Rookie PC Building, Please Advise!

[hondaf17]

Before I even start, let me first say thank you in advance for your helpfulness. I'm trying to build a quality, stable computer that will be used primarily for every day purposes such as internet browsing, digital picture storage, and a few games. Here are the components, links and prices that I've found. Any comments/advice are openly welcomed. Thank you!

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ - $322

MOBO - Asus A85NX - 24 Pin - $92

HD - Western Digital 200 GB SATA - $92

Video Card - Connect 3D Radeon X800 GTO - $149 after $25 MIR

Case - Cooler Master Centurion 5 - $49

PSU - OCZ Modstream 450W - $70 after $20 MIR

I have 1 GB PC3200 DDR RAM that I will use in this system. Please let me know if I've hit the nail on the head, or if you'd reccomend a different product here or there. Thank you in advance and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[KoolDrew]

Are you overclocking? It doesn't really sound like you need a dual-core CPU. I would just get a single-core. For the motherboard I would suggest a EPoX 9NPA+Ultra. The HDD is fine, but you can check out storagereview for comparisons. Also, this may help. You could bump up to a 6800Gs, but the X800GTO is not a bad choice. I do not recommend the OCZ Modstream at all. Get something like a Fortron AX450-PN.

 

[ShadowBlade]

overkill
go for an a64 3200+ (venice of course) and overclock to about 2.2-2.4GHz
knock the gpu down to a 6600gt or i think the ati competition is the x600
the only thing the modstream psu's have going for them is looks and the cable sleeving. Generally modular psu's perform less than a non-modular, so go for the Powerstream 520

 

[KoolDrew]

The Powerstream 520w is a great PSU, but it seems overkill for his needs. The Fortron AX450-PN would be great.

 

[Nick5324]

I was going to say replace the PSU with a Xclio 450, but the Fortron AX450-PN you guys mentioned has a little better +12V.

Edit: I'd also say pick up a 6600 gt

 

[eXx08]

Originally posted by: Nick5324
I was going to say replace the PSU with a Xclio 450, but the Fortron AX450-PN you guys mentioned has a little better +12V.

Edit: I'd also say pick up a 6600 gt

I have a Xclio 450Bl. It seems very stable. Although I havn't seen them on Newegg for a while. Hmm...

 

[8steve8]

overpriced psu
id go with the 2-platter t7k250 250GB sata2 drive
on black friday u can buy a x800xl for $199 in store, i forget if its bb or compusa...
oterwise the gto is fine, i think newegg has one on sale now for 125.
personally id go for an opteron 165 if u can find it for <300... it has double the cache and a better HSF tha nthe x2 3800.. and its also dual core.

as for the mobo... u have many many many choices if u want a basic nforce4 board....
especially if u dont need heavy oc'ng... id suggest looking at the aopen nforce4 ultra for quality... but really you have many many good choices there.

even teh asus a8n-vm csm from zipzoom for 110 shipped.. has onboard video w/dvi azalia hd sound, 4 ports sata2 supporting raid 5!... all in a uATX form factor. note this board does not overclock well.. so if thats important dont get this board.

 

[8steve8]

while the AX-450-PN is cirtainly a great value and a great powersupply..
*i own it*

its fan is very loud... so if u dont wanna mod the psu to lower voltage to fan, or open it up and replace the fan with a quieter one.. (all voiding warrentee)...

id strongly suggest a different psu...

 

[hondaf17]

Thanks all for your replies. I am swapping out the OCD Modstream for the Fortron AX-450-PN, which more than one of you recommended. How does everything else look? Would anyone recommend switching out the WD HD with the Hitachi 250 GB Deskstar?

Hitachi 250 GB Deskstar

Thanks a lot and I want to buy everything today, so I appreciate your comments!

 

[KoolDrew]

The Hitachi is great choice. You could also consider the WD drive wtih 16MB cache, but it is a bit more expensive.

 

[hondaf17]

Hey Kooldrew and everyone,

I'm looking seriously at that motherboard that you recommended...

EpoX EP-9NPA+Ultra

I'm going to stay with my X2 for future performance, so does that mobo support Athlon 64 X2s? It doesn't say so in the specs. Thanks.

Also, if everything else looks ok, please let me know so that I can buy with confidence that everything will arrive, be compatabile, and be high-quality. Thanks!

Oh, one more thing, does the fortron power supply come with SATA power cables? I can't tell (plus I don't really know what to look for). Thanks guys, it's appreciated.

 

[KoolDrew]

The X2 will work fine.

 

[8steve8]

the powersupply is loud. i woudlnt buy it again unless the pc is in a data center or somewhere i cant here it.

 

[8steve8]

go with the hitachi T7K250 not the regular 7k250 250GB