New computer build... would like suggestions and/or comments!

[BOLt]

Hey all. I wanna try out a new build for my desktop computer and I'm looking to minimize cost even furthur than before.

I've been using this for about 2 months. This computer has been through over 5 major revisions in the past year and looks nothing like the first computer that I bought in January 2005 with $1400. After trading, buying, and selling with AT members, friends, and strangers I want to change it for (hopefully) the last time. Now that I've finally gotten to college, I find myself not gaming anymore. My multitasking habits are as extreme as ever, though. Here is my current setup:


CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Venice)
Motherboard: eVGA 133-K8-NF41
Memory: 1024 MB of Corsair ValueSelect PC3200 DDR
Video Card: eVGA 7800 GT
Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB SATA
Hard Drive 2: Maxtor DiamondMax 10 200GB SATA
Hard Drive 3: Western Digital Caviar 60GB IDE
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp 1905FP 19" LCD
DVD-ROM: Lite-On SOHD-16P9S
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
PSU: Antec SmartPower 2.0 400W
Case: Cooler Master Praetorian (Black)
Mouse: Logitech MX510 Performance Optical


I like what I've got, but I am looking to shift away from a gaming computer towards a more cost-effective system. I'd like to put together a rig that I can spend some time overclocking because I still have a passion for computer hardware even after the gaming era of my life (which lasted about a decade) has finally ceased. I've got quite a bit of money coming in from my job, but I'd like to try and eBay my current rig or sell parts on the AT FS/FT forums (shameless plug) and spend what I get from that. Here is what I'm looking at right now:


CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Venice)
Motherboard: EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra
Memory: 1024 MB of Corsair ValueSelect PC3200 DDR
Video Card: eVGA 6600 GT PCI-e
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB SATA
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW 20" LCD
DVD-ROM: Lite-On SOHD-16P9S
Speakers: Logitech Z-2300
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070 430W
Case: Antec Performance I P-160WF
Fan & Light Controller: Vantec Nexus NXP-301
Mouse: Logitech MX310


I'd like to put together a rig that can perform a decent overclock and multitask well while maintaining an optimal cost to performance ratio. I would try the X2 processors, but the price jump is a bit too much for my liking.

I am considering an aftermarket CPU HSF to aid in overclocking, but I am totally out of the loop since my first build, which I focused around OC potential.

Thanks!


EDIT: I have recently come across a great deal for a new computer that has great OC'ing potential. Here is the updated build alternative:


CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Venice)
CPU HSF: Thermalright XP-90
Motherboard: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D
Memory: 1GB Corsair XMS PC3200 DDR, SKU: TWINX1024-3200XLPT (TCCD)
Video Card: eVGA 6600 GT PCI-e or VisionTek X800 PCI-e
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB SATA
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW 20" LCD
DVD-ROM: Lite-On SOHD-16P9S
Speakers: Logitech Z-2300
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
PSU: ?
Case: Antec Performance I P-160WF
Fan & Light Controller: Vantec Nexus NXP-301
Mouse: Logitech MX310


The VisionTek X800 PCI-e GPU has a lifetime warranty and apparently it overclocks to 6800 speeds with the retail HSF. I found it used from an AT member for an excellent price and am gving it serious consideration.

I would like a suggestion for a strong, high wattage PSU as well.

This build is obviously going to be concentrated around overclocking, so anything to maximize that without adding too much to the cost would be nice. I'm looking at getting this from someone who is willing to sell it pretty cheap, so it would actually end up not costing a whole hell of a lot more than the build that I first looked at switching to.

What say you?

 

[chieftang]

I like the Epox. I've had one for 6 months, and have a very stable OC on a 3700+ Sandy...

But, I'd stick with Newegg and/or ZZF for the parts. Monarch can be trouble. Spend the extra few bucks to purchase peace of mind from the guys who stand behind their sales.

 

[BOLt]

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Any comments/suggestions appreciated!

 

[BOLt]

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[BOLt]

Originally posted by: chieftang
I like the Epox. I've had one for 6 months, and have a very stable OC on a 3700+ Sandy...

But, I'd stick with Newegg and/or ZZF for the parts. Monarch can be trouble. Spend the extra few bucks to purchase peace of mind from the guys who stand behind their sales.

I am going to follow your advice. I've already decided on getting the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra motherboard and the Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB SATA. They are on their way from ZipZoomFly (one of my favorite vendors next to Newegg). I have had few troubles with Monarch in the past, but I've heard horror stories from other people, so I think you're right to suggest buying from nigh infallible sources.

Thanks for the comment and suggestion. Anyone else?

 

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[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I don't really understand some of these moves.

For example:
You're selling an MX510 and buying an MX310?
The effort to sell it, shipping costs, reduces selling price, and shipping on a new mouse... why not just keep the better mouse?

7800gt is about $320 new with a deal... 6600gt is about $130?
Sell the 7800gt for $250 or something and you're only getting about $120 from the sale and getting a much lower performing card. Even if you don't game much, you'll want the extra GPU power if you do end up gaming at all on your new monitor.

Z-2300 vs Klipsch Promedia
That's a lateral move at best. I would definately take the Promedias over the Logitech set. If you're going less gaming, then Promedias are a much better choice imo.

Changing the case?
What's wrong with your current one?


Maybe Sell your harddrives if you really don't like them for some reason, sell your monitor and motherboard, and then get a new motherboard, harddrive, and monitor.

 

[BOLt]

I see where you're coming from, but here's some justification for my intended actions:

The mouse is purely preference. I won't be gaming at all, so the many extra buttons on the MX510 start to lose useability. Therefore, selling the mouse for almost what I paid originally (it's retail, no damage, everything in the original package is included) means another $15 or so in my pocket. Not to mention, it's the only computer component that isn't either black or white or two-tone black/white.

I can sell/trade the 7800 GT for almost exactly its current retail value (it's hardly ever been used for anything, really -- no overclocking and maybe 15 minutes of the F.E.A.R. demo at most; comes in the retail package with all accesories). This means that it's not just lying idly in my computer. Selling/trading it seems to be the smart thing to do, especially if I want to get a 2005FPW LCD while spending very little to no pocket money.

The speakers may or may not go. I really do like the sound fidelity on the Klipsch's, but my suitemate just got the Z-2300 speakers and his subwoofer is blowing me out of the water. I figure if I have a sound card plus the Z-2300s, I can at least match him. Besides, that's also less money I need to spend. I can sell the Klipsch speakers for nearly their retail worth (again, they are lightly used with retail everything). The Logitech speakers are about $40-50 less expensive. That's money in my pocket.

I love my Praetorian, but I've always wanted the P160 and I've found someone who has it for cheap on AT. I also want a windowed side-panel and blue cold cathode lights. I figured I'd go for the strong silent type in the Praetorian, but I find myself wanting less fan noise and a tad more flashiness in my case. I certainly will avoid tackiness, but I've always liked the P160-WF and the Vantec Nexus NXP-301 would be a nice touch for the fan/light control (even though the P160 has 120mm fans, which are already quiet).

Hope this illuminates my intentions. I know I'm a bit obscure in my reasoning sometimes, but I definately spend lots of time thinking about my purchases before I buy them. Was hoping people would be able to catch me on something that I might have missed or suggest alternatives to save money or improve reliability/quality, etc.

Nevertheless, thanks for your input, YOyoYOhowsDAjello!


EDIT: Snatchface, that is a very interesting proposition. I will look into the Opterons. I previously thought that they were only workstation parts, but I guess something changed. Very interesting indeed!

 

[The Sauce]

Maybe you should look into the Opterons instead of the Athlon. Some people are getting sick o/c's out of the lower end opterons like the 146 which is around $150 (I think). I have heard of 3.0 GHz on more than one occasion.

 

[BOLt]

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Thanks for comments so far!

 

[BOLt]

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[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well, sounds like you have your own reasoning to do each of the things you're doing.... why are you asking us?

 

[n7]

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

If you like multitasking, get an Opteron 165. Its clocked 200mhz lower than the X2 3800+, but it costs less and has 2MB of L2 cache, which makes up for the 200mhz loss. They overclock very well tool

 

[BOLt]

Don't take offense, YOyoYOhowsDAjello. I really do appreciate the comments that you left, I just have different reasoning.

I've posted because I'd like a suggestion for a high wattage PSU, a suggestion for the graphics card, and then suggestions for anything else that I might want to consider. I figured that I'd post here in case I missed something or there was a new product out that I should try. Snatchface suggested an Opteron processor and after looking into it I think this is a very good idea. Without posting here I would have never thought of that because I did not know that they were non-workstation parts as well.

Thanks for comments thus far, guys.

EDIT: I agree, t3h l337 n3wb. I think if I can get my PC sold or at the very least my CPU, I will go for the Opteron. A 2MB cache would be wonderful!

 

[BOLt]

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[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: BOLt
Don't take offense, YOyoYOhowsDAjello. I really do appreciate the comments that you left, I just have different reasoning.

I've posted because I'd like a suggestion for a high wattage PSU, a suggestion for the graphics card, and then suggestions for anything else that I might want to consider. I figured that I'd post here in case I missed something or there was a new product out that I should try. Snatchface suggested an Opteron processor and after looking into it I think this is a very good idea. Without posting here I would have never thought of that because I did not know that they were non-workstation parts as well.

Thanks for comments thus far, guys.

EDIT: I agree, t3h l337 n3wb. I think if I can get my PC sold or at the very least my CPU, I will go for the Opteron. A 2MB cache would be wonderful!

I'm not offended, I didn't mean it to come off like that. I didn't see you added the part about suggestions for the PSU etc.

If you're not gaming, why are you worried about how much the videocard with overclock?

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: Snatchface
Maybe you should look into the Opterons instead of the Athlon. Some people are getting sick o/c's out of the lower end opterons like the 146 which is around $150 (I think). I have heard of 3.0 GHz on more than one occasion.

yeah, i would go with opty too