Opinions needed on a new system.

[imported_vr6]

This is what i have put together for my new Pc. The total is about 1,600 right now. Feel free to give me your opinions and thoughts. Do your guys think these products will cause any kind of conflicts? Anyway, if u guys have better part suggestions, feel free to reply! Thanks.

ENLIGHT EN-7237AZ MEDIUM TOWER P4 CASE - OEM

SOYO K7V DRAGON+ Plus VIA KT266A ATX MOTHERBOARD Retail

LEADTEK GEFORECE3 64MB DDR TDH WITH TV OUT/ DVI VIDEO CARD- RETAIL

AMD ATHLON XP 1900+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU - OEM

CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2100 DDR RAM - OEM 2222222222222222222222

MITSUMI D359M3 FDD 1.44MB 3.5INCH - OEM

Seagate Barracuda IV 60GB 7200RPM ST360021A Hard Drive

MICROSOFT OFFICE KEYBOARD USB VER. 1.0A - OEM

Microsoft Intelli-Mouse Optical - PS2/USB - OEM

PLEXTOR PX-W2410TA-BPS 24x10x40 CD-RW - OEM

PIONEER INTERNAL ATAPI 16X DVD-ROM MODEL 106S - OEM, DRIVE ONLY

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy Xgamer

Arctic Silver's Premium Silver Thermal Compound Thermal Paste : Arctic Silver II

ALPHA PAL8045U. Heat Sink + Fan.

Logitech''s THX certified Z560 4.1 surround sound system

 

[imported_vr6]

Can someone clarify for me if i really need the a seperate sound card?

It seems that alot of people are just using the onboard sound card...?

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< ENLIGHT EN-7237AZ MEDIUM TOWER P4 CASE - OEM >>


Not bad, but considering the 1.6k....you might as well get a better case for not much more money, like the Antec SX830 or Fong Kai FK320



<< SOYO K7V DRAGON+ Plus VIA KT266A ATX MOTHERBOARD Retail >>


Great choice, but beware--you can't adjust RAM voltage.



<< LEADTEK GEFORECE3 64MB DDR TDH WITH TV OUT/ DVI VIDEO CARD- RETAIL >>


Bad choice. Get a Gainward Ti450 (Ti200), save money, then overclock it (without any cooling problems or hardware changes) farther than the Leadtek could ever go!



<< AMD ATHLON XP 1900+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU - OEM >>


Good choice.



<< CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2100 DDR RAM - OEM 2222222222222222222222 >>


Good choice. Make sure to change the standard CAS 2.5 setting to CAS 2.



<< MITSUMI D359M3 FDD 1.44MB 3.5INCH - OEM >>


Another day, another floppy.



<< Seagate Barracuda IV 60GB 7200RPM ST360021A Hard Drive >>


Good choice.



<< MICROSOFT OFFICE KEYBOARD USB VER. 1.0A - OEM

Microsoft Intelli-Mouse Optical - PS2/USB - OEM >>


Eh.



<< PLEXTOR PX-W2410TA-BPS 24x10x40 CD-RW - OEM >>


Not bad, but the Yamaha CRW3200 is better.



<< PIONEER INTERNAL ATAPI 16X DVD-ROM MODEL 106S - OEM, DRIVE ONLY >>


The Lite-On drive is better on cheaper.



<< Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy Xgamer >>


Waste of money. For that cash, you could buy a retail Acoustic Edge which has better sound. Why not buy an Audigy OEM? There's no real difference.



<< Arctic Silver's Premium Silver Thermal Compound Thermal Paste : Arctic Silver II >>


Only if you're overclocking.



<< ALPHA PAL8045U. Heat Sink + Fan. >>


Do you really want to hear the 7,000 RPM Delta Screamer? If not, buy the version without a fan and get another fan (Sunon would be good).



<< Logitech''s THX certified Z560 4.1 surround sound system >>


Excellent.



<< This is what i have put together for my new Pc. The total is about 1,600 right now. Feel free to give me your opinions and thoughts. Do your guys think these products will cause any kind of conflicts? Anyway, if u guys have better part suggestions, feel free to reply! Thanks. >>


It's decent, and there will be no conflicts.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

very nice only question, what is that video card? a regular gf3? or a ti200 or ti500?
only changes are personal
gf3 ti200
xp1800 (maybe even 1600). price premium on the xp1900 isnt worth it right now. the xp1600 is 12.5% slower, but half the price.
id go for 512 megs of ram
what o/s you going to be using?
i personally like maxtor hard drives (more specifically, their returns policy)
lite-on 16x dvd drive
no audigy, id use the onboard sound (not 100% on how the cm18387 (er whatever) stands up to the audigy)

 

[newbiepcuser]

What powersupply are you going to use, if read a lot AMD builder's posts on the board, they all recommend 350 watt and above, usually Antec or Emmerax.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Can someone clarify for me if i really need the a seperate sound card?

It seems that alot of people are just using the onboard sound card...? >>

The on-board sound card isn't great...and it offloads everything to the CPU. If you want good onboard sound, MSI's nForce board is only $10 more, and all you'd be sacrificing is RAID (which you're not using). If you do that, though, get two DIMMs.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< Do you really want to hear the 7,000 RPM Delta Screamer? If not, buy the version without a fan and get another fan (Sunon would be good). >>

yeah make sure you get a lower rpm fan, like the ys-tech 80mm. 48 cfm@32db. the deltas are 46+

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< What powersupply are you going to use, if read a lot AMD builder's posts on the board, they all recommend 350 watt and above, usually Antec or Emmerax. >>

Enermax sucks (too much deviation on the 5v rail). Antec or Sparkle is the way to be.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< The on-board sound card isn't great...and it offloads everything to the CPU. >>

do you have personal experience with that chip? curious as i have the same board coming in tomorrow. using a sb live 5.1 mp3+ and was going to test the onboard. ive heard many folks prefer it over the sb line of cards (supposed to be a good onboard solution, superior to the ac97 stuff).

ive read about the 350w enermax also, even though it's on the amd approved list.

 

[bigbootydaddy]

<<

<< What powersupply are you going to use, if read a lot AMD builder's posts on the board, they all recommend 350 watt and above, usually Antec or Emmerax. >>

Enermax sucks (too much deviation on the 5v rail). Antec or Sparkle is the way to be. >>



using enermax with the epox board notorious for the 5v rail....no problems at all, rock solid.

hype?? or luck??

booty

 

[imported_vr6]

thanks for the input guys.

About the sound card, I have three computers in my house, this one is actually for a friend. He's just giving me a credit card and said make it around 2k. On one of my comp, i have a SB live x-gamer. on another, i have a Acoustic edge, and on my old k6-2 i have a onboard C-media 8*** can't remember the last 3 numbers. But from personal experience, I like acoustic edge the best. Why? It doesn't install all kinds off other craps like the Sb and the C-media is pretty bad.

The video card is a plain GF3, So u guys suggest a Ti200 insted? I read the Anand review and it said there was like a 10% difference.

I am planning to get 350+ power supply.

The reason i didn't get maxtor was because i have two maxtors and they aren't so relaible. One of them failed, and the other one isn't really reliable either. I have heard nothin but good comments about the Seagate, so i think i am gonna give it a try.

Another question, Is lite-on really better than pioneer? I have heard many people from the hot deal forum saying that their lite-ons aren't reliable. SO which is more reliable Pioneer vs Lite-on, or another brand.

I appreciate the inputs, KEPP THEM COMMING!!

Kwan1

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< About the sound card, I have three computers in my house, this one is actually for a friend. He's just giving me a credit card and said make it around 2k. On one of my comp, i have a SB live x-gamer. on another, i have a Acoustic edge, and on my old k6-2 i have a onboard C-media 8*** can't remember the last 3 numbers. But from personal experience, I like acoustic edge the best. Why? It doesn't install all kinds off other craps like the Sb and the C-media is pretty bad. >>


Acoustic Edge is a fine soundcard.



<< The video card is a plain GF3, So u guys suggest a Ti200 insted? I read the Anand review and it said there was like a 10% difference. >>


The Ti200 is cheaper. With the Gainward Ti450 (a Ti200), you can easily overclock far past Ti500 levels, as well.



<< I am planning to get 350+ power supply. >>


Make it Sparkle or Antec.



<< The reason i didn't get maxtor was because i have two maxtors and they aren't so relaible. One of them failed, and the other one isn't really reliable either. I have heard nothin but good comments about the Seagate, so i think i am gonna give it a try. >>


Another plus about the Seagate is that it's pretty quiet, too.



<< Another question, Is lite-on really better than pioneer? I have heard many people from the hot deal forum saying that their lite-ons aren't reliable. SO which is more reliable Pioneer vs Lite-on, or another brand. >>


Lite-On burners are unreliable, not their DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drives. Check www.storagereview.com if you don't buy it. BTW--the Yamaha CRW3200 is faster than the Plextor.

 

[imported_vr6]

btw this is gonna be on w2k. I am not gonna try Xp yet cause i have three comps. 2 Running with w2k and Me. The other one just w2k. So far they are pretty good, so not gonna fix anything that isn't broken

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< btw this is gonna be on w2k. I am not gonna try Xp yet cause i have three comps. 2 Running with w2k and Me. The other one just w2k. So far they are pretty good, so not gonna fix anything that isn't broken >>

Especially given that Win2k is much better than XP...

 

[imported_vr6]

Thanks for the input Daovonnaex, Your suggestions really helps, Reminded myself why i bought the acoustic edge! I forgot about it!. Anyway, Keep the opinions coming! Thanks.

Kwan1

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

every maxtor ive had has died, but i keep using them because of their superior customer service. i always get a replacement the next day (im just a couple of hours from their rma dept.). they cross-ship and are always helpful and friendly.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Thanks for the input Daovonnaex, Your suggestions really helps, Reminded myself why i bought the acoustic edge! I forgot about it!. Anyway, Keep the opinions coming! Thanks.

Kwan1 >>

Glad to help.

 

[imported_vr6]

This is a computer for a friend so i don't want to be the one to blame when the hard drives fail and have to go throught all the mess to get a replacements, but thanks for the info though, i appreciate it. I want to make sure i have everything i need so i can order it all at once from newegg, hopefully they'll have everything in stock!

Anyway more opinions are always welcomed!

 

[Daovonnaex]

I would really recommend a better case than the Enlight. You don't have to buy a Lian Li, of course, but an Antec SX840 might be good (includes 400w Antec PSU), or a Fong Kai FK320 (includes 300w Enhance PSU).

 

[imported_vr6]

ANTEC Workstation Tower Model SX840; Antec Original P4 400 watt Power Supply

yes i was just cheking out that case myself. I am thinking about that one. I am also checking out the lian li, but its kinda expensive.


But the sad news is that Newegg doesn't carry Yamaha cdrw's so i am stuck with a plextor, since i don't feel like dealing with multiple shipments.

While i am at it, What 21 inch monitors would you guys recommened? He really wants a big monitor but no LCD's since gaming isn't that good on them.

keep the opinions coming, i be back tomorrow, time to get some sleep.

Thanks for the help, keep them coming, i be back tomorrow!

 

[amdskip]

not bad at all, similar to mine:

soyo k7v dragon +
1800xp
512mb registered crucial 2100
40gb 7200 maxtor
20gb 5400 maxtor
radeon 7500(temporary)

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< ANTEC Workstation Tower Model SX840; Antec Original P4 400 watt Power Supply

yes i was just cheking out that case myself. I am thinking about that one. I am also checking out the lian li, but its kinda expensive.


But the sad news is that Newegg doesn't carry Yamaha cdrw's so i am stuck with a plextor, since i don't feel like dealing with multiple shipments.

While i am at it, What 21 inch monitors would you guys recommened? He really wants a big monitor but no LCD's since gaming isn't that good on them.

keep the opinions coming, i be back tomorrow, time to get some sleep.

Thanks for the help, keep them coming, i be back tomorrow! >>

Newegg doesn't have Antec cases either, if you hate multiple shipments. You could get a Skyhawk--their aluminum case (sold on Newegg) is comparable to the PC-60, but over $40 cheaper.