need rig suggestions

[Maezr]

I'm going with the antec aria for sure. however I'm not quite up to date on recent pc hardware...

I've been told that p4's with hyperthreading make multitasing more "smooth," is this accurate? would you advise going with a p4 with HT, or an athlon, should I go with an athlon64?

if anyone could give me some decent suggestions on a microatx mb to go with the aria, and the cpu, and maybe even a video card (it just can't be a dual slot..) I'd really appreciate it

 

[cyberfuzz]

well depends on what you are looking to do with your computer. if you plan on doing video editing/encoding, then the HT on the p4 shines. If you plan on gaming the A64 is the way to go.

 

[Maezr]

to be honest, I'll probably do more heavy desktop multitasking work than gaming, although I'd like to do a bit of both. do the p4s perform poorly for gaming (for the same price), or just not quite as well?

could someone suggest a p4 mb (and specific cpu/ram- I want 1 gig) to go with the aria? what video card should I go with? (sub 200$, can't be dual width)

 

[Maezr]

no one?

 

[PhoenixOrion]

I prefer working with adobe suites on my 2.8C/IC7-G as I reserve my A64 box for gaming and surfing.

 

[newParadigm]

Ok, if you get a P4 you will not be a ble to upgrade the system as far as an Athlon64 system unlless you go with their 775 Socket Platform which is insanley expensive, it requires DDR2 ram which ups the cost even further and most require a PCI-E Graphics Card.

I would either

A) Go with a nForce3 Ultra/Athlon64 s939

or

B) Wait for nForce4 which will incorporate PCI-E Graphics, but by the time it comes out the cards will be of a more mature design and wil be cheaper

Also the new P4's compare horribley clock for clock with the Athlon64's. linky

That is why a 2.6ghz (3800) Athlon64 can beat a 3.8ghz P4

A64's are Cheaper, and the new 90nm cores OC like mad.

The TRUE 64 bit architecture will beat out Intel in the long run and the unlocked FSB makes OCing much easier.

 

[Maezr]

okay, thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably go a64 then.

any ideas on the video card?

 

[Maezr]

why is the s939 important? I couldn't find a single 939 microatx motherboard. should I not go with something else for some reason?

 

[newParadigm]

Socket 939 is what AMD is developinmg for roght now, they are going to PAHSE out 754 at around the A64 Mark (if that) and your upgrade path will end.

s939 will support multi core cpu's (although the current nForce 3 chipset may not, whic his why waiting for NF4 may be your best option)

I take it your case it MicroATX?
You may end up having to get a new case.

Or you could get a PentiumM Desktop motherboard, they arent in produciton yet, but have reference boards have been sent to reviewers and they have seen excelent performance out of these chips, they are expensive though, like $275 for mobo and another $250 for CPU, and the chipsets desinged to run them are old so, again you upgrade path would be limited. Compared to getting an A64 3000+ and a ~$125 Mobo, you could buy a new case w/ extra money.

 

[Appledrop]

in a matx situation, i would go P4. they are by no means slow, ( though try to get a Northwood if you can), for the sheer selection of motherboards. look around for a good s478 DUAL CHANNEL matx board, i cant stress how important the dual channel is on p4

 

[Maezr]

I don't mind going with the 754 if all I'm missing out on is future upgrades.

so far I have this...

222$ - AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
095$ - Antec ARIA Aluminum MicroATX Cube Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "LS-968(ARIA)" -RETAIL
160$ - Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
200$ - MAXTOR 300GB SATA 7200RPM 16MB Cache

thinking... http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-128-244&depa=1 for the mb, but will the fact that it has integrated video (which I likely won't use) bring more strain on the power?

and I still need a video suggestion. at/around 150 - 200$, and not a dual slot card

 

[Maezr]

222$ - AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
095$ - Antec ARIA Aluminum MicroATX Cube Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "LS-968(ARIA)" -RETAIL
160$ - Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
200$ - MAXTOR 300GB SATA 7200RPM 16MB Cache
082$ - AOpen "MK89-L" nForce3 150 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
175$ - POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9800 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R98E-PD3" -RETAIL

final(?) version of the system. any critiques are welcome..

 

[Somniferum]

Originally posted by: Maezr

175$ - POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9800 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R98E-PD3" -RETAIL

final(?) version of the system. any critiques are welcome..

STAY AWAY from the 128-bit version of the 9800PRO if you plan on doing any gaming whatsoever ... the halved memory bandwidth cripples the card. Spend another $25 and get the 256-bit version, even if it only has 128MB. It will be much faster.

Also, make sure that CPU is compatible with the socket 754 mobo. I was under the impression that the faster (3400+) A64s needed socket 939 -- but I've never owned an A64 so I'm not sure. I'd double check.

I've also heard a lot of people around here argue that the 3400+ is a waste of money, when you can go with the 3000+ and overclock. Again, I don't own an A64 so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt.

 

[DanDrop]

Maezr: If you are looking for a 939 Micro atx case (Small Form Factor Sff) you might want to look into the Shuttle SN95G5 . It uses the 939 AMD 64 socket and it has Nvidia Nforce 3. As for the video card, i would suggest the Nvidia GeForce 6800GT.

 

[Maezr]

shuttles aren't an option because of the powersource and the lack of drive bays.

I'll look into changing the video card, though.

 

[davidjaii]

if you have the extra money, dont get the 9800pro.. a 6800gt or x800pro would be better.
current generation of cards will last you longer.

 

[newParadigm]

He cant get a 6800 series card b/c the PSU in that Antec case cant handle it, let alone cna the case dissipate the heat.

The best card for that system would be the 9800pro/xt.

Go for an A64 3000mobile, they OC much farther than the 3400 desktop chips.


~new