Buying New Computer: Here are specs, suggestions?

[JohnVM]

OK, so I plugged RAM in backwards 4 days ago and blew up my CPU. Don't know how it's possible, but mobo, RAM, and CPU are all basically goners.

So, time to upgrade.

Had a 9800XT, 2.6GHz P4 (800Mhz), 1GB PC3500 DDR.

Here's my new plan spec'd out on NewEgg:
1 * ASUS P5WD2 Premium Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 955X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail: $225.00
1 * Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM: $186.00
2 * Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200JD 320GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM: $360.00
4 * CORSAIR XMS 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered System Memory Model CM2X512A-6400 - Retail: $456.00
1 * intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 800MHz FSB LGA 775 Dual Core, EM64T Processor Model BX80551PG2800FN - Retail: $291.99
1 * SAPPHIRE 100101 Radeon X850XTPE 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - OEM: $499.99
------------
$2032

See any stupid mistakes? Suggestions? LMK. Thanks. Need a good comp for BF2

 

[nick1985]

what are you using this system for?


if gaming, this is a gross waste of money. you could get a comparable AMD machine for HUNDREDS less

 

[JohnVM]

the dual core AMD seems to be like 656$.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: JohnVM
the dual core AMD seems to be like 656$.

but you would save on the RAM, since DDR2 isnt needed. you could knock off almost a few hundred in the RAM if you got the AMD. so you would have better performance for less money

 

[AustinMatherne]

Originally posted by: JohnVM
Need a good comp for BF2

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1615772&enterthread=y


Fisher Webb

 

[JohnVM]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: JohnVM
the dual core AMD seems to be like 656$.

but you would save on the RAM, since DDR2 isnt needed. you could knock off almost a few hundred in the RAM if you got the AMD. so you would have better performance for less money

why isnt DDR2 needed?

 

[JohnVM]

now have this setup on monarchcomputer.com (just to see what an AMD system would come out as)

120233 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual-Core 512K Per Core 90nm (939) $579.00 $579.00
Warranty: 800041 - 60 Day Warranty
150439 Western Digital 320GB SATA 8MB Cache 7200RPM (WD3200JD) $140.00 $280.00
Warranty: 800011 - Manufacturer Direct Warranty from MFG Dat
150237 Western Digital 36 GB 8MB 360GD Raptor SATA 10K RPM (WD360GD) $105.00 $105.00
Warranty: 800011 - Manufacturer Direct Warranty from MFG Dat
110260 Abit Fatal1ty AN8 SLi nForce4 SLI Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939 (ETA 6/17) $210.00 $210.00
Warranty: 800746 - 60 Day Monarch / 3 Year Manufacturer Dire
190666 ATI (Connect3D) Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition 256MB DDR3/PCI-E/VIVO/HDTV-Out/Dual-DVI (OEM) $485.00 $485.00
Molex Connector: None


no RAM in there yet. any opinions here? What about this "Connect3D" ATI X850XTPE.... never seen Connect3D, doesnt sound reputable. Sapphire is a lot more tho :-\

 

[nick1985]

RAM $69 :thumbsup:



also, you are spending SOOOO much money for premium parts. you could knock off hundreds and your computer would be 95% as fast. (raptor, your CPU, the motherboard, video card)

 

[JohnVM]

PC 3200.... wouldnt that slow it down a LOT? I mean, that orig P4 system is 6400 -- 2x as fast?

 

[Shlong]

Originally posted by: JohnVM
PC 3200.... wouldnt that slow it down a LOT? I mean, that orig P4 system is 6400 -- 2x as fast?

No, PC4000/PC3200 if both at default speeds & no overclocking (same memory timings) then running at 200fsb. So no noticeable difference in performance. I would get A64 San Diego core (overclock) or Dual core, and some other different parts... you can save some money with better performance.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: JohnVM
PC 3200.... wouldnt that slow it down a LOT? I mean, that orig P4 system is 6400 -- 2x as fast?

no, whoever told you this info is wrong. this is simply false.

 

[fatty4ksu]

Originally posted by: JohnVM
OK, so I plugged RAM in backwards 4 days ago and blew up my CPU. Don't know how it's possible, but mobo, RAM, and CPU are all basically goners.

So, time to upgrade.

Had a 9800XT, 2.6GHz P4 (800Mhz), 1GB PC3500 DDR.

Here's my new plan spec'd out on NewEgg:
1 * ASUS P5WD2 Premium Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 955X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail: $225.00
1 * Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM: $186.00
2 * Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200JD 320GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM: $360.00
4 * CORSAIR XMS 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered System Memory Model CM2X512A-6400 - Retail: $456.00
1 * intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 800MHz FSB LGA 775 Dual Core, EM64T Processor Model BX80551PG2800FN - Retail: $291.99
1 * SAPPHIRE 100101 Radeon X850XTPE 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - OEM: $499.99
------------
$2032

See any stupid mistakes? Suggestions? LMK. Thanks. Need a good comp for BF2

I love it, great video card to offset a poor CPU for gaming.

You will have great overall PC performance.


:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[RonML]

The Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB SATA-1 drive is almost al fast as the WD Raptor. The 16mb cache makes up for the 7200 rpm speed.
It costs about $175. Short of a 15,000rpm SCSU Ultra-320 HD, I've found it to be the best deal. It is also relatively quiet.
Two of these will max out at $350. At the very least use this drive instead of the WD3200JD.
If you HAVE to go INTEL put that money into getting a Pentium D 830 or 840. Remember, adding a second Hardrive or RAM is a cinch. Switching processors is a pain. (And don't tell me that I am the only person to bend a pin!)

Finally, why no soundcard? Using the onboard sound takes away about 10% of your speed.
(Of course, adding a soundcard is easy.)


Talking about systems, I was thinking of getting a Emachines T6212 as a graduation gift for a cousin.
It seems like a good start to build upon. (Ati-200mb, AMD A64 3200, 512mb ram, 160mb HD, 8-1 reader...)
Add XP PRO, 1GB ram, and it is still under $900.