Requesting a critique of new system specs

mfowler70

Junior Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Fresh account noob here. I'm about to order up and build my first system from scratch and need some critique of my part list so far, specifically pertaining to their compatibility with each other. I'm almost positive I'm forgetting something important that I will need, so please clue me in as needed.

I've done alot of searching/comparing on these forums and elsewhere, and it seems everyone has their own opinion about every product. What I'm most concerned about is that they will work well together. I don't plan to overclock until I learn more about how it's done. Like I said, I'm a complete noob to this.

Chaintech Nforce4 VNF4/Ultra mobo
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester 90nm
Corsair XMS Extreme 1GB (512x2) 2-2-2-5
BFG Geforce 6800+ GT OC PCI-e 256 MB, dual DVI
Audigy 2 ZS PCI (non Plat/LE)
Seagate Barracuda 160 GB 7200 SATA
NEC ND-3520A dual layer DVD+-RW
OCZ Modstream 450W PSU
Antec P160 aluminum case
Windows XP Pro

Do I need any extra fans, or additional cooling for the vid card?

Thanks in advance.
 

Machine350

Senior member
Oct 8, 2004
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Welcome to the forums. The only thing I would change if you plan on doing some overclocking is to go with a DFI nforce4 board. Not knocking Chaintech, they make good stuff, but DFI is more overclocker friendly, lots of options. You're gonna have a lot of fun with that system.
 

mfowler70

Junior Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Thanks, I'll check into that DFI board. I won't be overclocking right away, but I certainly won't rule it out completely. I agree that it's better to plan ahead though.

I sure hope I have a lot of fun. I'm having a lot of anxiety right now though.
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,153
6
81
get this RAM instead. it will save you a crap load of cash, and there is virtually no performance difference
 

Machine350

Senior member
Oct 8, 2004
537
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Originally posted by: nick1985
get this RAM instead. it will save you a crap load of cash, and there is virtually no performance difference

I've never heard of g skill. You can get corsair or kingston for roughly the same price.
 

mfowler70

Junior Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Originally posted by: nick1985
get this RAM instead. it will save you a crap load of cash, and there is virtually no performance difference


Interesting. I've never heard of G.skill but it reviews well. My system is currently on budget with the Corsair, but I like the idea of saving $114. On the other hand, if I don't spend it, my wife will.....

So, with that in mind, do you think it would be beneficial to get 2 GB of this stuff? Or sticking with 1 GB, I see where they have PC-4400 sticks with TCCD. Although I don't know what TCCD means, folks seem to think it's well worth the extra cost. Is it?
 

mfowler70

Junior Member
Mar 30, 2005
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nevermind. The mobo only supports DDR400.

But the 2GB vs. 1GB question is still valid. From research I gather that I can only use 2 sticks with the a64 chip. I'm leaning towards sticking in the 2GB and to hell with saving any money. Thanks for the tip!
 

airfoil

Golden Member
Jan 17, 2001
1,643
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Originally posted by: mfowler70
nevermind. The mobo only supports DDR400.

But the 2GB vs. 1GB question is still valid. From research I gather that I can only use 2 sticks with the a64 chip. I'm leaning towards sticking in the 2GB and to hell with saving any money. Thanks for the tip!

Save the $114 and get yourself some other toys instead. Like another HDD for example.

You may also want to consider Windows XP MCE for the OS. Here's a review.