Downsized House, New Compy Time

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virtualaeneas

n00b
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Feb 12, 2006
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I just moved to town and that calls for building a new compy. This will be the second computer I have built, the last one I made was 2-3 years ago. I would like some feed back on the build. If you have any (helpful) comments do let me know. I have just recently been getting back into computers and things have changed, a little.

MOBO: A8N32-SLI Deluxe (not sure about this may go with A8N-SLI Deluxe)
GPU: 7800GT OC
CPU: AMD Atholon 64 X2 4200+
RAM: Corsair XMS 2GB(2x1GB) PC3200
HD: Western Digital Raptor (74GB model), Western Digital SE16 250GB
Case: Antec Sonata II
PSU: Antec Truepower 550w (not sure though,I believe the case comes with a 430w PSU)

Any suggestions for a DVD/CD drive?

Any info will be welcome.
 
Dual 16X SLI has yet to be fully utilized, as each card doesn't even require more bandwidth than an 8X lane provides. I would go with the A8N-SLI Premium.

The X2 4200+ is, in my opinion, a waste. I would go with the Opteron 170, which is priced roughly the same. With some decent air cooling, you should be able to reach 2.6-2.7GHz.

If you're going to get a separate PSU [excellent choice on the PSU by the way], no point in getting a case that has a PSU. I would recommend the Antec P180 or the P160, depending on your budget.

**Note: eVGA is still doing their deal with a free SLI motherboard if you buy a 7800GT. You might be interested, as the board is a rebadged Jetway SLI board, and performs extremely well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130238
 
This will sounds pretty newbish, but how do I know if mobo is compatible with an opteron CPU?(I really do not know much about opterons). When I look at motherboards I never see any that say Opteron, except for server boards.

And about the Antec P180, I had actually been looking at that case, what troubles have you had with having the PSU on the bottom?

And one more thing Bona Fide I see that you have a DFI LANParty NF4 Ultra-D would that have more overclocking potential then the A8N-SLI?( I have read about the Deluxe model and know very little about the Premium).
 
The single core Opterons (144, 146, 148) and dual core Opterons (165, 170, 175) are all socket 939 and will work in ANY socket 939 board. All the Opteron models other than those listed use a different socket.
 
Dont forget 150,152,154 and 180 opterons, though not officially supported, most 939 boards will run them but might require bios flash.
 
From what I have seen, it seems like Opterons are good CPU's to overclock. My question now is would my memory be able to handle the OC's? I believe the XMS 3200 should be able to OC pretty well or am I mistaken?
 
What if instead of going with an opty I went with a 3700+ SD and got an x1900xt instead of a 7800gt. Would I run into a bottleneck? and would SLI board still be good for me? I am a fan of the nForce chipset so I don't see a reason to swtich to something else.
 
Well I personally would advise you against getting an Antec PSU. My friend had a TruePower 550 and last night, out of the blue his machine shutoff. I looked at the PC and noticed that the 20 pin connection on the PSU to the mobo burned and melted 4 connections and also took out the mobo. I am glad I made the investment in a high quality PSU like PC Power and Cooling's PSUs. They cost a heck of a lot more, but to me, with the rig that I have (see Sig) it's worth it.

My $.02
 
virtualaeneas said:
This will sounds pretty newbish, but how do I know if mobo is compatible with an opteron CPU?(I really do not know much about opterons). When I look at motherboards I never see any that say Opteron, except for server boards.

And about the Antec P180, I had actually been looking at that case, what troubles have you had with having the PSU on the bottom?

And one more thing Bona Fide I see that you have a DFI LANParty NF4 Ultra-D would that have more overclocking potential then the A8N-SLI?( I have read about the Deluxe model and know very little about the Premium).
Click to expand...

Hello
100 series opterons are socket 939 and work in any socket 939 boards. You usually don't need to flash the bios. 200 series opterons are socket 940 and generally only work on server boards. Most motherboard manufacturers dont list the 100 series opterons because they are new, but they do work fine. Read through these posts. The 100 series opteron is VERY popular especially with overclockers. Opeteron 165, 170, and 175 seem to be the most popular.
Thanks
ribs
 
Thanks for all the help eveyone. I think I have my final setup and will be ordering today.

Here is what I will be going with.

CPU: Opteron 165
MOBO: A8N-SLI Premium
RAM: OCZ Gold PC4000 2GB (2X1GB) (I plan on OCing CPU, and this RAM is only a few $$ more then PC3200)
GPU: evga 7800GT
Case: antec sonata II (comes with 450w PSU)
Heatsink/fan: ZALMAN CNPS7000B-Cu LED
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value
Monitor: Samsung 19" 940b

Those are the changes from my original post, I think that is all.
 
virtualaeneas said:
Thanks for all the help eveyone. I think I have my final setup and will be ordering today.

Here is what I will be going with.

CPU: Opteron 165
MOBO: A8N-SLI Premium
RAM: OCZ Gold PC4000 2GB (2X1GB) (I plan on OCing CPU, and this RAM is only a few $$ more then PC3200)
GPU: evga 7800GT
Case: antec sonata II (comes with 450w PSU)
Heatsink/fan: ZALMAN CNPS7000B-Cu LED
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value
Monitor: Samsung 19" 940b

Those are the changes from my original post, I think that is all.
Click to expand...

I would bump it up to an opteron 170 if I were you.
ribs
 
Yeah I was gonna go with 170 but I want to keep build under 2k, and the 165 is $75 less.


Scratch that, I will be going with the Opteron 170.
 
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