Thanks - let it drop

[wayliff]

Hey guys, i am not new to building computers however i am new on the overclocking area.
So just wondering what you guys thought of my build.

My current build:
EPOX Nforce4 Ultra Socket 939 Board
AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+
4x1GB OCZ DDR 400 CAS2 RAM
Connect3D x800xl 256MB
Raptor 150GB (OS Drive + Programs)
2 x 320GB seagate drives (Storage Only on raid 1)
and the usual - optical drives etc.
OCZ Modstream 450W PSU
Runs Vista Ultimate 64-bit

I am planning on upgrading the motherboard, CPU and RAM only.
I use my computer for photoshop, stock trading, folding@home, MS office work, windows app development, email, internet and as far as games I mostly play RTS games.

The idea:
Gigabyte GA-MA78G-DS3H (Text)
AMD Athlon 64 x2 5000+ Black Edition (Text)
Zalman 9500A CPU Cooler (Text)
2x2GB G.SKILL DDR2 800 (Text)
PC Power & Cooling S610EPS (Text)

I think the cooler is adequate for the CPU and the power supply should be more than enough.
The question here is the motherboard - do you guys think it would be good enough to push that CPU to 3.0ghz on air? RAM an issue?

Additional info: I live in the US. And I also plan on long term ownership of everything except the CPU which I plan on moving to a quad core maybe in 1 year or 1.5 years.

Ideas and suggestions welcome.
BTW - I am going AMD so no point on trying to convert me.

 

[wayliff]

and i decided to go with a mobo with the onboard graphics just in case i need it later.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: wayliff
Ideas and suggestions welcome.
BTW - I am going AMD so no point on trying to convert me.

I've a great idea, pay more for a lower performing CPU...

 

[wayliff]

ive got another one how about respecting my preference...you can buy whatever you want.

 

[sgrinavi]

Do you think the small performance increase is going to be worth the expense?

Have you looked at the quads?

 

[chinaman1472]

So, what DO you use your computer for besides not gaming?
- Why that Zalman? The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 performs better at 70% of the cost. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003
- Why a 610 watt power supply? You're not running excess hard drives, a powerful video card, or anything else that warrants 610 watts. You would probably be suffice with an Antec Earthwatts 380w or the 430w.

And Roguestar is telling you what he thinks about your build. You asked and he just gave a blunt answer. An Intel E2*** + a simple P35 mobo OCed would probably outperform the 5000+ at a lower cost.

 

[robmurphy]

Have you thought about the 4850E CPU. I have that on the Gigabyte 780G motherboard. I have had this up to 3.0 Gig at an FSB of 240. At stock the CPU is only 45W TDP. The core speed is 2.5 Gig. The 5000+ is 2.6 Gig

The CPU cooler from you present build should be OK for the AM2 processor. The S939 4800+ is a 110W TDP processor so the present cooler should be more than sufficent for the 5000+ or the 4850E. I re-used the cooler from an S939 CPU of 89W TDP on my 4850E and at 3.0 Gig running prime 95 on both cores its showing 41 - 42C. Room temp was 21 - 25 C. The 3.0 Gig overclock was done without increasing the CPU's core voltage.

The fitting for S939 and AM2 CPU coolers is the same, you just need some thermal compound.

Rob

 

[wayliff]

yeah i have looked at the quads. The expense is going to be minimal as I plan to sell my current parts.

I added some additional info in my initial post about what I use my PC for.
The plan is to leave room for upgrade later...I am planning for long term ownership of that PSU. If I put a newer video card, more hard drives, etc then I am already ready for it. Maybe I will keep my current PSU and upgrade later...I am playing with my ideas right now.
However I am open for alternatives.

There's no particular reason i chose the zalman, I was looking around and I saw it and thought that would be a good choice...I am open to alternatives.
Roguestar was sarcastic without offering a real comment...I did not appreciate that. If he had addressed me like you guys did then It is ok.

I have looked for other CPUs and the black edition seemed like good bang for the buck for $89. I will need to see if I can keep the current cooler of my CPU since I am selling the parts.

Thanks for the answers, that is what I was looking for. Comments, constructive criticism, etc.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: wayliff
yeah i have looked at the quads. The expense is going to be minimal as I plan to sell my current parts.

I added some additional info in my initial post about what I use my PC for.
The plan is to leave room for upgrade later...I am planning for long term ownership of that PSU. If I put a newer video card, more hard drives, etc then I am already ready for it. Maybe I will keep my current PSU and upgrade later...I am playing with my ideas right now.
However I am open for alternatives.

There's no particular reason i chose the zalman, I was looking around and I saw it and thought that would be a good choice...I am open to alternatives.
Roguestar was sarcastic without offering a real comment...I did not appreciate that. If he had addressed me like you guys did then It is ok.

I have looked for other CPUs and the black edition seemed like good bang for the buck for $89. I will need to see if I can keep the current cooler of my CPU since I am selling the parts.

Thanks for the answers, that is what I was looking for. Comments, constructive criticism, etc.

I'm not going to link you to a bunch of CPU benchmarks, you've clearly already made your choice. Why should I post links and comments about a bad decision you're refusing to consider? No point in wasting my time when you can click on the "AnandTech" link at the top and read the CPU section yourself. My comment was short and sweet because that's exactly the way your OP came across; "I know what I want so tell me what I want to hear" isn't the same as "here's my plan for a new build, what are my options and where can it be improved?".

For what it's worth, I have that Zalman cooler myself and while it's a pretty cool looking cooler and it does well enough (I have it exhausting sideways straight out towards a case exhaust fan so airflow is good) there are better coolers for the money, such as the Xigmatec previously suggested. If you're dead set on having it then it'll not ruin the build.

Also, buy.com have the Corsair 520HX for $80 IIRC, it's modular and will certainly power your stuff for a few years yet.

 

[wayliff]

well i wont argue you because it is pointless. I just thought it was not kind. My comment was I know what I want...work with me.
I do appreciate your comments with content now.

 

[chinaman1472]

Folding@Home receives a ton of benefit from quad cores, as does Photoshop. Windows App Development could potentially do the same, since I don't do it I can't be sure. Only problem is Quad Cores run about $200 and are fairly slow in AMD's department compared to Intel's offering. I don't think anyone in their right mind would recommend a Phenom over a Core2Quad.

The 5000+ is probably the best bang for your buck if you must go AMD. Get a cheaper cooler and power supply and you're set.

 

[wayliff]

thanks for your comment