New Build, comments plz...

D

D3v01D

Gawd
Joined
Oct 6, 2005
Messages
557
Here's my list, all from NewEgg:

Asus AN8-SLI.............................$133.00
A64 X2 3800+.............................$347.00
eVGA 7800GTX +BF2..................$509.00
OCZ Value Series 2GB (2x1GB)...$202.93
Antec Smart Power 2.0 500W.......$ 70.00
SONY Floppy Drive......................$ 9.00
Logitech MX518...........................$ 38.49

Sub Total.................................$1,309.42


Case, hard drives, and optical drives will be reused from previous computer.

Questions, comments?

Edit: replaced X2 4200+ with X2 3800+; replaced XFX card with eVGA
Edit: added MX518 mouse
Edit: Price on mobo went up $3.00
 
Nice setup, mine just doesnt want to go under 100 FPS with 4x AA, 16x AF with UT2k4 or CS:S :D :cool: although WoW is giving me problems during installation :confused:
 
Well, if being over budget is a concern, I'd suggest downgrading to an X2 3800+. The only difference between the 3800 and the 4200 is the clock speed. For the bigger cache you'd need a 4400. And if those 200 mhz are important to you, overclock it to that speed, the CPU's are essentially identical.

4200- $473
3800- $347

Savings- $126
New Total- $1246.93

Other people really seem to enjoy the Asus SLI Premium, it's gotten great reviews. With the money you save on the CPU you might wanna look at $43 or whater it is more for the premium version. But I can't stress enough how pointless it would be to get the 4200+, save some money and go for the 3800 or find a way to spend the extra $56 on a 4400+(it has 2x 1mb cache, the 3800 and 4200 both have 2x512kb).
 
D3v01D]Here's my list, all from NewEgg:

Asus AN8-SLI.............................$129.00
A64 X2 4200+.............................$473.00
XFX 7800GTX 450/1250................$489.00
OCZ Value Series 2GB (2x1GB)...$202.93
Antec Smart Power 2.0 500W.......$ 70.00
SONY Floppy Drive......................$ 9.00 << Lose this save $9.00

Sub Total.................................$1,372.93

Note that this total is $72.93 over budget already, so please no replies that contain the words "it's only x number of dollars more." :)

Case, hard drives, and optical drives will be reused from previous computer.

Questions, comments?
Seems like a nice system....If your using Case, HDD, Optical drives from old case why not the PSU? (had to ask..) as not having to buy a PSU, and not buying a floppy would put you in budget....
 
If I might make some suggestions...

1. Unless you're dead-set against overclocking, drop down to the X2 3800+. It only costs $350. Then, get an XP-90 and a Panaflo fan from http://www.svc.com for $40, I believe. You save $83, which will put you back under budget. And that processor should be able to get to 2.4-2.6GHz with air cooling.

2. Do not get an XFX video card. I speak from experience, having bought an FX5200 and a 6600GT from them. Tech support is non-existent, as is quality control. Go with eVGA, and you can score a free copy of Battlefield 2 :). Or go with Leadtek if BF2 isn't your kinda game.

3. Switch the A8N-SLI to an MSI K8N Neo4 Ultra or a DFI LANparty Ultra-D. I really see no point to getting an SLI board and only one card. I'd go with the DFI since they have been proven to be a rock-solid company. And they have their own tech support forum if you ever run into trouble :D

Best of luck w/ your new build!
 
Ah, didn't see the FX card. Yeah definitely go for EVGA and get your free BF2 copy. And definitely definitely don't waste money on a 4200, its exactly the same as a 3800(except for the minor clock difference.)
 
4200+ X2 = throwing money in the toilet, and watching it spin as you flush.

Even if you aren't a fan of overclocking, dont want to get into it much, the 3800+ X2 will EASILY O/C to 4200+ X2 speed with minimal effort.

Also ditch the floppy. Unless you are planning on installing XP onto a SATA raid array, you dont need it.

EVGA also sounds like the way to go with the card..........if you end up with the free BF2
 
Like the others said... drop down to an x2 3800. And I dont know if the vanilla a8n-sli has the same chipset fan problem as the deluxe, but if it does, you could save yourself a headache and go up to the premium.
 
Thanks for your input!
I will replace both the processor and vid card and edit my list to reflect these changes.

I also looked at the A8N-SLI Premium but it seemed to have a lot of extras I don't need. I don't like paying for features I'll never use.

My old PSU is only 300W so it needs to go...

As for the floppy, installing SATA Raid drivers is exactly what I had in mind for when I upgrade my hard drives.
Went to use my old floppy the other day and it gave me the click of death. :(

I'v heard of the chipset fan problem on the A8N-SLI, however it's my understanding that these boards are now shipping with an upgraded fan.
 
D3v01D said:
Thanks for your input!
I will replace both the processor and vid card and edit my list to reflect these changes.

I also looked at the A8N-SLI Premium but it seemed to have a lot of extras I don't need. I don't like paying for features I'll never use.

My old PSU is only 300W so it needs to go...

As for the floppy, installing SATA Raid drivers is exactly what I had in mind for when I upgrade my hard drives.
Went to use my old floppy the other day and it gave me the click of death. :(

I'v heard of the chipset fan problem on the A8N-SLI, however it's my understanding that these boards are now shipping with an upgraded fan.
Click to expand...

If you need a new psu I would suggest the s12-430 seasonic psu. I just built a pc a few days ago with this unit and it is INCREDIBLEY quiet. Not to mention they are the most efficient psus around with an 80% eff.
 
paintb4707 said:
If you need a new psu I would suggest the s12-430 seasonic psu. I just built a pc a few days ago with this unit and it is INCREDIBLEY quiet. Not to mention they are the most efficient psus around with an 80% eff.
Click to expand...

I like the Antec's modular cable design. You only plug in the power cables you need. Keeps the box from getting cluttered with unused power cables.
Plus it's 500W for only 70.00 bucks.
 
Could someone also recommend a good mouse for gaming?
I've got about $35.00 dollars to spend on it.
 
D3v01D said:
Could someone also recommend a good mouse for gaming?
I've got about $35.00 dollars to spend on it.
Click to expand...
I believe the mx518 goes for 35 dollars. Its probably the 2nd best thing next to logitechs laser mouse. But id also recommend a gaming mousepad also, preferably the funcpad. It takes a little time to get used to but once you do youll never want to be without it. Thats an additional 10 bucks though.
 
paintb4707 said:
I believe the mx518 goes for 35 dollars. Its probably the 2nd best thing next to logitechs laser mouse. But id also recommend a gaming mousepad also, preferably the funcpad. It takes a little time to get used to but once you do youll never want to be without it. Thats an additional 10 bucks though.
Click to expand...

That appears to be just what I was looking for. I'll add it to the list. Thank you!
 
So when are you ordering all of this [H]ardware?
Your Gonna Take Lots of Pics right?
 
SiathLinux said:
So when are you ordering all of this [H]ardware?
Your Gonna Take Lots of Pics right?
Click to expand...

Order should be placed sometime in the comming week.
My wife dropped my digital camera so I'm afraid there won't be any pics. :(
 
Even if you're planning to install windows to a RAID array you can still ditch the floppy. Just slipstream the raid drivers in textmode.
 
RavenD said:
Even if you're planning to install windows to a RAID array you can still ditch the floppy. Just slipstream the raid drivers in textmode.
Click to expand...

I do actually use my floppy from time to time. Mostly for installing old DOS games. I have a DOS emulator called DOSBox. It's great for playing classic DOS games. :p
 
I noticed you didnt put a sound card in there. If you really want to play games on there Realtek wont cut it. Get the new x-fi, you dont have to get the fancy one with the x-ram, the xtrememusic one is really nice already
 
discochan said:
I noticed you didnt put a sound card in there. If you really want to play games on there Realtek wont cut it. Get the new x-fi, you dont have to get the fancy one with the x-ram, the xtrememusic one is really nice already
Click to expand...

I'm holding off on the audio card until I can afford a nice set of surround speakers.
 
At the moment I'm not looking at any. ;)
It's simply not in the budget this time around, next time perhaps...
 
When I first started this thread I was $73.00 over budget. Not only did you guys help me get in line with the budget, but you did it with the added bonus of a new mouse.

Thank you all very much

Peace :)
 
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