Another build questions thread ;)

[jaythespacehound]

Heya folks,
I've been planning an upgrade for a while now and just got paid back a fair bit of money that I wasn't expecting so it may actually be possible now!

I've been on the video forum talking about GPUs and have decided, so no changes on that.
Otherwise please give me your thoughts.
Especially on the Case, PSU, Motherboard, and CPU if you feel like it.
I may well overclock though I'm not sure how far at present, and CPU only, not the GPU.
This will be used for gaming...

Case: Centurion 5?

PSU: 500W FSP-500 ATX 12V V2.0?
Antec SmartPower 2.0 500W?

Motherboard: ABIT KN8-SLI?
Abit AN8 Ultra?
A8R32-MVP Deluxe (on the rather small chance of going crossfire)?
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 this looks interesting...

CPU: AMD 64 3700+ San Diego (Note GAMING only machine)
Opteron 165 (Do I REALLY need dual-core?)

GPU: x1900xtx
What brand? Pricing goes from PowerColor-Hightech-HIS-Gecube-ASUS-Saphire-MSI

RAM: 2 gb ddr400
Generic?
Corsair Value Select?
Kingston?

I'm trying to keep this to roughly $2000 AUD (~1500 US)
Note that prices are more expensive here (usually) but just give me your thoughts.

Crossfire is in consideration but not in the near future, and by the time it is it would probably be pointless with the MB/Card anyway so a crossfire compatible MB is probably not needed.

Thank you!
Jay

 

[DaveSimmons]

Single-core is fine, dual-core only adds something like 10% to gaming performance over A64 same clock single core, and for only 2 games: Oblivion and Quake4. By the time more games are getting a higher boost (20%?) you'll probably be upgrading again.

I'm a fan of the Antec SLK3000 case, but the Centurion is popular too.

I've had an Asus A8N-E motherboard for about a week now, is working fine at stock speed.

 

[Ultralight]

If you are going Antec for power supply get their TruePower models rather than SmartPower. Also check into Enermax and Fortan.

That 3700+ San Diego is a sweet single core chip. But if you are going to overclock the Opteran is what you want. The dual core 3800+ Manchester may be another option for you and is touted by many as the best bandg for the buck. There are those that believe for the future this may be what you want.

Let me add one more motherboard in the mix: EPoX 9NPA+Ultra. Very stable and overclocks well.

Great GPU choice! I don't know about anyone else but my experience with ASUS video cards (not motherboards) was not good at all.

Will you be overclocking the RAM? If not then 2 Gigs of Corsair ValueSelect will be fine. If you think you'll be overclocking then G.Skill, OCZ, Corsair XMS, etc. is what you should consider.

 

[DaveSimmons]

> but my experience with ASUS video cards (not motherboards) was not good at all.

My brother bought a $400 Asus Radeon 9800XT almost 3 years ago and had driver problems and the fan died on him twice.

Asus makes great motherboards but I'd agree their high-end video cards are overpriced without any matching increase in quality.

 

[Praxis1452]

Their bundle though is awesome gotta admit ;-)

A8N-E would do you fine. I think the Asus A8R32-MVP is really nice but that's just me heh

 

[jaythespacehound]

Thank you people, with Antec the problem is I can't even find a TruePower model above 440w down here
The other supply I listed, FSP IS Fortran.
The opteron 165 is $200 more than the san diego... Which single core opty would be equivalent?
Still if I can save a bit on the MB... *grins*
Anyone heard of the Asrock? I've read some good things.

Hmm after some research, price checking etc the MB have been narrowed a bit more.
ABIT KN8-SLI
A8N-E
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2

Picking one of these will probably let me go with the Opty 165 which would be nice.

 

[Praxis1452]

Fortron is a great company.

 

[Ultralight]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
> but my experience with ASUS video cards (not motherboards) was not good at all.

My brother bought a $400 Asus Radeon 9800XT almost 3 years ago and had driver problems and the fan died on him twice.

Asus makes great motherboards but I'd agree their high-end video cards are overpriced without any matching increase in quality.

That is exactly what happened to me, Dave Simmons, and even though it was still under warrenty they didn't return my inquiries about an RMA. Never again

jaythespacehound, where is "down here?" Fortran would be a very, very good choice as Praxis1452 states. I wouldn't get anythingless than their 480 watt psu. I'd go with the A8N-E. The motherboard forums, if I'm not mistaking has a very healthy thread on this particular board.

 

[Howard]

Why the XTX over the XT?

Any noise concerns?

 

[jaythespacehound]

I'm not one who worries mcuh about noise, although I'd like to make sure the mainboard has no crappy fans that are going ot die on me a little way in...
As for the XTX, it's $20 more here at the moment

Edit: I didn't define down here? woops down here is well.. think south.. a looong way.
I'm in Tasmania, Southern most (Island) state of Australia

 

[jaythespacehound]

Hmm is the opty 146 roughly equivalent to the 3700+?
It's $40 cheaper at the moment on special
(Even the 148 is extremely cheap at the moment)

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I recommend the Opteron 165. You can easily clock those to 2.2 GHz, beating your 3700+ already. I say you can take them to 2500 safely for 24/7 use. I personally am not EXTREME, so I don't like running my system at max clocks, and I just bought an Opty. I'm going to sell my 3700+.

Sure you lose 2 - 3 fps right? But so what? You're buying into the future... dual core. You will gain a lot more from dual core than you will from 400mhz of clock speed on a single core. It shouldn't be $200 more than a 3700+. If you want to save, an X2 3800+ may be good too =).

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I don't have one but I've been seeing guys take the 165's well beyond 2.2ghz. I do however have a 3700+ san diego running 2.9ghz rock solid 24/7 with loads not surpassing 50C, so I have a really hard time not reccomending them. From what I've seen lately the DFI boards have been killer overpriced outside the US and Asia so Asus or Abit are both good choice. I would definatly reccomend going 2GB and from there it depends a lot on your intentions. If you want to overclock, the OCZ platinum ddr500 is some great stuff, but really pricey. If your not going to overclock it really doesn't matter what ram you put in the system. Fortron power supplies are great, the 500w isn't built in house by FSP but, if they contracted it out, I would trust their choice of who they have building it. If the XTX is only $20 more, i would say go for it. I've had nothing but GREAT luck with sapphire branded ATI cards so, strickly from experience I'd so go with them. the centurion 5's are great cases, I have the 532 and LOVE it.

IMHO

 

[jaythespacehound]

Talk about an informative post! Thanks Derwen.

DLeRium, I'm afraid the Opteron 165 is ~$550 here right now
The Opteron 146 is $260
and the 3700+ San Diego is ~$330

I'm gonna sleep on this and see how I feel in the morning.
Have a god'un

 

[jaythespacehound]

Ok people last thing is the psu
Three choices:

Antec TruePower 2.0 480W ATX

500W FSP-500 ATX 12V V2.0

FSP Blue Storm 500W Silent

As far as I know FSP is Fortron.
Rest of the rig will be:

Case: Centurion 5
MB: DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D
GPU: x1900xtx
CPU: Opteron 146
RAM: 2 x Corsair VS1GB400C3 1gb

Not planning on overclocking the RAM (much) so Value select should be fine.
Planning on chucking a ZalmanCNPS9500 on the cpu.

Thanks for your help so far, stay with me for the last step!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Either of the FSP, wich is fortron, would be good, AFAIK they are completely different internally and I don't know what guts are in the silent but, the fsp-500 is a very good power supply.

 

[jaythespacehound]

Alrightyoh, now I just have to wait for my paycheck to clear heh!
Thanks a lot folks, I'll let you know how she runs.