Need Suggestions

[djtech2k]

I am beginning to build my new rig and need to do it quickly because I have sold my old one.

I plan to use it for general web use, some coding, and gaming. I want it to be able to handle loads well and be quite fast. I play Battlefield 2 and it is a horse of a game.

I now have an AMD64 3000+ on an Abit KV8-MAX3 with 1GB of Samsung DDr400 and an Asus 6800GT256. I use an aspire superalien case with 500w psu.

I want an upgrade. I am going to build from the case up. The only thing I am keeping is my monitor, which is a Sony 19" lcd 12ms response.

Anyway, I am not sure what setup to get. I have been comparing the AMD64 FX and the X2's. I would like to stay in the $500 ballpark for the processor. It doesnt need to be exactly 500, but I dont wanna spend $100 just on cpu. I also want a good cooling system. My system now gets quite warm when gaming hardcore. I get over 60c on warm days. I am also getting low voltage warnings now on 3.3 and 12v measurements, so I got a new 500w psu to replace in my old rig.

Ok, so I need some advice about the hardware setup.

CPU? I was thinking x2 or FX. I want it fast, stable, and be able to use it for another year or 2 before needing to trade up again.

Board? I was thinking an Asus board, but am not set. I want a nice board with nforce3 or nforce4 chipset. I am considering doing SLI, but am not sure. I definetely want to use PCIE though.

RAM? I want to roll with good dual-channel ram. I would prefer 2GB. BF2 demands alot. I am a bit baffled by sppeds, so I dont what speed to get. Boards all vary so much.

Cooler? I dont plan to OC a whole lot, but I have had temp problems so I want something decent to keep it cool.

psu? I want something a minimum of 500w with good specs. I prefer 550+.

case? My superalien is awesome now. I may just buy another one if I dont find anything else.

I am planning to use SATA drives. I dont know if anything is different with them.

I think I will likely stay with Asus 6800GT but go pcie this time.

I will buy a few small things like dual-layer DVD and small stuff like that, but I will just get something decent there.

My total budget for this is around $2000. I could spend a little more if it were for something great, but I would like to spend around 2000.

Any suggestions guys? Even if you have a suggestion for 1 or 2 items, thats cool. If you wanna suggest a system build, thats fine too.

Thanks as always,

djtech2k

 

[n7]

What's wrong with your current system ?

I don't get why you'd wanna throw it all away for a marginally better one?

 

[djtech2k]

well, the old one is having some problems with running higher temps and recently voltage level lows. I have a new psu coming for it so that should fix the voltages. I have my rig sold to a friend, so I can start from scratch.

The new rig should be MUCH better than this one I think.

Basically I want more ram, faster ram, pcie, and my system cant do that. Besides, I have had my 3000+ for over a year now. Socket 754 sucks.

 

[CheesePoofs]

The system you have can play every game out there at near the highest settings. To beat it you're going to have to spend a LOT of money. Not worth it IMO.

 

[Furen]

Was your 3000+ overclocked? If not then anything beyond the 3500+ will feel a lot faster. Personally I would get an X2 just 'cause it's so much cooler than an fx!! (hey, you get more silicon so it must be better). Seriously, though, Multicore should be nice and a mild overclock on it could make it match an fx 55 (at stock, of course) so your single-threaded performance will be way up there, too. Oh yeah, and throw in a 7800GTX ^^

 

[djtech2k]

I understand your point, but I am very frustrated with the things in this system, so I am getting a new one. Honestly, I was gonna just get a new board and cpu, but if I did that I would need a new video card. If I did that, I might as well sell it as a whole unit. If I could get any real $$ for the video, cpu, and board, I would just replace those. Instead, I think rebuilding will work easier.

 

[djtech2k]

Thats kinda what I was thinking, I just dont know if I can fit it all in my budget

 

[djtech2k]

I think I have decided to go with the x2 4400+. I like the 2mb cache. I am now on to the mb.

Some things I want in a mobo are stability, (maybe) SLI, atleast 1 pcie 16x, atleast 2 additional pci slots, decent sound onboard, high-speed DDR, atleast 4 slots of DDR banks, dual-channel memory, and nforce 3 or nforce4 chipset.

I have been using the abit kv8-max3 and it was ok. It has MAJOR limitations. Again SLI is not 100% critical, but I may like to have that availability down the road if it does not cost alot more to get the board now. I was looking at the abit fatality board or asus a8 nsli. Whats ur take on that?

 

[Furen]

integrated sound will be pretty bad except in two cases: the DFI LanParty series (by the way, I wouldnt get sli... a waste of money, if you ask me) and the msi k8n premium (or something of the sort). The dfi is very highly tweakable and has support for up to 4v in vdimm. it has a karajan chip that will, for the most part, give you better quality. The MSI has an integrated audigy chip BUT it will not run on most PSUs, it requires a -5V LINE, which is not part of the atx spec. Dont forget to check if the motherboard that you end up chosing has support for dual core, by the way.

 

[djtech2k]

Well, I guess sound is not the deciding factor for me. I would like good sound so I dont have to buy a sound card. I have been using onboard sound on this kv8-max3 forever and its been ok. Its dolby 5.1. The fatality sli board has 7.1. I guess I could get an audigy card or something, I just need to save $$ where I can so I can stay within my budget.

 

[djtech2k]

Anyone know anything about gigaram?

 

[djtech2k]

OK, here is what I think I have selected so far:

CPU = AMD 64 x2 4400

Cooler??

Board = Asus a8n sli prem or Abit fatality or DFI LanParty

RAM = not sure but looking at OCZ EL PC4000 2GB (4x512). I want fastest of 2GB under $350.

Video = Asus 6800GT 256 or Asus 7800GLX

PSU??

Case = Not sure but looking at aspire superalien or navigator. I want something nice with very good cooling.

DVD = Plextor DL DVD

HD?? I want to stay around $100 on hard drive(s)


How does this sound? You guys have any more suggestions for the open spots?

 

[Furen]

For powersupply I'd recommend either one of the following:

Fortron Source BlueStorm AX-500A
Link

Rosewill RP550 (can you say 12V@35A)
Link

Or if you truly want to go highend, I'd recommend a Seasonic S12 @ above 450W

For a cpu cooler I'd say the stock heatsink should be ok unless you plan to overclock a lot. I havent been able to find any bare X2s recently so I'm pretty sure you'll end up getting retail.

 

[djtech2k]

Thanks. I will look inot those. I just need something strong that supports SLI. I also need to select a good RAM. I am not sure what speed/brand to buy just yet.

 

[djtech2k]

1 other thing...Whats the deal with PATA? I never heard of it before now. Whats better, SATA or PATA?

 

[Furen]

SATA is better in theory but overall they perform about the same. SATAII, on the other hand, can offer some nice features (like NCQ) that you cant get on a pata harddrive. If you ask me, I'd say go SATA 'cause the cables are so much easier to work with and NCQ could be useful when doing heavy multitasking unless there is a big price difference (which there shouldnt be).

edit: bah, spelling