A new computer; need advise

Jarod888

Jarod888

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
3,159
First of all I want to say thanks in advance to everyone who responds with positive ideas and advice. I appreciate all the help and suggestions.

Now into the building!

I have a Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

I am going to do a complete new build. I want to go with AMD.

I am thinking of:

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard -

AMD Athlon 64 FX60 Toledo 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model

BFG Tech BFGR79512GTXOCSINE Geforce 7900GTX 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card with SiN Episodes: Emergence - (I will add another later)

Corsair TWINX2048-3200PRO 2048MB DDR400 XMS3200 ProSeries Memory w/Heat Spreader (I all ready have 2 gigs of this, I want 4)

Creative SOUND BLASTER X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS Sound - (all ready have)

PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW-Quad SLI T1KW-4E EPS12V 1000Watts Power Supply -

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

2 PLEXTOR 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model PX-760A/SW BL - Retail



I want to water cool the CPU, gpu; have the capability to cool the Sli In the future.
I also may want to do an agia physics card if possible. I also want to use the two remaining IDE spaces for Hard Drives; possibly.

I need recommendations for a good water cooling unit, (probably 3/8") that will do the CPU, and gpu. Internal would be ok. I would also like recommendations for internal fans and a good multi purpose card reader/ temperature indicator. I have 2 Thermaltake I cages which take up 6 5 1/4 drive bays; please keep that in mind. I want to add some cold cathode lights as well.

Again thanks in advance!
 
I've got a few suggestions hardware-wise:
  • Instead of a socket 939 setup, I'd go with socket AM2 (meaning get either this or this to replace the A832) which is AMD's newest socket. Remember, that means switching to DDR2 RAM (sell what you've got).
  • Next, instead of that FX-60, I'd wait for two weeks until this pricing is realized and buy the x2 5000+ for ~$400. That would save you a HUGE amount of cash that you can put elsewhere; the performance difference is negligible, the only thing that is lacking is unlocked multipliers, something that to be honest would only be an issue if you were A. Going for a world record and B. Using phase change cooling.
  • I'd put that huge saved wad of cash into either getting a second 7900GTX for SLI, or buying one and waiting until DX10 arrives to go all out.
  • Next, although the 1k PCP&C is unarguably one of the best PSUs out there, it costs a $hitload and is far more than overkill for your system, or anything else you could possibly dream of throwing in (including quad-SLI). I'd suggest saving a hell of a lot of money and go with this instead. It'll provide you with more power than you'll need, no matter what you add to your system.

I'm afraid I won't be able to give you any advice on a water cooling system, but we do have an excellent watercooling forum where people are more than happy to give you advice as well as link you to shopping carts filled with the goodies needed to make the best loop.
If you're looking for good 120mm fans, here is a list.

EDIT: what kind of display are you planning to use? speakers?
 
I agree with everything quadnad said, plus maybe I dont see the reason for it but having 2 DVD burners seems kid of pointless in my view. I would just suggest getting a regular dvd drive and then the burner.
 
I AGREE - GO WITH THE AM2 BOARD AND SELL THE DDR RAM- YOU CAN STILL GET A GOOD DOLLAR FOR IT. I WOULD GET THE XFX 7950GX2 OCED 570 CARD. JUST A LITTLE MORE MONEY BUT BIG PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCE. LOOK AT THE SWIFTECH WATER COOLING SYSTEM. DOUBLE RADIATOR AND 2 120 MM FANS, VERY QUIET. KEEPS MY AMD 4800 OCED 2.6 AT 47 C
 
CHECKUP said:
I AGREE - GO WITH THE AM2 BOARD AND SELL THE DDR RAM- YOU CAN STILL GET A GOOD DOLLAR FOR IT. I WOULD GET THE XFX 7950GX2 OCED 570 CARD. JUST A LITTLE MORE MONEY BUT BIG PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCE. LOOK AT THE SWIFTECH WATER COOLING SYSTEM. DOUBLE RADIATOR AND 2 120 MM FANS, VERY QUIET. KEEPS MY AMD 4800 OCED 2.6 AT 47 C
Click to expand...

go capslock!
 
I FORGOT- I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A PC AND COOL 1KW PSU. IT IS A LITTLE NOISY BUT FOR FUTURE UPGRADES IT WILL LAST A FEW YEARS W/O HAVING TO BE UPGRADED.
 
about this... FX60 Toledo 2000MHz
you DO know that the new intel chip thats comming out this week will wipe the floor with the FX line for half the cost?
 
I am still interesting in ideas for cooling and fans. I think I will make a new thread in the cooling section, referancing this one for more cooling advise.
 
Jarod888 said:
I am still interesting in ideas for cooling and fans. I think I will make a new thread in the cooling section, referancing this one for more cooling advise.
Click to expand...

make sure you post for your WC setup in the WC section. there are a lot of really good enthusiasts there that would more than happily build a loop setup for you. make sure to post your budget.
 
CAPSLOCK IS LIKE CRUISE CONTROL FOR AWESOME!

Danger Den TDX for 939/AM2
Swiftech MCW60 + Ramsinks for GPU
Swiftech MCP655 = pump
10' of MasterKleer tubing via McMaster Carr
1 HWlabs GT Stealth 240 radiator
2 of the Yate Loons for 4$ at Jab-Tech.com, in a pull configuration.
 
62706.jpg
 
CHECKUP said:
I FORGOT- I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A PC AND COOL 1KW PSU. IT IS A LITTLE NOISY BUT FOR FUTURE UPGRADES IT WILL LAST A FEW YEARS W/O HAVING TO BE UPGRADED.
Click to expand...

again... with the cap lock :p
 
Arcygenical said:
CAPSLOCK IS LIKE CRUISE CONTROL FOR AWESOME!

Danger Den TDX for 939/AM2
Swiftech MCW60 + Ramsinks for GPU
Swiftech MCP655 = pump
10' of MasterKleer tubing via McMaster Carr
1 HWlabs GT Stealth 240 radiator
2 of the Yate Loons for 4$ at Jab-Tech.com, in a pull configuration.
Click to expand...

well then, look at that. got a wc guy in here.
 
Thanks for the list, this is what I have found, can you comment on my findings.

I found this at directron.com

Danger Den TDX Block AMD XP/MP 48.99

Swiftech MCW60 VGA Cooling Water-block with Ramsinks - Retail at newegg, they are out, 62.99

Swiftech MCP655 12 VDC Pump Liquid Cooling System - Retail 83.99 at newegg, but they are out. Stupid question, but do I need more than one pump?

I found two different Black Ice Radiators, Model: GTS240-XFLOW which is 54.99 and a GTS240 which is 49.99. What is the differance and which is better?

I found the yate looms fans at jab-tech, but I am looking for ones with Blue leds; what is the best Blue led fan that on that will attach to a thermaltake I-Cage? here is the jab-tech 120mm fan page:
http://www.jab-tech.com/120mm-Fans-c-81-p-1.html

Another dumb question, in order to make the fan pull do you put it in backwards? or is there a specific fan that you have to order to pull?

I have heard and read here that Tygon 3603 Tubing 3/8" is great stuff. Why do you suggest the MasterKleer tubing via McMaster Carr, is it price? or personal preferance?
 
I have looked at all types of fans. I am not that conserned with noise. I don't need the ultra quite fans that I see most people around here wanting. I work in a chenical plant, so I am used to noise. I want a fan that moves air around my case, in particular, an exaust fan. can some one please advise me on the best fan for moving some air. Thanks.
 
Jarod888 said:
I have looked at all types of fans. I am not that conserned with noise. I don't need the ultra quite fans that I see most people around here wanting. I work in a chenical plant, so I amused to noise. I want a fan that moves air around my case, in particular, an exaust fan. can some one please advise me on the best fan for moving some air. Thanks.
Click to expand...

First off, yes, in order to reverse flow you reverse the fan. Second, although I can't give you a definitive answer on what the best fan to move air is (you can go far beyond 140 CFM if you don't mind going deaf), but I find my 75003 is quite good and not too loud. Just pop that into newegg to find out what the specs are. I've got it strapped to my Ninja.
 
Jarod888 said:
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Click to expand...
Bad Idea, I have learned to always go with retail. Always a chance of something going wrong and when it does, your warranty will welcome you. Believe me, it's worth the extra 20 bux to save a 300 part.
 
alik4041 said:
Bad Idea, I have learned to always go with retail. Always a chance of something going wrong and when it does, your warranty will welcome you. Believe me, it's worth the extra 20 bux to save a 300 part.
Click to expand...

especially when you consider that the raptor warranty is 5 years....
 
Why in the hell would anyone buy an expensive amd proc. at the moment when the $320 conroe/core 2 kicks so much ass?

I would feel exceedingly stupid buying a $400 to $1000 amd cpu when I could get MORE performance for LESS money. Time to wake up.
 
It would be in your best intrest to buy a Conroe setup.
As is right now, the FX60 is eating Conroe dust and the Conroe costs less.
Currently the best (maybe almost only) motherboard is based around the 975X Intel chipse and will offer Crossfire.
Good luck!
 
Thanks for the advise on the OEM verses retail for the harddrives. I will check into the fan. I am still pondering the AMD/Intel decision. I know one thing, I will definately be going with Nvida over ATI. Just a personal preferance.
 
Well, you can still get the nVidia card with an Intel setup, but as of now I am not aware of any Conroe mobos that support SLi. The x1900xtx will be pretty much identical in performance to that 7900gtx though, and with R600 looming, Crossfire might end up taking the performance crown from SLi. Either way, the FX-60 is not the way to go, no reason to pay $1000 for a CPU that is outperformed by a sub $500 CPU. Also keep in mind that the FX series chips are already running at near maximum clockspeed, if you are planning on OC (which I assume you are considering your components and your desire to go water) the Conroe E6600 still has a ton of headroom.

Also, those Plextor drives are a bit of a waste of cash. Plextor is not above and beyond like they used to be, NEC 3550s are just as good of drives, and can be had for $40 a pop.
 
I have made up my mind, I know it is not the decision that most of you would have went with, but here goes:

AMD x2 4800 309.97 sitting on my desk, ready to be installed
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 199.00 sitting on my desk, ready to be installed
Artic Silver 5.99 sitting on my desk, ready to be installed
Zalman CNPS 9500 48.99 sitting on my desk, ready to be installed
Creative SOUND BLASTER X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS Sound - Retail 199.00 sitting on my desk, ready to be installed

Still Needed:


2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA
2 BFG 7900
Plextor 760 A


I have the memory that I am going to use

CORSAIR XMS PRO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail

I still need various cables, probably going with the coolermaster 24 inch ide uv blue , I may put in some cold cathode lights probably white, a tool kit, probably going to get a couple of harddrive coolers. I will probably get one of the multi fan plugins.. Anything else??


New orders placed:

20 x Thumb Screws Anodized - Blue $7.80
2 x Sunbeam Multi-Fan Power Port $25.98
1 x PP Heavy Duty Zip Ties 4"- Zip Tie Color: Royal Blue $2.49
3 x Vantec Hard Drive Cooler - Blue $29.85
4 x A.C. Ryan Screwz™ Fan Screws - Blue / 8pcs $5.96
4 x Aluminum 120 mm Fan Filter - Blue $15.96
1 x Lian Li 3.5” LCD Thermometer / Fan Controller - Black $29.95
1 x PP Heavy Duty Zip Ties 4"- Zip Tie Color: Neon Blue $2.49
1 x Aerocool COOLPANEL 2 - 20 IN 1 Multifunction Digital Controller with RemovableCard Reader - Black $49.99
1 x Aerocool Silver Lightning Silent White 92mm LED Fan - Sleeved$12.95
1 Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI $164.00
3 Cooler Master UV Serial ATA Cable - Blue$8.97
1 Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive$249.99 (50.00) mail in rebate!! sitting on my desk, ready to be installed
4 AeroCool XtremeTurbine-Black 120mm Sleeve Case Cooling Fan - Retail$59.96 sitting on my desk, ready to be installed
2 Thermaltake CABLE IDE|24"RD3 UV BLUE 2075 TT RT - Retail $9.58
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top