What do you think of this system? (ordering soon and I have a few questions)

[CU]

I have and will use in this new computer:
DVD drive
10baseT NIC Fast enough for me.
Geforce 2 GTS 32meg
2 x 40gig 7200 Maxtor HD's
19" Monitor
MS Optical Explorer Mouse
Keyboard

I have already ordered:
Silver Cheiftec Aluminum Case /w side window and Turbolink 420w PSU
Windows XP Home

I am about to order:
Epox 4g4a or 4g4a+ Would raiding my HD's be worth the price difference?
Kingmax 256 MB pc3200 Would Samsung 256 MB PC2700 be any better (same price)? Would going with Samsung 512 MB PC2700 be worth the extra money?
P4 1.8A@high speeds

I want to overclock as high as I can with the stock heatsink. Is it worth the trouble to remove the thermal pad on the heatsink and use some Arctic Silver 3 I have? I think Kingmax is great for its price because it will run 400mhz for sure, so the ram will not hold me back. I use my computer mostly for games, graphics programming, and some other non intense stuff (web, email, etc.). I know I could use a video card upgrade, but I plan to wait a month or two then get something, maybe a Radeon 9500 or something. Need to spread the money out alittle also. Does anyone know where I can buy a cheap silver keyboard to match my new case? Suggestions/comments?

 

[CU]

I will be ordering soon. Anyone have any comments?

 

[CU]

Another question. What is a goot size partition for WIn XP Home? Would still like to know if raid is worth it?

 

[NOX]

I would get PC2700, and not PC3200 (PC3000 would also be better then PC3200). If (?) you'll be playing games I would get a better video card.

 

[ManSteak]

I myself have built a system with the Epox 4g4A+ and I have to say that it is a good performer and highly flexible. Been scoring past the table with SiSoft Sandra CPU and memory benchmarks and setup is a breeze. I highly recommend this mobo and it has also won many awards among reviewers.

As for memory ... you might as well get the pc 2700. The Epox has support for ddr @ 333 mhz (can be tweaked @ bios) so why not utilize it.

Since you are going to be overclocking it, this mobo is a good choice. It displays the CPU and system temp. @ start up plus at Epox support website, they have released a beta version of a system meter displaying temp. on your OS. Also it has a "Magic Health" function built in on the mobo to make OC'ing safe.

I got my setup @ pricewatch and it was dirt cheap.

Having a RAID array for the type of use you have would not be worth it. RAID arrays are only beneficial for accessing large amounts of information at high speeds such as digital video/audio and server access (joins two harddrives and COMBINES it into one i.e.: 40gb + 40gb = one 80gb harddrive) and for data integrity such as in a server (joins two harddrives and MAKES it into one i.e.: 40gb + 40 gb/as a backup = one 40gb) You will be wasting a whole harddrive with the latter. If you are only going to use this for games and programming, an ata 100 7200 rpm harddrive would suffice.

Just to warn you.... your new system will be pretty fast but your GeForce 2 will be slowing everything down in the graphics dept. I think no amount of overclocking your CPU and memory will bring you the result you want in a game with a GeForce 2 GPU holding down your framerates.

 

[Technonut]

Epox 4g4a or 4g4a+ Would raiding my HD's be worth the price difference?

RAID might not be for you, but it is nice to have the extra IDE controllers to run your HDs and DVD as Master on their own channel, especially if you plan on adding a CD burner. Well worth the small additional cost between the mobos IMO.

 

[Kp99]

10baseT NIC Fast enough for me.

For what its worth you might as well get a 10/100 NIC, the price difference is very tiny and will be worth it when you goto college, LAN parties, etc. Some MB's have NICS onboard, so you might want to look into that.

 

[bulldawg]

Originally posted by: Technonut

Epox 4g4a or 4g4a+ Would raiding my HD's be worth the price difference?

RAID might not be for you, but it is nice to have the extra IDE controllers to run your HDs and DVD as Master on their own channel, especially if you plan on adding a CD burner. Well worth the small additional cost between the mobos IMO.

Agreed. I think you will find the 4g4a+ to be a great board.

 

[CU]

Since the big thing for me that the + version offers is raid. I have another question about that. OK, so I wouldn't get much benefit from it. But, would it hurt me in anyway. If I did raid it to one 80gig drive, I can still partition it into one small say 3 gig drive for windows (is this a good size for the OS only?) and the rest as one large partition for other stuff.

I would get PC2700, and not PC3200 (PC3000 would also be better then PC3200).

Why? The Kingmax will run at 400mhz and the Samsung may or may not and they are the same price. I don't think my P4 will make it 150mhz bus to use 400mhz ram, but I could get lucky. I have been reading the Kingmax PC3200 also. It seems most people just have not tried it.

Just to warn you.... your new system will be pretty fast but your GeForce 2 will be slowing everything down in the graphics dept. I think no amount of overclocking your CPU and memory will bring you the result you want in a game with a GeForce 2 GPU holding down your framerates.

Yes I know it will hold me back. The Geforce 2 GTS hits a wall at what 1000mhz? I have an old C3666@550 now so it should scale for me some. Although I have been looking at the Radeon 8500LE 128meg bulk at newegg. Does it have the 3.? ns ram (for overclocking) like the 64meg bulk one at newegg supposly has. It would be huge cheap upgrade for me and I would love to see some pixel shaders in Morrowind. I could then get a DX9 card when they were cheaper and more games us it. And, yes I play Morrowind on my C366@550 and Geforce 2, slowly but it works.

I still have few question that no-one has commented on. Is 512meg ram worth it for me, is it worth the trouble to remove the thermal pad on the heatsink and use some Arctic Silver 3 I have, and where can I get a cheap silver keyboard? I only need the keyboard not a mouse/keyboard combo. My mouse is already silver.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[pitupepito2000]

How about MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU, and a better video card Radeon 8500LE. This is a great video card and a great board. 10GB is enough space for a partition, right now I have win2k in that size, and that is enough. Go for the 512MB of ram.

I hope this helps!

 

[CU]

That MSI MB is for AMD. I was kindy wanting to stay with Intel. Is this Samsung IC Chipset 512MB DDR333 PC2700 Memory at googlegear good for overclocking. It is only $122 + $0.5 to ship 2 day. That seems very good compared to neweggs $155 price.

 

[LouPoir]

The Epox board is a good choice. I have the + version and I am very happy with it. I have tried a handfull of others. Raid is not worth the trouble, no real big performance boost.

Lou