My first system build

[edza]

Hi!
I've decided to build my first computer so I've learned quite a lot about differenet parts this autumn and I'm about to buy these parts:

ANTEC MIDITOWER SLK2650-BQE 350W

AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8 GHz Socket 754, 512 KB cache, BOXED

MSI K8N NEO FSR Moderkort for S754 nForce3 250GB,SATA,GbLAN,ATX,Raid

PowerColor Radeon 9600XT 128MB DDR AGP, ATI 9600XT, DVI-I, TV-Out, Retail

TwinMOS PC3200 DDR-DIMM 512MB CL2.5 Minne 184-P (for DDR-PC400MHz) (AMD OK)

black DVD-player IDE 16x/40x,retail

(reusing HITACHI DESKSTAR 7K250 80GB 7200RPM ATA/100 2MB)

I'm going to play new games, but not that much.
I might want to OC the system in the future, like in 1,5 year or so.

The point is that i dont have any "real" knowledge of these parts so i would appreciate any experieces.
Any other thoughts, especially about the RAM, are more then welcome. I've considered Kingston ValueR. PC3200 DDR-DIMM 512MB 64MX64,Non-ECC,400MHz,184-pin,CL3(3-3-3), but its a little more expensive. Would that be a much better choice ?

Thanks
Edvard

 

[rammstein junkie]

how much are you paying for that mobo?

 

[ts3433]

I would suggest a cheaper motherboard, like one of the value NF3 250 offerings from Chaintech, Epox, or Soltek. Then see if you can afford a 9800 Pro or 6600 GT.

I don't know much about TwinMOS' quality; if they're found to be bad, try Corsair or Mushkin value RAM.

 

[Edward Lee]

Here are some pointers.

MUST CHANGE
Get Corsair Value Select PC3200 DDR 400 RAM (Better Quality RAM for the money)
Get the Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR Mother Board (Save you money)
Get either the Radeon 9800 Pro or the GeForce 6600GT (MUCH better Graphics card you won't regret. And worth the extra money)
*the CPU and the Graphics card are the heart and soul of you computer. Don't skimp on either or you'll regret it big time.

Other suggestions
Upgrade from AMD 64 2800 to 3000 (only a few dollers difference, but better resale value and little more bang for the buck. Worth the money)
Should get at least 400 watt power supply. (A standard)

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: Edward Lee

Upgrade from AMD 64 2800 to 3000

If you do plan to OC, the 3000+ will give you a higher multiplier which will make any OC you try a little easier.

Also, if you can afford it at all, move to the 90nm 939 A64's. That will really give th OC headroom you're looking for.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Corsair ValueRAM is CL2.5 and I think it is on sale at NewEgg (ill give a link), but i dont know if it'd be cheaper than TwinMOS

EDIT:
Corsair Value Select 512 MB PC-3200 CL2.5 $69 ($74 shipped)

Muskin is also generally good RAM

Muskin 512 MB PC-3200 CL2.5 (2.5-4-4) $66 ($71 shipped)

Also, get a better video card than the 9600XT. A 9800 pro or even 6600GT would be well worth the money.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: Rike

Originally posted by: Edward Lee

Upgrade from AMD 64 2800 to 3000

If you do plan to OC, the 3000+ will give you a higher multiplier which will make any OC you try a little easier.

Also, if you can afford it at all, move to the 90nm 939 A64's. That will really give th OC headroom you're looking for.

Socket 754's can overclock over 2.3 Ghz. And I think all A64's are top locked except the expensive FX's.

I would also recommend going with a better brand name like Corsair. 2.5 Cas value select is all you need for an A64.

The motherboard you got has a lot of features you are paying for that you do not need. Like others said, get the ones without all the trimmings. Then you can spend an extra 20-50 bucks for a 9800pro or a 6600GT. Your gaming experience would be worth the extra 20 dollars.

 

[nick1985]

do NOT get the 9600XT, you can surely get something better for the price. how much is the 9600XT costing you?

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: Rike

Originally posted by: Edward Lee

Upgrade from AMD 64 2800 to 3000

If you do plan to OC, the 3000+ will give you a higher multiplier which will make any OC you try a little easier.

Also, if you can afford it at all, move to the 90nm 939 A64's. That will really give th OC headroom you're looking for.

Socket 754's can overclock over 2.3 Ghz. And I think all A64's are top locked except the expensive FX's.

I would also recommend going with a better brand name like Corsair. 2.5 Cas value select is all you need for an A64.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that 754 would OC well, it's just that 939 are a little better, especailly the 90nm parts.

In any case, my recomendation to bump from 2800 to 3000+ is exactly becasue of what you noted, the A64's are top end multiplier locked. However, the high the processor, the higher the multiplier. Having a greater range on multipliers is handy when you start bumping up the FSB.

 

[Blain]

Nice "Entry Level" PC.

 

[sirchristopher]

get a socket 939, it will allow much more upgrade potential

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: Blain
Nice "Entry Level" PC.

change the mobo to the Chaintech vnf3, save 50 bucks and get a better videocard with said 50 dollars

and go with a trusted name in RAM, Kingston is good, Corsair, Mushkin, PNY and of those are great

 

[sirchristopher]

get a socket 939, it will allow much more upgrade potential

 

[edza]

The computer should not get more expensive than it already is (living in sweden so you cant really compare the prices) so soc 939, better pcu and radeon 9800pro or 6600 Gt is not an option. A less expensive mobo wouldn't save much money and I dont want any problems. Remeber that it is my first one. Heard that msi k8n neo is very popular...
Changing the RAM might be an option if the twinmos would give me a hard time. More thouhgts about the RAM are really welcome.
Thanks for all answers and sorry for not replying erlier - time difference...been sleeping
Edvard