Need advice building s754 system

[redwingslv]

I'm building a new system (mostly) Please let me know what you think:

CPU: Athlon64 3400+
MOBO: Option 1--> Abit NF8
Option 2--> DFI LanParty UT nF3 250gb
RAM: Corsair ValueSelect Ram PC3200 (2x512)
HDD: x2 Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 80GB HDD (RAID 0)
PSU: Antec True Control 550W
DVD Burner: Lite-On 1633S

I will be keeping my existing MSI GeForce4Ti4200 AGP 128MB video card, would like to just use the on-board sound, stock HSF (air cooling only). My intended uses are as follows: importing video from analog video camera thru Ti4200 card, burning video back to DVD, using firewire later for a DV camera I will buy later, and playing some basic games. I would like to option to OC a little (new to OC) but not very much and not really important. I am looking mainly for a nice, stable system (current PC is VIA KT133 chipset w/T-bird 1.333 - many problems thanks to KT133)

Am I correct in understanding that the on-board sound is decent, firewire is included (no other cards I need to buy) and no need to buy a network card? Also have been told stock HSF is adequate for Athlon64 unless major OCing is intended.

Research makes me worried about VIA chipsets (especially past problems) nF3 250gb seems very good.

I may upgrade video card down the road to allow me to play latest games better. I know keeping my Ti4200 limits my game playing for now.

Which board is best for stability? I've read DFI Lanparty UT is one of the best OC boards around for s754. That's not my reason to buy it though. Others have preferred Abit NF8. I have read forum concerns about CPU temp reporting in BIOS w/Abit NF8 but heard new BIOS update should be out in mid Feb 05 to fix it. Won't be buying until after then anyway.

Any thoughts on this would be great. Budget is under $1000 (and I need a new case too.) Main concern is stability!! Which board is best bet for stability and good support?

Thanks.

 

[Sqube]

With all due respect, I'd advise you not to build a socket 754 system. It's a tech dead-end; if I'm not mistaken, you can go socket 939 and still get all the stuff you have now.

 

[redwingslv]

I know what you mean. I did some thinking about the whole 754 vs 939 but from what I can tell, an Athlon64 3400+ with this board should run just about as fast. The Athlons are not as dependant on memory bandwith like the P4 so I don't see the 939's dual memory as a big bonus.

I agree that a 939 would offer more upgrade options down the road, however I have never upgraded a computer with replacing both the CPU and the motherboard and I don't see that changing much in the future. A couple years from now I may replace again, and by then I'll need a PCIe set up (or whatever is out at that time)

This set up (I think) gives me a pretty fast and stable system, and saves some money too vs the 939 & 3500+ cpu I also looked at (saves over $100 US)

I have decided to go to 120GB Seagate Barracudas with a RAID 0 set up for video editing.

Any additional thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[Peter]

Well since you have two identical DIMMs there, go 939. When they're double sided, the single channel on 754 will not be able to operate them at best speed, while 939 will run them at 2x "best speed". This will show. Even if you have to step back a notch in CPU speed to stay within budget. There's headroom in your budget in the PSU choice - 550W is WAY overboard.