Critique this noob's first system build!

Sandman223 · Mar 21, 2005

After doing research on this site and taking a look at several of the "systems buyer's guide" stickys, I've decided on the specs for my first DIY system build.

Here they are:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ winchester - $190
Memory: 1GB Corsair Value Select DDR PC3200 - $97
Video: evga 6800gt - $374
Mobo: DFI Lanparty UT NFORCE 3 - $103
Case: Antec Solution Series ATX Mid-Tower w/ 350W Power Supply $80
HD:Seagate 200GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive - $115
DVD: NEC 16x dual layer - $60

Total without monitor - $1019

Please critique my choice of motherboard and my case/psu as well as anything else

ts3433 · Mar 21, 2005

Your CPU is S939, your mobo is S754. Incompatible.

The PSU, while it'll probably still run that, might be cutting it a bit too close for comfort, but the Antec Sonata with a True380 isn't much more.

Ausm · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: ts3433
Your CPU is S939, your mobo is S754. Incompatible.

The PSU, while it'll probably still run that, might be cutting it a bit too close for comfort, but the Antec Sonata with a True380 isn't much more.

Not if you use a big enough hammer

Ausm

ts3433 · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: Ausm

Originally posted by: ts3433
Your CPU is S939, your mobo is S754. Incompatible.

The PSU, while it'll probably still run that, might be cutting it a bit too close for comfort, but the Antec Sonata with a True380 isn't much more.

Click to expand...

Not if you use a big enough hammer

Ausm

True

Amplifier · Mar 21, 2005

Saw that case on Newegg.com for $59 today.

Antec Tower

I recommend the Chaintech-Ultra NF4 motherboard with an x800xl. If you don't plan to overclock you'd be fine with a retail winchester 3000+.

I think your PSU is fine personally.

Ike0069 · Mar 21, 2005

Grab the Sonata. It currently is $96 with free shipping from Newegg. Get it before they add shipping charges back on.
As for the MB, the Epox 9NDA3J is a good budget board and still OC's well.

harrkev · Mar 21, 2005

Like others have said, 350W is not quite enough. Otherwise, this should work OK (assuming that the processor will fit the mobo).

**Optional upgrades**
These upgrades are only if you want to spend some extra money. They are OPTIONAL.

I would get two optical drives if it were me. You could throw in a combo CD-burner and DVD reader for $30 or so. I am old-fashioned, but I would also throw in a floppy for loading drivers and BIOS upgrades.

If you like quiet, upgrading from the stock heatsink to something like an XP-120 would be nice if you have the dough.

And if you like quiet, also get a fan controller and a couple of extra fans to fit your case. Better to have four quiet fans than two loud ones.

Also, be sure that you get a SATA hard drive. Save PATA for the opticals.

And don't forget windows, fish tanks, LEDs, neon tubes, etc.

Ausm · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Grab the Sonata. It currently is $96 with free shipping from Newegg. Get it before they add shipping charges back on.
As for the MB, the Epox 9NDA3J is a good budget board and still OC's well.

I like the Sonata Case also and that is a good price.

Ausm

Sandman223 · Mar 21, 2005

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm going to switch to the Sonata with a 380watt psu.
As for the motherboard, what do you think about this one Epox NDA3+

ts3433 · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: Sandman223
Thanks for the advice guys, I'm going to switch to the Sonata with a 380watt psu.
As for the motherboard, what do you think about this one Epox 9NDA3+

Same thing as the 9NDA3J mentioned earlier, but with more features. Another good board if you go AGP.

Sandman223 · Mar 21, 2005

Can anyone tell me what they would change about this so far:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ winchester
Memory: 1GB Corsair Value Select DDR PC3200
Video: evga 6800gt
Mobo: Epox 9DA3+
Case: Antec Sonata w 380w psu
HD: Seagate 160GB SATA
CD/DVD: NEC DVD-R 16x

ts3433 · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: Sandman223
Can anyone tell me what they would change about this so far:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ winchester
Memory: 1GB Corsair Value Select DDR PC3200
Video: evga 6800gt
Mobo: Epox 9DA3+
Case: Antec Sonata w 380w psu
HD: Seagate 160GB SATA
CD/DVD: NEC DVD-R 16x

Nothing I'd change unless you want to have PCIe, in which case I'd get an ATI X800 XL and then find a good PCIe board.

imported_itr · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: ts3433

Originally posted by: Sandman223
Can anyone tell me what they would change about this so far:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ winchester
Memory: 1GB Corsair Value Select DDR PC3200
Video: evga 6800gt
Mobo: Epox 9DA3+
Case: Antec Sonata w 380w psu
HD: Seagate 160GB SATA
CD/DVD: NEC DVD-R 16x

Click to expand...

Nothing I'd change unless you want to have PCIe, in which case I'd get an ATI X800 XL and then find a good PCIe board.

if you decide to go PCIe with the x800xl, i'd pick the dfi nforce 4 ultra board. it is about $20 more than the original nforce 3 you mentioned at the top.

CheesePoofs · Mar 21, 2005

Make sure thats an agp 6800gt your looking at, not a pcie one.

Aside from that, it looks good. A truepower 380w should run that system well, my old truepower 330w ran the system in my sig but with a 6800gt instead of the x800xl.

fireontheway · Mar 21, 2005

If you are purchasing a new mobo and new video card it may be best to go with PCI-E.

Sandman223 · Mar 21, 2005

If i were to go with the PCI-E, what video card would be comparable to the 6800gt as I have not seen any non-agp that are reasonably priced?

ts3433 · Mar 21, 2005

Originally posted by: Sandman223
If i were to go with the PCI-E, what video card would be comparable to the 6800gt as I have not seen any non-agp that are reasonably priced?

X800XL. It's slightly below the 6800GT in performance, but you can find it some places for its MSRP of $300.

necine · Mar 21, 2005

Go PCI-E with the X800XL... You'll save money and get comparable performance. Stick with the 3200. Ram is great. I would go SATA on the HD just for cable maintence, and it's only like 10 bucks more.

fireontheway · Mar 21, 2005

Yup,X800XL is your best bet.

I would also like to add that it would not hurt going down to a 3000+ and pair it up with a EPoX EP-9NPA+ Ultra.

ribbon13 · Mar 21, 2005

X800 XL
DFI Ultra-d

Sandman223 · Mar 22, 2005

Thanks for walking me through all of this stuff. I've decided to go with the ATI x800xl and the UT NF4 mobo.

What do you guys think about this hard drive?

Blain · Mar 22, 2005

"NFORCE 3"... WTF??? :shocked:

ribbon13 · Mar 22, 2005

Originally posted by: Sandman223
Thanks for walking me through all of this stuff. I've decided to go with the ATI x800xl and the UT NF4 mobo.

What do you guys think about this hard drive?

1 year warranty? No, I don't

Googer · Mar 22, 2005

Originally posted by: ribbon13
X800 XL
DFI Ultra-d

Agreed, I was just about to post the same thing untill I saw ribbon's sugestion.
The same motherboard is on sale for fpr less money and for Today only at Newegg.com

Googer · Mar 22, 2005

What is the differance between x800xl x800 pro? I cannot keep up with all these little changes they make to video cards. It's getting a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

I believe the pro is the faster card of the two and is also on sale ($279) for less than the cost of the xl (for today only!)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-465&depa=1

All of the other PRO cards cost more than this xl
PRO

XL

Edit:
All the PRO Cards have 12 pixel lines and higher clock speeds than the XL
The XL has 16 pixel lines and lower clockspeeds than the PRO.

I would'nt doubt it if some of the xl cards had only 64 or 128bit memory interfaces vs. the PRO's 256bit.

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