Is this setup something you would recommend?

[Speedo]

Mobo: Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
CPU: A64 3200+
PSU: Antec NeoPower
HDD: Maxtor Maxline III 250GB 16MB cache SATA
HSF: Zalman CNPS7700-CU
Mem: 2x512MB Geil PC3200 Ultra Dual Channel, 2-6-3-3 (Keeping from my old system)
GFX: Leadtek Winfast PX6600 GT TDH Extreme

Comments: The A8N seems like one of the best nForce4 choices, and I like Asus for quality and stability (good experiences in the past). I will not run SLI now, but perhaps in the future.

I choose the 3200+ for the 10x multiplier. I'm hoping for atleast a stable 2.4GHz overclock. is this a realistic goal?

Antec seems to make good PSU's, and I like the modular feature and 120mm fan. I saw the press release about TruePower 2.0, but haven't heard anything about them since. Guess it will take too long for them to arrive in sweden anyway...

I choose the Maxline III HDD because it seems very fast but not as expensive as the Raptor. Can I use this in NCQ mode with the the A8N-SLI mobo? (Don't remember if NF4 supports NCQ?)

When it comes to HSF, I'm not sure if I should get the Zalman or the Thermalright XP-120. The XP-120 with external fan will be quite a bit more expensive, but maybe it's worth it?

I will keep my current memory to save costs. It still has rather good timings, and as I understand I won't loose much performance by not running the memory 1:1. (My goal is somewhere in the 140-160FSB range).

The 6600GT seems like the best choice for my budget, and I choose the Leadtek 6600GT since it won AT's roundup. There's an extreme and non-extreme version, but I have no idea what the difference is (except a little difference in price).

Comments would be very much appreciated!

 

[Speedo]

Anyone?

 

[stevty2889]

Looks good, what are you upgrading from? Although I don't see any reason to get an SLI board if you are just gonna use a 6600GT. I have a thermalright XP-120. It works very well and keeps the noise low with a 120mm fan, but up to you if it's worth the price. I am not 100% sure, but I am pretty sure nf4 supports NCQ, even if it doesn't have any major advantages for desktop uses anyway. Not running the mem at 1:1 doesn't have any major affect on performance when your overclocking with an A64. And yeah, Antec PSU's are one of the best, so thats a good choice as well.

 

[Speedo]

Thanks stevty2889 for your reply!

I'm upgrading from a barton 2500+ overlocked to 2.3GHz, so the performance improvement won't be that big, I know... but it should be noticable, especially if I succeed well with my overclock.

About the choice of mobo; Well, I just want a high quality and reliable mobo, and I know Asus is one of the best brands, and they don't have a non-SLI version of the A8N so... Do you have any other recommendation?

Yea, maybe I'll get the XP-120 instead of the Zalman. But what about the XP-90, could that be a good option?

What bothers me most right now, is that I read somewhere that the A8N-SLI might have problems with a PSU with dual 12v lines, and as I understand the NeoPower has 2x 12v lines...

 

[mmx]

don't go SLI yet, sli is only for DRIVER WRITTEN games. read HARDOCP article on it.

 

[Speedo]

I won't go SLI (yet). I just want the best/stable nForce4 motherboard. It's also the only nForce4 motherboard that is easy to get hold of here in Sweden. What would your other suggestions be?

Also, were there any problems with NeoPower and this motherboard?

 

[Speedo]

bump

 

[Speedo]

So does anyone here know if nForce4 supports NCQ? I saw at storagereview that there would be a boost overall with NCQ in combination with the Maxline III.

Also, it is a fact that there is problems with NeoPower and A8N-SLI ? Its very hard to get hold of other high quailty brands like Enermax and Seasonic here in Sweden...

 

[Speedo]

bmp

 

[Edward Lee]

If you're looking for the best performance for right now for the money then don't get a SLI with 6600 GT's
You'll be better off buying a Socket 754 3200+ Newcastle/Nforce3 and getting a 6800GT. That's the best performance you can buy for the money right now. And it will cost about the same as an SLI/6600GT

If you're worried about something you'll feel comfortable upgrading 6-12 months down the road go for a Socket 939 3200+ Winchester/Nforce4 and 6600GT (a little less$$) or 6800GT (a little more$$), but neither will beat the 754 in pure performance. The performance VS. a 754/6800GT will be less but you'll get the peace of mind of having the latest tech that'll last you a few more months than a 754 with Nforce3 chipset.

 

[twitchee2]

tht is almost the exact setup im geting. my only question will tht hs/f work on the voard with that cpu?

 

[RussianSensation]

If every time you upgrade your system, you replace most components, dont worry about PCIe right now. Get Nforce 3 250 Ultra + 6800GT. If you are tight on a budget drop to 3000+ 90nm for $156 from Newegg (retail) and overclock it.

If you want the upgrade path of PCIe, get $130 Nforce 4 (Chaintech) from newegg, and if you can find a cheap 6800GT PCIe. Otherwise you can get X800XT for $450. Yeah sure this costs more than $270 SLI mobo + $190 6600GT but will deliver 2x the performance for $150 more.

If gaming is your primary concern, I wouldnt waste money on SLI as it's a total waste. Going AGP isn't bad either since videocard manufacturers will continue to release AGP based boards for the next 2 years at minimum.

Also if you can get Zalman CNPS7000 for cheaper, I would go with that since it will be enough for A64 to 2.8ghz and there is no need to spend $50+ on a cooler. I think 7000 can be found for $30 on SVC.com or other places if you look around. Either way go with ALCU version as it should perform just as well for 7000 or 7700 and cost less.

 

[Speedo]

twitchee2: Yes, as I understand it, that HSF will work.

RS: I think I will have this new system a couple of years and feel that I want to go the PCIe route. When the system "base" is more up to date, it feels I will have more options of upgrading graphics and/or CPU later on. I will use my computer about equally spent between games and other CPU intensive tasks like music production. Generally, I want a stable system with a good upgrade path.

I want good cooling so I can perform an as high and stable overclock as possible. However, I agree that the ALCU version might be a better choice, but it also depends on what deals I can find here in Sweden.

BUT, the big remaining question is the PSU. I read somewhere about problems with the NeoPower and the A8N-SLI. Would I perhaps be better off with the Fortron FSP FSP400-60THN ? I can get that pretty cheap here...

 

[RussianSensation]

In terms of CPU updates, socket 939 is available for Nforce 3 or Nforce 4 so I didnt see that as an issue at all. Also I think AGP cards will be supported for another 2 years. So unless you want SLI, I dont see a point of paying $270 for a motherboard and getting a 6600GT. Also I dont think paying $50 over 3000+ to 3200+ is worth it either. If you are going to overclock both processors, chances are that they'll top out about the same at 2.5ghz.

For a power supply, I'd recommend OCZ 520 (for sli). OCZ 420 if you dont go SLI. Antec 550 is also excellent (with adjustable rails and latest 12V1 + 12V2 separate rails). Enermax 475 model with ATX2.0 standard has 2 separate 12V rails as well and 24pin.

 

[Speedo]

Finding the right PSU was NOT easy!

NeoPower :
A bit on the high end of my budget, and I saw some repports with problems with dual 12v-lanes in combination with the A8N-SLI. Not the most silent of the bounch either.

OCZ ModStream 450w :
Nice price, and good features. The modular part of this PSU seem to have gotten some critisism, and I think one of the voltage lines were a bit low in some reviews? There are also more quite PSUs out there.

Seasonic Super Tornado 400 :
Seasonic simply seems to be one of the best brands out there. Outstanding reviews! Price is also OK. The only problem is I only seem to be able to get hold of this 400w model here in Sweden. (Is this enough for 2x6600GT in SLI?). Also, there is a risk to get one of the older revisions (A1/A2) instead of the latest A3, which seemed to have some fan-problems (stopped spinning in some situations etc.). I could always buy and return if I get the old revision, hmm...

 

[Amaroque]

I like Antec myself. I'm using a True550, and very happy with it. However, I've heard of issues with the NF4, and Antec because of the dual rails.

If you need modular, I'd go with an OCZ ModStream PSU.

 

[imported_brad]

as long as you're aware about your SLI situation, i'd say its a great setup. It's all what you want though.

 

[Speedo]

I just ordered the Seasonic Super Tornado 400 (Rev.A3). I know it's on the low side if I intend to run SLI in the future, but I hope it could power two 6600GT, since it's a really high quality PSU.

As for heatsink, I have decided to go for the XP-120 with a Panaflow L1A 120mm fan. After doing some searching in these forums, I found out that it should fit on the A8N-SLI.