Suugestions for a Complete New System

[Morpth]

I am looking for Community suggestions on a complete new system to replace my circa 1998 system.

I currently use an Asus P2B-F with an Intel 333Mhz Celeron, 448 MB PC100 memory and a Viper TNT2 32MB AGP video card.

My constriants for the new system are as follows:

1) Money -- it always is: I have about $1100.00 USD.
2) Brand Names -- I'd like to stay with AMD 64 939 & Asus.
3) Case/Chassis -- I'd like an Aluminum case that works...Windows & Flash optional.

I have already read the reviews & Guides from Anandtech, Ars Technica, & HardOCP. I would now like the communities input on what works within these constraints.

Thanxs in advance...Morpth

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

We're going to need more info...

What are you going to use it for? Do you play graphic-intensive games? Do you want to hook it up to your TV and record digital video? Are you a musician, and need a good audio system? Do you need any peripherals, such as scanner/keyboard/printer/monitor/etc.? Do you already have a legal copy of Windows XP?

Also....why do you need a socket-939 ASUS board? What's wrong with socket-754, or other brands?

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Athlon64 Venice 3200+
ASUS A8N-E (but it doesn't have firewire)
Audigy 2-ZS (comes with firewire)
ATI X800XL
Corsair ValueSelect 1 GB
Antec SmartPower II 400W
NEC DVD Burner (don't know the model number)
120GB seagate drive

Anything im missing? typed this in a hurry

 

[Morpth]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
We're going to need more info...

What are you going to use it for? Do you play graphic-intensive games? Do you want to hook it up to your TV and record digital video? Are you a musician, and need a good audio system? Do you need any peripherals, such as scanner/keyboard/printer/monitor/etc.? Do you already have a legal copy of Windows XP?

Also....why do you need a socket-939 ASUS board? What's wrong with socket-754, or other brands?

The additional information you have requested is as follows:

1) Main system use -- programming, productivity software, some games.
2) Yes, I play Asheron's Call -- Online MMPORPG (spelling??)
3) Nix on the Tv & digital recording concepts.
4) Not a professional musician, so the sound system is not critical. I have a Sound Blaster 24Bit adapter forget the name & Altec Lansing Speakers.
5) I would as an additional input like some suggestions on a Flat panel 19" monitor; there's always Christmas. I have a 17" Dell CRT I am using.
6) Yes, I have a legal copy of 32Bit Windows XP Pro -- Got it on the October Launch day!
7) I dont actually need the 939. In reading the various sites, I have learned that AMD will stick to 939 socket for all their products shortly. I wanted an upgrade path to the future as I like ot hold onto my purchases for a while. (See current system above).
8) I like Asus because it is what I have experience with. I would be open to others if they come highly recommended.

-Morpth

 

[MobiusPizza]

Originally posted by: Morpth
2) Yes, I play Asheron's Call -- Online MMPORPG (spelling??)

MMORPG

Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game

 

[MobiusPizza]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy

Athlon64 Venice 3200+
ASUS A8N-E (but it doesn't have firewire)
Audigy 2-ZS (comes with firewire)
ATI X800XL
Corsair ValueSelect 1 GB
Antec SmartPower II 400W
NEC DVD Burner (don't know the model number)
120GB seagate drive

Anything im missing? typed this in a hurry

That's good enough

 

[Morpth]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy

Athlon64 Venice 3200+
ASUS A8N-E (but it doesn't have firewire)
Audigy 2-ZS (comes with firewire)
ATI X800XL
Corsair ValueSelect 1 GB
Antec SmartPower II 400W
NEC DVD Burner (don't know the model number)
120GB seagate drive

Anything im missing? typed this in a hurry

Is the Antec SmartPower II 400W a PSU or a Chassis with a PSU?

-Morpth

 

[Morpth]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX

Originally posted by: Morpth
2) Yes, I play Asheron's Call -- Online MMPORPG (spelling??)

MMORPG

Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game

Thank you for the correct spelling.

-Morpth

 

[MobiusPizza]

You're welcome

Cases depend on your personal taste
I personally like Lian-Li cases for their clean look. Excellent workmanship as well
However because they are aluminium they are more than $100

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Morpth

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy

Athlon64 Venice 3200+
ASUS A8N-E (but it doesn't have firewire)
Audigy 2-ZS (comes with firewire)
ATI X800XL
Corsair ValueSelect 1 GB
Antec SmartPower II 400W
NEC DVD Burner (don't know the model number)
120GB seagate drive

Anything im missing? typed this in a hurry

Is the Antec SmartPower II 400W a PSU or a Chassis with a PSU?

-Morpth

Looks solid, I would change the PSU to a Seasonic S12 330 or similar Sparkle/Forton Source.

As far as AL cases go Lian Li and CoolerMaster are the ones to look at. The Lian Li V1100 would be my next case if I had to upgrade. The entire CM ATC line is also great, only down side being the use of 80mm fans.

 

[Morpth]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
You're welcome

Cases depend on your personal taste
I personally like Lian-Li cases for their clean look. Excellent workmanship as well
However because they are aluminium they are more than $100

I did notice that. I was eyeing the Thermaltake VA-8000 silver armor chassis but its almosy $200.00! I read the the most recent computer show review that Thermaltake might release said Armor series in a mid-size unit. I wonder what price that will released at when it hits the shelves.

The case I have now is a steel case having 4 external 5" bays & 2 3" bays. Your Basic white box as I built it myself from information acquired from the Anandtech site back in 1998!

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

A Dell 17" CRT is just fine, but if you think you'd enjoy a flat-panel display, I'd go for it. A wireless keyboard and mouse are also very useful items, too. Slick peripherals can make for a highly enjoyable computing experience.

If you're not gaming much, I'd stick with a sub-$100 video card. Video cards can gobble up your budget, and they won't help your system run any faster unless you're playing graphic-intensive games. Even DVD playback works just wonderfully on any run-of-the-mill 64MB card. You may need to get something a little better for HDTV, but, like you said, you're not going to use it as a multimedia workstation. So, my advice is to limit the money you spend on a video card.

When you get memory, remember that 512MB is plenty for most applications. If you have a choice between more memory, or a better CPU, it's usually best to put your money into the CPU. Only when you get to the 3400+ & 3500+ range will you benefit from 1GB memory, and even then it's a tough call. For 3700+ and above, though, it's usually best to go with 1GB.

Finally, don't put too much stock in the motherboard/platform. Unless you're overclocking, a cheap socket-754 PC Chips board is going to serve you about as well as a DFI Lanparty for 939. And since you can get a socket-754 Athlon 64 3400+ for less than a socket-939 Athlon 64 3200+, that means you may actually get better performance out of a s754 system.

I hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[Morpth]

Second draft:

After read all the replies from my earlier question and taking into consideration the post from "pirred908" entitled "Trying to put together an entry level gaming machine", I have come up with this build and wanted your opinion on it. Its more for gaming than my original question asked about.

The system:

Antec Life Style SONATA Piano Black 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower 380W PS $109.00

CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD
$93.00

Leadtek PX6600GT TDH Extreme Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16
$199.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor
$192.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400C3
$96.00

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA NCQ ST3160827AS 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150
$96.00

NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A
$59.99

I priced this system via Newegg today and the total system price is $844.99 USD. It is missing a few other perks such as sound card, display, and kybrd/mouse, but I can pick that up cheaply or even use a 2 system KVM and share them!

Comments & Suggestions are appreciated.

-Morpth

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Might want to go for Sonata II. Cmes with a 24-pin power supply.