Building a new PC, need your help!

[Neverbehind]

Hi all, I am planning to build a new computer that's based on AMD processor. My budget right now is about $1500, and my goal is to have a dual core AMD processor that's easy to overclock with air cooling. I don't have any experience in self building a machine so I would like to hear some suggestions on some of the main parts that I need, meanwhile I will also be doing some research on my own. So here's whats in my mind:

Case: Need one that offers good air ventilation for overclock, one thing though, I am not planning to add any powerful fans because I hate noise.

Power Supply: I guess 400-500W would do.

Motherboard: Stability with overclocking, AMD dual core compatible. I am not sure about SLI or crossfire right now.

RAM: 1Gig, Which type is the best for AMD motherboard thesedays, I am confused with so many of them.

Heatsink: Most likely SI-120 with a quiet fan.

CPU: AMD X2 3800. Now, how fast can this be safely overclock to with above HSF. If 4200 or higher has better overclock potential I might be able to stretch my budget somewhat

Hard drive: Barracuda 7200.7 or WD740 raptor

Graphic Card: I already have a GeForce 6800 GT

And everything will come from my old pc.

So here's basically what I need, if you know a very good product that fit to my requirement please drop a line. I also welcome all your comments and suggestions

 

[n7]

What are you planning on using this PC for?

Gaming?
Email ?

Nah, seriously, a little more info would help.

Now also, you say you have a 6800GT? Is that an AGP card, or PCI-e?

 

[Furen]

For PSU I'd recommend a seasonic S12 if you dont think it's too expensive. It's very quiet and efficient.

I, personally, think that SLI and crossfire are worthless, since you can just upgrade to a newer video card that will perform about the same as a pair of old cards with better features. This may change, though, since I dont see Nvidia (or ATI) going much higher on the pixel pipelines, so unless they can start clocking these things pretty high I think the performance ramp will slow.

Since you are going with an X2, I'm assuming you will be multitasking, in which case 2GB of ram will be much better than 1GB. Any PC3200 that can do 2-2-2-5 should be good (or 2-3-2-5 in the case of 2x1GB dimms). I like TCCD (or TCCC) over any of the high-voltage chips 'cause it's much more hassle-free.

Have you thought about the big typhoon (or whatever that thermaltake heatsink is called) or the xp90? They're some of the best heatsinks out there (I consider the Scythe Ninja the best out there but it's pretty expensive).

CPU sounds good. I think that as long as you're not pinning your hopes on something like 2.9GHz a 3800+ is good enough. I dont think I've heard of any 3800s not reaching 2.6GHz or so.

I, personally, like Samsung Spinpoints because they're so quiet (their normal seek noise is comparable to AAM-enabled seek of other drives and they idle pretty silently, too). I've actually never used a raptor, so I cant say anything about those.

A case can be pretty important, too. Try go get one with good airflow and maybe 12cm fans. I prefer steel over aluminum because aluminum is more susceptible to harmonic vibration with the case fans and harddrives. Having a huge piece of metal vibrate is quite annoying.

 

[Neverbehind]

Originally posted by: n7
What are you planning on using this PC for?

Gaming?
Email ?

Nah, seriously, a little more info would help.

Now also, you say you have a 6800GT? Is that an AGP card, or PCI-e?

It's mostly for gaming. The card is PCIe

 

[Neverbehind]

Originally posted by: Furen
For PSU I'd recommend a seasonic S12 if you dont think it's too expensive. It's very quiet and efficient.

Have you thought about the big typhoon (or whatever that thermaltake heatsink is called) or the xp90? They're some of the best heatsinks out there (I consider the Scythe Ninja the best out there but it's pretty expensive).

Yes, I am gonna get Seasonic S12, I read some great reviews on it!

As far as the heatsink goes, I only considered the newest ones, such as the Zalman 9500. But some people here claim that SI-120 and XP-120 with Panaflo has a lower thermal resistance.

 

[Mogadon]

Some people may claim that, but really there's been no real world experience with the Zalman 9500, as far as I know they only just started shipping a few days ago. If you're going to be waiting a week or two you may find that one or two board members will be writing about their experiences with the 9500. The XP90C or XP-120 would probably be the safe option (ie. for gauranteed good cooling), personally though I would probably choose the ThermalTake Typhoon (i'm gonna pick one up as soon as i get a new case).

Crossfire is defintely out if you want to keep your 6800, and you may want to go SLI if you have a high res. monitor and use it, but you can always get an SLI board and upgrade later.

Mobo you'll be wanting is the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D.

 

[n7]

Best HS out there right now: Thermaltake Big Typhoon

If you don't mind spending money on good RAM, get the Patriot 2-3-2 2x1 GB kit, or maybe Mushkin's.

Do get 2 GB though, not just 1 GB.

Crucial value RAM is excellent too.

DFI Lanparty Ultra-D = best OCing mobo out there, but it requires lots of tweaking to get running well.
Epox 9NPA+ Ultra = cheaper good OCing mobo.
Abit AN8 Ultra = passive mobo cooling
MSI Neo4 Platinum = features galore & OCs well

 

[Furen]

Originally posted by: Neverbehind
As far as the heatsink goes, I only considered the newest ones, such as the Zalman 9500. But some people here claim that SI-120 and XP-120 with Panaflo has a lower thermal resistance.

SilentPC Review did a review on the Zalman 9500. They claim that it's a pretty good cooler but its noise is quite annoying.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Furen

Originally posted by: Neverbehind
As far as the heatsink goes, I only considered the newest ones, such as the Zalman 9500. But some people here claim that SI-120 and XP-120 with Panaflo has a lower thermal resistance.

SilentPC Review did a review on the Zalman 9500. They claim that it's a pretty good cooler but its noise is quite annoying.

TTBT pwns j00 all!
Seriously, it looks like it's going to be my next cooler, since my current Zalman actually does worse than my stock HS (though it's very quiet )

 

[govtcheez75]

I would check the Anandtech FS/FT forum. You can get most or all of the stuff you listed and save lots of money in the process. Lots of traders and sellers even have brand new/like new stuff. I know that Thor86 is selling a X2 3800 that oc's to 2.8ghz.

 

[Neverbehind]

Well, as long as the MB is not hard to work with, I am fine with that.

 

[Neverbehind]

right now I plan to order the follow:

DFI Lanparty UT nF4 SLI-DR
Seasonic S12-500
OCZ PC3200 EL Platinum Rev. 2 (2x512) 1GB
Seagate 7200.7 200GB
Thermalright SI-120

Any comments? Please help me check for any compatibility issues here.

 

[aiya24]

if you can afford it, get a 2gb ram kit.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Neverbehind
right now I plan to order the follow:

DFI Lanparty UT nF4 SLI-DR
Seasonic S12-500
OCZ PC3200 EL Platinum Rev. 2 (2x512) 1GB
Seagate 7200.7 200GB
Thermalright SI-120

Any comments? Please help me check for any compatibility issues here.

get the Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 200GB (not 7200.7 .. 8 is the latest revision) , its internal transfers are faster along with it being quieter than the 7200.7, and it is one of the top performing hard drives in its range :thumbsup:

EDIT: and get a panaflo 120mm fan for your heatsink, best db rating compared to CFm you will find (aka performance to noise ratio).

check the two at the bottom of this page, for an example

 

[Neverbehind]

Okay, and I guess the only thing left for me to consider is a good case that offers decent ventilation, low vibration, and the space to fit everything else. Any recommendations?

 

[RichUK]

Aluminium cases = noisy like my CoolerMaster Wavemaster

Steal case = heavily reduced noise unlike my CoolerMaster Waveaster

Probably an antec p180 or p160

Or Lian Li v1000

Or CoolerMaster Praetorian 730

... i just went for look initially

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Ill probably be shot but

for a case, the Thermaltake Tsunami is a very performance case, while maintaining good looks. Its not the quietest case around, but it isnt the loudest either (the only thing i can hear is my Panaflo (which is on full speed) and my front 120mm fan, which is a aftermark fan, not the one that comes with the case, so its louder)

 

[Neverbehind]

One question, the Seasonic power supply has its fan position on the top, how does it fit in a case with vent on the back if there are no openings on the top of the case?

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: Neverbehind
One question, the Seasonic power supply has its fan position on the top, how does it fit in a case with vent on the back if there are no openings on the top of the case?

The psu goes in upside down....... The way they have it set up in the picture is not the way it is installed.

The fan will be on the bottom of the PSU when you install it

 

[Emultra]

The ASUS A8N does the job as well, but you may have to replace the sawmill chipset fan.

 

[Neverbehind]

I will probably rule out P180 case, read a couple of posts that people have having problem with wiring.

 

[drifter106]

You may want to check into the stacker from coolmaster...tons of room, more than adaquate cooling, and well built. Was thinking about a p180 for my next build but gonna be hard not to get a second stacker.