Building new AMD64 Based system, need final checks

N

NovaBurn

n00b
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
19
After a few weeks of toiling on IRC/newegg/zipzoomfly/monarch/etc and getting ideas, advice, and sorting out what I need and don't need, weighing different options and cost, I've finally settled the system I'm going to be building.

Current System
AMD AthlonXP 1700 1.5Ghz w/ STD HSF
768MB DDR266 PC2100
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro
MSI K7t266 Pro2 motherboard
Antec SOHO Case w/ 350w PSU
2x 80mm outtake fans / 1x 80mm intake
Click to expand...

New System:
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...ow.asp?ID=1577717&WishListTitle=Upgrade+Final
Price including shipping:
$1,627.18 w/ Fedex 2nd Day

Items not getting upgraded:
Speakers
Mouse - Logitech mx1000
Keyboard
CD/DVD burner drive - Sony DRU 710a
Hard drives - 30GB + 80GB Western digital (the 30gb is getting close to 6 years and hasn't died :D )
Monitor - Viewsonic A90+f 19" CRT
Click to expand...

Currently there are no hard drives included in that, reasoning being is that the motherboard has PATA and the drives I have are PATA and I currently don't have the money to wait even longer to save up for a 400 or 500gb SATA hard drive, so I decided to hold off on that (also I have enough space for now that I haven't filled up). No sound card as I will use the onboard or the sound blaster PCI card I currently have. I already have a mx1000, a nice keyboard and recent cd/dvd burner.

If anyone has had experience with some of those parts or ones similar and have a better recommendation or warning drop a post and lemme know.
 
I say it looks fine and I'm always a big fan of a AMD 64 build. I have 2 myself. If I were spending $500 on a video card though, I'd get the retail version for a few bucks more.

Since you're sticking with PATA drives for now, when you get SATA drives, set them up in RAID 0 and use the old PATA drives for backup and storage. 2 SATA drives in RAID is beautiful.
 
tsn | spazz said:
That motherboard looks kinda sketchy. How about spending 4 more bucks and getting the DFI nf4 Ultra-D. And with that, some OCZ Gold Series. (For a lot cheaper)

Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152

Memory -
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227211

That will get you a lot more performance.


fake edit: and this PSU for better perfomance.

link: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817103931
Click to expand...

uhhhh, no, that mobo is NOT sketchy!! it's by far the mobo of choice and comes with a ton of o/c features. They are notoriously reliable too.
 
brionbastian said:
uhhhh, no, that mobo is NOT sketchy!! it's by far the mobo of choice and comes with a ton of o/c features. They are notoriously reliable too.
Click to expand...

DFI is superior IMHO....It all depends on if you plan to OC or not. If you plan to OC then pay the extra $ and enjoy :D if not then just go with the ASUS.....
 
awesome replies, thanks.

You mentioned about the DFI board. I'm familar with its popularity for overclockers and how good the board is, question is: how good is the 3700 for overclocking and what overclocking differences are there between the DFI and the ASUS board I've chosen? I'm not sure at this point if I will be overclocking. Once i do get the system and see how good it runs at stock settings I may consider it.
 
Refer to this to compare OCing results between the Revison E A64 procs....If I was you, I would just buy a 3200+ Venice for 190.00 off newegg or whatever company you pefer...3700+ runs at 2.4Ghz and costs 300+ dollars, you can buy the 3200+ Venice for $190 and OC to at least 2.5, most likely higher (based on the findings of the link previously mentioned) so you will save yourself 200+ dollars..The only thing you will lose switching from the 3700+ SanDiego and the 3200+ Venice is the 1MB of cache that the 3700+ boasts which really isn't a big deal IMO....
 
The main advantage with getting a 3700+ would be the different multiplier you're starting at. (correct me if I'm wrong).

I just recommend the DFI because it is rock stable, and with the memory I also recommended, you'll save some dough and get some awesome memory.
 
Um, dont pay 40$ for fans, haha. SVC, Xoxide, FrozenCPU all have them for 2.99+
 
much appreciated responses.That info on the overclocking was definitely helpful, I'll definitely look into getting the DFI board instead of the ASUS. I'll probably stick with the 3700+ for now since I don't know how long after I might do another smaller ugrade. Since first paycheck is coming tommorow I'll see how much it is and start ordering parts (minus the fans which I'll redo)

EDIT:
Just a quick question i realized, is that heatsink fan a good choice or is there something else that is just as good but is better in some aspects?
 
I agree with Dillusion with the fans, unless you want to spend that much buying panaflos or finding some good ol 120mm Delta "peace destroyers". :D
 
Ok well it looks like I'll just hold off on fans for now, and see how the stock ones work. Removed the fans, added a controller after I talked to one of my friends and switched out the ram to include the OCZ. cut about 100+ off so far. Definitely owe you guys one once i get it up and running.
 
OK I have finally gotten the budget down for my system and will hopefully have it in time for Quakecon:

Currently Budget: $575.21

I get paid twice more before Quakecon. Currently I've been getting 20hours or so a week at a hourly rate of $10.55 (best buy geek squad). So figure I get 21 hours each week at that pay, over the next two paychecks, that comes out to around 886 before taxes.

Estimated Budget: $1461.41 - 6 Days before Quakecon

To get everything from new egg costs $1616.46, so if I forgo the case and the fan controller until the next paycheck, I would be able to have the entire system before quakecon and would just use my standard Antec SOHO case.

Estimated final total: $1,294.36 - (excluding case and fan controller)

Difference of: $167.05

It's cutting it close, but hopefully I might be able to get it within the timeframe and budget that I've figured. And if I purchase as I go, it will at least guarantee that by the time the last paycheck comes I will get the last part or parts I need and that they will be at my house within 3 days of purchase date. This is of course barring any other issues that may cost me money, etc. Hope to have it ready by August 11th, maybe see some of you fine folks there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top