how's this new AMD setup? ...(i'ma AMD-noob)

[stech4u]

rig will be for: Digital Arts (photoshop, illustrator, mx studio, etc.), and CS 1.6 (& HL2 when it comes out)

hows this setup ???

-----------------------
CASE:
Antec PLUS1080AMG (w/ 430W Antec True PSU), or Antec SLK3700AMB (w/ 350W) ???

CPU:
Athlon XP 2500+ Barton

MOBO:
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe

MEMORY:
512MB...
Corsair XMS TwinX PC3200 or Kingston HyperX PC3500 ???
2x256, or just 1x512 ???
dual-channel ???

VIDEO:
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV

DVD:
Lite-On 16x/48x

HEATSINK/FAN:
suggestions?

-----------------------
thanks in advance.

 

[TheBDB]

Amazing...it is the same AMD setup everyone else has....

 

[stech4u]

thanks, but...

>> which case is better?

>> which RAM setup is better?

>> will i need new HSF? ...i'm not planning to go hard-core OC on it yet...

 

[stech4u]

^bump

 

[gsaldivar]

I'd highly recommend 1GB of RAM if you plan on using this as a production/design system.

 

[ethebubbeth]

it depends on whether you want to go to 1024mb down the road. if you do, then get the single 512mb. if you don't plan on upgrading to 1024, go for 2x256, although dual channel does not give much of a performance boost for the athlons. retail heatsink and fan combo is fine if you dont' wanna overclock

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: stech4u
thanks, but...

>> which case is better? this is all up to personal preferance

>> which RAM setup is better? you want pc3200, i recommend 512 buffalo pc3200. does 5-2-2-2 @ 200 mhz on stock voltage

>> will i need new HSF? ...i'm not planning to go hard-core OC on it yet...

use stock HSF

 

[DerwenArtos12]

i would change the mobo to a DFI NFII, go to one gig of dual channel ram 3200 if you don't intend to oc tha much.

 

[stech4u]

yes, i do plan on going 1GB RAM later down the road, so i'll prolly get 1 stick of 512mb ram...

- buffalo > corsair? is it the price/quality ratio...?

- as for the case, don't really care about the aesthetics/look of it... just wondering which will or have been a great performer lately: Antec PLUS1080AMG (w/ 430W Antec True PSU), or Antec SLK3700AMB (w/ 350W)?

thanks in advance.

 

[Corporate Thug]

personally i would take the 1080 (1000 AMG is my favorite antec case)

buffalo is just as good as corsair as they both use winbond modules and absolutely blows corsair out of the water in the performance/price ratio

 

[Excelsior]

Niiice setup.
IMO, the SLK3700 rocks the house. The 120MM exhaust fan pushes 60+cfm but it is suprisingly quiet. One of the quietest systems I have ever built. The hard drive rack rocks too. Grommets for each position. Works beautifully. The PSU is also pretty quiet, but doesn't have a ton of oomph.

For heatsink, Id say either the SK7(value, but a great cooler, upgraded to it from my AX-7) and a quiet 80MM fan.

 

[Hanzou]

Almost the same setup as mine. I have 1GB of memory though witha sonata case. I have my 2500+ overclocked to 2.2GHz and have it cooled to 35C at idle with my Vantec Aeroflow.

 

[stech4u]

i have the following drives:

(1) Maxtor 40GB 7200rpm
(1) Deskstar 60GB 7200rpm
(1) old-Seagate 12GB pos-rpm =p
(1) Iomega Zip-100 atapi
(1) floppy
(1) TDK 24x/48x/10x CDRW VeloCD

i'm planning to add a DVD (prolly a Lite-On 16x/48x)

...with the following in mind, which would be a practical choice for me to get: the PLUS1080AMG ... or SLK3700AMB???



also, any preference/suggestions on "cables"??? i just need something that can go a long way... i don't think i need eye candy for the inside.


thanks in advance.

 

[Markfw]

The 1080. You need room for the drives, and the extra power wouldn;t hurt. And go for the memory now, before it goes up more.

 

[stech4u]

yah... we'll see, but probably get this for the ram:

Buffalo Technology 512MB 6 Layer PC3200 DDR Memory Module CL 2.5 32X8 (Winbond Module), Part# DD4002-512 - OEM

 

[stech4u]

i guess my mind is ALMOST made up. here's the breakdown for the rig (prices from newegg.com)...

CASE:
ANTEC Performance PLUS Model PLUS1080AMG- with Antec Original TRUE 430W P4 Power Supply ATX12V Retail
$105.00

CPU:
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL
$92.00

MOBO:
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail
$124.99

RAM:
Buffalo Technology 512MB 6 Layer PC3200 DDR Memory Module CL 2.5 32X8 (Winbond Module), Part# DD4002-512 - OEM
$89.50

VIDEO:
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK
$156.00

---------
QUESTION:
if i decide, or more like get the money to add another 512MB stick of RAM later on, is it better to have ... 2x512MB Corsair XMS PC3200 ... or will it not even be a big of a difference with 2x512MB Buffalo Tech PC3200???

QUESTION:
i'll probably not end up OC'ing this right-of-the-bat as my current computer is a p3-500 haha and the jump in performance will already be noticeable. but do you guys suggest any additional HS &/or Fans to addon just to keep this baby chilled???


thanks in advance.

 

[DeRusto]

Stock hs/f works great, however if you feel the need for an aftermarket cooler, you can't go wrong with a Thermalright SK7.

As for the memory choices, I think either would be just fine for your rig. Just go with the cheaper route.

 

[bob4432]

to those that have used it, is that buffalo memory pretty reliable? i need to change to 1-1.5GB of pc3200 and didn't want to spend over $200-$300. i don't oc but do everything as listed here plus video editing. sometimes i will do marathon work and edit/create for many long hours, it has to be reliable. i was going to get some cheaper ram then read the reports about geil and found not many peeps are happy with it.

thanks

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: bob4432
to those that have used it, is that buffalo memory pretty reliable? i need to change to 1-1.5GB of pc3200 and didn't want to spend over $200-$300. i don't oc but do everything as listed here plus video editing. sometimes i will do marathon work and edit/create for many long hours, it has to be reliable. i was going to get some cheaper ram then read the reports about geil and found not many peeps are happy with it.

thanks

Yes, I find it to be reliable, just as much as any other RAM really.