Opinions on System I Configured

[Renegade23216]

I hope to be able to build this very soon. What do you think about the configuration? I am going for a gaming system. Any hardware conflicts or things you would recommend I change? Hard drive, Monitor, or CD drive can be any brand... but those are the basic specs I will be looking for.

New Computer

Case and Power: Not Determined $99
Keyboard and Mouse: Logitech Cordless Comfort Duo $73
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 3000+ $330
Motherboard: ASUS A7N8X Deluxe $130
Speakers: Creative Inspire 6.1 6600 $79
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 $78
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB $394
Memory: 1 GB DDR (400) Corsair XMS $284
Hard Drive: DiamondMax Plus 9 80GB UDMA/133 8 MB $99
Monitor: NEC MultiSync FE2111SB 22" CRT $395
CD Drive: Samsung DVD/CD-RW Combo $86

Total (w/ shipping): $2,047

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Hello and Welcome to AnandTech forums ! is that my b-day gift rig..? thanks !! I need more hard drive space and where's my Pioneer DVD burner..

 

[Gage8]

i just got the cordless comfort duo and am not impressed in gaming. You have to have the receiver in just the right spot or the mouse can be jumpy at times.

I asked a guy at staples about it and he said it was just average as far a wireless goes. The best wireless out is the Logitech MX700 Cordless Optical Mouse. If i could go back i might be pursuaded to pay the $62. It is supposed to equal the performance of a regular optical mouse.

 

[Renegade23216]

Hmm, maybe I just won't go wireless.

Anyone else have good/bad experiences with wireless keyboards/mice?

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

if you're gonna game, go wired.
Wireless is IMHO still not as good as a wired connection.

 

[Lonyo]

2 questions, why only 1 80GB hard drive? Unless you really don't need much space.
And why a DVD/CD-RW combi drive? 2 seperate drives would allow copying of CD's more easily, and allow 2 games (I'm guessing it's a gaming rig) in the drives, rather than 1 offered by a combi drive.
Other than those 2 things, looks nice.
And do you need wireless? There's no point if you're gonna be using it at a desk, might as well stick with wires and save a bit of money.

 

[Renegade23216]

One 80 GB drive is because I barely use any space. The main reason I am building this is for EverQuest II (due around November). Other than that, I won't have much on the system.

As far as wireless input devices, you guys changed my mind. I am going wired.

The combo DVD/CD-RW is because I have had a CD-RW for about 2 years and I have yet to copy a single CD. I only use it for burning music or data directly from the hard drive to a CD. So I figure I may as well save space and possibly money/noise by using one drive instead of two. Opinions on this?

 

[Lonyo]

I'd say it's sensible then. You're going with high speed main components and then as you need for the rest, quite a good idea.

 

[WTT0001]

Looks like a nice system, I have the Samsung Combo Drive and I like it.

By the way, want to trade me???

 

[Ilmater]

I would make sure that you ask people who have the A7N8X board if they have any issues with Corsair. I've heard that many nForce 2 boards don't work perfectly with Corsair. Corsair's XMS series is still the best RAM out there, but some of the nForce 2 boards have had problems with them.

Oh, and don't get those Creative speakers. Get a set from Logitech. I hate the way Creative speakers sound. Not very full. Too tinny.

 

[Renegade23216]

Originally posted by: Ilmater
I would make sure that you ask people who have the A7N8X board if they have any issues with Corsair. I've heard that many nForce 2 boards don't work perfectly with Corsair. Corsair's XMS series is still the best RAM out there, but some of the nForce 2 boards have had problems with them.

Considering Alienware's Aurora system that features the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe board allows you to choose Corsair XMS as one of the possible memory components, I doubt that there is any conflicts.

But if anyone does know of any problems, please do bring them up.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Azo313

Originally posted by: Ilmater
I would make sure that you ask people who have the A7N8X board if they have any issues with Corsair. I've heard that many nForce 2 boards don't work perfectly with Corsair. Corsair's XMS series is still the best RAM out there, but some of the nForce 2 boards have had problems with them.

Considering Alienware's Aurora system that features the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe board allows you to choose Corsair XMS as one of the possible memory components, I doubt that there is any conflicts.

But if anyone does know of any problems, please do bring them up.

Good point. I'd still change the speakers, though.

 

[Renegade23216]

Good point. I'd still change the speakers, though.

Change the speakers? Why? I don't know much about speakers. I thought the 6.1's would be good since those are the most channels I have heard of. Then again, how important is wattage?

What speakers would you recommend and why?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Thats a dual channel mobo, right? If so, get 2x 512mb sticks instead of 1 stick of 1gig so you can enable dual channel.

 

[Renegade23216]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Thats a dual channel mobo, right? If so, get 2x 512mb sticks instead of 1 stick of 1gig so you can enable dual channel.

Thanks for the tip. I did not even know what duel channel was. I'll be sure to get 2x 512mb. By the way, it has 3 memory slots I think. Is it ok to have just 2x 512mb to enable duel channel... or do I need 3 sticks?

 

[SithSolo1]

Yeah, so its 6.1 blah blah blah, who cares. You need more power. I have the Logitech z-560s and they're great though only 4.1. Now the best bang for your buck would be the Logitech z-680s. Lots of power, 5.1, DD DTS and ProLogic 2 decoders, and a cool lil control pod. Then again the 560s would up your price about $80 and the 680s would up it about $190 or so. Anyway, don't mind me. I'm an id-gee-et.