which build would you choose and why ?

[Gadzookie]

Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Case 45.00
ENERMAX 420W Power Supply 76.00
AMD Athlon 64 3500 Processor 268.00
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Motherboard 95.00
CORSAIR ValueSelect (2 x 512MB) Memory 88.00
Seagate Barracuda SATA NCQ 80GB SATA Hard Drive OEM 68.00
NEC ND-3520A Black DVD Burner OEM 49.99
Rosewill Radeon X800XL Video Card 269.99
Total 959.98

Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Case 45.00
Fortron Source BlueStorm 500W Power Supply 90.00
AMD Athlon 64 3200 Processor 190.00
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Motherboard 130.00
GeIL 1GB (2 x 512MB)GLX1GB3200DC Memory 202.00
Seagate Barracuda SATA NCQ 80GB SATA Hard Drive OEM 68.00
NEC ND-3520A Black IDE DVD Burner OEM 49.99
eVGA Geforce 6600GT Video Card 177.00
Total 951.99

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Gadzookie
Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Case 45.00
ENERMAX 420W Power Supply 76.00
AMD Athlon 64 3500 Processor 268.00
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Motherboard 95.00
CORSAIR ValueSelect (2 x 512MB) Memory 88.00
Seagate Barracuda SATA NCQ 80GB SATA Hard Drive OEM 68.00
NEC ND-3520A Black DVD Burner OEM 49.99
Rosewill Radeon X800XL Video Card 269.99
Total 959.98

Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Case 45.00
Fortron Source BlueStorm 500W Power Supply 90.00
AMD Athlon 64 3200 Processor 190.00
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Motherboard 130.00
GeIL 1GB (2 x 512MB)GLX1GB3200DC Memory 202.00
Seagate Barracuda SATA NCQ 80GB SATA Hard Drive OEM 68.00
NEC ND-3520A Black IDE DVD Burner OEM 49.99
eVGA Geforce 6600GT Video Card 177.00
Total 951.99

what are your uses?

 

[Mrvile]

I would get the first setup but if you could squeeze out just a little more cash for the DFI motherboard, you've got one hell of a setup there.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Assuming gaming is your probable need for speed, I'd pick system 1 since I prefer not to overclock.

You might be able to stably overclock the 3200+ to 3500+ or higher, but build 1 you know in advance what speed you'll get, and don't need to worry about odd crashes and memory / drive corruption from a "99%" stable overclock.

 

[l Xes l]

yea... i'd go first setup

 

[imported_Kensai]

The first would be optimal, but the 3500+ won't be that much of a difference from a 3200+. The x800XL will beat the 6600GT in all tests and benchmarks.

 

[shoRunner]

1st faster in everything, better processor and gfx card, and you didn't waste 200 bucks on memory.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: Gadzookie
Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Case 45.00
ENERMAX 420W Power Supply 76.00
AMD Athlon 64 3500 Processor 268.00
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Motherboard 95.00
CORSAIR ValueSelect (2 x 512MB) Memory 88.00
Seagate Barracuda SATA NCQ 80GB SATA Hard Drive OEM 68.00
NEC ND-3520A Black DVD Burner OEM 49.99
Rosewill Radeon X800XL Video Card 269.99
Total 959.98

I'd only change the motherboard to a DFI, and get a Powercolor or ATI version of the video card.

The Rosewill only has a one year warranty on it.

 

[n yusef]

I would take option #2, but switch the memory for this. It would be ~$70 cheaper, and if you read AnandTech's value RAM roundup, you can find out more about it.
EDIT: I forgot to say get the X800XL which will have you break even with the money you saved on RAM. I assume you are overclocking (you wanted an Ultra-D in choice #2), in which case the 3200+ will be just as good as the 3500+, considering most chips will clock higher with a 10x multi than 11x.

 

[hippotautamus]

I'd say first setup, but if you have a little extra cash, go for the DFI NF4 board and the 500W PSU...extreme overclocking potential.

 

[wisdomtooth]

I would replace the PSU on either setup with a Seasonic S12-430. $85 at PC Alchemy.

It's cheaper than the Fortron Blue Storm while putting out comparable amps on its dual rails, but unlike Blue Storm it has active PFC and is a lot more quieter. Superior PSU for cheaper price.

 

[Baked]

Corsair Value is $83 at chiefvalue, shipped, if you don't have tax.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: krnxpride83
yea... i'd go first setup

 

[Gadzookie]

well i use the setup for mostly gaming the first setup will be if i dont overclock the second would be if i overclock :-( i cant decide

also i thought that dfi ultra d boards hate value ram :-(

 

[Gadzookie]

Originally posted by: n yusef
I would take option #2, but switch the memory for this. It would be ~$70 cheaper, and if you read AnandTech's value RAM roundup, you can find out more about it.
EDIT: I forgot to say get the X800XL which will have you break even with the money you saved on RAM. I assume you are overclocking (you wanted an Ultra-D in choice #2), in which case the 3200+ will be just as good as the 3500+, considering most chips will clock higher with a 10x multi than 11x.

i dont think the ram you posted is the same on the review the review ram is 270 bucks and is VX value ram

the link to newegg was just reguler ocz value ram i could be wrong though

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: Gadzookie
i dont think the ram you posted is the same on the review the review ram is 270 bucks and is VX value ram

the link to newegg was just reguler ocz value ram i could be wrong though

VX? You want WinBond UTT and Brainpower PCB for the overclock? Try this

 

[Gadzookie]

will that ram work wth a DFI ultra d i noticed its very picky !

 

[Mrvile]

Actually you could cut the 3500+ down to a 3000+ or 3200+, and use the saved money for the DFI motherboard.

 

[raildogg]

The first one, but NOT with the Chaintech VNF4 motherboard. It has ZERO firewire support, very poor labeling of the components and little documentation. It's layout isn't the best either.

The Epox EP-9NPA +Ultra is a great motherboard at a very reasonable price. I believe you can find up for about $125 at newegg. It is very high-end, has a great layout with no interference between the components. Very highly recommended.

 

[Gadzookie]

im using a epox board right now on my old computer i love it ! and the Epox EP-9NPA +Ultra is a great board but for 5 bucks more i could get a dfi lanparty

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: raildogg
The first one, but NOT with the Chaintech VNF4 motherboard. It has ZERO firewire support, very poor labeling of the components and little documentation. It's layout isn't the best either.

The Epox EP-9NPA +Ultra is a great motherboard at a very reasonable price. I believe you can find up for about $125 at newegg. It is very high-end, has a great layout with no interference between the components. Very highly recommended.

For $5 just get the DFI as Gadz pointed out

 

[batmanuel]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Assuming gaming is your probable need for speed, I'd pick system 1 since I prefer not to overclock.

You might be able to stably overclock the 3200+ to 3500+ or higher, but build 1 you know in advance what speed you'll get, and don't need to worry about odd crashes and memory / drive corruption from a "99%" stable overclock.

I agree. I just spent yesterday rebuilding my WinXP installation when that 1% bit me in the butt and corrupted my system files.

 

[Gadzookie]

Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Case 45.00
Fortron Source BlueStorm 500W Power Supply 90.00
AMD Athlon 64 3200 Processor 190.00
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Motherboard 130.00

Seagate Barracuda SATA NCQ 80GB SATA Hard Drive OEM 68.00
NEC ND-3520A Black IDE DVD Burner OEM 49.99
eVGA Geforce 6600GT Video Card 177.00 or a ati x800xl 269.99 if i can afford it

my budget is 1000 bucks i still cant pick out ram :-( and i think im going to need a hsf and cooler

 

[Mrvile]

Well for hsf that's a no brainer, Thermalright XP90 + Panaflo fan OR Zalman 7000AlCu.

Too lazy to add myself, what's the remaining budget on the ram?

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: Gadzookie
will that ram work wth a DFI ultra d i noticed its very picky !

That RAM was made for the DFI... seriously set the DFI's vDIMM to 3.2v and that RAM will fly.