What do you think of my PC?

[Girospeck]

I'll be buying a new PC in the next day or so. I have picked out what i have based mostly on help from anandtech reviews and forum as well as gamefaqs. I want to know if I'm choosing the right things, I plan to game on it and want it to last a least a couple of years without upgrades.

Case:
ANTEC Plus 1080AMG ($118)

Power Supply:
Antec Original TRUE 430W P4 Power Supply ($0)

Motherboard:
ASUS Motherboard for Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Processors, 800Mhz FSB Model# P4C800-E DELUXE ($197)

Keyboard/mouse:
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop ($59)

Network - Interface Cards:
Gigafast 10/100 PCI LAN Adapter, Model# EE100-AXP ($5)

Memory:
Cosair PC-3200 512 DDR (2x) ($180)

Processor:
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB ($220)

Video Card:
ASUS V9950 128MB GeForce FX5900 Video Card, VGA+DVI+TVout, Model V9950/TD/128M ($440)

CD/DVD Drive:
MITSUMI 16X DVD ROM DM-2000TE-B BLACK ($36)

Floppy Drive:
MITSUMI D359M3 BLACK FDD 1.44MB 3.5INCH ($10)

Hard Drive:
WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 120GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD1200JB ($111)

Monitor:
Hitachi CM721FB 19" FLAT-FACED CRT Monitor Short Neck (Black) ($275)

Headset/mic:
Plantronics head sets .audio 90 ($25)

Software:
MS XP Pro OEM ($143)
FARSTONE GameDrive ($20)

Price:
$1889


What you see is what i'll be ordering. I dont have anything else i can use and am using a friends PC to write this. Do i have everything i need above? I assume all the parts will come with cables and fans, so I'm just getting whats comming with it, unless you advise differently.

Thanks.

 

[thraxes]

I take it you need 2 LAN ports as there already is an excellent NIC onboard.
I don't like Mitsumi drives but that is just personal taste.

Otherwise all I can say is "I WANT"

 

[Malladine]

I wouldn't assume those parts come with cables. If you're ordering OEM, the parts are all you're going to get.

And as if you don't already know that that system rulez

Oh, and you don't need "gamedrive" software. Just download Daemon Tools, it's the same thing.

Hmm, the mobo comes with onboard lan too.

And are you using onboard sound? lol

 

[MikeMike]

um, normally the cables will come w/ the mobo, my abit mobo came with 4 cables!!! and one floppy (i belive maybe only 3+1)

get the logitech mx combo, and you will have the best wireless out.

MIKE

 

[Slammy1]

Well, I guess that rig doesn't suck too bad, but if you want a real manly system see my sig .

It comes back to what you want to do with your system. It'd appear at first it's an o/c'er, but you'lkl find yourself somewhat RAM limited and your cooling solution is probably inadequate for that. If it's a gaming system (hence the video), toss an Audigy2 for $70. If it's for an HTPC, you'll either want an o/c or to go with a slightly higher CPU (at least if you want to run T2 Extreme). If it's not for any of that, go with a slower solution and save some $$$.

EDIT: CRTs make baby Jesus cry.

 

[Girospeck]

so, it sounds like it pretty close.

what would you buy instead of MITSUMI?

Slammy 1, I was planning on using the onboard soundcard. I've heard such great things about it. What cooling unit would you get? Also you think i'll need more then 1Gig of ram?

Thanks agian for all the help.

 

[Schadenfroh]

dang nice system

 

[boyz]

All that matters is your opinion, i think i a nice mid level pc.

 

[Slammy1]

LOL. By RAM limited I meant RAM speed, but I wish I'd done 1GB in retrospect. If you o/c the 2.6 to 3GHz, with a 4:5 memory ratio your memory speed will be like 384MHz. To run it to where the memory speed is 400MHz, you'll need to increase your CPU to 3.25GHz. At 3.25GHz you can get by with the stock HSF if you improve cooling (1-2 more fans for your case). Past that you need a better hsf solution than retail. With your video card and an o/c on the CPU, you might consider the 480W Antec True especially if you plan to add some HDs to your system later. Even if you don't o/c much, I'd still get another fan for that case. Gotta go, laundry calls.

 

[wacki]

It's a nice well rounded system. But if it were me, I would go with AMD. The last system I built uses an Athlon 2400+ and an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard. Both of which are about a $100 cheaper than their Intel counterparts and no video game out there is going to push it at all.
I then took the savings and bought a maze3 watercooling block at dangerden.com. And if your using a high end video card (especially one made by Nvidia) your going to want water cooling. The noise from the high end GeforceFX's reminds me of a RC helicopter. Although the newer cards have gotten better, they still are loud. I went AMD and watercooled and I will never go any other way. You can't hear a thing and its soooo nice!!!!! Plus something about looking through the case window at the flourescent green water cooling tubes is so cool.

Anyway I'm a big AMD nut, built dozens of computers with AMD and haven't had one problem. The extra cash is nice too, because I dump it into cold cathods, watercooling, window decals, not to mention RF remotes (controlling winamp three rooms away is nice!). Think about it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

me like IS7/IC7 over the asus

 

[Girospeck]

would do you think of COOLERMASTER DP5-7JD1B-0L CPU FAN SOCKET A/370 CPU (X2) ($34) for added cooling?

 

[Slammy1]

I kinda feel Springdale is a bettervalue, but if you feel you must have ECC memory compatability, then the extra $60 is worth it . If you're looking at a CPU cooling solution, consider the Zalman 7000Cu or maybe an SLK800/900 paired with an 80mm Panflo fan. I'm not really happy with the sound quality of my P4P800. The S/P DIF is good for movies (DTS, DD5.1) or music (PCM 2.5), but games crackle a lot.

 

[Girospeck]

if i were to go with the liquid cool idea, which brand and model would you recommend. I want one that is both affordably prices, as well as powerful. If I were to spring to a liquid cool case, I would want it to last many of years.

 

[Slammy1]

How high you planning to take this?

Generally, for an air cooled system you see a max around 3.6GB. It's something to do with the 0.13micron chip technology I'd avoid water cooling unless you're a die hard. I was reading a thread either here or on the Asus forums that someone sprung a leak and it killed his MB/CPU/Mem/PSU (and he had some really nice stuff, just a step down from your proposed system). Everyone offered commisurations, his response was (to paraphrase) if you're going to play, you're going to pay. He's getting another water cooler.

You probably want to consider the retail HSF. The 3-year warranty is worth the small price hike, and you can always upgrade later if you find you don't have the head room you want. The retail unit's not bad, the main thing is what to do with the heat you put out. As a starter, get another case fan (the biggest you can fit in an open spot) and consider an upgrade later. If you get some nice memory you might find that a 1:1 o/c works fine for your needs, and special cooling won't be needed.

The 430W should be fine, I just worry that Antec doesn't put enough power in their 12V rail for my likes. Other than those "fine tunings" you should have a nice gaming and multimedia computer.Look to maybe 3.2GHz before you should upgrade your HSF, but do you have any programs requiring any more? If you stick with the 3.25GHz CPU 400Mhz memory, which seems a prime piece of real estate, get some PC3200 with low latency so you can gain a bit if you decide you want more in the future. I hope this helps.

 

[wetcat007]

Unless ur looking to overclock that particular CPU go for a 3.2GHz with that kind of a performance PC

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: Girospeck
so, it sounds like it pretty close.

what would you buy instead of MITSUMI?

Slammy 1, I was planning on using the onboard soundcard. I've heard such great things about it. What cooling unit would you get? Also you think i'll need more then 1Gig of ram?

Thanks agian for all the help.

Sony instead