AM2... Advice. Appreciated.

[The BlackSaint]

Alright so I have the MSI k9N Platnium board with the nforce 570 chipset with SLI Configuration (that's where I plan to go, SLI), socket AM2.I'm an AMD guy. Just AM. I game. I've used them before, and I like them. Fanboy I know, plus the Conroe hadn't come out yet when I bought the board...so yeah. I went with AM2.

So I'm wondering about buying a processor in this series of socket AM2 X2. I want something future proof and "Oblivion-worthy". Right now the prices are pretty expensive for the 5000 and the 5200 with the 1mb L2 cache.So what's your opinion of a good processor to buy that I get the most bang for my buck. I'm sitting pretty on around 300 + dollars for the processor and I was think about buying now but then I was like, the FX processor dropped in price from $899 to like $711 at newegg in 2 weeks. Is it worth it to wait?

Yeah. So right now I have that mobo,
ANtec TRUE Power 550 psu,
An Enlight custom modded case (I love HSS), used, then modded and cleaned up.
1) 80mm fan on the side, and 1)120 mm exhaust in the back.
A Sony External DVD burner
Some cheap generic CD burner previously used in last build
Neon Light.
Maxtor,8mb buffer, 7200 rpm, 160GB previously used in last build
Logitech, keyboard mouse combo
Creative Audigy SE (Do i need to upgrade?)
KMD CRT Monitor (I think I'm going upgrade. lol.)
No RAM yet or Video card. Suggestions welcom on any of this.

How's it looking for not an ULTRA ENTHUSIAST (I.e. FX, 7900GTX SLi, 4 GB RAM) but one step down. Money is no matter either is time, I have up to Christmas. I want a Dual processor, hopefully SLI configuration video card, and 2 GB of compatible RAM. Gaming is primary purpose of this rig so I WILL go VISTA, but right now I'll stick with XP.
Previous build was on an AMD 754 socket so I do have some experience, been doing research on most of the supplies minus RAm, since about ohh July.

All in all I want to play Oblivion in hands down, mouth watering glory. If not full setting then pretty darn close.
So what are your thoughts?

Thanx in advance and sorry it's legnthy. Trying to just give you the general situation I'm in.
~Will~

[Mr.Ferrari]

For cpu I suggest something like a X2 4600 or anything above. When going with sli you dont want your cpu bottlenecking or else the sli will be severly hampered.

7950GT's are looking pretty good in the sli sector at the moment.

For the ram I suggest some 2gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800. The cas 5 versions.

The sound card is ok, but if you want a nice upgrade I suggest the X-Fi for full gaming pleasure. This card will really bring out the BOOM in your game.

Since your going sli I suggest a monitor that can ATLEAST run 1680x1050 resolutions or your wasting your money. Widescreen comes in helpful too. Some good brands are Viewsonic, Samsung, LG and BenQ.

[The BlackSaint]

Due your awesome.

Thank you.

I'm going SLI so will I need to upgrade my PSU. I've heard conflicting things about how there's no need or how "you ain't getting anywhere without a 5200 Watt" lol. Could you shed some light into this.

On the processor side of things, I'm definitely overclocking. Is the rig (fans, and psu) going to handle it. Secondly do you think something like the 4600 X2 Am2 will handle most games given the fact I'm hoping to oc it a little?

Thanks loads.

~Will~
Dude, I'm way to high to drive to the devils house.

[blue60007]

Get a SLI certified PSU:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizon..._powersupplies
(The Antec you metioned is on the list)

(Some other good brands: Enermax, FSP Group, OCZ, PC power and cooling, Seasonic, and Sparkle)

CPU will be find...for gaming, the video card makes the largest difference.

[Mr.Ferrari]

-The psu is decent. BUT with *overclocking and high end sli I would personally not try it. The 550W antec tp2 is a excellently designed psu. But it does have a bit of an issue with barbecueing its capacitors especially when under heavy loads.

Is there a specific price range you would be interested in? You dont need a godly xxx watter but something decent.

-On the processor. The 4200 should handle the sli and games easily. If you feel like doing a little more the 4600 will give you a good jump in perf. for not that much. Either will be great.
However there is not point in getting any more then that, i.e a x2 5000.

-Your motherboard will NOT be compatible with a sli config. The second slot is x1, and the chipset is not even sli. I suggest something else.

Such as this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131013

[The BlackSaint]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931

There's the link to the PSU. My fault, It's a TruePowerII, and it says it's SLI certified (but appearances can be decieving). It's been sitting in the box well over a month, untouched so I could theoretically send it back if need be. Does that make a difference though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130048

Here's the link to the motherboard while I'm at it. It says it is SLI Configured. Correct me if I'm mislead though. I do believe it is. And Yes that board was actually my first choice, but I went with MSI, thought I'd try something new since ASUS gave me some issue last 2 builds.

Soo is the PSU good to keep, I'd really,really like that. lol. Just to avoid hassle of sending it back and getting a new one.

Thank you again. Can't say it enough. I Find most places that I go to for information on builds
1) unreliable
2) too specific
3) too vague
TG for PcMech. I'd be in a sore place without it.

~Will~
Dude, I'm way to high to drive to the devils house

[Mr.Ferrari]

Well if youve already bought it then I would go ahead and go with it for now...

[The BlackSaint]

hmm... you sound. really reassured. Is my comp going to overheat, if that's the case I'd rather go out and buy another PSU rather than going through buying an entirely new build cause my PSU was low and fried all the componets. lol.

No, but seriously is it alright for now, and just keep in mind that when I get SLI i need to upgrade?

[Mr.Ferrari]

If your going sli later then worry about it then. Two 7950GT's in sli plus overclocking would be really pushing it on that unit. When you do go sli there might be some very nice choices at a better price.

All your choice, but a single card will be handled fine by your current psu.

-What exact case model?
I would first try my current case, if I like it, and see if its sufficient or not before buying a new one.

However if you want to get a case that will cool anything you throw at it then I suggest the Antec P180. Awesome case that can be tuned towards silence or high performance aircooling. I also like the lian li's.
Or if you wanna have it under 100 then I suggest the coolermaster Centurion 5. Nice case for the money and is easily modded if you ever want to put more cooling then it already provides, which is alot. Around 50 bucks.

[The BlackSaint]

Sounds like I keep the PSU.. for now.

Ahhh found it. My bad. http://www.acorncomputers.com/comput...ase_200758.asp
Comes with 4 5.25" bays, 4 3.25", and 1 3.5" bay.
I cut out and installed plexi glass square at top of case to look down into it. Glued then put trim around it. Cut out design on the side in form of a gothic cross with Plexi glass backing and a hole to place my fan into for a side intake fan about 80mm. It has an 120 mm exhaust fan and room for one more upfront with the hard drives. I hope that's sufficient after I put the time in for the mod, if not hell It looks cool. lol.

The most important thing is that the pieces work togethor. Cost, time, not an issue.

So how's the motherboard though. I went to Newegg and saw the one you were looking at. I'm the SLI edition of the K9N Platinum which does support SLI. How's it look (link in previous post)

Any suggestions for RAM, and a Video card. I heard good things about a 7900GT? If I was planning on SLI, how would that fit in, otherwise I'll probably take above said adive and go with the 7950GT .512mb.

Thanks for the tip.

~Will~

[Mr.Ferrari]

-I personally think that the case should be fine as far as cooling goes.

-The sli edition is fine. I would prefer the asus due to the sensitivity of AM2. But the MSI is a decent board too.

Some suggestions for the other parts would be:
Ram- Corsair XMS2 2G DDr2 800

Videocards- The 7900GT is good, but for a few bucks more you can get the 7950GT which has 512mb and beats it.
This is the brand I would go with:
Evga 7950GT 512mb

[The BlackSaint]

Suhhweet. I love the look of that Video Card. eVGA makes some good stuff. A friend of mine had one.

Alright so here's the updated build so far.

http://www.acorncomputers.com/comput...ase_200758.asp
I have my Enlight Case, custom modded, 2 fans. 3rd if need be.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130048
I have my MSI K9N SLI Platnium Edition, nforce 570 chipset

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16800888038
I have a Logisys 12" Blue Liquid Neon Thunder Pattern LED Light

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835129041
I have a Aerocool 80mm Sleeve White LED Light Case Cooling Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931
I Have a Antec TruepowerII TPII 550 Watt ATX power supply

http://www.kdsusa.com/XF7s.asp
I have a Kds CRT Flatscreen monitor 17", 1600 X 1200 at 65 Hz (I'll will upgrade)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144181
I have a Maxtor 160 GB, 8mb cache, 7200 rpm hd

I have a Logitech, keyboard mouse, A creatvie Set of speakers, HP printer.

Following recommendation I will be getting..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130061
I am getting a eVGA Geoforce 7950GT 512MB


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102188
I am getting a Creative X-Fi sound card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590
I am Getting Corsair 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2 800 Memory

And FINALLY!!!

I will wait out the processor for best price l8er on around Thanksgiving.
Heres what I'm looking at right now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=343
More than Likely I'll go with the AM2 socket, AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

Finally and lastly. Does Having 512 mb of L2 cache vs 1mb make a significant difference.
Pretty much it for now. Thanks again. And hopefully, thinks will fall into place around Thanksgiving/christmas and I'll have fully operational (Fingerscrossed) Oblivion worthy machine.

Post pics and reviews when it comes togethor. Thanks AGain.

Edit: Note that I will go SLI, and OC, and so I'll have to upgrade the PSU to some other beast.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Finally and lastly. Does Having 512 mb of L2 cache vs 1mb make a significant difference.

Not for the price difference it doesnt.

[The BlackSaint]

Thanks mate!

~Will~

P.S. you sound like my old man. "Which is cheaper" lol. Nah but I understand, the difference is not comparable unless you have a few extra bucks to throw out the window.