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OK, latest build idea...Give me a grade A+ to F

G

GamerExpress

Banned
I am looking at this for my latest build, trying not to go too crazy as wife gets mad at me for building new machines every 6 months.

Mobo=Epox 9npa+ Ultra $100
CPU=X2 3800+ $295 (or should I go with an Opty?? 165??)
Memory=OCZ Gold Gamer XTC eXtreme 2x1gb PC3200 $159 (I would just go with some Corsair VS, but awesome deal on this right now).
Video Card=eVga 7800GT CO SE $265
Case=Antec Solution $50
PSU=Fortron Source 400w $65
Heatsink=Thermalright SI 120 $42
CPU Fan=Scythe 120mm 1600rpm $20
Case Fan=Panaflo 120mm $14

Hard Drives and DVD burner etc....I will be taking out of my other machine and moving them over, then selling my other machine minus those parts.
 
Why not a DFI NF4 Infinity SLI mobo? Seen in a review that it overclocks pretty good, just a a bit lower than the Lanparty counterpart.
 
Go with an Opteron 165.... Much much better because of its OC ability. That PSU... I don't know, get a 500W- DONT SKIMP ON THE PSU, get a really good one- I made that mistake and after a year had to buy a new one becuase it crapped out.

CPU fan and HS? There's a new king in town:

Tuniq Tower 120 - read some reviews, it beats out Scythe Ninja, Big Typhoon, XP120 and XPC90

The other stuff I'm not so sure of, you'll have to ask someone else
 
That'd be one of the higher efficency fortrons? Nice choice although i'd go with a s12 430W if the prices are close.

The opteron 165 would get my vote too.
 
Originally posted by: vertigofm
Go with an Opteron 165.... Much much better because of its OC ability.
Click to expand...

Evidence?

Gamer, the 7800 and 2GB are a good step towards 'future proofing' the rig. Now ditch the 400w power supply for a Antec 550w or the like and get the DFI Ultra-D instead of the Epox. Do it right now and you won't have to upgrade every 6 months 😛
 
Originally posted by: pelikan
I would keep that cpu/mb in your sig, and use the money I saved to get 2gb ram and an x1900xt.
Click to expand...

I have 2gb's of memory now, and the new rig is also priced out with 2x1gb's of memory also. I thought about the x1900xt, but I haven't seen any benchmarks that really show that it's worth the extra money.
 
Originally posted by: GamerExpress
Originally posted by: pelikan
I would keep that cpu/mb in your sig, and use the money I saved to get 2gb ram and an x1900xt.
Click to expand...

I have 2gb's of memory now, and the new rig is also priced out with 2x1gb's of memory also. I thought about the x1900xt, but I haven't seen any benchmarks that really show that it's worth the extra money.
Click to expand...

so you're building a whole new rig instead? 😕
as it is, the build looks ok
 
Wait for the 7900's to come out, they are supposed to be very affordable and the prices will push down the 7800's. That will give you some options.

And whats wrong with the Epox Mobo? Im about to overhaul my rig and was looking at that and a A64 3700 to replace my current Lanparty and A64 3000 (745).
 
Originally posted by: GamerExpress
I am looking at this for my latest build, trying not to go too crazy as wife gets mad at me for building new machines every 6 months.

Mobo=Epox 9npa+ Ultra $100
CPU=X2 3800+ $295 (or should I go with an Opty?? 165??)
Memory=OCZ Gold Gamer XTC eXtreme 2x1gb PC3200 $159 (I would just go with some Corsair VS, but awesome deal on this right now).
Video Card=eVga 7800GT CO SE $265
Case=Antec Solution $50
PSU=Fortron Source 400w $65
Heatsink=Thermalright SI 120 $42
CPU Fan=Scythe 120mm 1600rpm $20
Case Fan=Panaflo 120mm $14

Hard Drives and DVD burner etc....I will be taking out of my other machine and moving them over, then selling my other machine minus those parts.
Click to expand...

This is a great build! You could substitute an X2 3800 for an Opteron 165. The chips have different specifications but perform roughly the same. As for the fans, I would absolutely not spend any more than $10 AT MOST for a fan. You probably won't notice a huge difference and many name brand fans can be had inexpensively. (Quiet, High CFM, Both... Just research them!)

As for the motherboard, If you plan to overclock i'd highly reccomend spending the extra money for a DFI Ultra-D, but your motherboard is generally my value reccomendation.

Anyways, as far as a "value oriented" build goes- this should be a sticky for everyone who is looking to have a really nice system and not spend the big bucks.

 
Wait for the 7900's to come out, get a better power suppply, and STAY AWAY FROM DFI!!!! EPox is a fine mobo, I have one, rock solid, and not a bad overclocker. DFI's are nothing but trouble.
 
What about the case? By the looks of it you're trying to build a fairly quiet system (from the fans, anyway)- I know the SLK cases by Antec are pretty good but a P150 would be even better, and it comes with a fairly decent PSU (430W Antec) which is at least as good as the one in your OP.
 
Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
where did u find the mem for that price?
Click to expand...
theres a thread in hot deals, its AR of $40 iirc.

crescent, that sig is the worst. not only is it obnoxiously long, its not even amusing.

and obviously, dfi's are not "nothing but trouble" just a bit too much for somepeople.
 
Originally posted by: rise4310
Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
where did u find the mem for that price?
Click to expand...
theres a thread in hot deals, its AR of $40 iirc.

crescent, that sig is the worst. not only is it obnoxiously long, its not even amusing.

and obviously, dfi's are not "nothing but trouble" just a bit too much for somepeople.
Click to expand...

Yep, I already have the DFI Ultra D in my current rig, I do love it, but at the same time I have heard wonderful things of the Epox, so why not give it a shot.
 
Good build man. Very close to what I just ordred. I will give it an A-

be careful of the DFI recommendations. For every 2 people I hear rave about it, I hear 1 horror story. I like your choice of the epox board, I just ordered a rig and would of gone with that mobo but I ordered from Monarch and they didnt carry it.

Graphics card seems to be a good choice considering you seem to be avoiding the cost associated with the top of the line. Sure, the 7900 is around the corner, but there will always be something new around the corner with a very HEFTY price tag associated with it. Right now the 7800gt / co is an awesome value.

X2 3800 is a great choice, the opteron is also a good choice if your going to OC.

I like the OCZ Ram, I had almost gone with corsair until some people here clued me into OCZ, great ratings and last I checked the price for their platnium was better than the corsair!

Now, for the heatsink keep in mind the X2 3800 or higher comes with a kick ass heatsink now! I dont think you need an aftermarket one here... but the price difference is the same if your not getting the boxed retail fan.

I like other antec cases better..

Power supply , great brand but I would go with a 500w ( or higher ) in case you SLI.


Nice build man... you hit the nail on the head with the mobo, processor and ram. The other things are minor but I would check on the PS and see if that aftermarket Heatsink is really going to offer you a benefit in cooling or noise ( maybe it will... but the stock ones are sweet now ).
 
it would be safer to move up to the 450w psu. i mean, if you want to upgrade the video card later, you dont want to have to do the psu also. video cards are just killer on power load these days.
 
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