Need feedback on this system

A

Arti

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 6, 2004
Messages
93
Hey, I'm helping a friend purchase parts to build his new computer. We came up with this stuff in a couple of minutes, so the pricing and items might not be optimal yet, which is why I'm asking for suggestions here.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811209018
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813127207
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103535
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130214
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820220045
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822152005
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152039

It's kind of a sloppy outline; I'm not sure if the stuff is even compatible with the mobo and I think more case cooling is needed. In fact, I'm not even sure about the situation with the case/psu, because IMO it's hard to shop for one. Just something that isn't ugly and too expensive will be fine. His computer will be used for gaming, but he doesn't want to spend much more than 800 for now. In the future, he plans on adding more RAM and getting a 7800 or something.

All help is appreciated, thanks!
 
Let's see, case seems decent, though the flashing thing would drive me batty. Venice CPU, currently the best bang for the buck, decent socket 939 motherboard based on nforce 4 and abit is a pretty good company (at least, last I checked, which was admitedly a while ago,) definitely compatible. I don't know about the memory, I'm not very familiar with Patriot's work, but, running on such a low voltage perhaps means a little overclocking leeway. Not such bad timings either. I've seen better, but, I've sure as heck seen worse.

Grab some better cooling for that CPU though. I've never been very impressed at all with the stock cooling provided by AMD or Intel frankly. You might start with something like maybe the Venus 12 if you can put up with a little noise (apparently it's not much good at the really low volume levels, so it ends up being probably just a tad louder than some more expensive HSFs -- unless you replace the fan that is.) Good bang for the buck if you ask me. Don't forget the arctic silver either way (better than the stuff AMD or Intel want you to use any year.) You won't regret how much it overclocks, and more cooling means more overclocking. Also, the video card is just a TAD low, if you plan to get two and sli, you're set, but, if you're only getting one, you would be a lot happier in the long run with a 6800 (preferably 256MB) even. It's not a bad card, you'll get great quality even in FEAR, but, you'll get better quality and it will last you longer if you go one step up. In fact, I tend to think you may be better off getting one 6800GT if you can instead of two 6600GTs and then maybe someday down the road you can grab another for cheap and SLI.
 
I think stock cooling will be ok, he won't be overclocking. And the 6600GT is just to tide him over until he saves up enough for the current best-on-the-market.
 
No I wouldn't skimp out on a PSU its the most important part of the computer IMO.
 
Actually, that's not skimping out. Works great for me at least. Like I say elsewhere, this isn't exactly a system designed for low power. Mind you, no raptor array or dual 6800 Ultra SLI here, but, every molex connector is being used by various fans harddrives, dvd burner, 6800nu, etc, and my CPU is sure as heck not running at a mere 45W either. I mean, the rails aren't rock solid sitting within 0.1% or something silly like that, but, they are solid enough to keep things nice and stable here.

Only downside to the thing is it's not quite as silent as some other two fan PSUs. Still quieter than most one fan PSUs though. At least, the ones that DON'T run your system super-hot that is... (Got to get that heat out, and to do so you have to push harder if you aren't directing it better.) BTW, the next model or so up has a speed control if you don't mind a little extra noise.

There is only one thing I'd call a downside (and that a stretch.) Cables are long enough for a full tower and plentiful enough to basically cover a lot of hardware. In a cramped mid-tower (or, god forbid, a mini-tower) they'll cramp things up just a bit more and decrease airflow a small amount. If you have a good mid-tower it's no big deal. A cramped one may need some tying or something (which you need to do with all your cables, including HD even if they're round) to get that air flowing as well as it really should.

People are too quick to assume it's skimping out if it doesn't cost a bare minimum of $60, many even automatically say skimping if it's less than $100.
 
OCZ is supposed to be good, but, I must say that seems a tad higher latency than one would expect for that price. Then again, I'm not familiar with that particular ram and can't remember the URL for that really nice and useful memory database. It could just as easily go down to 2-2-2-5 timings for all that I would know about it. ^_^ Just stock, you could do better at least. If you're looking at OC, well, then you will have to read reviews carefully probably.

BTW, that compatibility list doesn't mean much. Compatibility is more of a per stick basis than per company and, what's more, it's going to be rare that one is incompatible with a particular board unless that board has serious issues. Abit isn't exactly known to be a low quality manufacturer.

If memory voltages aren't a problem, maybe look at TwinMOS SpeedPremium for a bit less. At least, I'm told it overclocks quite decently for that sort of pricerange. You won't get latencies to go down much on it though unfortunately.

BTW, you probably already know this and are aiming for having 2GB, but, if you are aiming for having 1GB total, you should get two 512MB sticks for dual channel mode instead. It technically increases memory bandwidth quite decently (I say technically because dual channel can potentially end up doing basically nothing and it can potentially as much as double bandwidth, depending on the situation.) Well, you probably already know all that, I just wanted to make sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top