My new computer specs....**UPDATED**

[Soulo]

I'm building a new computer and was wondering what you guys think of these specs:

Asus A7N8X
Athlon XP 2400+ (instead of 2100+)
Corsair PC3200 512MB (or) Samsung PC3200 512MB?
Sapphire Radeon Atlantis 9500 PRO

This computer is based on a price vs performance comparison. I find the best performance I can get for the price. So Please keep that in mind before you advise me to get something out of my budget (ie. 9700 PRO, XP 2600+, and etc).

 

[Chaotic42]

Why are you getting PC3200 memory?

 

[Ophir]

Looks good.

Search around, there are several helpful threads on this very topic floating about. Just make sure you get a good HSF and a t-bred, then drop the multiplier and run it 200/200 sync. Then boost the multipliers 'till you reach that bad boy's limit.

Also, look into the 9500 Non-Pro, there are some very good hacks to get it close to 9700 performance, quite a few threads out there may help. Try doing a search for "9500" or "soft mod". If that ain't your cup of tea, the 9500Pro seems to be a great card as well.

 

[Soulo]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Why are you getting PC3200 memory?

It is getting very cheap nowadays and it might be worth the extra dollars for the future.

Originally posted by: Ophir
Looks good.

Search around, there are several helpful threads on this very topic floating about. Just make sure you get a good HSF and a t-bred, then drop the multiplier and run it 200/200 sync. Then boost the multipliers 'till you reach that bad boy's limit.

Also, look into the 9500 Non-Pro, there are some very good hacks to get it close to 9700 performance, quite a few threads out there may help. Try doing a search for "9500" or "soft mod". If that ain't your cup of tea, the 9500Pro seems to be a great card as well.

I've heard about that, but I don't want to take any risks ruining my video card. As for the heatsink, I was thinking of getting the SLK-800 or the Alpha PAL8045, since it seems to be popular and I've heard good reviews about it. Though I'm not sure which one is better. I'm not sure what fan I want yet. I'm modding my computer so I'm looking for some sorta fan that is in that category. I preferably want a quiet fan that'll do the job, since I'm not planning to overclock for now.

 

[KidChaos]

- SLK-800 Heatsink

- YS-Tech 80mm x 25mm fan

- spend $7 more dollars and you could have the Abit NF7-S motherboard. Which will add nVidia Audio and Serial ATA.

 

[Ophir]

Originally posted by: Soulo
I've heard about that, but I don't want to take any risks ruining my video card.

The hack I was referring to is a BIOS/driver hack, software only. It seems to be reliable. If it doesn't work just flash back to the original BIOS and reload the drivers, and you still have a pretty decent card. Search around. I really wouldn't recommend the hardware hack, as it seems to be impossible to resolder those tiny resistors.

Anyway, YMMV as I preach only of things I've heard and NOT things I've done.

 

[hollowman]

Originally posted by: Ophir

Originally posted by: Soulo
I've heard about that, but I don't want to take any risks ruining my video card.

The hack I was referring to is a BIOS/driver hack, software only. It seems to be reliable. If it doesn't work just flash back to the original BIOS and reload the drivers, and you still have a pretty decent card. Search around. I really wouldn't recommend the hardware hack, as it seems to be impossible to resolder those tiny resistors.

Anyway, YMMV as I preach only of things I've heard and NOT things I've done.

you can't find hackable cards anymore. ATI recalled all the older versions and made a new one

 

[SOSTrooper]

Good picks. I got a similar setup, rock solid stuff.

 

[Soulo]

Has anyone hacked their 9500 non-pro card? Does this work only on certain manufacturers' cards?

 

[human2k]

sucessfull mod here...

 

[Ophir]

Try these threads:

Poll: How did your 9500 mod turn out?

*Now get rid of artifacts* Turn Your RADEON 9500 into RADEON 9700 !

Modifing a Radeon 9500 non pro

so where can i get a radeon 9500?

ANy Success Softmodding 9500NP Black PCB?

NOTE: You FIRST have to have a moddable card, the one with 2 chips above and 2 beside the VPU (check the 2nd pic). Newegg.com is no longer selling these, but they can be found. Check Pc Parts 4Less or googlegear.com. The cards with the 4 chips above the VPU are NOT moddable.

 

[Soulo]

Ok, I just bought my motherboard, video card, and processor. I decided to get a 2400+ because in the long run it'll be worthwhile and I don't want to have any slow-downs when I'm playing some video game that is very intensive.

A few questions:

How good is Samsung PC3200 512MB compared to Corsair PC3200 512MB? I found a store that is selling Samsung's ram for $115. While the cheapest I found for Corsair is $154. Using my price vs performance, do you think I should get Samsung's ram instead of Corsair? And is Samsung overclockable?

I'm thinking of getting the SLK-800 heatsink and I want to double check if this will fit on the ASUS A7N8X motherboard? Also, while I was searching, I found out that there was a newer version called the SLK-800A heatsink. According to this one website it says:

"The revised SLK-800A features 4 more copper fins than the SLK-800. This new unit offers much more surface area and a 3 prong clip system to help provide a secure attachment to the socket on your motherboard. Designed for use with Socket 370 and Socket A/462 CPUs only."

Will the SLK-800A revised version fit this motherboard? If not, will the SLk-800(non-A) fit? Also, does the SLK-900? Since the price difference isn't too off, I'd like the SLK-900.

 

[Soulo]

Bump, pls help, I need to know by Tuesday, so I can start buying the parts and building it.

 

[sukhwinder21]

Hey. I have a setup almost identical yours. Im planning on getting the asus a7n8x deluxe, and instead of the 2400+, im getting a 1700+ , which is about half the price and overclock that 2 the max. Also, what kind of case are you getting ? Thats the only part that im not sure about. And i was wondering the same thing about the Samsung and Corsair Rams. Someone on amdmb told me that samsung rams were not that great, but i need more opinions before i choose a corsair over a samsung, BTW where did u find the corsair ram for $154 ?

 

[Soulo]

Originally posted by: sukhwinder21
Hey. I have a setup almost identical yours. Im planning on getting the asus a7n8x deluxe, and instead of the 2400+, im getting a 1700+ , which is about half the price and overclock that 2 the max. Also, what kind of case are you getting ? Thats the only part that im not sure about. And i was wondering the same thing about the Samsung and Corsair Rams. Someone on amdmb told me that samsung rams were not that great, but i need more opinions before i choose a corsair over a samsung, BTW where did u find the corsair ram for $154 ?

Since I'm planning on modding my case, I decided to go with the Skyhawk Jupiter. Here is a link to it:

Skyhawk Jupiter Case

I found the Corsair rams at googlegear. Here is a direct link to it: Googlegear Corsair ram

BTW whats amdmb?