New Build - please rate!

[kleinwl]

OCer! Definitely OC.


CPU: X2 3800+ ($385 zzf)
MB: Epox 9NPA+ Ultra ($108 zzf)
HS: XP-90 w/ 92mm panadlow L1 fan ($25 +$10 svc)
RAM: (2x512MB) OCZ Value DDR-400 ($100 ne)
DVD: Liton DVD-RM ($15 ne)
DVDRW: Benq DW1640 ($47 ne)
GPU: Connect3D x800xl (PCIe) ($230 mwave)
HD: Hitachi T7K250 (250GB SATAII) ($130 zzf)
Case: Sonata II (w/ 450W smartpower 2.0) ($130 fry)
Tuner: Hauppange PVR-150 ($56 ne)
Head Phones: sennhauser pxc-150 ($75 ne) or HD280 ($100ne)
X-fi once available ($100)
total: $1410

What do you guys think? It would be mostly gaming/tivo/ripping (though very little ripping). Any suggestions for saving some cash? I would like to have this under $1200 but I don't like the idea of sacrificing the x2 (If I would I would grab the $120 Ewiz 3000+ venice). I could probably give up the ultra and get a 9NPAJ for $90, though I think the overclocking on the 9NPA+ is better and I would miss some of the features. I could also sacrifice on the Hitachi t7k250 and get a pata/sata 250 and save $10, but that doesn't seem worth it to lose NCQ.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[Ricemarine]

Get a separate power supply... Adds more, but hey, its worth it.
Downgrade to a 6600gt.
Get sennheiser hd280's.
You can find xp-90's on sale, so it shouldn't be that expensive... Get a panaflo L1A.

All I have to say, even though its prolly increasing your budget.

 

[daftpunkit]

pretty good except prices keep falling on everything. Just over the summer 6800 prices dropped a lot, and you can probably see them drop more once ATI drops there new line out. CPUs keep dropping too. Personally I just think right now prices are very unstable.

 

[Farmer]

$45 for a NIB XP-90 is a bit expensive (you can almost get a Cu XP-90 for that much). Get the XP-90 Al for $35 or get the XP-120 for that price. The copper XP-90 isn't worth the premium.

 

[grimdeath]

i sure hope you meant PCIe for the videocard

 

[kleinwl]

Where are you guys finding xp-90s for $35?

 

[kristersaurus]

Hey that computer's not any good..send it to me and ill give you one that..uh...works...better...

 

[Some1ne]

9/10

1. I still think 2 GB of RAM is overkill. Get 1 GB (either 2x512 or 1x1GB for an easy upgrade to 2 GB later unless you will be doing something that actually benefits from that much RAM).

2. Ditch the third-party cooler and use the stock CPU fan and get yourself a tube of Arctic Silver for $10.

3. The PSU that comes with that case is fine, no need to drop another $100 on a seperate PSU.

4. I agree with your mainboard and NCQ analysis. No point in skimping there.

5. I hope you plan on overclocking that CPU.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I say get 1gb of ram now and upgrade later. Or if you decide to jump to DDR2 / Socket M2 later, at least its more worth it. I didnt get 2GB because I didnt want to throw about 2 GB once I upgrade. It would be a waste. Save now, get more later.

Also I highly recommend an XP-120 w/ 120mm PAnaflo because its a lot quieter. Sure its only 1-2 deg, but silence rules.

 

[CreativeTom]

Hmmmm>?

a 9/10 i would have rated you until I saw the video card, why skimp in this area with a 128MB 6600?

I would at least upgrade to a x800xl, or if you are convinced on Nvidia (which I am not sure why>) you could go with a 6800GT. I think I would really try for the 7800GT right now it's a great card to have and not too expensive.

 

[Hacp]

1) Get a 40 dollar 160GB HD from hotdeals section. Saves you 80bucks
2) Get the 3700+. 100 dollars less than the 3800+.Performance difference is pretty slight.
3) Get a better video card. Probably the x800XL.
4) Doesn't look like you'll be doing any OCing??? Chaintech mobo for 75 bucks.. If you are going to be Overclocking, ignore this
5) WTF? XP-90 with Panflo? Are you overclocking? If you are by how much?

 

[kleinwl]

I am not sure about the advantage of the x800xl over a 6600GT for a 19" LCD monitor (1280x1020). From Tom's hardware I only see a 12% increase (no AA), even with 4AA/8AF the increase is 25%, but even then the 6600GT is pumping out 60FPS in HL2 at max quality.

Is the increase to 80fps worth the $100? The 6600GT would be fine for a year or two.

 

[KoolDrew]

I would personally get a Cooler Master Centurion 5 or some other case w/o a PSU and then get a Fortron AX500-A.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: kleinwl
I am not sure about the advantage of the x800xl over a 6600GT for a 19" LCD monitor (1280x1020). From Tom's hardware I only see a 12% increase (no AA), even with 4AA/8AF the increase is 25%, but even then the 6600GT is pumping out 60FPS in HL2 at max quality.

Is the increase to 80fps worth the $100? The 6600GT would be fine for a year or two.

If you want your computer to last.. The x800XL is the ebst choice.
Yes, do get the X2 3800+, very nice performer.

 

[Some1ne]

If you want your computer to last.. The x800XL is the ebst choice.

I don't know about that...the 7800 models are already selling for less than MSRP, and the only effect this can have is to drive down the prices of just about all the other cards (which it has already been doing to some extent), so I think it can make sense to use a 6600GT for the time being, and then spring for a cheap upgrade in the future when the 7800's have made everything else dirt cheap.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: Some1ne

If you want your computer to last.. The x800XL is the ebst choice.

I don't know about that...the 7800 models are already selling for less than MSRP, and the only effect this can have is to drive down the prices of just about all the other cards (which it has already been doing to some extent), so I think it can make sense to use a 6600GT for the time being, and then spring for a cheap upgrade in the future when the 7800's have made everything else dirt cheap.

He gave the option of the 6600GT and the x800xl.. I see no mention of the 7800s.

 

[Some1ne]

I missed that part, I just saw discussion about 6600GT vs. x800xl, although I meant my comments in the more general sense (i.e. he can get a cheap card now, like the 6600GT, and then wait a bit and upgrade to a card that's more towards the higher-end than either the 6600GT or the x800xl after the prices fall).

 

[kleinwl]

I've looked around the net (ociw.net for example) and seen that underload (and oced) an 3000+ stock AMD cooler is at 57C, while the XP-90 is at 48C. That 10C difference is repeated at various websites. Is it worth the $60 to purchase the XP-90? How much will my overclocks be limited from the higher temps? Does anyone have a equation 1C=30MHz?

The other suggestion about the 6600GT... Because of my wife getting irritated if I spend $1500... I may take the opportunity to "save" the $100 (vs. the x800xl)... and drop that (or another card) in later... (this is the same tactic I'm using with the x-fi).

 

[KoolDrew]

You are getting ripped off if you are spending $60 on the XP-90.

 

[imported_Kensai]

SVC has the XP-90 for 30$ USD.

 

[kleinwl]

Thanks guys! $30 for an XP-90 with 92mm fan is a great price!