Advice on new PC

edited August 2005 in Hardware
This was taken from another thread but I'm wondering if I could get advice on both the compatibility of all of my parts, and also if those are the best parts for the system. Thanks guys:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103547 $527

Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127206 $215

Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130234 $599

Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178 $71

Sound Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144160 $166

Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146890 $168

Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104153 $199

---

As of right now I have a mid-tower ATX case and an Ultra X-Connect 500w PSU, that have worked fine (A few times a week my intel active monitor tells me my voltage on the PSU is high but nothing awkward occurs).

If I was going to buy a new PSU it would be either an OCZ Modstream 520w or Powerstream 600w depending on what I needed.

Thoughts on just about anything would be great.
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Comments

  • edited July 2005
    Updated Specs:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103529 $473

    Processor - AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152 $135

    Motherboard - DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130234 $574

    Video Card - eVGA 256-P2-N528-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178 $71

    Sound Card - CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144160 $166

    Hard Drive - Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146890 $168

    Memory - OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104153 $199

    Power Supply - OCZ PowerStream OCZ600ADJ ATX12V 600W Power Supply

    Any thoughts or suggestions?
  • edited July 2005
    Instead of that San Diego, why not this bad boy, the Manchester X2 4200+ for $539.00? :D They are in the same price range and you can enjoy the sweetness of a dually on a single proc board.
  • edited July 2005
    muddocktor wrote:
    Instead of that San Diego, why not this bad boy, the Manchester X2 4200+ for $539.00? :D They are in the same price range and you can enjoy the sweetness of a dually on a single proc board.

    Is that compatible with the DFI board and/ or worth it if it's only being used for gaming?
  • sfleurietsfleuriet Texas New
    edited July 2005
    i would suggest getting a PC Power and Cooling psu instead of OCZ, just my opinion though.

    you can get that gtx card cheaper, as posted in the Depot, and save yourself $111 - http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34748
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited July 2005
    djstubbs wrote:
    Is that compatible with the DFI board and/ or worth it if it's only being used for gaming?

    If you are going to use the system for gaming, spending $70 more for dual-core will not help you. It will definitely benefit you for multithreaded applications, but for the foreseeable future, games will mostly be single-threaded.

    Here's a good article by Anandtech showing a single core A64 3800+ besting a dual core A64 X2 4400+ in every single game...

    http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2397&p=18
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2005
    like pilots wings said, go for the pc power and cooling psu, cause if your gonna be gaming you dont want a supply that cant handle the loads. PC Power and Cooling supplys are rated at their average output, not maximum output like so many others are, its like the difference between RMS and Peak power ratings on a speaker, one with a rating of 150 Watts peak will be blown away with one that has 100 watts RMS.

    And I noticed you had one hard drive, the raptor, thats a good decission, but it will be made better with another drive, say a large capacity SATA drive 300 or so gigs, I dont know why, but when the operating system is installed on the raptor and games on the secondary drive, things seem to get moving a little quicker, and make sure if you get a second drive that it supports native command queing, I've read a lot about and have decide that the next drive I get will definately support it.
  • edited July 2005
    Like Preacher said, if you are going to be exclusively gaming, then the X2 wouldn't be your best choice. But if you multitask a lot, such as gaming while ripping dvd or burning, then the X2 would definitely be the better choice. I've owned some dually machines and while they aren't as blazing fast as a single proc machine, they are definitely a lot smoother when multitasking and even single threaded apps are prioritized by the os and handled by both procs, lowering the load on each individual proc.

    AFAIK, the DFI board is fine running the X2, but you might drop in at the DFI-Street forums and look and ask around to make sure
  • edited July 2005
    like pilots wings said, go for the pc power and cooling psu, cause if your gonna be gaming you dont want a supply that cant handle the loads. PC Power and Cooling supplys are rated at their average output, not maximum output like so many others are, its like the difference between RMS and Peak power ratings on a speaker, one with a rating of 150 Watts peak will be blown away with one that has 100 watts RMS.

    And I noticed you had one hard drive, the raptor, thats a good decission, but it will be made better with another drive, say a large capacity SATA drive 300 or so gigs, I dont know why, but when the operating system is installed on the raptor and games on the secondary drive, things seem to get moving a little quicker, and make sure if you get a second drive that it supports native command queing, I've read a lot about and have decide that the next drive I get will definately support it.

    I will probably make a few partitions on the drive, one for the OS, one for gaming, and one for all of my other files. That's not a bad idea to get a large drive, but I really don't need the space at all.
    muddocktor wrote:
    Like Preacher said, if you are going to be exclusively gaming, then the X2 wouldn't be your best choice. But if you multitask a lot, such as gaming while ripping dvd or burning, then the X2 would definitely be the better choice. I've owned some dually machines and while they aren't as blazing fast as a single proc machine, they are definitely a lot smoother when multitasking and even single threaded apps are prioritized by the os and handled by both procs, lowering the load on each individual proc.

    AFAIK, the DFI board is fine running the X2, but you might drop in at the DFI-Street forums and look and ask around to make sure

    I will be using the computer exclusively for gaming, so I've changed my mind to a single core processor and am currently considering the 3700+, 3800+, and 4000+ if anyone has opinions on which to pick and why that would be great as well.

    Also I'm not quite sure what you meant by (AFAIK), but I will drop by
    the DFI forums to look for some answers.


    So, I really am looking for opinions on the high end AMD single core processors. 3700, 3800, 4000... which to pick?
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited July 2005
    AFAIK = As Far As I Know
  • edited July 2005
    Revised PC Specs:

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120209&Category_Code=AMD64 $453

    Processor - AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110630&Category_Code=AMD939 $172

    Motherboard - DFI LANPARTY UT NF4 SLI-DR nForce4 SLI Athlon 64(FX)/Sempron Skt939 DDR Motherboard

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190416&Category_Code=NA_4 $507

    Video Card - eVGA 256-P2-N528-AX Geforce 7800GTX 256MB

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178 $71

    Sound Card - CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144160 $166

    Hard Drive - Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=140979&Category_Code=Unbuffered_OCZ $189

    Memory - OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200)

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100162&Category_Code=ps-500 $94

    Power Supply - OCZ ModStream OCZ52012U ATX 520W Power Supply

    $1652 shipped

    - $25 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/rebates/140979.pdf

    - $20 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/rebates/100162.pdf

    $1607 after rebates

    ----

    Thoughts, anyone?
  • sfleurietsfleuriet Texas New
    edited July 2005
    that should be a darn good computer ;D
  • MadballMadball Fort Benton, MT
    edited July 2005
    Looks good except I would add another hard drive for storage purposes, and maybe get two 1gb sticks. But that's just me. I tend to do a lot of editing, so both memory and storage are necessary.
  • edited July 2005
    Madball wrote:
    Looks good except I would add another hard drive for storage purposes, and maybe get two 1gb sticks. But that's just me. I tend to do a lot of editing, so both memory and storage are necessary.

    I plan on adding another raptor shortly after I get the computer together, although I'm running on an 80 gb hard drive right now and I still have 30 gb free (although i did uninstall most of my games besides bf2 and hl2).

    I was looking for some advice on partitioning the drive, and also making sure I had the right wires to support the drive.

    In terms of RAM, and getting 2GB, I'll take a look at that and get back to you guys.

    Thanks for the input, more is definitely welcome.

    Oh yeah I need advice on which case to get, I was thinking something along the lines of a lian li pc 65...
  • sfleurietsfleuriet Texas New
    edited July 2005
    pc65 is a good case.

    i love my ttake tsunami though!!! ;D;D
  • edited July 2005
    dj, I noticed you linked to the OCZ Gold PC4000 VX but then wrote that you were getting Platium Rev. 2 PC3200. Which one are you going to go for, the VX or Plat rev2?

    If it's the plat rev 2, newegg has it for $171.78 delivered and monarch has it for $179 delivered. Either memory type would be a good choice, IMO.

    As for 2 X 1 GB sticks, you won't find them with as tight a timings as the 512 MB sticks.

    I found this Patriot ram that is rated 2-3-2-5 PC3200.

    OCZ also has this Platinum 1 GB PC3200 with the same timings.

    Corsair also has some 1 GB PC3200 sticks, but they are rated 2-3-3-6 timings and are more expensive than the other 2.
  • edited July 2005
    muddocktor wrote:
    dj, I noticed you linked to the OCZ Gold PC4000 VX but then wrote that you were getting Platium Rev. 2 PC3200. Which one are you going to go for, the VX or Plat rev2?

    If it's the plat rev 2, newegg has it for $171.78 delivered and monarch has it for $179 delivered. Either memory type would be a good choice, IMO.

    As for 2 X 1 GB sticks, you won't find them with as tight a timings as the 512 MB sticks.

    I found this Patriot ram that is rated 2-3-2-5 PC3200.

    OCZ also has this Platinum 1 GB PC3200 with the same timings.

    Corsair also has some 1 GB PC3200 sticks, but they are rated 2-3-3-6 timings and are more expensive than the other 2.

    I will most likely be getting the 4000 vx memory, it runs a lot better than the platinum rev. 2 according to benchmarks.
  • MadballMadball Fort Benton, MT
    edited July 2005
    I'm running that Patriot memory. I've had good luck with it. I don't overclock, so I don't know what it's limits are, but it runs at the listed timings at 2.5v with no problems.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited July 2005
    Just a comment on HDs, but one reason for going with two smaller drives as opposed to one mammoth drive is that if you have enough available connectors (PATA/SATA) you can see a performance boost by running the drives on different channels. That way it gives your data two "pipes" to run through instead of one. With your OS on one drives and your apps on another you ought to see a tidy speed increase.

    This only applies to having drives on different channels, though. If they're hooked up as a Master/Slave combo they are still fighting over the bandwidth of one single channel.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited July 2005
    The bandwidth thing applies to PATA only right? Doesnt SATA have their own 150/300 MB/s connection?
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited July 2005
    mmonnin wrote:
    The bandwidth thing applies to PATA only right? Doesnt SATA have their own 150/300 MB/s connection?
    Yep. There's no Master/Slave business with SATA. One drive per channel is all you get.
  • edited July 2005
    I'm curious now about what heatsink to get and I can tell you that I'm getting the dfi sli nf4 board and was looking at the zalman 7700cu, but someone told me I might have trouble installing it or fitting it in my case, does anyone know if it will fit in the lian-li pc65 on the mobo i listed>?
  • edited July 2005
    From what I've read, the Zalman's perform pretty well, but they aren't in the same class of performance as the Thermalright XP90 and XP90-C (all copper version). I'm pretty well sold on Thermalright's products myself and try to use them as long as they have a model for my need at the time. They shouldn't have any clearance problems on the DFI board either.

    After saying all this, I do plan on buying a Zalman for the new P-M system I will be putting together shortly. :D It's because the Zalman 7000 series and 7700 series can be easily modded to fit on the Asus board with the CT-479 adapter, plus they are pretty good hsf's too. ;)
  • edited July 2005
    So you think I should go with the thermalright? A friend of mine was saying go with the xp-120. But I'm curious as to how you would install a 120mm fan onto the heatsink.....
  • MadballMadball Fort Benton, MT
    edited July 2005
    I have a Zalman 7700 on my 3400+. It cools it well and is really quiet. It is quite large though. It fits on my DFI NF4 board without much room to spare.
  • edited July 2005
    This is going to sound silly, but does it function as a heatsink and a fan or just as a fan?
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited July 2005
    I have an XP-120 on that motherboard and it works very well. There are some things to consider though. More is in this old post:

    http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32081&highlight=xp-120
  • edited July 2005
    Thanks for the info, soon I will post my FINAL system specs before buying. After reading a few more reviews I'm slightly distraught on which memory to get.

    I'm stuck between the OCZ ddr 400 (2x 512mb) pc3200 platinum revision 2

    and

    OCZ ddr 400 (2 x 512 mb) pc4000 dual channel gold vx

    The DFI motherboard is the only mobo to support the second memory I listed, but I'm distraught on it now that I'm seeing people pick between them.
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited July 2005
    djstubbs wrote:
    Thanks for the info, soon I will post my FINAL system specs before buying. After reading a few more reviews I'm slightly distraught on which memory to get.

    I'm stuck between the OCZ ddr 400 (2x 512mb) pc3200 platinum revision 2

    and

    OCZ ddr 400 (2 x 512 mb) pc4000 dual channel gold vx

    The DFI motherboard is the only mobo to support the second memory I listed, but I'm distraught on it now that I'm seeing people pick between them.
    Just get the G. Skill 4400 LE and be done with it. I don't think you can find better overclocking memory than that. Mine runs much better than any other TCCD I have had to date. I have had the XP90 on mine and while it cooled well I just oredered that XP120 and a Panaflow 20mm fan as it will be much quieter and cool like the wind.
  • edited July 2005
    Ordered video card, case, and cpu cooling.

    About to order everything else, need to know which mobo and why?

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110222

    http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110630

    it's the same mobo, just one comes with different things, if i was building from scratch would i need those things???

    please let me know, i'm trying to order everything tonight.
  • sfleurietsfleuriet Texas New
    edited July 2005
    Yeah go ahead and get the first one - $190. It comes with all the cables and stuff that most new ones come with.

    I suspect the 2nd cheaper one is OEM since it doesnt come with any cables.
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