Looking for opinions on new PC options

[racolvin]

(a copy of this was emailed to Wesley Fink, since he did the original review of the P4S800D-E)

I am looking in to building a new PC for Christmas and am seriously considering using the ASUS P4S800D-E board, for a few reasons: 1) its cheaper than an Intel board, 2) I want to stick with a P4 3.4 (Northwood) and avoid the Prescott thermal issues, 3) AGP 8X still seems perfectly viable technology for the next 18 months, so I don't need PCI-X, and 4) I have been extremely pleased with my SiS-based Shuttle SS51G, so I don't have any preconceived notions about Intel being the one and only solution ;-)

My general idea is to build the best P4 box I can to last me a few more years, until the whole 64-bit/dual-core debates are over and products are stable, available, and competitively priced. I am not much of an overclocker but the ability to OC this chip/mobo combination would allow me to stretch the useful life of the PC well into 2006-07, while still being able to play games and do general computing.

With that in mind, here is my general plan. If you have time, any opinions you guys have would be appreciated.

Antec P160 case (really like the top mounted USB/FireWire/Audio panel)
Antec True Power 550W PSU
Intel P4 3.4, 800FSB socket 478 (BX80532PG3400D)
Zalman Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler CNPS7000B-Cu CPU
Asus P4S800D-E Mobo
2x OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Dual Channel Gold (2G total memory)
GigaByte Radeon X800XT 8x AGP (GVR80T256V)
4x WD2500JD SATA, 7200RPM 8M cache drives
LSI Logic MegaRAID SATA 150 4port 64MB cache (raid 5 those WD drives)
Plextor PX-712SA DVD+-RW (SATA off the mobo)

So whaddya think guys?

 

[sniperruff]

isn't intel getting slapped left and right by the latest AMD64's?

don't get me wrong im not trying to flame, i got that impression by reading tom's

 

[DaveSimmons]

> Zalman Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler CNPS7000B-Cu CPU

The -alcu is better, 99% of the cooling for a fraction of the weight, less motherboard bending.

> Asus P4S800D-E Mobo
> 2x OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Dual Channel Gold (2G total memory)

I'm really happy with the Asus P4C800-E Deluxe I got last December paired with a P4 3.2C. You could get this and 4 x 512 MB PC3200 for your 2 GB since this i875 motherboard has zero problems with 4 sticks. (My brother has the P4C800-E and 4x512 for his PhotoShop / graphics design box).

> 4x WD2500JD SATA, 7200RPM 8M cache drives
> LSI Logic MegaRAID SATA 150 4port 64MB cache (raid 5 those WD drives)

I prefer to have my OS on a non-RAID drive and just use the RAID for data, you could add a cool, quiet, cheap Samsung spinpoint PATA drive for that. (split it into 2 partitions and you also have an extra data drive for OS images and backing up critical files from the RAID in case of a problem with the LSI controller).

 

[gururu]

great system. the AlCu is way lighter than the Cu, so I agree with DaveSimmons. also, I might consider some raptor drives instead. since you're sold on P4, your choices are top notch.

 

[Gamingphreek]

I would definately get AMD if not i would definately invest the money in the Intel. My father just bought a P4P800SE which is an awesome board for the money. I would seriously consider either 1 using AMD or 2. using Intel chipset.

Also it is PCI-E, not PCI-X PCI-X is 66mhz 64bit slot commonly found on server and enterprise based motherboards.

-Kevin

 

[tjaisv]

Antec P160 case - excellent choice, here's THG's review

Antec True Power 550W PSU - excellent choice, though u may also want to consider the Fortron Sparkle 530W model "FSP530-60GNA" which some say is the best PSU out there

Intel P4 3.4, 800FSB socket 478 (BX80532PG3400D) - very nice

Zalman Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler CNPS7000B-Cu - like another poster said up above, get the -AlCu version

Asus P4S800D-E Mobo - solid choice

2x OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Dual Channel Gold (2G total memory) - 2gigs!

GigaByte Radeon X800XT 8x AGP (GVR80T256V) - expensive, but absolutely one of the best u can get

4x WD2500JD SATA, 7200RPM 8M cache drives - monstrous! though u might want to also consider the Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 with its 400GB, 16MB cache, SATA NCQ, 7200RPM, and 8.0ms seek time...it's not out yet though, should be coming out soon

LSI Logic MegaRAID SATA 150 4port 64MB cache - sounds good

Plextor PX-712SA DVD+-RW - definitely

 

[newParadigm]

Buy an AMD, they are cheaper better and faster than intel;s, this is not my bigotted opinion, it has been proven by manyt a benchmark and bankacount.

 

[Hyperlite]

your upgrade options will be just about limitless if you go with a 90nm skt939 AMD64 solution....

 

[racolvin]

Thanx for all the posts guys (or gals, if there were any that posted and I can't tell )

I'm sticking with Intel for CPU just for my own comfort level. I read the AMD is doing well but I've always done well with an Intel CPU.

I'm staying away from the 90nm stuff for the thermal density issues generally. I'm staying away from Prescott simply because so far it isn't that impressive, hence my choice of the 130nm 3.4 northwood core.

I could go with a seperate drive for the boot volume but if I ever have to reload a C: drive, I gotta reload all the apps anyway. I usually put my data on a D: but that can just be a seperate logical volume on the RAID 5 array. The point about having a boot drive seperate from the RAID in case of a controller failure is a good point tho. I'll have to think about tha one a little. I've have good history with WD going back 10+ years, so I'll stick with that for now. While the 'Cuda 400GB appeals to my Tim Allen side, I think 750GB effective storage is plenty ;-)

Good advice on the Zalman AlCu version cooler tho. Less weight is a good thing, particularly in tower case. I really like all-copper for the cooling but heck, if the difference is only a degree or two, less weight is good.

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
I would definately get AMD if not i would definately invest the money in the Intel. My father just bought a P4P800SE which is an awesome board for the money. I would seriously consider either 1 using AMD or 2. using Intel chipset.

I considered it but since I'm giving Intel my CPU $$, I'll give someone else my chipset $$ ;-) I've been really pleased with the Shuttle SS51G that is SiS based and all the reviews for the P4S800D-E have been very positive, so I'll give them another shot.

Also it is PCI-E, not PCI-X PCI-X is 66mhz 64bit slot commonly found on server and enterprise based motherboards.

My bad

 

[racolvin]

GigaByte Radeon X800XT 8x AGP (GVR80T256V) - expensive, but absolutely one of the best u can get

Thought about getting the ASUS version of the same card but looking at PriceGrabber brought the Gigabyte in at over $100 cheaper than the Asus version.

R

 

[tjaisv]

Originally posted by: racolvin

GigaByte Radeon X800XT 8x AGP (GVR80T256V) - expensive, but absolutely one of the best u can get

Thought about getting the ASUS version of the same card but looking at PriceGrabber brought the Gigabyte in at over $100 cheaper than the Asus version.

R

pricewatch.com lists the Gigabyte for $455 @z-buy.com

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: tjaisv

Originally posted by: racolvin

GigaByte Radeon X800XT 8x AGP (GVR80T256V) - expensive, but absolutely one of the best u can get

Thought about getting the ASUS version of the same card but looking at PriceGrabber brought the Gigabyte in at over $100 cheaper than the Asus version.

R

pricewatch.com lists the Gigabyte for $455 @z-buy.com

Yea, but the ASUS version of the card goes for $593 on pricegrabber

 

[xsilver]

The old myths of AMD xp being unstable - hot etc are no longer with the AMD 64 -- instead the heat has been transferred over to the prescott..... hence your decision not to go with it.... why settle for yesterday's technology when you can go for the latest? To rebutt the flamers, yes I know, the prescott isn't really that hot until you reach the 4ghz mark though
I've had the 3.0 northwood for a year..... its kinda getting old no?

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: xsilver
The old myths of AMD xp being unstable - hot etc are no longer with the AMD 64 -- instead the heat has been transferred over to the prescott..... hence your decision not to go with it.... why settle for yesterday's technology when you can go for the latest? To rebutt the flamers, yes I know, the prescott isn't really that hot until you reach the 4ghz mark though
I've had the 3.0 northwood for a year..... its kinda getting old no?

I don't know that "old" has much to do with it. Other P4's (the EE version, etc) don't do anything different than the Northwood core except for adding some cache at an ungodly price premium. So from an Intel perspective, the 3.4Ghz Northwood is the high-end of the 130nm technology (lower thermal density). Socket 478 is still alive and well, so all-in-all, I can't see a reason to go Prescott for anything at all. Heck, I wouldn't even be looking at building a new PC if it weren't for the fact that my Shuttle SS51G can't handle an updated video card because the power supply won't deal with it. I'm perfectly happy with the 2.8 in my Shuttle beond the video issue.

I never said AMD wasn't a solid choice. I just don't have a comfort level with the AMD line, which has nothing to do with its technical merits. Merely a personal preference in sticking with one I know

 

[newParadigm]

... can't handle an updated video card because the power supply won't deal with it.

Then why not just get a better PSU?

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: newParadime

... can't handle an updated video card because the power supply won't deal with it.

Then why not just get a better PSU?

Because there isn't one you can put in the SS51G that would do it. Its a small form factor computer and there's no room for anything but the stock PSU which is only 200 watts