Building New System

[imported_Twitch]

My current system works for basic tasks, but I think ~4 years is a good run for my system. I will probably have time and the cash to build in early February.

Current specs include PIII EB 800 Mhz (cB0 stepping), MSI-6337, 512MB PC133 Generic Ram, Matrox G400 16MB (AGP4X capable), 80GB WD 7200 IDE, Audigy 2 Platinum, PCI wireless NIC, CD writer

I cannot run PCMark03/05, but I get approx 300-800 PCMarks in PCMark01, depending on settings.

I want to use the new system for some gaming (not Doom3), but multitasking (CD/soon DVD burning, Office apps, Photoshop, but not much rendering) and having something that will last a long time is important.

Since my focus isn't only gaming, I'm leaning towards an Intel P4 over an AMD. Also, I want to avoid any extreme overclock or anything that would void any warranty with mods on various parts.

Approx budget is ~CDN$2000. (Newegg.com and many other E-tailers don't ship to Canada, so I can't get components from them - Just to note if making suggestions on parts)

Possible system:
-Antec P160 case (Possibly P180 if it comes out on time)
-OCZ Modstream520W or Antec EPS550
-ASUS P5AD2-E Premium or ASUS P5AD2 Premium (the -E might support new Intel chips down the road?)
-Intel P4 540 or 550 (Ideally 540J or 550J if they are available..)
-Stock cooler with Arctic Silver 5
-Corsair XMS 2x512MB (TWIN2X1024-5400C4) or OCZ Plat. Rev. 2 2x512MB
-2x WD Raptor 74 GB
-NEC3520 DVD burner (Although a SATA DVD burner would be nice so the IDE channel isn't shared, like the Plextor 712SA)
-(Built by) ATI x800 XL (If it comes out in time, and near MSRP, if not then I would probably get a 6800 PCIe of some sort)
-Windows XP Pro SP2
-(From old system) CD writer
-(From old system) 80GB 7200rpm drive
-(From old system) Audigy 2 Platinum

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

[Twigstir]

AMD is leading in just about everything now. Also Intel's price per performance is way to high. Right now AMD is the way to go. Look at intel's 570J compared to the amd's 3500. The 3500 beats the new intel processors and cost hundreds less.

I would look at some AMD processors around the same cost as the intel's your looking at.

 

[CheesePoofs]

I'd still go with an AMD if you aren't gaming, they beat intels in everything but encoding.

You dont really need 520 watts of power for that system, the 450 watt modstream is nearly as good but costs a lot less.

If you get the AMD system, or even if you don't, you won'n need ram that good. Value ram will cost half the price and give you almost no performance hit on an AMD system, and a small one on an intel system.

2 raptors also aren't necessary. If you were considering putting them in a striping aray - don't, you will get no speed boost. If you insist on the raptor, get one for you OS/programs, and another bigger drive for your files.

 

[Terumo]

That setup is fine. A 1066/800mhz motherboard will keep you up to the latest P4s, too.

Don't know how much DVD burning or HDTV recording you might do, but if you plan to do more than a few a week, get the largest HDDs you can get (400g). It's faster to run the videos on the HDD than off a DVD too.

 

[imported_Twitch]

I also priced around an AMD system also and was all the same (a little cheaper also) with a few changes:
AMD 3500+ s939 (rather than a super clocked 3000+)
A motherboard with PCIe (SLI is overkill for me, but the Asus SLI motherboard does look nice..)
Corsair value ram 2x512MB

The raptors weren't for Raid0: One for OS/programs, and then the other for files (Could replace it with a 200-250GB SATA drive for the same cost)

Edit: On a secondary note, I would probably also replace any unshielded SATA,etc. cables over time with better shielded ones (or shield them myself somehow?) if they became an issue.

 

[fishmonger12]

pretty good build.

some comments:

good luck finding the x800xl for a good price. it's lowest price at the moment is around the price of an x800 xt.

a similarly priced amd with valueram would offer the same performance as an intel with the high quality ram, and would allow you to put that ram money into a video card (ie an x800xt, 6800 ultra)

the raptors don't really offer much performance increase. i've got 1 raptor in my computer right now and the load times are pretty much the same as a 7200 rpm sata hd. the money you would save on those drives could be put into a better processor/video card/ram.

a system that will last a long time without upgrades needs a good video card, as that is what will get outdated the quickest.

just a couple thoughts .

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
pretty good build.

some comments:

good luck finding the x800xl for a good price. it's lowest price at the moment is around the price of an x800 xt.

a similarly priced amd with valueram would offer the same performance as an intel with the high quality ram, and would allow you to put that ram money into a video card (ie an x800xt, 6800 ultra)

the raptors don't really offer much performance increase. i've got 1 raptor in my computer right now and the load times are pretty much the same as a 7200 rpm sata hd. the money you would save on those drives could be put into a better processor/video card/ram.

a system that will last a long time without upgrades needs a good video card, as that is what will get outdated the quickest.

just a couple thoughts .

+1

 

[imported_Twitch]

Thanks for the comments so far, I'm just hoping that by the time I build (sometime in February), prices will come down/supply goes up for the x800xl (or more specifically, pre-orders turn into actual orders and ATI sells their own product near MSRP). Otherwise, It's -400 for ATI and +400 for Nvidia

 

[Insomniak]

Don't bet on it. ATi has had a REALLY hard time shipping chips this time around, for some reason. Nvidia is short on their high end PCI express models, but other than that, pretty much everything is abundant.

Hopefully, ATi will turn that around. Competition is good.

 

[CheesePoofs]

Originally posted by: Twitch
I also priced around an AMD system also and was all the same (a little cheaper also) with a few changes:
AMD 3500+ s939 (rather than a super clocked 3000+)
A motherboard with PCIe (SLI is overkill for me, but the Asus SLI motherboard does look nice..)
Corsair value ram 2x512MB

That would be better than your current setup IMO. Just a few things though: pcie cards run no faster than agp, but the cost more, so only get the pcie system if the x800xl is at a decent price by the time you buy. You could also change your proc to a 3200 and get 200mhz less speed for almost $100 less. Its really up to you, if you have the money, the 3500 is still a great proc, but if your a little tight, get the 3200.

 

[imported_Twitch]

I'd have the money for 200mhz more, which is why I'm leaning more towards the 3500 than the 3200 on the AMD spec. If the FX series (or Intel P4 EE) wasn't so expensive I'm sure a lot more people would get those (myself included).

But if I end up with an Nvidia card if/when ATI doesn't turn around, I might just consider getting a SLI board with a single card for when prices dramatically drop for the second identical graphics card.