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Building my first rig... list and some advice/questions

M

muddled

Member
I know these types of posts are popping up like wildfire lately and can be quite annoying, but this is my first go around putting together a rig (and possibly overclocking), so I'd really like to have some information in one place.

This is what I plan on putting together: (CURRENT EDITED SYSTEM)
MEMORY UNDECIDED AT THIS TIME
AMD 64 3000+ Venice - $146
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - $109.99
Enermax Noisetaker EG495AX-VE SFMA 2.0 (PFC) ATX 12V 2.0 485W Power Supply - $95
ATI (Connect3D) Radeon X800 XL 256MB DDR/PCI-E/TV-Out/VGA/DVI - $249
Thermaltake SOPRANO VB1000BWS - $80.49
SAMSUNG 997DF-T/T 19" CRT Monitor - $199.99

I probably will not overclock this beast immediately following assembly, but I plan to eventually. I am a total newbie at that process too and wouldn't know where to begin. I just want to make sure everything I pick up is compatible and OC friendly for now.

1) My goal is to get this system to match the performance of a 3700+ with stock parts and cooling. Is that moderate overclocking or would that be overreaching? Should I instead opt for the 3200+?

2) Is that motherboard a good bet for overclocking? Should I spend the extra money on a DFI board? What other alternatives are there?

3) How is the powersupply? Is OCZ reliable in that regard? What is the difference between a Modstream and Powerstream? It seems that PSU is priced pretty low.

4) Is the ram adequate for my goal of reaching a 3700+? Are there any similarly priced TCCD alternatives or is that quite a bit more? Will ValueRam with a Divider be enough?

NON OC misc questions

5) Is that CRT one of the best bangs for the buck I am going to be able to find? It seems difficult to find CRT monitor information these days. I do not think I am ready for the world of LCD.

6) I don't plan on buying a Harddrive right away, but what is the difference between a SATA drive with 16mb Cache and an SATA II drive? Which would provide better performance for large transfer of files and which for gaming? I am sure the difference is very negligible but I am just curious.



 
That BFG is just a rebadged Chaintech. The Chaintech is cheaper so I would go with it. The DFi si teh best choice for overclocking though.
 
1 + 2) If the BFG is indeed a rebadged Chaintech, then you most likely won't hit your desired OC. The Chaintech board, while being a great value board, just doesn't overclock that well. The DFI Lanparty boards are the best OC'ing boards on the market, so if you want a really high OC, then I'd go with that. You might need a bit more than just stock cooling though.

3) The power supply is pretty good. OCZ is a very reputable manufacturer.

4) You don't need 2GB of RAM if you're gaming. 2GB is only necesary for heavy photoshop use/video encoding/etc... And you don't need to get XMS RAM either. Go with some good value stuff and run a RAM divider. That makes it so your RAM FSB doesn't have to be the same as your board FSB. So your RAM won't limit the overclockability of your CPU. The Corsair Value Select RAM is really good stuff, but I've heard the the DFI board is really picky about RAM and doesn't work very well with Corsair RAM, so maybe the OCZ Value VX RAM would be better.

5) Eh, I'm not really a monitor person -_-; LCD's are better for your eyes though 🙂

6) SATA drives with 16MB cache will be slightly faster than a SATA drive with 8MB of cache. SATA has a theoredical bandwidth of 150 mbps, but even the fastest drives have only hit like 50 mbps. So SATAII is basically useless right now, because it has a theoredical bandwidth of 300 mbps, but what's the point if drives can only go up to 50 mbps anyways. It could be useful in the future, and it costs about the same as a SATA drive, so while it may be unnecesary now, there's no harm in getting one.
 
Okay! I am going to drop the XMS ram for some value OCZ or Muskin. I know I do not really need 2 GBs at this time, but I really just want to go the distance there for now. Will also switch the mobo to the DFI.

What cooling supplies should I look into to get that 3000+ up to 3700+ speeds? I was actually planning on buying the 3200+ 90% of the time since deciding to build a machine, but if I can safely and easily overclock the 3000+ high on simple stock, I don't see the need to spend the few bucks extra.
 
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
 
Originally posted by: AATRuler
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
Click to expand...

your wrong about the 4 stick thing. he would be forced to run his memory in 2T mode, causing quite a performance hit. its WAY better to go 2*1 gig sticks. IIRC...

oh, and check my sig. 😉
 
Putting together a new pc is difficult. I cannot seem to decide on MOBO, MEMORY, and now possibly VID CARD. heh.

I am still leaning towards the EPOX, but how is this board? Only $84. Pros/cons? It seems to be rated very well. What do I lose by going with this instead of the Epox?
MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

I do not appear to be having any success finding low latency ram in 1GB sticks. Can anyone link me to something good? Seems like everything is 2x512.

And lastly... I am now wavering a bit on the video card. The X800 XL seems a steal for $250, but are there any similarly performing 6800 cards for that price, or must that be stepped up to the $300+ range?

I really appreciate all the assistance. I am narrowing things down!
 
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
Click to expand...

your wrong about the 4 stick thing. he would be forced to run his memory in 2T mode, causing quite a performance hit. its WAY better to go 2*1 gig sticks. IIRC...

oh, and check my sig. 😉
Click to expand...

Hmm if it would b possible to get the 2x1gb sticks running on the same speeds As 4x512 i would agree.. but if 4x512 is still better in speeds.. i would know what to do 'n usually cheaper ey..

 
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
Click to expand...

your wrong about the 4 stick thing. he would be forced to run his memory in 2T mode, causing quite a performance hit. its WAY better to go 2*1 gig sticks. IIRC...

oh, and check my sig. 😉
Click to expand...

Athlon 64 setups work better with two sticks instead of 4 anyway.

I'm still looking for a good 939 socket MOBO myself that allows me to OC my CPU without messing with my ram. (All while not being too complicated for a first time builder)
 
Originally posted by: AATRuler
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
Click to expand...

your wrong about the 4 stick thing. he would be forced to run his memory in 2T mode, causing quite a performance hit. its WAY better to go 2*1 gig sticks. IIRC...

oh, and check my sig. 😉
Click to expand...

Hmm if it would b possible to get the 2x1gb sticks running on the same speeds As 4x512 i would agree.. but if 4x512 is still better in speeds.. i would know what to do 'n usually cheaper ey..
Click to expand...

did you not understand what i said about 2t? 😕
 
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
Click to expand...

your wrong about the 4 stick thing. he would be forced to run his memory in 2T mode, causing quite a performance hit. its WAY better to go 2*1 gig sticks. IIRC...

oh, and check my sig. 😉
Click to expand...

Hmm if it would b possible to get the 2x1gb sticks running on the same speeds As 4x512 i would agree.. but if 4x512 is still better in speeds.. i would know what to do 'n usually cheaper ey..
Click to expand...

did you not understand what i said about 2t? 😕
Click to expand...

I do understand.. its just that what is bothering me is that if 2x1gb can run 1t or 2t and 4x512 is forced to 2t what would b better. Timings are pretty important yknow how fast something is "handeled" it is better on 2 than 3 i would say.. Timings are the right stuff when your in gaming.. the faster the better..
 
But just enough the get the pc to perform better overall 😉

THe point: Better low latency ram than high latency --> Performance
Better 7800 tahn 850xt --> performance
Etc... its all about overall performance.. One bad part and stuff begin to throttle on heavy aplecations.
 
Originally posted by: AATRuler
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
One more thing.

Get 4 sticks of low latency 512 ram instead of 2 sticks 1gb. That way u can put em dual channel, and have better acces timings. if you buy some nice OCZ with heatspreaders tahn u can go mad on overclocking those bjoeties.

I recently have spoken with a guy who overclocked his 3000+ Venice from 1.8 to 2.7 stable on stock.. so it might b PhUn!! ( Might buy better cooling though 😉, as well for you vid card if ya want go xtreme on it.)
Click to expand...


your wrong about the 4 stick thing. he would be forced to run his memory in 2T mode, causing quite a performance hit. its WAY better to go 2*1 gig sticks. IIRC...

oh, and check my sig. 😉
Click to expand...

Hmm if it would b possible to get the 2x1gb sticks running on the same speeds As 4x512 i would agree.. but if 4x512 is still better in speeds.. i would know what to do 'n usually cheaper ey..
Click to expand...

did you not understand what i said about 2t? 😕
Click to expand...

I do understand.. its just that what is bothering me is that if 2x1gb can run 1t or 2t and 4x512 is forced to 2t what would b better. Timings are pretty important yknow how fast something is "handeled" it is better on 2 than 3 i would say.. Timings are the right stuff when your in gaming.. the faster the better..
Click to expand...


it doesnt matter what the timings are if they run in 2T mode...
 
Even if it doesnt matter what does matter is that when u have some nice Corsair xms or OCZ VX or something with heatspreaders, you put em dual and u crck up the voltages. that would definetly crack up some performance.. even if running 2t
 
Originally posted by: AATRuler
Even if it doesnt matter what does matter is that when u have some nice Corsair xms or OCZ VX or something with heatspreaders, you put em dual and u crck up the voltages. that would definetly crack up some performance.. even if running 2t
Click to expand...

lol, prove it.
 
Originally posted by: nick1985
Originally posted by: AATRuler
Even if it doesnt matter what does matter is that when u have some nice Corsair xms or OCZ VX or something with heatspreaders, you put em dual and u crck up the voltages. that would definetly crack up some performance.. even if running 2t
Click to expand...

lol, prove it.
Click to expand...

Would like to.. if you give me the best tools for overclocking ad stuff for free.. guess u wont do that..
1024 is enough for now.. 1 1gb stick on 1t and high timings or 2x512 on dual channel and low timings on 1t i would like to have 2x512. when 2048 4x512.. lower timings better overclock abilities and less heat per stick i would say. than the diff between 1t or 2t drop.
 
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