My first build: need opinons

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varney

n00b
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Mar 25, 2005
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Alright guys, ive been looking into my first system build for the last month. I've read countless reviews and articles and have come up with, what I think is the ultimate.

My limit was about $2000-2050, i first wanted to get a Intel Shuttle, but I have chosen to go with a regular ATX PC that is AMD. My goal is in 3+ months is to get internal watercooling integrated into my system and to buy another matching card for SLI.

I mostly will be using this PC to go to BYOC LAN events, and play games till my eyes start bleeding. So without further adue this is my system.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1499871&WishListTitle=AMD+Dream

Any opinions, rants, or raves are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
varney
 
i would make sure there are drivers/firmware for all your hardware before i get windows 64 bit edition.
 
As above, I'd wait on win 64. There's not really anything to take advantage of it right now, and many many things don't have drivers.

Also, I have to question your choice of power supply. I don't know that brand name, and unknown brands in PSUs are generally a bad idea. Enermax, PC Power & Cooling, Antec, Tagan... these are all quality brands that won't let you down. That skyhawk crap is just going to screw up the rest of your computer. Sure, the good PSUs cost a little more, but it's well worth it. Personally, I like the Enermax noisetaker 485w... don't let the wattage fool you, though, it'll easily handle just as much as your birds.

Get a San Diego processor if you're going 4000+. There's a very slight price difference, but there will be a great difference in overclockability. Actually... looking at the price on newegg, you can get a 4000+ San Diego core from monarchcomputer for $3 LESS than the sledgehammer you have there. It's practically a nobrainer.

-Nate
 
I would not go with the ASUS mobo. but rather something like gigabyte, DFI, or msi. reason 1) I've had some bad experiences with ASUS
2) I've read somewhere that the ASUS SLI bridge causes some problems because its out of spec.....
that information is found here

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdext/is_200412/ai_n8599075

another thing, I see you only have one harddrive, and a 74GB harddrive at that. you will find that the hdd will fill up quickly
 
Maybe step down from the current 64 that you are looking to buy, and save a little money for when the x2's come out.. thats what I am doing :)
- Fold [H]ard - - Or go [H]ome - ​
 
thanks for all the help, but whats the difference with the San Diego core
i have a 120GB HD right now that i've had for 3 years and i havent filled it up past 40GB
 
Varny - the San Diego core is made with a new manufacturing process that produces less heat, plus they've fixed at least one problem with the old cores that I know of, and probably several more. One thing you'll see around here a lot is 90nm versus 130nm. That's the size of the "manufacturing process". I don't know the technical details, but basically it means they've squeezed more circuits into a smaller space, which lets things run faster and cooler.

It's like comparing a 2005 car to a 2004... why buy the new one? 'Cause it's newer. It's almost certain to have problems fixed and overall run better.

-Nate
 
DFI nF4 motherboard instead

If you get an EVGA video card instead it's down to $349, or $299 if you go with AGP. You'd need to switch the motherboard to an MSI nF3 Neo2 in that case.

Get 2x512 TwinMOS Speed Premium for the DFI motherboard. With the MSI Neo2 you're going to need either Crucial or the TwinMOS SP with an OCZ DDR Booster.

Get a San Diego 3700+ or a Venice 3200+. Overclocked they'll all run around 2.8GHz, the San Diego's extra cache may help marginally. I suggest you go with the 3200+.

CRT + Lan Party = Pain in the ass. Well, back. But still.

Stick with XP Pro.

Just from that, your system will work better, AND cut the price tag enough you can get one of the Dell 2005FPW LCDs instead. $487 for a 20.1" widescreen LCD after 35% off code (possibly lower if you have other Dell codes to use). That or the 1905FP 19" is $311 on the same code.

Definately get a better PSU...Antec's nice, so are others, there's a shitload of info on that if you do a little research around here.
 
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