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.

 

[stratman]

Processor: go dual core, and get the 3800+ since you're OCing anyway
Ram: 2gigs isn't THAT useful, with a tight budget get 1 gig and plan to get another later
Mobo: The DFI is only 3$ more, get it.

If you got extra cash left over, invest in a good hsfan, good luck.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: stratman
Processor: go dual core, and get the 3800+ since you're OCing anyway
Ram: 2gigs isn't THAT useful, with a tight budget get 1 gig and plan to get another later
Mobo: The DFI is only 3$ more, get it.

If you got extra cash left over, invest in a good hsfan, good luck.

qft

make sure you use 1gig sticks though

 

[imported_situman]

get opty 148 only 5 bucks more. gig of gskill tccd for like 150.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Word of advice regarding ordering from Monarch: CALL BEFORE YOU ORDER. They don't update OOS items very often and they haven't had stock on the DFI Ultra-D for a while. Personally I'd avoid them altogether....

I like your dual core setup pretty much. If you're OCing, get the DFI board hands down. You might as well invest in 2GB now IMO. If you get 2x512 now, it will be harder to sell it in a few months to upgrade to 2GB. NewEgg has some G.SKILL 2GB DDR400 2-3-2-5, which is good latencies for a 2GB setup, and its a little over $200. It probly won't OC much, but you can run a divider no problem.

One thing I see missing here is a PSU, do you have a NICE one already? You'll need something decent to run this setup, esp if you OC.

Also, don't forget a HSF; XP-90 is a fav around here for a little over $30.

 

[Chaosknight78]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Word of advice regarding ordering from Monarch: CALL BEFORE YOU ORDER. They don't update OOS items very often and they haven't had stock on the DFI Ultra-D for a while. Personally I'd avoid them altogether....

I like your dual core setup pretty much. If you're OCing, get the DFI board hands down. You might as well invest in 2GB now IMO. If you get 2x512 now, it will be harder to sell it in a few months to upgrade to 2GB. NewEgg has some G.SKILL 2GB DDR400 2-3-2-5, which is good latencies for a 2GB setup, and its a little over $200. It probly won't OC much, but you can run a divider no problem.

One thing I see missing here is a PSU, do you have a NICE one already? You'll need something decent to run this setup, esp if you OC.

Also, don't forget a HSF; XP-90 is a fav around here for a little over $30.

No that is the thing I need a good PSU, I heard the DFI board requires a 480W PSU minimum. So can anyone recommended a good PSU with good amperage on the required lines, that is not absurdly priced, maybe some headroom for the future? Trying not to break the bank too much I figured after all this I will wind up with about $400 in the bank after all this with 2 weeks to go till Xmas.

 

[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.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I don't know what PSU's are the best for the buck. I got an Antec NeoPower 550HE because it is modular & has the power I need, cost me $100. Antec makes good PSU's overall, one of their 500W+ models should do you fine. There are plenty of other good brands though, hopefully someone can help with that.

To my knowledge the X2 cores all OC about the same. If you want dual core OCing, get an Opteron 165/170/175; they're not going to be available much longer and unfortunately draw a little bit of a premium now.

 

[kamranziadar]

Go with Dual core and why are you buying old MSI motherboard when you can have new ULTRA D for almost same price.

 

[Chaosknight78]

Originally posted by: kamranziadar
Go with Dual core and why are you buying old MSI motherboard when you can have new ULTRA D for almost same price.

It has a SB Live! Audio and DDS Decoder as its audio codec (I use onboard sound, most I do it listen to MP3's, Games, a DVD or two). Plus it overclocks almost as well as a DFI.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: Chaosknight78

Originally posted by: kamranziadar
Go with Dual core and why are you buying old MSI motherboard when you can have new ULTRA D for almost same price.

It has a SB Live! Audio and DDS Decoder as its audio codec (I use onboard sound, most I do it listen to MP3's, Games, a DVD or two). Plus it overclocks almost as well as a DFI.

Maybe MSI has fixed the sata lock problem they used to have, but after owning both the Neo4 Platinum and the Ultra-D, the DFI wins hands down. It was like a night and day difference for me in overclocking ability. Plus if you decide to go SLI in the future, the DFI board can be easily modded to run it.