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Opinions on a new build

R

Rallick

Junior Member
Hello, I am a lurker to these forums for about 3 months now. After five years with a Dell, and it's ensueing dissapointments, I started reading about computers and hope to custom make one. I've never OC'ed, the extent of my hands on knowledge is how to replace AGP video cards and install HDD's, Floppies and CD-R.

My current system is a Dell 4400 Dimension that I've had for 5 years
1.7GHz (Williamette) 100 x 17 P4
Runs on an Iten 845P board
512mb Ram @ 133mhz 6:4 divider
ATI 9600 Pro 128mb
DVD, Floppy
Win Xp Pro
Sb Live! (one of the older versions)

I don't know enough to O/C atm, but I would like to do so in the future. Silence is quite important to me. I prefer to use B&M, so I am using Memory Express for the parts I list below. Budget is $2000 CDN before tax with a +10% leeaway. I believe $2000 is a good figue, ~$1550 USD, since what I have, little can be saved of the hardware. Plus I may not be able to upgrade anything for about 2 to 2.5 years. So what I have, I'd like to last. Processor I would like to keep 3-4 years if possible.

I play FPS, Strategy and MMORPG's. Mostly older games or semi new ones with very low settings. I average about 15-20 fps in CS, and drop down to 2- 7 when the bomb goes off. I can't play BF2. I liek to multitask, especially with Large MS office files and games running, plus regular apps, some sort of messegner, winamp, and the internet with a few tabs. Also some photoshop (I don't have much success with it though, but its fun). I don't actually do any of this with my comp, just what I would like to do : )

I currently have the following that I am planning to keep:
Windows Xp Pro
Office Pro
Samsung 913t 19"
Logitech Z5300e 5.1 Speakers
Logitech Elite Keyboard
Logitech MX510

I started picking up peripherals this year when they went on sale.

And for the parts:

Motherboard: Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe w/ DualDDR400, 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, Dual PCI-E x16 SLI, Cool-Pipe - $259.59
- This MB b/c it has the passive cooling, and it is the "fixed" version of the Premium. Plus it is quiet and has the 8phase power with technically speaking could repay itself in 4 years : p

Processor: AMD X2 4400+ - $579.95
- Supposed to be the other sweet spot for the AMD's. Also will not feel rushed to O/C before I am ready since it is quite good at stock. Also has the "better" stock heatsink which I can't decipher if the 3800+ does or not.

Memory: OCZ 2GB PC3200 Platinum Edition Dual Channel DDR Kit -314.95
- Hear good things about OCZ, customer support, quality, plus 2GB for some of the newer games I hear.

Case: Antec P180 - 159.95
- Because its quiet, gets good reviews, and its a case I would potentially never have to replace, jsut keep changing parts, which sounds nice. Dell cases are terrible...

PSU: Enermax 535W EG565P-VE All In One ATX 12V v2.0 $109.95
- Besides a few bad reviews at newegg, the rest and NCIX seem to liek this one. People here seem to have sucess with it too. I looked at the Modstream 520W, but for 55 more, I can't see it happening

HDD: I am thinking of a Samsung 250gb SP2504C $129.99. It was either this or the Seagate 7200.8 250gb. But I read that the seagates are hit and miss on quality. While the samsungs are louder then previous. They also score lower in the benches, but not enough I think to make a noticiable differnence?

DVD: Benq DW1625 - $74.95. Was going to go the DW1640 by what the Anand review said. But they sold out of those and won't be restocking it looks like. Lightscribe is intersting but not really important. Quiet is though (or so NCIX users are saying). My current DVD is loud, excessivly so. Also comes with Nero 6.6 I believe. Haven't seen many reviews of it yet

Video Card: EVGA 7800 GT CO - The CO version is 40 more then the GT version. I thought about CO since it has the GTX fan (larger so quieter potentially), and has almost GTX preformace (firingsquad).

Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS (OEM) $84.95. I have pretty good speakers, I think, so I was going to get a card instead of onboard. I chose Audigy because it has the front connectors while the Retail Xfi doesn't. Also the Xfi si 40 more and I was trying to trim costs.

Floppy Drive: Panasonic $14.95
- Because I'm old fashioned.

Total: $2204.50

With Tax: $2358.82

Summary: Looking for any advice whatsoever.
Completly new user who would really like to stay with just one store for simplicity sake, and no shipping : )
I tried researching the parts, but I am really split on the HDD and Video card and Sound Card.
I won't be ordering for about a week, so plenty of time.
Trying for a very futureproof system.
Quiet is outstanding and desired

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS, I left out links because I didn't want to make any mistakes with them. Hope it doesn't cause any difficulties.
 
The machine looks pretty slick. My only advice would be not to multitask with large office docs while you're playing games 🙂

- is there a reason you are going with the sli board? You maybe able to save a bit with a different board. Though if you're already $2000+ it's just a nickle and diming now.

Regardless, enjoy your future system cause "D00d, you're not getting a Dell!"

gm
 
Bloody hell! I just bought the same rig!

With the exception of the PSU i've gone with almost identical parts (so you've chosen brilliantly imo), there is nothing at all wrong with your PSU, but i'd think about the seasonic range if quiet is your bag of tea.
 
GreyMittens - I went with the SLI because only the SLI have the passive cooling so far as I could find. Also, I read in a thread that there is new type of PCI out there, one that could be used with PCIe, so I figure, if it ever comes to be standard, I have a slot, and on the off chance (highly unlikely) I SLI, its there as well.

Bobthelost - Are you happy with it? By the tone I judge that your are, I am hoping for a MASSIVE boost over my current system. I tihnk I rate 1200 in 3dmark05.

Any opinions on which HDD to get?
 
My rig is *very* similar...just that its still in parts on the fllor. I also would recommend the Seasonic PSU - specifically the S12-500 or 600 version. Keep in mind that in the P180, with the Seasonic, you might need some ATX cable extensions to make the 4 pin 12V reach the top of the board. Check out www.silentpcreview.com review on P180 for an explanation and tips. I chose the Samsungs for 2 reasons - low heat, low noise. Performance benchs are suboptimal compared with Seagates though.
As for sound, I'm waiting for one of the newer HDA cards with Dolby Digital Live (I hate running a pile of analog cables to my amp for surround gaming, when a single optical is all thats needed.) Right now, the HDA / Blue Gears Mystique is out, but a new "eXplode" - or something equally corney - is due out soon.
Cheers,
A
PS. Which heatsink are you planning?
 
Ask me again when i get the CPU and (Black) case in the post tomorrow i'll spend tomorrow evening building it and then post how it's all going while it does some stress testing.

For the P180 you should really consider the Scythe ninja, it's almost the perfect design for it in terms of airflow. Not to mention the low noise aspect.

I've gone with a raptor II as the boot disc, athough i'm planning on getting a WD400YR sometime in the next few months and possibly another Raptor for a RAID 0 setup for boot. But i need to read more on that one.
 
keldog7 - Yeah, cords a definate pain sometimes. I just checked out my sub, doesn't have an opitcal connection unfortunately.

I hadn't even though of a heatsink right now. I am going to tear apart an older P3 700 that my comp is replacing to see how to put things together before I try sometimes like that : )

I'll definately keep the cythe ninja in mind Bob. Good luck with the setup!
 
The parts you chose look good altho I would suggest the Benq 1640 if you can get it for the DVD burner also I'd stay away from seagates pata 7200.8's even w/ the good warrenty its not worth risking your data, Just grab the Samsung and I'll also rec. the Sythe Ninja w/ the P180 its a great choice.
 
I like pretty much all of your choices TBH.

Also, good call on buying from Memory Express, ever since they came to Edmonton, they've been my fave PC parts store.
Superb customer service & prices 🙂

Don't get the Modstream PSU; that Enermax is great, whereas the Modstreams are crap (i know have one, well actually it's my second one :|)

If you want to stick within your $2000 budget, scrap that overpriced Asus mobo & get the X2 3800+ instead of the 4400+.

I absolutely love the design layout, heck pretty much everything about the A8N32-SLI Deluxe too, but it just silly what they are charging for it, when you can get something sub $200 that is just as good (though without the heatpipe).

Also, while the 4400+ is damn nice, the X2 3800+ will more than likely reach 2.4 GHz minimum, meaning you get a free upgrade to the 4600+, worst case scenario.

Personally, since i love that damn Asus mobo, i'd likely sacrifice the 4400+ for a 3800+ CPU but keep the mobo, lol 😛
 
Arcanedeath - Sounds like Samsung is the way to go, thanks. I was looking at StorageReview, and it is on the "bottom" often, but usually only by a few points so I hope its unnoticable. I hope to get a seperate boot drive in the summer.

n7 - Definately, the Asus looks amazing. If Ralphys sends us our cheques, then I won't have to worry, there is the excess : ). Haven't heard about it in a while though....it couldn't have been electioneering, he's gone....But your right, push comes to shove, I'll go to the 3800

Two questions, I noticed in another thread that 10% OC will give you a lifetime of 2-3 years on your processor.

OCing will effect the processor, but how much?

If you underclock, does that void the cpu warrenty as well? Like, put it to 300 FSB for the mem, and 7 multi for a 2.1ghz.
 
the BenQ 1640 *is* a great dvd writer - and much quieter than my pioneer dvr-109 (a real P.O.S.). They sell it for $119 at Futureshop, but walk in, pull up the DW1640 "retail" at www.NCIX.com on the Futureshop kiosk pc, show the price to the clerk, and $58 later (pricematched), you'll walk out with a nice drive... Done it twice now...thinking of getting another!
incidentally - everyone's right about the 4400. buy a 3800 or an Opteron 165 and overclock. you'll save a couple hundred for the same performance.
-A
 
I never knew you could price match to NCIX, the things you learn : ). I am going to futureshop tonight, I'll try it out and let you know. Thanks for the info!

Skip the OC question. I think I found it. 20 years standard, if you don't change voltage. If you do, then it might decrease.

Edit: As for the sound card. Is it worth it to go to the Xfi Retail Music version? 129.95 vs 84.95?

I use the front sound jacks usually for Lans, which aren't that often, otherwise its usually my speaker system.
 
Yep, it worked like a charm, $59.87 later, I had a new DW1640! Never knew thye would take e-tailers as pricematch.
 
Yeah, makes shopping at FutureShop a bit of a new experience eh? Basically find what you want, then check their price, then sit at a PC for a bit until you find it cheaper, and immediate buy at lowest price. Realistically, I'm not sure if this business model will work out for them.
-A
 
If you can find them you could also consider the 939 opteron processors. They seem to be popular with everyone lately. Haven't had a chance to get one myself though.
 
I've got it all, it's all built!

Seasonic cables are just long enough to reach the sockets on the board(or the 600W model is, would have gotten the 500W but for 5 more...) Although it's very messy and i am considering some extenders.

The loudest part of the system is the graphics card, which sounds like a jet engine taking off at the moment. I suspect that this will improve when i install the drivers, but i didn't have time to build it and install XP last night...

You'll love it
 
It does at that, though a 100% markup is ridiculous.

I looked for some opterons 939's, but I couldn't find any locally, so I might have to stick with X2, times running out, why isn't it saturday yet?

Bob - Can you let us know how drivers effect your vid card?
 
Lucky Albertan with no PST 🙁

What about the Gigabyte card with a built in Zalman fan?. I recently built a system around the eVGA 7800GT and it was loud (about average for a stock GPU cooler). I threw on the Zalman VF-700Cu and it was much quieter.

There was also the eVGA 7800GT + mobo combo if you wanted to save money. Your store doesn't list it in stock though
 
I never considered the gigabyte actually. I haven't seen any reviews for it, is it a good brand? I only hear about in the mobo forum and its 1/2 1/2. I was thinking the CO because I could stand some noise for a higher FPS. I have been slugging away with 1-20 for so long now : (.

I checked the mobo combo, its a Jetway, and thats okay, but I was really hoping for a passively cooled board which is mostly Premium or 32, or that ATI Asus. I think some other vendors might have some, but none that are being sold. The other neat one was the DFI expert, with it magnetic fan, supposed to be nice, but DFI is out of my league I think, just too new to this jazz.

I was wondering, any opinions on an Audigy 2ZS OEM vs X-Fi Xtrememusic, Retail, 84 vs 130? I have been looking at the forums, but I can't get a general consensus. I like instrumental music quiet a bit, with Rock on the side, and pop in the middle. SOme are saying the Audigy is a great gamer, but crummy Music. I have a SBLIve VALUE currently, so either would be a step up I think.
 
Originally posted by: GreyMittens
The machine looks pretty slick. My only advice would be not to multitask with large office docs while you're playing games 🙂

- is there a reason you are going with the sli board? You maybe able to save a bit with a different board. Though if you're already $2000+ it's just a nickle and diming now.

Regardless, enjoy your future system cause "D00d, you're not getting a Dell!"

gm
Click to expand...

I thought because it was a dual core, it could do everything an Intel processor was truly capable of????
 
I'm installing the 170 tonight...just taking the chill out of the Ceramique, before I try and spread the stuff... But as for your question, the Athlon and the Opterons both seem to overclock about equivalently (according to my readings). Buy the cheapest one which gives you the speed (or multiplier) you want.
-A
 
Hello, I know there are tons of rate my build threads, but its always a comfort to have your own, so thank you one and all for responding.

I only made two changes,

Opteron 170
OCZ Powerstream 520w.

I ran prime95 everything at stock, two instances, torture test.

CPU: 48 Celcius
Mobo: 40-41 Celcius
Vcore 1.34
3.3: 3.34
5V : 5.16
12V : 12.1


Still have to run 3dmark and the such.
 
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