Yet Another First Build Post

[Ithilion]

Hey all, first post as well.

I'm primarily looking for feedback on the quality of the parts I've chosen and advice on when to buy. I'd much prefer to buy now, but if Roscoe makes the big splash it seems some people are saying it might, how much would that effect prices?

Case:
Antec Solution SLK3800B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Rackmount Case 400Watt (SP400) SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V 2.0 for AMD™ & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail

Motherboard:
ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3800CNBOX - Retail

Video Card:
Leadtek PX7600 GT Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Memory:
pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PQI25400-2GDB - Retail

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

It comes out to something like $800 (which seems a bit low, please tell me if I'm missing something incredibly important, I'm dull like that).

I'll be buying Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, and Windows separately.

[MakeYourslf2012]

Apparently, the AM2 boards are having trouble when it comes to memory compatability. It gets fussy with anything lees than DDR2-800. I'd get that just to make sure, if not, then maybe bumping down to 939 socket would be the way to go.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by MakeYourslf2012 Apparently, the AM2 boards are having trouble when it comes to memory compatability. It gets fussy with anything lees than DDR2-800. I'd get that just to make sure, if not, then maybe bumping down to 939 socket would be the way to go.

Unless you get DDR2-800, your processor will not run at its full advertised speed. Consult the motherboard' memory qualified vendors list. AM2 is rather picky on what type of memory is accepts.

Did you forget an operating system?

kram

[jayb1234]

One necessary component I don't see on your list is an optical drive.

Liteon's are pretty good and come with burning software.

One of their dual layer DVD writers with lightscribe will be under $50.

You also might need a floppy drive at some point in the setup or later for loading drivers, sata controllers, bios updates, diagnostics, system recovery etc..

There are still some motherboards that require using a floppy drive for some of those things.

Some people will try to tell you that they are no longer needed and that you can do all that stuff with a Cd or a usb drive, but that is not always the case.

The only way to know for sure whether you must have one is to download the manuals for all of your components and read through them.

Case/power supply: That video card requires 400W minimum with 24A on the 12V rail.

The psu in that case is rated at +5V, +12V1, 12V2 and +3.3V maximum output: 390 Watts max and 10A on +12V1, 15A on +12V2.

While Antec PSU's are high quality, you would be right at the top edge of it's capabilities.

I would spend a little more for the Antec Sonata II (450W) or Performance TX1050B (500W).

[Ithilion]

Originally Posted by MakeYourslf2012 Apparently, the AM2 boards are having trouble when it comes to memory compatability. It gets fussy with anything lees than DDR2-800. I'd get that just to make sure, if not, then maybe bumping down to 939 socket would be the way to go.

I was hoping to get DDR2-667 to save on money, then perhaps upgrade to DDR2-800 in the future, but if it's a major problem, looks like I might have to do one or the other. I'm rather worried about getting a 939 board, seeing as AMD's only going to be producing one 939 chip by the end of the year, and I'm looking for upgradability with this system (plus DDR memory is getting expensive)

Originally Posted by kram 2.0 Unless you get DDR2-800, your processor will not run at its full advertised speed. Consult the motherboard' memory qualified vendors list. AM2 is rather picky on what type of memory is accepts. Did you forget an operating system? kram

Running at full advertised speed would be nice, but is not necessary. So long as it works, I'm fine with it (it can always be upgraded in the future). But I checked ASUS's qualified vendor list and saw some PQI 1 GB sticks running at 667 in there, but I couldn't determine if it was the same stick.

As for operating system, no, I'm buying that separately.

Originally Posted by jayb1234 One necessary component I don't see on your list is an optical drive. Liteon's are pretty good and come with burning software. One of their dual layer DVD writers with lightscribe will be under $50. You also might need a floppy drive at some point in the setup or later for loading drivers, sata controllers, bios updates, diagnostics, system recovery etc.. There are still some motherboards that require using a floppy drive for some of those things. Some people will try to tell you that they are no longer needed and that you can do all that stuff with a Cd or a usb drive, but that is not always the case. The only way to know for sure whether you must have one is to download the manuals for all of your components and read through them. Case/power supply: That video card requires 400W minimum with 24A on the 12V rail. The psu in that case is rated at +5V, +12V1, 12V2 and +3.3V maximum output: 390 Watts max and 10A on +12V1, 15A on +12V2. While Antec PSU's are high quality, you would be right at the top edge of it's capabilities. I would spend a little more for the Antec Sonata II (450W) or Performance TX1050B (500W).

DVD drive, d'uh! I knew I forgot something! I had one picked out, just forgot to put it in the first post. It's this one: SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SH-S162L/BEBN - OEM

As for floppy drive, I'll consider it, but I'm not sure it's really necessary. If I end up needing one, I've got several lying around the house I can stick in. Thanks though!

Regarding cases, yes, I would've selected the Antec SONATA II as well, but unfortunately they're sold out at Newegg. Thanks for the note about running the top edge of the performance line though, I wouldn't have caught that! Any suggestions for another one? I hate flashy cases with windows and blinky lights and springloaded jack-in-the-boxes and running lights (I'll be using it in a dorm room).

[Staren]

Originally Posted by Ithilion Regarding cases, yes, I would've selected the Antec SONATA II as well, but unfortunately they're sold out at Newegg. Thanks for the note about running the top edge of the performance line though, I wouldn't have caught that! Any suggestions for another one? I hate flashy cases with windows and blinky lights and springloaded jack-in-the-boxes and running lights (I'll be using it in a dorm room).

What is your budget? If you can spend about $80 more (probobly less) for a case and seprate PSU, I would look at the Antec P180. Might not be your style, but it's a good fairly silent case for a dorm.

[blue60007]

Using anything less than DDR2-800 will hurt performance when compared to an equivalent Socket 939 system.

Not sure about Samsung burners...I know their ROMs are junk, cause I have one and it is noisy as heck. The recommend around here are LITE-ON Burners.

[Ithilion]

Originally Posted by Staren What is your budget? If you can spend about $80 more (probobly less) for a case and seprate PSU, I would look at the Antec P180. Might not be your style, but it's a good fairly silent case for a dorm.

Unfortunately, $80 bucks might be too much, but I'll keep that in mind. I might just end up getting a Sonata II from somewhere else. I found this one on ZipZoomFly for 110 bucks.

Originally Posted by blue60007 Using anything less than DDR2-800 will hurt performance when compared to an equivalent Socket 939 system. Not sure about Samsung burners...I know their ROMs are junk, cause I have one and it is noisy as heck. The recommend around here are LITE-ON Burners.

I know it's not ideal, but 115 bucks for 2 GBs of DDR2 is an awfully good price. Do you have a link to how much of a performance hit I'd see?

You're probably right about the burner, how's this one look? LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE 16X DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail

[kram 2.0]

The problem is once you upgrade the memory, you would have wasted the money it took to purchase a DDR2-667 memory kit. If you cannot afford DDR2-800, look at Socket 939 or downgrade the processor. Getting a slower rated processor like the Athlon 64 3500+ Orleans and the correct memory speed is a lot better than getting a slower memory speed and bottlenecking the entire system.

kram

[Ithilion]

Originally Posted by kram 2.0 The problem is once you upgrade the memory, you would have wasted the money it took to purchase a DDR2-667 memory kit. If you cannot afford DDR2-800, look at Socket 939 or downgrade the processor. Getting a slower rated processor like the Athlon 64 3500+ Orleans and the correct memory speed is a lot better than getting a slower memory speed and bottlenecking the entire system. kram

Downgrading the processor would be preferable to moving down to socket 939, for me at least. Thanks for the suggestion on the 3500+.

However, this alternative was suggested to me as a DDR2 800 alternative, without being too much more pricey. G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail

[jayb1234]

Check back with neweggon that sonata case, they usually restock pretty quick. Zipzoomfly is a good alternative but if you can get it at newegg, you might save a little on shipping.

[Ithilion]

Originally Posted by jayb1234 Check back with neweggon that sonata case, they usually restock pretty quick. Zipzoomfly is a good alternative but if you can get it at newegg, you might save a little on shipping.

It's actually cheaper on ZipZoomFly. It's 110 there with free shipping, 105 + 20 shipping at Newegg. So it actually worked out for the better.

Just for clarification, kram, I wouldn't have the bottlenecking problems if I got the 3500+ processor?

EDIT: Well, after reading the Tech Report's article on AM2 and DDR2, I think I've got a better handle on it. Getting a 3500+ won't eliminate the problem, just make it less of a loss, right? I think I'll end up going with the 3500+ either way, as it's a good place to save money and it's got pretty good reports on overclocking.

[blue60007]

Check out ASUS's QVL download and see if that memory is listed. AM2 is being very picky with the RAM right now, so it's best to get something on the QVL.

[Ithilion]

Originally Posted by blue60007 Check out ASUS's QVL download and see if that memory is listed. AM2 is being very picky with the RAM right now, so it's best to get something on the QVL.

Hmm, the only one 1 GB stick I could find on the QVL for under $100 was this one:

Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) System Memory - Retail

Still 667 (they only had one 1 GB 800 stick on the QVL and that was ~$250, which I can't warrant spending) though.

[glc]

The memory issue is why I'm recommending holding off on AM2. If you must build right now, go 939 or Intel - and Intel is in flux right now too with Core 2 coming out later this month and is going to be far superior to the 9xx Presler dual cores. Right now is not a good time to build with an eye to future upgrades.