Check this configuration for me, please...

[TheGrandHooHa]

Component List Updated 8-3-03 23:14

I hate making people in this forum do grunt work like this, but I am building a new box soon and I just want to have a few more pairs of eyes review these parts to make sure they will all work. Any suggestions / upgrades / ways to cut the cost are appreciated. Also note, that I am going to be dual-booting WinXP and Linux, so any glaring Linux incompatibilities that you could point out would also be appreciated. Questions are mixed in. Also note that this system will be used partially for gaming and partially for office-type stuff... Thanks a lot!

Antec Sonata case - $105.00
http://www.accupc.com/itemDetail.jsp?pid=CSASONATA

Samsung CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive - $68.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-151-023
---> It's rare that I ever need two optical drives at once, so it's simply more economical for me to go with the combo drive.

(2) WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 120GB 7200RPM - $102 each / $204 total
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=22-144-118
---> It's a lot of space, but I have use for it.

1GB (4x256) of Kingston HyperX PC3500 (CL=2) - $76.00 each / $304.00 total
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-144-101

ABit IS7-E 865 Chipset Motherboard - $108.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=13-127-156
---> Using the onboard sound here, and probably cranking the FSB to 250MHz. Going with the IS7-E because I don't think I'll need FireWire in the near future... can always add it in later.

P4-2.6(C) GHz Northwood 800MHz FSB - OEM - $209.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=19-116-160

ThermalTake Volcano 7+ - $22.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=35-106-014

NVIDIA GeForce 4 Ti4600 128MB RAM - taken from my current pc
not going to upgrade

Thermaltake 120mm case fan - $7.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=11-999-113

Please point out any errors on my part .. I have included links to the NewEgg product pages to provide more information. Also, I have not checked any place other than NewEgg for products or prices yet; this is just a rough draft, so feel free to suggest replacements. Apologies for making you read this all, but like I said, I'd like a double-check before I go spending money.

Thanks in advance,
TheGrandHooHa

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Go for an 865/875 board with that. Abit IC7 boards are good as well as the P4P800 which has a Deluxe version.

I have the P4P800 Deluxe and I'm very happy with it BTW.

 

[DaveSimmons]

That Soyo is odd -- only 3 DDR slots? Why not get an Abit IS-7 or Asus P4P800 instead?

> Not to spark an AMD/Intel debate, but what would be an AMD processor of equivalent speed for the above processor?
Depends on the app, and for gaming varies game-by-game, but a 2700+ is a rough estimate. Spend a little extra on a 2.6C and you'll have roughly an XP 3000+ for gaming.

(ed) you could pay for it by switching to a boring-but-good Antec SLK3700 case for $65.

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

Thanks for the responses... took your advice and dropped that expensive case and got rid of the Soyo motherboard. Any further suggestions?

 

[rickon66]

How about-go ahead and get the Abit IS7, costs about $5 more but you get firewire and raid 0.

 

[UlricT]

hey.... I would say go for the IS7. Its only 10$ more, and the added features could prove useful (and you wouldnt have to buy an add-on card... if it ever were necessary)

I just put together an 2.4C/IS7 machine, and im pretty happy with it. And Abit's Windows Flash program is really good... no more need for a floppy drive! (unless you have to install SATA drivers on bootup )

The sound is pretty decent... I have a standard 2.1 speaker system, and I dont notice TOO much difference from the SB live I had earlier.

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

Woops, good catch there... I meant to get the IS7 all along and must have clicked on the IS7-E by accident. But I agree, the IS7 is better, especially with the included FireWire.

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

I have updated my spec list once again. I believe that is going to be close to final. However, I do have a few questions I'd like some input on first. The questions are in that post, but I will outline them here for easier reading:

1. Will 350 watts be enough for two case fans and the rest of my equipment?
2. I plan on cranking the FSB to 250MHz. A review I read said that I probably wouldn't need additional motherboard cooling. Can anyone vouch for this? Will I need more cooling? If so, how far can I go with the stock motherboard fan?
3. Regarding the fan controller that comes with the Volcano 7+: Where does it mount? Does it stick out of a 3.5" bay or what? I mean, it is mounted externally, right? Not much point in having it otherwise.

Again, thanks in advance for any input here. I will be purchasing this system in another two weeks or so ... I may get lucky and have a price or two drop.

-Chris

 

[Ionizer86]

Maxtor with SATA, interesting...is the performance higher than the PATA drives? ODepot has the 120GB Ultra for ~$60 this week, and there's some cheap burners after rebate too...you may be able to find out which brands may be LiteOns.

I'd go down to the 2.4c and save a good amount of $, or actually, a 2500+ and save a lot more $ while maintaining similar performance

 

[snidy1]

Looks like a great setup. Antec 350 should be plenty for you, but if it was me I would get at least a 400 Watt just to be safe and in case of future upgrades.

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Maxtor with SATA, interesting...is the performance higher than the PATA drives? ODepot has the 120GB Ultra for ~$60 this week, and there's some cheap burners after rebate too...you may be able to find out which brands may be LiteOns.

I'd go down to the 2.4c and save a good amount of $, or actually, a 2500+ and save a lot more $ while maintaining similar performance

I am using SATA more for future upgradability than present-day performance. The SATA drives aren't too expensive, so I may as well get in on them now.

I will look at Office Depot this weekend. Thanks for the heads up.

I might go back down to a 2.4C ... that's kinda up in the air. Although I hear the 2.6Cs can overclock to 3.25GHz, which is nice, so I may stick with the 2.6.

I am intentionally avoiding AMD; have had bad experiences the past two times. They run hot, and in my experience just aren't as reliable as Intel. No offense to AMD owners! Most people have good luck. But I have not, so I am staying away.

Thank you for your input.

Originally posted by snidy1
Looks like a great setup. Antec 350 should be plenty for you, but if it was me I would get at least a 400 Watt just to be safe and in case of future upgrades.

What I might do is stick with the 350 for now, and if I decide to do some major upgrades down the road, I will toss in a 400 Watt then. Being that the 350 comes with the case, I don't see much of a point in upgrading right away. Thanks for confirming that 350 should be enough - that's one less thing to worry about now.

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

Okay, I have decided to get rid of the SATA drive and go with an ATA133 drive instead. The advantages of SATA just aren't enough right now. The Maxtor drive I have in my list will be Primary Master, and my 80GB ATA100 WD of unknown model and cache will be the primary slave. Plenty of space, and performance thats good enough for me.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the memory you selected is crap

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

Changed to GEIL. Got good reviews, so I'll chance it.

 

[dartworth]

Another nice set up


We need a check out this configuration forum...

 

[Slammy1]

Originally posted by: shady06
the memory you selected is crap

Yes, you need the Corsair XMS4000. Nothing less will do... I'd recommend a Zalman 7000ALCU for just a bit more. I'm not happy with the 12V rail on the 350W Antec, I'd go 380 just because.

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

Originally posted by: jfano
We need a check out this configuration forum...

Yes... yes we do... if anything so people can drool over nice system specs.

I will be putting the order in shortly ... wish me luck.

 

[Playmaker]

With the OCing you're doing you might want to try Kingston HyperX PC3500 or higher. It seems to be getting the most positive feedback here and on the HardForum. I'm building a very similar system to yours with Kingston, but I went with the IS7-E as I know for a fact I'll never use RAID or Firewire as a college student who's next HD will be a single Raptor with my old HD for storage, and who will probably upgrade mobos again in 18 months. $10 is $10, but if you think you might use either feature go for it. Then again, $15 more and you could go IC7. It never ends heh...

I was going to go with the SLK3700 case but went with the Sonata at the last second. I've heard bad things about the 12V on the 350W Smartpower and am hoping the 380W Truepower has better. Check AccuPC for either case. They have the best deals on both, free shipping. I went with P4 2.4C and also plan to run 250FSB, so 3.0ghz. Seems to be a better price/performance ratio. Going to try retail HSF first as I've read quite a few people that have had success with it, then add another HSF later if I need it.

Other then that your system is similar to the one I'm building. If I wasn't carrying over a HD from my last comp I'd go for a 36GB 10krpm WD Raptor and back up my long-term storage files on CD-Rs, but that's personal preference.

For places to buy from, AccuPC has the best deal on the cases by far (similar prices to Newegg with free shipping), vid card was from GameVE, rounded cables and fans from SVC, Kingston RAM on sale CHEAP from Best Buy B&M this week. If that helps you...

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

I realize that memory is not the optimal place to scrimp, but $400 for 1GB of that Kingston is just wayyyyy to expensive. Not sure what Best Buy B&M price is, but I can't see paying $200 more for that. Maybe I am an idiot, but either way I will have to make do with that GEIL stuff (which some people have gotten to overclock with nice results).

Took your advice and will be going with the Sonata. Better deal overall methinks.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Playmaker]

If you're going GeIL seriously consider the Golden Dragon at least. It's CAS2 and seems to OC well and it's still cheaper then Kingston. Whenever I read about GeIL it's the only model I see recommended. I remember seeing 1gig (2x512mb) of GeIL Golden Dragon PC3500 in the $220 range recently, but don't remember where. Then again, RAM prices seem to be rising regularly and often lately so it might be higher now.

Once I make sure there will be no problems, I plan on running 4x256mb Kingston HyperX PC3500 in my Abit IS7-E to take advantage of the performance detailed in the recent AT article on RAM. $50 each after MIR at Best Buy. I'd try and check into that if I were you.

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

I'll check into Best Buy tomorrow.

I found OCZ PC3500 on NewEgg... 1GB for $218. Not too bad... and I've heard some good things about OCZ.

Thanks again,
TGHH

 

[optimistic]

Scrap the Liteon DVD player. It's just too dang loud! Try watching a movie at night with a lower power hair dryer spining in the background.... Gah!

Get the Samsung counterpart, in fact i bet any other brand has to be better than this:disgust:.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: TheGrandHooHa
I'll check into Best Buy tomorrow.

I found OCZ PC3500 on NewEgg... 1GB for $218. Not too bad... and I've heard some good things about OCZ.

Thanks again,
TGHH

dont get OCZ unless it is OCZ EL

 

[TheGrandHooHa]

OK, I guess I will have to go with the HyperX ... I've found 1GB for $280 online, and my local Best Buy is 'sold out with no ETA'. Now THAT'S customer service.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Mist]

Get a combo DVD/CDRW and leave out any floppy disk drives.

Michael.