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System Building - Critique!!

5

5teN

Junior Member
Hey Guys,
I'm planning on purchasing a new computer system (for gaming...watching dvd's...and everything else) and have come with a system configuration...I'm not totally confident about it and am looking for any comments, ideas or recommendations!

Here is what I've come up with:

MotherBoard Gigabyte GA-8KNXP
RAM Infineon PC3200 512mb
RAM Infineon PC3200 512mb
CPU P4 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB
Hard Drive Maxtor 120GB 8mb
Video Card MSI FX5900 VTD128
ROM Drive LG 48x24x48 + 16x DVD [4480B]
Case Antec Lanboy [with PS]
Case Fan Antec 80mm UV [Blue]
Monitor Viewsonic P95F+ [CRT]
Speakers Logitech Z-680 [5.1, 450w]
Floppy 1.44mb Flobby

The one I'm most concerned about is the video card. I have just heard some things about the FX5900 chipset that are making me re-think. What do you guys think? Would you recommend another card? I just made a post in the video forum about my video card dilemna
HERE

Thanks very much for any help!
Spencer
www.the510realm.com
 
just get a 9700 non-pro. it shoudl run most games just fine and u will save 300 dollars. after d3 and hl2 come out buy another card.

if ur overclocking get the abit is7.
 
I don't have a P4, but I did extensive research on it...only to not upgrade to it because of the costs. If I was you, I would buy the Radeon 9700 Pro because that is guaranteed to last you a while, and the drivers are no doubt refined by now (I don't have one, so I really wouldn't know but it seems logical). I like that LG drive you chose...that gets high marks from a friend's experience and from others I know that talked of it...good choice 🙂.

I have heard people have troubles with the P95f+ on these forums, and you could find them by doing a simple search. You might want to look into that before you buy it. My choice was going to be the NEC FE991SB. As far as the case goes, I think you'll be happy with it. Thats aluminum, isn't it? I hope you don't think it will dissipate heat faster, because your components would have to be contacting the aluminum to have it benefit from that.

You might want to check out the SLK3700AMB if you haven't yet. It is from Antec and it is a steel case but it is VERY good with cooling. With the 120mm fan in the rear and one in the front, coupled with my SLK-800A, Thermaltake 80mm Smart Fan II (temperature controlled), it can cool my 2500+ to 95 F idle/97 F load and keeps it at 100 F idle / 104 F load at 2800+ speeds (2.083Ghz)...I leave it at that. At 2.2Ghz, it goes up to 109-111 F under load. Impressive, isn't it? I just thought you would want to know that 🙂.

I hope I could help you out in any way 😀
 
MotherBoard Gigabyte GA-8KNXP - i'd rather have an IS7
RAM Infineon PC3200 512mb - XMS if you are gonna OC, pc3500 would be nice for OCing as well
RAM Infineon PC3200 512mb
CPU P4 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB- good choice, maybe a 2.6C if you are gonna OC to save some $$$
Hard Drive Maxtor 120GB 8mb- good choice
Video Card MSI FX5900 VTD128 - 9700 pro/9800 NP/9800 pro
ROM Drive LG 48x24x48 + 16x DVD [4480B] - ok
Case Antec Lanboy [with PS] - ok
Case Fan Antec 80mm UV [Blue] - ok
Monitor Viewsonic P95F+ [CRT] - great monitor
Speakers Logitech Z-680 [5.1, 450w] - great speakers
Floppy 1.44mb Floppy - ok
 
I dont reccomend getting a gigabyte board for I865/I875, i'd reccomend Abit or Asus.

The video card is an ENORMOUS waste of cash... id go with a 9700pro, or FX5600 Ultra and then get a next generation chipset when they come down in price.

Other than that, great system.
 
Originally posted by: zainali
just get a 9700 non-pro. it shoudl run most games just fine and u will save 300 dollars. after d3 and hl2 come out buy another card.

if ur overclocking get the abit is7.
Click to expand...

Isnt the IC7 the gigabus board?
 
Whats your budget?

MotherBoard Gigabyte GA-8KNXP
-Recomend ASUS P4P800 or P4C800 if you have money.

RAM Infineon PC3200 512mb
RAM Infineon PC3200 512mb
-Good ram if not OCing. Other wise get
GEIL PC3500 Dual Chan Ram 1GB (2x 512MB)
OCZ PC3200 Dual Chanl Optimized DDR 1GB (2x 512MB)
Kingston HyperX PC3500 Dual Chan 1GB Kit (2x 512MB)
Corsair XMS PC4000 Dual Chan 1GB Twin Pack (2x 512MB)

CPU P4 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB
-Good choice, if you need to save money get 2.6C, if your rich get 3.0C
* If you OC get a good HSF. Like a Alpha PAL8942.

Hard Drive Maxtor 120GB 8mb
-Maxtor = garbage. I recommend the Seagate 120gig SATA. If not get the WD SE 8mb 120gig.

Video Card MSI FX5900 VTD128
-To expensive. Get the FX5600 or the Radeon 9700Pro

CDROM Drive LG 48x24x48 + 16x DVD [4480B]
-Get a DVD -/+ 4x Burner. $150-$200 NEC, Pioneer, etc are good. Get the Sony -/+ 4x if you got money.

Case Antec Lanboy [with PS]
-Good choice case. How many Watts is the PSU? brand? Max output. If you OC get a better PSU (like Antec True 400W+++)

Case Fan Antec 80mm UV [Blue]
-Nice. Maybe Cooler Master Thermal Sensor Case Fans would be better for OC

Monitor Viewsonic P95F+ [CRT]
-I would rather get a Dell Ultrasharp DVI LCD 15". Or a brand like Viewsonic thats atleast 15" DVI LCD.

Speakers Logitech Z-680 [5.1, 450w]
-Good choice. Want more expensive? KLIPSCH, Creative Labs, Harmon Kardon, etc.

Floppy 1.44mb Flobby
-Cant go wrong with a generic. They only like $5-8 =)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys.
It seems like there are always people/websites/reviews saying conflicting things...which is why this can get confusing!

I dont plan on overclocking so I think I will stick with my original MB, CPU and RAM. Although if possible, and not to expensive I may look at better RAM just incase.

The video card I'm still not certian about...What i've gathered is that the FX5900 (128mb) is only slightly better than the 9700 pro. I'm going to call the store and see what the price difference is. I just realized that these new cards need power from the power supply! HAHA that is so sweet 🙂

I've heard the Antec Lanboy comes with a high quality, antec 350w power supply. (smart blue or something?)

I thought the maxtor HD was very similar the the WD or similar specs. I was told the difference was the Maxtor has fluid bearings or something and as a result is quieter. I was also told that it isnt really worth buying a SATA hardrive yet. (unless it was the Raptor 10000 rpm one...)

Also I dont think I'm going to spring for a DVD burner just yet...wait until next year when things get more refined and cheaper 🙂

Thanks again for all your replies and help!
Spencer
 
Originally posted by: 5teN
Thanks for all the replies guys.
It seems like there are always people/websites/reviews saying conflicting things...which is why this can get confusing!

I dont plan on overclocking so I think I will stick with my original MB, CPU and RAM. Although if possible, and not to expensive I may look at better RAM just incase.

The video card I'm still not certian about...What i've gathered is that the FX5900 (128mb) is only slightly better than the 9700 pro. I'm going to call the store and see what the price difference is. I just realized that these new cards need power from the power supply! HAHA that is so sweet 🙂

I've heard the Antec Lanboy comes with a high quality, antec 350w power supply. (smart blue or something?)

I thought the maxtor HD was very similar the the WD or similar specs. I was told the difference was the Maxtor has fluid bearings or something and as a result is quieter. I was also told that it isnt really worth buying a SATA hardrive yet. (unless it was the Raptor 10000 rpm one...)

Also I dont think I'm going to spring for a DVD burner just yet...wait until next year when things get more refined and cheaper 🙂

Thanks again for all your replies and help!
Spencer
Click to expand...


if you arent gonna OC, stick with the 2.8 and the ram. however, i would still go with an IS7/IC7 for the mobo

btw, there is gonna be a significant difference is price between the 9700 pro and 5900
 
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