New computer decisions

[Actuary]

Hi all, I plan on building a comp for the first time this summer and I'm trying to decide what to use. I was planning to go to the AMD Tech Tour and buy the desktop bundle, but I have a few issues with this. First, for some reason, I feel that if I went with a socket 754 and used a DFI Lanparty the board would be better. Second, I really don't want to use the new 64 bit windows since the drivers aren't all ready yet so I would have to trade with someone for an XP Home or Pro or buy one myself anyway and I don't know if I want to go through the hassle. Personally, I figured that by the time I found myself needing to upgrade the CPU or the video card past socket 754 and AGP, respectively, it would be time to buy a new mobo anyway (I game a lot, but I don't mind upgrading only once every couple years, I don't need to newest technology all the time.) Anyway, offer opinions on what I've said already and on the system specs I'm planning below, I'll show both the 754 and 939 setups I'm considering, offer your thoughts please.

Case: Thermaltake SViking
Processor: Athlon 64 3000+(754) or 3200+ Venice(939)
Mobo: DFI Lanparty UT Nf3(754) or Asus A8N-E(939)
Memory: 1 Gb Corsair XMS DDR400
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 160 Gb 7200 RPM
Video Card: EVGA 6600GT AGP(754) or Gigabyte 6600GT PCI-Ex16(939)
Drive/Burner: NEC DVD+-RW
Power Supply: Thermaltake 480W (754) or Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-480 (939)
Monitor: NEC Display Solutions AS-900BK 19”

I'm not sure if I'll get a sound card as I'd only be using 2.1 speakers(logitech) some of the time, headphones most of the rest, but if I do it will be a soundblaster audigy 2 zs. I'm not sure if I want the XMS ram or the Corsair ValueSelect, I probably will overclock a little, but nothing serious. I've just heard that the XMS is stable and slightly faster and only $39 more. I'm really not to sure about the monitor either, perhaps I should start a new thread in the...err...general hardware forum about the monitor, I need something good for gaming. Anyway, offer all your opinions, thanks Note: I am on a budget so I can't go nuts with parts, otherwise I'd have a nice SLI-board with an fx-55 processor.

Edit: I forgot to say, I priced both setups out on newegg assuming that if I bought the desktop bundle I could trade for an OS and not have to buy one. the 939 setup came out $53 cheaper, so I guess it's just the issue of how good the A8N-E board is and if I want to go through the hassle of trading my 64 bit OS for a winxp pro. Hopefully if I do go the 939 route the mobo and processor from the bundle come warrantied.

Further Edit: Crap, 6% sales tax for living in New Jersey, god I hate this state.

 

[Actuary]

Bumpity Bump. Any thoughts anyone?

 

[BossNoodleKaboodle]

Please look at the Thermaltake stuff before you buy it, and PLEASE DONT EVER BUY THEIR PSU's THEY ARE TERRIBLE! The voltages on the ones I had were unstable, they lie about the noise levels, they lie about the power output, they lie about them being anything other than something to beat with a baseball bat and take your frustrations out on them. They ARE good for making a sound like a hair dryer and putting out as much heat as one though, so if you want a space heater that will likely kill your new PC get a TT. I've seen a lot of TT cases in person, inspected them and have come to the conclusion that they're all pieces of shit. Their quality is TERRIBLE compared to what you could get for less money. Make sure you know what you're getting into with that.

If you want a good PSU, get a Zippy, Enermax, Seasonic, Silenx or PCPower&Cooling. CoolerMaster uses ACBel PSU's and rebrands them, and ACBel's are VERY cool and effecient. Those are also pretty cheap if you're on a budget.

While on the note of power, make sure you get a decent little UPS to protect your new investment.

Also get the 939 and nForce 4 Ultra motherboad, SLi if you want the upgrade path, but don't get the 754 because you won't have the option to go dual core in a few months or weeks when they come out. PCIe is also going to be the dominant interface for the best GPU's very soon so make sure you get that if you don't plan to upgrade your board for a couple years.