New System

[Dismal]

Hey everybody. I've never put together a system before so I thought I'd make a post here to see if anybody can point out any huge flaws in my plan, so any advice would be much appreciated ;-P

Here are a list of the major components I plan on putting togeher...


AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 512KB L2 Cache (Retail)

MSI K8N Neo Platium socket-754 nForce3 250GB (Retail)

Mushkin 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3500 Level One Dual Pack - Retail

Seagate ST3200822A (200GB) Baracuda 7200RPM SATA (8MB cache) (OEM)

Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case With 350W Power Supply (ATXB4KLW-BK/350)

Antec TruePower 480watt

I plan on also putting in a GeForce 6800 Ultra, but still a little unsure on what manufacturer to go with. They don't seem to be too readily available right now so I was wondering if it really made all that much difference. I've been seeing the eVGA version around a lot of places. I may go with that if it doesn't make too much difference.

The only other real concern I have is my memory choice. I know the boards will only officially support ram as high as pc3200, but I hear pc3500 will work perfectly fine. But even then I'm a little shaky when it comes to recognizing good ram from bad, and making sense of timings and latency.

Any input would be great. thanks guys.

 

[So]

The system will work, but that ram is a bit of a waste of money, IMO, if you're not overclocking, get come PC3200 value ram from a decent manunfacturer and be done with it, and the 6800 Ultra is a bit expensive IMO.

Other than than the system is fine.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

recognizing good ram from bad, and making sense of timings and latency.

dont worry.....on A64 the cpu has the memory controller, timings have a much reduced effect on performance, so it doesnt really matter if its CAS2 orCAS3 it will work jus the same.

yes go with PC3200 less u want to overclock,

 

[Dismal]

wow, thanks a lot for the quick resonses guys. Yeah, I don't really plan to overclock. Can you guys recommend some good pc3200?

 

[otispunkmeyer]

erm athlon 64 boards are very picky with memory modules, i suggest u read here about them at Toms

Toms memory and mobo test for A64

 

[Illissius]

Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, Mushkin, OCZ, about in that order of preference for value RAM (in my case anyways).

 

[Dismal]

hmm.

 

[Dismal]

I think I might just spend the extra $$$ go with the Mushkin I was originally planning on. I don't know too much about memory but from what I can see, athlon 64 boards are picky with ram. I didn't seem to read anything too helpful that would influence a decision on that THG article or anything on the MSI site either. The only reason I consider the mushkin a safe bet is because it was recommonded in the last mid-range guide on anandtech. Heh, I'm just walking around in the dark.

 

[JackHawksmoor]

RAM latencies only affect performance by up to 4% on the Athlon 64. Crucial's cheapest RAM is a good bet for compatibility and the performance isn't much different from spending 50-100% more for 2-2-2 latency RAM.

 

[MrChad]

I always recommend Crucial, especially for users who are not overclocking. I have never received a bad stick of RAM from them. Their service and prices are top-notch, and they offer a lifetime warranty.

 

[So]

Yeah. I have Corsair value ram, and so far, so good....but you're always safe w/ crucial.