Newbie building semi-gaming monster, need some advice

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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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Hey all, just need a little advice on some of my components before I buy. I researched plenty on this forum.

Here is what I am pretty sure about: (updated)

AMD 64 3800+ 512kb L2 cache socket-939, price $385 - retail
HD: Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA, price $110 - retail
Case: Antec Solutions no psu $55 - retail
Video Card: ATI X800 XL, price $279 - retail
Lite-On 16X, DVD DL DVD+/-RW Drive, price $65 - retail
Lite-On Combo Drive, price $36
(I am partial to Lite-On, they have never disappointed me in the past, but don't be shy to disagree with the optical drives. I heard the NECs aren't bad).

Not so sure:

Motherboard?
RAM: 2x - Corsair Value Select 512MB DDR PC-3200, price $105 - retail
Power Supply: OCZ Modstream 520W, price $120 - retail

Could you guys give me some advice the parts. I do want to overclock a little and I will be playing lots of games, especially HL2.

Things to Consider:

For Powersupply: 24pin pci-e ready and want to be able to use it for future upgrades

For Memory: 1Gig for now, but I want the RAM to work well if I consider overclocking and tweaking. Should I get higher end Ram. $100-130 budget range.

For Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum or ASUS A8V-E Deluxe?

I really would appreciate any help and I'm looking forward to the discussion.
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Worried about AMD's reliability? ATM, Intel's the one where you need to worry about cooling, because their high-end processors throttle like hell if you don't have some good cooling. An Antec Sonata case/PSU combo is great. If you'd like to spend $200, get a nice Lian Li case and a Seasonic S12 series PSU.

Seagate I think has a 160GB drive for about $10-20 more than the one you listed.

The Kingston is fine and you don't need any higher-end RAM, but there was some G.skill 2-3-3-6 for $110 that popped up on Newegg recently. Pretty damn good deal for CL2.

If you're overclocking, consider a 3500+; IIRC, the 3800+ is a Newcastle, which doesn't overclock quite as well. You may also want to later consider an aftermarket cooler from Zalman or Thermalright, but the stock cooler actually does well for OCing.

I think CompUSA or some place like that might have had an X800 XL for closer to $300... but virtually all brands are the same. MSI should be good; so should Sapphire... I don't know any others off-hand, though.
 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,204
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Seasonic makes very quiet powersupplies that are of good quality. example

I've read the stock fans on A64s are very good.

If you're concerned about noise, look for a case with 120mm fans as they tend to be quieter and still move a good amount of air. Maybe something like this antec. I really like antec case build quality.

A gig of 3200 is right on. My motherboard died last night and I've been considering upgrading to A64... I'm looking at kingmax for the ram... awww nuts, oos. I hope it comes back before the rebate expires.

Corsair value select is another good option and is also under $100 for 2x512.


I think Seagate is a good choice for silence :)

EDIT: welcome of the forums too ;)
 
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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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Wow you guys are quick. Thanks very much.

The Antec case is pretty nice, great price. The Seasonic power supply is 430W; is that enough for my configuration?

I think I'll stick with the value ram. Is kingmax a reliable brand? Haven't heard much about them.

I most likely won't be overclocking, but if I do what are the issues with the Newcastle and overclocking?
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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A 430W S12 (I think this is the particular model of Seasonic you're looking at; these are the newest ones) is more than enough power. Even the Antec Sonata's PSU will do fine (really a hard-to-beat deal for a case and PSU). I threw in the Seasonic in case you decided to get a nice Lian Li or other separate case.

Kingmax makes good cheap RAM. I just realized that I saw the G.skill OOS at Newegg a minute ago, too.

The Newcastles just don't overclock quite as well as the Winchesters in most cases, though they can still overclock.
 
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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: ts3433
A 430W S12 (I think this is the particular model of Seasonic you're looking at; these are the newest ones) is more than enough power. Even the Antec Sonata's PSU will do fine (really a hard-to-beat deal for a case and PSU). I threw in the Seasonic in case you decided to get a nice Lian Li or other separate case.

Kingmax makes good cheap RAM. I just realized that I saw the G.skill OOS at Newegg a minute ago, too.

The Newcastles just don't overclock quite as well as the Winchesters in most cases, though they can still overclock.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the antec "solution" series for $55 with no powesupply. It has a side air duct for the processor. Link
 
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imported_Kensai

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
10,855
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Pretty nice build there. Feel free to send me that build too.
I'd personally suggest a Panasonic Panaflo 80mm low or mid speed.
 
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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: Kensai
Pretty nice build there. Feel free to send me that build too.
I'd personally suggest a Panasonic Panaflo 80mm low or mid speed.
Click to expand...

Haha. Thanks man.

I think the front fan has to be 120mm.
 
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live2game

Senior member
Nov 20, 2004
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Lian Li is very quiet with stock fans get the PC-61B. (or is that because I have my stupid P2 running? I can't remember)
 
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Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
14
81
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
Hey all, just need a little advice on some of my components before I buy. I researched plenty on this forum.

Here is what I am pretty sure about: (updated)

AMD 64 3800+ 512kb L2 cache socket-939, price $385 - retail
DFI UT nF4 Ultra-D Motherboard, price $138 - retail
Lite-On 16X, DVD DL DVD+/-RW Drive, price $65 - retail
Lite-On Combo Drive, price $36
(I am partial to Lite-On, they have never disappointed me in the past, but don't be shy to disagree with the optical drives. I heard the NECs aren't bad).

Not so sure:

HD: Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA, price $110 - retail
RAM: 2x Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200, price $104 - Retail
Case: Antec Solutions no psu $55 - retail
Power Supply: Seasonic S12 430W $99 - retail
Video Card: MSI ATI X800 XL $341 - retail

Could you guys give me some advice on those four parts. I do want to overclock a little and I will be playing lots of games, especially HL2.

Things to Consider:

For the Case and Powersupply: I want something quiet and since I'm a little worried about AMD's reliability, I will be very anal about cooling. Not necessarily interested in water cooling, fans will do just fine. Stock fan on cpu will be ok, right? Noise and good cooling are my main concerns, budget about $150-200 for case and powesupply.

For Memory: 1Gig for now, but I want the RAM to work well if I consider overclocking and tweaking. Is the Kingston ok? Should I get higher end Ram. $100-130 budget range.

For Hard Drive: Around 120-160GB for about $100.

For Video Card: With all the reviews and speed tests I'm positive that I want an ATI X800 XL PCI-E card. I just don't know which brand to get. I found the MSI version for $341. Any other suggestions for the X800 XL?

I really would appreciate any help and I'm looking forward to the discussion.
Click to expand...


I like your setup but that is alot of coin to drop on a processor. I would save money and go a touch slower in CPU speed unless you plan on keeping this rig for 2 yrs or longer then I would not change anything.

Oh no need to worry about compatability...I have yet to run into any problems and I work my processors hard!


Ausm
 
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LanceM

Senior member
Mar 13, 2004
999
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Bump down to a 3500+. Maybe a 3200+.

I love my Sapphire X800 XL (blue PCB). Also quite happy with the MSI Neo4 Platinum. No problems with Seagate. Can't speak for the rest, so I am of little help. :p I know nothing about that case, but I've been oddly happy with the oft-hated Thermaltake Tsunami. Looks tons better in-person. Fans are very loud at 100%, but I've never had to go above 60-ish% to stay around 43 C (non-OCed).
 
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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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OK, if I was to drop down to a 3500+, which one would you guys suggest?

There's 3 different socket 939s, what the dealio?
 
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Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
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Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
OK, if I was to drop down to a 3500+, which one would you guys suggest?

There's 3 different socket 939s, what the dealio?
Click to expand...

You want the Winchester core. They run cooler than the Newcastles. And if you want quiet, the Sonata is a great choice. The PSU that comes with it will give you plenty of power too.
As for the stock HSF, I can't hear mine at all and it cools well.
 
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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
71
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0
I've been doing some more research on the forums and have changed my mind on some things.

A little worried about the Seasonic and the lack of pci-express cable. So I think I'm going to change over to the OCZ ModStream 450W PSU.

I also read a few threads about how the DFI mobo dying and the company not covering it under warranty. So I think I'm going to go with the MSI "K8N Neo4 Platinum" nForce4 to be on the safe side.

The RAM is still up in the air. The Kingmax is going for $87 for 2 512s. Really cheap. The g.skill linked above sounds good too.

Bad idea going with the OCZ PSU? MSI?
 
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ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
9,343
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I'd stick with the DFI.

The PCIe only provides 12v... and the video card should come with an adapter. You could also get a S12-500. That has the PCIe connector.
 
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Boy Hits Car

Member
Mar 24, 2005
71
0
0
Originally posted by: ribbon13
I'd stick with the DFI.

The PCIe only provides 12v... and the video card should come with an adapter. You could also get a S12-500. That has the PCIe connector.
Click to expand...

The S12-500 and 430 are more expensive than the OCZ. Do you think the OCZ isn't as good? I don't mind spending a little more if there is a clear cut improvement between the two. S12-500 is $139 and the OCZ is $85 with rebate $70. Both are pci-e ready. Do you think the S12 is much better? Worth the $70?

The DFI just sounds too "picky". People are having memory issues, initial build issues, dying mobo issues, and bad support and warranty run around. I haven't found any issues about the MSI. I'm going to keep looking.
 
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