New PC, friendly advice please

[Teecee]

I am about to purchase a new system and just wanted to get everyone's thoughts. I have been reading a ton on these forums and a few others(Anandtech and xtremesystems). This is what I have come up with. Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.

MB = DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

CPU = AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA4000BNBOX - Retail

MEMORY = mushkin Redline XP4000 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 500 (PC 4000) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail

PSU = SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail

HDD = Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6B300S0 300GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

VIDEO = eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - Retail

SOUND = CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 70SB035000000 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

CASE = Antec P160, Coolmaster Stacker, some sort of Lian-li, or a Silverstone TJ06

HSF = Either Zalman 7700 or the Thermaltake XP120

MONITOR = Samsung 21.3 LCD that I already had. I might run dual monitor setup to my other Samsung 19 LCD but atm just single monitor mode.



The video card will be replaced as soon as the G70s come out. My concerns are the case and the HSF. I am planning on going air cooled for the time being. I will OC some but I do not care to push my machine for every single 3dmark point I can. Noise level is a concern which is why I picked cases and HSF that use the 120mm. I thought about waiting for the p180 to come out but it will probably be July before it is in stock. I haven't picked out what 120mm fans I will be using. Personally I do not think I can go wrong with any of the HSF and cases that I listed but just wanted some feedback on this system.

I would prefer 2gb of memory but all the reading I have done tells me that it can hinder my OC ability and have to go to 2t.

Edited: Change memory to Mushkin.

 

[GeForceX]

Very good stuff. If I had to rate it, it'd be a 9/10.

Even with noise concerns, an XP-90C would be more than sufficient. It's the copper that makes it better than the regular (although by few degrees). Either way, the 7700 or XP-120 is still one of the best choices.

For RAM, TwinMOS SP/400 RAM works best with DFI's SLI-DR motherboard series. Corsair RAM had a hit/miss issue with DFI motherboards. And it will OC just as well or better (CH-5 chip). Also by far cheaper! At least 50% off.

You have quite a very expensive system, especially with a 4000+ San Diego CPU. Is it really necessary?

The Antec P180 is definitely worth the wait, if you can hold on.

Edit: That would be a possiblity, yes-- having 2 GB would hinder the OC'ing. You're fine with 1 GB.

-J.

 

[KoolDrew]

Save some money and get a 3700+. From what I have seen the Mushkin Redline is the best RAM available right now.

 

[Teecee]

Very good stuff. If I had to rate it, it'd be a 9/10.

Even with noise concerns, an XP-90C would be more than sufficient. It's the copper that makes it better than the regular (although by few degrees). Either way, the 7700 or XP-120 is still one of the best choices.

For RAM, TwinMOS SP/400 RAM works best with DFI's SLI-DR motherboard series. Corsair RAM had a hit/miss issue with DFI motherboards. And it will OC just as well or better (CH-5 chip). Also by far cheaper! At least 50% off.

You have quite a very expensive system, especially with a 4000+ San Diego CPU. Is it really necessary?

The Antec P180 is definitely worth the wait, if you can hold on.

Edit: That would be a possiblity, yes-- having 2 GB would hinder the OC'ing. You're fine with 1 GB.

-J.

What in your eyes would make it a 10/10 if considering that I will be buying a g70 card as soon as it comes out?

Is the XP-90C quieter than the 120?

I had the Twinmos ram on there but have read so many things, some say OCZ is the best and some say twinmos is the best. The price of the memory is not a concern.

What is your suggestion instead of the 4000 SD? I plan to keep this box for a while, 1-2 years before I upgrade again. The money is really not a huge concern, but I do not like throwing money in the trash either if you know what I mean.

I don't know if I can wait. If it is only $150ish then I can get a nice case now, buy a 180 when it comes out, and replace my crappy thermaltake case in my old system with my case that I am buying now.

 

[Teecee]

Save some money and get a 3700+. From what I have seen the Mushkin Redline is the best RAM available right now.

Saving $150ish worth going from a 4000 to a 3700? Like I said before money is not a huge concern but I do not like to waste it. If it is worth the money, I am wiling to pay for it.

I choose OCZ because of the higher voltages it can handle. I did read an arcticle about the Mushkin DDR500 chips where working very well with the DFIs. Isn't Mushkin TCCD by Samsung? The OCZ is the new BH5 from what I have read. I will admit that the memory I did a lot of reading and was a bit confused on what was best.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[KoolDrew]

The 3700 and 4000+ will most likely overclock to about the same. So that is why I suggested just going with the 3700. Also bottt the Mushkin and OCZ are Winbound UTT.

 

[Teecee]

Mushkin Review

Great review there. That review and your suggestion will make me get the Mushkin memory. Currently out of stock at newegg.

 

[GeForceX]

The Mushkin is great as well. The TCCD-type RAM's generally have higher timings. You want lower timings for an Athlon system, unless you are insanely overclocking it where speed is worth more over latency.

I honestly do think you should go for 3700+ instead. The higher the stock speed, the lesser headroom it has. Your overclocking would be limited with a 4000+. And the stock performance differences are marginal.

As for the XP-90C-- it simply dissipates heat better. Since it doesn't come with a fan, it's up to you what to get. I suggest the silent Panaflow 92 MM fan, of course. Barely any noise there.

-J.