Ready to order/First Build

[toostrike22]

Rate my first build:


GIGABYTE 3D AURORA GZ-FSCA1-ATB Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer
Case-$149.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811233003

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard
MB-$90.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131569

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
Retail $223.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103539

XFX PVT70GUDF7 Geforce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card
Retail-$289.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150108

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) – Retail-$167.00 Cas 2.5-3-3-6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231047

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive OEM-$155.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144160

Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HD OEM $110.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144701

OCZ PowerStream OCZ520ADJSLI ATX, BTX, SATA, P4 and EPS12V 520W Power Supply
Retail-$139.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817711002

PLEXTOR PX-740A 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 4X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner
Retail- $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827131357

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black
OEM-$9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821103116

[Drkboarder]

Looks pretty good, but why are you getting a full tower? Also the Mitsumi 8 in 1 floppy drive is popular and not much more expensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821104104

I'm currently debating between an Opteron 165, x2 3800 or 4400, and the 3700+ (How much performance does the extra l2 cache really make?). Goodluck with your choice. Are you planning on OCing the G.Skill memory? I'm considering that very same RAM for my setup.

You might consider going with this eVGA 7800GT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130249

It's overclocked higher than your pick and I know it's a popular choice around here as well as at newegg.

[RazorDX]

It depends on what you do. An opteron is optimized for server/workstation applications, not as efficient for gaming. An Athlon X2 is more for workstation/multitasking systems, again not efficient for gaming. If you are a gamer (like myself), then the 3700+ is the best choice.

It's mainly preference.

Also, some motherboards have compatibility issues with the 939 Opterons.

[Im a winner115]

thats going to be a sweet machine and if you need parts try http://www.pricewatch.com you might save some money.

[toostrike22]

Originally Posted by Drkboarder Looks pretty good, but why are you getting a full tower? Also the Mitsumi 8 in 1 floppy drive is popular and not much more expensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821104104 I'm currently debating between an Opteron 165, x2 3800 or 4400, and the 3700+ (How much performance does the extra l2 cache really make?). Goodluck with your choice. Are you planning on OCing the G.Skill memory? I'm considering that very same RAM for my setup. You might consider going with this : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130249 It's overclocked higher than your pick and I know it's a popular choice around here as well as at newegg.

Full tower-Because I hate mid-towers.Full towers have the room to move air with less restriction.

Mitsumi 8 in 1 -Thanks for the heads up here.I will definitley buy the 8 in 1.

CPU-I was going to get a single core 4000+,but the price was 334 dollars.The price of the 3700+ is over a hundred dollars cheaper,and I can learn to overclock the cheaper chip.

The Asus board I'm getting is known for stability.It's not the best overclocker board,but I don't plan on oc-ing more than 10 to 15%.I just want to get my feet wet for now.

Ram-My first choice was the xms,but I heard it was overated for the price

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory cas (3) 3-3-8 $195.00

Ram-Final choice was the G.skill.Better cas rating and timing speeds.The price is also cheaper.

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - $169 cas(2.5) 3-3-6

The Heat-sink/fan-This is the only part of the build that I fear.I hear you have to put alot of pressure on the bar(mousetrap)or what ever you call it to get the heatsink to clap down.What is your opinion on retail heatsinks?

Video card-Undecided,but I have a budget of 300 dollars for the card.I was looking at different vendors that sell the 7800 series,and found mixed reviews.I still need to do my homework on getting the best card based on my budget.I like the XFX Geforce 7800GT 256MB.

eVGA 7800GT-I heard these cards run really hot.I will have to investigate futher.I'm not sure if i want to chance oc-ing.I'm a newbie.

I just read some news tonight about dual cores that might change my mind,but then again I'm a gamer.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29195

[toostrike22]

Originally Posted by Im a winner115 thats going to be a sweet machine and if you need parts try http://www.pricewatch.com you might save some money.

Thanks...I do some price shopping.

[tomster2300]

Look at this before you buy that 7800 GT.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2636&p=7

The eVGA already comes overclocked - I run a eVGA 6800 GT myself and have been very pleased. You're right though, it does run a little hot - perhaps the 7800 GT is cooler. That link gives a nice comparison between the eVGA and the XFX 7800 GT and makes for a good read. Good luck and hopefully that helps.

[FireByyrd]

EVGA 7800GT CO. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130249

314. go with that, much better.

motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131530

supports sata 2.

[jayb1234]

Here is a nice Liteon Lightscribe burner that comes with the burning software. Nothing wrong with Plextor, but they tend to be pretty costly.

This version of Windows should be fine, unless you need some specific feature of XP Pro.

They are starting to release games that utilize Dual Core, so that would be your best choice.

One pointer, don't hook up the cable for the card reader to the motherboard untill you have the OS installed or it will hijack the C drive designation. Just connect the floppy cable.

Unless you are doing overclocking, or get a case with lousy airflow, the retail heatsink that comes with the processor should be fine. If you aren't going to use it try to get a processor OEM without the heatsink/fan unit, because changing it on a retail boxed processor voids the warranty.

[toostrike22]

Tomster/Firebyyd-Some good info on v-cards.

jay-I like Plextor drives,and never had any problems.This drive has some great features and burning speeds.

The cost of of plextors are pricey.I can remember having a HP 8200 cd burner that was over 250 new.This is when cdr's were first introduced.

Windows Home- I heard microsoft will stop supporting the home addition at the end of 2006.I am not sure what that means? No security updates? MS has you by the short hairs,but xp pro seems to be my best option at this point.

Appreciate the install tips!

I looked at the price difference between the X2 3800+ vs any X2 4000+ series,and you will open your wallet for the extra cache.I will stick with my oc single chip for the next year or two,and then hit the sweet spots on sli motherboards,and X2 chips.Dont get my wrong,dual core chips are awesome,but so will the price(in the near future) as technology rolls on,as always.