Critique this build

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arcenite

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
CPU: AMD Opteron 146 (939)
I plan on overclocking this (hoping for about [No idea now, never worked with one of these])

Mobo: DFI NF4 Ultra-D
I have experience with this motherboard, this is why I chose it

Burner: NEC-3550A
No Comment.

Monitor: Acer AL1914B
I have had good experience with Acer support and they have great prices

RAM: GSkill 2x1gb PC3200 DDR400 Value Series
No Comment.

Video Card: XFX 7800GT
Many people dislike XFX, but I am running an XFX board in my rig and have no problems.

Hard Drive: Seagate ST3300831AS
Seagate :thumbsup: 300gb SATA

HSF: TT Big Typhoon
No comment.

PSU: Forton AX500-A
Didn't want to stick with the pos PSU that the Raidmax case comes with.

Case: Thermaltake Shark Series VA7000BWA
No Comment.

Floppy: Sony Black
The floppy will never die...

Speakers: Klipsch Promedia 2.1
I have the 5.1 Ultras. Friend doesn't have the cash for them and figure you can't go wrong with these.

Total: $1714.20

Tell me what you think!
 
K

KoolDrew

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
10,226
7
81
I am giving the following recommendations based off the assumption you may be overclocking. If you are not, you should. :p

- Change the 3200+ Venice to an Opteron 144.
- The DFI board is good, but could take a little tweaking to get it to work properly. My recommendation would be the Epox NF4 Ultra board.
- The NEC 3550A seems to be the most recommended DVD burner. I am not saying it is better, but do consider it.
- Change the LCD to something in here
- Just get cheap RAM from a reputable manufacturer. Crucial Value would be perfect. If you really want to do some serious overclocking get Crucial Ballistix.
- I personally do not think the 7800GTx is worth it when the 7800GT is so cheap. I don't think the small performance increase justifies the rather large price difference.
- Change the HSF to an SI-120 or TT Big Typhoon.
- Change PSU to Fortron AX500-A
- The case is really really ugly, but that is personal preference.
 
arcenite

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
- Change the 3200+ Venice to an Opteron 144.
Doesnt the 144 use a 9x multiplier thereby making it's overclockability less than the 3200+ which uses a 10x?

- The DFI board is good, but could take a little tweaking to get it to work properly. My recommendation would be the Epox NF4 Ultra board.
I have a DFI board myself and am aware of the tweaking necessary. I also have an EPoX board and love it, but it's a Socket A board.

- The NEC 3550A seems to be the most recommended DVD burner. I am not saying it is better, but do consider it.
That I shall do.

- Change the LCD to something in here
Those are all too expensive, thanks though! I have an Acer myself and have had Zero problems with it (well one, but it was fixed promptly by Acer)

- Just get cheap RAM from a reputable manufacturer. Crucial Value would be perfect. If you really want to do some serious overclocking get Crucial Ballistix.
It is my experience that the DFI board dislikes value ram, but if there is value ram out there that the DFI will accept, is this it?

- I personally do not think the 7800GTx is worth it when the 7800GT is so cheap. I don't think the small performance increase justifies the rather large price difference.
I am neither here nor there with this. My friend and I couldn't decide between the GT and the GTX, and it came down to our #1 Priority: Making it the ultimate gaming machine.

- Change the HSF to an SI-120 or TT Big Typhoon.
Ok.

- Change PSU to Fortron AX500-A
I just did some quick research and the 7800GTX requires more amperage on the 12v rail than the Forton supplies. So for now I am keeping it to the neopower


 
K

KoolDrew

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
10,226
7
81
Doesnt the 144 use a 9x multiplier thereby making it's overclockability less than the 3200+ which uses a 10x?
Click to expand...

I don't know for sure the the multiplier is for the 144, but it won't make a difference. It is highly unlikely you will be limited by the HTT with the DFI board. Also, the Opterons have more cache and overclock much better.

Those are all too expensive, thanks though! I have an Acer myself and have had Zero problems with it (well one, but it was fixed promptly by Acer)
Click to expand...

I would just do your research on that particular model. You don't want to get one that ghosts really bad in games.

It is my experience that the DFI board dislikes value ram, but if there is value ram out there that the DFI will accept, is this it?
Click to expand...

I have seen people with Corsair VS have problems, but not Crucial.

I am neither here nor there with this. My friend and I couldn't decide between the GT and the GTX, and it came down to our #1 Priority: Making it the ultimate gaming machine.
Click to expand...

I would still suggest the 7800GT. Look at benchmarks and then compare the prices. I don't see how anybody can justify buying the 7800GTX.
 
arcenite

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Ok look at the new update. I took your advice and came down to a 7800GT but went to an Operton 146 (939) So I could take advantage of the 10x multiplier. Tell me what you think!

Edit: And it's cheaper!
 
K

KoolDrew

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
10,226
7
81
Change the RAM to the Crucial stuff. I don't know how much the Corsair stuff costs, but it is probably much more then the Crucial. Also, change the PSU. The Neopower has known ventilation issues. A Fortron AX500-A would be a much better choice. Also, specs mean nothing. I can guarantee that the Fortron is a much more capable supply. Fortron is known for routinely exceeding their rated specifications. Also, a 7800GT definitely does not need more then 15A on one +12v rail.
 
arcenite

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Change the RAM to the Crucial stuff. I don't know how much the Corsair stuff costs, but it is probably much more then the Crucial. Also, change the PSU. The Neopower has known ventilation issues. A Fortron AX500-A would be a much better choice. Also, specs mean nothing. I can guarantee that the Fortron is a much more capable supply. Fortron is known for routinely exceeding their rated specifications. Also, a 7800GT definitely does not need more then 15A on one +12v rail.
Click to expand...

I was actually doing this as you were typing this. I have decided to switch to the forton you recommended, and found some Gskill value stuff that is compatibile with the motherboard I am using for $50 less than the Corsair.

Thanks :)

Bill
 
arcenite

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Everything looks good now! I just know nothing about the monitor.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate your help. When I first bought Acer I was a little unsure about it, but I've really had no problems at all with the monitor. Minus a display problem that slowly crept up but Acer fixed it for free in a week or so. I will let you know how this one turns out.

Bill

Edit: we're looking on finding a different case because with the DFI motherboard, larger HSFs interfere with the rear fan...
 
B

Boobers

Senior member
Jun 28, 2001
799
0
0
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