Building a new system

[Compuzen]

I'm building a new system, and I was wanting some input on a couple components.

So far I have ordered:

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
Corsair Twinx2048-3500LLPro 2 X 1Gb
Enermax Noisetaker 600W SLI Certified
Zalman CNPS9500 92mm Fan/Heatsink
Thermaltake Skull Case

I allready have the above items. I am looking hard at the AMD X2 4400+ and the Asus 7800GTX Top.

The AMD X2 4400+ is selling for around $497 as compaired to the 4800+ at $787. The only difference between the two that I see is 200Mhz. From reviews of the motherboard and the 4400+ I should be able to get a respectable overclock from it. So in anyones opinion, is the 4800+ worth the extra $290.

I read a couple reviews on the Asus 7800GTX Top ($569) and it proformed a little better than the BFG 7800GTX OC , but the Asus is shipped overclocked and seems to be able to be pushed a decent amount further past that default clock speed. The Cooling solution on the Asus is what allows it to be fairly overclockable. It exausts the hot air from the card out the back of the case rather than circulating it in the case. I think this will be a good feature to have in the case when I overclock my Processor. The Asus Mobo I'm using is supposed to be very overclockable with the 8 phase power design Asus used on it. I'm just wondering if buying a cheapers non-oc card and overclocking it would be better, but then I'd probably have to spend extra money on and aftermarket cooler anyway.

I'm going to use one of the 100Gb ATA133 drives I have till after Christmas and get the harddrives sometime in January. I'll have a couple questions to ask at that time,lol.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Compuzen]

Does anyone have one of the Asus 7800GTX Tops.....or even two? I plan on buying the 2nd at tax time.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Why didn't you ask before you order???

First off, that PSU is TOTALLY unnecessary.

Second, I would recommend the Scythe Ninja, or the Thermalright XP-120 over the new Zalman. Both are cheaper, both are quieter (or have the potential to be).

Next, while the M/B is excellent, you may have wanted to take a look at the new DFI Expert board, but that is just a minor thing.

As for the case, IMO you could have done much better. Tt cases often include 38429 different fans, all on high, all cheap. Additionally, their construction quality often leaves much to be desired. I would have highly recommended Antec, Lian Li, Coolermaster, (Perhaps the Tt Tsunami after gutting all the fans), over that case.

At any rate:

I would recommend getting an X2 3800+ and overclocking it. If the extra 2x 512kb of cache means a lot to you then get the Opteron 165 and OC it. There is no reason to spend nearly double on a simply clock speed jump.

As for the Video Card, Asus cards are often WAY overpriced. Very nice quality, but way too much. I would recommend the EVGA 7800GTX CO, or the regular 7800GTX. Also look at Leadtek, and BFG.

Good luck,
-Kevin

 

[GOREGRINDER]

i dont have the asus tops,..but i got the msi's,.yer gonna love SLi btw

but yeah if your goin dual core the 4400+ looks to be the smartest buy,..without even tryin im sure you can hit 2.4ghz of the 4800+ and well beyond

systems lookin good:thumbsup:

 

[theMan]

buy an opteron 165 or 170. they are overclocking monsters. people are getting above 2.8ghz with them!!!

 

[Compuzen]

Thanks guys, I haven't really even considered the Opteron. Haven't heard a whole lot about them. Are they good gaming CPU's?

As for the case, I've had it for a little over a year, but I love it. It's totaly tooless (you don't even have to screw down the MB) and has ample spots for fans. It came with 4 fans. Two in the back for exaust, one intake over the the PCI(express) slots, and one intake beside the harddrive cage.

I read some good reviews on the new Zalman, and Newegg had it for $58 with free shipping, but I did look close at the XP 120. I read a review on the RAM I'm using and they noted that it made it a little difficult to mount the XP 120 because of the head pipes.

Thanks for the input guys. Now its time for me to do some more researching,lol.

 

[Skott]

Another card to consider is the eVGA 7800GTX KO ECS3. Its a slightly higher OC than the ASUS card (490 vs 486). About the same thickness as well and the A8N32 will fit the two cards and a pci sound card. Cost vs performance the 4400 is a better choice than the 4800. I suspect the 4800 will become a more popular choice once the newer chips comes out and prices on the 4800 drop. X2 chips are overpriced IMO right now.

The Opterons are another good choice but they are harder to find right now due to heavy demand. AMD has a sleeper hit with these chips and the holiday shopping demand isnt going to help the supply side of things. Also when reading posts about the overclocking people are doing pay close attention to wether they are using air cooling or water cooling. The highest overclocks are usually done with water cooling. The Optys seem to be a bit better in performance and abuse from what I'm hearing. Mobo, RAM, case, and HSF model also plays a big factor as well.

 

[Compuzen]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am most likely going to go with the Opteron 175. It seems identical to the X2 4400+, but is a lot more overclock friendly.

I read some reviews of the Asus Top vs the eVGA KO, and they seem to be allmost dead even, except for thermals. The Asus Top ran 10 deg.C lower. I heard that Newegg stoped carrying the eVGA KO model. I couldn't find it there, but found eVGA 256-P2-N529-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card. That card which seems to have the same specs and look the same. With the better cooling solution I'm still leaning toward the Asus, but I am thinking about spending the extra $125 on the BFG 7800GTX OC 512Mb. Its currently sold out at Monarch right now though @ $699. Newegg is $749 right now, and out of stock also.

 

[Skott]

I'm taking a guess here because I havent compared the two vid cards against each other but I'll hazard the ASUS has a slightly better software offering. ASUS usually has the best software applications. Thats not to say the eVGA would be any slouch in this area but I'd give the nod to the ASUS.

 

[Compuzen]

After a lot of research I decided to go with the Opteron 146 with CABYE 0540 Stepping. I ordered it the yesterday. Now I just need the video card and it will be complete......untill tax time.

 

[Lasthitlarry]

I feel like the CPU will be the bottleneck on that decision

 

[Skott]

Yeah, I'm thinking a 3800 X2 or higher or Opty 165+ would be better choices but buy what you feel is the best for your needs. Good luck with your build and let us know how it works out.

 

[Compuzen]

Originally posted by: Lasthitlarry
I feel like the CPU will be the bottleneck on that decision

You think?

From what I've been reading all over the internet. The Opteron 146's with the CABYE 0540 Stepping are hitting 2.8Ghz Pretty commonly, and with the 8 phase power design the ASUS MB has, I should be able to do that pretty easy.

If I hit 2.8Ghz, this processor will have almost the exact same specs as the Athlon FX57 at 1/4 the cost. For less than $300 I couldn't pass that up. I'll post some benchmarks after I get everything together and tweaked.

Wish me luck, and thanks for all the input.