New midrange gaming machine build...

[lordoff]

Finally escaping my status as a ghost member...I really want to go for 7800 but my budget wouldnt allow it....but anyway

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

XFX PVT42GUAD7 Geforce 6800GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply - Retail

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

NEC 3540A

Comes out about $782...aiming for around 800 w/ s/h & tax


1) HDD -> raptor 74G? (Is the speed / performance worth cutting ~100GB? Obviously I cant afford two...help me out!)
2) I hear that the case is easy to work with...any other recs.?
3) PSU -> Fortron? Seems like I would be fine with either...just wondering if there would be any difference with components I have
4) ANY other compatibility / suitable components?


My first build so I will not be overclocking...

I've researched quite a bit so hopefully my components say it...



Feel free to leave ANY (I will even take "make sure to ground yourself first") advice for a newbie builder!!(always something to learn around here)

 

[Chacranajxy]

I've never heard of Xclio.... I dunno how good of an option that'd be... if you go with a ghetto PSU, you'll regret it later (I did with the last computer I had.)

 

[KoolDrew]

I would still suggest overclocking, even if it is your first build. For my first build I overclocked and it went fine. There are tons of people here that could help you while overclocking too.

As for the components you chose, I would change the CPU to an Opteron. You can get the Opteron 144 for around $150. it has twice as much cache and overclocks much better. Since this would be your first time overclocking you could just run stock voltage. With the Opteron you would still most likely get a nice overclock. Since it has the same amount of cache as the FX and is architecturally the same, you can overclock it to 2.8GHz and it would be equivalent to an FX-57.

Is there any reason you chose the Seagate drive in particular? It is not a bad choice at all, but I would suggest the Western Digital drive with 16MB cache. It is one of the best performers and isn't any more expensive then competing 8MB drives.

For the PSU, I would suggest a Fortron AX450-PN. Also, didn't NEC just come out with the 3550A? If that is the case, get that instead.

As for your questions:

1) IMO the Raptor does not offer a significant enough performance increase to justify the price. I would go for more space.
2) The Cooler Master Centurion 5 is a fantastic case and is cheap. I would stick with it.
3) The Fortron I mentioned above would be better and is around the same price.
4) Nope, everything looks fine.

Also, since this is your first build this should be a lot of help.

Good Luck!

 

[lordoff]

Wow first of all thanks for the great link...(PIZZZAAA!!)


I've never even thought about getting an opteron...but your argument does sound pretty good...

Main reason I dont want to overclock is the warranty / heating issue. By all means, I will try OC sooner or later but at this point I'm not really feeling confident. If I try to oc this time, it will probably be minor with small clock adjustments (with stock cooling, hopefullly)

But if I do want to OC...
How much can I OC opteron (3200 also if anyone knows) with stock cooling?


Fortron seems to be couple $ cheaper than Xclio...I guess that difference would go to 3550A if I chose that one so not really thinking hard for those two...

As for the Seagate HD, not really a preference...I found that it has solid performance / great warranty...will def. consider WD 16MB


Thanks!

 

[KoolDrew]

If you end up doing slight overclocking the stock cooler will not hold you back. Even if you plan on going farther the stock cooling will probably get you pretty far.

 

[Lyfer]

Do this:

-Ditch the generic PSU and get a Fortron AX450 450W dual 12v rail PSU for $49 at newegg.com
-Ditch the 6800GS and get a Connect 3D X800GTO and unlock/OC to get X850XT performance for only $180 (before $15 MIR)
-Make sure to get your cpu from ewiz, its cheaper. Also get a Thermalright SP90 from svc.com, best cooler IMO. Only $30 also.

Your rig should easily do 2.5GHZ+ if your ram will place nice.

 

[lordoff]

Lyfer// I dont think I want to take the risk with GTO...I realize the high success rate but decided I wouldnt want to try it...(ironically my first post was about GTO2 price gouging..)

Thanks for your comment about ewiz though.


Kooldrew// how much OC should I expect from Opteron 144 w/ stock cooling (I was thinking maybe I would do about 80% of maximum possible with stock)

 

[eXx08]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Do this:

-Ditch the generic PSU and get a Fortron AX450 450W dual 12v rail PSU for $49 at newegg.com

The Xclio is a very good PSU. May be the same or better quality than the Fortron. It certainly is not a generic PSU.

 

[KoolDrew]

-Ditch the generic PSU and get a Fortron AX450 450W dual 12v rail PSU for $49 at newegg.com

The Fortron is a better PSu then the Xclio, but I wouldn't call it a generic PSU.

-Ditch the 6800GS and get a Connect 3D X800GTO and unlock/OC to get X850XT performance for only $180 (before $15 MIR)

Isn't it the X800GTO2 that can be unlocked to a X850XT?

Kooldrew// how much OC should I expect from Opteron 144 w/ stock cooling

I have not seen many overclocks with stock voltage for the Opterons, but the one I did see was 2.6GHz. It may not be the best, but that is only one person and with overclocking YMMV.