May I get your opinions on this rig?

[mordeth]

Hey everyone, I am posting this in a few categories, so please let me know if this is off-topic for this specific category:

I am going to buy parts for my computer very soon and just wanted general recommendations from everyone here at the board. These are the specs, feel free to change to recommend ANY changes (but please explain why ):

CPU: AMD 2800+ Thoroughbred
Googlegear $364 + free shipping = $364
Motherboard: nForce 2 Epox 8RDA
Newegg $88 + $5 shipping = $93
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
Newegg $348 + free shipping = $348
Memory: Samsung PC2700 DDR333 512MB
Newegg $78 + $4 shipping = $82
Hard Drive: Western Digital 120GB Caviar w/ 8MB Buffer
Googlegear $135 + free shipping = $135
Case: Antec Performance Plus AMG1080
PageComputer $101.34 + $26.18 shipping = $127.50
Total $1,149.50

A couple of notes:

• I used PriceGrabber.com for most of these prices. Do you guys recommend any other websites that compare prices?

• What is the difference between the AMD 2800+ Thoughbred and the 2800+ Barton? I noticed that the Barton has increased cache but lower clock speed. Is this correct and how does it affect performance? Which do you recommend?

• Which do you like better the Samsung (PC2700 DDR333 512MB) or the Kingston (PC2700 DDR333 512MB)?

I am open to all suggestions, if you think I should spend a little more money or am spending too much money, by all means feel free to reply. My apologies if this was off-topic or if the format was wrong.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums mordeth If you're considering the 8RDA, maybe you should think about the 8RDA+ too... it's got the better southbridge with the fancy nForce 5.1 audio processor, plus Firewire, 10/100 network, and an additional outlet plate for another pair of USB 2.0 ports.

 

[Sappster]

Well, I can't argue anything on your rig. I wish I could have one THAT nice!! That case is BAD!! I have that case, and it's the best case ever! You'll like it. It has lots of space, and is stable as hell. I can stand on mine and it doesn't even break a sweat! The only suggestion I would make is if you are going all out on your rig, go to Mushkin and pick up their 512 - DDR 3200 with the heat spreader! Costs a little more. But again, it's the best that you can get, or pretty darn close to. Good luck! And that's a great start.

 

[mordeth]

Thanks for replying, I was considering the 8RDA+ but I have a Sound Blaster Live! now, and did not think I needed another Sound Card. I game a lot, but Sound isn't really one of my priorities. Do you think an upgrade in sound is worth it?

 

[MikeMike]

nothing is wrong, newegg and googlegear are excellent.

i myself have never used page computer, but you could check reseller ratings and see what the experiences with them have been.

you should probably get 2 sticks of memory if you can afford it, in order to use the memory bandwidth capabilities of the Nforce 2 boards (the true word just isnt comin to me)

get the samsung (is it original samsung?) as i think there is a problem with kingston value ram and Nforce2 boards

amazing computer though!!!

 

[mordeth]

Wow, again thanks for the replies guys, didn't expect many people to care
BuffBoyBradley, will the 8RDA and the 2800+ make use of the DDR3200? That is the main reason why I chose the DDR2700 (and ofcourse price).
nourdmrolNMT1, thanks I was not aware of that!

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
i myself have never used page computer, but you could check reseller ratings and see what the experiences with them have been.

That's very smart advice. A long time ago, I was considering ordering from Tiger Direct, but changed my mind promptly after seeing how they were rated at that site. I've since ordered from newegg twice (both times via personal check, since I don't have plastic), and have been pleased with the speed, service, and quality of packaging both times.

you should probably get 2 sticks of memory if you can afford it, in order to use the memory bandwidth capabilities of the Nforce 2 boards (the true word just isnt comin to me)

Dual-channel DDR is the word, and it offers a small performance gain. Chances are that you'd not notice the difference (judging from benchmarks I've seen, not personal experience; my 8RDA has only had 1 memory module since I got it).

get the samsung (is it original samsung?) as i think there is a problem with kingston value ram and Nforce2 boards

Damnit, I wish I'd known that when I got my setup. No wonder Memtest produces a sh!tload of errors at 166MHz with my Kingston ValueRAM PC2700, and even when I downclock to 133MHz I still get a BSOD about twice a week (my system runs 24/7). Guess I'll wait until I have more green stuff and then order dual 512MB sticks of something a bit more reliable (Crucial, Mushkin, Corsair, Samsung?).

Originally posted by: mordeth
Wow, again thanks for the replies guys, didn't expect many people to care
BuffBoyBradley, will the 8RDA and the 2800+ make use of the DDR3200? That is the main reason why I chose the DDR2700 (and ofcourse price).

Only if you overclock by increasing the FSB speed.

 

[mechBgon]

jlichtey, Samsung Original DDR400 or Corsair XMS are probably good bets. Crucial's 512Mb modules of PC2700 have been having the same problem for some reason. I see Newegg has the Samsung Original DDR400 listed at just $83 per stick but they're OOS for the moment.

 

[DARRIN]

Looks like it will be a sweet system. I always liked Asus motherboards though.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
jlichtey, Samsung Original DDR400 or Corsair XMS are probably good bets. Crucial's 512Mb modules of PC2700 have been having the same problem for some reason. I see Newegg has the Samsung Original DDR400 listed at just $83 per stick but they're OOS for the moment.

I'll have to consider the Samsung original memory once I have enough money and once newegg gets them back in stock. Corsair XMS is a bit too expensive for my taste.

 

[Sappster]

Originally posted by: DARRIN
Looks like it will be a sweet system. I always liked Asus motherboards though.

Yeah, I was going to say this too. I have the Asus A7N8X Deluxe. It's a Bad@ss mobo! I would consider this one. Has onboard EVERYTHING!! Dual Lan, 6 USB 2.0, Serial, Bulti in Soundstorm Dolby Digital...and more!! Can't go wrong with this mobo.

 

[everman]

Don't get the Western Digital hard drive. They're well known for producing annoying noises after a while as mine is (a whining sound. not a defect, just not good at staying quiet). Instead, get a Seagate Barracuda V. It may be a little more expensive, but I'm replacing my WD drive with that. (Seagate is known on the other hand for extremely quiet and high quality hard drives).

 

[Sid59]

mobo - 8RDA+ as some pointed out. Ditch the creative card and you get much more

memory - is that single stick of 512 or 2 x 256 .. i'd get the single stick of 512 and in the future you can add another 512 for 1 gig total. 2 x 256 limits you. The dual channel vs. single stick is more performance related to intergrated video

hard drive - from reading soley on thread on anandtech, more people are complaining about the WD SE (8MB CACHE) drives than the 8MB Maxtors. I'd go with maxtor.

 

[Macro2]

Some good suggestions so far.
I do like the WD SEs...but Maxtors are good too.

Ditch the Soundblaster and get the + or the Asus A7N8X Deluxe (still the cream of the crop).
If money is an object get the Soltek.

512 Ram good add another 512 later and get dual channel.

The case is too big for my Taste, I like the Antec 660-II AMG...but that's just me.
I add black drives and a certain silver/black keyboard and mouse and it makes a nice looking package.

What HSF fan are you looking at?

 

[MikeMike]

ahh!!! i hate the people who keep saying ditch creative!!!

the problems are non existant with mobo's other than VIA!!!

i have an audigy 2 and there are no problems (its an intel board)

if you want to save money, just keep your card you should have no problems

 

[boyRacer]

nice rig ...

but maybe you should buy your 9700 somewhere else... it's $299 at B&M stores...

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
ahh!!! i hate the people who keep saying ditch creative!!!

the problems are non existant with mobo's other than VIA!!!

i have an audigy 2 and there are no problems (its an intel board)

if you want to save money, just keep your card you should have no problems

Well, for what it's worth (hardly anything), it's the Creative Blaster Live! ... I'd rather use the sound on the 8RDA+

edit .. plus, there's a huge difference between the Blaster Live! and Audigy2

 

[psy44]

DOesn't anyone here think 348 is a lot for a 9700 pro? 9800's cost 400, I bought mine for 300.

 

[mordeth]

Actually I was most likely going to buy the 9800, comes out the 4th? Thanks again all...

 

[moonshinemadness]

If moneys no object...hehe...go for the Asus A7N8X Deluxe..its how do you say...Beautiful! Wait a while and get the Radeon 9800, go for samsung 3200 and a sweet sweet Seagate, or maybe go to an SATA setup.... One sweet setup whatever!