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Thoughts after building my computer

D

DCBigBAPS

Member
Hello all, I was new to the forum a while ago and used a lot of knowledge of some of the users here to finally build my first machine. No gaming for me, just multitasking and movies, music, etc.

Here are my specs:
Antec Sonata II w/ extra 120mm intake fan
450 watt smart power
DFI lanparty UT nf4 ultra-d
AMD Opteron 165 overclocked to 2.15ghz
Thermaltake K8 Venus 7+
Corsair value ram 1gig
PNY Verto overclocked 6800GS 256mb
160gig seagate sata150
SB audigy 2 zs
logitech mx1000
logitech deluxe keyboard
logitech z-2300
nec 3550 dvd burner
sabrent external usb card reader
external usb 160 gig hd
Dell 2005fpw


I feel I have a good mix of price/performance to last me for a while. It booted up on the first try as well! Looking back I wonder a few things:

1) Should I get an extra dvd-rom (easier to burn dvds)?
2) Should I get extra ram now, or just wait
3) Should I have spent the money on the SB xfi xtrememusic over the audigy 2 zs (which i got for 40 bucks). I love music and this has been bugging me.
4) I got a cheapo heatsink/fan because I heard the opty can be overclocked easily (even to 2.4ghz on stock cooking). I got 2.15ghz, but am wondering if a better heatsink/fan combo would have been better.
5) I want a TV tuner... but should I just wait till a good HD tuner comes out?

Those are a few thoughts/questions I had. I just look back and wonder if I should have bought a dvd-rom, a better soundcard, a better heatsink/fan. The ram and tuner I believe I can wait for. Thanks to all who gave advice on building. I kept the price under $1500 if you don't count the external HD and speakers from my previous computer. I just wonder if I should do anything about what I have stated, or just be happy with what I have. Your thoughts?
 
Be happy with what U have
1: depends how many DVDs U burn (no)
2: U can always add more ram (but if U have money go for it)
3: Too late (it should be fine)
4: It will never hurt (see # 2)
5: wait ( 'cuse I am too 🙂 )

enjoy UR new rig
 
Thanks for the reply, yes I am happy with my new computer. I love the soundcard, but was wondering if the Xfi was worth the extra money. I don't even know with these speakers if I will see a difference. Yes I can wait on the ram and the tuner. I suppose I can wait on getting a DVD-rom when I start burning large amounts of DVDs. I do have a question however, how am I supposed to upgrade the heatsink/fan? Isn't that a bad idea once you already applied thermal paste and have had it running for a while? If I can upgrade it, and once I do get the money... should I, and if yes, then which one? Thanks for the reply.
 
I don't like thermaltake at all...can't stand em.

PNY I would stay away from...they are like the ECS of Video/Memory.

Not a fan of DFI either.
 
I'd suggest getting an xp90 with a panaflo or nexus fan if you want quietness, get a tornado if you don't care at all.
 
Originally posted by: OdiN
I don't like thermaltake at all...can't stand em.

PNY I would stay away from...they are like the ECS of Video/Memory.

Not a fan of DFI either.
Click to expand...



Care to elaborate?


Also... do I really need to upgrade my cpu heatsink/fan (referring to the other above post)?
 
Why overclock if you're not even going to game? If I were you I'd just run my parts at stock speeds for stability. But if you must, I would recommend the xp-90 which can be had for 30 bucks. As for thermal paste I use arctic silver.
 
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