confused about building my new system, appreciate help

[bajajg]

Ive been looking and updating myself with all latest in hardware for the past few weeks. Im a software guy myself and been out of touch with hardware for about 5 years. Things have changed so much that ive been getting headaches educating myself.. . Anyways, id appreciate any help in configuring my new system Im trying to build. I havent purchased anything tho. Just got all this info from reading the various hardware sites and this forum in particular.

Basically this is what im planning on doing with my computer (for home)
-Play ocassional games. Id like to play the latest games tho - but not really a game enthuaist.
-Development/Server machine. Since im a programmer by profession, Id like to use this for heavy programming/compiling.
-I dont intend to overclock
-Im looking to upgrade CPU in 2 years to dualcore (i dont know if im just talking from my a$$ here)
-No other upgrades except for ram in near future.
-Looking for overheating warning (i busted my current machine because it overheated and its now dead). Im guessing every mobo has this now.
-Looking to run Windows Longhorn (coming out next year, beta this year) without any problems + planning on playing games on it!
-Not intending to do loads of mp3 encoding/video stuff etc

I trying to keep my budget resonable. Im hoping this computer can last me for a while with minor upgrades every other year. I dont mind spending a bit more if the system can stretch for a bit longer.

Heres my configuration:
--------------------------

RAM: Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail $131.00
alternate choice: Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 $91.00

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester Integrated into Chip FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail $190.00
alternate choice: ??

Mobo: EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra $122.00
alternate choice: CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $84.00

graphics: POWERCOLOR Radeon X800XL 256MB PCI-Express Video Card $289.00
alternate choice: ??

power: OCZ PowerStream 420W Power Supply $89.00
alternate choice: E-POWER "Tagan" Series 480W Power Supply $79.00

Case: ?? decent looking case with good airflow. my room can get hot sometimes cause im a freak and I like it warm

Hard drive: Seagate 160 GB 7200 RPM 8MB SATA $94

Speakers: ??

----------------

Q1. Any thoughts on this? Can I go with some of the cheaper brands and still come out with a good machine which can be upgraded?

Q2. Since dual ddr533 etc for RAM are out on intel already, im guessing its only a matter of time this will be out on amd. but i dont see any motherboard that supports this. Am i just totally confused here? because if they are on the horizon, seems like these motherboards wont be really upgradable in future for the speedier ram.

Q3. sound card. do i need one? seems like mother board should already have the stuff i need. i dont understand what adding a aditional audio card will give me. i do need to buy some decent speakers tho and get the movie theater experience going (just incase). but im not a sound buff.

Q4. Do i need to do any special things for cooling the system down? i really dont plan on doing anything special really. just hoping everything would work outta the box. does the heatsink some along with the processor or do i have to buy that separate?

Q5. Does a nvidia chipset by any chance work better with a nvidia video card? the card in my configuration is a radeon.


i know this is a long email. any patience and help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
girish

 

[Promethply]

If your budget's not too tight for the case, then I'd recommend the Cooler Master Stacker -- excellent airflow, and BTX formfactor ready,

and Logitech Z680 THX Speakers 450W RMS 5.1 with DD & DTS Decoding is a good speaker.

 

[Promethply]

BTW, welcome to AF

Q1. You can save by choosing the Corsair VS -- it's very good for the price

Q2. Since Athlon64 mem controller is on the CPU, this is not as critical as it would be on Intel.

Q3. Unless you're a diehard audiophile, you won't need an extra sould card -- it's already onboard.

Q4. Unless you're planning to try your luck and OC like crazy, there's no need for any extra cooling solution, unless you buy an OEM CPU.

Q5. The NF4 chipset works just fine with Radeon based video card.

 

[imported_Kensai]

A1: Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't.
A2: AMD intends to go with the DDR500 specs. DDR400 is fine for now. Since you can overclock fairly well on an AMD system. DDR500 is easily reached. With an S939 system, you have an easy upgrade to dual-cores when they come out.
A3: You only need a sound card if you want very good, high quality sound.
A4: You bought a retail chip, it comes with an aluminium heatsink and a 3 year warranty from AMD. But if you want better cooling, an aftermarket heatsink like the XP-90.
A5: No, nVidia chipsets do not work better with nVidia GPUs. That radeon is one of the best for it's price class.

The only thing I would change is that power supply. I was never a fan of OCZ PSUs. I like Antec.
Maybe an Antec 550W EPS12V?

 

[IntegraGSR]

1. with the RAM i'd go with the corsair value select.. you said you're not going to be overclocking at all, and this ram is more than enough for running stock speeds .. you will not be dissapointed with either of the motherboards you have listed... i dont have any experience with the e-power tagan PSU, but i can tell you that the ocz powerstream is a damn good one

2. there aren't currently any a64 boards that support 'native' ram speeds over ddr400.. fsb (htt) of the a64s is 200mhz, which is ddr400.. new technologies always come, and they usually come especially fast with computers, but what you have listed will last you for some time to come

3. pretty much any motherboard you would want to buy comes with very capable onboard sound. a lot of motherboards come with 6 or 7 channel audio support and optical input/output.. you wont need a sound card

4. depending on which case you get, you may want to get a couple extra fans.... the cooler master stacker recommend above is a good case, but very expensive... mostly for people who have lots of drives and want lots of cooling.. i recommend the ams gmono series as a good, inexpensive, quality case with pretty good cooling potential.. you can get one for about $40 at newegg compared to $100-$150 for the stacker.

5. not that i've ever heard of, the radeon you have listed above will work great :thumbsup:

hope that helps

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: bajajg
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester Integrated into Chip FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail $190.00
alternate choice: ??

Not sure how much it would impact your programming, but the newer Venice-core AMD64 CPUs also support SSE3 instructions (the Winchester does not).

As far as a case choice goes... You want something with 120mm fan mounts (like the Antec SLK3000) if you want good airflow, and a quiet 120mm-fan PSU to help with the venting such as the Seasonic S12-430. I don't like the OCZ Powerstream because of its dinky 80mm fan.

HTH.

 

[bajajg]

great advice guys. just what i was looking for. sort of a final "blessing" to clear the muck around whats scooping around in my mind before my final purchase.

just one thing. the mobo.. could i really go with the cheaper one? not sure what i would loose since these mobo specs seem pretty much similar. it is around a 35$ price diff which could very well go for another component.

thanks ppl. you guys are great.

girish

 

[Promethply]

If both of these NF4 Ultra boards are similarly specd, I'd go with the lower priced one.