Help with my future comp..

[M16A24]

I'm getting these computer parts soon from newegg.com

Thermaltake PIPE101 3 in 1 CPU Cooler for Intel P4 and AMD K7 & K8, with Heatpipe Cooling, Model "CL-P0006" -RETAIL
$44.99

Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM Drive Only
$112.00

SOLTEK "SL-K8TPro-939" VIA K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
$114.00

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor 939 Pin - Retail
$341.00

Total (Before tax): $ 623.97

OK, those are the parts I might be getting because I already have 2x 512MB PC3200 sticks of Corsair XMS Memory, a dvd+rw, eVGA 5900Ultra, 520w Aspire PSU and case.
Anything I should change? (I'll be keeping the 3500+ because I want to get a socket 939 mobo, also only the 939 mobo's have 4x ram slots)

Right now I have a XP 2400+, Abit NF7 mobo with a Western digital 80GB 8MB cache HD. Do you think these new parts will be much quicker? I'm upgrading mostly to be ready for World of Warcraft when it's finished. Thanks

 

[Zebo]

Looks good. How about a real video card?

You're not OCing right?

 

[M16A24]

I wanted to get a 6800GT and give my 5900 Ultra to my brother but he already bought the 6800GT too. I don't want to spend another $400 on a video card since I paid about $400 to buy this 5900Ultra in January =(
I probably won't be overclocking unless my temps seem really good.

Anyway, I see in your sig that you flashed your 5900 to 5950. Can I flash my eVGA 5900 Ultra to 5950? My GPU idle temp is about 46 idle and 37 ambient temp. Thanks.

 

[Nickel020]

The heatsink sucks. It is very heavy but is worse than the much lighter Aerocool HT-101 of which the Thermaltake is a bad copy.. The best heatsink out there is the Thermalright XP-120, but it is very big so it might not fit that board. I would get one of the following heatsinks (if the XP-120 won't fit): Thermalright XP-90, SP-97 or the Aerocool HT-101.

 

[M16A24]

Ok, I'll check out those heatsinks. What about the stock heatsink that comes with the CPU? Is that ok or do you suggest I get a different one? Any idea what the usual temps are for the stock HSF of the 3500+ ?
Thanks.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: M16A24
I wanted to get a 6800GT and give my 5900 Ultra to my brother but he already bought the 6800GT too. I don't want to spend another $400 on a video card since I paid about $400 to buy this 5900Ultra in January =(
I probably won't be overclocking unless my temps seem really good.

Anyway, I see in your sig that you flashed your 5900 to 5950. Can I flash my eVGA 5900 Ultra to 5950? My GPU idle temp is about 46 idle and 37 ambient temp. Thanks.

You can flash it if it's stable at 5950 speeds on a overclock. Meaning try coolbits first. Only reason I flashed is because I put it in my sons rig and I did'nt want him messin with core clocks and tools. So it boots at 450/950 now and is seen as a 5950 by default. No real reason to do it for you unless you just don't like messin with control panel.

Anyway how you do it. Is irst make sure it's stable at 5950 speeds.

Then get a 5950 bios for your card by the following link: http://www.mvktech.net/download.php

Download nvflash utility from there too. You need two files: CWSDPMI.EXE and nvflash.exe.

create a bootable DOS floppy put bios and flash util on it.

Reboot in DOS..go to floppy.. type ?nvflash -f bios.rom -4 -5 -6?.

This will save old and write new.

Reboot. All good.


Personally I'd just get an XP mobile, clock the hell out of it, and then buy myself a real video card if monies tight. This will give you far better gaming performance.

 

[Nickel020]

From ehat I have heard temps stay below 55C load with the retail stock hsf if you have at least 2 80mm case fans. It makes some noise but it's bearable.