Anandtech Guru's Look Here,Need Advice,Deadline Tonight!

[Chaosknight78]

Sorry for the title, but I need the advice of the guru's here at Anandtech urgently. Here is the dilemma, I'm going to order upgrades to my computer today, in 2 phases; This will be a Heavy Gaming, DVD ripping, and some encoding PC.

Phase 1 - My Girlfriend has alloted me a $400 budget to upgrade components of my rig. I was thinking of spending it on whatever components, I could muster for the $400. I was thinking of using this for the CPU + Mobo portion of the upgrade, since that cost the most outside of the GPU/Memory.

Phase 2 - I will be upgrading the remainding components (GPU, Memory, HDD. Whatever components are left unbought from above.) I'm looking to put in $500 for these items, $600 worse case scenario (I have X-mas and bills, coming up later in the month)

Now here is the dilemma after reading for 2 days on the best way to get the most "bang for my buck" from my purchases, I have come to some semi final conclusions on what I would like to purchase below. I have read articles on single-core vs dual-core benefits, and a article here and on Anandtech about memory choices. I now under that you don't necessarily have to buy high end name brand memory, to have good memory. Whether it's for overclocking or general use. Also dual core performs as good or better then single core for the most part. With that said here are my picks, based on what the budget I stated above;

Single Core Setup:

Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum - http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=6396572
Solid performer, decent price point, as good of a overclocker as the DFI equivilent (I choose the MSI for the intergrated SB Live! audio, since I don't run a PCI sound card.) - $122

CPU: A64 3700+ http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...uctCode=80719-5&affiliate=pricegrabber - $233
or a A64 3800+ http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=MB-BA21440 - $279

I think the 3700+ would be better because the $46 for 200mhz more doesn't seem worth it. Don't know which one would be a better overclocker. (This will be my 1st foray into overclocking)

Memory: Need some advice in this area on how to decipher TCCD/BH-5 etc chips. But I will add a couple choices of mine at 2x512 and 2x1GB;

2x512 Choices: Corsair TwinX http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...ctCode=80097-17&affiliate=pricegrabber seems to have good latency from what I glean from researching for 2 days. - $105

PQI Turbo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...ory+System+Memory&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r
2.5-3-3-7 once seems to be good, outside of the 2.5 which I read could be a problem when your trying to tighting timings with a divider. - $93.44

2x1GB Choices: Kingston Value Ram http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...ductCode=80098-50&affiliate=pgkingston - $196.00

or Geil http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...ctCode=85002-39&affiliate=pricegrabber - $199.00

Video Card:
EVGA 7800GT CO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...30249&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me - $309

Total Cost - $953.44min/1014max

Dual Core Setup;

Mobo: - MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=6396572

or DFI Lanparty UT NF4-D http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...PROD&Product_Code=110224&AFFIL=pg&NR=1 - $125.64

X2 3800+ http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...uctCode=80721-1&affiliate=pricegrabber - $322

X2 4200+ http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...uctCode=80725-R&affiliate=pricegrabber -$400

Memory- Corsair TwinX 2x512 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...tCode=80097-17&affiliate=pricegrabber- - $105

Video Card- EVGA 7800GT CO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...30249&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me
- $309

Total Cost - $858 min/$939.64 max

All the remaining components from my old rig I will be using to build my GF a computer since she needs one. Any advice on components to purchase within the posted budget and provides performance per $/ratio would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hyperlite]

do dual core, and get the 3800 or 4400.

 

[stevty2889]

I would definatly go for a dual core setup, it will make a huge differance for encoding. If you aren't afraid to overclock I'd definatly go for the X2 3800+. It generaly overclocks as well as the 4200+ while costing $100 less. My 4200+ is running at 2.618ghz with the stock cooler on a DFI lanparty Ultra-D.

 

[BigCoolJesus]

dual

 

[SilentZero]

X2 4400+ toledo setup without a doubt! Might want to upgrade to 2gb later on though.

 

[Finns14]

or go Dual opteron

 

[SnoMunke]

Buy the gf a present. She will be shocked and you will be able to get more money "allotted" to you next time.

 

[Chaosknight78]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
X2 4400+ toledo setup without a doubt! Might want to upgrade to 2gb later on though.

Kinda outta my price range. I suspect after upgrading the required components. Im going to have around $400 left in the bank with 2 paychecks before Xmas, trying not to hit the savings too hard. Also does anyone know a good PSU to power all this. I heard you need at least a 480W for the DFI board. So maybe a PSU around that requirement or higher for a reasonable price.

 

[Chaosknight78]

Also a question I meant to ask. What are the different core hiearchy for the X2's and which ones are the best/known to be less problematic with with OC'ing. This my 1st foray into OC'ing. Also anyone have any experience's buying from the FS/FT section? I see a X2 I want to get my hands on for a good price, lower then a online retailer, retail sealed too.

 

[ksherman]

Originally posted by: SnoMunke
Buy the gf a present. She will be shocked and you will be able to get more money "allotted" to you next time.

:thumbsup:


Go dualie... I love it! If you can, get 2GB or RAM too to compliment the Multitasking goodness!

 

[Chaosknight78]

ttt

 

[Ricemarine]

Get the dual core. I do suggest though...

=Get an opteron 165 or 170... high quality and higher overclockability.
=Get G.Skill 1 GB stick of DDR500 ram, overclockable, and 1 gig stick.. Then you can grab a 2nd stick later on.
=Get an Epox 9NPA + ultra.

Bout it.

 

[Chaosknight78]

ttt

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: Chaosknight78
Also a question I meant to ask. What are the different core hiearchy for the X2's and which ones are the best/known to be less problematic with with OC'ing. This my 1st foray into OC'ing. Also anyone have any experience's buying from the FS/FT section? I see a X2 I want to get my hands on for a good price, lower then a online retailer, retail sealed too.

There are only 2 cores. Toledo and Manchester. Toledo=1mb cache, Manchester = 512k cahce. Thats the only differance. It does seem that the manchesters OC a little better, but thats likely due to having less cache. So if you want to OC, might as well just get the X2 3800+, since in most cases the extra cache doesn't give a big performance boost anyway. PSU wise, a quality 450w will be plenty, Antec, Enermax, Fortron, Seasonic. I am running my X2 and 7800GT with the 450w Antec that comes with the Sonata II case. My pentium-d toaster is also running with the same PSU.