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Computer Build - Final Review Pls

L

lt_wentoncha

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 20, 2005
Messages
285
Hi all,

Here's my new revised list:

ASUS A8N-SLI DLX
PDC1G3200+XBLK
3500+ Winchester
200GB Maxtor DiamondMax10 SATA
BFG 6800GT OC PCIe (Just one)
Enermax 565VE 535W

Missing anything? The big issue I'm aware of is that the ASUS board drops NCQ drives (doesn't have onboard NCQ support? Which board does, then?) with BIOS 1003+ but I don't plan to OC so I'll do 1002. My main concern is the mobo-memory-CPU-GPU combo; it seems like putting a ferrari engine in a Ford Pinto with the 3200+ paired with a 6800GT. To acheive the full benefits of SLI, don't I need a 3800+ or better? I was leaning towards a one card solution until I can confirm as to whether or not the benefits were achievable. Also, I picked the 535W Enermax because the ASUS website listed a 400W or > PSU as a requirement for SLI and a 3800+; should I future proof in case I get another card for SLI and go with a 600W because the theoretical max load for the 535W is about 485W? I'm also unsure as to whether or not low latency RAM was necessary; if not, can someone make an informed recommendation?

Sorry for the long post, I just started doing research again for this build and it's slow going. For others, this may be the best part of the build, but for me it is confusing and excruciatingly time consuming.

TYIA for reading and posting.
 
Methinks I should just go with a 3200+ or maybe a 3000+ Winchester until the dual cores come out later this year; is it still possible to eke out all settings on high and 4xAA and 8xAF on HL2 with that? Also, I'm definitely thinking a 535W Enermax is sufficient for a SLI setup, but does anyone know the power consumption for the dual cores coming out? If it's high, I should probably cover my bases and get a 600W PSU, right?

Thanks again.
 
You might want to bump that Diamondmax10 up to 250Gb to get the 16Mb cache (if that's what you're looking for).
 
I think you've got a solid system there. From what I've heard, the 3500+ will suit you fine for now. Not sure if it'll hold you back if you go SLI, but if it does, prices should have dropped so it'll be easier to upgrade to a 3800+ or higher.

I don't know about the power supply one way or the other. I'm getting a PC Power and Cooling Turbo Cool 510 SLI for the 24pin ATX connector for the A8N mobo and the dual PCI express power connectors so i don't have to use adaptors. You'll be fine for now, i think, but you may have to upgrade later. That's just a guess, however.

For now, you have my approval to procede. ;)
 
I always suggest the 74 gig raptor hard drives if you have the money to drop on one.

Other than that, looks good.
 
It looks good so far. I would echo the person who suggested the PCP&C 510 SLI. Bear in mind that these 510W are measured at 50C at which point the PSU you've specified will be putting out well below 535W. There are other PSUs of course, but everywhere I look I see 'PCP&C' as first choice PSU.

The 'bottlenecks' for SLI at the moment appear to be:
1. CPU. You need 1600x1200 with 4xaa and 16xaf before you start to work out the video cards even when paired with an FX-55. This is good though - you shouldn't be playing at lower resolutions with 2 good GPUs running in parallel
2. Monitor - you need a monitor that's comfortable at high resolutions. That means either an LCD with a 1600x1200 native resolution (not cheap) or a CRT that can (ideally) hold 85hz at 1600x1200.

At the moment, a 3500+ and single 6800GT is a great match. I don't think the CPU will be a problem if you add a second one either.
 
Wow buying a 3500+ winchester and not overclocking is like buying a corvette and driving inside the speed limit..... you just dont do it :p
 
eggrock said:
You might want to bump that Diamondmax10 up to 250Gb to get the 16Mb cache (if that's what you're looking for).
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree with this also. Get the 16MB cache drive.
 
earthscore said:
Wow buying a 3500+ winchester and not overclocking is like buying a corvette and driving inside the speed limit..... you just dont do it :p
Click to expand...
I must admit I'm apprehensive about the whole affair; as I've never OCed, I'm worried I'll throw away $300 for an extra gHz of performance by burning the chip or something.

Anyways, many thanks for the great replies. I probably will go with the 535 enermax, since the winchester cores consume less power, and if and when I go to something higher, say a 3800+ and another card for SLI mode, I'll be in the zone of power consumption that ASUS describes. I probably never will be able to afford an FX anyhow.

Thanks again for reading and posting.
 
Alright,

A little bit more research produced this:

GA-K8NXP-SLI
PDC1G3200+XBLK
3500+ Winchester
200GB Maxtor DiamondMax10 SATA
BFG 6800GT OC PCIe (Just one)
Antec Truepower 550W

Just changed the mobo and PSU. I haven't picked a Sound card yet (I think it won't fit the Gigabyte if there's two GTs present) but I'm probably going with this setup. Anyone have any comments? Does this board have the same problem of dropping NCQ drives that the A8N-SLI has?

Thanks again for reading.
 
Head over to the PSU forum to check out that PSU for SLI purposes. I've read conflicting reports on whether it's better to have a single powerful 12v rail or two independent 12v rails each with less power. I don't have the answer to the question, but you might want to look into that aspect of it a bit more.

With a single 6800GT you'll be fine, but for running 2 expensive cards at once in SLI I'd want to be absolutely certain about the power.
 
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