Upgrading A System, Want Input

[SMOKE20]

Hi all, kinda' new here and usually only come for advice on a problem so;

My husband and I are going to upgrade our boys system. They currently have a 2.4Ghz P4 Northwood. We want to move this last system to 64bit and will keep the same Antec Case (Sonata with 2X120mm fans) and the video card (6800GT) but have some questions from there:

Power Supply - 500W Fortron Blue Storm

Memory - Corsair XMS DC DDR2 PC2 5400 1GB

Motherboard - Abit AA8XE Fatality

Chip - P4 LGA 775 630

Heatsink/Fan - Thermaltake Silent 775

That's what we've chosen so far. Are we forgetting anything? Are those good, solid choices for a P4 system?

Also, almost forgot, what's the best DVD/RW going right now? The system will not have a Floppy, the board has Networking, we have an Audigy 2 Platinum and they already have a 19" DVI Flat Panel.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Fortunate offspring
Everything looks fine to me, except maybe the psu, which seems a bit much. I think you'd be fine with a 380-430W psu.

 

[SMOKE20]

OK, read some other threads both here and in CPU/Motherboard/Video forums. It looks like my husband overlooked the fact that the board is a PCI X board and our 6800GT is AGP so I suppose we'll just buy another PCI X 6800GT unless there's a better, cheaper solution out there. Not finding much help on the rest, we want the system as quiet as possible because it will be in their bedroom so any hints in that regard will help also.

BTW, I used to work as a programer and my husband sets up the computers for Joe Gibbs Racing in NASCAR for the #20 team at the tracks so he is not home much but we do both have a background in computers and plan to try to do this while he's back over Easter.

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: Gigantopithecus
Fortunate offspring
Everything looks fine to me, except maybe the psu, which seems a bit much. I think you'd be fine with a 380-430W psu.

My husband (he's been emailing and calling) thinks that buying a 500W now may help in the future if we choose to upgrade again. Is he wrong about that?

 

[nick1985]

hate to say it, but an AMD 64 system will probably better suite their needs, and it will cost much less. (not to mention it will be faster)

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: nick1985
hate to say it, but an AMD 64 system will probably better suite their needs, and it will cost much less. (not to mention it will be faster)

Why do you say that? I mean how would it suite their needs better? As for speed, isn't that really relative at this point anyway? We're upgrading this for the 64 bit capabilities not really for speed.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Not to mention that an A64 system will run a lot cooler than that P4 PresHott. And cooler means you can get quieter components. And Intel's EM64T 64-bit implementation is actually licensed from AMD (and presently being used in the Athlon64).

Oh... By the way, Thermaltake is notorious for labeling their products "silent" when in reality they sound like NASA aircraft-testing wind tunnels. I'd avoid them if quietness is an issue.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: SMOKE20

Originally posted by: nick1985
hate to say it, but an AMD 64 system will probably better suite their needs, and it will cost much less. (not to mention it will be faster)

Why do you say that? I mean how would it suite their needs better? As for speed, isn't that really relative at this point anyway? We're upgrading this for the 64 bit capabilities not really for speed.

well, you are buying a more expensive CPU than an athlon 64 costs

you are buying a motherboard that is WAY more than you could get an athlon64 board

you could get 2 gigs or RAM for the price you are shelling out for DDR2, and DDR2 is NO FASTER than regular DDR

not to mention heat issues you might run into with the preshott CPU in there, the athlon64 runs much cooler

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
Not to mention that an A64 system will run a lot cooler than that P4 PresHott. And cooler means you can get quieter components.

Oh... By the way, Thermaltake is notorious for labeling their products "silent" when in reality they sound like NASA aircraft-testing wind tunnels. I'd avoid them if quietness is an issue.

I'm sure he didn't know that! Is it really true? If so, what's a good alternative?

Sorry for answering everything so quick but I'm sitting here trying to make decsions and my husband will be busy except for at night the rest of the week now so it's up to me and I need to make this order.

 

[wisdomtooth]

The consensus among Home Theater PC (HTPC) builders on quiet components are:

PSU: Seasonic Super Tornado or S12.

CPU fansink: Zalman CNPS7000/7700, or ThermalRIGHT (not -take) XP90 or 120, depending on what you can fit on your board. The Thermalright XPs need a separate fan though, buy a quiet one like a Panaflo L1A or L1BX.

Case fans: Panaflo L1A's, SilenX, Papst, Nexus/Yate Loon (same make, different labels).

Graphics card cooler: Zalman VF700 or Arctic Silencer.

HTH.

 

[nick1985]

look into a socket 939 athlon 64 computer. if you would like, i can help you select components for it before i head off for class. dang final exams!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

As for the DVD burner, this NEC is recommended often.

Let me see what a similarly priced A64 setup would be...

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: SMOKE20

Originally posted by: nick1985
hate to say it, but an AMD 64 system will probably better suite their needs, and it will cost much less. (not to mention it will be faster)

Why do you say that? I mean how would it suite their needs better? As for speed, isn't that really relative at this point anyway? We're upgrading this for the 64 bit capabilities not really for speed.

well, you are buying a more expensive CPU than an athlon 64 costs

you are buying a motherboard that is WAY more than you could get an athlon64 board

you could get 2 gigs or RAM for the price you are shelling out for DDR2, and DDR2 is NO FASTER than regular DDR

not to mention heat issues you might run into with the preshott CPU in there, the athlon64 runs much cooler

Money isn't really that big of a factor in this decsion. He really likes that Fatality motherboard. While he was home weekend before last he chose that and really seemed excited about it.

But won't everything be DDR2 in a while anyway?

I don't know anything about a heat issue, not that I'm worried that much anyway.

 

[nick1985]

i understand money isnt a factor, but you are shelling out literally, hundreds, for no performance gain. and who sayed anything about DDR2 becoming standard?


and im not sure why you arnt worried about the heat issue, i would be


Fatality amd 64 board

there is also a fatality board for AMD.

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
The consensus among Home Theater PC (HTPC) builders on quiet components are:

PSU: Seasonic Super Tornado or S12.

CPU fansink: Zalman CNPS7000/7700, or ThermalRIGHT (not -take) XP90 or 120, depending on what you can fit on your board. The Thermalright XPs need a separate fan though, buy a quiet one like a Panaflo L1A or L1BX.

Case fans: Panaflo L1A's, SilenX, Papst, Nexus/Yate Loon (same make, different labels).

Graphics card cooler: Zalman VF700 or Arctic Silencer.

HTH.

Where can I find all of that? He has the rest of the things saved at New Egg. Do they have all of that also? Do you think we should replace the 120mm fans that are in the case?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

There's no reason to by DDR2 now really.

You'll get better performance going with A64 and value ram than spending twice as much on an expensive P4 motherboard and super expensive ram than one your CPU.

Are you planning on overclocking?

EDIT: so are you looking to spend about $800 on motherboard/CPU/ram?

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: nick1985
i understand money isnt a factor, but you are shelling out literally, hundreds, for no performance gain. and who sayed anything about DDR2 becoming standard?


and im not sure why you arnt worried about the heat issue, i would be


Fatality amd 64 board

there is also a fatality board for AMD.

OK, don't get all upset I mean it's only a computer! LOL!

Mike said he read that DDR2 would be the standard within a year or so and that DDR1 would be phasing out like SD ram did.

As for heat, I know it's hard on things but we keep the house pretty cool in the Summer and we never had a problem before.

I looked at your link because I'd consider that and AMD but, it's not in stock and I need to order soon.

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
There's no reason to by DDR2 now really.

You'll get better performance going with A64 and value ram than spending twice as much on an expensive P4 motherboard and super expensive ram than one your CPU.

Are you planning on overclocking?

EDIT: so are you looking to spend about $800 on motherboard/CPU/ram?

You mean my boys would actually notice a difference playing their games like NASCAR Sim Racing just from an AMD 64 bit to an Intel 64 bit?

No, no overclocking.

I haven't looked at the total, but whatever it ends up being. LOL!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well if they're just playing NASCAR Sim Racing etc., why are you buying an $800 CPU/motherboard/ram combo?

You will get better performance from A64 in gaming.

For $850 you could get

A64 3800+

MSI Nforce4 ultra motherboard

Two of these for 2gb ram

I don't shop around for $800 core components very often so I'm not sure if that's the best brands to get, but I think that's a better idea than your P4 setup.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: SMOKE20

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
The consensus among Home Theater PC (HTPC) builders on quiet components are:

PSU: Seasonic Super Tornado or S12.

CPU fansink: Zalman CNPS7000/7700, or ThermalRIGHT (not -take) XP90 or 120, depending on what you can fit on your board. The Thermalright XPs need a separate fan though, buy a quiet one like a Panaflo L1A or L1BX.

Case fans: Panaflo L1A's, SilenX, Papst, Nexus/Yate Loon (same make, different labels).

Graphics card cooler: Zalman VF700 or Arctic Silencer.

HTH.

Where can I find all of that? He has the rest of the things saved at New Egg. Do they have all of that also? Do you think we should replace the 120mm fans that are in the case?

Hi,

Seasonic S12 500W in stock at Newegg. Should be quite good for the next couple of years.

Both the Zalman and Thermalright fansinks are also available at Newegg, though I think their prices are a bit expensive. I bought my Zalman CNPS7000AlCu at ZipZoomFly for $29, free 2-day shipping.

The Arctic Silencer is available at Newegg. You have to make sure to get the correct model for the particular vid card you want.

The Panaflos are the only fans I'd trust from Newegg.

HTH.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Look for yourself at the performance of a 3800+ to a P4 630 you were going to get... and with the money you saved, you could get 2gb ram... (or just not spend it)

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Well if they're just playing NASCAR Sim Racing etc., why are you buying an $800 CPU/motherboard/ram combo?

You will get better performance from A64 in gaming.

For $850 you could get

A64 3800+

MSI Nforce4 ultra motherboard

Two of these for 2gb ram

I don't shop around for $800 core components very often so I'm not sure if that's the best brands to get, but I think that's a better idea than your P4 setup.

Well, because that's what Mike wants to buy!?.

Let me ask you this, what would be directly comparable to the chip I listed but with an AMD Fatality motherboard? When I say comparable, I mean price really because like I said above, is there really a noticable difference anymore in chip speed?

 

[SMOKE20]

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth

Originally posted by: SMOKE20

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
The consensus among Home Theater PC (HTPC) builders on quiet components are:

PSU: Seasonic Super Tornado or S12.

CPU fansink: Zalman CNPS7000/7700, or ThermalRIGHT (not -take) XP90 or 120, depending on what you can fit on your board. The Thermalright XPs need a separate fan though, buy a quiet one like a Panaflo L1A or L1BX.

Case fans: Panaflo L1A's, SilenX, Papst, Nexus/Yate Loon (same make, different labels).

Graphics card cooler: Zalman VF700 or Arctic Silencer.

HTH.

Where can I find all of that? He has the rest of the things saved at New Egg. Do they have all of that also? Do you think we should replace the 120mm fans that are in the case?

Hi,

Seasonic S12 500W in stock at Newegg. Should be quite good for the next couple of years.

Both the Zalman and Thermalright fansinks are also available at Newegg, though I think their prices are a bit expensive. I bought my Zalman CNPS7000AlCu at ZipZoomFly for $29, free 2-day shipping.

The Arctic Silencer is available at Newegg. You have to make sure to get the correct model for the particular vid card you want.

The Panaflos are the only fans I'd trust from Newegg.

HTH.

Thank You!

The only other place i know my husband and I bought from before is Multiwave I believe. Are they cheaper? I guess it really doesn't matter where I buy from as long as their trustworthy, I'd just rather buy it all from the same place though.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: SMOKE20

Originally posted by: nick1985
i understand money isnt a factor, but you are shelling out literally, hundreds, for no performance gain. and who sayed anything about DDR2 becoming standard?


and im not sure why you arnt worried about the heat issue, i would be


Fatality amd 64 board

there is also a fatality board for AMD.

OK, don't get all upset I mean it's only a computer! LOL!

Mike said he read that DDR2 would be the standard within a year or so and that DDR1 would be phasing out like SD ram did.

As for heat, I know it's hard on things but we keep the house pretty cool in the Summer and we never had a problem before.

I looked at your link because I'd consider that and AMD but, it's not in stock and I need to order soon.

im not getting upset, im just trying to prevent you from making the wrong purchase. i hate to see people waste soooo much money on an expensive P4 chip with DDR2 ram, why? i just dont get it. they are slower and more expensive setups than athlon64's. and i dont know where he read that DDR2 was going to be the standard within a year...thats just false.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Sorry, I was under the impression that you wanted the best performance for your money. If you just want to buy something because it looks/sounds cool, then go ahead.

Are you asking what A64 would be about the same speed as the 630 you were going to get?