Building a new system - any suggestions?

jrm5084

Member
Jun 1, 2005
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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

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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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

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
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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

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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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

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
19,741
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: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

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2005
4,327
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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

Member
Jun 1, 2005
56
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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?
 

Crescent13

Diamond Member
Jan 12, 2005
4,793
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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

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2005
4,327
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The foxconn board? Search around this forum, I think you'll change your mind. Perhaps a better alternative to the Foxconn is the Chaintech.