Build review

[KnobCreek]

Been a few years since I've built a box. So I started reading throught these boards again. And what i've came up with for the price range i'm looking at is



AMD athlon 64 3200+ winchester
SOLTEK SL-K8TPro-939
Geil Value Dual Channel 1GB(512MBx2) PC-32002.5 7-4-4
Antec Sonata with PSU
WD 160GB 7200RPM SATA Model WD1600JD
Sony 16X DVD+/-R / Double Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive, Model DRU710A


I know there are better parts out there. I'm trying to keep it around $700-$800
And i plan to mildy OC after i have it running for a few weeks. Still looking for a heat sync open to suggestions here. Something quite and not too expensive


I've got an ATI AIW 9800pro that i'm going to put in it also.


Thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

[KnobCreek]

Anyone?

 

[Sniper82]

Any reason your going with a VIA chipset mobo? All looks good but I would go with a NF3 chipset mobo if your sticking with AGP.

 

[thursday22dp]

ehhh RAM?

 

[UsandThem]

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NS" NVIDIA nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard $76.00

ANTEC Performance Series II Mid Tower Case With 350W Power Supply $79.00

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 $64.00

 

[KnobCreek]

How does the ga-k8ns compare to the soltek?

And i've never heard of Benq, how are they brand wise, Newegg has a DVD burner ruffly same stats as the sony for $30 cheaper

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: KnobCreek
How does the ga-k8ns compare to the soltek?

1. Gigabyte makes great stable boards.

2. It is a Nforce3 chipset, and not a VIA.

3. It is $30.00 cheaper

 

[KnobCreek]

I was wondering about benchmarks, couldn't find anything on toms or here for a review of it.

Mushkin Dual Pack 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, after your ram suggestion i found this for 15 dollars chear, and it has a lower latency.

I'm looking at the artic-freezer 64 as a cpu heat sync. Thank US you saved me $100 already. I think i might just change to the benq drive anyway. Unless anyone here knows of problems with them

 

[UsandThem]

If you are not overclocking, the stock heatsink is fine. Many here even overclock with the stock heatsink.

Make sure you have a floppy drive, because it is sometimes needed to install drivers from it to install a SATA.

The case you picked out is nice, but try and get one with a 120mm fan in back and a 120mm or 80mm front.

Sometimes you can get a good case without a power supply, and by the power supply.

It is a little more expensive, but the fan in front and back creates good airflow which is vital to a stable system.

Thermaltake

Benq drive's are pretty good, so I would just go with what I could get the best deal on.

I would get a CD burner as well, as some games don't like DVD drives. This is rare, but they are only like $20.00 or so.

Good luck!

 

[MrCodeDude]

Haven't heard much about that motherboard, I'd go with a cheaper and probably better motherboard the Epox 9NDA3J (nForce3 250 Ultra) for $95.50 shipped

And if you do take UsandThem's advice (I wouldn't, I like the Sonata), you can get the real case and not the TT knock-off for http://svc.com/cav-t03-ww-19.html

 

[KnobCreek]

Which board are you talking about MrCodeDude?

 

[KnobCreek]

I've changed my build at the top to muskin pc3200 ram, and a BenQ DVD burner.
Everything else stays the same.


My last real question is what is the major difference between the Via chipset on the Soltek, And the nforce 3 on the epox, after reading through tomshardware's review of the boards it shows the Soltek being a nicer board.