Please help fill the box

[KnightPalatine]

I need a new system. I had planned to wait until mid-2004, but it looks like I may have to pull the trigger in 2-3 weeks. Budget is tight but I've already acquired some parts and can recycle others.

I use this box for law school (online) as well as normal email and web surfing. I'll also need to burn DVDs of my twins from my Sony TRV-350 Digital 8 camcorder, for the benefit of relatives far away. Overclocking is icing on the cake: I'll take as much or as little as leaves me with a stable system.

Here's what I already have:
Antec Sonata case & PSU
Plextor multi-format DVD writer
Seagate 80GB SATA hard drive
Windows 2000 Professional (recycled)
Samsung SyncMaster 955DF 19" CRT (recycled)
Brother HL-1440 laser printer (recycled)

Here's what I need:
CPU - I was thinking 2500 Barton but the A64 3000+ looks like the real bang/buck option now. I think I can squeeze the extra $100 out of the budget.
HSF - Thermaltake Silent Boost seems to work well on the A64
Motherboard - ECS 755-A helps offset the CPU cost overrun, if it works. Lack of IEE1394 is a minor disappointment, but the camcorder also has USB connector. If ECS board is no good, one of the better VIA boards is my next choice.
RAM - 512MB of quality PC3500 RAM, probably Mushkin.
Video - Here's where I may cut a corner or two. Gaming isn't high on my priority list (no time). MS Flight Simulator currently is the only game I own. I would like to try some of the newer FSPs, so I'd like a video card capable of handling them even if I have to turn off some of the higher-end features.

Any and all help, comments and corrections are appreciated. Happy New Year!

Daryl

 

[LouPoir]

Dump the ECS board - get yourself an nForce2 or nForce2-400 board for a few dollars more.

IMHO


Lou

 

[Breezie]

Fligh Simulator actually takes a lot of gfx power-- how bout you get that 9800pro on sale at microcenter for $239 in the hot deals forum? Its a HOT deal for an AWESOME card-

 

[imported_Phil]

I wouldn't want to try editing on a USB connection. Firewire is much better IMHO, and pretty cheap for a PCI card now.

 

[JBT]

If u go for the A64 I heard the 755 ECS boards are pretty nice if u don't wanna go that route any of the Via's are nice too They OC a bit but not much. if u decide to go for a XP system Nforce 2's are a must. I love my Asus A7N8X DLX. As for video the microcenter deal is awsome for the 9800 pro. If u feel like something a little less go for one of the cheap 5900 nu or SE cards at newegg should be under 200 easy. They also are spose to OC great aswell.

As for the ECS with out fire wire it might be worth it to get a add in card for that.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

If you go Barton, get the Abit NF7-S mobo, it has everything u need, along with a stable chipset, which is also good for overclocking! Most people hit 3200 speeds with a barton 2500. For video card, do what I did: Look on eBay for a new in box sealed GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB DDR card. I paid $115 shipped for a sealed Chaintech GX-21 GeForce4 Ti4200-8X 128MB DDR with video-in and video-out (ViVo)! For $115 at places like NewEgg you can't really get too much, so im happy with what I did. Also, is there any need for PC3500 ram in a Barton system? If you O/C to 3200, that is PC3200 speed (200MHz FSB = PC3200). Having ram rated faster than what you run it at won't make your computer any faster. Good luck with the new system!

-Josh

 

[KnightPalatine]

Thanks, everyone.

Great advice on the video cards. SpeedFreak's recommendation fits best with my current budget. My plan for now is to go with the Athlon 64, ECS 755-A mobo, IEEE 1394 add-in card, and a 512MB stick of Kingston HyperX 3500. Other users may have reports on the 755-A by the time I'm able to buy, so if it turns out less than promised I'll probably go with the ASUS KV8.

I'm still open to suggestions. I'll keep you posted on the end product.

Try not to laugh too hard at my current rig...

Daryl

 

[dnuggett]

I would stay away from ECS boards, but that is just my opinion based on experience. I would go w/ the ASUS KV8.