New PC - pls critique/advise

[surlygirl]

I've read a lot of the reviews and I've come up with a system I think will work but I need to double-check with the experts. I've never built my own machine before. Can you tell me if the system will work and whether I need additional parts (e.g., fan, cables, etc.)?

This is what I want to buy:

• 
  Case - Antec Sonata
  CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Socket 939
  Mobo - Asus A8V Deluxe Rev. 2 OR MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum?
  Memory - Crucial 512MB DDR PC3200 CL3 non-parity (6464Z40B)
  Graphics - ATI Radeon X800 Pro

I already have the other parts (DVD, CD-RW, floppy, ethernet card, Sound Blaster Live! 5.1).

Any thoughts, suggestions, warnings and/or advice? From personal experience, would you recommend the Asus board or MSI? What about the memory?

Thanks for your time.

 

[UsandThem]

That setup sucks........

 

[UsandThem]

.......so send it to me after you build it

Nice system, and and Asus board is always a good choice. I have had nothing but good builds using them.

Crucial ram is good. There is better out there (better timings..i.e Cas 2 or 2.5), however it would not be that much of increase.

You are going to run dual channel right?

 

[BW86]

get the k8n neo2, while your at it why dont u save yourself around 45 bucks and time cleaning dust out of ur case and get the 3700amb

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Ithink he's jealous. I woudl definatly recomend the MSI board. Iwoudl also DEFINATLY recomend a full Gig of ram. well you won't need your ethernet card so you might as well get rid of it. Also the onboard soudn on the SMI is pretty much on par with your SB Live. I don't know any of the real details and such but you certianly don't need the SB Live. If you prefer it though that is up to you. Great case, the stock fans are good, but upgrading those woudl be an inexpensive improvement, and I think it comes with just the rear exhaust and if nothing else I woudl recomend at least adding a front intake. Latency on the ram is not such a big deal the is the controller right on the cpu but Upgrading to something like this, not great fro overclocking but it will be able to take advantage of the dual channel that is available on your systema nd the full gig will be a definate advantage, also with a bit of coaxing and luck you can really tighten donw the timings on this ram, I have it at 2-2-2-6.

 

[dennisjai215]

i noticed you didnt pick out a hard drive yet do you already have one?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: dennisjai215
i noticed you didnt pick out a hard drive yet do you already have one?

good catch, may I recomend dual rapto 74's in raid0?

 

[surlygirl]

Thank you all for your advice. Of course the machine could be better, but I add a little more RAM here, a better HD there, an upgraded CPU and next thing you know I'm out of my budget.

I'm so out of the loop with technology these days that I don't know even know about dual channel. But you can be sure I'll learn.

Oh yeah, I currently have Maxtor 160GB and 80GB drives that I'll transplant to my new machine. Later when I have more money, I'll get something better.

Thanks guys.

 

[Frew]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

Originally posted by: dennisjai215
i noticed you didnt pick out a hard drive yet do you already have one?

good catch, may I recomend dual rapto 74's in raid0?

May I recommend no dual raptors 74's in raid0?