Recommendations Please for Two PC Rebuilds
Need your comments, advice, and recommendations please for major upgrades I'll be performing to my two home computers when I return from the Middle East.
Here's what I've got:
System 1: Abit KX7333-R, Athlon XP2100, 512MB Samsung 2700, 2XWD800BB in RAID 0 config; Radeon 8500 LE 64MB, Alpha 8045 cooler, all in Global Win spacious aluminum case;
System 2: Abit KR7A-R, Athlon XP1900, 512MB Twinmoss 2700, 2XWD600BB in RAID 0 config, Radeon 8500 LE 128 MB; Alpha 8045 cooler, all in Antec (SOHO - forgot number) case;
Both systems have excellent, spacious cases, with good quality PSUs. Intent for new systems is only moderate (if any) overclocking. I want high performance, but instead of RAID and overclocking, my pursuit will be quiet operation, matched with first class speed. I will not be on benchmark quests but want snappy machines.
I am dead set on building an Intel machine. I've already built severeal Athlon machines and really want to add Intel to my repertoir.
Both machines will each have two hard drives - the second drive serving as an image drive. I'm religious about Ghosting my systems for backups. I do not intend to run RAID. Been doing that for two years now, and am tired of all the extra cables and extra variables when dealing with Windows installation. I do though, want RAID motherboards for the flexibility the extra HDD ports offer. I will tweak both machines as far as I can without raising temperatures and without compromising stability. I want minimum fans in both towers.
OK, here are my proposals. Please heap your comments, criticism and whatnot on me:
System 1 (Intel):
-- Mobo: MSI NEO FIS2R --EDIT - change to Abit IC7-- (Intel Canterwood, hyperthreading (800MHz FSB-4X200, 400MHz Memory)
-- CPU: Intel P4, 2800MHz, 800 FSB, Hyperthreading) (3.0+ GHz if prices fall soon)
-- Memory, PC3200, 2X512 Geil "Value Ultra" CAS 2.5/6-3-3 -2T (1024 MB of DDR at 2.5 CAS is more important to me than 512MB or high performance CAS 2; these 512 sticks at Newegg for $69).
-- HDD: WD800JB, 8MB cache
-- Video Card: use existing Radeon 8500LE 128MB -
-- This machine is for general purpose, consisting of heavy office applications, Folding, and some gaming.
System 2 (AMD):
-- Mobo: Abit NF7-S v2.0, (nForce 2-SPP Chipset, SATA RAID, Serillel adaptor)
-- CPU: AMD XP 2800 Barton, 400MHz FSB (XP 3000 Barton if prices fall soon)
-- Memory, PC3200, 2X512 Geil "Value Ultra" CAS 2.5/6-3-3 -2T (1024 MB of DDR at 2.5 CAS is more important to me than 512MB or high performance CAS 2; these 512 sticks at Newegg for $69).
-- HDD: WD800JB, 8MB cache
-- Video Card - ATI 9500 PRO if still available when I purchase parts
-- This machine is for general purpose, with emphasis on gaming and folding. Office applications of type also.
Leo