Yes, yet another 'check my specs' thread. ***Update*** Done deal, w00t!!

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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I'd get a better case. how about just buying an Antec case with the PSU already installed?
 
S

Sid59

Lifer
Sep 2, 2002
11,879
3
81
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
A few more questions.

Out of the MB mentioned here, which ones have the possibility to lock the PCI/AGP bus frequency? I suspect that upping the FSB will change the speeds unless I am succesful and can go all the way to 400 (or is is called 200 with clock doubling?).
I might just leave it stock and upgrade the CPU later on.
Isn't it better to run 2x256MB instead of 1x512MB in a Dual channel setup?

9800NP sounds interesting. How is the 9800SE? Roughly the same price as 9600Pro or is the 9800SE clippled with fewer pipelines and smaller bus? It's clocked lower than the 9600Pro IIRC.
The plain 9800 is ~$250 and I am not sure I like to spend that much yet.

No matter what parts I go for here, It will be a huge upgrade from a 500MHz Celeron and around $800 is about what I like to spend.
Click to expand...

im sure all the nforce2 boards have locks. i have the NF7-S .. the PCI is automatically locked. the AGP is locked by default but you can up or lower the 66 clock speed if you want to.

dual chan sees more performance for intergrated video. theres a slight performance increase for dual chan without the IGP. i built my rig with 1 x512 with the plan to buy another stick in a month or so. 1 x512 is alot easier to upgrade than have 2x256 if you ask me.

9800SE is crippled and not fun. 9800 is 250 or less if you search around. the Nvidia 5800NU is 200 if you search around. if you cut the parts i mentioned above and still spent ~200 on a card, you'd still save 100 over the original configuration
 
W

WRXFanatic

Member
Oct 13, 2003
106
0
0
Originally posted by: dnuggett
Also, if you want to try overclocking the processor, PC3200 memory would be a good idea, and I'd recommend Buffalo (about $80 for a 512MB stick at Newegg)
Click to expand...

I'd go with Kingston Hyper X it's much better if you will be oc'ing.



(But be forewarned, 2500+s are starting to come with locked multipliers)
Click to expand...

Still not a prob to hit 3200+ w/ an FSB adjustment.
Click to expand...

i agree...and right now it's cheap on kingston's website

also..i'd go w/ 1 gig of the memory (2x512) b/c 512 is pretty much the minimum for smooth gaming now
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
OK, did some more thinking and took some good advise from here.

Went back to Antec Sonata case w/ 380W PSU
NEC 1300A DVD burner, saved ~$50
1x512MB Buffalo PC3200 RAM.
ABIT nForce2 Ultra 400 NF7-S. saved ~$15
Upgraded to Radeon 9700PRO for $238 :)

Yes I take the Buffalo memory because of this: I figured that with the saving on th eDVD and Memory I could squeeze in a 9700PRO instead.
I figured this will blow away the 9600PRO based rig even without OC and then the PC3200 Buffalo should be enough.
If I try to fsb OC, the PC3200 should be able to handle the full 200MHz fsb of a successfull OC, thus giving me a 3200+ performance.

My palms are wet now and the checkout button close to being 'pressed'.
I like to thank you all for the suggestions and advice. If I could I'd buy you :beer:

$803.98 shipped
 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
That all looks great, got choice on case :D

Only thing I would change is RAM. I would go for something of higher quality in PC3200 like Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, etc. Remember, Corsair tests every stick too not to mention the low latencies they run at. I would invest in some better RAM.
 
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FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
OK, Ill check the memory one last time. There are other Buffalo sticks with Samsung or Infineon memory for just $5-6 more.
The Raptor is nice but the WD will be fine. I've got an 60GB WD in the current rig if I need more space.
 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Will go with:

Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM - $94

instead of the Buffalo memory.
Click to expand...

Ok, good choice. I mentioned the Raptor cause I couldn't find any other fault in it, hehe :p
 
I

iwearnosox

Lifer
Oct 26, 2000
16,018
5
0
Thanks. The cool parts you can't see. All the drives are stealthed, pushing one of the silver tabs on the bezel ejects them. I also put in a custom LED light show that lights up the front plexi all disco like. The blue LCD is custom mounted in there.

I spent waaaay to much time on it...

Anyhoo, not here to steal your thunder, you've got a nice rig going! :beer::D
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Thanks. The cool parts you can't see. All the drives are stealthed, pushing one of the silver tabs on the bezel ejects them. I also put in a custom LED light show that lights up the front plexi all disco like. The blue LCD is custom mounted in there.

I spent waaaay to much time on it...

Anyhoo, not here to steal your thunder, you've got a nice rig going! :beer::D
Click to expand...

Sweet looking. No worries, my thunder is not very loud just way overdue.
:beer::D
 
A

Atlantean

Diamond Member
May 2, 2001
5,296
1
0
What heatsink are you going to get? I have the same processor and am using the stock heatsink... I can hit 3200+ speeds with stock, but its not very stable. If thats what you are planning to do then maybe get another heatsink. Also you can get the 9800 non pro for $200 still can't you? Maybe have a look at that, its cheaper than the 9700 and it might oc to 9800 pro/xt speeds.
 
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FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
I'll start with stock hs+fan and see how it goes. I got the retail because of the warranty.
Didn't find any 9800NP for 200 so I settled for the 9700PRO for 238.
 
A

Atlantean

Diamond Member
May 2, 2001
5,296
1
0
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
I'll start with stock hs+fan and see how it goes. I got the retail because of the warranty.
Didn't find any 9800NP for 200 so I settled for the 9700PRO for 238.
Click to expand...

Yeah I got retail for the same reason. I don't think that the speed increase will make a huge huge difference, right now I have the fsb at 193 instead of 200 and its rock solid stable at that so I think it should overclock higher than that when I pop a new heatsink on it.
 
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