Need opinions on new rig!!!

[Soujiroh]

I'm about to build the computer in a few weeks and is in the final process of finalizing the build. My budget is $1000 + or - $100(includes monitor in total) If my total was to go under $1000 then it would be a good thing because I need the money for school. I plan to OC the cpu(2.4Ghz) and possibly the videocard (I'm planning to use this computer for school, gaming, internet, office programs, etc.):

AMD Athlon 64 processor 3000+ 939pin OEM $120.00 ewiz

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA NCQ ST3160827AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8M Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $89.00 newegg

ASPIRE x-sonic ATXA4KW-BK/350 Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX 350W power supply for AMD/Intel Power Supply - Retail $56.00 (I may change this case to a better one. This was the cheapest aluminumn case that was black and had a side panel window) newegg

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner - OEM $45.99 newegg

Grab 2 of my brothers 2x256 sticks of Kingston HyperX PC3500 (Upgrade this ram later when I have the money)

These are items I'm still debating on:
Cheapest 6600gt card: eVGA@monarch $145 @rebate (ends Aug.4), or any other brands when I order... $150-200

Good and cheap HSF: I was leaning towards XP-90, but was a little pricey... $30-50 best bang for the money

LCD monitor: 17-19in. (8ms-12ms) $200-250

My total is: $810.99 before shipping and handling. All that is left is the mobo...below 😕

These are the three boards I'm still debating on:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum nForce4 Ultra Athlon 64 Skt939 $101.99 after rebate@ ZZF (I'm leaning towards this board even though I know people have had trouble with this board. I've been reading a lot about it and users have said to just use bios 3.0-3.1 and you should be fine.)

or

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $122.00 at the egg (Best OC mobo and I know most users here have and will also recommend this mobo. I'm also leaning towards this board as my second choice.)

or

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $108.00 (This board will be my last choice even though it got the anandtech award for best at stock speeds. I don't think anyone on this board owns this mobo, but I always read posts about this mobo being recommend. I'm kind of iffy about the board because of it being Epox and also because not many users have first hand experience with this mobo.)


How's my selection on a super tight budget? All opinions, comments, etc. are welcome! Thanks!!!!!

 

[xeodragon]

um, there's a whole thread for people who own the EPoX... Anyways, i'll be getting the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum personally for my future build. I would recommend the EPoX definitely though.

 

[w00t]

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra
get a crt so you can get a better rig anyways crt's are better for gaming.
ZALMAN makes some good hsf.
maybe consider benQ dvd burner I have heard they are better.
ditch that case and psu its gonna be a crappy psu and that case is just ugly
I HIGHLY suggest you get a crt so you can save money for the rest of your rig looks like it needs more money dont crap out on psu it's are important.

edit: get neopower or modstream.

 

[Soujiroh]

I've just been reading up and have concluded between these 2 mobos: (Seems like there are too many problems with the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum such as overheating and bios issues)

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra
and
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D

(Which processor to go with: Athlon 64 3000+oem with HSF (thinking about Zalman) or a 3200+retail?)

I wonder if my brothers ram would be compatible with the DFI? I'm just trying to get the best bang for the buck build. Also, the DFI mobo will allow me to OC with better results in the future if I plan to OC heavily. EPoX is also getting a good rep in these forums, which may just cause me to change my mind. Still debating between those two....

 

[Rike]

Personally, I'd go DFI mobo and pick up and XP-90 from Jab-tech.com.
Get a Panflo fan and some AS5 or Ceramique while you're at it.

If you are really serious about OCing CPU and memory, DFI is the way to go. If memory OC with high volts is not important, then go with the Epox. Anandtech review, Final Words.