Need some advice for this system I'd like to build

[Paves]

Hello,

So, I've read a ton of reviews, looked at comparison charts, and scanned the forums for information. At this point I think I have a fairly good idea of what will work for me in a new PC. However, I may have overlooked something out of inexperience (this is my first complete build). If anybody can offer insight or even corrections based on experience to my planned set up, it would be greatly appreciated.

See, the trouble is I'm not sure if I should get the Ultra X-Connect or the Antec 2.0 SP-500. The X-Connect is certainly the nicer looking of the two but uses the 20 pin plug. Antec is often reccomended as an "quality" PSU and that model does have the 24 pin plug. Yet, I am leaning toward the X-connect for it's cleanliness, aesthetics and price. Unless of course the X-Connect is an poor match for this set up. Sorry, I am a bit lost when it comes to Amps/Watts/Rails on a PSU- even after reading that lengthy FAQ.

Planned Specs-

CPU: Athlon 64 3200 skt. 939 (Venice)
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4-F
RAM: Corsair ValueSelect PC3200 1GB (2x 512MB) 2.5 CAS (What about the OCZ Premiere brand?)
PSU: Ultra X-connect 500watt PSU
GPU: MSI 6600GT
PVR/TV: Hauppauge PVR-150
HDD: 1x Seagate S-ATA 160GB, 2x Seagate S-ATA 200GB drives & hot swap-able 80 GB Western Digital
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami
Optical: NEC 16x DVD Burner & Lite On 52x CD burner (Already got these)
Audio: Using on board audio till I do a bit more research on sound cards.
Cooling: 3 fans, I suppose.
Maybe a cold cathode, Tsunami has a window....

Alright, let me lay out my intended uses; DVD backups, music encoding, some gaming, pvr/tv watching, photo editing and miscellaneous web stuff. Will not be OC-ing anything. Not planning on SLi or Crossfire either.

I should say I am trying to keep cost to a reasonable level (~$900). Don't get me wrong- Sli 6800 Ultras would certainly be neat but it's not very practical. Stability & decent speed are my main concerns.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

I don't like it. You've designed this like a gamer who loves to overclock, except that your primary purpose is not gaming and you don't plan on overclocking.

The socket 754 platform offers much more in the way of stock-speed bang for your buck. For example, you can get an s754 3400+ for less than the "Venice" 3200+ you've selected. While the "Venice" core is faster than "Winchester" or "Newcastle," it's no match for a higher-rated model.

As for your graphics card, did you realize it's more expensive than the capture card you picked out? If you want to build a PVR machine, you had better get something better than that Hauppage trinket. The Turtle Beach Video Advantage had a recent review over at THG, and can be had for only $106: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...103&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Video+Cards

For a graphics solution, I suggest getting something with enough memory to handle high-quality video, as well as a nice TV-out option. Maybe something like this would suit you better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102305 It would open your budget to any number of upgrades, namely a faster CPU and better capture card.

Lastly, am I reading correctly when you say that you're going to get 640GB in hard disks? That's pretty insane; are you sure you need it?

 

[Paves]

I don't like it. You've designed this like a gamer who loves to overclock, except that your primary purpose is not gaming and you don't plan on overclocking...

Interesting. I used AnandaTech's mid range system guide as a reference. I changed a few things due to price/availability; could not find the Chaintech board recommended but the Neo-F (non Platinum) is about the same. Based on what I read, the 6600GT is a mainstream card. Not sure how much of a "gaming" rig it will be with that Value RAM (should I get the OCZ?) and an average video card. I was under the impression these components were right in the middle in terms of cost/performance.

There is only a $45 price difference between the Venice Athlon 3000 and the 3200 model. Oddly, the Winchester 3200 is actually a couple of dollars more(!) than the Venice. Is it not better to have more processing power in general though?

Are AnandaTech's guides useless then? I have to admit being a bit disconcerted now.

Lastly, am I reading correctly when you say that you're going to get 640GB in hard disks? That's pretty insane; are you sure you need it?

Once I decide on a sound card I'll need more hard drive space actually. I'll use the hot swapable bay for switching out hard drives though.

I do have some of this stuff already; hard drives, optical drives, computer case and the tv card. One of the 200GB hdds is an external. Didn't know what else to do with the PVR-150. It's worked (somewhat) decently thus far. Hope that makes things clearer.

The real question I was driving at is based on those components, are either of those power supplies enough? Will I definitely need a 24 pin PSU or would a good (The Ultra's reviews seem favorable) 20 pin PSU do the job?

Please, if any of this is wrong let me know. Of course, your help is appreciated.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: Paves
Hello,

So, I've read a ton of reviews, looked at comparison charts, and scanned the forums for information. At this point I think I have a fairly good idea of what will work for me in a new PC. However, I may have overlooked something out of inexperience (this is my first complete build). If anybody can offer insight or even corrections based on experience to my planned set up, it would be greatly appreciated.

See, the trouble is I'm not sure if I should get the Ultra X-Connect or the Antec 2.0 SP-500. The X-Connect is certainly the nicer looking of the two but uses the 20 pin plug. Antec is often reccomended as an "quality" PSU and that model does have the 24 pin plug. Yet, I am leaning toward the X-connect for it's cleanliness, aesthetics and price. Unless of course the X-Connect is an poor match for this set up. Sorry, I am a bit lost when it comes to Amps/Watts/Rails on a PSU- even after reading that lengthy FAQ.

Planned Specs-

CPU: Athlon 64 3200 skt. 939 (Venice)
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4-F
RAM: Corsair ValueSelect PC3200 1GB (2x 512MB) 2.5 CAS (What about the OCZ Premiere brand?)
PSU: Ultra X-connect 500watt PSU
GPU: MSI 6600GT
PVR/TV: Hauppauge PVR-150
HDD: 1x Seagate S-ATA 160GB, 2x Seagate S-ATA 200GB drives & hot swap-able 80 GB Western Digital
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami
Optical: NEC 16x DVD Burner & Lite On 52x CD burner (Already got these)
Audio: Using on board audio till I do a bit more research on sound cards.
Cooling: 3 fans, I suppose.
Maybe a cold cathode, Tsunami has a window....

Alright, let me lay out my intended uses; DVD backups, music encoding, some gaming, pvr/tv watching, photo editing and miscellaneous web stuff. Will not be OC-ing anything. Not planning on SLi or Crossfire either.

I should say I am trying to keep cost to a reasonable level (~$900). Don't get me wrong- Sli 6800 Ultras would certainly be neat but it's not very practical. Stability & decent speed are my main concerns.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4-F --> Could get a Chaintech VNF4 Ultra or whatewver it's called. Better bang fo the buck especialy since you're not overclocking.

PSU: Ultra X-connect 500watt PSU --> NO. Unless you want to fry up your system. N.O. Some guy on this forum once said "Before there used to be 2 types of power supplies: Crap and Quality. Now there's 3: Crap, Quality, and Crap that Glows"

Case: Thermaltake Tsunami --> Nice choice if you're into the "Gamer/Modded" look. Just note that this case can be heard from another room becuase it's loud .

Everything else looks nice.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

$900 budget? Here's what I recommend:

ASUS A8N-E: $119
Venice 3000+ $147
Coolermaster Cavalier/AeroCool JetEngine thingy/Pick Something: $60
Antec SmartPower II 400W: $55
X800XL: $279
Corsair ValueSelect: $80
Seagate 2xSeagate 120GB on Raid0: $85*2 = $170
DVD Burner: You said you already had it
Floppy: $5

$915

Edit: Sorry about going slightly over your budget.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: Paves

I don't like it. You've designed this like a gamer who loves to overclock, except that your primary purpose is not gaming and you don't plan on overclocking...

Interesting. I used AnandaTech's mid range system guide as a reference. I changed a few things due to price/availability; could not find the Chaintech board recommended but the Neo-F (non Platinum) is about the same. Based on what I read, the 6600GT is a mainstream card. Not sure how much of a "gaming" rig it will be with that Value RAM (should I get the OCZ?) and an average video card. I was under the impression these components were right in the middle in terms of cost/performance.

There is only a $45 price difference between the Venice Athlon 3000 and the 3200 model. Oddly, the Winchester 3200 is actually a couple of dollars more(!) than the Venice. Is it not better to have more processing power in general though?

Are AnandaTech's guides useless then? I have to admit being a bit disconcerted now.

Lastly, am I reading correctly when you say that you're going to get 640GB in hard disks? That's pretty insane; are you sure you need it?

Once I decide on a sound card I'll need more hard drive space actually. I'll use the hot swapable bay for switching out hard drives though.

I do have some of this stuff already; hard drives, optical drives, computer case and the tv card. One of the 200GB hdds is an external. Didn't know what else to do with the PVR-150. It's worked (somewhat) decently thus far. Hope that makes things clearer.

The real question I was driving at is based on those components, are either of those power supplies enough? Will I definitely need a 24 pin PSU or would a good (The Ultra's reviews seem favorable) 20 pin PSU do the job?

Please, if any of this is wrong let me know. Of course, your help is appreciated.

You will see very little bang for your buck going with 'performance' ram. As long as you use quality stuff (looks like you are) you'll be fine.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Do not get any board based on the basic nForce4. Go nForce 4 Ultra or don't get it at all.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: Paves
Interesting. I used AnandaTech's mid range system guide as a reference. I changed a few things due to price/availability; could not find the Chaintech board recommended but the Neo-F (non Platinum) is about the same.

There's nothing wrong with the Neo-F, exactly. It's slightly overpriced, but not by much.

Based on what I read, the 6600GT is a mainstream card. Not sure how much of a "gaming" rig it will be with that Value RAM (should I get the OCZ?) and an average video card. I was under the impression these components were right in the middle in terms of cost/performance.

It is a mainstream card, yes. But it's still totally unnecessary unless you're a gamer--which I suppose you are, to some degree. I'd just have a hard time with spending an extra $100 so that a few games run smoother.

There is only a $45 price difference between the Venice Athlon 3000 and the 3200 model. Oddly, the Winchester 3200 is actually a couple of dollars more(!) than the Venice. Is it not better to have more processing power in general though?

I think you misunderstood; I was talking about the "Newcastle" 3400+, which is faster than the "Venice" 3200+, but costs less.

Are AnandaTech's guides useless then? I have to admit being a bit disconcerted now.

Not useless, but you should always take them with a grain of salt.

 

[Paves]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate you guys taking the time to offer advice in these threads.

Case: Thermaltake Tsunami --> Nice choice if you're into the "Gamer/Modded" look. Just note that this case can be heard from another room becuase it's loud

I already got the Tsunami. It's sitting in the closet waiting to be filled. Noise doesn't bother me much, I use headphones all day long. Nice looking case, smaller than I expected.

Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4-F --> Could get a Chaintech VNF4 Ultra or whatever it's called. Better bang fo the buck especialy since you're not overclocking.

Yeah I went ahead and looked around and found the Chaintech board a couple minutes ago. Don't know how I missed it last night. I'll look around for that Asus A8N-E as well.

PSU: Ultra X-connect 500watt PSU --> NO. Unless you want to fry up your system. N.O. Some guy on this forum once said "Before there used to be 2 types of power supplies: Crap and Quality. Now there's 3: Crap, Quality, and Crap that Glows"

Fantastic. Thanks, this is the advice I needed. Think that Antec is a good PSU for this build then?

I think you misunderstood; I was talking about the "Newcastle" 3400+, which is faster than the "Venice" 3200+, but costs less.

Yeah, I misread that. Eh, I don't know about skt. 754 though. I mean I'd like the option to upgrade in the future.

Ok then, convince me. Show me a good Mainboard/757 combo I won't regret a year from now.

It is a mainstream card, yes. But it's still totally unnecessary unless you're a gamer--which I suppose you are. I'd just have a hard time with spending an extra $100 just so a few games run smoother.

The 9600 is an AGP card though. Wouldn't an X300 or 6200 be too underpowered? Granted, I don't play Doom3 on Ultra settings. But I enjoy the occasional Call Of Duty, Rome:Total War and such. An X300 might be too little yet an X800XL may be overkill.

By the way, I don't think I'll be getting an MSI 6600GT video card. Leaning towards the EVGA model.

 

[furballi]

-Venice 3000. It's silly to NOT overclock when you can bump the speed to 3500 with only 0.025 increase in Vcore and downshift the RAM to DDR333.
-Any Fortron or Enermax rated above 450W ($60 to $80). Saw an Enermax unit at MWAVE for $67.