How does this build look? *UPDATED*

[bigal40]

*THIS IS THE OLD LIST NEW ONE IS AT BOTTOM*


Ok, i've had you look at this a while ago but i did alot of revising to it. It will be used for mainly desktop tasks and videoediting, also a little gaming. I do plan to overclock the A64 3500+ to 2.6 if I can. I am not sure about the RAM i read that there were two approaches to OC'ing RAM one is getting low latecny and loosening the timings as you increase the speed and the other was to buy fast RAM with loose timings already possibly tighten the timings. I think I am going with the latter becasue it is cheaper.

$48 Broadway com Black ATX Mid Tower Case With 500W PSU newegg.com
$185 pqi TURBO Series Dual Channel Platinum Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MB x 2) DDR PC-4000 newegg.com
$259 AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm(939) monarchcomputer.com
$59 Optorite DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive newegg.com
$184 SPARKLE GEFORCE PCX 6600 GT 128MB PCI EXPRESS gameve.com
$128 Hitachi 250GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive newegg.com
$82 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition store.viosoftware.biz/wixphoedoem.html
$40 Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Model "XP-90" store.yahoo.com/
$10 Vantec "Tornado" Double Ball Bearing Cooling Fan, Model "TD9238H" newegg.com
$269 ASUS "A8N-SLI Deluxe" nForce4 SLI Chipset Motherboard newegg.com

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think.

Big Al

 

[Blain]

Average... just average. Add that other video card in there and you may move to above average. :shocked:

 

[bigal40]

Originally posted by: Blain
Average... just average. Add that other video card in there and you may move to above average. :shocked:

I don't want to spend too much on the video card because I only game ocaisoinally. I plan on adding the second video card in about a year or so.

 

[halfadder]

I know it's the same kernel... but I'd still suggest WinXP Pro.

Today's average kicks the crap outta 2003's killer rig!!

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: bigal40

Originally posted by: Blain
Average... just average. Add that other video card in there and you may move to above average. :shocked:

I don't want to spend too much on the video card because I only game ocaisoinally. I plan on adding the second video card in about a year or so.

But in a year or so, your video card will be out of favor! IF you're only going to use a single video card for a year or more...
Why not save $$ on an AGP MB and a nice ATI 9800? :laugh:
If you "only game ocaisoinally", you are blowing $$ on items you really don't need.

 

[meltdown75]

looks great dude. i second the xp pro option. also the only thing i would keep my eye on is the case & psu... $48 eh... if u get what u pay for there, you will be hurtin & regrettin...

 

[Frew]

Case/PSU needs upgrade.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: bigal40
Ok, i've had you look at this a while ago but i did alot of revising to it. It will be used for mainly desktop tasks and videoediting, also a little gaming. I do plan to overclock the A64 3500+ to 2.6 if I can. I am not sure about the RAM i read that there were two approaches to OC'ing RAM one is getting low latecny and loosening the timings as you increase the speed and the other was to buy fast RAM with loose timings already possibly tighten the timings. I think I am going with the latter becasue it is cheaper.

$48 Broadway com Black ATX Mid Tower Case With 500W PSU newegg.com
$185 pqi TURBO Series Dual Channel Platinum Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MB x 2) DDR PC-4000 newegg.com
$259 AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm(939) monarchcomputer.com
$59 Optorite DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive newegg.com
$184 SPARKLE GEFORCE PCX 6600 GT 128MB PCI EXPRESS gameve.com
$128 Hitachi 250GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive newegg.com
$82 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition store.viosoftware.biz/wixphoedoem.html
$40 Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Model "XP-90" store.yahoo.com/
$10 Vantec "Tornado" Double Ball Bearing Cooling Fan, Model "TD9238H" newegg.com
$269 ASUS "A8N-SLI Deluxe" nForce4 SLI Chipset Motherboard newegg.com

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think.

Big Al

Looks good, but if you are spending that much on a PC, please don't skimp on the case and power supply.
Get a quality case and PSU, like Antec, Coolmaster, Thermaltake, etc.

Plus, do you plan on overclocking? If not, get PC3200 or 3500 RAM and save some good cash, and you wouldn't need the XP90 if you arent overclocking, just use stock.

 

[ts3433]

First and foremost, I would suggest a better quality power supply. Keep the case if you want to; I'll refrain from making subjective comments.

If you peruse the stickied S939 memory roundup in the CPU/OC forum, you will see it isn't necessary to run 1:1 on the A64--the four speeds tested (including PC2100 left over from 2001) perform about equal in most tasks at the same 290 FSB. I'd suggest simply two 512MB sticks of value CL2.5 PC3200 from Corsair or Mushkin.

With the Winchesters, you'll usually see the same top speeds with any of the chips, so money can be saved if you go with the 3200+ instead, though you may require less voltage bumps and such with the 3500+ (though the 3200+ often clocks at 3500+ speed with little or no bump in voltage either).

Another option I'll throw out for you instead of going SLI in the future is to buy a cheaper motherboard like the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra ($120) with one PCIe x16 slot. Just use the single 6600GT and swap it for the next bang-for-your-buck $200-300 card later.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: bigal40

Originally posted by: Blain
Average... just average. Add that other video card in there and you may move to above average. :shocked:

I don't want to spend too much on the video card because I only game ocaisoinally. I plan on adding the second video card in about a year or so.

But in a year or so, your video card will be out of favor! IF you're only going to use a single video card for a year or more...
Why not save $$ on an AGP MB and a nice ATI 9800? :laugh:
If you "only game ocaisoinally", you are blowing $$ on items you really don't need.

just saw this, and agree whole-heartedly.

If you are an occasional gamer, then you don't need the SLI mobo, two 6600gt's in a year won't be worth crap, it would be like running two 9600pro's right now

 

[Regs]

Blain, you're killing me. I'm going to end up spending another 1k on computer hardware if you keep going about with this average stuff. lol.

Btw - You do know bigal40 you are getting a 270 dollar motherboard? Don't you realize that a 90 dollar motherboard wit h a 400 dollar GT performs the same than 2x 400 dollar 6600GTs with a 270 dollar motherboard? Hell, you could get an Ultra or a X800 PE XT for that price.

 

[ts3433]

You could certainly get a better graphics card for the money with a lesser mobo, as Regs said, though since you said you're not gaming that much, it may be better to just pocket those savings for now. If you can wait a while, the ATI X800 XL (PCIe) is looking to be a good value also, offering performance near the 6800GT for about $300.

 

[bigal40]

THanks for all the responses guys.

Originally posted by: ts3433

If you peruse the stickied S939 memory roundup in the CPU/OC forum, you will see it isn't necessary to run 1:1 on the A64--the four speeds tested (including PC2100 left over from 2001) perform about equal in most tasks at the same 290 FSB. I'd suggest simply two 512MB sticks of value CL2.5 PC3200 from Corsair or Mushkin.

How about this RAM. It is 50 bucks cheaper. But do you think I will be able to OC to 2.6 with a 5:4 divider. WIll there be a big performance differnce with the divider. I don't really mind paying the extra 50 dollars for an easier OC.

You guys have talked me out of SLI but i still want a PCI-E 6600gt video card. Can someone recommend a good OC'ing PCI-E motherboard.

I like the case because it has 1x120mm fan and 2x80 mm fans and the reviews on newegg say it is very quiet(not that being quiet is all that important to me), and it has the temperatrue display on the front. Is it worth it to get an Antec 420w powersupply for 36 bucks. The one that comes in the case is 50w. This is the $36 PSU

Thanks Again
Big Al

 

[ts3433]

I know the 50W is a typo, but that's probably about how good it is I probably wouldn't recommend that TT PSU either; try an Enermax, Antec, Fortron, or Seasonic. This is a component you really don't want to skimp on.

That RAM is good. Your ability to OC the processor is not affected by the divider used, and that roundup I pointed you to showed no big performance difference using a divider versus running 1:1 (at 290 FSB).

For a case, you can also consider the Antec SLK3700AMB and just sell the PSU that comes with it if you get a separate unit. That case has one 120mm fan in the back and a mount for one up front, though the extra one really isn't necessary (tests in the similar Antec Sonata showed a small difference of usually 2 degrees Celsius when comparing just the exhaust to two fans).

As for a good overclocking PCIe board, the Chaintech looks promising (with a BIOS update), though I just heard from someone that they placed some damn caps really close to the CPU socket, and this might affect compatibility with your HSF. You may simply have to wait a little while for more selection--this is a new chipset on a socket where we've had only about 12 boards anyway.

 

[bigal40]

Bump for more info on PSU, RAM, and Mobo.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Regs
Blain, you're killing me. I'm going to end up spending another 1k on computer hardware if you keep going about with this average stuff. lol.

Btw - You do know bigal40 you are getting a 270 dollar motherboard? Don't you realize that a 90 dollar motherboard wit h a 400 dollar GT performs the same than 2x 400 dollar 6600GTs with a 270 dollar motherboard? Hell, you could get an Ultra or a X800 PE XT for that price.

:thumbsup:
mobo way too much $, esp. if you are only doing a 'little' gaming. looks like an ok deal on that video card though - didn't know sparkle was into video cards.

 

[bigal40]

Heres the updated list. I got a Thermaltake PSU, ASUS A8V deluxe mobo, WIndows XP Pro, and Mushikin PC3200 1gb RAM.

$48 Broadway com Black ATX Mid Tower Case With 500W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-162-027&depa=1
$129 Mushkin Dual Pack 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-146-299&depa=1
$259 AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm(939)
http://www.monarchcomputer.com...mp;Category_Code=AMD64
$59 Optorite DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-182-025&depa=0
$184 SPARKLE GEFORCE PCX 6600 GT 128MB PCI EXPRESS
http://www.gameve.com/gve/stor...spx?sku=VC-SPARKLE-006
$128 Hitachi 250GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-145-058&depa=1
$86 Windows XP Professional Edition
http://www.ez4u123.com/prod.itml/icOid/4029
$40 Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Model "XP-90"
http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/xp-90-21.html
$10 Vantec "Tornado" Double Ball Bearing Cooling Fan, Model "TD9238H"
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-999-613&depa=0
$137 ASUS "A8V Deluxe" VIA K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-131-510&depa=1
$36 Thermaltake Silent PurePower, 420W ATX power supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=17-153-006&DEPA=0
TOTAL $1116
The windows XP is dell OEM but the site says it will work with all home built PC's. Anyone tried this before?
I just want a second opinion about using this value RAM for OC'ing to 2.6.
Any other suggestions? Any chance of getting it to 1k?

Thanks Again,
Big Al

 

[dc5]

there's a chaintech nforce 4 motherboard for about the same price as the asus.

 

[meltdown75]

so you're buying a case with a psu and a psu? heheheh

 

[Ahill]

Bigal take the $36 for the psu, the $10 for the fan and $48 for the case and buy a Antec Sonata with a trupower 380W for $99 bucks shipped.(at newegg) If you look around you may be able to find it cheaper. The case comes with one 120mm cooling fan. I bought mine when it was $92 shipped and it is sitting there waiting for a good nforce4 ultra to come available.(looking for asus or giga) I also went ahead and splurged for the thermaltake 20-24 pin adapter.(just in case) If you look around for deals you can do pretty well. Here is how mine looks.


Antec Sonata trupower 380w - $92
XFX Geforce 6600 GT 128 MB DDR3 - $184 Shipped
WD 80 GB SE w/ 8Mb cache - 29.99 AR (rebates received)
Lite -on CDRW - recycled
Nforce 4 Ultra MB to be named later - ~ $190
AMD 64 3200+ - $179 ish at Monarch
Thermaltake silent boost HSF - $23 at monarch (I hate noise)
Mushkin Blue Line 2x512 Mb CL 2 - $182 shipped(I know this is too much but It was on sale! at newegg)


I have op system and monitor already so this is all for $880 bucks. Add a dvd drive and push it over $900.

Also the motherboard you listed( A8V_)does not support PCI-e.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Anyway there are a couple of things i would change.
For the amount of money you are going to spend on that case you could get one of the nice Chieftec Dragon series case.

Also i would HIGHLY reccommend that you not buy a 3500+. Buy a 3200+ Winchester core as it OC to the same speed as the 3500+ and it is much less expensive.

Moreover i would also HIGHLY recommend that you DO NOT get a thermaltake PSU. They are noisy and underpowered. (18AMps on the 12V rails is pitiful).

Next getting a KT800 isn 't a wise choice right now. The Nforce 3 (and 4 for that matter), offers so much more over it and it is faster (marginally). I would get the K8N Neo2 Platinum.

Lastly Hitachi is not the "best" HDD maker. I would get one of the Seagate Barracudas (7200.7) as they are quiet and fast.

All in all the HDD will be about the same. The CPU will save you any where from 50 to 150 dollars depending on which core. WIth that money you can geta better case and PSU. The Motherboard will be about the same price. So you will probably end up paying the same amount or a little less for what i have suggested but you will have much better performance.

-Kevin

 

[bigal40]

Yep i revised it agian. Hows the RAM and Motherboard? ANy one know anything about the case.
Kingmax SuperRAM Series Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3700 155 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-156-024&depa=1
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm(939) 251 http://www.monarchcomputer.com...mp;Category_Code=AMD64
Optorite DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive 59 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-182-025&depa=0
PARKLE GEFORCE PCX 6600 GT 128MB PCI EXPRESS RETAIL $184 179 http://www.gameve.com/gve/Stor...s.aspx?sku=VC-EVGA-055
Hitachi 250GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive $128 130 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-145-058&depa=1
Microsoft Windows XP Proffesional 86 http://www.ez4u123.com/prod.itml/icOid/4029
Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Model "XP-90" ?RETAIL 40 http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/xp-90-21.html
Vantec "Tornado" Double Ball Bearing Cooling Fan, Model "TD9238H" ?RETAIL 10 10 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-999-613&depa=0
CHAINTECH NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU 129 http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=13-152-049&depa=1
Linkworld Black/Silver ATX Mid Tower Case 28 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-164-040&depa=1
Thermaltake Silent PurePower, 420W ATX power supply 35 http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=17-153-006&DEPA=0
TOTAL $1,102

 

[imported_brad]

i would spend a few extra dollars on a nicer full tower, possibly with a smaller wattage PSU. For about $110, its well worth the money if you like hardware dabbling for the extra handroom in the case. I have
this model ANTEC and i love it.