Building a new system - any suggestions?

[jrm5084]

Hello, I'm building a new computer before i go off to college. I will be doing a decent amount of gaming on this computer, but not a ton. I will also be using it for chatting, browsing the internet, etc.... nothign in particular. Here are the components i am thinking about putting in, any suggestions or changes are appreciated.

CPU : AMD Athlon 3800+ or 4000+ -- Not sure on this part yet, not sure if the 4000+ is worth the extra money. ($360-$375 for 3800+, $470-$490 for 4000+) Also, could you guys recommend a specific core for each cpu.

MOBO: Foxconn NF4K8MC-ERS Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ($89)

RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)VS1GBKIT400 - Retail ($74)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3160021A 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 ($80)

DVD: NEC ND-3520A ($50)

Video Card: Either a Geforce 6600 GT ($180) or Radeon X800xl ($280)

Also, i was wondering how big of a power supply am i gonna need to be safe with all this hardware?? Thank You.

 

[imported_rod]

An athlon 4000+ with a 6600GT is a one-sided match. You're gaming would be better with a 3500+ and an X800XL. Also I'm not farmiliar with that MoBo.

My Recomendations
(should cost about the same as what you have designed)

-CPU: AMD64 3500+ (venice core)
-MoBo: Not sure, but I would personally go with ASUS. ABit, DFI and MSI have all got good reputations
-RAM: CORSAIR VS is a good choice
-Video Card: X800XL (Im guessing you dont want SLI)
-HDD(option 1): Seagate/Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD
-HDD(option 2): 1x80GB SATA HDD(for OS/Programs) and 1x200GB SATA HDD (Storage/Video/Music etc...)
-Optical: 1xDVD+/-RW and 1xDVD-ROM

As for your question about a PSU:
A 430Watt Antec True Power II (26A @ +12V) would be heaps. If you dont mind spending some more, the 480W Antec NeoPower (ATX 2.0/24Pin) is even better.

Are you planning on overclocking? If so, you _might_ want to change your CPU and MoBo.

Hope thats helped.
RoD

 

[w00t]

i would go with a 3200+ the 3000+ and 3200+ are the sweet spots in the amd64 processors they are alot cheaper when u get higher than the 3500+ they really go up.

ur mobo is made my foxconn may want to see some reviews or benchmarks on it before you buy just that name makes me worried and i have seen a case made by them its like asus how they made a case a ugly one at that.

that value select is cas 2.5 right? just checking.

the hd u picked out is ata100 get Sata 2

i would go with x800xl easy choice.

its not about how big a power supply is i think u are infering to big = high watts its about how reliable it is a quality 350 would run ur system i recommend ocz modstream or powerstream. there is alot more psu's that are good just 2 off my head i like.

 

[knothead34]

i would stick with asus...abit.......dfi.......msi also. i have the amd 4000 clawhammer if i had to do it again i would get the san diego. the 3200 venice is popular.

 

[biostud]

:thumbsdown: on mboard you need atleast a nForce4-Ultra, and as other has said save some money on the CPU and get a better videocard.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Get a 3000+ Venice (unless you have an insane fear of dividers, since you lose 1 multiplier from the 3200+) and a Abit AN8 Ultra, or the DFI LanParty Ultra-D if youre overclocking. Personally, if you're not planning on doing much overclocking I'd get the Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-SLi since it comes with a 6-Phase DPS unit and an included PCI wireless card.

 

[jrm5084]

Hey guys, thanks for all your feedback. As for the CPU, i've decided to go with the less expensive 3800+ and in turn get the more expensive video card (the x800xl).

As for the HDD, i've replaced the IDE one with HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 14R9463 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB ATA150 ($87)

reguarding the MOBO, i've decided to now get the Foxconn NF4UK8AA-8EKRS Socket 939 nForce4 ($104) - i've looked at reviews and benchmarks and it seems that it performs well. As for the fella who said i need at least an nforce 4-ultra... i believe this board is an nforce 4... does it have to say "ultra," or isn't this compatible with the athlon 64 3800+

I forgot to mention... most likelely will not be doing any overclocking of the cpu and the video card.
How does this new configuration sound?

 

[nick1985]

tone down your CPU a bit and used the saved cash for a better motherboard

 

[Crescent13]

look at my system specs in my sig

do something like that only go with a x800xl

Edit: and get better speakers

 

[The Pentium Guy]

The foxconn board? Search around this forum, I think you'll change your mind. Perhaps a better alternative to the Foxconn is the Chaintech.