Is there anything glaringly wrong with this setup?

danzio · Jun 22, 2004

SgtZulu · Jun 22, 2004

Try reading the 18,000 other threads asking the same dumb question

oldman420 · Jun 22, 2004

Originally posted by: SgtZulu
Try reading the 18,000 other threads asking the same dumb question

please dont be so offensive thats not really called for if someone asks a wrong question try to act like a senior member and give them some direction we are here to help and to learn lets keep a good spirit

oldman420 · Jun 22, 2004

and danzio that is a great system you chose the right stuff i did not notice a hsf you will need better than a stock cooler get a zalman
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-109&depa=0
have fun and dont be discouraged by impatient people

blodhi74 · Jun 22, 2004

set up looks good and dont pay any attention people like sgtzulu ..... welcome to AT

danzio · Jun 22, 2004

Yeah Sarge, I apologize.
I'm sure you guys get tired of reading the same stuff from every new guy on the block. But as you might imagine, since I started my research, my head has been amassed with a plethora of information that is very hard to digest and I know you good people have the knowledge and ability to help us newbies sort thru all this stuff.

Hey oldman, thanks for the feedback. Good choice of icons. I'll add that HSF to my list.

Thanks,
Dan

labrat25 · Jun 22, 2004

looks good to me too... though i continue my crusade against the floppy drive, unless you still use one

otherwise you can get a pen drive IMHO

also: are you planning on overclocking? otherwise I'd go with a regular (non-mobile) Athlon... unless you're really worried about heat
ex. you can get a 2600+ Barton for $3 cheaper

Tostada · Jun 22, 2004

I would just get the $108 160GB Samsung SATA drive. I don't see it being worth another $44 to get two 80GB's. If you're that concerned about performance, a Raptor 74G is the only thing that's going to give you a noticable boost.

There's nothing wrong with the AN7, but I'd prefer the NF7-S, which is also $15 cheaper. I saw a complaint about the AN7 having trouble with the R9600.

That PSU looks like a good deal. I'd still be inclined to play it safe and get the 380W Antec TruePower for the same price, or pay $9 more for a 370W Enermax Noisetaker, but I'd like to see an in-depth review of the Thermaltake.

I would get one of the 0.35W Mobile Athlons. It's looking like the $77 Mobile 2200+ 35W's are doing at least as well as the one you listed, but you might want to go with the $87 Mobile 2400+ 35W.

The Radeon 9600SE is a questionable choice. I would never pay $69 for a 64-bit card. For another $25 you could have the real 128-bit version, which is still a nice silent card that will be good to have around with you do upgrade:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-289

For the same price, you can get a 128-bit Radeon 9200, which is about 50% faster in many things, but I suppose DX9 support makes the 9600SE a better choice still.

You can get the NEC 2510A for $3 cheaper if you don't care about Roxio:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-023

Also, along the lines of what labrat25 was saying, you only need the Mobile Athlon if you're overclocking, and if you're overclocking you didn't mention a heatsink. Since you seem to like Thermaltake, the Volcano 7+ is decent:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=35-106-014

trexpesto · Jun 22, 2004

I would try to save a bit on the case and put it toward vid card. Just me.
Soon the 128Mb 256-bit 9800 Pro will be cheaper ~ 175. Right now still holding at 206$.

If I was paying in the 90$ range, i'd go for the 75$! LianLi PC-7, Coolermaster Praetorian, or Kingwin kt-424

This is overkill if you are not overclocking but a deal.
http://svc.com/thslsoco.html has a NICE 20$+shipping deal on a thermalright slk947U bolt-on which it says on the themalright site is a fine fit for AN7. And don't forget a fan, like their zalman for 6.00

I guess you have a monitor already?

SickBeast · Jun 22, 2004

Originally posted by: labrat25
looks good to me too... though i continue my crusade against the floppy drive, unless you still use one

otherwise you can get a pen drive IMHO

also: are you planning on overclocking? otherwise I'd go with a regular (non-mobile) Athlon... unless you're really worried about heat
ex. you can get a 2600+ Barton for $3 cheaper

Tell me this: how can you install SATA drivers during an XP install without a floppy?

n7 · Jun 22, 2004

Slipstream them

However, i still figure that for $15, a floppy doesn't hurt.

JBT · Jun 22, 2004

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: labrat25
looks good to me too... though i continue my crusade against the floppy drive, unless you still use one

otherwise you can get a pen drive IMHO

also: are you planning on overclocking? otherwise I'd go with a regular (non-mobile) Athlon... unless you're really worried about heat
ex. you can get a 2600+ Barton for $3 cheaper

Click to expand...

Tell me this: how can you install SATA drivers during an XP install without a floppy?

Slip steam drivers? Though I agree with you I still use my floppy for things like this so I don't have to do a bunch of extra crap.

Anyways the rig looks okay but the video card is severly lacking for being a "gamer" the 9600 SE's SUCK big time. Games today are all about the video card to it is best not to skimp here.

n7 · Jun 22, 2004

Looks good, but as has been mentioned, save some money by gettting a single 160 GB HDD, & if money's an issue, get rid of the DVD-ROM...you don't really need it if you have the burner, & use that money from those two changes toward a 9800 Pro.
9600SE = teh suck if you are gaming.

Brule · Jun 22, 2004

Very good advice so far. I was in your position not that long ago, maybe can pass along some of my mistakes/experiences.

#1 If you're serious about gaming, get a better video card. This is a place where the extra cash goes a long way. I was looking into the same card as you, but for the same cost got a slightly used ti4400 which kills the 9600SE for the same price. Tom's Hardware has a useful VGA Charts III which can show the performance boost.

#2 If you're going to spend more on a video card, look around for sales on the more common items. Things like harddrives, monitors, and input devices can be found for cheap at B&M stores. That said, stick with Newegg for the core parts, their return service saved me a boatload. If you're daring, look over at the FS/FT thread. Many people are upgrading to A64 systems, selling off parts you could use.

#3 Ditch the floppy. While nice for installing OS's and document movement, there are better alternatives. Most OS CDs are bootable and if you're going to be moving many small files invest in a USB thumb drive. My 128mb costs less than $30 new, not much more than the floppy and lots of room.

#4 Look into a better thermal paste. If you're even thinking of OC'ing going with a quality paste, such as artic silver 5, will help. If you plan on swapping CPUs much it's not only nice, it's needed.

#5 Might look into a few different cases and case fans. A few extra case fans cost very little and can have dramatic results.

Have fun, it can be a real pain when things aren't looking good. When it's all up and running it's worth it. It's a blast to have someone come into your home and comment on your PC, and you(or your son) can say "O yah, I built that". 🙂

darkswordsman17 · Jun 22, 2004

Ok, the case looks fine, hopefully you won't get flamed over it (people here seem to really dislike the look of Thermaltake cases, but they have good quality, so don't worry what others think). You might look at an Antec Sonata, it comes with a 380 watt power supply and will save you the $50 on the other one.

If you're not going to overclock, then go with a retail CPU such as 2500-2800+

I agree, go with a large single drive unless you're worried about backing up stuff.

Get the NF7-S ove that motherboard (pretty much are the same board, but the NF7-S is cheaper)

Is it necessary to have a 2nd DVD drive? The one burner will take care of any optical disc you'll need to use or burn.

Oh, and absolutely change that graphics card. Get say an 9600 Pro if possible at a least (with the money saved from the others, it should be no problem).

danzio · Jun 23, 2004

I want to say thanks to all who contributed to this thread. You convinced me on the video card and HDD. I am going with the 9800PRO and a single 160 GB HDD. Also changed out the case to the Antec P-160WF Alum. Added an extra case fan and heat sink for the CPU. It is all ordered thru Newegg and we are really excited to get this system together. Once we have it up and running I will be back to get some good advice on overclocking.😉

Thanks again,

Dan and Nick

n7 · Jun 23, 2004

Originally posted by: danzio
I want to say thanks to all who contributed to this thread. You convinced me on the video card and HDD. I am going with the 9800PRO and a single 160 GB HDD. Also changed out the case to the Antec P-160WF Alum. Added an extra case fan and heat sink for the CPU. It is all ordered thru Newegg and we are really excited to get this system together. Once we have it up and running I will be back to get some good advice on overclocking.😉

Thanks again,

Dan and Nick

:thumbsup:

Have fun 🙂

Is there anything glaringly wrong with this setup?

danzio

Junior Member

SgtZulu

Banned

oldman420

Platinum Member

oldman420

Platinum Member

blodhi74

Diamond Member

danzio

Junior Member

labrat25

Senior member

Tostada

Golden Member

trexpesto

Golden Member

SickBeast

Lifer

n7

Elite Member

JBT

Lifer

n7

Elite Member

Brule

Golden Member

darkswordsman17

Lifer

danzio

Junior Member

n7

Elite Member

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