton]

Originally posted by: Sixtyfour
AMD is not so picky about RAM, so get some Kingston value sticks and you are fine.
(im commenting those "get some 1337 and expensive RAM comments)

Could you link me up an example please? I'm planning to go with 2GB of Patriot RAM for the moment... unless you can talk me out of it 😉