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First Time builder, How does this rig look?
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I will probably get yelled at by the anti- PCI-express zealots, but I'd recommend going for a socket 939 nForce 4 Ultra system and a 90nm 3200+. It won't cost you too much, the only catch is that you have to wait about 3 weeks until nForce4 boards hit retail. But what you get is this - for 9800 Pro prices, you can get a 6600GT, which is faster than a 9800XT, so it's a nice upgrade. It's also PCI-express, so you will definitely be able to upgrade it in the future. Also, the 3200+ on 90nm is a great overclocker, hitting 2.5-2.6GHz on high end air. In addition, the nForce4 has some nice improvements over the nForce 3, such as SATA-II, PCIe x1 expansion slots, etc. I've taken some serious crap over this suggestion, but in six months, when you have an upgradeable platform, and everyone else is stuck without much of an upgrade path, I think you'll agree that it is worth the extra few week wait.
Also, whatever socket you choose, I'd rethink the memory. If you decide on socket 754, I'd look at getting a single stick rather than a dual channel kit, since you can't run dual channel anyway, and you won't have to throw away some sticks to upgrade. Also, investing a little extra in some low latency memory pays off big time. The A64 has an integrated memory controller, so it's latency sensitive. You don't need 2-2-2-5, but I'd recommend some middle of the road memory. On the other hand, if you do go 939, get a good dual channel kit with lower latencies, especially ones that support 1T memory timings. I'd recommend OCZ EL 1GB kit, with 2-3-2-6 1T timings, i think it's like $220, but will net you a nice boost over CAS3 ram.
Also, whatever socket you choose, I'd rethink the memory. If you decide on socket 754, I'd look at getting a single stick rather than a dual channel kit, since you can't run dual channel anyway, and you won't have to throw away some sticks to upgrade. Also, investing a little extra in some low latency memory pays off big time. The A64 has an integrated memory controller, so it's latency sensitive. You don't need 2-2-2-5, but I'd recommend some middle of the road memory. On the other hand, if you do go 939, get a good dual channel kit with lower latencies, especially ones that support 1T memory timings. I'd recommend OCZ EL 1GB kit, with 2-3-2-6 1T timings, i think it's like $220, but will net you a nice boost over CAS3 ram.
Wow,
my topic has turned into a battle groud......the last thing i wanted.
However, thanks everyone for your input, I really appriciate it.
3 things:
1)
Adn4n,
you suggested to get Asus instead of DFI. In reality I am not going to be doing any oc'ing, so DFI in that sense doesn't make sense. But one thing that turned me off about Asus K8N-E Deluxe was the VDim, which was pretty low. Now the type of Ram I am getting, whatever Asus provides is good enough. It's just if in the future I wanna upgrade to a better RAm or perhaps I decide to oc, the Vdim on Asus may become an issue. What do you think about that? Honestly, I trust Asus name more then probabely any other mobo manufacturer.
2)
gobucks,
you bring up a good point to wait few weeks for nForce 4 Ultra. The first thing that comes to my mind is the price. Right now, the s939 is more expensive then the s754, and you don't have the large choice in the mobos. Plus I'd like to get a retail box with a 3yr warranty. Is it going to be more expensive then the nforce3 stuff? Second, I would think that the first generation mobos for these chipset may not be so realiable as the second generation ones that will come later. Third, as far as performance (NO OC'ing) is nForce 4 Ultra with s939 going to outperform the s754 3200+ by big margin? If yes, how much in percentage? Four, right now I have the option of going with an AMD 64 3400+ s754 for extra $30. with that in mind, is the nForce 4 Ultra still going to outperform?
3)
The other thing that I could do and probabely I will, is to get my Dad a P4 3.0 HT prescott core. So if if my AMD 64 doesn't do good with video editing I could swap with him or if I wait for nforce 4 Ultra, I could use his comp meanwhile (his rig is going to be a beast too). So that in mind, now that we are on a full swing, suggest me a good motherboard for Intel P4 3.0HT Prescott (around $130).
Thank YOu
my topic has turned into a battle groud......the last thing i wanted.
However, thanks everyone for your input, I really appriciate it.
3 things:
1)
Adn4n,
you suggested to get Asus instead of DFI. In reality I am not going to be doing any oc'ing, so DFI in that sense doesn't make sense. But one thing that turned me off about Asus K8N-E Deluxe was the VDim, which was pretty low. Now the type of Ram I am getting, whatever Asus provides is good enough. It's just if in the future I wanna upgrade to a better RAm or perhaps I decide to oc, the Vdim on Asus may become an issue. What do you think about that? Honestly, I trust Asus name more then probabely any other mobo manufacturer.
2)
gobucks,
you bring up a good point to wait few weeks for nForce 4 Ultra. The first thing that comes to my mind is the price. Right now, the s939 is more expensive then the s754, and you don't have the large choice in the mobos. Plus I'd like to get a retail box with a 3yr warranty. Is it going to be more expensive then the nforce3 stuff? Second, I would think that the first generation mobos for these chipset may not be so realiable as the second generation ones that will come later. Third, as far as performance (NO OC'ing) is nForce 4 Ultra with s939 going to outperform the s754 3200+ by big margin? If yes, how much in percentage? Four, right now I have the option of going with an AMD 64 3400+ s754 for extra $30. with that in mind, is the nForce 4 Ultra still going to outperform?
3)
The other thing that I could do and probabely I will, is to get my Dad a P4 3.0 HT prescott core. So if if my AMD 64 doesn't do good with video editing I could swap with him or if I wait for nforce 4 Ultra, I could use his comp meanwhile (his rig is going to be a beast too). So that in mind, now that we are on a full swing, suggest me a good motherboard for Intel P4 3.0HT Prescott (around $130).
Thank YOu
There is a revision of the K8N-e Deluxe now, that gives you 2.8 vdimm, which is enough for a decent overclock, and that's what many other offer as their max. The K8N-e Deluxe is terrific at stock, which is why I still have it. Vdimm may be an issue in the future, but so far all ram that I have tried needed only 2.8vdimm. Also, the DFI only has 4 SATA connectorts, not 6 like the K8N-e Deluxe. I ran memtest with my memory at PC4000, and it was stable at 2.7 for the entire 24 hour time period. You can always buy ram that runs at low voltage in the future; plus you can relax timings since A64 systems aren't as starved as P4s, due to the onboard memory controller, which will require less ram voltage. Hope this helped a bit.
Thanks it did and thanks to everyone.
I have the latest list of the stuff I am getting in another topic, so if you got time or u'r interested check it out. Let me know what you think.
Adn4n,
I put Asus and DFI there, but I am leaning towards the ASUS now. I gonna go ahead and see if I can find couple of more reviews on this boards and that should be enough combined with your suggestions to make up my mind.
Thanks everyone
I have the latest list of the stuff I am getting in another topic, so if you got time or u'r interested check it out. Let me know what you think.
Adn4n,
I put Asus and DFI there, but I am leaning towards the ASUS now. I gonna go ahead and see if I can find couple of more reviews on this boards and that should be enough combined with your suggestions to make up my mind.
Thanks everyone
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