Building New Computer, Need some input!

[D22]

I am about to start buying the parts. I am building a new rig so I can give my old one (XP 2400+ OC to 3300+/512 Dual PC3500/160gb/GF4ti4200/8x NEC DL/integrated sound) to my girlfriend for Christmas.


I AM planning on overclocking. I mainly use my computer for web surbing, CDs, and occasional gaming (sims 2, rome total war), but want to turn it into a Media Center PC within the next few months. Currently I am thinking about this...

Case - samurai ATX420w ? 127.15 ? 80 = 47.15
DVD-RW DL ? Lite-ON 16x DL - 67.99
CD-RW - BTC 52x32x52 - 21.50
AMD 3000+ 90nm - 150.00
Speakers - Z-560 (already bought) - 68.75
Sound Card - Audigy 2 ZS - 70.00 (or go integrated? Want it to sound GOOD!)
Hard Drive - 120-160GB 8MB cache - 60.00

Printer - Epson R300 (leaning that way) 75.00
RAM - What speed will I need? Thinking 1x512 DIMM to save money and pop a 2nd in later
Motherboard - Not sure...wait for Nforce 4? DFI nF3? AV8? Just need it a week before Christmas.
Video Card - Either x600/700, 6600, 6600GT, or 9800 pro $100-$150 max budget.
Cooling - Air or Water? I might go water if it would be good through 1 more upgrade since I am assuming my fan will cost me $30+. I have some OCZ silver paste, good enough or get a newer paste?

That is pretty much it...Only other thing I have considered is going to a 38 or 74GB Raptor now, and pop in a 2nd huge standard 7200 rpm drive later. This would definitely take me over budget so the sacrifice would probably be grabbing a sub-$50 video card for now, or scrapping the Audigy 2 and printer since I don't have a digi-cam yet.

Been out of the loop on the A64's so just catching up, hope some of the more knowledgable members can help me out!

 

[Rike]

A few thoughts . . .

1. Mobo: Since you've waited this long to upgrade, wait a bit longer for the A64 PCIe boards to come out. No real performance gain over AGP, but it could extend your upgrade options. You should be able to find one mid-Dec w/out much trouble. The very first board are just starting to be released. (See Anandtech front page)

2. Yes, upgrade sound. You might want to look at M-Audio cards too.

3. The Raptors are great drives, but they can be a little louder than some of the 7200 RPM drives. Something to consider if this is going to be a media center later. And they are pricey.

4. If you are looking for quiet down the road, I would highly recommend a fan bus. I've used this one in two rigs so far and it's great for controlling fan noise.

5. RAM: 512MB is a good place to start. No point in buying anything less than PC3200 (DDR400). Value RAM can be had for about $70. If you want to overclock your RAM, you'll need to spend more.

6. Do you NEED two burners? Good place to cut a few dollars.

7. Air cooling = easy, straightforward and cheap w/ some noise (Arctic Silver 5 is great)
Water cooling = more difficult, more expensive but quiet and very sexy

 

[D22]

Good point on that burner. I just like having two drives for some reason, but don't really use them enough to justify it. Not too overly concerned with the sound, and I think the case I am getting will be quieter than the one I have now.