New system - How am I doing? Edit: All done

[habs01]

I'm looking to upgrade my Athlon 2500. Here ar the criterias for the choice of components:
- Price: I set the max near $1000 can (±800 US). Taxes are 15% up here.
- Performance/overclock : I hope to hit at least 2,4 Ghz)
- Stability
- Will be mostly Photo editing, Web developpment, Java developpment, listening/watching multimedia, surfing, ... Usually 5-10 apps open at once.
- Casual gaming
- Silence (doesn't have to be dead quiet but the quieter the better)
- I prefer getting my components from a local shop to save on shipping and especially RMA's

Here what I'm thinking of getting so far:
- 2 x 512MB Kingmax DDR400 CL2.5 SuperRAM - $119 CAN (local shop) will be using memory divider
- 74 GB Raptor - $228 CAN (local shop) I wan't the speed and don't need too much disk space
- A64 Venice 3000 - $218 CAN (NCIX)
- Asus A8N-E - $160 CAN (local shop) supposed to overclock as well as the A8N-SLI without the 250 1T limit. Also considering the DFI Ultra-D but it's more expensive and I don't know how well it can handle the value RAM
- Zalman 7700 copper $54 CAN (NCIX) hopes the wind will also cool memory and NB chip a bit
- Gforce 6600 128Mo GIGA PCIE GV-NX66256D $155 CAN (local shop) like I said I'm a casual gamer

Add a OCZ 420W Powerstream which I already own.

As a side question, should I go for a 3000 Venice or a 3200 Winchester for a little more? 3200 Venice is not available here yet.

What d'ya think?

 

[wisdomtooth]

Since you are looking for quiet, you are going to have to do something about the NB fan on that Asus A8N mobo. It spins at an insane 8000-9000 RPMs, the spindle will wear out after 1 month, and you will be hearing a horrible grinding noise.

You will probably also need to do something about the stock vid card cooling fan (if that 6600 you are getting is not a passively-cooled one).

HTH.

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
Since you are looking for quiet, you are going to have to do something about the NB fan on that Asus A8N mobo. It spins at an insane 8000-9000 RPMs, the spindle will wear out after 1 month, and you will be hearing a horrible grinding noise.

You will probably also need to do something about the stock vid card cooling fan (if that 6600 you are getting is not a passively-cooled one).

HTH.

Agreed. Asus northbridge coolers suck. By a nice big passive cooler, or one with a SLOW spining fan. And get a silencer for vid card, if noise bothers you alot, or a nice zalman if you want to OC you card.

 

[habs01]

Yeah, I read the A8N-SLI NB fan thread and think I'm going to slap on the NB a Zalman heatsink (not the big one) and a quiter fan on top of that.

Anyone have thoughts on the 3000 Venice vs 3200 Winchester for a little more? 3200 Venice is not available here yet.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
...Anyone have thoughts on the 3000 Venice vs 3200 Winchester for a little more? 3200 Venice is not available here yet.

I'd either go with the 3000+ Venice for it's improved memory controller and SSE3 instruction set or just wait till the 3200+ Venice is available in your area if that's the one you really want. I had to face that same decision lately (I also have an Asus A8N-SLI coming this week) and I paid the extra $50 ($199 total US) for the 3200+ "Venice" although the 3000+ "Venice" (for $150 US) probably would have done the job just fine . :roll:

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
Yeah, I read the A8N-SLI NB fan thread and think I'm going to slap on the NB a Zalman heatsink (not the big one) and a quiter fan on top of that....

Can you provide me with a link to the "A8N-SLI NB" thread ???

And can you provide me with a link to the Zalman heatsink or its model number ???

Thanks,

Greg

 

[habs01]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: habs01
...Anyone have thoughts on the 3000 Venice vs 3200 Winchester for a little more? 3200 Venice is not available here yet.

although the 3000+ probably would have done the job just fine . :roll:

The "overclocking the Venice thread" seems to support that since the Venices are toppping off at about 2700 right now; 9 * 300 that the Asus A8N-E should be able to handle.

 

[habs01]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: habs01
Yeah, I read the A8N-SLI NB fan thread and think I'm going to slap on the NB a Zalman heatsink (not the big one) and a quiter fan on top of that....

Can you provide me with a link to the "A8N-SLI NB" thread ???

And can you provide me with a link to the Zalman heatsink or its model number ???

Thanks,

Greg

A8N-SLI NB thread

ZM-NB47J and the ZM-NB32J

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
The "overclocking the Venice thread" seems to support that since the Venices are toppping off at about 2700 right now; 9 * 300 that the Asus A8N-E should be able to handle.

If the "Venices" are "topping off" at 2700 then you've answered your own question. No need to go with a "Winchester" 3200+ 2.0GHz with a 10X multiplier, go with the "Venice" 3000+ with the 9x multiplier and overclock that 1.8GHz bad devil to 2.7GHz. the "Venice" core has the improved memory controller, the SSE3 instruction set and other improvements so that means you can have your cake and eat it too !!!

THANKS for the link to the Asus mobo "thread" !!!

BTW, can you provide a link to the Zalman passive heatsink you intend on using on your Asus A8N-E ??? I'm sure I'll have to scrap that 8000RPM stock northbridge HST too and go with something else.

Again, link or model number ???

Thanks,

Greg

 

[habs01]

I'm thinking of using the ZM-NB32J which is flat (needed to slap on a fan) and shorter than the ZM-NB47J. If you were thinking of going completly passive then from what I read, ZM-NB47J would be the way to go. But since I plan on overclocking my rig, active cooling is safer.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
I'm thinking of using the ZM-NB32J which is flat (needed to slap on a fan) and shorter than the ZM-NB47J. If you were thinking of going completly passive then from what I read, ZM-NB47J would be the way to go. But since I plan on overclocking my rig, active cooling is safer.

I found the passive ZM-NB47J over here at NewEgg ! It looks like it will suit my purposes just fine as I will not be overclocking.

I found the passive ZM-NB32J over here at NewEgg.

It appears that there is generic thermal paste in the little bag (in the photos at newegg) but do you know what the red and green stuff in those hypodermic needles is all about ???

Thanks for the info !!!

 

[Bombastic Flasher]

I think ur headed in the right direction keep up the good work.

 

[habs01]

I don't know about the red and green stuff. I'm guessing one might be thermal grease and the other thermal epoxy. If you search reviews for these sinks, you might find a better answer.

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
You will probably also need to do something about the stock vid card cooling fan (if that 6600 you are getting is not a passively-cooled one).

HTH.

Are 6600 based video cards known to be loud?

 

[habs01]

The biggest doubt in my mind is the motherboard. I've been reading good reports on the Asus A8N-E, but the info is still quite limited. Also considering the DFI Ultra-D but it's more expensive and I don't know how well it can handle the value RAM.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
The biggest doubt in my mind is the motherboard. I've been reading good reports on the Asus A8N-E, but the info is still quite limited. Also considering the DFI Ultra-D but it's more expensive and I don't know how well it can handle the value RAM.

The information and feedback from owners I've been receiving the last few weeks on the Asus A8N-SLI has been pretty good so that's why I felt confident in going with it - I think that should apply to the A8N-E too as they are very similar boards, albeit that the A8N-SLI uses the nForce4-SLI chipset and the A8N-E the nForce4-Ultra chipset with almost identical features. And of course the SLI version has the extra PCI-E slot.

One of the things I've continually read over here at the forum is about the DFI Ultra-D being "Ram Finicky" so I would try to gather feedback from owners about comatible RAM before I purchased that board. Ironically, that board WAS going for a little LESS than the A8N-E this weekend - helped by an instant rebate on the board at NewEgg. I see the price on the DFI has returned to normal but it is still within a few dollars of the A8N-E

Asus A8N-E for $135.50 delivered

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D for $137.99 delivered !

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
...Here what I'm thinking of getting so far:
...- Gforce 6600 128Mo GIGA PCIE GV-NX66256D $155 CAN (local shop) like I said I'm a casual gamer....What d'ya think?

May I make a suggestion. Since you are considering going with a nVidia 6000 standared, the Gigabyte 256MB 6600 at 300/550 , you may want to consider going with a Radeon x700 standard which go for almost the same price.

I based my decision to go with a radeon x700 based board, since my gaming needs are also "casual" with the help of this anandtech article. Even though the article's primary purpose is to compare the standard nvidia 6200 to the standard 6600 they include other contendors in the benchmarks including the radeon x700 standard. You will note that with the exception of Doom3, in which the 6600 has a slight edge over the x700, in ALL OTHER benchmarks the x700 "blows the doors off" the 6600 by a significant margin. The x700's are clocked at 400MHz core/700MHz memory.

I found this Powercolor x700 256MB 400/700 PCI-E card at NewEgg. You can see it too, like the Gigabyte 6600, has a rather massive passive heatsink for the GPU and the memory so this should be of benfit while overcloking.

I like Gigabyte graphics card. I have used 3 of them in past systems I have built and they have all been reliable cards no matter whose GPU they employed. I searced Gigabyte's website and found this home page for 1 available (and 2 to come) Gigabyte/Radieon x700 cards with this link taking one to the details page on the Gigabyte GV-RX70128D. Maybe something like this is available in your area??? Just food for thought.

 

[habs01]

Thanks for all the nice links Fisher999. I'm knee deep in video card decision making as I write this. The x700 is definitely a more performing card. It's a bit more than what I initially wanted to pay but I'm thinking right now...what the heck, it's worth it.

On the other components, I finally went with the DFI Ultra-D as I I could get it for only $8 CAN more than the Asus A8N-E. I still think the A8N-E is a fine board but the Ultra-D has so much more info available on forums and such. Got the Zalman 7700cu and a 3000 Venice, all from NCIX. I Should be receiving these this week.

The only two components left to decide on are the video card and the memory modules. I don't think I'll want to risk the Kingmax memory on an Ultra-D board as I haven't seen it on the compatibility list. I'm looking for some good value ram. I might go with the Geil dual channel value.

 

[habs01]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: habs01
...Here what I'm thinking of getting so far:
...- Gforce 6600 128Mo GIGA PCIE GV-NX66256D $155 CAN (local shop) like I said I'm a casual gamer....What d'ya think?

I found this Powercolor x700 256MB 400/700 PCI-E card at NewEgg. You can see it too, like the Gigabyte 6600, has a rather massive passive heatsink for the GPU and the memory so this should be of benfit while overcloking.

Nice card but seems hard to find up here. The Sapphire X700pro Lite (W/O games) is available for cheap. It doesn't have the nice cooling like the Powercolor though. Here is a link at NewEgg for the card. So what d'ya think?

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
Thanks for all the nice links Fisher999. I'm knee deep in video card decision making as I write this. The x700 is definitely a more performing card. It's a bit more than what I initially wanted to pay but I'm thinking right now...what the heck, it's worth it.

On the other components, I finally went with the DFI Ultra-D as I I could get it for only $8 CAN more than the Asus A8N-E. I still think the A8N-E is a fine board but the Ultra-D has so much more info available on forums and such. Got the Zalman 7700cu and a 3000 Venice, all from NCIX. I Should be receiving these this week.

The only two components left to decide on are the video card and the memory modules. I don't think I'll want to risk the Kingmax memory on an Ultra-D board as I haven't seen it on the compatibility list. I'm looking for some good value ram. I might go with the Geil dual channel value.

Great Choice on the MOBO - I bet you'll love it !

I have heard it is RAM fussy though. Are you thinking about some Geil like this or some lower latency stuff like this ???

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
...The Sapphire X700pro Lite (W/O games) is available for cheap. It doesn't have the nice cooling like the Powercolor though. Here is a link at NewEgg for the card. So what d'ya think?

Well, I saw that Sapphire card when I did a seach for x700 cards at newegg and I didn't mention it for two reasons:

1) It has an ACTIVE rather than PASSIVE cooling solution. Although an acitve solution can sometimes be more effective than a passive one it of course adds noise to the system and you said that quietness was a concern of yours and

2) Even though the card APPEARS well-constructed I just haven't heard enough about Sapphire to feel comfortable in recommending them; I don't know how well they build their products, how well they keep up with any BIOS updates, the quality (or lack of) their customer service, etc...

I really didn't want to recommend Powercolor either (as I think Gigabyte would be the safest bet) but the Powercolors have been growing in popularity over here in North America so .........

I don't know about the Saphhire - why not start a Saphhire thread ???

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
...The Sapphire X700pro Lite (W/O games) is available for cheap. It doesn't have the nice cooling like the Powercolor though. Here is a link at NewEgg for the card. So what d'ya think?

BTW, that Saphhire (being an x700 PRO) has the faster core 420 MHz and faster memory 860 MHz than the STANDARD x700's at 400/700.

For that price you found for the Saphhire x700 PRO at NewEgg makes me think I maybe should have spent the extra $30 instead of getting this ASUS/Radeon x700 Standard !!!

Oh well, we all make mistakes, lol

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Fisher999
...Got the Zalman 7700cu and a 3000 Venice, all from NCIX. I Should be receiving these this week...

Wow, you went with the Zalman 7700Cu !!! Is it like this one over here at NewEgg ???
Do you have the 120mm fan ??? The 7700 at Newegg only lists Socket 478/754/940 compatiblility! Will it work on a socket 939 ???

AWESOME choice on the DFI !!! :thumbsup: I have heard the DFI is RAM fussy though. Are you thinking about some Geil like this or some lower latency stuff like this ???

[/quote]

 

[habs01]

Yeah I got the Zalman 7700cu. But NewEgg has it for more then what I paid. I paid $53 CAN for it. NewEgg is asking $53 US.

The Asus card you got is a sweet deal. I would jump on it if they had it here for that price.

As for the Geil, I'm getting the value (cheap) ones; your first link. I plan on using a memory divider. Ram performance won't be the best but it should not be a major drawback in the big picture. It's also on the DFI Ultra-D compatibility list.

I'm ordering this morning the rest of the stuff. I've been hunting this system upgrade for a month now...I wan't to get it done.

 

[habs01]

I finally went with the 128MB Sapphire X700 Pro Lite and the Geil Dual Channel 2x512 value Ram. I'm now waiting for it all. Thanks for the input.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: habs01
Yeah I got the Zalman 7700cu. But NewEgg has it for more then what I paid. I paid $53 CAN for it. NewEgg is asking $53 US.

The Asus card you got is a sweet deal. I would jump on it if they had it here for that price.

As for the Geil, I'm getting the value (cheap) ones; your first link. I plan on using a memory divider. Ram performance won't be the best but it should not be a major drawback in the big picture. It's also on the DFI Ultra-D compatibility list.

I'm ordering this morning the rest of the stuff. I've been hunting this system upgrade for a month now...I wan't to get it done.

Originally posted by: habs01
I finally went with the 128MB Sapphire X700 Pro Lite and the Geil Dual Channel 2x512 value Ram. I'm now waiting for it all. Thanks for the input.

I here ya about "wanting to get it done" ! It seems like you made some GREAT component choices. The DFI nForce4 boards are known for their great ock'ing capabilities and the 3000+ "Venice" is a great little CPU. I hope the Saphhire card works well for you (you can't go wrong with the radeon x700 PRO).

Did you go with the WD 74GB Raptor as your hard drive choice???

Please let me know via this thread or via the private message feature. You can quickly send someone a private message if you add them to your "Buddies" list. Then all you have to do is double click on their name (in your buddy list to the left of the screen) and a window opens up to send them a PM.

I've enjoyed being a participant of this thread. Oh, and before I forget, thanks for the link to the Zaman northbridge cooler. I will probably void my 2 year warranty (for which I paid $20) where I purchased my mobo/cpu "combo" by using the Zalman. I've heard so many poeple complain about that small, noisy, stock hsf that Asus uses that I think going with the Zalman passive solution is the best way, I hope.

If I would have run into you a few days earlier I could have chosen NOT to get the extended warranty on my "combo" and that would have paid for the Zalaman Northbridge cooler with some spare change. Oh well :roll:

Best of luck and please keep in touch,

Greg