new rig... need some insight to decide...

[stech4u]

for digital arts/cs1.6/HL2 rig...

currently i have the following items considered...(newegg.com)
RAM:
Buffalo Technology 512MB 6 Layer PC3200 DDR Memory Module CL 2.5 32X8 (Winbond Module), Part# DD4002-512 - OEM
$89.50

VIDEO:
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK
$156.00

CASE/PSU:
ANTEC Performance PLUS Model PLUS1080AMG- with Antec Original TRUE 430W P4 Power Supply ATX12V Retail
$105.00


i'm contemplating between the following (P4 or AMD cpu/mobo setup):

P4-cpu/mobo:
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL
$171.00
ABIT IS7,Intel 865PE chipset for Socket 478 P4 ATX motherboard RETAIL
$109.00

AMD-cpu/mobo:
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL
$92.00
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail
$124.99

going with an AMD-setup: $567.49
going with a P4-setup: $630.50

a difference of: $63.01


i've read that the p4-2.4c can be easilly OC'ed to 3.0ghz ... just wondering if i should just go with the p4-setup, or the AMD-setup and add another 512mb of ram ...in terms of what i'm using it for anyways...

any thoughts? ...i've been out of the loop, spent a couple of hours today doing this...


thanks in advance.

 

[fredtam]

If your plan is to overclock the 2.4 to 3.0 I would consider faster ram.

 

[bjc112]

Looks good,

I would either drop the Buffalo or go with some with some Cas 2 ratings... That 2500+ should suit you nicely for overclocking.

I would go with the Abit NF7-S before ther Asus, more personal preference.



The 9600 Pro looks good. If you can swing it go for the 9700 np and overclock.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: fredtam
If your plan is to overclock the 2.4 to 3.0 I would consider faster ram.

While i would too, that's not totally necessary... You can run a 250FSB on 5:4 and be runnig around 3ghz.

Chances are the ram can run a bit past 200mhz anyhow.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i would go with the intel system if you can afford it.

i ram is fast enough esp since it can run 225 mhz easily. however, i heat there is conflict with 865/875 chipsets and winbond modules. you may want to look into that

 

[fredtam]

I would go with HyperX 3200/3500. Also I would use two sticks (2X256) in order to take advantage of the dual channel memory on IS7.
Link to memory performance on IS7.

 

[stech4u]

from the previous comments... it looks like in order to oc that p4 to 3ghz, i'd need more money (i.e. to get better ram/speed) ... hmmm lots of things to think about. thanks for the quick reply, ...any other factors to think about or suggestions?

...

 

[fredtam]

You can get two sticks(256) of Crucial 3200 and stay around the same price. As stated above you should be able to get quality ram (samsung, corsair, hyperX, crucial) at 3200 to achieve the 3.0 overclock. At 5:4 it would be running at its rated speed but 1:1 is would definately be a stretch.

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: stech4u
from the previous comments... it looks like in order to oc that p4 to 3ghz, i'd need more money (i.e. to get better ram/speed) ... hmmm lots of things to think about. thanks for the quick reply, ...any other factors to think about or suggestions?

...

You don't need better ram you can use the divider. And you still have a an HT enabled processor.

 

[mrgoblin]

Stick with the buffalo but get a thermaltake fan so you can oc and make sure u get some arctic silver and a good hsf. DONT FORGET A QUALITY PSU! its the most important part in your system.

 

[fredtam]

The case he chose comes with an Antec 430.

 

[MDE]

From my experience, avoid Thermaltake. An SLK-800U should fit the bill for cooling. The stock cooler should work, not sure about noise on that though.

EDIT: You could take the cash saved on the AMD setup and upgrade the video card. That would give the best boost in performance. A 9700 would easily perform better than a 9600 in HL2.