Building a new computer, need ideas

[Mattax]

I am now in the process of buying parts to put together a new computer.

Here is what I have picked out so far: (nothing has been purchased)

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail OR AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX - Retail
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD
RAM:OCZ Platinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail x 2
PS:ENERMAX Liberty ELT620AWT ATX12V 620W
CASE:
HD 1:
HD 2:MAXTOR 300GB
VIDEO: 7800GT x2 (what brand is best?)
SOUND:
SPEAKERS:

Help fill in the brands and where blank make recommendations.

Thanks.

 

[Aznguy1872]

For the case, if you are willing to spend about 120 dollars then the Antec P180 is by far the best choice. For sound go with the Audigy 2 ZS as it is awesome!. Speakers, depends if you want 5.1 2.1 or what.

 

[pontifex]

do you have a budget? i'm assuming not based on what you have so far.

 

[paulw86]

I suggest get the 3700+ SD
if there's a budget, get cheaper ram (on an a64 platform, bandwidth doesnt boost much real world (gaming) performance)
Power Supply: Seasonic s12 500w
HD: seagate 7200.9 500gb (this is possibly the fastest sata right now)

 

[i1o0i]

Originally posted by: Mattax
I am now in the process of buying parts to put together a new computer.

Here is what I have picked out so far: (nothing has been purchased)

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail OR AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX - Retail
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD
RAM:OCZ Gold Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
PS:SILVERSTONE ZEUS SST-ST65ZF 650W Power Supply - Retail
CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail
HD 1:Western Digital Raptor 74gb
HD 2:Seagate 300GB
VIDEO: 7800GT x2 (eVGA)
SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card - Retail
SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM

Help fill in the brands and where blank make recommendations.

Thanks.

The bold one are recommended.

 

[love2skate824]

 

[xanis]

Some changes:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (only $24 more and you get dual-core)
2GB (2x1GB) Dual-Channel Corsair XMS Kit (Cheaper, Just as good)
Seagatae Barracuda 250GB SATA HDD (Why 2 HDDs? SAve money and get 1)
Use onboard sound and use the saved money to upgrade to 7800GTXs

 

[theMan]

get a seasonic s12-500 psu.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: i1o0i

Originally posted by: Mattax
I am now in the process of buying parts to put together a new computer.

Here is what I have picked out so far: (nothing has been purchased)

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail OR AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX - Retail
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD
RAM:OCZ Gold Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
PS:SILVERSTONE ZEUS SST-ST65ZF 650W Power Supply - Retail
CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail
HD 1:Western Digital Raptor 74gb
HD 2:Seagate 300GB
VIDEO: 7800GT x2 (eVGA)
SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card - Retail
SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM

Help fill in the brands and where blank make recommendations.

Thanks.

The bold one are recommended.

Why would you recommend the OCZ Gold Edition 2GB kit when he was looking at the PC4000 EB Platinum? The plats run at better timings and they overclock higher.

 

[paulw86]

Originally posted by: JohnAn2112

Originally posted by: i1o0i

Originally posted by: Mattax
I am now in the process of buying parts to put together a new computer.

Here is what I have picked out so far: (nothing has been purchased)

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail OR AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX - Retail
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD
RAM:OCZ Gold Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
PS:SILVERSTONE ZEUS SST-ST65ZF 650W Power Supply - Retail
CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail
HD 1:Western Digital Raptor 74gb
HD 2:Seagate 300GB
VIDEO: 7800GT x2 (eVGA)
SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card - Retail
SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM

Help fill in the brands and where blank make recommendations.

Thanks.

The bold one are recommended.

Why would you recommend the OCZ Gold Edition 2GB kit when he was looking at the PC4000 EB Platinum? The plats run at better timings and they overclock higher.

Agreed strongly.

 

[Mattax]

Thanks for all the replies. I now have to figure out what combinations will work best considering that most of you changed them on each post.

To answer questions. I do have a budget of $1500-1800 but may go higher if needed. I already have a monitor and the third Harddrive Maxtor 300 GB SATA.

Three harddrives one for OS and programs. One for Gaming. One for Video and picture storage. No, I do not want to partition.

On RAM, I will be adding more RAM in the future but will start with 2 GB.

For CPU cooling, should I just use the heatsink and fan that comes with the Retail box?

For sound I am looking for 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1. My computer room is already in-wall wired for 7.1.

For PS is Seasonic better than Enermax?

What about brand of Video cards for the 7800 GT?

If I missed answering any other question, please point it out.

OK so here is the latest run down based on your replies and what I originally started with and I upped the PS to 600W.

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD
RAM:OCZ Platinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail x 2
PS:SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail
CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail
HD 1:Western Digital Raptor 74gb
HD 2:Seagate 300GB
HD 3:Maxtor 300GB
VIDEO: 7800GT x2 (what brand is best?)
SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card - Retail OR Audigy 2 ZS
SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM

 

[alimoalem]

CPU: 3700 San Diego
Mobo: great choice
Ram: if you have no budget, awesome choice. if you somewhat do, go with a little cheaper ram, maybe even value ram
PS: looks good, but expensive. if you have the money, what the hell
HD1: SCSI if you're going for all out performance. i have some if you're interested. if you don't want SCSI, depends on what you're doing. it looks like you'll be gaming mostly so get Seagate, they make the fastest game loading SATA drives so far.
Video: i'd get BFG. if you wanna go all out, u could up it to the GTX though

 

[Mattax]

MONEY: I understand that money becomes a concern. As long as the extra money is not buying something that is all bells and whistles, I will spend it. I do not want to unnecessarily spend money on something that is not needed when a cheaper item will do the same thing. But so far I am finding that the extra money is getting an item that is superior to a cheaper one.


On HD1 - Do I need to change the Western Digital Raptor to a Seagate? I do not need 300 GB of space on the OS and program drive. Anything under 100 GB will be fine.

BFG for the Video cards?

 

[firewolfsm]

get one 7800GTX, it won't be much slower than to GTs and you can get a cheaper motherboard and power supply, unless you are overclocking, get corsair value select, you can buy a sound card later, unless you are an audiophile, you won't notice that much of a difference.

 

[LxMxFxD3]

X2 3800+ 4 lyfe

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: Mattax
MONEY: I understand that money becomes a concern. As long as the extra money is not buying something that is all bells and whistles, I will spend it. I do not want to unnecessarily spend money on something that is not needed when a cheaper item will do the same thing. But so far I am finding that the extra money is getting an item that is superior to a cheaper one.


On HD1 - Do I need to change the Western Digital Raptor to a Seagate? I do not need 300 GB of space on the OS and program drive. Anything under 100 GB will be fine.

BFG for the Video cards?

Stick with the Raptor, it's the fastest SATA Drive on the market. Otherwise Seagate is fine, just not as quick as the Raptor. BFG seem to make nice cards, i'd say EVGA top of the list then BFG not far behind (almost no difference really) down to personal choice between the two.

Right now i'd have to suggest the Athlon64 X2 3800+ over a 3700+ San Diego, you'll have a much smoother experience with it. Look into a XP90c and a Panaflo 92mm fan for cooling, otherwise the Stock cooler is fine.

The Karajan Audio Module provided with the DFI is good enough and you won't have to worry about this issue cropping up with the X-Fi ExtremeMusic: http://www.amdzone.com/modules.php?op=m...e&sid=4031&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

 

[Mattax]

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD
RAM:OCZ Platinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail x 2
PS:SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail
CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail
HD 1:Western Digital Raptor 74gb
HD 2:Seagate 300GB
HD 3:Maxtor 300GB
VIDEO: 7800GT (what brand is best?)
SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card - Retail OR Audigy 2 ZS
SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM


Not sure what Video card to get. eVGA seems to be talked up to be better and as it turns out cheaper than BFG. Should I go 7800GT or 7800GTX? After that which version? I see that there are variations of each. Which one to get?

I will start with one 7800 video card and wait until prices drop to buy the second card.

Has the issue with the Creative Soundblaster X-Fi been resolved for all stock forward? Or are retailers still selling the problem prone versions? I have been reading that the X-Fi is better than the Audigy 2ZS.

Almost wrapped this up, just need these questions answered so that I can finalize my new RIG.

For the CPU- is Athlon64 X2 3800+ the same as AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model?

 

[Mattax]

PRICING: Found at NEWEGG.

I will be purchasing the speakers much later as the computer room is not yet finished. I currently have the Cambridge Soundworks DTT3500 so that will suffice until the room is completed. I may need to add a fan or two for the case and a cooler for the CPU if necessary.


$323/$347 CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail OR AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail

$163 MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD

$145 RAM:OCZ Platinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail x 2

$159 PS:SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail

$124 CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail

$168.99 HD 1:Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

$182 HD 2:Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3300831AS-RK 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - Retail

HD 3:Maxtor 300GB

$349/$369/$399 VIDEO:eVGA 256-P2-N515-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Desktop PC - Retail OR eVGA 256-P2-N517-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail OR eVGA 256-P2-N518 Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

$399/$277 SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Elite Pro 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail OR Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

$53.99/$435 SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM OR Creative GigaWorks S750 700 Watts 7.1 Speaker - Retail

Total: Depends on final selection.

 

[Mattax]

BUMP

 

[Mattax]

Guess I forgot about DVD and CD ROM. I have the following from the older computers:

LITE ON 52x CD ROM

ASUS 52x CD ROM

Creative Labs 12x DVD-ROM

Creative Labs 6x DVD-ROM

TDK CD Burner 24x/10/40

External Sony 12x DVD-Burner

What should I get to replace?

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: Mattax
PRICING: Found at NEWEGG.

I will be purchasing the speakers much later as the computer room is not yet finished. I currently have the Cambridge Soundworks DTT3500 so that will suffice until the room is completed. I may need to add a fan or two for the case and a cooler for the CPU if necessary.


$323/$347 CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3800BPBOX - Retail OR AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail

$163 MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD

$145 RAM:OCZ Platinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail x 2

$159 PS:SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail

$124 CASE:Antec Performance I P180 Silver Computer Case - Retail

$168.99 HD 1:Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

$182 HD 2:Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3300831AS-RK 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - Retail

HD 3:Maxtor 300GB

$349/$369/$399 VIDEO:eVGA 256-P2-N515-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Desktop PC - Retail OR eVGA 256-P2-N517-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail OR eVGA 256-P2-N518 Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

$399/$277 SOUND:Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Elite Pro 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail OR Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

$53.99/$435 SPEAKERS:Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker - OEM OR Creative GigaWorks S750 700 Watts 7.1 Speaker - Retail

Total: Depends on final selection.

CPU: 3800 X2 no questions.
MB: DFI is a great choice.
RAM: Great choice again.
PS: Good choice.
CASE: Looks nice.
HD 1: Raptor is a great choice.
HD 2: Seagate, nice quiet and decent performers.
HD 3: Not a brand i'd recommend but you already have it.
GFX: Any will do just fine, go for the cheaper of the 3 to save $$.
SND: Get that X-Fi and make sure to check on www.dfi-street.com for any BIOS Update to fix any issues with it.
SPK: Creative Speakers are nice, you might want to look at Klipsch or Altec Lansing if you can stretch that far.


TDK CD Burner 24x/10/40

External Sony 12x DVD-Burner

Both of those would do fine to use. You may aswell keep them and wait to see what happens with BluRay & HD-DVD.

Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835109122 Xp-90c or cheaper version http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835109119 XP-90.

Fan for that Heatsink is up to you but I hear good things about a Panaflo one (92mm).

 

[Mattax]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like you are in agreeance on my selections.

Yes, already have the Maxtor HD but it will be used for video and pictures.

On the speakers, I will have to do a search on the web as NEWEGG was only sporting Creative Labs for the 7.1 set up. Since the computer room is hardwired in wall for the 7.1 set up, I will definitely look for a 7.1 speaker system. The room is 10 x 12 so any cube or slightly bigger speakers should do nicely.

The XP-90c Heatsink and a Panaflo (92mm) fan.

Have to do the math now but I believe I am well over $2000.

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: Mattax
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like you are in agreeance on my selections.

Yes, already have the Maxtor HD but it will be used for video and pictures.

On the speakers, I will have to do a search on the web as NEWEGG was only sporting Creative Labs for the 7.1 set up. Since the computer room is hardwired in wall for the 7.1 set up, I will definitely look for a 7.1 speaker system. The room is 10 x 12 so any cube or slightly bigger speakers should do nicely.

The XP-90c Heatsink and a Panaflo (92mm) fan.

Have to do the math now but I believe I am well over $2000.

You could just use the Karajan Audio Module that comes with the Motherboard or downgrade to the Audigy 2 or 4. There isn't a terrible amount of difference between the soundcards nowadays. If you aren't going to overclock or stress your components too much you could stick with the Stock cooler saving a few extra $$ there. It cools sufficiently and doesn't make too much noise.

 

[Mattax]

Does the on board audio support 7.1?

 

[mrkun]

You really don't need an XP-90c, it's like 1-2C difference over the regular XP-90 and costs twice as much. Also, you can buy the DFI Lanparty UT NF4 Ultra-D and very easily mod it to SLI. Personally, I wouldn't buy a sound card that expensive; you can get an Audigy 2 ZS for like $45 if you look around. Definitely get the X2 3800, it's an awesome buy. As for video card brands, I like eVGA since their lifetime warranty covers overclocking (which no other company does). Also, if you wanted to save on the case, you can get an Antec SLK3000B, which sells for ~$50. It doesn't have the nifty isolated PSU/HDD compartment, but the case has a side air duct and vent.