Making a new rig to play with!

[n7]

I have decided to put together a 939 A64 AGP system to have a little OCing fun with (& play some games on, of course)

I already have a nice s754 system, but i will be taking parts from it to complete this new baby.

First off, i am from Canada, so pls. don't tell me my prices are too high; i already know that.
If you have any changes you'd recommend, it'd be nice if those changes can be purchased off NCIX, since we don't have nearly the availability/selection of parts here as you do in the USA.

The objective i am trying to reach is simple.
I want the highest possible OC while maintaining a relatively quiet system.

Here's what i've come up with so far:


Case - Thermaltake Soprano VB1000BWS - $140.78 local price

PSU - OCZ Modstream 520W - $125.95 + shipping

Mobo - MSI K8N NEO2 Platinum nForce3 Ultra - $177.10 + shipping

CPU - A64 3200+ Venice - $285.42 + shipping
or
A64 3500+ ClawHammer - $365.00 + shipping

Heatsink - Thermalright XP-120 - $63.73 + shipping
or
Zalman CNPS7700-CU - $53.78 + shipping

RAM - Corsair 2x512 MB (VS1GBKIT400) - $138.22 + shipping

I already have the HDDs, optical drives, video card, sound card, monitor, keyboard/mouse, & OS.


I am open to any suggestions for improvement.

I like the Zalman heatsink & fan since it seems quieter & cheaper than the Thermalright, but which would you guys say is best overall?

Also, as for the CPUs...that's seriously hard for me to decide right now.

I know you all will say the Venice is the way to go, but i haven't been impressed with the OCing so far, as it seems some people get good OCs, & others not.

The reason i really like the CH 3500+ is this thread here.
It seems like the 3500+ is more reliably hitting 2.6 or higher.
In fact, i don't recall a single person in that thread not hitting 2.6 or more.
Anyone here have any experience with those CH 3500+s?

How quiet is the OCZ PSU?

Is there any better OCing mobo with nForce 3 & AGP than that MSI?



Now i also have some more complicated questions...

Regarding the 4 RAM dimms issue:
I am planning to add that RAM to that same kit i already have for 4x512 MB, since here in Canada 2x1024 MB is insanely expensive.

Will i be able to run all four dimms? (I don't care about 1T or 2T)
From what i understand with the CH 3500+ CPU, i would have to run it @ 333 for all four, but does that mean the max RAM speed is 333 MHz, or does it just mean that the RAM has to run at the 333 divider with the CPU? I really need to know this, since i will be OCing it.


Now for a SATA port question.

On that mobo i listed, only two SATA ports are locked.
Am i correct to assume that when OCing, any HDDs hooked up to the unlocked ones would be screwed, even just as storage drives?

If so, does anyone know of a mobo for 939 with AGP that has more locked SATA ports?
(I have more than two SATA HDDs i will need to hook up)

Sorry about the long post; i figured it'd be better to make it as one rather than multiple over the multiple forum areas.

Thanx in advance

 

[imported_Kensai]

Venice and Zalman, go with an Antec TP2 550W. If you want to OC, get the DFI board, it'll be better.
Yes for your SATA question.
Yes you can run 4 DIMMs with Venice at DDR400.

 

[Green84061]

hello my name is stupid

Edit: i didnt read your post good enogh so sorry.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Kensai
Venice and Zalman, go with an Antec TP2 550W. If you want to OC, get the DFI board, it'll be better.
Yes for your SATA question.
Yes you can run 4 DIMMs with Venice at DDR400.

DFI mobo for 939 with AGP?
I don't believe there is one out is there?

How 'bout the RAM with the CH 3500+ though?
I know the Venice should be fine as long as i use 2T.

Re: the PSU you suggested, i cannot find any pics of its cables.
Does it have the cable management similar to the OCZ?

 

[n7]

Any other suggestions?