Whadaya Think?

[dave410]

My latest proposed rig, based on your comments. What do you think now?

Case: Antec Sonata with 380W PSU ($99)
Additional Case Fan: AcoustiFan Noiseless Computer Case Fan - 120mm ($28)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3400+ with 512k L2 cache (Newcastle core) ($289)
Replacement CPU Heatsink and Fan: Zalman Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler CNPS7000-AlCu ($40)
Motherboard: EPoX EP-8KDA3+ ($155)
RAM: Corsair CMX512-3200C2 (2x512k) ($236)
Video Card: AOpen nVidia GeForce FX5900XT ($174)
Sound Card: on motherboard
Ethernet Card: on motherboard
Hard Drives: Maxtor 300 Gb SATA II ($243) and Western Digital 250Gb PATA (already owned)
Optical Drives: Sony DRU-510 DVD burner and NEC DVD drive (already owned)
Floppy Drive: 1.44 drive (already owned)
OS: Windows XP Professional ($197)

 

[Bling]

swap the mobo for a Dfi lanparty model

 

[quiksilverx181]

Your overspending a little bit if you dont upgrade that graphics card. Your comp will be seriously bottlenecked by a 5900 XT. At least get a 5900 Ultra if anything. Also, if i were u, i would go with an antec tru430w psu and i would ditch that 30 dollar case fan, u can surely find something cheaper. I think ur overpaying on the ram too

 

[MWWInc]

$28 for a fan? What is the world coming to!?

Personally, I'd get the A64 3000+ and OC it and use the extra $90 to upgrade that vid card to a 6800.

 

[dave410]

I know that fan is outrageous, but I was going for quiet and it's supposed to be nearly silent. It probably doesn't matter in a Sonata case however.

That FX5900 card is supposed to be very quiet too, but I agree it's a limitation. If I bump up to the 6800 level, which brand would you recommend or are they all about the same?

Many thanks, BTW.

 

[MWWInc]

I think the BFGTech one I tried to link to up top is a nice deal. Here's a better link:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat39600050018&type=category

BFG has the best warranties on cards, is OCed out of the box, and currently comes with Far Cry and Doom 3, all for $300 at Best Buy. As far as performance goes, all vanilla 6800s will be about the same, so it's all about the warranty and bundle, IMO.

 

[dave410]

Many thanks. I tried to view that link to Best Buy, but I was initially refused because BB insisted on cookies, hence my question. I worked around it and eventually saw your recommendation. Looks like good advice to me.

Cheers.

 

[MWWInc]

If you didn't get in on the Best Buy deal, then you can try this. Or if you wanna save some $ and are patient, the 6600s look like they're going to be a killer deal for the money.

 

[tcraig_4096]

$28 for a fan? What is the world coming to!?QUOTE]

Haha what I was thinking exactly. I would switch out the Mobo as well, as suggested. Also look into the 1Mb cache version of the A64.

 

[Wolf-R1]

$28 for a fan? What is the world coming to!?QUOTE]

Haha what I was thinking exactly. I would switch out the Mobo as well, as suggested. Also look into the 1Mb cache version of the A64.

I agree...a $28 fan is ludicrous. I would also go with a larger cache since you're going with an s754 CPU might want to future proof yourself a bit.