Building a PC Comp.

[exoid]

Hello,

I'm thinking of building myself a gaming/performance computer that's not extremly expensive but in the lines of performance. I've searched up and read up and it seems like the new AMD X2 is the way to go. I've looked at online stores near me for best pricing as well and here is what I have came up with;

[ CPU ]
Athlon64 X2 3800+ S939 Athlon64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core 2.0GHz 1000FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939
= $436.00
= http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=17866

[ MOTHERBOARD ]
A8N-SLI Premium Asus NF4 SLI S939 1066FSB Dual-DDR400 PCIE16 PCIE8 SLI(x2) 2PCIEx1
3PCI SATA300-R(0/1/0+1) SATA150-R(0/1/0+1/5) ATA133 i1394 USB2.0 7.1Audio 2x G-LAN ATX
With AI-Selector/Cool-Pipe
= $218.00
= http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=17170

[ MEMORY ]
DDR400 1G Corsair DDR400 1024M 184pin 2.5v C3
= $170.00
= http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=15728

[ CASE ]
OGRE Silver aGear OGRE Silver ATX 4x2x5x 18" 12cm/8cm fans Front 2USB2.0 2Audio ports (NO POWER SUPLY)
= $68.00
= http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=11536

[ PSU ]
CX-550 : CoolMax CX-550 ATX 550W 120mm Silent Fan
= $90.00
= http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=11536

Now, i'm not 100% sure what kinda motherboards support the X2 technology, if someone could point out that i've chosen the right kind of motherboard that would be great. I'm somewhat new to chosing parts for my own computer with AMD as i was a Intel person but seeing how cheaper/better options AMD has i had to go with it.

I'm pretty experianced in putting all the hardware together.. Would like to have users from anandtech comment on this.. my hardware chocies.. would there be anything that would NOT work in my specification.

Thanks for reading.
eXoid;

 

[exoid]

I also noticed that the mobo does not support AGP, and i just happen to have a Radeon 9800XT AGP i wanted to port out of my old system..

Are there motherboards that support both, PCI Express and AGP?

Don't really wanna buy a new GFX Card since i've bought this one recently.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: exoid
I also noticed that the mobo does not support AGP, and i just happen to have a Radeon 9800XT AGP i wanted to port out of my old system..

Are there motherboards that support both, PCI Express and AGP?

Don't really wanna buy a new GFX Card since i've bought this one recently.

Welcome to AT.

Asrock has a motherboard that supports both.

 

[exoid]

Thanks

I wonder if FutureShop would allow me to change the GFX Card for a PCI Express one since i have about a year over-the-counter exchange left and then i'd be able to leave behind AGP.

 

[duffman1]

my advice is not to get asus motherboard or corsair ram. instead get a epox or dfi motherboard and some ocz, ballistix or mushkin ram.

 

[forumposter32]

http://www.canadacomputers.com

http://www.shoprbc.com

That site has Antec and Enermax power supplies. Why are you not choosing one of those?

Also, I bought my 1 GB (2x512 MB) Corsair CAS 2.5 RAM at canadacomputers.com for $130 CDN.

Edit again. BTW, you can also check out http://www.pricenetwork.ca for good prices as well (and http://www.pricegrabber.ca )

I REALLY think you can save a lot by looking for better prices.

 

[forumposter32]

Sapphire X800 GTO 256 MB $230 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...wProduct&cmd=pd&pid=008119&cid=999.243

Corsair 1 GB $122 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...wProduct&cmd=pd&pid=004419&cid=RAM.178

Coolermaster case $80 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=008512&cid=CS.664

Enermax 485 watt $90 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=006322&cid=PS.808

X2 3800+ $427 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...wProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007675&cid=CPU.611

or instead you could get the 3500+ for $257 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...wProduct&cmd=pd&pid=004975&cid=CPU.611

Asus A8N-SLI mobo $161 CDN http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=006818&cid=MB.693

NEC DVD burner $52 CDN
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007507&cid=CR.184

NOTE: The discounted/cash prices are slightly lower. I've ordered from them before.

 

[KoolDrew]

Get rid of the SLI motherboard; it is a waste of money./

 

[forumposter32]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Get rid of the SLI motherboard; it is a waste of money./

I agree with that. Next year...SM4 and Directx10 video cards and way more powerful. I wouldn't add another "old" technology card in several months when they're coming out with new technology next summer.

\EDIT: I should also add that shipping from canadacomputers.com and shoprbc.com is only $10 per order regardless of size. And, I ordered from both.

 

[exoid]

thanks for all the comments on this

Yeha, seems like im going to have to ditch agp gfx if i really wanna move on... probably going to end up selling it to a friend that is desperate for a good gfx card.

So my best go is to get a PCIe gfx card along with the suggested hardware..

keep away from CLI mobos?.

Just trying to build a decent performance PC that won't require changes in like 3-4months down the road cuz i messed up..