THANKS for your MOBO DECISION HELP

[Fisher999]

I guess the title of this thread says it all.

Many of you will remember I ran two threads this last week on "help" in determining the critical components for my new system build including the AMD vs. Intel decision, the P/S, Videocard, RAM and lastly the holdout decision for the motherboard and CPU.

I purchased those last two products today.

I went with a "combo" from Monarch Computer Systems which included the Asus A8N-SLI (nForce4 SLI) motherboard and the AMD Althlon64 3200+ Socket 939 VENICE core ! YES, the VENICE !!!

So the overall system (when the rest of it gets here will look like this for now):

Case - Chieftec DX-01SLD Mid-Tower w/side panel

P/S - Fortron Source AX500A BLUE 500W P/S
probably to be replaced BEFORE system build with this Seasonic S12-430 P/S

MOBO - Asus A8N-SLI with nForce 4 SLI chip/Socket 939

CPU - AMD Athlon64 3200+ "Venice" Core Socket 939

CPU HSF - Thermaltake A1838 HSF

RAM - 1GB (512 X 2) Patriot DDR 4000 2-3-2-5-T1 DDR400

Video - Asus/Radeon x700/PCI-Express Video Card

Hard Drive - Western Digital WD1000JB - 100 GB - ( 8MB Cache ) PATA 100 Hard Drive

CDRW - Lite-On LTR-4012S 40X12X48 CD-RW Drive

DVD-ROM - Pioneer DVD-106S

SoundCard - Hercules Game Theatre XP

Monitor - Samsung 900NF 19" AG

Speakers - Logitech Z560 (THX-Certified) 4.1

Keyboard/Mouse - Logitech Cordless Desktop Pro

Printer - Epson Stylus Photo 700

Video Capture- ATI TV Wonder Elite - Remote Control

O/S: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

THANKS to ALL of you who provided input in making the critcal decisions including Gerbil333, Rike, The Pentium Guy, Megatomic, ChicagoPCDude, Ribbon13, ShoRunner, Wisdomtooth, SlitheryDee, Duvie, Cscpianoman, DLeRium, Away, YOyoYOhowsDAjello, Raildogg, Promethply, Newmenu, Krnxpride83, Ike0069 and Gadzookie.

You folks had either responded to this thread or this thread !!!

Your help was SINCERELY appreciated.

TO ALL :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

 

[Megatomic]

That's gonna be an awesome computer. Next you'll have to get a real high end video card, but I'd defintely wait until the new GPUs are unveiled to do so.

 

[Away]

Awesome setup. I hope it runs well for you for years to come.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Wait... I was part of a process that ended up getting you an SLI motherboard and an X700?

 

[Megatomic]

YOyoYO, you told him to get the X700?!?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
YOyoYO, you told him to get the X700?!?

I don't remember doing it... and if I did, I was unaware that he was getting an SLI motherboard.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
That's gonna be an awesome computer. Next you'll have to get a real high end video card, but I'd defintely wait until the new GPUs are unveiled to do so.

I hope it is "awesome", it sure will seem fast compared to what I've been using, lol.

As I look that list over there is one thing that bothers me though and that's the WD 1000JB 100GB hard drive. I purchased it NEW - OEM from NewEgg in summer of 2002 for about $110 and never used it. The 8MB cache WD's were HOT then but a lot has changed in HD technology since then. It isn't even ATA-133 let alone a fast 10,000 RPM SATA-150 WD "Raptor" hard drive.

Am I seriously "undercutting" the system by installing the O/S on that older technology H.D. ???

I could always add something faster later for storage later but for the O/S install I'm concerned about that older WE being my main hard drive.

What do you think ???

And thanks again for your help!!

Greg

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Away
Awesome setup. I hope it runs well for you for years to come.

Thanks AWAY, and thanks for your help and input into my threads ! :thumbsup:

Greg

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
That's gonna be an awesome computer. Next you'll have to get a real high end video card, but I'd defintely wait until the new GPUs are unveiled to do so.

BTW, I agree the videocard is another weak point but that will have to wait a while, lol.

And like you said, new prospects are on the horizon and that just means that the current top guns will eventually drop in price, lol.

Greg

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: Megatomic
That's gonna be an awesome computer. Next you'll have to get a real high end video card, but I'd defintely wait until the new GPUs are unveiled to do so.

I hope it is "awesome", it sure will seem fast compared to what I've been using, lol.

As I look that list over there is one thing that bothers me though and that's the WD 1000JB 100GB hard drive. I purchased it NEW - OEM from NewEgg in summer of 2002 for about $110 and never used it. The 8MB cache WD's were HOT then but a lot has changed in HD technology since then. It isn't even ATA-133 let alone a fast SATA-150 WD "Raptor" hard drive.

Am I seriously "undercutting" the system by installing the O/S on that older technology H.D. ???

I could always add something faster later for storage later but for the O/S install I'm concerned about that older WE being my main hard drive.

What do you think ???

And thanks again for your help!!

Greg

ATA133 gets you nothing over ATA100.

A WD 8mb cache should be plenty fast for that system. I would definately recommend getting a significantly faster videocard before spending money on a raptor.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Megatomic
YOyoYO, you told him to get the X700?!?

I don't remember doing it... and if I did, I was unaware that he was getting an SLI motherboard.

LMAO you two. Actually YO you suggested that I purchase this Chaintech nForce4 Mobo which was on my sidelist as a potential candidate. So you see you did help, sort of, lol.

Actually, I appreciated your input into my thread. I had several people recommend the Chaintech but I went with the SLI not because I need it but because the non-SLI nForce board was not an option at Monarch where I ordered the CPU/Mobo combination. I had decided on the Asus A8N-E but had to bump up to the A8N-SLI......

Now I have the option to become the mad gamer from hell, lol.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

A WD 8mb cache should be plenty fast for that system. I would definately recommend getting a significantly faster videocard before spending money on a raptor.

Really ??? Well, THIS time, unlike the Chaintech mobo recommendation, I'll listen to you and leave the hard drive alone and concentrate on upgrading the videocard down the road !!!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Megatomic
YOyoYO, you told him to get the X700?!?

I don't remember doing it... and if I did, I was unaware that he was getting an SLI motherboard.

LMAO you two. Actually YO you suggested that I purchase this Chaintech nForce4 Mobo which was on my sidelist as a potential candidate. So you see you did help, sort of, lol.

Actually, I appreciated your input into my thread. I had several people recommend the Chaintech but I went with the SLI not because I need it but because the non-SLI nForce board was not an option at Monarch where I ordered the CPU/Mobo combination. I had decided on the Asus A8N-E but had to bump up to the A8N-SLI......

Now I have the option to become the mad gamer from hell, lol.

Heh, alright.

Just make sure you don't get a couple 6600gt cards just because you can.

About your powersupply - you have a 500watt Fortron already and you're thinking about getting rid of it and getting a 430 Seasonic???

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

A WD 8mb cache should be plenty fast for that system. I would definately recommend getting a significantly faster videocard before spending money on a raptor.

Really ??? Well, THIS time, unlike the Chaintech mobo recommendation, I'll listen to you and leave the hard drive alone and concentrate on upgrading the videocard down the road !!!

There's a thread about the raptors right near the top of GH right now.

You're much better off investing the $180-ish a 74gig raptor would cost towards the cost of a better videocard.

 

[Megatomic]

YOyo is right, ATA133 gets you nothing over ATA100. I think the ATA133 with 16MB cache might be marginally faster but only in certain diskbound situations (loading large game levels, disk to disk transfers, etc...) If you never used that drive then you are all set excepting warranty.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Heh, alright.

Just make sure you don't get a couple 6600gt cards just because you can.

About your powersupply - you have a 500watt Fortron already and you're thinking about getting rid of it and getting a 430 Seasonic???

ROFL with your dual 6600GT comments!

About the F/S Power Supply, yes I am - do you want to buy the UNOPENED still Shrink-Wrapped Fortron Source ???

I have been told by many here the last two weeks that the Seasonic is quieter and it has Active PFC and has a high efficiency even at only 20% of full load. I think it passed the 80% efficiency test ?!?!?!?

What, you think I should just stick with the Fortron ???

Greg

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

There's a thread about the raptors right near the top of GH right now.

You're much better off investing the $180-ish a 74gig raptor would cost towards the cost of a better videocard.

Originally posted by: Megatomic
YOyo is right, ATA133 gets you nothing over ATA100. I think the ATA133 with 16MB cache might be marginally faster but only in certain diskbound situations (loading large game levels, disk to disk transfers, etc...) If you never used that drive then you are all set excepting warranty.

Ok, I think you two are right. I'll take a look at that Raptor thread just for fun though !!!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Heh, alright.

Just make sure you don't get a couple 6600gt cards just because you can.

About your powersupply - you have a 500watt Fortron already and you're thinking about getting rid of it and getting a 430 Seasonic???

ROFL with your dual 6600GT comments!

About the F/S Power Supply, yes I am - do you want to buy the UNOPENED still Shrink-Wrapped Fortron Source ???

I have been told by many here the last two weeks that the Seasonic is quieter and it has Active PFC and has a high efficiency even at only 20% of full load. I think it passed the 80% efficiency test ?!?!?!?

What, you think I should just stick with the Fortron ???

Greg

Unless you're going to get back almost all of what you paid for it, stick with the Forton. There's nothing wrong with it, and it's still going to be very quiet with its 120mm fan.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello[/i]

ATA133 gets you nothing over ATA100.

A WD 8mb cache should be plenty fast for that system. I would definately recommend getting a significantly faster videocard before spending money on a raptor.[/quote]

As you already know I read that HD thread you told me about. What an intersting read !!!

But.... what do you think of THIS idea ???

I might be able to swing two of these 80 GB 7200RMP ATA-133 8 MB cache Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 drives (they have respectably rated AST/ALT figures) or two of these 80 GB 7200RPM ATA-133 8 MB cache Maxtor

DiamondMax 10 drives.

I was wondering is striping two of them would be worth it over using the older WD as my boot drive???

What do you think ???

I might as well make use of that RAID feature on the new MOBO, eh ??? or NOT ???

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Fisher999
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello[/i]

ATA133 gets you nothing over ATA100.

A WD 8mb cache should be plenty fast for that system. I would definately recommend getting a significantly faster videocard before spending money on a raptor.

As you already know I read that HD thread you told me about. What an intersting read !!!

But.... what do you think of THIS idea ???

I might be able to swing two of these 80 GB 7200RMP ATA-133 8 MB cache Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 drives (they have respectably rated AST/ALT figures) or two of these 80 GB 7200RPM ATA-133 8 MB cache Maxtor

DiamondMax 10 drives.

I was wondering is striping two of them would be worth it over using the older WD as my boot drive???

What do you think ???

I might as well make use of that RAID feature on the new MOBO, eh ??? or NOT ???

Or should I put that $140 aside towards a future videocard upgrade ????

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

RAID 0 is again, not worth is IMO if you're doing it for speed.

If you need more storage, you could get some more drives, but another 8mb ATA drive is not going to be noticably faster than your WD drive.

Definately spend the money towards a faster videocard.

You'd have to have something faster than a 3500+ and a 6800gt before I'd even consider it to be a good idea to invest more in your harddrive speed.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
[
There's a thread about the raptors right near the top of GH right now.

You're much better off investing the $180-ish a 74gig raptor would cost towards the cost of a better videocard.

I have already asked you about using 2 Maxtors in RAID 0 for about $135.

Do you think that using THIS Western Digital 80GB 8MB Cache SATA-150 Drive for about $60 might be a decent compromise to the RAID setup???

Or should I just forget about it all together and stick with my old UNUSED WD ATA-100 and save for that video upgrade u recommend ???

Greg

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
RAID 0 is again, not worth is IMO if you're doing it for speed.

If you need more storage, you could get some more drives, but another 8mb ATA drive is not going to be noticably faster than your WD drive.

Definately spend the money towards a faster videocard.

You'd have to have something faster than a 3500+ and a 6800gt before I'd even consider it to be a good idea to invest more in your harddrive speed.

Ok, that makes sense but what about my idea above for using a single WD SATA-150 drive ($58) for my boot drive instead of my older WD and then hold out for a better videocard down the road ???

Greg

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Fisher999

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
[
There's a thread about the raptors right near the top of GH right now.

You're much better off investing the $180-ish a 74gig raptor would cost towards the cost of a better videocard.

I have already asked you about using 2 Maxtors in RAID 0 for about $135.

Do you think that using THIS Western Digital 80GB 8MB Cache SATA-150 Drive for about $60 might be a decent compromise to the RAID setup???

Or should I just forget about it all together and stick with my old UNUSED WD ATA-100 and save for that video upgrade u recommend ???

Greg

Why are you so eager to get rid of your WD drive? At most you're going to get a few % faster times for loading and such... if on the other hand you use the money towards getting something like an X800XL, you're going to get a very significant performance increase in games... something noticable.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
YOyo is right...If you never used that drive then you are all set excepting warranty.

I just went and checked the drive. It was manufactured on March 22, 2002 so I've just missed the 3 year warranty. Can you believe that drive is still in it's original antistatic bag ??? I was able to see through the thin AS bag but it's weird that it has been sitting around unused for so long; it will be like opening up a new toy, lol.