New PC for $1000

[Dergrin]

Ok I think I got it all worked out. After hours of searching this is what I came up with:

Case $58 AHANIX Black Mid-Tower ATX Case, X195 Black Knight
Power Supply $62 ANTEC 430W Power Supply, TRUE430
Processor $99 AMD Mobile Athlon XP 2600+, 266mHz FSB, 512k L2 Cache
Motherboard $84 ABIT NF7-S, NForce2
Memory $134 OCZ Enhanced Latency Series, 256x2, PC-3200
Video $209 Powercolor ATI Radeon 9800Pro, 128mb
Sound $88 Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Hard Drive $111 Western Digital 160gb 7200RPM SATA Drive
DVD Drive $80 NEC 8x Black DVD+RW Drive
CD Drive $17 ASUS Black 52X QuieTrack Technology CD-ROM Drive
Floppy Drive $12 Sony Black 1.44Mb, 3.5 Floppy Drive
Video Cooling $39 Zalman Heatpipe VGA Cooler, ZM80C-HP with OP1 fan ($10)
CPU Cooling $40 Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Copper CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste $8 Artic Silver 5
Speakers $139 Logitech Z-5300 5.1 THX Certified Speaker System
Keyboard $36 Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard and Optical Wheel Mouse

Total Price $1213

 

[Markfw]

OK, first, nothing wrong with your config, but I would think that with that kind of budget, you could fit an Athlon64 into that config...... Memory and all other components the same BTW.....

 

[SickBeast]

The only things I would change, Dergrin:

-don't buy the CDROM...waste of money since your DVDROM can read CDs
-get a thermalright heatsink instead of the zalman...zalmans are TERRIBLE for overclocking and you will be disappointed
-you don't need the audigy2...again a waste of money, your motherboard has soundstorm which is almost as good
-don't bother with the zalman video cooler...such a waste of money...stock coolers on videocards are usually fine...if you spent that $39 on a better videocard you would definately benefit more (the only trouble is the 9800 is top of its class ATM)
-I would opt for a single stick of 512MB PC3200 for future upgradeability

So...that would save you a cool $144, putting you much closer to your $1000 budget. Also, you should be able to get a 9800PRO for under $200 if you look around.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I also feel the A64 is a wothwhile inclusion.

To me, it seems like a decent plan to go with a low end A64 (2800 or 3000) for now, so that later you can upgrade only the processor if you want.

The only drawback is the unceartanty regarding the upgrade path for the current A64 socket. I know they have a A64 3400 available, but that's not much of an upgrade from a 2800 or 3000. If you feel that an A64 4000 (or around there) would be available, then maybe going the A64 route would be good since you could get a nice boost in performance a year down the road.

Going with the A-XP may leave you with even less of an upgrade path.

Of course, if you plan on getting an entirely new computer on your next upgrade anyway, then the above probably isn't much of an issue.

Have fun building!

-D'oh!

 

[Dergrin]

Thanks for the input all. I will look into those suggestions. The only thing I saw with the A-64 is if I did upgrade it in the future I would probably still have to buy a new motherboard with it because of the release of the new socket 939. Please correct me if I am mistaken. I do have one question though. Do the A-64 use the same memory as the A-Xps?

 

[Dergrin]

Case $58 AHANIX Black Mid-Tower ATX Case, X195 Black Knight
Power Supply $62 ANTEC 430W Power Supply, TRUE430
Processor $99 AMD Mobile Athlon XP 2600+, 266mHz FSB, 512k L2 Cache
Motherboard $84 ABIT NF7-S, NForce2
Memory $134 OCZ Enhanced Latency Series, 256x2, PC-3200
Video $209 Powercolor ATI Radeon 9800Pro, 128mb
Hard Drive $111 Western Digital 160gb 7200RPM SATA Drive
DVD Drive $80 NEC 8x Black DVD+RW Drive
CD Drive $17 ASUS Black 52X QuieTrack Technology CD-ROM Drive
Floppy Drive $12 Sony Black 1.44Mb, 3.5 Floppy Drive
CPU Cooling $40 Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Copper CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste $8 Artic Silver 5
Speakers $139 Logitech Z-5300 5.1 THX Certified Speaker System
Keyboard $36 Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard and Optical Wheel Mouse

Total Price $1089

Questions:
Go with the Zalmann for cooilng the AMD XP-M 2600+ or the Thermalright?
If I went with the Thermalright which model?
And I saw this post and was wondering if it would be best to get my processor from here since the stepping is guaranteed? http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=3606&osCsid=c4dd14519c4ea861110480da60c6cf88
Also, how much bennefit would I see if I got 512x2 PC 3500 memory compared to 256x2 PC 3200 and would this be good for the price or is there something better?

 

[Zebo]

: Dergrin
Case $58 AHANIX Black Mid-Tower ATX Case, X195 Black Knight

the antec SLK has about 10X better PSU, and a quiet 120mm fan, and rubber drive grumets to reduce vibration it's $60


Power Supply $62 ANTEC 430W Power Supply, TRUE430
not needed anymore

Processor $99 AMD Mobile Athlon XP 2600+, 266mHz FSB, 512k L2 Cache
Motherboard $84 ABIT NF7-S, NForce2
Memory $134 OCZ Enhanced Latency Series, 256x2, PC-3200
Video $209 Powercolor ATI Radeon 9800Pro, 128mb
Hard Drive $111 Western Digital 160gb 7200RPM SATA Drive
the samsung spinpoint are quieter, cheaper, 8mb cache and 3yrs warranty..something to consider

DVD Drive $80 NEC 8x Black DVD+RW Drive
CD Drive $17 ASUS Black 52X QuieTrack Technology CD-ROM Drive
Floppy Drive $12 Sony Black 1.44Mb, 3.5 Floppy Drive
CPU Cooling $40 Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Copper CPU Cooler
the aluminum and copper verison of this is just as good and save $8

Thermal Paste $8 Artic Silver 5
Speakers $139 Logitech Z-5300 5.1 THX Certified Speaker System
Keyboard $36 Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard and Optical Wheel Mouse

Total Price $1089

Questions:
Go with the Zalmann for cooilng the AMD XP-M 2600+ or the Thermalright? Zalman no question, quietest and can crank it up to be one of the best

I advise getting some 2-2-2 stuff do a search for 2-2-2. They have KHX3200 amd Muskin both will kill all that so called PC3500 both in speed and latency

Well it's looks great and like you have a nice system there, I would definity make some changes I noted but either way can;t go wrong

 

[Dergrin]

Some cases come with those little rubber rings to go around the screws that hold the drives in place. Couldn't you just go to a hardware store and buy some instead of getting a case that comes with them?

Would a 512 stick of Mushkin 3200 be plenty or would there be a big performance increase running 512x2?

I think I am going to switch to the Samsung HD also. Thanks for the input.

 

[ParatoOptimal]

512x1 would allow for upgrading with additional 512 sticks in the future.
The latest NF7-S boards coming off the production line don't play well with 512x2.
The following get along well in the NF7-S:
256x1
256x2
256x3
512x1
512x3 (I think)

 

[Dergrin]

What does the board not like about 512x2?
If that is true should I go 256x2 now and grab another 256 stick later?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Dergrin
What does the board not like about 512x2?
If that is true should I go 256x2 now and grab another 256 stick later?

Well I bought my NF7-S 2 weeks ago and am running 2x512mb and it's perfectly fine, so take the warnings with a grain of salt. To me, running at 2x256mb doesn't leave you enough headroom for upgrading down the line.

 

[ParatoOptimal]

See
http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?threadid=44985

 

[SickBeast]

That only appears to be relevant if you want to run extremely high FSB speeds, such as 220mhz and above. I would venture to say that at PC3200 speeds he should be fine with 2x512mb.

 

[Dergrin]

OK. I think I have it.

Case $58 AHANIX Black Mid-Tower ATX Case, X195 Black Knight
Power Supply $62 ANTEC 430W Power Supply, TRUE430
Processor $105 AMD Mobile Athlon XP 2600+, 266mHz FSB, 512k L2 Cache
Motherboard $84 ABIT NF7-S, NForce2
Memory $129 OCZ Enhanced Latency Series, 512mb, PC-3200
Video $209 Powercolor ATI Radeon 9800Pro, 128mb
Hard Drive $116 Samsung 160gb 7200RPM SATA Drive
DVD Drive $80 NEC 8x Black DVD+RW Drive
CD Drive $17 ASUS Black 52X QuieTrack Technology CD-ROM Drive
Floppy Drive $12 Sony Black 1.44Mb, 3.5 Floppy Drive
CPU Cooling $40 Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Copper CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste $8 Artic Silver 5
Speakers $139 Logitech Z-5300 5.1 THX Certified Speaker System
Keyboard $36 Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard and Optical Wheel Mouse

Total Price $1095

I am getting the processor with the IQYHA 0351MPMW stepping guaranteed. I decided to scrap the Audigy 2 ZS and see how it sounds. I can always get the sound card later. I can also get another 512mb stick of RAM down the road.

Now since I am new to overclocking this is what I have gathered from reading around. First off, with the multiplier unlocked I can get get it up to 11-12 range. Then there are these numbers: 200x12. The big one is the front side bus the other is the multiplier. So if I had 200x12 that equals 2.4gHz. Now the CPU/FSB ratio should be 1/1 or 6/6 but I dont understand this. CPU is 2.4 while FSB is 200. Another question I have read about getting the FSB up to 210 or 220. How does this affect the memory. The timings must become looser and the voltage must be raised? If someone could explain all this too me or give me a link to a good site that explains it I would appreciate it.

Thank you all in helping perfect this system. Still taking suggestions.

 

[Zebo]

Motherboard $84 ABIT NF7-S, NForce2
----------
I wish you luck with this board. They have cheapened it up considerably since it's introduction and HIGH FSB is all but impossible. Most people today are opting for the DFI ULTRA INFINITY.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=286728&highlight=nf7s

But other than that looks great

 

[Garet Jax]

Buy the Dell 400sc, upgrade the RAM to 512MB or 1GB and then upgrade the video card to an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro for ~$200. This will come in a couple hundred dollars below the $1000.