First computer build soon, please comment.

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lmaro

Weaksauce
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May 28, 2005
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I'm ordering parts for a new computer in about a week. This will be my first build as I've only bought pre-built junk before. I'm going to use it for gaming, HDTV/DVD playback, programming, and the usual screwing around on the web. Another top priority is too keep the entire system quiet when it's not under load. I also really need it to stay useful and mostly upgrade-able for 1.5-2 years.

I have these new parts already:
Case: Antec SLK3000B ATX (probably ships tommorow)
Monitor: Viewsonic VP191b 8ms
Mouse: Logitech MX518

Here's what I'm planning to order:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice [$192]
Motherboard: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D ATX AMD Motherboard - OEM [$135]
PSU: SEASONIC S12-500 500W Power Supply - Retail [$137]
GFX: XFX PVT45GUDF3 Geforce 6800GT 256MB [$353]
+ Arctic Cooling NV Silencer 5 (Rev. 2) [$27]
Sound: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS [$65] after MIR
RAM: OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR [$164]
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 [$133]
Floppy: NEC Black Floppy Drive [$11]
DVD+RW: NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3520A BK [$49]
Speakers: Creative Inspire P7800 7.1 [$90] (probably at a retail store, so I can return them if they suck.)

Misc stuff:
Logitech Elite USB Keyboard [$30]
Round floppy cable [$10]
Round ATA133 cable [$10]
THERMALRIGHT XP-90 Heatsink [$42]
+ A quiet fan for that, suggestions? [$10]
2xArctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound [$20]
Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover [$11]
(I'll be needing these to install the NV Silencer 5, I think.)
8xUSB 2.0 extension cables 10ft [$20]
10ft DVI cable [$21]

Total: $1530, before tax. Ouch. (I'll afford it, somehow.)

Notes:
Don't want SLI, never will.
I'm sticking to AMD 64 because I'm gaming.
Almost certainly going with an NVidia card because I consider the ATI drivers and control panel sub-standard.

After I get everything up and running, I'll try to overclock the 3200+ to around 2.4ghz (along with memory) and the 6800GT maybe 15% higher or so.

Questions:
1) Should I buy slightly cheaper RAM, or are the 2-2-2-5 worth the $40?
2) Anyone have that power supply and can comment on the noise level?
3) Should I use the stock HSF that comes with the 3200+ first, or should I just replace it with something else?
4) Anything significantly quieter than that NEC burner?
5) Do I need another 120mm case fan for the Antec SLK3000B case, or is one fine?

--------
Just for laughs, here's my current POS:
Dell Dimension 4600
Intel Pentium 4 Northwood @ 2.6GHz w/ HT; 800 MHz bus
2x256MB (512MB) value ram @ 3-3-3-8 timings
Radeon 9800 Standard (can't even run at Pro speeds)
250W PSU
HDD: SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series SP1614N 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133
Sound Blaser Live! Dell (this thing crashes in EAX mode)
NEC 2.4/4X DVD+R only burner
(no floppy drive)
JBL 2.0 Speakers
 
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i would use the thermalright xp 90 on that board. using another 120mm fan wouldnt hurt in my book.i wouldnt go with any cheaper ram this board is picky about ram. if you want to find what others are using for that board try www.dfi-street.com if you dont already know about that site. good luck with your build! :D
 
lmaro said:
Almost certainly going with an NVidia card because I consider the ATI drivers and control panel sub-standard.
Click to expand...

There were articles out yesterday that would argue with that. I'm not a lover of any particular graphics card company, but apparently ATI drivers are more stable and their new control panel is pretty good.
 
Alright, I'll go with a Thermalright XP-90 and pick a fan for it as well. Maybe a rounded IDE and floppy cable too.

The rest of the specs look OK?
 
Just got my case and chipped off the annoying front door on the SLK-3000-B. I think I did my homework on the parts above, but I'm still open to suggestions for increased performance or a quieter system.
 
Damn, that runs me another $65. I'll consider it though, because I hate noise.
 
Updated the specs/parts list. Two more questions:
1) Should I keep the default chipset fan on the DFI motherboard? Is it quiet enough, or should I maybe replace it with a passive heatsink later?
2) What's a quiet but efficient fan for the XP-90? I read some reviews, but I'm only more confused now.
 
Something wrong with this set up...
If you're planning on overclocking, the SmartPower might not be the best choice.
However, with noise, it sounds average.

Again, if not overclocking, you don't need 'premier' RAM...
If anything, get TwinMOS SP, which works best with your motherboard.
That RAM can hit 2-2-2-5, and is considerably cheaper.

The choice of HSF again relies on your decision to overclock or not...
If you are going to, replacing it would be a good idea.
Otherwise, that would remain adequate for all purposes.

For your Antec case, the ultimate goal is to have equalized airflow pressure...
If you already have one intake fan, make sure there is an opposite as well.
In short, make sure the intake/outtake ratio is 1:1.

For gaming and getting the last bit of performance...
I would recommend switching to a SATA-based HDD.
SATA-II preferable, since you already have a FDD, take that opportunity.
Hitachi, Seagate, etc. are all good brands.

The NEC drive you chose has average noise...
I wouldn't know of any better, but the usual consensus is that if the performance is lower, the sound is usually lower as well.
Lite-On just might be your ticket, but it is not at all a slow performing drive.
It is in fact some of the better drives for a lower cost.

While video card choice is up to you, I would argue that ATI's driver / control panel is not sub-standard...
It's already marked as the king of stability and performance.
Either way, price is the ultimate factor since both companies have relatively the same comparable stability and performance.

Edit

The DFI northbridge fan isn't the best but it is great...
Regarding noise and performance, it is supposedly better than the other manufacturers.
It has a magnetic floating fan which reduces noise.

As for the XP-90 fans...
I would recommend Panaflo's silent 120 mm fans.
They are efficient and is pretty quiet, much less than 20 db if properly hooked up.

-J.
 
Yep, I changed the power supply from the Antec to 500W seasonic. I will attempt to overclock after the system runs stable for a bit, so I'll need decent RAM.

I'll look at some better DVD burners too, since I use them a lot.

Edit

Thanks for all the answers!
 
The Seasonic PSU is a fine choice, but make sure it handles plenty of 12V power.

The RAM would definitely be TwinMOS SP/400.

The NEC DVD burner is already a great performing drive, but what remains in question is the noise.

-J.
 
Can you link to the TwinMOS SP/400 RAM? Is this even more expensive than OCZ Gold series?
 
look for TwinMOS on newegg, it's super cheap and can do 2-2-2-5. IIRC I'm getting 2 gigs of it for about $175, so do the math.
 
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