New build opinions!

[cable guy]

Upgrading a computer with the following components, suggestions welcomed!

Mother Board - MSI K9A Platnium $129.99
Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz $119.99
Memory - Crucial DDR2 PC2-5300,1GB kit (512MBx2 $61.99
Video Card - Crucial Radeon X1300 PRO 256MB PCI Express $89.99
Hard Drive - Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L250R0 250GB/7200 RPM $69.99
OS - WIN XP PRO $139.99
Case and Power Supply ? ?

All parts are priced at Newegg except the memory and Video Card.

Thanks

[Alaron]

Not a bad list. Take a look at the Asus M2N-E. MSIs are 'ok' but not the best.

For the AM2 platform, you need to use DDR2-800.

Check that your Radeon does not use HyperMemory, some X1300s do.

Take a look at the Seagate 7200.10 SATA 320GB drive. They have a great warranty and GB/$ ratio.

If you need a case and PSU, look at the Antec Sonata II.

[cable guy]

Alaron,

Not a bad list. Take a look at the Asus M2N-E. MSIs are 'ok' but not the best.

The ASUS M2N-E SLI Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 500 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail is $94.99 at Newegg.

For the AM2 platform, you need to use DDR2-800.

This is the memory that was matched thru the Crucial Site for the MSi Motherboard? From AMD site,

Socket AM2
* PC2-3200, PC2-4200, PC2-5300 & PC2-6400 unbuffered memory modules.
* 240-pin 1.8-Volt DDR2 DIMMs.
* 128-bit DDR2 memory bus.
* Supports 128-Mbyte, 256-Mbyte, 512-Mbyte, 1-Gbyte, 2-Gbyte, 4-Gbyte and 8-Gbyte memory technology.
* Supports production DIMMs from industry standard DRAM memory manufacturers.

Check that your Radeon does not use HyperMemory, some X1300s do.

What is the drawback on that?

[Alaron]

Hypermemory means that the card uses some of your system ram for video performance. Best to get a card with dedicated ram for games, so you have all of your system ram for Windows. We have an indepth guide here if you're interested: http://www.pcmech.com/article/tech-i...ia-turbocache/

The AM2 platform is very particular when it comes to memory. The board 'supports' slower ram, but to ensure stability, you need DDR2-800.

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by Alaron Hypermemory means that the card uses some of your system ram for video performance. Best to get a card with dedicated ram for games, so you have all of your system ram for Windows. We have an indepth guide here if you're interested: http://www.pcmech.com/article/tech-i...ia-turbocache/ The AM2 platform is very particular when it comes to memory. The board 'supports' slower ram, but to ensure stability, you need DDR2-800.

Forgot to mention that this system will not be used for games, the priority is stability.


I will look into the memory, is this the memory that you are referring to,

Module Size: 1GB
Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR2 PC2-8000
Specs: DDR2 PC2-8000 • 5-5-5-15 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-1000 • 2.2V • 128Meg x 64

[whubbard]

Yes, that memory will work well with your system, and is what he was refering too.

I suggest this: ($70)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145566

or for $13 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145040

I think you will find these corsairs provide great performance, and they are very reliable. Also the 2nd one has a case latency of 4, which is faster than the memory you selected.

[cable guy]

What wattage power supply is required for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz CPU?

[Alaron]

The video card is the primary power draw in systems these days, and yours doesn't need much. I'd go with a 400w unit at least. The Antec Sonata II case I mentioned comes with a quality 450w unit that would be a great choice.

whubbard has the correct ram there for you as well. DDR2-800 is PC-6400.

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by Alaron The video card is the primary power draw in systems these days, and yours doesn't need much. I'd go with a 400w unit at least. The Antec Sonata II case I mentioned comes with a quality 450w unit that would be a great choice. whubbard has the correct ram there for you as well. DDR2-800 is PC-6400.

I will look into the case and ps, need that too.

Crucial has the 1GB kit (512MBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-6400 for $94.99. I am partial to Crucial for their qualtiy and service. Never heard of Ballistix before?

[Alaron]

Ballistix is their 'premium' ram with better internal timings then the regular ram. Crucial makes quality stuff, but the Corsair XM2 ram that whubbard linked to is known to work with the AM2 platform. AM2s are very picky when it comes to ram, so its best to stick with what is a proven combo. And Corsair is equally good quality, we recommend them often.

[whubbard]

I would suggest this also:

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119077
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112040

Psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954


Also:
As were all saying corsair ram is great. And since I'm recommending cases with a side panel (if you don't want that just say so) you can get some ram that will look pretty. Corsair has good ones (for an arm and a leg for a pair, which is why I had to stop at four sticks ).

here is a link to them:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145038

but really I think you might just want to get the other ram, as 512 seems to be enough for you. But if you want some LED fans or Cathodes to make your computer look 'cool' just say so. (i've looked into them a fair bunch for my "Desktop" listed in my sig.

[cable guy]

I want a basic biege case with a quality power supply.

[freakitchen]

As Alaron has already said, you want to be looking at a case with at least a 450w unit installed. There are a limited number of cases on the market with quality units installed - and the Antec Sonata II is pretty much the only one that fits this criteria.

You can go the alternative route of buying the FSP power supply that whubbard linked to, and then any case that you like to go with it, but its unlikely this combo would be any cheaper than the Sonata.

[cable guy]

Thanks!

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by Alaron Not a bad list. Take a look at the Asus M2N-E. MSIs are 'ok' but not the best. For the AM2 platform, you need to use DDR2-800. Check that your Radeon does not use HyperMemory, some X1300s do. Take a look at the Seagate 7200.10 SATA 320GB drive. They have a great warranty and GB/$ ratio. If you need a case and PSU, look at the Antec Sonata II.

I have considered switching to the Asus M2N-E motherboard. I can get the board for $89.25 at MWAVE, and $99.99 at Newegg,not sure on shipping costs. I like the onboard lan and sound features, no need for extra cards.
What are the benefits of the ASUS board over the MSI board,I have owned boards from both companies without any issues?

[freakitchen]

The M2N-E is a solid board. When recommending motherboards on a quality basis, we look at what manufacturers have put out consistently good quality boards over the years - and ASUS certainly tops this list.

I wouldn't have a problem building with an MSI board, but a few years ago, a number of their boards had problems with leaking capacitors (and so less than perfect quality control). For this reason, I'd rank them in the 'second tier' of quality along with Gigabyte, etc.

[cable guy]

I think I have things almost complete,

Motherboard, ASUS M2N-E

Processor, AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+(65W) Windsor 2.4GHz

Memory, Corsair CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC2 6400

Video Card, Crucial Crucial Radeon X1300 PRO 256MB PCI Express( can change still ?)

DVD Drive, Lite On LITE ON LH-20A1H-186 20X LIGHTSCRIBE DUAL DVD REWRITABLE

CDRW, Lite On SOHC-5232K-01 LITE-ON Beige 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 2MB Cache
ATAPI / E-IDE Combo Drive

OS, Microsoft MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL W/SP2 (DSP/OEM)

Hard Drive, Seagate Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS,320GB 7200 RPM 16MB
Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
Case, ?(still looking for a good beige one)

[minsonngo]

It would be better if both optical drives are SATA interfaced. I see that the CD writer you have picked out is IDE or ATA interfaced.

Why are you getting a seperate CD writer? Your DVD writer and write to CDs also.

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by minsonngo It would be better if both optical drives are SATA interfaced. I see that the CD writer you have picked out is IDE or ATA interfaced. Why are you getting a seperate CD writer? Your DVD writer and write to CDs also.

I wanted to make sure that a CD and DVD can be burned and read. The quality of some multi functional devices tend to suffer in one area. Any ideas on a SATA device for this system?

[Alaron]

You only need a DVDRW and a DVDROM. Then you can copy and burn anything.

Stick with the same choices but get the SATA models instead of IDE. LiteOn is a solid brand to go with.

[LeftyAce]

I've had no problem with the Lite On multi-function drives in my computer or in the one I built someone else. They burn and read CDs and DVDs just fine.

[minsonngo]

Yep... just stick with Lite-on SATA optical drives.

If you must get two opticals... go with dvd writer and a dvd rom drive as Alaron suggested.

[cable guy]

Found this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106071
At the end of the model number there is "bulk", what does this mean?

Good point on using a single drive, the two drive option will be more confusion to my parents than the single drive option.



Thanks everyone for the advice!

[minsonngo]

The drive you picked out is fine. Don't worry about the "bulk" in the model number.

If you spend a little bit more you can get this model. You get a little more for your money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106054

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by minsonngo The drive you picked out is fine. Don't worry about the "bulk" in the model number. If you spend a little bit more you can get this model. You get a little more for your money: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106054

Changed my list to this one.

Just finished reading a review on the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA Drive, the next build for myself will include one of these(as long as nothing new is available).

[freakitchen]

Just noticed that, in your last list, you hadn't decided on a case / power supply. You say that you specifically want a beige case - so here's Newegg's stock:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...955&name=Beige

The very few of those that ship with a quality power supply, however, do not include anything that's 450w. Suggest you choose one of those that doesn't have a power supply installed, and get this FSP unit to go in it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen Just noticed that, in your last list, you hadn't decided on a case / power supply. You say that you specifically want a beige case - so here's Newegg's stock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...955&name=Beige The very few of those that ship with a quality power supply, however, do not include anything that's 450w. Suggest you choose one of those that doesn't have a power supply installed, and get this FSP unit to go in it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

I had considered getting a case and then finding a quality power supply, this may be the route to take.

Thanks!

[cable guy]

What are the opinions on this memory for the setup, the cost is $159.99 for 2 1GB sticks.
http://www.buy.com/retail/Product.as...864&adid=17662

At Crucial the cost of 1 GB stick is $139.99

[Alaron]

How about 2GB for $108: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

That ram is overkill, you don't need DDR2-1000. And Buy.com isn't the best store to buy from.

[cable guy]

Originally Posted by Alaron How about 2GB for $108: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 That ram is overkill, you don't need DDR2-1000. And Buy.com isn't the best store to buy from.

That was my concern that I was purchasing memory at a increased price that gave little or no benefit. I would prefer to purchase from Newegg, I have had to RMA only one item on all the previous purchases. This will also benefit me in purchasing all hardware from one vendor, one order and all items are ordered.

Do you have a recommended video card that I can purchase at Newegg to replace the card that I selected at Crucial.

I will probably making my order at lunchtime today

Thanks for the help everyone!