Motherboard, Video Card and Memory- What to look for when buying?

[Tarmenion]

Hi all,

Still trying to prepare my build but hitting some road blocks as usual.

I am purchasing an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail and am having a bit of a hard time deciding on the CPU Fan and heat sink.

Based on the review I found one that seems pretty good but I want to be sure. It seems pretty cheap but the reviews seems good Rosewill RCX


Also looking for some opinions on the power supply I am choosing. Not sure what ATX V2.2/EPS12V Power Supply means. looking for your basic ATX I am guessing 12v?

Rosewill RT550-135-BK 550W

Or maybe Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W

Thanks for any help

[glc]

The heatsink/fan that comes with the retail processor is fine.

Of those 2, take the Antec.

[Tarmenion]

Thanks GLC, your always so helpful.

One question. If I decide to OC (will be the first time) will the heatsink/fan that comes with the processor still be sufficient?

[glc]

Yes, as long as you don't start cranking up the core voltage.

Not to start an AMD vs. Intel war, but if you are planning on overclocking, a Core 2 Duo E6600 will blow that 5200+ away, both overclocked. There is a LOT more overclocking headroom in a C2D than in a X2. Running stock, those 2 processors are reasonably equal.

[Tarmenion]

I was actually considering the intel but the rig will be for gaming and from what I hear from reading AMD > Intel for gaming.

If I do OC it will not be much, still not sure even what to do yet as I never OC and never did a lot of research on it. I might not even OC but I just wanted to know if I had the option with that fan/heatsink.

Thanks GLC

[Tarmenion]

Hello again,

Can someone explain to me what key options / components / qualities, etc.. to look for when shopping for the following items. Suggestions welcome as well, will be a rig for gaming majority.

1. Video Card ( I don't want to go high end, spend about 200-400 depending) I know memory you look for but not sure what else besides the latest models.

2. Memory (Looking for 2gigs of ram possibly 3.. not sure) Again not sure what to look for in memory, i went to Crucial and HOLY! so much memory to choose from (3,500 for 2gigs????!) I know Crucial and Corsair are considered the best. In my current rig I run 2 sticks of 512 Corsair(they work together, forgot the term)

3. Motherboard - I want to stay with Asus here as i understand the boards are excellent and my current rig I have one with no problems. Again not sure what qualities / options to look for when considering the boards.

Thanks in advance

[flanzig1]

1: Budget/usage(gaming or not)/want Sli or Crossfire/going to use Vista(DX10) soon/HDTV/dual DVI connectors
2: going to OC/ what CPU is being used/how many ram slots
3: what brand and model CPU/ doing Sli or Crossfire/options wanted

[Tarmenion]

Sorry failed to mention CPU

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5200CSBOX - Retail

Not sure what SLI or Crossfire is and staying with windows xp

Might OC not sure yet but want the possibility, CPU mentioned above. Slots, i guess 2 or 3 isn't that decided on the mobo i get?

[newbuilder14]

I'd suggest an Asus board for your build if you insist on going AMD - have you thought about Intel? Their dual cores run laps around AMD's.

For the video card, either wait until you can afford DX10 ($400-600 range) or get a midrange DX9 placeholder card (eVGA 7600gt ko). No sense in investing so much money into a DX9 card.

For the memory, I suggest Corsair XMS2 2x1gb PC6400 (CL5 only).

[flanzig1]

AM2 type CPUs: DDR2 800 ram
Number of ram slots is determined by the mobo size: ATX-4 slots/uATX-3 slots

[Tarmenion]

Hmm everyone is mentioning intel. From experience I can not comment on Intel.

I was told AMD > Intel for gaming. which is why I chose the AMD chip.

Are they equal for gaming now?

[flanzig1]

The Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs are beating the AMDs in gaming and other types of work.

[Tarmenion]

Ok, you sold me Flan, I will try Intel E6600, GLC also mentione to go Intel as well. Any good Asus mobo suggestions? Pretty much back to my original quiestions since i am switching processors now

Is the original Heatsink/fan good for this processor and if I OC will it be good enough?

Also again what is SLI and Crossfire? Need to look it up and read up on it later.

[TimPoet]

Originally Posted by Tarmenion Ok, you sold me Flan, I will try Intel E6600, GLC also mentione to go Intel as well. Any good Asus mobo suggestions? Pretty much back to my original quiestions since i am switching processors now

ASUS P5B LGA $127

Intel E6600 cpu $317.00

Is the original Heatsink/fan good for this processor and if I OC will it be good enough?

ZALMAN CNPS7000B-Cu $38.99

Also again what is SLI and Crossfire? Need to look it up and read up on it later.

It's a way to utilize two of the same vid cards. Some of our members feel it's overrated. That you can get better performance by buying a single higher performance card.

I'd suggest an eVGA 512-P2-N637-AR 7950 GT (overclocked) for $285.99 to hold you over until there are better prices and more variety for DirectX 10 pieces.

A lot of us suggest Newegg.com if you're in the states for your purchases. Good selection, prices, FAST delivery and incredible customer service.

[newbuilder14]

For the heatsink fan most people recommend the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

For the video card, don't invest in DX9 too much, the 7600gt from eVGA is plenty until you go for DX10 (which is the future):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130017

I have use both of those very products in my computer currently and am happy with them.

[glc]

The stock cooler is fine unless you raise the core voltage.

Threads merged. One thread per build, please.

[Tarmenion]

Hi again,

Trying to keep all my questions in one post as GLC suggested (sorry about that GLC)

I seem to be stuck on the motherboard now.

I am going with the E6600 for processor and eVGA 7950 (overclocked) that was suggested above.

Timpoet mentioned the Asus P5B LGA which seems to have many bad reviews so i am thinking twice on this board. Also checking the other 3 P5B boards out and can not figure out the difference. They are a little more money but with better reviews.

I might OC, not sure yet but like the option if i do.

Could someone tell me the difference in the 4 Asus P5B boards if possible.

Also what are other good named boards besides Asus that I should be looking at?

Thanks for any help

[glc]

The differences are primarily features. The most overclockable is probably the P5B-E.

The only other brand I recommend with the P965 chipset is Intel, but they are not overclockable. You will probably hear people reconmmending Gigabyte, Abit, and DFI but I'm not sold on any of those yet.