Help Me Build A 64-Bit Rig

profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
edited January 2005 in Hardware
My current main computer is a T-Bird 1200 in an Abit KT7A-Raid MB. It looks like I am finally ready to take the plunge and move on to something a little more modern. I am leaning toward a 64-Bit system, though I could be talked out of it if there is a compelling reason for me not to go that route. My other alternative would be a high-end Barton system.

My budget is about $500 - $600 dollars. I am in great shape on drives (I have new-ish HD's and a brand-new 16X DVD burner), and have a good case and 400W PS. What I need is a new MB, CPU <strike>(I intend to buy the retail version)</strike>, Ram, and Video Card.

I've been a long-time fan of MSI, but not to the point of fanatacism. I'd like a GB of Ram, but for budgetary reasons would settle for 512MB if I was assured of being able to easily add more later (i.e. I would be able to find a matching stick from newegg stock within the next 6-9 months).

I do not plan on overclocking, and intend to make do with the retail HSF for the immediate future. I don't game heavily (though I might in the future; as you can guess I can't really play any of the newer games at all right now); a so-so video card would suit my needs for the time being. A video card upgrade next year is a distinct possibilty. Onboard sound is fine with me. I don't need onboard LAN but wouldn't mind having it. If I can avoid a VIA chipset I would like to do so, unless the consensus is that their 64-Bit versions are definitely the best way to go.

Software compatibilty is a big concern, too. I currently run XPpro and would likely take advantage of the MS offer of trading it in for the 64-Bit version when it is finally released. In the meantime, I will likely experiment with the pre-release version available now. The compatibilty of other software with both the hardware and 64-Bit Windows will have an effect on my final choice. I can't afford to replace gobs of other software at the present time.

Recommendations? :)

Comments

  • JimboraeJimborae Newbury, Berks, UK New
    edited December 2004
    Right well I'd go for a Socket 939 Athlon64 3200, best bang for the buck and upgradeable path. An Nforce4 motherboard (sli if you can afford it) & pci express graphics card again as this will allow for future upgrades. Something like an Asus A8N SLI. For graphics an Nvidia 6800GT pci express if you can afford it, if not then a 6600GT pci-e.
    For ram, as you're not overclocking then something like Corsair DDR 3200 ValueRam will suffice.
  • BudBud Chesterfield, Va
    edited December 2004
    would there be much a difference between a 3200+ and 3500+
  • JimboraeJimborae Newbury, Berks, UK New
    edited December 2004
    Only in price :) thats why I think the 3200 is better value for money.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited December 2004
    Jimborae wrote:
    ...Socket 939...Athlon64 3200...An Nforce4 motherboard (sli if you can afford it) & pci express graphics card...Something like an Asus A8N SLI. For graphics an Nvidia 6800GT pci express if you can afford it, if not then a 6600GT pci-e...something like Corsair DDR 3200...
    Couldn't find the ASUS board at newegg, or any nForce4 MB's, for that matter. What about the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum? (No PCIe slot...)

    I've heard great things about the nForce4, but I'm not sure I want to be the guinea pig for a first-revision board. My current board (the ancient Abit KT7A-Raid) is the first version. Had I the revision C board I could slap an Athlon XP in there and make it a better Folding rig once I put it out to pasture. As it is, I'm limited to a T-Bird 1400, tops. As another example, the venerable NF7-S only hit its stride with the second version.

    As for the CPU, would going with the .13micron 3500+ be worth $72 over the 90nm 3200+? If not, I might drop down to the 3000+ and sink the extra $44 into a better Video Card, since I doubt I would tell the difference between the 3000 and the 3200.

    3000+ = $155 (90nm)
    3200+ = $199 (90nm)
    3500+ = $271 (.13micron)

    This opens up the question of type of video card. I've heard mixed reviews of PCIe, with the majority (Thrax :D ) seeming to feel that it won't be much of an improvement until the next generation. What do you guys think?
  • JimboraeJimborae Newbury, Berks, UK New
    edited December 2004
    Your KT7A-Raid may still take an XP, I heard many early revisions do despite not being officially supported.

    As for the 3500, no I don't think its worth the extra money, only if you're overclocking.

    With regard to NF4 & pci-e i suppose it depends if you don't mind upgrading your graphics card & motherboard again at some point in the near future rather than jumping on now. Its a tough choice.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited December 2004
    Jimborae wrote:
    Your KT7A-Raid may still take an XP, I heard many early revisions do despite not being officially supported.
    I tried an AthlonXP 1700+ in it, even to the extent of setting the FSB and Multiplier to act as an Athlon 1400 (the max the board officially supports). It almost booted once, then never even POST'd after that.
    As for the 3500, no I don't think its worth the extra money, only if you're overclocking.
    Leaves more money for a better Video Card. :)
    With regard to NF4 & pci-e i suppose it depends if you don't mind upgrading your graphics card & motherboard again at some point in the near future rather than jumping on now. Its a tough choice.
    I plan on using this machine as my main rig for at least two years. (You see how long I've stuck with my current antique system.) The only reason I'd upgrade sooner is if I suddenly become filthy rich, in which case I won't mind replacing the whole thing stem-to-stern. :D

    Thanks for your input, Jim. :thumbsup:
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2005
    Thanks for everyone's advice. I placed my order at newegg at the end of last year, and a few days ago got the parts in and built the rig.

    This is what I ended up with:
    MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum

    Athlon 64 3500+ (I went with the Newcastle core after hearing that there were problems with the newer Winchester core)

    A full Gig of Patriot low-latency Dual-Channel ram

    Saphire Ati Radeon 9600pro 256MB ram
    This thing rocks, and I haven't even really begun to tweak it yet. :rockon:

    I know I said that I wouldn't be OC'ing it, but this little voice in my head just won't leave me alone... :D
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    profdlp wrote:
    Thanks for everyone's advice. I placed my order at newegg at the end of last year, and a few days ago got the parts in and built the rig.

    This is what I ended up with:

    MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum

    Athlon 64 3500+ (I went with the Newcastle core after hearing that there were problems with the newer Winchester core)

    A full Gig of Patriot low-latency Dual-Channel ram

    Saphire Ati Radeon 9600pro 256MB ram


    This thing rocks, and I haven't even really begun to tweak it yet. :rockon:

    I know I said that I wouldn't be OC'ing it, but this little voice in my head just won't leave me alone... :D
    Little voices??? :scratch:
    Are you sure about that? I wouldn't tell too many, especially since you live in Ohio now! ;)

    More seriously though, I was the same way when I got my NF7-S and saw what it could do. :D
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