Looking for input on new rig

[RobbieGee]

I'm going to upgrade my old computer sometime the next few days and have spent some time learning about the latest hardware again since it's been _a while_ since last time I refreshed my knowledge of HW. I've asked some friends relatively knowledgable in the field and got some positive feedback, but some more input can't possibly hurt ;-)

Anyways, before I submitted my order I'd like to hear if anyone has any objections to me buying the following parts (for whatever reason(s), please include them ;-)

MB: EPoX EP-8KDA3+ nForce3 Socket 754
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8GHz Socket 754, 512 KB cache
RAM: 2x DDR-DIMM PC3200 512MB CL2.5 184-P
FAN: Thermaltake Venus 12
HD: Seagate Barracuda 200GB HD
(+ a new mouse for my laptop: Targus Super Mini Retractable Mouse)

NOK 6180,- (~$824 i believe)

I believe the price is about the best I can get where I live, it's certainly not bad.

A friend adviced me to wait a bit for PCI-E, but I'm not _that_ interested and would (probably?) have to buy a new gfx card (got a Ti4200 128mb currently). Also, Doom3 is soon upon us ;-)

[versello]

Nice compo. Sorta similar to mine. I wouldn't wait for PCI-E, tho... it'll take a while before it's matured and fully adopted by mobo/gfx vendors. Just say the hell with it and get a badass AGP card and enjoy Doom 3 :D

[RobbieGee]

Yea, everyone seems to agree the rig is ok so I'll probably order it tomorrow. I'm gonna hang on to my gfx card. I think I'll get rid of the bottlenecks with the new rig compared to my current athlon 1.13ghz w/512mb ram and a mobo i can't even remember due to some serious switching back and forth during some unstability issues :-P. Even tho I'm no "HW geek", being unable to answer the question "Which mobo you got?" isn't my cup o' tea <:-)

[kanezfan]

you'll definitely get a speed boost going from what you've got now. i have alittle concern about your gfx card being able to handle doom 3, but then i'm only running a 9500 pro.

[rapture]

whats the price difference between the 2800 and 3000+ where you are? Seems to me that the 3000+ is the nicest looking A64 price wise at least..

Looks like a very capable machine though, remember to fold :)

[RobbieGee]

AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8 GHz Socket 754, 512 KB cache, OEM
kr 1.395,-

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 2.0 GHz Socket 754, 512 KB cache, BOXED
kr 1.795,-

So there's a +28,5% price difference for 7% boost in performance judging from the PR rating (3000/2800). This difference is mostly due to a very low price on the 2800+ rather than an expensive 3000+.

Also, they already adjusted the prices after AMD announced the new prices.

On another note, It just came to mind I also need a new PSU since I'm going to keep the old rig as a server (which of course will be folding ;-), and I was thinking I'd go for the NorthQ Silent 4001 (12-17dBA) (not SE version, it wasn't in stock, but my mobo comes with S-ATA adapters so it's no biggie). The PSU I have currently sounds like a jet engine :-P

Aaaaand also I'm buying myself a DVD+-RW, they're so cheap I would be stupid to buy a read-only:
LG IDE GSA-4082 Bulk Black DVD+R/RW/DVD-R/RW/RAM
It was affordable, fast and supports both + and - standards, but does anyone know what "RAM" does?

[RobbieGee]

Whops, I compared OEM to boxed version. 3000+ OEM is kr 1.650,- so that would be an 18,3% price increase, not 28,5%. Sorry.

[Mackanz]

Robbie :)

Nice to see folks from Norway here, i live there myself.
Is that from Netshop.no? Great rig in my eyes, but you need a new gfx to play Doom 3 and HL 2 though. You need at least a 9800 Pro to be able to get respectable framerates on those games, no matter what cpu you have. I think komplett has the 9800 SE as the weeks deal, the version that is 256bit and are fully moddable to a 9800 XT with just a bios flash. I think that card is at 1295 or so. Buy just one stick of 512 ram for now and a new gfx instead. My 2 cents....

[RobbieGee]

All parts are from Komplett.no, and all are available. I have the order in front of me, refreshing every 15 minutes so it won't timeout <=)

You got a point with the gfx card and the ram, and I will consider it, but I'm leaning towards my original plan as those games will last me a few weeks total, while the rig itself will last much longer <=)

As a user, I'm more a developer with occational gaming needs. I always have a lot of applications open and so need a lot of RAM. Considering that, I think it may be easier to understand my reasoning not to go for a new gfx card. The total cost right now is close to max I'm willing to spend atm.

In any case, I value your input greatly.
"Handlingens time er nær" (how would you go about translating that Mackanz? <=) )

[Mackanz]

I agree totally now that you mention that you won't play games as much as i thought.
Good choice overall.
I went to Netshop (MUCH better webshop than Komplett) and got about the same stuff as you have, except for the mainboard which is the new Nforce 3 250GB and the total, except for the mouse is Tot: 5 830,00.

[RobbieGee]

Thanks for the tip, page has been bookmarked :-)

Anyhow, since the mouse is ~300,-, if we assume Netshop sold it at the same price that would bring the total to 6.130,- which is kr 50,- less than Komplett. If we factor in the shipping it's pretty much the same whichever I order from, so I'll stick with the known this time around. Maybe next time =)

Anywhoo... I just have to press that button. Why is it so hard? *sigh* <=)

[RobbieGee]

To anyone else reading this thread, dividing norwegian kroner on 10 roughly gives the amount in dollars, taxes included. So when I say the mouse is ~300kr it means the price would probably be around 30$ in the US, even though one dollar is about kr 7,50.

(Just clearing any future confusion ;-)

[RobbieGee]

Okie, the rig has been ordered and is on it's way, but I had some second thoughts when my brother sent me a mail regarding my choice of PSU. Note I don't know the first thing about electronics and are still at the level of comparing Volts to pressure of water in a hose... :-P The point is, the specs at http://www.northq.com/products/powersupply/nq4001se.html says its max load at +12V is 15A, while according to the thread at http://forum.msi.com.tw/thread.php?threadid=37468 the minimum is 25A@12V for a properly stable rig.

Now, all is not lost and I have backup plans, but if anyone could help me understand the situation a bit better, that would be great :-)