In the market for and AMD System, buy now or wait?

[ahsia]

I basically have the entired system, from memory, video card, to even the case ready to go, but I am contemplating whether I should invest my money now or wait til later. Here is what I have:

2 x 512mb PC3000 Mushkin
ATi Radeon 8500LE 128mb (All I really need since I am no intense gamer)
Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB (Look to upgrade to SATA, so will be getting a mobo with SATA support)
DVD-ROM
CD-RW
Soundblaster Live! Platinum

Now, a lot of ppl are getting great results with the Tbred 2100+ with nForce2 boards, and I was thinking about getting the ABIT NF7-S. So I just wanted to see what you all think? Should I just go ahead with this combo, since I can probably get a nice overclock with my memory and this CPU at a decent price? Or should I wait for the next big thing from AMD?

At a crossroads here, and would really appreciate your help.... thanks!

 

[KidChaos]

ABIT NF7-S + 2100 TBred-B = 🙂

Abit NF7-S has it all: Firewire, SATA (RAID), PATA-SATA Converter, Official support for Barton Processor with latest BIOS, Meets all Soundstorm requirements, nVidia APU, Solid Tech Support ...

For overclocking, make sure ya get a quality heatsink (i.e. Thermalright SLK-800) and fan (i.e. Panasonic, Thermaltake, YS-Tech) because the retail cooling is barely adequate.

You could sell your SB Live because the audio of the NF7-S is better.

Looks to be quite the success.🙂

 

[bgeh]

Originally posted by: KidChaos
ABIT NF7-S + 2100 TBred-B = 🙂

Abit NF7-S has it all: Firewire, SATA (RAID), PATA-SATA Converter, Official support for Barton Processor with latest BIOS, Meets all Soundstorm requirements, nVidia APU, Solid Tech Support ...

For overclocking, make sure ya get a quality heatsink (i.e. Thermalright SLK-800) and fan (i.e. Panasonic, Thermaltake, YS-Tech) because the retail cooling is barely adequate.

You could sell your SB Live because the audio of the NF7-S is better.

Looks to be quite the success.🙂

i agree...too bad it doesn't support the SLK-900 because it doesn't have the 4 mounting holes

 

[KidChaos]

i agree...too bad it doesn't support the SLK-900 because it doesn't have the 4 mounting holes

Version 1.1 (orangy PCB ) of the Abit NF7-S and later have the mounting holes. Just call your hardware vendor to verify whether their version is 1.1 or later. Is the SLK-900 available yet?

 

[bgeh]

Originally posted by: KidChaos

i agree...too bad it doesn't support the SLK-900 because it doesn't have the 4 mounting holes

Version 1.1 (orangy PCB ) of the Abit NF7-S and later have the mounting holes. Just call your hardware vendor to verify whether their version is 1.1 or later. Is the SLK-900 available yet?

oops, never knew there was a version of the abit NF7-S with the 4 mounting holes
thought they haven't appeared yet

the slk-900 is not available yet but it is supposed to come very soon

 

[KidChaos]

Version 1.1 is starting to show up more now.

 

[bgeh]

that's interesting
if the abit will have the advanced vcore and vdimm settings, maybe it'll be a great overclockers board

 

[KidChaos]

Yeah, Abit NF7-S is quite exceptional. And no one seems to know about it so it's decreasing in price - low demand. Shows that the most popular choice is not always the best.😉

 

[Budmantom]

The 2100+ and NForce2 are a nice combo but the 512x2 is an overkill IMHO, unless your going to do A LOT of photo editing or movie editing, I saw a review in pc word that after 256mb there is very little benefit and after 512mb it's almost unnoticeable.

Just my .02

 

[ahsia]

Originally posted by: Budmantom
The 2100+ and NForce2 are a nice combo but the 512x2 is an overkill IMHO, unless your going to do A LOT of photo editing or movie editing, I saw a review in pc word that after 256mb there is very little benefit and after 512mb it's almost unnoticeable.

Just my .02

2 x 512mb PC3000 Mushkin
ATi Radeon 8500LE 128mb (All I really need since I am no intense gamer)
Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB (Look to upgrade to SATA, so will be getting a mobo with SATA support)
DVD-ROM
CD-RW
Soundblaster Live! Platinum

Yeah, the thing is I already have all of the above, so the question is simply whether I should invest my money now, or wait for Barton. But it seems like people agree this is a good choice. By the way, if I were to get the Tbred 2100+, where should I get it from? Thanks!

 

[Budmantom]

A lot of people are having good luck with NewEgg.

 

[ahsia]

Thanks!

I know this might be getting off topic a bit, but what cooler should I get? I really don't want to spend nearly $50 on a HSF, and I want something that will be relatively quiet.

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: ahsia


I know this might be getting off topic a bit, but what cooler should I get? I really don't want to spend nearly $50 on a HSF, and I want something that will be relatively quiet.

Thermalright SK-6+ ( Heatsink ONLY ). All Copper heat spread. Dimension: 74 (L) x 65.5 (W) x 33 (H) mm (without fan). Retail $15

Panasonic Panaflo Axial Fan 60x60x25.5mm, Ball Bearing,**With the 2nd Wire**DC 12V, 2.04W, 4200 RPM, 19.1CFM, 32.0 dB-A Model: FBA06A12H - OEM $6

Total: $21

 

[ahsia]

Originally posted by: KidChaos

Originally posted by: ahsia


I know this might be getting off topic a bit, but what cooler should I get? I really don't want to spend nearly $50 on a HSF, and I want something that will be relatively quiet.

Thermalright SK-6+ ( Heatsink ONLY ). All Copper heat spread. Dimension: 74 (L) x 65.5 (W) x 33 (H) mm (without fan). Retail $15

Panasonic Panaflo Axial Fan 60x60x25.5mm, Ball Bearing,**With the 2nd Wire**DC 12V, 2.04W, 4200 RPM, 19.1CFM, 32.0 dB-A Model: FBA06A12H - OEM $6

Total: $21

What other fans would go good with the SK6+? SVC.com is selling the SK6+ for only $10..... that's a pretty good price, right?

 

[KidChaos]

What other fans would go good with the SK6+?

I would use a 60mm fan - pansonic panaflo, thermaltake, YS-Tech. Can use 80mm fans but I believe you'd have to rotate it 45 degrees.

SVC.com is selling the SK6+ for only $10..... that's a pretty good price, right?

Very good price.

 

[paco83]

Originally posted by: KidChaos
Yeah, Abit NF7-S is quite exceptional. And no one seems to know about it so it's decreasing in price - low demand. Shows that the most popular choice is not always the best.😉

Does the NF7-2 1.1 (or 1.0 for that matter) have Pci/Agp locks? If not what multipliers are there?
And does the SATA go through the pci bus?

 

[KidChaos]

Does the NF7-2 1.1 (or 1.0 for that matter) have Pci/Agp locks?

The PCI bus is locked at 33MHz and never changes. AGP bus is adjustable. That is, you could set the AGP bus to 66MHz in the BIOS if ya wish.

And does the SATA go through the pci bus?

Yes. It's a On board Serial ATA PCI Controller.