Another Computer Rig Build Question

[w0lf42]

I'm looking to build a new system. I have a few parts from my AMD 1700+ system that I can use. Of course, if necessary, I'll replace the parts I already have. I'd like the system to run relatively quiet and keep my budget to under $600.00. If it's the difference of the system running noticeably quieter and/or faster, I'd be willing to spend more. I also will be dual-booting Windows/Linux and need everything to be compatible with both OSes.

This will primarily be a gaming system and I do like to play the newest FPS.

Parts I already have.
[*]Case - Antec Sonata
[*]Power Supply - Antec True Power 480 Watt
[*]RAM - Crucial 2 x 512MB DDR PC3200 (CL=3, UNBUFFERED, NON-ECC, DDR400, 2.6V, 64Meg x 64)
[*]Sound - Creative Labs Audigy
[*]Network - Linksys LNE100TX 10/100Mbps PCI EtherFast
[*]Hard Drive - Western Digital 120 GB (not sure of model number).
[*]DVD Rom/Burner - I have one, just not sure the model/specs.

Parts I need.
[*]Video Card - I need a new one and prefer nVidia over ATI. I've noticed many problems me and my friends have experienced with ATI. I'd like to make the jump to PCI-e.
[*]CPU - I've had excellent luck with AMD, but I'm not afraid to try Intel.
[*]Mainboard - USB 2.0 is a must. Other than that, I'm not sure what specs I need.

EDIT: Added Hard Drive and DVD to parts I currently have.

 

[Bobthelost]

Let's see:
DFI lanparty ultra (Non SLI version)
Opteron 146 (single core, you can't justify the cost of a dual core CPU)
2 gb of value RAM
7800GT(X?) or 1800 of some sort.
SI 120 with nexus orange fan.

But wait! I see you want to keep the noise down!

Chipset fan has to go, in which case the A8R MVP is a good option for a passive motherboard with good overclocking. If you're not overclocking then all the above is worthless

 

[w0lf42]

Bobthelost recommended the following and I was wondering if anyone had anything further to add.

[*]Mainboard - $125.00 DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX. Anandtech favorably mentioned this board in their guides section.
[*]CPU - $255.00 - The AMD Opteron 148 Venus 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model OSA148BNBOX - Retail was listed ast the cheapest option on Newegg.
[*]Video - The nVidia 7800GT was recommended which go for ~$300.00. Does anyone have any suggestions?
[*]CPU Cooling - $35.00 - THERMALRIGHT SI-97A was recommended.
[*]RAM - Is there any problem going with the 1GB of Crucial RAM I posted that I already have?

At this rate (assuming that I don't buy new RAM), I'll be looking at ~$700.00. This is ~$100.00 higher than I was looking to spend and I haven't looked at any options to quiet the Video Card.

 

[imported_fx]

DFI Lanparty UT nF4 Ultra-D= :thumbsup:
eVGA Geforce 7800GT 256mb- $285 in newegg
RAM- go for 1gb for now then you can upgrade to 2gb if you got enough cash.
CPU Cooling= :thumbsup:
CPU= :thumbsup:

 

[halw]

If you're not gaming, the 7800 is overkill.

 

[bamacre]

Whatever you do, do NOT allow yourself to drop out of the 7800 GT range in order to fit a better cpu/mobo into the $600 budget.

My suggestions....

7800 GT OC (nice warranty on this, and should come with some games, also a $20 MIR)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321029

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Processor (Venice) Socket 939 Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80717-7

Gigabyte GA-K8N-SLI nForce4 Athlon 64(FX)/64 X2 Dual-Core Skt939 DDR ATX Motherboard
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=242615

Total $596 shipped 2-day fedex

 

[stevty2889]

Why not get the Sonata II for the case, it comes with a good 450w PSU, so you won't need to get a seperate PSU.

 

[w0lf42]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
Why not get the Sonata II for the case, it comes with a good 450w PSU, so you won't need to get a seperate PSU.

I already have the Antec Sonata Case and the Antec 480 Watt PS (listed under "parts I already have").

Originally posted by: halw
If you're not gaming, the 7800 is overkill.

This will primarily be a gaming system.

According to newegg.com, the Gigabyte GA-K8N recieved 4/5 stars (187 reviews) and the DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D recieved 5/5 stars (349 reviews). Is it worth $30.00 more for the DFI?

 

[Bobthelost]

If we're overbudget, which it looks like then the first place to save money is the CPU, fact is that untill you get to SLI territory the bottleneck is going to be the graphics card, so trying to save money on that isn't a bad idea at all.

RAM: You can use the stuff you already have, however it's better to have 2gb of it for many games, still very much playable with 1gb though so you can easily save there and upgrade later if you want to.

CPU Cooling: I meant the SI 120 (or XP 120), it's a bigger heatsink which means you can run a slower (quieter) fan. Alternatives include the Thermaltake Big Typhoon and zalman 9500 among others. BTW the stock heatsinks aren't too bad and you can always try it with the stock one and replace later on if it is too loud.

bamacre's suggestions are generally good, if he recomends the gigabyte then i'd go with it.

The 7800GT isn't very loud with the stock heatsink, but if you want to upgrade then the Arctic Cooling Silencer 5 (Rev. 3) is a top notch product.

 

[w0lf42]

bobthelost
Thanks for the cpu/gpu cooling options/clarifications.

[*]GPU Cooling - $32.00 - Arctic Cooling NV Silencer 5 Rev 3.0
[*]CPU Cooling - $50.00 - Thermalright SI-120
[*]Video - $270.00 - XFX Geforce 7800GT or $275.00 eVGA Geforce 7800GT
[*]CPU - $200.00 - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Processor
[*]Mainboard - $100.00 Gigabyte GA-K8N or $130.00 DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D

This is ~$650.00 - $680.00.

My questions are:
1- Video - Is there any preference? eVGA vs. XFX? The Anandtech Guide I read preferred the eVGA because of its better warrentee.
2 - Mainboard - The DFI has recieved only perfect reviews and the Gigabyte has has recieved mostly good reviews. Is the DFI worth $30.00 more?
3 - Fans - I assume I'll need to puchase at least one fan for the CPU Coolor. Any suggestions?