Building a new computer (AMD)

ulty · Jul 11, 2004

chuwawa · Jul 11, 2004

That exhaust fan is rather loud, I think. You might want to get a quiter one. Couldn't recommend one myself though.

Mik3y · Jul 11, 2004

Originally posted by: chuwawa
That exhaust fan is rather loud, I think. You might want to get a quiter one. Couldn't recommend one myself though.

wut are u talkin about? that fan is super quiet. anything below 30db is barely audible. a whisper is 30db, and 12-20db is super quiet. besides that, the whole setup looks great. the only thing i'd change would be the cd/dvd combo drive. samsungs make the quietest drives, so if ur a quiet kind of guy, i think u'll like it better. from wut i remember, i thnk their the same price too.

ulty · Jul 11, 2004

Am I missing any cables? or should all my hardware come with all the needed equipment?

Lyfer · Jul 11, 2004

Things I WOULD DO differently:

1. Get the OEM version of cpu and save $12.
2. Get a different board like the MSI/Epox/Chaintech version of the Nforce 3 250, the Gigabyte isn't a good overclocker.
3. Ditch the Zalman HSF, for the same price you could get a much better Thermalright SLK948 at svc.com for $36.99.
4. Ditch the Radeon 9800 Pro and spend $50 for a Geforce 6800 Non-Ultra. There's one going for $250 (just check hoddeals) which is nearly twice as fast as last year generations 9800/5900 GPU's.
5. *optional* Spend some more $$ and get some faster PC3700 or PC4000 RAM so you can drop the multiplier down to 7/8 run that cpu at 250+ MHZ.

Happy shopping.

jrphoenix · Jul 11, 2004

Hello Utly,

Good computer! One small warning on the case (I do like that case!). I read a review on it and one of the draw backs is that the case does not have a reset button. I'm not sure how often you reset your computer?

Good luck.

ulty · Jul 11, 2004

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Things I WOULD DO differently:

1. Get the OEM version of cpu and save $12.
2. Get a different board like the MSI/Epox/Chaintech version of the Nforce 3 250, the Gigabyte isn't a good overclocker.
3. Ditch the Zalman HSF, for the same price you could get a much better Thermalright SLK948 at svc.com for $36.99.
4. Ditch the Radeon 9800 Pro and spend $50 for a Geforce 6800 Non-Ultra. There's one going for $250 (just check hoddeals) which is nearly twice as fast as last year generations 9800/5900 GPU's.
5. *optional* Spend some more $$ and get some faster PC3700 or PC4000 RAM so you can drop the multiplier down to 7/8 run that cpu at 250+ MHZ.

Happy shopping.

1. Does it have the CG revision? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-425&depa=0

2. Does this support SATA? Is it good for overclocking?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-457&depa=0

I heard gigabyte was good for overclocking... isn't ASUS also good?

3. No thanks.

4. Link?

5. Link?

ulty · Jul 11, 2004

Thanks, ANY small details are much appreciated. I'm not worried about the reset button. Thanks though.

jrphoenix · Jul 11, 2004

One more thing... The processor you linked to doesn't have the "Far Cry" combo special. The one at the link does: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-424&depa=0 You pick the game on the page and then when you check out it discounts the price of the game.

ulty · Jul 11, 2004

That one has the FarCry demo because that one doesn't have the CG Revision (I think). What is the CG Revision, and is it worth it?

Brule · Jul 11, 2004

I didn't read your intel thread, but will jump in here with MHO. First, I agree with everything Lyfer said, except maybe the memory which won't add the most improvement for the money. That changes if OC'ing is that big for you, in which case rethink the mobo and HSF selection.

Second, from the outside I see a $1000+ system without a DVD-RW. The combo drive is nice, but for $20 more a NEC 8X DVD burner is available, and it can soft-mod to dual layer as well. With the amount of cash you're already dealing with $20-$50 extra isn't that much. If needed, wait a bit and catch some of the more common parts on sale (HD, hot deal on a vid card, etc) to free up the cash.

Will it work? Yes. Be fast? Better for over a grand.

Also little things like a easy access reset will come in handy when tweaking settings, but if you don't mind working around it, no worries.

ulty · Jul 11, 2004

Mik3y · Jul 12, 2004

any memory faster then pc3200 is basically for overclocking. if ur stayin stock, then stick with pc3200, but if ocing, then go for higher then 3200.

Illissius · Jul 12, 2004

1) Why get a retail processor *and* a seperate HSF?
2) The Zalman and the Thermalright are about equal (the Tr might have a small edge, but it's nothing earth shattering and I haven't yet seen a review conclusively proving it better), and I do prefer the Zalman myself. In general, the Tr is designed for best performance for high CFM (-> loud) fans, while the Zalman is made to do the best while being quiet. (And yes, the Tr does need a fan.)
3) Go with value RAM (Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, etc). It's rather cheaper, and the difference in performance compared to anything else is nonexistant outside of Sandra.

ulty · Jul 12, 2004

Originally posted by: Illissius
1) Why get a retail processor *and* a seperate HSF?
2) The Zalman and the Thermalright are about equal (the Tr might have a small edge, but it's nothing earth shattering and I haven't yet seen a review conclusively proving it better), and I do prefer the Zalman myself. In general, the Tr is designed for best performance for high CFM (-> loud) fans, while the Zalman is made to do the best while being quiet. (And yes, the Tr does need a fan.)
3) Go with value RAM (Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, etc). It's rather cheaper, and the difference in performance compared to anything else is nonexistant outside of Sandra.

1. I decided to go with the mobile OEM for 226.

2. Thanks for the insight.

3. I decided to go with Corsair.

Thanks.

nick1985 · Jul 12, 2004

looks good. i suggest the epox board and save 30 bucks. i also would change the vid card to the 6800. its worth the price increase IMO. everything else looks fine to me.

ulty · Jul 12, 2004

How much better is it?

Illissius · Jul 12, 2004

I'd advise against the mobile... it'd certainly be an excellent choice for overclocking (especially the 2800+ 35W 1.2V), except for the fact that the EPoX doesn't support it, and the MSI only supports it theoretically (meaning that practically it's so full of bugs that it doesn't), and most of the other boards suck. I think we'll just have to hope for the Asus to work, on this one.
As for 6800 vs. 9800, the 6800 is around 20-30% faster. That's pre- nVidia's usual driver with across the board 10-20% performance gains which they customarily release every generation.

high · Jul 12, 2004

got a 3200 up to 2.4 on stock volts in the gigabyte...DEFINITELY recommended

ulty · Jul 12, 2004

Changed my specs, I'm sticking with my graphics card, all I need is a good, stable, and overclockable motherboard compatible with all my stuff, then I'll order. This mobo thing is frusterating...

Processor Mobile AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 1MB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor 62W
Mother Board (need something that works with this)
Case CHENBRO Silver/Black Mid-Tower ATX Case
Power Supply Antec 480W Power Supply with Blue LED Fan
Memory (x2) Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
Hard Drive SAMSUNG 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Exhaust Fan Aerocool X-Blaster "The Heat Terminator" 80mm Fan
Heatsink ZALMAN CNPS7000A-AlCu Aluminum + Copper CPU Cooler for AMD XP Socket 462/ 754 and Intel Socket 478
Extra Fans (x2) Artic Cooling All Clear LED Adjustable 80mm Case fan
Video Card SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Video Cooling Vantec "IceBerq 4" Copper All-In-One VGA Cooling Kit with Blue LED Lights
Floppy Disk SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920
CD/DVD RW Combo Sony Black 52x32x52x16 Combo Drive
Mouse/Keyboard Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard & Wheel Mouse Optical Bundle PS/2 102keys

RearAdmiral · Jul 12, 2004

I'd pricewatch that stuff, sometimes you get lucky, I saved tons of money versus buying all my new stuff off of newegg. ex. 40 on mobo. Even though mine cost alot more, money is money, take some time, I know its hard not to get excited and just buy everything, but just pricewatch, pricegrabber, and froogle those things.

ulty · Jul 12, 2004

Ya, once I get the parts figured out, I'm going to research for lower prices. Thanks.

RearAdmiral · Jul 12, 2004

ahh I see, all good choices though.

ulty · Jul 12, 2004

Motherboard is the only problem, I need something over clockable, and supports the mobile...

Does this work with the mobile? and overclockable?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-457&depa=0

Would these also work with the mobile? and overclockable?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-490&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-241&depa=1

MDE · Jul 12, 2004

With the mobile, you'll need a heatsink that bolts down through the motherboard like the Thermalright, the Zalman can't fill the gap that is supposed to be there because of the heatspreader.

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