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got $1000 to spend on components

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Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33


Just one note: The AMD processors are very latency sensitive. They thrive on low latency (not higher bandwidth like the P4's
Click to expand...

No, they don't.

Tom's Hardware Latency Comparison Sandra Benchmarks

3-4-4-8 to 2-3-2-6 provides a sub 2% boost for the athlon64's (3200+ and fx-51) in Sandra Memory tests, if you look through the rest of the review you will find a couple of instances of a 4% bump in very memory intense fields like encoding, but still I would hardly call this thriving. For the price difference between Value Ram and low latency RAM, especially 1GB of it, you could probably figure out how to make something else more than 2-4% faster (graphics card most likely). As a side note if you're mostly concerned with gaming always compromise on CPU before graphics card. A $200 CPU (Athlon64 3000+) with a $400 GPU (6800GT or x800 Pro) will mop the floor with a $400 CPU and $200 GPU (Athlon 64 3400+ and 9800 pro) in gaming and only be about 10% slower in other things where speed may not be nearly as big an issue as in games where performance will be close to double.
 
Newegg.com

Case- thermaltake w/ 420 Watt power - 148
Motherboard- ASUS K8V K8T800 - 112
Hard Drive- Maxtor 80GB SATA- 80
Processor AMD 64 3000+ 215
Graphics Card- ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256 bit, 128mb 230
This is a complete Newegg.com system. Without ram it comes out to $790.

I don?t know what to get for ram but you have 210 to spend on that.

If you don't care about how the case looks you should get a lower priced case from Antec but I think thermaltakes are hOt. If you stick with the $90 Antec you have another $58 which you probably should add to the video card (find a 6800Gt for 299). If you manage to find a 6800 for 299 that would be one sick rig.
 
this is becoming closer to a reality. a couple of things have changed in the 3 weeks since i first posted this, but I'm selling my laptop to make this a reality.

but one thing i hadn't considered:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-127&depa=1
$99 shipped for ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"

is 380W going to be enough for all that? i mean the processor and the (potential) 6800GT or U
 
Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33
Originally posted by: RussianSensation
I am gonna call this the Compromise Gaming Rig

Antec Sonata $99
A64 2800+ Retail $185
WD 80GB 8mb Cache $66
Chaintech VNF3-250 Nforce3 250 (Silver Award Winner at Anandtech) $92
Kingmax PC3500 512mb x 2 (CL 2.5) $88 x 2 = $176
GeForce 6800GT 256mb (Pre-Order Released June 28th) $399

Total Price: $1017

As you can see I made several compromises to come up with what I think is a good gaming rig at the moment. Instead of going for a faster cpu and low latency or higher speed RAM i figured the benefits of 100% faster graphics card are worth it to lose 10-20% of cpu and RAM performance. A64 2800+ is faster than AXP 3200+ so it is not a slow cpu at all even if it is clocked at 1.8ghz. The motherboard has AGP/PCI lock and with 9 multiplier and PC3500 RAM I think you should be able to reach 2.0ghz at around 222FSB and I can see the RAM being able to do that just fine. Dont let the CL2.5 disturb you as A64 has on-die memory controller and is much less susceptible to latency timings. The RAm should work at 2.5-3-3-6 at 400mhz at 2.7V without problems. I realize that your hard drive space might be a limiting factor as most people get around 120gb at least. Your other option could involve getting 2.4-2.8ghz P4 and overclocking them to 3.2-3.5ghz on something like Asus P4P800 or Abit IS7 for slightly cheaper; although I'd rather take this solution and overclock to A64 3000+ rating. You could also consider X800Pro if that is your thing but 6800GT is slightly faster in the latest reviews and overclocks to 400/1100 Ultra speeds without problems whether as X800Pro requires a Hard Mod.

A64 2800+ Review

Also consider that A64 3000+ costs about $38 more so your total price will be $1055 and obviously with a multiplier 10 if your RAM overclocks to say the same arbitrary value of 222FSB you'll be running at 2.2ghz and A64 3200+ speeds. So it is for you to decide whether or not extra $38 is worth it.

Just as a reference, here is A64 3000+ Review

Finally these old reviews don't use motherboards that are capable of AGP/PCI lock and the one i've provided you with is, so your overclocking results could be more in line with what was achieved Here on A64 3000+ with a CG stepping. Of course this would require you to run your RAM in Asynchronous mode. But if the chip gets that high on stock cooling, the benefit of running above 2.4ghz will overshadow some performance loss with asynchronous operation.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Click to expand...


Just one note: The AMD processors are very latency sensitive. They thrive on low latency (not higher bandwidth like the P4's
Click to expand...

this is incorrect
 
It should be ok, but I'd go for at least a quality 450W if nothing else. Power requirements on PCs have been greatly expanded recently with vid cards and newer devices like CDRWs DVDRWs and HDDs. I'd go 480W if you plan on having multiple drives (3-4) and have this video card. That is what NVidia has recommended.
 
You may want to look into buying a PS and case seperately. I usually just pick one up at a computer show or local vendor as shipping is a big cut into the final price but these two will work together as long as they conform to ATX standards. I'm not sure if it's cheaper or more efficient to do it seperately but you might try searching that way.
 
beware, the new antec truepowers (especially those in the sonota's) are crap. you might want to buy a different case, one that does not come with a PSU and pick up a real psu, like a fortron source or something.
 
Originally posted by: smthmlk
beware, the new antec truepowers (especially those in the sonota's) are crap. you might want to buy a different case, one that does not come with a PSU and pick up a real psu, like a fortron source or something.
Click to expand...

???? WTF?
 
Originally posted by: smthmlk
beware, the new antec truepowers (especially those in the sonota's) are crap. you might want to buy a different case, one that does not come with a PSU and pick up a real psu, like a fortron source or something.
Click to expand...

you are a retard.


peteroy? is that you?
 
Originally posted by: smthmlk
beware, the new antec truepowers (especially those in the sonota's) are crap. you might want to buy a different case, one that does not come with a PSU and pick up a real psu, like a fortron source or something.
Click to expand...

dont listen to this guy, he's an idiot. as for the sonata, its an excellent case. its super quiet, looks really stylish wtih its piano black color, includes a super strong and quiet psu, is full of features, and etc. its one of my favorite cases too.
 
Do you work at a retail Store? If yes, then ur in luck.


CASE / PSU - 1080 AMG.
http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/Sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=IM1372076
use a 30 off 150 coupon and PM to newegg.com. should be about $120.


CPU / HSF/MOTHERBOARD- (retail actually preferred)
A64 3200+, ASUS K8V K8T800 Board, FarCry and T-Shirt for $179 after 100 MIR - $300
www.retailaccess.com

HDD - get the one from newegg/zipzoomfly unless u have a a fry's nearby. hd deals are around almost every week.


RAM- 512 MB hyperx is often for $100 at bb. or get something from newegg. $200

VIDEO CARD (I am an avid gamer, need something for Doom 3 :-D)
now waste the $400-500 on the video card. if not just get a 9800 pro and save some money.
 
With hell of rebates, my complete new system was about 1000 incl monitor, mouse and keyboard, but leaving out the OS.
Just be prepared for costs to creep on you a bit. ~10%? Like how about a comfy chair from Staples for $60 on sale. I didnt get one but almost. Or shipping and tax?
Keep an eye out for deals on Hot Deals and FS/FT forums. Nice pick on the RAM from Russian, seems dirt cheap. Floppy, CD drive, whatever cabling if not included.
If you want a cheap but decent case, the Raidmax gamer cases sound better than mine: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-156-019&DEPA=1
 
Markfw900, did you run benchmarks on that system yet? I remember reading a post a few weeks ago when you were buying/building it...
 
update: now i need a motherboard that supports AGP pro for my graphics card! oy vey

if they're too hard to find it won't be that big of a deal, probably
 
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