First AMD Build...Comments, Tips and Hints welcomed.

[eroc]

This will be my first AMD build with a few additions I didn't have in my previous intel build...SATA, DVD-RW and namely an AMD processor I plan on using this for decent gaming. I'm going to use my monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers from my last intel build so I can put a few extra bucks into the video card. Heres the build with a few questions...comments welcomed and appreciated.

Case: Antec LifeStyle Sonata II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155
Question: It says in the item description it has only one 120MM fan in the rear. Will this be enough cooling or is there also an intake fan in the front that isn't listed?

Motherboard: Asus A8N5X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131569
Question: I was hoping to use the onboard audio. The item description doesn't list it as being available. I was hoping to save some cash by using the onboard audio. Can anyone verify?

Memory: Corsair ValueSelect 1G DDR400 PC3200 (2x512MB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440
Question: I would like to run two gigs of ram because I've heard that is optimal for games like BF2 and HL2. The reviews I've read on the Corsair 2G (2x1G) haven't been good. Could anyone suggest a good 2x1G ram kit.

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz 2x512MB L2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103562
OR
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT 1MB L2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103539
Question: I hear Dual Core is the next big thing. However I don't plan on doing crazy multi-tasking. I often browse the internet while playing games so I do a lot of Alt-Tabbing or use the Windows Key. Thats about as multi tasked as I get. My question is should I get the San Diego for the 1MB of L2 Cache for gaming or go with the Duel Core Manchester because soon applications and games will be utilizing it better? To my understanding when using the Manchester I would only be using 512KB of L2 because the game would only be running on one core? Your thoughts are highly recommended on this one.

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148065
Question: This will be my first ever SATA drive so I am completley unfamiliar with the installation. The drive is OEM so does that mean it doesn't come with drivers discs?

Video Card: This is where I'm completely stuck and needing your suggestions. I'm new to NVidia cards and have read a lot of reviews on here and newegg.com If I go with the San Diego chip I can use the extra money to put into the card. If I go with the Manchester Dual Core I would have to skimp on the card. I'd like an Nvidia card either eVga, BFG, etc with 256MB, PCI-E and can run WoW, BF2, HL2 etc on high settings with the current build listed. I don't plan on using SLI on this rig in the future.

Optical: NEC DVD-RW Burner

OS: Home w/ SP2 from previous Intel build

I want to thank you in advance for reading this long post. Any suggestions or insight you may offer is highly appreciated. This is my first AMD build so I apologize for all the questions. Thanks

[786ARS]

i would go for the 3800X2, but for the video card, consider a 7800GT, or if that is a bit pricey, try a 7600GT/1600XT 256 MB versions.

[freakitchen]

The front case fan on the Sonata II is optional, so you'd have to purchase one. I do like having an intake fan to cool my hard drives, but you can always see how you go without one.

The motherboard you chose does have Onboard sound.

I'd take newegg reviews with a pinch of salt, if only because they're ususally left when a product doesn't work. Inevitably, some RAM will be DOA, but Corsair is quality memory, and you shouldn't have a problem with the 2x1GB Matched pair. If you want to get something else, however, I'd recommend Crucial.

No problem buying hard drives OEM. No need for any drivers, and your motherboard will come with SATA data cables.

For a videocard, I'd get the Nvidia 7900GT, to run the games you listed on high settings, and to ensure the system will perform well on future releases

FK

[Stuey]

Well, I kind of disagree with freakitchen in terms of how to consider customer product reviews, especially in terms of corsair ram, but that's another story. I haven't heard too many negative comments about their 1 gig sticks, but if you're really concerned, goto corsair's site and browse their support forum to see if people are having issues with the ram, and under which circumstances.

As-is, everything looks A-OK, and I agree with 786ars's video suggestion. Good luck!

[freakitchen]

Well, I kind of disagree with freakitchen in terms of how to consider customer product reviews, especially in terms of corsair ram, but that's another story

Don't want to take this off topic, but i guess the relevance of Newegg reviews is applicable to this thread. Stuey, i think in some respects, online-retailer reviews can be considered helpful, for example, computer cases (if only because it's difficult to 'use' a case incorrectly).

Memory, i think, is a different issue. Reviews such as "my Corsair memory is incompatible with my ASUS motherboard, because my system won't boot" (or along those lines), might put someone off using those two products together, when actually their failure was due to a completely different issue. I also stand behind my suggestion that people are more likely to review a product if it was defective.

This aside, I would agree with you, Stuey, that support forums can be very helpful, simply because you can see a full solution (or otherwise), rather than just a sweeping statement about a product.

Eroc, all i can say about your specific Motherboard/Ram combination, is that it's definitely been used in builds before on the forum, and I've seen no bad reports.

FK

[eroc]

If I just get the 2x512MB corsair kit and find it isn't enough will I be losing a lot of performance by running 4x512MB non dual channel? Would I just be better off going straight for a 2x1G kit from the start?

Looks like I'll be spending the extra money for 3800 X2 simply for the dual core and later benefits it will provide.

The 7900 series may be slightly out of budget since I'm going with the 3800X2 so I may need to drop down to the 7800 series. Looks like I'll be pricing these out now.

I've never installed a SATA drive so I just plug it all in and get it to POST right? If its plugged into the first SATA plug on the mobo it will automatically recognize it and then when I go to install windows will I need to hit the F6 key to install 3rd party drivers or has that been done away with? Looks like I need to take a look at the SATA FAQ post

Thanks to all for the fast responses.

[pam123]

Motherboard: Asus A8N5X Question: I was hoping to use the onboard audio. The item description doesn't list it as being available. I was hoping to save some cash by using the onboard audio. Can anyone verify?

What problem it's got 8 channel on board audio?

Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC850
Audio Channels 8 Channels

[freakitchen]

Running 4 sticks of 512MB memory will maintain dual channel mode; the banks run dual channel in pairs.

I had a look at the A8N5X manual. It appears the SATA ports are controlled by the Nforce chipset, which means the drives should be recognised immediately.

FK

[eroc]

Pam, thanks for the OnBoard Audio verification.

FK thanks for finding out about the SATA drivers and telling me about the RAM.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Tin]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen Running 4 sticks of 512MB memory will maintain dual channel mode; the banks run dual channel in pairs. I had a look at the A8N5X manual. It appears the SATA ports are controlled by the Nforce chipset, which means the drives should be recognised immediately. FK

The only problem with running 4 DIMMs on an AMD64 setup is that it will default the memory to run at a 2T command...giving you a performance loss. Youre better off having a 2x1GB configuration.

[blue60007]

See if you can bump that HDD up to one with a 16MB cache. It'll be a couple bucks more, but it's worth the speed increase.

[glc]

The 7200.8 series has had reliability issues - get a 7200.7 or 7200.9.

[eroc]

Its looking like 2 dimms of 1G is going to be my best choice.

GLC, The biggest drive I can find in the 7200.7 series from Seagate is 120g and the 7200.9 series are all SATA II which the A8N5X doesn't support I could upgrade to an A8N-SLI and use a Caviar but the A8N-SLI hasn't had the best reviews either. Any suggestions?

This will be mostly used for gaming. I'm still up in the air about the CPU.

The 3800+ x2...it only has 512k of L2
or
The 3700+ San Diego which has 1MB of L2

Would the San Diego be better for gaming?

[Staren]

SATA II is backwards compatible with 'older' SATA ports. There isn't really much real world diffrence between the two yet.

[786ARS]

the 3800 is not as good as the 3700 now, but as over the next 2 years, games will start to be coded for dual cores, the dual core would be better in the long run

[Stuey]

I can confirm what Staren said. I am using a 7200.9 drive (160 Gb) on a Sata I connection, and the drive automatically adjusts itself. In other words, no drivers/jumpers needed.

[Davermonk]

I'm running a SATA II on my A8N5X with no problems (I went with a SATA II drive to get the 16MB cache per blue's advice to me a couple of months ago).

And I can confirm that the A8N5X does have onboard sound... and it sounds great!