Revised Workstation, Ordering Today! What do you think?

[Calaf]

I updated my system from this thread and ended up saving about 40 bucks even after adding a better cpu cooler+fan, some sound reducing mats, end-caps for unused 4-pin power connectors and rubber grommets! Here's the final specs (thanks for the advice everyone!):

Case
Antec SLK3700AMB w/ 350W Antec SmartPower PSU and Antec 120mm SmartFan- $84
CD/RW-ROM
Lite On Black 52x24x52 - $53
DVD-ROM
Lite On Black 16x - $40
Floppy Drive
Samsung Black 1.44MB - $10
Hard Drives
Seagate 80GB 7200rpm Serial ATA (x2) - $282
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural Multimedia - $26
Memory
512MB Twinmos PC3200 DDR400 Ram (x2) - $264
Monitor
KDS 19" Rad-9 LCD - $600
Motherboard
Asus A7N8X Deluxe Motherboard - $152
Processor
AMD Athlon XP "Barton" 2500 - $172
Speakers
Altec Lansing AVS 300W Multimedia - $25
Tablet
Wacom Intuos2 4x5 w/ 2D Mouse - $180
Video Card
ATI Fire GL 8800 128MB DDR - $236
Other
Akasa PAX.mate Fan Noise Reducer - $19
Anti-Static Wrist Strap - $10
Cooler Master Thermal Kit - $5
Grommet Pieces (x28) - $15
Plastic End Caps for 4-pin Molex Power Connectors (x5) - $10
Round 16" Floppy Cable - $10
Round 24" IDE Cable - $8
Thermalright SLK-800 CPU Cooler w/ Thermaltake Smart II Fan - $56

Total
$2257 w/out Tax and S&H

 

[human2k]

Looks great, you've done your homework! Are you going to be overclocking at all with that Barton?

 

[Calaf]

I'm not very knowledgeable on how to overclock. All I know is that its a combination of a good CPU fan, PSU and motherboard, hehe. I read though that you could overclock the Barton XP 2500+ to well over the 3000+ and still be stable. I've also heard about overclocking memory but as aforementioned, I'm very new to the hardware aspect of PC.

 

[mboy]

Glad someone finally listens to me

You will be VERY happy with the twinmos adn the slk-800.

I think you can probably save another $20 and nix the fan noise reducer, just turn the fan down if it gets too loud for u.

See u in the CPU/OC forum when u get her set up


Getting everything installed at stock speeds 1st, then we can bump you up a bit.

You should have no problem at least running a FSB of 185-190 (thats where the real performance comes into play)

 

[Calaf]

Heh, those noise reducing mats were more of a swing decision, I can go either way really, but with anothers opinion, looks like I'll be saving another 20 bucks! Woo! I better head over to the CPU/OC forums to see whats up!

 

[mboy]

to give u an example.

I am running an 8rda+, xp2100 and 256mb x2 of the twinmos/winbond

I am running 200fsb x11.5=2.305 Ghz, memory in synch with cpu

Super stable under prime 95+ unreall II at same time

 

[AtomicDude512]

Originally posted by: Calaf
I updated my system from this thread and ended up saving about 40 bucks even after adding a better cpu cooler+fan, some sound reducing mats, end-caps for unused 4-pin power connectors and rubber grommets! Here's the final specs (thanks for the advice everyone!):

Case
Antec SLK3700AMB w/ 350W Antec SmartPower PSU and Antec 120mm SmartFan- $84
CD/RW-ROM
Lite On Black 52x24x52 - $53
DVD-ROM
Lite On Black 16x - $40
Floppy Drive
Samsung Black 1.44MB - $10
Hard Drives
Seagate 80GB 7200rpm Serial ATA (x2) - $282
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural Multimedia - $26
Memory
512MB Twinmos PC3200 DDR400 Ram (x2) - $264
Monitor
KDS 19" Rad-9 LCD - $600
Motherboard
Asus A7N8X Deluxe Motherboard - $152
Processor
AMD Athlon XP "Barton" 2500 - $172
Speakers
Altec Lansing AVS 300W Multimedia - $25
Tablet
Wacom Intuos2 4x5 w/ 2D Mouse - $180
Video Card
ATI Fire GL 8800 128MB DDR - $236
Other
Akasa PAX.mate Fan Noise Reducer - $19
Anti-Static Wrist Strap - $10
Cooler Master Thermal Kit - $5
Grommet Pieces (x28) - $15
Plastic End Caps for 4-pin Molex Power Connectors (x5) - $10
Round 16" Floppy Cable - $10
Round 24" IDE Cable - $8
Thermalright SLK-800 CPU Cooler w/ Thermaltake Smart II Fan - $56

Total
$2257 w/out Tax and S&H

Well, if you want SerialATA just get IDE because it is not too much faster.

 

[Calaf]

I am running 200fsb x11.5=2.305 Ghz, memory in synch with cpu

WOW! is all I have to say...lol. A 2100+ running faster than a 3000+? Thats insanely awesome! I wonder what I could get my 2500+ up to? *insert evil grin here* And in regards to the Serial ATA, I'm aware of the price difference, but for what I'm doing (level/world design) I'd like the faster transfer rates without having to go SCSI, I might forgo the HDD's another day or two though to see if Seagate is releasing their 120GB SATA's. They have them on their website so I'm sure they'll be online in a day or two.

 

[mboy]

If u arent going with the new 10k rpm SATA drives, then serial ATA is really pointless as it is NOT faster then ide ( roughly the same actually)

I am sure you will be able to run your barton 2500 at least 2.3ghz.

 

[WTT0001]

Will you trade me after you get it running??? I'll even cover shipping

 

[Calaf]

If u arent going with the new 10k rpm SATA drives, then serial ATA is really pointless...

Well I just checked out the Western Digital and it seems those 10,000rpm SATA's are more for servers, dual processor workstations and enterprise storage, stuff I won't be delving into. I'm sure that it costs a bit more too. As with the trading, lol...I'd have to see your system first!

 

[mboy]

If yuo arent going with the 10k drives, then I would go with the IDE and save yourself some more $$$$$.

The thruput isn't where the HD bottleneck is.

get yourself a couple of 80Gb ATA/133 8mb cache drives and run them in raid if you like.
That will BLOW away the 7200 rpm SATA drives.

 

[psy44]

Quick Change! Get Logitech z-640 speakers at buy.com now for 50 bucks, other places have them for 40 also. Also Get the Dell 1800FP instead of the KDS monitor.

 

[Calaf]

Investigating the HDD's as we speak, and I'm taking a look at the other monitor and speakers...I'll let you guys know the outcome in a few.

 

[Calaf]

Okay, thanks for some more input, I looked into it and you're right about the SATA vs 8MB Cache, not much difference. So I'm going to go for this HDD setup:

Western Digital "Special Edition" 80GB 7200rpm 8MB Cache - $98 (Partitioned into 20GB for OS and Pagefiles, 60GB for applications)
Western Digital "Special Edition" 120GB 7200rpm 8MB Cache - $137 (All for storage of my digital content like maps, levels, worlds, music, documents, movies, all that good stuff)

And I decided to go with your advice and save 40 bucks and get the Dell 1800FP because frankly I'll be in a dorm room next year again and I need the space. Along with the topic of space, I won't be playing many games on my workstation so I won't be needing a 5.1 speaker system, plus I think $25 is an awesome price for a 2.1 300W setup.

So here's a little comparison:
$2257 before I changed HDDs and monitor
$2131 after (40 more GB of space plus what seems to be a better quality monitor at about the same size)

Overall you guys are great! You've helped me construct a great workstation!

 

[mboy]

NIce, now let us know when u build it so we cang get u over the 2.3ghz hump

Oh yeah, I just the z640's yesterday. they are schweet! especially for $50 after rebate

 

[Hulk]

With your latest HD and monitor changes I'd say the system is perfect!