Help me decide what to buy for my new A64 3000+ system

[DT4K]

My budget is $600.
The PSU on my old box died and since it wouldn't run BF2 anyway, I figured this was a good time to build a new one. I'll be keeping my old case, drives, and 17" CRT (though I'd like to bump up to a 19" CRT at some point in the near future). I'd like the ability to OC moderately, but I won't be going crazy with it.

So here is what I need to buy with that $600 and some of the options I'm considering:

PSU -
Antec TruePower 2.0 430w
Antec TruePower 2.0 480w
Antec SmartPower 2.0 500w(i like the modular cables)
XClio 450w

Mobo -
DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
Epox EP-9NPA+ Ultra (cheaper than the other two options, but no firewire port on the back panel and I don't like the placement of the 24 pin power connector)

CPU -
Pretty much set on Venice core 3000+. Seems to be the best bet for my budget.

RAM -
I know I want 2x512MB, but I have no idea what else to look at here. Should I stick with something like Corsair Value RAM at PC3200, or would it really make a noticeable performance difference to buy more expensive RAM.

Video Card -
Looking at 6600gt or X800. Judging by the rough prices of the other components, I'm thinking the video card budget will end up around $150-$175. Are those the best two options around that price range? Any particular brands to look at or avoid?

Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[KoolDrew]

I do not like any of the PSU choices. The SP searies is not really that good and the TPII's fan is a joke. I would get a Fortron AX500-A. It is cheap from actbuy. As for the mobo the DFI is a great choice for overclocking, but since you said you wanted to OC moderately I would suggest the Epox. It is a good overclocker. For the CPU the 3000+ is the best choice. For the RAM if you get the DFI you can get cheap UTT and run them pretty high with tight timings, but this is if you feel comfortable running high volts. I would suggest just getting Value RAM. For the videeo card I would suggest a 6800.

 

[rise]

jeesh, just last month you were recommending the smart power's

anyway, i'd get the dfi ultra-d, the 3000 and the tpII 480. i'd stay away from the corsair vs with the dfi though and get some decent ocz.

for the card kinda, depends on when you're buying, there are some really good deals floating around in hot deals, just depends on the flavor.

edit-btw, the tpII 430 would probably do you right as well but dfi "requires" 480w. needless to say not everyoine adhers to that. just be sure to get a native 24 pin.

 

[furballi]

Enermax 495 Noisetaker V2.0 with Corsair VS and Epox board. I prefer the Abit AX8 board for a budget rig. Has firewire with four fan headers (two controlled by the board from 8V to 12V). The chipset is passively cooled.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I do not like any of the PSU choices. The SP searies is not really that good and the TPII's fan is a joke. I would get a Fortron AX500-A. It is cheap from actbuy. As for the mobo the DFI is a great choice for overclocking, but since you said you wanted to OC moderately I would suggest the Epox. It is a good overclocker. For the CPU the 3000+ is the best choice. For the RAM if you get the DFI you can get cheap UTT and run them pretty high with tight timings, but this is if you feel comfortable running high volts. I would suggest just getting Value RAM. For the videeo card I would suggest a 6800.

But the AX500 only gives 15A on each 12V rail, while the SP gives 17A and 19A.

I'm looking at Newegg and I see that the Fortron AX450-PN is $50 instead of $91 for the AX500-A. All the specs look pretty much the same except that the AX450-PN shows 18A on each 12V rail. Is there a reason the AX500-A is better even with lower ratings on the 12V rails?

 

[Sqube]

- DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D
- Corsair Value RAM
- 6600 GT

The PSU discussion is out of my league.

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: DT4K
I'm looking at Newegg and I see that the Fortron AX450-PN is $50 instead of $91 for the AX500-A. All the specs look pretty much the same except that the AX450-PN shows 18A on each 12V rail. Is there a reason the AX500-A is better even with lower ratings on the 12V rails?

i can't speak directly on those two models, but in general you'll see better internal components, heatsinks etc. the guage of the wires can be different.

also for example the tpII and the spII, you'll see the tpII has dedicated feedback lines which will provide much tighter tolerances.

i had an x-clio 450 and the 12v lines would go from 12.40 to say 12.16 from idle to load, the tpII is like a rock at 12.00- 11.98v

the x-clio also isn't a bad buy. i didn't have much luck with it oc'ing on the dfi board with it but i saw someone else here oc with it successfully. mine was fine at stock but choked on the oc. for the price its decent.

 

[coomar]

DFI Lan Party UT NForce4 Ultra-D Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939 129.00
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110224

I wouldn't get the corsair vs, they vary the ics on the value and some people have not been able to get it to run on the dfi

if you have other sticks of ram, you could buy the vs, its guaranteed to work on any platform at 200-2.5-3-3-x (though they might have pulled the intel scam on it) so you could rma it

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512K 90nm Rev. E Venice (939) 149.00
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120205

there was an x800 for around 150 after rebate (170 before), that would be best

psu, you need a 480w 24pin, the enernmax 495 (which i have) or the fortron 500w are good choices