My New Gaming Rig

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LiquidSnakeRNA

Junior Member
Mar 6, 2005
8
0
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Check it out. I am going to be ordering the parts tomorrow for this. Let me know if you see anything wrong or anything you would change. If not, forever hold your peace.

Motherboard
DFI "LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D" NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
$147.00

Processor
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail
$155.00

Heatsink
Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Heatsink Only, Model "XP-90" -RETAIL
$49.99

Processor Fan
Vantec "Tornado" Double Ball Bearing Cooling Fan, Model "TD9238H" -RETAIL
$10.55

Memory
Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM
$113.00

Video Card
XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 128-Bit, Dual DVI, PCI-Express, Model "PVT43GND" -RETAIL
$194.00

Case
Thermaltake VA3000 Dream Tower Black VA3400BWA ATX Case with 400W PSU & Transparent X type side panel window -RETAIL
$146.00

Hard Drive
Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive, Model SP1614N, OEM Drive Only
$87.00

DVD Burner
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3520A BK, OEM
$59.99

Monitor
ViewSonic G90FB 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor -RETAIL
$209.00

CRT Filter
HorngTech 3m/m Optical Glass Filter for 19" Monitors -RETAIL
$8.50

Keyboard
Logitech Elite Keyboard USB/ PS/2 104keys -RETAIL
$24.99

Mouse
Logitech Blue Performance Optical Mouse PS2/ USB, Model "MX510" -RETAIL
$39.00


It all comes out to about $1300 with shipping.

The only thing I don't have yet is a sound card and 5.1 speakers. I could probably hold off on those for now and use onboard audio and my normal headset. Also, I plan to overclock the 3000+ as high as possible, hopefully close to 2.6Ghz. Let me know what you think.
 
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TomKazansky

Golden Member
Sep 18, 2004
1,401
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tornados are loud as fvck, be prepared.

and why not xp120 when a64 supports it....just mount a quieter 120mm fan on it
 
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shoRunner

Platinum Member
Nov 8, 2004
2,629
1
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may want to get a better power supply. the one include with the case is better than most that come with a case but with only 17A on the 12v there is alot of room for improvement

*edited for my lack of reading ability*
 
HamburgerBoy

HamburgerBoy

Lifer
Apr 12, 2004
27,111
318
126
Just two questions... first, you are aware that the Vantec Tornado fan's noise is 56.4 decibels and that a typical conversation is about the same, right? Second, are you going to be using the power supply that comes with the case? I haven't exactly heard bad things about Thermaltake power supplies, but with a system like that I'd recommend getting an Antec or something equivilent.
 
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LiquidSnakeRNA

Junior Member
Mar 6, 2005
8
0
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Well, what I can do is get that exact case for $99 and put my own power supply in it. What powersupply would you recommend? I don't want anything too pricey, just something that is reliable.

How about my memory, is it good? It received great reviews from newegg and is rather cheap.

The xp-120, is it a lot better than the xp-90?

Also, what is a good fan that is quieter?
 
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Waylay00

Golden Member
Nov 15, 2004
1,793
0
71
The XP-120 isn't much better than the XP-90, aside from the fact that you can put a 120mm fan on it. Get a fan controller for that Tornado. I have it and it is loud, but not when you turn it down.
 
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sangyup81

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2005
1,082
1
81
Motherboard: Since you're getting a 6600GT which is SLI capable, you're probably better off getting the SLI version of the DFI for the sake of future proofing your machine. I hear you can't mod the Ultras anymore because of something DFI did recently.

Memory: Forget the Corsair Value Select. Get the OCZ Value VX (512MBx2, PC3200) here: http://www.atacom.com/program/atacom.cg...T_AG_C2+&Disp_item2.x=4&Disp_item2.y=7

Since you are getting a DFI NF4 motherboard, you can already volt your RAM up to 4.0v. These chips are warrantied up to 3.5v and at that voltage can do 2-2-2-6 timings at 220-270mhz. Way better than what you get with the Corsairs for not that much more. I can't stress how important low latency memory is for the A64. Tests have shown that latency impacts game performance more than mem clock speed especially since async memory is ok for a64 where-as it killed the performance of the Athlon XP.

Case: If you're overclocking, that 400w PSU won't do. Otherwise, you're fine but then why would you bother getting a DFI Motherboard instead of the MSI? You can try it with the PSU but if it doesn't get you as much as you should get, get an OCZ Powerstream.

Monitor: Since you're going CRT, if you don't mind a refurb, go to http://www.azatek.com and get one of their Grade A 21-24" monitors with free shipping promotion offered. It'll cost about the same.

Mouse: Why not the MX1000? Is it because you tend to pick up your mouse?
 
Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
For a gaming rig I'd suggest something better than a 6600GT.

If you're set on getting a motherboard with an nForce4 chipset, I'd go for a SLI motherboard.

If you've fallen for marketing hype and think PCI-Express just performs better than AGP, look at these benchmarks and see for yourself. PCI-Express offers no performance over 8X AGP.

Finally... get a higher quality PSU... OCZ's new ones are awesome... and then of course there's Antec... and probably the best, PC Power and Cooling.
 
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Sniper82

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
16,517
0
76
Not sure how gaming is on the MX1000 but the 510 is a gaming mouse which maybe the reason for him buying it. I got the 510 Red and love it. Unless you got the money and are planning on o/cing the the crap out of the memory I would stick with the Corsair. Also using that thermaltake PSU with that DFI isn't such a good idea. I asked on official DFI forums if I could use my 420 Thermaltake with 18amps on the 12v untill I got my Enermax from RMA and they said I was better of waiting because the DFI NF4 Ultra was a power hungry board. A guy on there that works for DFI tech recommends the Fortron Blue Storm for this board or the Powerstream.

Jeff's right there really isn't any different in PCI-E/AGP but anyone who is upgrading now might aswell go with PCI-E which I guess is what your doing. Also going Sli is a good idea but only if you think you will use Sli on down the road. Personally I won't mainly because of the cost and for what settings I game at I shouldn't ever need that extra performance.
 
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LiquidSnakeRNA

Junior Member
Mar 6, 2005
8
0
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I heard that with the DFI nforce4 ultra board you can turn it into a SLI board with relative ease. I don't want to go with a SLI setup right now nor do I feel it is worth the money.

What do you think about this PSU OCZ ModStream 450W

Oh and about my mouse, I already bought the MX510 and enjoy it a lot.
 
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sangyup81

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2005
1,082
1
81
If you got the first batch yes. But DFI has good eyes and ears and when they found out about it, they put a fix on the new ones. It's a chance you're taking. Up to you.
 
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Sniper82

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
16,517
0
76
Originally posted by: LiquidSnakeRNA
I heard that with the DFI nforce4 ultra board you can turn it into a SLI board with relative ease. I don't want to go with a SLI setup right now nor do I feel it is worth the money.

What do you think about this PSU OCZ ModStream 450W

Oh and about my mouse, I already bought the MX510 and enjoy it a lot.
Click to expand...


Thats a good power supply but this was recommend by a Tech guy who works for DFI and recommends it for for a low cost PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-934&depa=0
 
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LiquidSnakeRNA

Junior Member
Mar 6, 2005
8
0
0
What is a good fan controller if I get the tornado?

I saw a hardcano 13 that looked awesome. However, it was pricey and not available at newegg where I'm ordering everything.
 
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LiquidSnakeRNA

Junior Member
Mar 6, 2005
8
0
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Oh, the DFI board has those orange and yellow slots that glow in the dark. However I was wanting to go for all black/blue LED theme. Is there anyway I can work around the terrible orange and yellow glowing through my panel?
 
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Sniper82

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
16,517
0
76
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=142413

thats the one I'm looking at, its suppose to be able to allow full control of the fan ranging from full speed to off. Some only offer 5v,7v and full speed 12v which I don't like.

Also the slots don't glow in the dark they only glow under UV lights. If you went with blue or whatever CCFL's I ain't sure what the slots would look like. If you don't like them that much I would recommend a different board.
 
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Waylay00

Golden Member
Nov 15, 2004
1,793
0
71
The DFI slots are UV reactive, meaning that if you dont have a UV CCFL, they won't glow.
 
Nocturnal

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
I'd stay away from the XFX card if you can. I have one and it sucks. Many people say they have had problems with theirs as well. Definately looking into eVGA or PNY or something like that.
 
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LiquidSnakeRNA

Junior Member
Mar 6, 2005
8
0
0
It sucks?

this site gave it the silver award out of all the 6600gt's, the only one to beat it was the leadtek. The leadtek is out of stock though.
 
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shoRunner

Platinum Member
Nov 8, 2004
2,629
1
0
after a quick look found this psu for alittle less than the others suggested. if you don't plan on overclocking or going sli, the thermaltake should do you fine.
 
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