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New System -Opinions and Help please

I

imported_Akira

Member
Hiya guys
I would really like to hear what you think of this system and if i need to change, add or deduct something from it. I want this pc purely for gaming, downloads and music playing.
This would cost me about 3000 USD from my local shops (I reside in Malta so have no access to the good online shops) so i will probably wait a month or 2 before ordering it so maybe the price will go down a bit

Please note that i have never overclocked and probaobly will keep this system stock as well...My current P3 500 has been with me for the last 5 years although for the last year it has been pretty useless for the latest games --- will the new system last me for at least 3-4 years? What im tryin to do here, is to buy a good quality sytem that will be a bit future proof

Case: CA-P180 Antec P180 W/ O Power Supply Mid Tower Case

I also like the antec sonata which was described as quiet as well...But will consider other cases if you have suggestions

Power Supply: PS-TC2-550 Antec 761345-22552-6 TrueControl II 550W Power Supply

Do i need this much power or a 450 will do ? which one ?


Motherboard: MB-F-AN8SL Abit FATAL1TY AN8 SLI Socket 939/ NF4 SLI/ SATA 2/ ATX Motherboard

also considered the DFI LAN PARTY UT NF4 SLI-DR and the Asus A8N-SLI PREMIUM Socket939...I want one with good stability and fast


CPU: A64-38CDBX AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processor 3800+

I have a lot of doubts here coz for the same price i can get a 4000+or a normal 3800+ for cheaper ....or should i get a 3500+ which is far cheaper and upgrade the cpu later ?

Video Card: GA-P7800GT GIGABYTE 7800GTX PCIE 256MB

was going for a twin 6600gt sli sytem but dont see the point as the 7800 is better and the same price


Ram: D400_1GKI PC3200 1GB DDR400 Kingston Original Memory x 2

the store im buying the ram from does not have corsair or the other major brands...so i will probably have to do with these kingston. are they any good ? do i only need 1 gb of it or the 2 gb will be used in the near future ?

Harddisk: HD-W3000JD Western Digital WD3000JD 300GB Serial ATA 7200rpm 8MB Hard Drive

all the major brands available from the store but WD seems to be the most stable.

DVD Burner 1: DW-1693R Lite-On SOHW-1693S 16X DVD+/ -RW Double Layer Drive , Retail

good online reviews about this

DVD Burner 2: W1625DL_R BenQ 16X DVD+/ -RW Dual Layer Lightscribe Drive (Black)

I need a 2 nd dvd reader for everyday use and i like the Lightscribe feature...Or should i ditch this one and only keep the Lite-on

Mouse: MO-MX518 Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

seems to be a good gaming mouse

Mouse Mat: CA-A2256 Thermaltake A2256 Gamma Pad With 7 Color Light

any other good mats ? dont need the colors

Keyboard: ZBoard Gaming Keybaord Black

I like the key layout on this

Speakers: SP-VS3151 Altec Lansing VS3151 5.1 Speaker System, Black

Would love a set of Logitech Z-5500 but at 450 USD they are expensive and frankly think its a waste to use them just for the pc

Sound Card: SC-0350ZS SB AUDIGY2 ZS INT. 7.1 RETAIL

The shop also supplies the zs in bulk form for 30USD less...do you know if they cards would vary ?

Headphones: HS-ZMRS6F ZALMAN HEADPHONE THEATRE 6

these seem to be a nice addition...any other suggestions for gaming headphones?


So thats it...sorry for me rambling on but i tried to cover all the aspects. By the way the shop i will be buying these from is http://www.mtmalta.com/

I would greatly appreciate any comments you might have and thanks for taking the time to help me





 
Yikes, there are a few things there that I would change for sure.

You can save a bit of money if you go with the Antec Sonata II with the included 450w True Power II PSU included.

The Fatal1ty MOBO is a total waste of money dude!!!! It is a nice board, but the DFI Motherboard is much nicer with better stability and much better options if you want to overclock in the future. I also don't think SLI is a smart option at all, by the time you want to upgrade with another video card in SLI, there will probably be a single card solution that is just about as fast.

The CPU I would stick with, maybe go to a 4400+ if you have the money.

I would for sure lose the Kingston memory and go with some OCZ value 2x1GB.

Video card and everything else looks pretty good.
 
Originally posted by: GamerExpress
Yikes, there are a few things there that I would change for sure.

You can save a bit of money if you go with the Antec Sonata II with the included 450w True Power II PSU included.

The Fatal1ty MOBO is a total waste of money dude!!!! It is a nice board, but the DFI Motherboard is much nicer with better stability and much better options if you want to overclock in the future. I also don't think SLI is a smart option at all, by the time you want to upgrade with another video card in SLI, there will probably be a single card solution that is just about as fast.

The CPU I would stick with, maybe go to a 4400+ if you have the money.

I would for sure lose the Kingston memory and go with some OCZ value 2x1GB.

Video card and everything else looks pretty good.
Click to expand...


couldn't have said it better myself
 
I've seen numerous reports lately of Antec PSUs dying prematurely. You may want to think about a differeint brand. Also, from my perspective, modular cables on a PSU are a dissaster looking for a place to happen. Avoid them.
 
Originally posted by: GamerExpress
Yikes, there are a few things there that I would change for sure.

You can save a bit of money if you go with the Antec Sonata II with the included 450w True Power II PSU included.

The Fatal1ty MOBO is a total waste of money dude!!!! It is a nice board, but the DFI Motherboard is much nicer with better stability and much better options if you want to overclock in the future. I also don't think SLI is a smart option at all, by the time you want to upgrade with another video card in SLI, there will probably be a single card solution that is just about as fast.

The CPU I would stick with, maybe go to a 4400+ if you have the money.

I would for sure lose the Kingston memory and go with some OCZ value 2x1GB.

Video card and everything else looks pretty good.
Click to expand...



Yeah maybe i should take the sonata after all

So If i choose the lanparty i choose the non sli or take the sli just in v=case for the future? Maybe in a year i can add another 7800 and that would be pretty good I think

the 4400+ is too mmuch cash and i cant possibly afford that right now...remember this pc already costs 3K 🙂

The problem with the ram is that OCZ is not sold here

thanks
 
Originally posted by: knothead34
i would go with the asus premium board i have it and i love it.
Click to expand...


i really like the asus board myself but i read that some new ones give trouble...i really dont want to wait a long time foer it to arrive and then find its broken 🙂
 
Originally posted by: HO
I've seen numerous reports lately of Antec PSUs dying prematurely. You may want to think about a differeint brand. Also, from my perspective, modular cables on a PSU are a dissaster looking for a place to happen. Avoid them.
Click to expand...



what do you mean by modular cables ?
 
Everything looks good, but as stated OCZ2x1gig, crucial ballistic, patriot would be my choices. Here is a list of 2x1gig rams if you decided to overclock.
A64 x2 3800 is also a good CPU choice.
about Antec having bad caps- That was an old problem on almost all PSU's and reputable companies have already remedied this w/ replacements, no need to panic.
 
Switch the mobo to the DFI you were looking at.
Buy a Thermalright XP-90 and a Panaflo 92mm fan.
Overclock that X2 3800+

You'll easily get 2.4GHz without any voltage changes, and probably 2.6-2.8 with light voltage raising.
 
Originally posted by: designit
Everything looks good, but as stated OCZ2x1gig, crucial ballistic, patriot would be my choices. Here is a list of 2x1gig rams if you decided to overclock.
A64 x2 3800 is also a good CPU choice.
about Antec having bad caps- That was an old problem on almost all PSU's and reputable companies have already remedied this w/ replacements, no need to panic.
Click to expand...


Can you guys please check here regarding ram

http://www.mtmalta.com/products.asp?s=1504

as those listed by you are not really an option here in Malta it seems

thanks to all of you who are helping me
 
The supertalent has 3 CL on the 1gig stick I looked, which is not that good.
Page 6 shows 1 gig of Kingston HyperX which is a good Ram. But I dont know if 2 sticks would work in dual channel since it can be a crapshoot w/ kingston if not packaged as a kit.
You cant find OCZ there?
I think tiger.com will ship internationally.
You might find someone who can trust to buy in U.S and ship (FedEx) to you.
Much cheaper and better sellections.
Also check their websites and might have stores near you.
ocz.com
patriotmem.com
 
Why would he should buy a DFI mobo if he doesnt need to overclock? its worthless... I would recommend Akira to get Epox, MSI or ASUS.

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Switch the mobo to the DFI you were looking at.
Buy a Thermalright XP-90 and a Panaflo 92mm fan.
Overclock that X2 3800+

You'll easily get 2.4GHz without any voltage changes, and probably 2.6-2.8 with light voltage raising.
Click to expand...

 
Originally posted by: designit
The supertalent has 3 CL on the 1gig stick I looked, which is not that good.
Page 6 shows 1 gig of Kingston HyperX which is a good Ram. But I dont know if 2 sticks would work in dual channel since it can be a crapshoot w/ kingston if not packaged as a kit.
You cant find OCZ there?
I think tiger.com will ship internationally.
You might find someone who can trust to buy in U.S and ship (FedEx) to you.
Much cheaper and better sellections.
Also check their websites and might have stores near you.
ocz.com
patriotmem.com
Click to expand...

Just in case i overclock the cpu a bit do i really need good ram or the 3 cl on the kingstons will do? (I have not put up a new computer for years so im a bit lost on all the latest technologies 🙂 Before you just went to a shop and forked out a fortune for some ram...you did not have any choice )
 
Here's my recommendation edits (with comments)

Originally posted by: Akira

Case: CA-P180 Antec P180 W/ O Power Supply Mid Tower Case

Ok - but - any case will do. Look for 120mm fans, and good interior room.

Power Supply: 550W or more

The TrueControl II is Overkill. Unless you are a tweaker, you don't need to adjust the voltage. Consider other 550w ATX2.0 Antecs or Seasonic/Fortron. 550w may seem like overkill, but it never hurts to have headroom. If you are thinking of SLI consider 600w (i.e. Seasonic S12)


Motherboard: DFI LAN PARTY UT NF4 SLI-DR or Asus A8N-SLI PREMIUM

Screw ABIT, that company is going down. The DFI is a great board. Get the Asus if you don't plan on Overclocking. Also consider Epox if it is available.


CPU: A64-38CDBX AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processor 3800+

Classic dilemma dual or single core. This chip is good (so far) at overclocking, and offers great multitasking performance. The 4000 is a great chip too.

Video Card: 7800GTX PCIE 256MB

Get any 7800gtx. They are all based on the nVidia reference design.

Ram: D400_1GKI PC3200 1GB DDR400 Kingston Original Memory x 2

1gb is fine. If you can afford 2 gb, that's even better.

Harddisk: 300GB Serial ATA 7200rpm 8MB Hard Drive

I'd recommend Seagate personally

DVD Burner 1: DW-1693R Lite-On SOHW-1693S 16X DVD+/ -RW Double Layer Drive , Retail

Good choice

DVD Burner 2: none

You only need 1 burner

Mouse: MO-MX518 Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

Fine

Mouse Mat: CA-A2256 Thermaltake A2256 Gamma Pad With 7 Color Light

Fluff... if you want a mousepad get one. Optical mice don't need pads - unless - you work on a glass table

Keyboard: ZBoard Gaming Keybaord Black

These are ok. The "kits" get pricey though

Speakers: SP-VS3151 Altec Lansing VS3151 5.1 Speaker System, Black

Fine

Sound Card: SC-0350ZS SB AUDIGY2 ZS INT. 7.1 OEM or Audigy 2 Value

Get OEM or the Value card. The retail package for the ZS isn't worth the extra cash

Headphones: HS-ZMRS6F ZALMAN HEADPHONE THEATRE 6

I have these, and they are nice. They've had some bad reviews, mostly when the reviewer used AC97 or realtek sound :roll:. They're great when you don't want to "share" your gaming experience.
Click to expand...

 
Thanks for the details evilharp...reading through the list

why do you recommend seagate instead of wd?

I chose 2 burners coz the lite-on is good while the other has Lightscribe --- its just to show off really although the media is still not available here 🙂

LOL this sounds dumb but i never knew optical mice did not need a mouse mat.... *bangs head on wall*

Do you know if there is any diference in the hardware if i take the value audigy 2 though ?

 
Originally posted by: Akira
Thanks for the details evilharp...reading through the list

why do you recommend seagate instead of wd?

I chose 2 burners coz the lite-on is good while the other has Lightscribe --- its just to show off really although the media is still not available here 🙂

LOL this sounds dumb but i never knew optical mice did not need a mouse mat.... *bangs head on wall*

Do you know if there is any diference in the hardware if i take the value audigy 2 though ?
Click to expand...


I recommend seagate based on my own experiences and what I've read. WD is a good company, and their SATA drives are finally true SATA (not bridged PATA). Try: http://www.storagereview.com/ . All they review are harddrives.

With the Audigy2 you may not be able to get the "Value" card over the ZS (retail/oem) in Malta. Apparently, it is a regional product, and may not be available globally. I don't see it here: http://mt.europe.creative.com/products/welcome.asp?category=1& , so you may only be able to get the ZS. I'm in Canada, so I see all sorts of weird value products all the time.
 
what do you mean by modular cables ?
Click to expand...

Modular cables plug into the PSU, allowing you to use only the cables you need. That's the advantage--a neater wiring job. The disadvantage is that none of the connectors I've seen are adequate to carry any amount of current over the long haul.

Modular cables = burnt pins.

 
Originally posted by: HO
what do you mean by modular cables ?
Click to expand...

Modular cables plug into the PSU, allowing you to use only the cables you need. That's the advantage--a neater wiring job. The disadvantage is that none of the connectors I've seen are adequate to carry any amount of current over the long haul.

Modular cables = burnt pins.
Click to expand...


Ok thx for the tip...i will try to avoid those
 
This article by anandtech on value rams will help you choose.
That article is 5 months old and today you could buy TCCD chips (2x512) for $157 in U.S
Patriot XBLK for example. Before buying any ram make sure you know what chips used since they keep changing and sometimes what it specs can be decieving.
For example OCZ changed from Samsung TCCD to TCC5 and claimed as good. But made many OCZ loyalists upset since the claim was not true. OCZ changed back to TCCD 3 weeks ago. So if what you buy and claims to be good ram, make sure the chip hasnt changed and the review wasnt on former (better)chip.
 
Originally posted by: designit
This article by anandtech on value rams will help you choose.
That article is 5 months old and today you could buy TCCD chips (2x512) for $157 in U.S
Patriot XBLK for example. Before buying any ram make sure you know what chips used since they keep changing and sometimes what it specs can be decieving.
For example OCZ changed from Samsung TCCD to TCC5 and claimed as good. But made many OCZ loyalists upset since the claim was not true. OCZ changed back to TCCD 3 weeks ago. So if what you buy and claims to be good ram, make sure the chip hasnt changed and the review wasnt on former (better)chip.
Click to expand...


that link helps me a lot
 
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