New rig, opinions please..

[asm0deus]

ASPIRE X-QPACK w/ 420W PSU
$79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144160

ASUS A8N-VM
$64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131571

AMD Opteron 165 (retail)
$325
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

Zalman CNPS7000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118119
$39

2 X 500GB Seagate
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101546
$600

NEC 3550A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152060
$38

2x1GB Corsair XMS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145574
$159

XFX 7600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150145
$196

~$1503 (updated)..

UPDATE: just gotta order and build it now, thanks for the help!

 

[Bobthelost]

You do realise just how hot/loud that thing is going to get? You should be able to get that much OC with ease, but in that case you might as well just get a 3800X2 and run it at stock.

 

[essasin]

Looks good to me except paying over 1 dollar per gig kinda hurts. But you have no choice in that case

 

[Gamer X]

Good choice,nothing more to say for me

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: essasin
Looks good to me except paying over 1 dollar per gig kinda hurts. But you have no choice in that case

It's $600 for both drives, not each...


Edit:

Also, you may consider selling the 2 512Mb sticks you've got, and just buy 2 1Gb sticks.

 

[asm0deus]

Also, you may consider selling the 2 512Mb sticks you've got, and just buy 2 1Gb sticks.

yeah good call, that will let me have dual channel.

 

[1N0V471V]

I think there's a lot of room for improvement here.

For starters, you could do better with the PSU. Perhaps an OCZ Modstream or 500w Fortron. Aspire isn't exaclty known for their stand out PSUs.

Secondly, is 1TB of drive space completely neccessary? Perhaps 2x 250GB.

Finally, the RAM. 2GB of RAM may seem tempting, but with four sticks you'll be forced to run at a 2T command rate, significantly hindering performance. I'd go for a cheap 2x1GB kit for $30 more.

As far as video goes, if you're gaming I wouldn't go with that card.

 

[Ivan05]

I just built an X-QPack based system and I'm pretty happy with it.

Definitely go with 2x1MB sticks of RAM vs the hodgepodge. I replaced the stock Aspire PSU with an Enermax Noisetaker 485W PSU. From what I've read around the web, lots of folks are also using Enermax Liberty's.

Have you looked at the specs on the MSI K8NGM2-FID?

 

[asm0deus]

Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
I think there's a lot of room for improvement here.

For starters, you could do better with the PSU. Perhaps an OCZ Modstream or 500w Fortron. Aspire isn't exaclty known for their stand out PSUs.

Secondly, is 1TB of drive space completely neccessary? Perhaps 2x 250GB.

Finally, the RAM. 2GB of RAM may seem tempting, but with four sticks you'll be forced to run at a 2T command rate, significantly hindering performance. I'd go for a cheap 2x1GB kit for $30 more.

As far as video goes, if you're gaming I wouldn't go with that card.

Yeah valid points here, RAM and PSU will be updated when I find a happy balance between price and performance. I'd rather sacrifice video game performance for space and have 1TB (it will be file server/HTPC first and a gaming rig secondly). What kind of video card would you recommend in the $150 - 200 range?

Have you looked at the specs on the MSI K8NGM2-FID?

I have now, looks pretty good, im a big fan of ASUS but have had MSI rigs that were top notch. If you used it in your qpack and say it's a good fit i'll give it a try. You have an socket 939 qpack can you verify if the stock cooler fits OK?

thanks for the help guys.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: asm0deus
What kind of video card would you recommend in the $150 - 200 range?

maybe the 7600GT or the X850XT. the 7600GT is around $200 i believe and the X850XT around $170. you could think about the 6800GS but it is significantly weaker than both of the other cards (at $155 i believe)

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: asm0deus

Also, you may consider selling the 2 512Mb sticks you've got, and just buy 2 1Gb sticks.

yeah good call, that will let me have dual channel.

 

[dpopiz]

wow that's a neat chassis! good choice!

 

[asm0deus]

bump, looking for a good third party HSF or heatpipe that fits in a qpack.. much appreciated.

 

[Ivan05]

Originally posted by: asm0deus

Have you looked at the specs on the MSI K8NGM2-FID?

I have now, looks pretty good, im a big fan of ASUS but have had MSI rigs that were top notch. If you used it in your qpack and say it's a good fit i'll give it a try. You have an socket 939 qpack can you verify if the stock cooler fits OK?

thanks for the help guys.

Sorry, wanted to get back to you on this yesterday...

With my MSI K8NGM2-FID and QPack, I used a Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu LED. I don't think a stock HSF will fit as its pretty tight with the CNPS7000, there's maybe 3/8 - 1/2 inch clearance between the back edge of the case and the top of the Zalman.

Hope that helps.

 

[asm0deus]

Originally posted by: Ivan05

Originally posted by: asm0deus

Have you looked at the specs on the MSI K8NGM2-FID?

I have now, looks pretty good, im a big fan of ASUS but have had MSI rigs that were top notch. If you used it in your qpack and say it's a good fit i'll give it a try. You have an socket 939 qpack can you verify if the stock cooler fits OK?

thanks for the help guys.

Sorry, wanted to get back to you on this yesterday...

With my MSI K8NGM2-FID and QPack, I used a Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu LED. I don't think a stock HSF will fit as its pretty tight with the CNPS7000, there's maybe 3/8 - 1/2 inch clearance between the back edge of the case and the top of the Zalman.

Hope that helps.

yeah it really does, i'll stick with that hsf too. thanks alot everyone, now I just gotta push the button and get ready to build it.

 

[Ivan05]

Originally posted by: asm0deus

yeah it really does, i'll stick with that hsf too. thanks alot everyone, now I just gotta push the button and get ready to build it.

If you decide to go with the MSI K8NGM2-FID (I hear they're hard to find now) make sure you read this thread and this thread. Some good info there.

Good luck.

 

[1N0V471V]

I would hope that the PSU works out. If your system isnt working properly I'd know what to blame . . .

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Bleh, that PSU doesn't look like it's enough to power your rig. Go for a nice Fortron.