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The Official PC building thread!

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by souldoubt, May 11, 2004.

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  1. superflex

    superflex Member

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    For an Athlon 64 3200, you don't need registered or ECC RAM. Those are needed in servers and for the FX53.
     
    superflex, Aug 5, 2004
    #161
  2. dawai

    dawai Member

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    alright i got everything picked out but the Mobo...

    lemme know what you think: i don't know what kind of chipset to lookfor in a mobo

    Processor:
    Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

    Heat sinks:
    Cooler Master JET 4 CPU FAN for Intel P4 478, Model "ICB-V83" -RETAIL

    or

    Cooler Master Aero 4 Lite CPU Cooler for Intel P4 478, Model "DI4-7J74F" -RETAIL

    Ram:
    CORSAIR XMS Xtreme Memory Speed Series, Xtra-Low Latency 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 w/ Platinum Heat Spreader, Model TWINX1024-3200XLPT - Retail

    Motherboard:

    SOLTEK "SL-865Pro2-FGR" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

    Soundcard: (already bought)
    Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL

    Videocard: (Already bought)
    ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL

    I have 4 case fans and a 300w power box... i was thinking about upgrading to 500w any suggestions??
     
    dawai, Aug 10, 2004
    #162
  3. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    Between the Newcastle (512K) and the 'Hammer (1MB) cores, you're actually probably better off with the Newcastle as it's a much more efficient chip :)

    Cant really go wrong either way (for Socket754) -- go with the cheaper one! :)

    Well the A8V is a Socket939 board which will have a longer lifespan than the already-discontinued Socket754s. The A7N is an AthlonXP board -- for the older AMD chips. The only reason I reccomended that was because it's probably the best last-generation board available :)

    Well it all depends on YOU. If you want the Socket754 then the K8V is probably the route to go, if you want to get a Socket940 board, the SK8V is the one to get (stay away from the crippled nForce3 board) and if you want a Socket939 board, the A8V is the route to go :)

    Essentially anything Socket940 based :)

    dawai
    - Might you consider a NorthwoodC? Much more cost effective than the P4E you've got there.
    - A jump to a reliable 500W PSU (or even 400W) would be nice
    - Good call on the i865
     
    Praetor, Aug 11, 2004
    #163
  4. chris2199

    chris2199 Member

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    ok to make a long story short. my apartment was broken into, computer was stolen, insurance wasnt payed.

    now you know why i have to build a new pc. here is what i am looking at.

    amd barton 3200+

    abit nf7-s nf2.0 OR asus a7n8x-e deluxe

    512mb pc3200 kingston

    ati radeon 9600xt OR ati radeon 9800 pro

    liteon cd r/rw 52x32x52

    liteon OR lg cd rom 52x

    floppy drive

    maxtor ata-133 8m 120gb OR maxtor s-ata 8m 120gb

    sound card is out of budget but i am lookign at the audigy 2

    case will be the nzxt the gaurdian w/420 psu
    http://www.nzxt.com/default_content.html
    link so you know what it looks like :cool:

    also i was looking at
    atholon xp 64bit 3000+
    msi k8t-neo fsr

    with every thing else the same

    the system will be used for gaming and work useing programs like autocad, inventor, soild works

    let me know what you all recommend cause you cant always trust the person selling you a pc to tell you every thing unless you know what to ask lol

    thanks
     
    chris2199, Aug 12, 2004
    #164
  5. 4W4K3

    4W4K3 Guest

    If you get the Abit board i wouldnt suggest the NF7-S2. I would get the plain NF7-S V2.0 board as it overclocks amazingly. I read a few places the "2" version of the board is quite low quality compared to the other one.
     
    4W4K3, Aug 12, 2004
    #165
  6. JSRife

    JSRife Guest

    Chris2199

    Sorry to hear about the apartment break in dude. Back in middle of 1999 the place I was living at was broken into also. They stole around $6000 worth of stuff from me, bassically everything I owned at the time. I had a lap top that was stolen in the mix, it probably had a street value of $200 in 1999. It was a Toshiba Notebook, without a CD rom, just had the ol hard disk, had 16mb of memory, a pentium 1, can't remember the Hard-drive, guessing around 2 gig or so. Computer was made in 1995. The insurance company offered me a brand new notebook up to $2000 if I go pick it out they will pay for it, or option 2 take $1000 cash. I took the $1000 Cash. If your computer was stolen you should be able to get a new computer that is 2 times better than the one you got ripped off. Don't know what you told the insurance company, but I would have told them, you got a computer ripped off and tell them how much you paid for it. No need to tell them it's home built, that makes it complicated on deciding what to pay you back for it. Just tell them you had a computer and it got stolen. You should be able to make out like a bandit. Hell I had a $200 worthless notebook and got $1000 for it.
     
    JSRife, Aug 12, 2004
    #166
  7. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    You're prolly better off saving money here and getting an XP2500 or XP2800 and OCing the piss out of it.

    Both excellent boards, cant go wrong either way. You can save some cash by getting the A7N8X-X also :)

    The money you save on the processor can go to upping this to 1GB

    Excellent choice for the Litey (i'd stay away from LG); there isnt really a need to get the CDROM though (if you're thinking of doing OTF burning, i'd suggest you reconsider) :)

    Not a world of difference between the PATA and SATA drive, you can save some money here too :)

    If you get the Soundstorm, a soundcard isnt really a requirement anymore :)

    Something else you might want to look into: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/93097
     
    Praetor, Aug 12, 2004
    #167
  8. chris2199

    chris2199 Member

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    ok since i dont have a computer i will just post once.

    4w4k3
    it is the nf7-s v2.0 i'm considering. not the nf7-s2. but i am pushing toward the asus a7n8x-e deluxe there is only a $10 differ in price from the best offers i have gotten and the asus has real good ocing potential as well and i dont have to worry to much about a sound card.


    jsrife

    damn dude i wish it was that simple our insurance ended las month and we were in the prosess of lookign for a cheeper place so we didnt have insurance. other wise i would have a computer by now lol. but damn i would have had them buy me one for 2000 insteed of cash unless you dont like laptops.

    praetor

    thanks for the insight. i like all the potential of the a7n8x-e deluxe over the a7n8x-x and since posting yesturday i have upgraded to 2x512mb. the HDD there is only a $15 difference in price so for speed wise would i see any difference between the ata-133 and the sata drive. the roms are a good deal $40-r/rw $20-rom.
     
    chris2199, Aug 13, 2004
    #168
  9. dawai

    dawai Member

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    can ne one take a look and see if my parts are pretty decent? i don't plan on Oc'n anything so..

    lemme know thanks
     
    dawai, Aug 13, 2004
    #169
  10. chris2199

    chris2199 Member

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    praetor did

    I my self am a AMD person but it looks like a decent setup. but you should probly upgrade that PSU like praetor said
     
    chris2199, Aug 13, 2004
    #170
  11. 4W4K3

    4W4K3 Guest

    sry bout the mix up i just read it wrong. the ASUS and ABIT are both great board. i got a 550mhz overclock on my ABIT and waiting for better coooling to get more. i have seen 500-700mhz overclocks with the asus as well...they bot hhave lots of flexibility. i already have a nice sound card so i just went with the ABIT. asus might be better for RMA if its bad though...ABIT really dissapointed me wit hthere $25 restocking fee and i had to pay for shiping. i just fixed the board myself :)
     
    4W4K3, Aug 13, 2004
    #171
  12. chris2199

    chris2199 Member

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    no worrys its all good. i have decided to go with the a7n8x-e deluxe due to the decent on board sound that will save me $100.

    but i do have a question about the socket 745's have they been disscountinued???? cause i was also looking at a 64 bit system set up for a few more bucks. cause i figure in the long run it would be better worth going 64 bit. i had asked the comp store and they told me that the socket A was being replaced by the 745's so. but they brought out the 939 sockets with the fairly new 3500+ 64 bit 1mb.

    just looking for the truth out there if any one can help
     
    chris2199, Aug 13, 2004
    #172
  13. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    So are the ASUS/Liteys and they have a world more of functionality (and reliability) behind them,

    I did... read up! :)

    Wow... thats a shocker :p

    If you mean Socket754 ... yes they have been dropped.

    They came out with the 'hammers (1MB) and more recently the Newcastle (512K). The Newcastles are the superior chip.
     
    Praetor, Aug 13, 2004
    #173
  14. dawai

    dawai Member

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    oh my fault i didn't see it... thanks =)
     
    dawai, Aug 14, 2004
    #174
  15. dawai

    dawai Member

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    Praetor:

    Is there a big difference in a 1024k vs a 512k Cache?
    And 0.13Micron vs 90nm(.09micron)

    if cost wasn't a factor would the 3.2 prescott be better than the 3.2 northwood?
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2004
    dawai, Aug 14, 2004
    #175
  16. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    Normally i'd say yes but since the Newcastle (512) seems to be at the least. keeping up, with the older 'Hammers (1024) i'd say AMD's got their efficiency thing going :)

    There should be a difference. The 90mm should be higher clocked/clockable and at similar clocks, should run cooler but this is NOT the case (at least with the Prescott, P4E). Which is why i suggest people stay away from it until Intel's worked out their heating issues
     
    Praetor, Aug 14, 2004
    #176
  17. dawai

    dawai Member

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    ic the reason i was leaning towards prescott was because of the lower micron and the higher cache.. i was planning on ordering a different heatsink (copper coolermaster) but you think northwood is still a better buy?
     
    dawai, Aug 15, 2004
    #177
  18. Hamboner

    Hamboner Guest

    dawai I would agree with Praetor and say go with the Northwood. I ended up getting the Prescott and its running very hot at idle at 55C and 65C when working hard. Northwood would be much more efficient. Wish I had gotten the Northwood so I could OC. Now I am spending more money and looking for a better heatsink and fan. :(
     
    Hamboner, Aug 15, 2004
    #178
  19. dawai

    dawai Member

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    true... i just didn't know if the bigger cache made a noticeable difference with the lower micron

     
    dawai, Aug 15, 2004
    #179
  20. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    The GeForceFX5800 (compared to the Radeon9800) was a far superior chip on paper but it was a dismal failure in actuality (i do wish they would make those ultra loud fans again, I want one :p). The Prescott is a similar story and it does get tossed around by the P4EE/FX chips and the NorthwoodCs arent all that far behind it. Buck for buck you're prolly better off with the NorthwoodC.

    Why is the P4E so much crappier? For the same reason the first P4s got toasted by AMD chips:
    - The K7s had a 15 stage pipeline, the P4s, a 20 stage pipeline ... at similar clock speeds the K7s will totally destroy the P4s (as we all saw ever so clearly with the Pre-2.0Ghz chips) because with a shorter pipeline, the overall chip is much more efficient.
    - Now we noticed that the P4s starting to gain the advantage back and eventually surpass the K7s when the clock speeds started going up; the moral of the story: the longer the pipeline, the faster the clock can be and the faster the clock has to be in order to compete with shorter-piplined chips
    - Now compare the 20 stage P4C with the 31 stage (or is it 30 I cant remember) P4E -- at similar clocks, the P4Cs will very easily take it on ... the extra 512K of cache really doesnt go that far. The last P4C was the 3.4Ghz .... the current "flagship" P4E is the 3.6Ghz ... a 200Mhz difference -- not enough to overcome 11 pipeline-stages of efficiency decrease. Once the clocks get high enough though, you'll definitely see the P4E pull clear away (and ahead) of the P4C -- I dont see that hapenning until we cleanly breach 4.4Ghz ... and by then hopefully (a) Intel works out the heat issue and (b) they'll have a new core or (c) dual core will be prevalent

    It's supposed to. Then again the GFX5800 was supposed to be a Radeon9800 killer........
     
    Praetor, Aug 18, 2004
    #180
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