Validate my Gaming Rig Selections - Take 2

[mwmorph]

GT TDH. it will easily oc to ultra speeds, and has 256mb ram unlike the 6800 or 6800le.

 

[KayKay]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
GT TDH. it will easily oc to ultra speeds, and has 256mb ram unlike the 6800 or 6800le.

yeah i agree.

in my opinion 3800 is like overpriced. for that kind of price a san diego would be pretty good, the 1 mb cache, and only a small difference in clock speed

 

[Starbuck1975]

Updated component list based on previous recommendations:

Leadtek PX6800TDH Geforce 6800 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 - $258.99
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply - $99
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor - $267
OCZ Premier Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit - $93.95
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 - $111

Total Cost: $829.94

Changing the video card to the Leadtek 6800TDH, and downgrading the AMD64 processor from 3800+ to 3500+ dropped the price point by over $200.

Still playing with various pricing options, and reading reviews on the various video cards to see which is the smartest option. At this point, not much of my original system is salvageable save my DVD-ROM and Plextor DVD-RW. May also try to sell my old components on eBay once I build the new system to recoup some costs.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Shameless bump...any other comments on the last revision of the component configuration?

 

[shoRunner]

why go with the ocz value when the corsair value select is cheaper and it is CAS2.5 instead of the CAS3 of the ocz value?

 

[Starbuck1975]

why go with the ocz value when the corsair value select is cheaper and it is CAS2.5 instead of the CAS3 of the ocz value?

After reading a number of reviews, I am thinking about switching over to the Corsair value select.

Also, after reading the nforce4 ultra roundup on AnandTech, I might go with the Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra, which would change my configuration to the following:

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400

I found two listings for (2x512MB) Corsair ValueSelect Dual Channel Kits...the only difference is that one is CAS2.5 and the other is CAS3.0...which one do I want?


Final price would be around $1000 for the upgrade

 

[ShazK]

Question, mostly for myself because I'm going for almost an identical build (still have to decide on what mobo and maybe a 3200+ instead of a the 3500+)... but...

Why the 6800GT over the X800XL if the X800XL is cheaper and performs similarily... anybody willing to argue for either or card to me?

 

[Starbuck1975]

Why the 6800GT over the X800XL if the X800XL is cheaper and performs similarily... anybody willing to argue for either or card to me?

That is a tough call...if you were to post a topic specific to this question, you will find a variety of answers, as ATI and nVidia each have a fanbase that can be quite rabid at times.

I forget the model number, but I owned an nVidia card shortly after they swept Voodoo under the rug, but my last card was an ATI Radeon card...from what I can gather, both companies are competent in releasing drivers on a frequent enough basis to maximize the performance of their respective cards.

I think it depends largely on whether or not you intend to go the SLI route, and which card offers the best bang for the buck features wise.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Decided to upgrade a few components...here is the new build choices:

ABIT AN8-ULTRA Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
eVGA 256-P2-N528-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (4 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

Of course a few more questions:
1. From my previous build lists, I upgraded from a 6800 to a 7800GTX, which has roughly a $200 price differential...I usually don't go with the latest and greatest video card, but the performance leap and system longevity seems to justify the upgrade.

2. I also decided to go with 2GB of system memory instead of 1GB...is it better to go with four modules at 512MB each, or two modules at 1GB each???

 

[yosuke188]

I would go with 2 x 1GB so you can upgrade later if its necessary, but there is almost no performance difference either way, so if 4 x 512MB is a lot cheaper, I would go with that.

 

[Topweasel]

aaaaaaaaaaaahhh Don't Get the Abit, Their stuff isn't as good build wise and the company is really fealing the hurt right now financially. I wasn't a big fan of the Epox but it is a better choice then the Abit. I would really recommend giving the Premium a second look. The rear access SATA connector, The fanless chipset cooler, the high overclocking ability if you choose to and the open 16x PCIe slot if you change your mind later and want to pick up another vid card.

 

[Starbuck1975]

aaaaaaaaaaaahhh Don't Get the Abit

My ooops...I put the wrong motherboard down when listing my updated component list...I am still reading reviews and such on the various motherboards, although right now, as it has received the most consistent range of positive views, I am leaning towards the MSI NEO4 Platinum...which would make the build:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
eVGA 256-P2-N528-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

More questions:

1. Many people on these forums recommend going with value RAM over more expensive premium RAM. For 2x1GB modules, the cost difference between ValueSelect and their XMS series is $60...not really that much of a saving.

2. I have read several forums where people make mention of additional cooling components that are recommended for nForce4 boards...north bridge cooling???

3. Is it better to get the OEM Venice chip and purchase a higher quality CPU fan, or is the AMD retail version suitable.

4. Would still like to hear advice on going GEFORCE 7800 vs. 6800.

 

[Starbuck1975]

bump...see questions in previous post.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Managed to change my build components yet again.

MSI NEO4 Platinum
eVGA Geforce 7800GT
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (4 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

1. Should I hold out and wait for the GTX cards to come down a bit in price. The performance leap from 6800 ultra to 7800GT definitely makes the 7800GT a viable option, but the price differential between the 7800GT and 7800GTX is starting to shrink.

2. Still not sure if I am going to go the ValueRam option, or spend the extra $70 to $100 on premium RAM...I tend to play a lot of RPG, FPS and RTS games...but not really into the whole MMO craze...also do some video editing, converting of CDs to MP3s for my iPod, occasional CD burning and some photo editing.

 

[Cookie Monster]

2 x 1gb plz, at 4 x 512 The ram will be at 2T, which you will see a performance loss.
Try to get 2 x 1gb. Stay with the 7800GT, they are 40 ish % faster than the 6800GTs, Mobo is fine, Cpu is fine.

 

[daddyo]

Why not get the eVGA (Jetway) motherboard that comes in a bundle for free with the 7800GT? It's gotten good reviews, including from anandtech. I paid $450 for a 7800GT and the SLI motherboard. Might save a few bucks.

 

[Starbuck1975]

2 x 1gb plz, at 4 x 512 The ram will be at 2T, which you will see a performance loss.
Try to get 2 x 1gb. Stay with the 7800GT, they are 40 ish % faster than the 6800GTs, Mobo is fine, Cpu is fine.

My bad...I forgot to change my RAM selection from 4x512MB to 2x1GB


MSI NEO4 Platinum
eVGA Geforce 7800GT
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

 

[teddy3501]

I've been doing alot of shopping myself since I'm in the midst of building my dream system. Base on your requirements, I'd say you're set with a good configuration.

I would only suggest checking out the Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6B300S0 300GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive at newegg. It's currently selling for $131. Great deal if you ask me (I just bought 5!) since you don't have to deal with rebates.

Also, newegg still has the eVGA Geforce 7800 GT with free nForce4 SLI motherboard for $449 (I bought 2!). The motherboard is not as good as MSI NEO4 but decent enough for you needs. Google the motherboard... there's a review of it somewhere.

Good luck.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Also, newegg still has the eVGA Geforce 7800 GT with free nForce4 SLI motherboard for $449 (I bought 2!). The motherboard is not as good as MSI NEO4 but decent enough for you needs. Google the motherboard... there's a review of it somewhere.

That is a good deal, but I havent seen enough reviews on the eVGA motherboard to make it worth the effort...that, and I do not ever intend to utilize the SLI feature.

The MSI NEO4 is a feature rich motherboard...I was leaning towards ASUS for a while, but it doesnt have onboard firewire, and I am somewhat underwhelmed by the onboard audio.

 

[teddy3501]

one quick note... just saw newegg had the Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300S0 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive (has NCQ) on sale for $132. that's the drive with 5 year warranty.

sale is for today and tomorrow only. it just picked up 3 myself.

 

[johnnqq]

i would get an agp mobo not only bc your video card is good, but it's an aiw too 🙂. unless you're sellnig it...

 

[Starbuck1975]

Bump.

For whatever reason, I always hesitate on purchasing components for a build until I am sure I have a good mix of performance for price, and system longevity...my budget is around $1000, give or take, and these components are putting me at about that price point:

MSI NEO4 Platinum
eVGA Geforce 7800GT
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

Mostly worried about the processor selection now, as I am not sure if it worth holding out for dual core prices to drop...I have read a couple of articles, on AnandTech and elsewhere, that state now is not the optimal time for a build given the flow of new technologies in the previous few and coming months...of course, new tech is always coming out, which could potentially put off a build indefinitely.

Thoughts?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Looks good! My suggestions would be

Mobo, I would stick with the Asus or the Epox, not a big fan of MSI

The 3500+ Venice is not the best bang for the buck, I would either get the 3000+ Venice or spend an extra $30-40 and get the 3700+ San Diego, both are really good overclockers. And don't be worried about overclocking it's really simple and has no risk of damaging your components if you use just the slightest common sense. I have the 3700+ and its a great chip, I have it clocked at 2.8ghz and the extra L2 cache helps in games. Or if you have the extra bucks the X2 3800+ would give you fantastic multitasking and video encoding capabilities

 

[Starbuck1975]

Interesting price spread on the three Athlon chips, as it gives me even more to think about:

3500+ Venice = $219
3800+ Venice = $323
3800+ X2 = $374

The 3500+ definitely keeps me under budget.

If I decide to go the extra $100 bucks for the 3800+, I might as well go for the X2. I keep hearing that dual core is the wave of the future...although given that the Venice chips and X2 chips are both socket 939, I do have the option of going with the 3500+ for now, and then in perhaps a year upgrade to the X2 once their price point comes down.

Or would it be better to just take the X2 plunge now?

The AMD naming convention always confuses me. The 3800+ X2 doesnt appear to have a name, but the next performance bracket of X2 chips are called Toledo or Manchester...and significantly more expensive then the 3800+ X2.

Is it worth getting the 3800+ X2 now, or waiting for the Manchester or Toledo chips to come down in price?

Mobo, I would stick with the Asus or the Epox, not a big fan of MSI

I have some concerns with the Epox board, and the ASUS nforce4 board does not come with onboard firewire. I have actually been an Abit customer until now, and it does bother me that their nforce4 socket 939 offerings have not scored well.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Bump...see questions on previous post.