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Which is Better?

Z

zwbuntster

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 26, 2005
Messages
384
Ok, so I am going to build a new computer and I was thinking of these different configurations:

1) MB: Asus A8N-E
CPU: AMD 3000+ Venice
RAM: Corsair or PQI pc3200 1 GB
GPU: ATI X800 PRO
PS: Antec True Power II 500W
Case: Whatever
Optical Drive: watever

2) MB: DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D
same everything else

3) MB: ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
GPU: ?
PS: Antec True Power II 550W

I am not sure if these are good and what else I could do better? I want to stay under $800. What do you think?
 
Definitely get the DFI board ($129.00 + $5.00 shipping at Newegg.com). You shouldn't buy an SLI board unless you plan to get an SLI set-up, which is, IMO, not worth the money. I'd go with the Corsair RAM, but I'm not familiar with PQI, which would probably give you the same results. You can get an X800 Pro for $239.99 (with free shipping) at zipZoomFly. But I suggest that you spend a little more and get the X800 XL, which can be had for $249.00 with free shipping at MonarchComputer.com. You can also pick up the superb NEC 3520A DVD burner from Monarch for $42.00 with free shipping. You should consider buying your hard drive (I'd say a 200GB one) from Bason Computer (basoncomputer.com). They have great prices, but the kicker is that you can haggle them a little. Just follow their instructions for their "Name Your Price" offer. (I got four 250GB Western Digital SATA drives from Bason for only $400 shipped.) Your PSU choice is fine, but if you want something fancier, my personal choice is Aerocool Turbine Power 550W, which can be found at ZipZoomFly for $99.99 with free shipping. It performs about as well as the Antec but looks much better and cooler and features detachable, UV-reactive sleeved power leads like the famous Ultra X-Connect PSUs. If you would like to have a card reader in your tower, consider buying the Mitsumi Floppy 7-in-1 USB Card Reader/Smart Media Internal Drive for $20.00 with free shipping at Monarch. The case is your choice depending on your tastes, but aim for something aluminum, with a window, and around $100. A really nice case in that price range is Thermaltake's Tsunami Dream, model VA3000SWA, which can be found at Newegg.com for $99.00 with $12.99 shipping. (A black version is available for the same price; its model number is VA3000BWA.) You might also consider getting a UV cold cathode kit, which will cost around $10.

So let's see what the total is: between $800 and $850. You can go below $800 if you get a different case and forget the Mitsumi media drive.
 
I am not sure if I want to go DFI anymore because I have heard that it may not be the best build for a first timer. Also, I agree with you on the video card and I like that power supply as well. I don't think I will be able to affor that nice of a case, despite the fact that I really like the look. I was looking at a completely acrilic clear case for about 50. I don't need the card reader for now and I am not sure about the hard drive yet either. I probably will go with Corsair because I have used tham before and I like them very much.
 
I'd suggest that you take a look at MSI's high-end SLI board. It OCs pretty well, and there are fewer horror stories about it floating around. DFI isn't what I'd recommend to a new user that's looking to OC - but then, I'm less than pleased with DFI QC in general, so take that into consideration.

 
Well, I don't know if I can afford the high-end MSI. I have looked at and considered the ASUS A8N-SLI and the SLI-Deluxe (not really sure the difference), ASUS A8N-E, DFI Lanparty Ut/Ultra-D, and I can get some deals on some of these boards through my cousin, who has a membership to a reseller website. He recommenced ASUS as well. I don't really think that SLI is the best place to put my money right now, but rather just get say on X800XT for about 250.
 
zwbuntster said:
Well, I don't know if I can afford the high-end MSI. I have looked at and considered the ASUS A8N-SLI and the SLI-Deluxe (not really sure the difference), ASUS A8N-E, DFI Lanparty Ut/Ultra-D, and I can get some deals on some of these boards through my cousin, who has a membership to a reseller website. He recommenced ASUS as well. I don't really think that SLI is the best place to put my money right now, but rather just get say on X800XT for about 250.
Click to expand...

I'd tend to agree with those sentiments towards SLI. You can't really go wrong with the ASUS board; it's not going to give you the OCs that you might see on the BFG, DFI, or MSI boards, but they're pretty solid boards, and will allow a moderate OC assuming that you get decent parts.


 
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