Need Build Advice

poncherelli2 · May 8, 2005

I havent kept up with hardware lately, so I need some advice on parts for a new build. Ive tried to read the other build threads, but am still not totally sure on what I want, so I figured I'd ask for suggestions.

I have a keyboard/mouse/speakers/dell 2001fp already, so I wont be needing any of those things. Also, I am willing to overclock somewhat, but I dont desire crazy speeds on things, so if stock cooling can be used and is quiet, I'd prefer it. This computer will be used for tv,dvd, and games a decent amount. I'd like to spend around 1000, but that isnt a strict limit.

Case + PSU: I want something relatively simple, not too heavy, doesnt have to be flashy (I like some of the antec cases, but I dont know if the 350 or 380W psu's are good enough).

CPU: AMD something? What kind of cooling, retail or something else?

Motherboard?

Sound? I have a Santa Cruz I could salavage from another computer, or I could use onboard sound on the new mobo or get a new card, i'm not really sure.

Video: I'm thinking x800xl (pci-e) because its cheaper than the 6800gt, but I dont really know.

RAM: 1gig of something.

HD: I'd like a fast, quiet drive with 120 or 160 gig.

DVD: I like that NEC dual layer burner, should I get a seperate DVD drive also or use this for all functions?

TV tuner card: I have the winfast tv2000xp in another computer and have been pretty happy- would buy another, but am open to other suggestions. Thanks for any help.

UsandThem · May 8, 2005

AMD Based Computer $1095.00

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor $151.00
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra $122.00
Thermaltake SOPRANO VB1000SWS Silver ATX Mid Tower Case $79.00
E-POWER "Tagan" Series 480W Power Supply $79.00
Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 $91.00
Modem if needed $14.00
Windows XP Home $88.00
SAMSUNG 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive $94.00
Samsung 160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive $88.00
POWERCOLOR Radeon X800XL 256MB PCI-Express Video Card $289.00

Just take out what you don't need, and maybe go with a cheaper power supply, like the Clio one everybody and their mom is recommending.

poncherelli2 · May 8, 2005

Thanks. I dont need any software as I get most for free from my university. Also, is there a reason for the 2 HDs listed and why is one SATA and one not (and whats the difference?) Also, where did you get the prices from? Ive bought alot from newegg before and am happy with them, I'd also be willing to buy from monarch or zzf, but i'd prefer to limit purchases to those stores for ease. Thanks

UsandThem · May 8, 2005

The prices are from my hardware guide at the top of general hardware. Most are from Newegg as their site is easier to navigate.

I have a SATA and PATA drive listed because a lot of first time builders seem to have problems installing Windows to a SATA. Just a piece of mind suggestion.

Between ZZF, Monarch, and Newegg, I would just go with whoever I could get the best deal from. They are all good retailers.

t3h l337 n3wb · May 8, 2005

Well, if you're on a $1000 budget, I'd stay away from the x800... It's kinda overkill. If you don't mind refurbished, the x700 Pro is a great card for only $126. The 3000+ is fine, but consider getting a Venice. The MSI Neo-4 Platinum is a great board with everything you need, including 4 SATA150 and 4 SATAII300 ports, PCI-E, great onboard sound, gigabit ethernet, and much more for only about $15 more than the Epox one mentioned above. For the power supply, this one is probably better for your budget. The Corsair Value Select 2x512 pack is a great choice, and can be had for about $85 and ZipZoomFly. Hard drive shouldn't be that much of a problem, Seagate, Maxtor, Western Digital, and Hitatchi are all very good brand names. You could always get 2 drives and set up a RAID. Try comparative shopping sites like PCMag's (pcmag.com) shopping section (which get is prices from shopping.com).

poncherelli2 · May 8, 2005

I dont trust newegg refurbed cards, and I'd like to get the x800xl to "upgrade" from my ti4200.

poncherelli2 · May 9, 2005

also, any other recommendations on cases, that one is a little bit overkill for me, thanks.

poncherelli2 · May 9, 2005

that clio seems like a good psu, if everyone is recommending it

YOyoYOhowsDAjello · May 9, 2005

Originally posted by: poncherelli2
also, any other recommendations on cases, that one is a little bit overkill for me, thanks.

If you like the antec look, the SLK 3000b is a nice one. Very quiet and a lot of the features of the Sonata.

wisdomtooth · May 9, 2005

Originally posted by: poncherelli2
but I dont desire crazy speeds on things, so if stock cooling can be used and is quiet, I'd prefer it.

How quiet do you want it?

If you really want quiet, these are the parts to get:

A case with 120mm fan mounts and rubber washers for drive mounting, like the Antec SLK3000B, as Yoyo suggested.

Seasonic S12-430 PSU.

Zalman CNPS7000 CPU heatsink if you go with an AMD64.

Either an Arctic Silencer or Zalman VF700 vid card heatsink for your X800.

A good aftermarket NB heatsink for whichever mobo you buy if it has an NB fan, like a Zalman NB47J.

HTH.

poncherelli2 · May 9, 2005

I dont need it totally silent, but im coming off a p4 1.8@2.4 with retail HSF, i think 80mm panaflo case fans and the stock cooling on the ti4200. Its pretty damn quiet. On the other hand, my family has and amd computer (maybe 2000+?) with some sort of HSF (not stock) that sounds like a lawnmower. I want something closer to the former. I dont know what the standards of silent are, but my current computer is pretty quiet i think.

poncherelli2 · May 9, 2005

I like this case: Antec and it comes with a good psu, except that reviews say its kinda loud. Is this case available without the psu anywhere? I like this style of case better than the one with the swinging door over the cd drives.

YOyoYOhowsDAjello · May 9, 2005

I don't know if this is something you'd consider, but if that SLK3000b is like the other antec cases I've worked with, the door is removable.

I even took some pictures for another thread on this question:

1

2

3

4

I'm not sure if the mechanism is the same, but afaik, you should still be able to take the door off (just a thought)

poncherelli2 · May 9, 2005

I've seen another mobo in a few threads around here, it was an NF4, maybe made by chaintech? and it was in the $80 dollar range. Does anyone know what it is and if it will perform well enough

Capitalist · May 9, 2005

I just built a new system with the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra this last weekend and it works great, no problems whatsoever.

poncherelli2 · May 9, 2005

does it overclock well compared to the others. I'd like to get the venice core and try and get a decent oc if possible.

Silversierra · May 9, 2005

Silversierra · May 9, 2005

Originally posted by: poncherelli2
I've seen another mobo in a few threads around here, it was an NF4, maybe made by chaintech? and it was in the $80 dollar range. Does anyone know what it is and if it will perform well enough

The chaintech vnf4ultra is only like $85, yet is a nforce 4 ultra mobo. It only lacks firewire. It oc's well. I know some have got 2.7+oc with 3000+ a64 winnies with this. It also supports venice properly. The oddity of the board is the vcore has a missing gap. It has 1.4vcore, then 1.6+vcore. 1.4-1.6 are missing, but it still works well. Low oc's use 1.4, high oc's use 1.6. I have it and like it.

Capitalist · May 9, 2005

Chaintech Ultra

I think you can get mild/medium oc with no problem. Just using the included nTune software and allowing automated overclcking I am running at 2.2GHz on a 3200+ Winnie(Nothing major but I am still learning how to oc). Someone has a thread on here about ocing the Chaintech

theMan · May 9, 2005

these prices are just the cheapest things off pricewatch and froogle, excuse my laziness.

msi k8n neo2 platinum -$135
corsair TWINX1024-3200C2PT -$125
athlon64 3200+ winchester (no point in venice) -$169
RADEON X800 XL 256MB PCI Express -$270
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 120gb sata -$90
Thermalright xp-90 -$40
Seasonic S12-430 -$85
Antec p160 -$104
Nec 3520a -$60

Total: $1078

Get some artic silver 5, and also a floppy drive.

If this is too much money, downgrade the video card a bit. Not sure about this.

Good luck!

Silversierra · May 9, 2005

(no point in venice)

Umm, that's not right.
Venice oc's better(typically), has sse3, and most importantly, can support 4 memory banks properly, unlike winchester and older. That means if you get 2x512mb of ram and have a venice, you can add 2x512 more down the road, whereas with winchester, you need to ditch your 2x512 and get a 2x1gb kit which has higher price and latency than 4x512.

Suspicious-Teach8788 · May 9, 2005

Wait a month on Venice and it will be Winchester prices. It's designed to replace Winchester anyways, and it's only availability/demand issues that keep the price of the Venice higher than it should be.

Get a regular X800XL by ATI and not the Powercolor (too noisy). If you're willing to dish out a bit more, get the Gigabyte one. Fanless, heatpipe.. rawr. Plus since X800XLs don't OC much, you won't lose too much by being 2 MHz slower with the Gigabyte that's silent.

If you're willing to go with some configs I see that have a K8N Neo2 for $130, then get a DFI NF4 Ultra-D for $133 at Newegg.

I say the P-160 is not worth it for a low budget PC.

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