Please advise on my $2,000 Intel build :)

[Soundwave]

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've posted here, but you were all so great in helping me build my first system (almost three years ago), so I figured I'd try to get some advice on my second system! This time around I'm going to stick with Intel, and I'll be using this computer for gaming, music recording, light video-editing, and general use (web surfing, word processing etc). I've settled on trying to keep the system near $2,000.

I've been lurking on these forums, reading endless reviews, comparing and contrasting hardware, and studying up for the last ten days. Ten days ago, I knew virtually NOTHING about the current pc trends, so you've all been a great help. This is what I've come up with:

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Motherboard: ASUS "P5GD2 Deluxe" 915P Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-131-506&depa=1

Processor: Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 540 3.2 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache w/ Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-116-183&depa=1

System RAM: CORSAIR VALUESELECT Kit 240-Pin 1GB(2 x 512MB) DDR2 PC2-4200, Model VS1GBKIT533D2 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-145-526&depa=1

Video Card: Chaintech nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB DDR3, 128-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, PCI-Express, Model "SE6600G" - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-145-098&depa=1

Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value Sound Card, Model "SB0400" - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-102-175&depa=1

Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM Drive Only

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-144-200&depa=1

Hard Drive 2: Maxtor 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model 6B250S0, OEM Drive Only

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-144-358&depa=1

Case: ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with Swiveling Front Control Panel features
LED Display, Model "P160"

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-129-141&depa=1

Power Supply: Antec 480 watt 120mm fan ATX 12V v2.0 power supply, Active PFC, Model "NeoPower"

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-103-924&depa=1

Extra Case Fan: Antec All Clear 120mm SmartCool Thermally Controlled Case fan, Model "75012"

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-129-033&depa=1
DVD/CD Burner: NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3520A, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-152-040&depa=1

Mouse: Logitech Laser Cordless Mouse (Blue/Black), Model "MX1000" -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-104-158&depa=1

Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite PS/2 104keys

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-109-126&depa=1

Speakers: Creative Inspire T5400 5.1 Speakers -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-116-137&depa=1

Monitor: SAMSUNG SyncMaster 997DF-T/T 19" DynaFlat CRT Monitor -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-001-166&depa=1

Floppy Drive: SONY Beige 1.44MB 3.5Inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-109&depa=1

Printer: CANON PIXMA IP4000 Photo Printer, 25PPM, 4800 x 1200 DPI, Color/B& W

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-102-154&depa=1

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Overall, this setup prices out to about $2,150 at the moment. I've been using Newegg, ZipZoomFly, and Pricegrabber (although I'd prefer to buy from Newegg if at all possible). I'm willing to pay that much if the system performance will live up to what I'm spending..

My questions for you are as follows:

1) RAM: My motherboard, as I understand it, supports my CPU's "quad-pumped" FSB speed of 800 mhz. From what I've read, it seems that the best setup is to run memory which synchronizes to this (i.e... if it were just DDR, pc3200 running at 400 mhz would be running in sync with my CPU/mobo). However, the DDR2-533 that I've been looking at is actually cheaper than the DDR2-400, so that's what I've been looking into buying. What would happen if I ran DDR2-533 in this setup? Would it clock down to match the processor/mobo?

2) Hard-drive setup: My theory is that I will use the WD Raptor 360 as my "operating system / application / install" drive, from which I'll run my programs etc., but not actually store any large files on. I would then use the Maxtor 250 GB 7200rpm drive (which does have a 16mb cache, by the way!) as my main storage disk. I also plan to throw another Maxtor 120 gb 7200 rpm drive that I own into the setup. Are these good ideas?

3) Over-clocking: From what I've read, the setup I'm buying seems to be very friendly to over-clocking. Meaning... once I finally learn how to overclock (I've never tried!), I would have a good rig for doing so. Is this correct?

4) Sound Card: I am leaning towards the Audigy 2 Value model instead of the Audigy 2 ZS for several reasons; a) it seems like the Value is the same as the ZS, but is just missing the firewire port and a few 6.1 features b) the price, and c) I don't need the software/games with the ZS bundle. Anything I'm missing here?

5) Power Supply: Is the Neopower 480W overkill for this system? It's funny... to be spending more on the power supply than the case itself (which is Antec's top model!), but for some reason, with all the expensive components in this rig, it feels right to me. Please advise on what you think my power draw will be like in this setup, and what room I'll have to upgrade in the future.

6) Cooling: Right now, I'm looking to purchase an additional 120mm fan (the Antec "smart" fan..) to supplement the standard 120mm that is included with the Performance One case. I would use the smart fan as exhaust in the rear of the case, and the standard fan in front of the hard-drive cage as an intake fan. Do I need this much cooling, and how noisy do you think it might get?
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My goal with this system is to have a cutting-edge computer that's a solid performer for games and mulitimedia in the present, and highly future-proof (hence, my choice of the 915 chipset) for a planned upgrade a few years down the line. Hopefully, I've drawn the right conclusions from my research and picked quality parts all across the board.

Sorry to make such a long post... It's just kinda the way I work. If you stuck with me and read all of that, I'd love some of your feedback. Let me know if there's anything you think I should be doing differently with this system.


Thanks!!

-Soundwave

[fedz]

Links not working...

1. I'd recommend this motherboard over the one you suggested:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-503&depa=0

DDR2 does not perform any better than normal DDR at the moment, as DDR tends to run at lower latencies. Your DDR2 would run on a divider. However, if you want to be future-proof get this motherboard (has both DDR2 and DDR slots):
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-519&depa=1

2. As for RAM, you'd want some good, low latency DDR:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-450&depa=1

3. Case:
The one you suggested is overpriced IMO. A good, well cooled case is the coolermaster centurion 5 (available in silver and blue schemes, and with/without side window). My personal preference is this one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...119-057&depa=1
coupled with this PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...153-006&depa=1

You might also want to consider Antec's Sonata case. Silent, good cooling, and its PSU will run your rig without problems, so no worries there.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-127&depa=1

4. Video card:
For $3 less, you get the same card from MSI with a much nicer software bundle:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-147&depa=1

Those 'improvements' should bring your cost down and performance up. The rest of the rig looks good to me.

fedz

edit: Your rig is, indeed, suited to overclocking. The video card overclocks by itself (with nvidia coolbits), and the CPU is a LGA775 prescott - 'nuff said.

When you finally want to overclock, all you need to do is get a new HSF combo, as the retail one is in most cases inadequate. You can try with the retail one, and I'm sure you can get above 3.6GHz with it (up to 3.8GHz in fact). However, I suggest you wait until your rig is getting obsolete and you need a little extra performance. In that case, get a thermalright XP-120 if you want to seriously overclock, or this little cooler from Gigabyte:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...128-003&depa=1

[kram 2.0]

I agree with fedz on most things - just a few of my comments.

1 - RAM. As your chipset is 915P, you should go regular DDR with 184 pins. PC3200 on two sticks of 512MB should do fine - a pack for a gig.

2 - HDD. Looks fine. If you load the OS on the Raptor, you're going to see a pretty darn fast load time.

3 - OC'ing - see fedz.

4 - Sound Card. There are indeed more differences between the Value Card and the Audigy2 ZS. One of them is that the Auidigy2 ZS is a THX certified sound card, meaning set to a industry standard high quality. As you selected a non-THX certified speaker set to accompany your sound card, you should be fine - Creative sound card and Creative speakers should sound very nicely.

5 - PSU. If you are overclocking no. Antec Neopowers are one of the most powerful power supply units on the market.

6 - Cooling. I'd suggest holding off on it until you get the system up and running - you may not even need it.

kram

[fedz]

Originally Posted by kram8806 I agree with fedz on most things - just a few of my comments. 1 - RAM. As your chipset is 915P, you should go regular DDR with 184 pins. PC3200 on two sticks of 512MB should do fine - a pack for a gig. 5 - PSU. If you are overclocking no. Antec Neopowers are one of the most powerful power supply units on the market. 6 - Cooling. I'd suggest holding off on it until you get the system up and running - you may not even need it. kram

1. The recommended corsair stuff is indeed dual channel, 2x512MB

2,4 - I agree!

5. Again, a high performance system with 6800 Ultra, 3 HDD's and 2 optical drives (tested on HardOCP and Anandtech) will not normally pass the 300W mark. The thermaltake I recommended is a good, solid PSU, and the 380W PSU included in the Sonata will do the job. I personally think the Neopowers are a little overpriced for home PC's, but good for SLi systems and servers. Another option would be a Thermaltake Xaser 480W (the new version - on Newegg). the old xasers had a couple of problems, but the new ones are rock solid and silent.

6. The cooling provided by both the Antec and Coolermaster cases is perfectly adequate. You might want to consider aditional cooling when you look to overclocking.

fedz

[Moose on the Loose]

If you intend to overclock, you will need a nice power supply with enough wattage. The 480W Antec Neopower is very nice if you intend to overclock. Also, you'll want to get different RAM, as you won't be able to push your FSB very far with ValueSelect RAM.

This is great overclocker's RAM: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...231-007&depa=1
It has TCCD chips, which is pretty much the hottest thing you can have in your RAM right now, if you intend to overclock. The RAM fedz posted is good too, but this one can have more voltages, I think.

Not that it matters but I own the 250 gb 16 mb cache Maxtor, and it's a very, very nice hard drive so far. The problem with it is the noise. When you access a program, you will hear a pretty loud rattling noise. I put my computer under my desk so it doesnt bother me, but if you're picky about noise, you might want to take a look at Seagate drives, they're supposed to be more quiet.

[Yuanji]

for overclocking, get either an OCZ powerstream PSU or the 480Neopower if modular is a must. also, if you are seriously considering OCing, don't get the 915Chipset board. you would definately not regret buying a 925 chipset board as the 915 chipset is a bad OCer. get the P5AD line. also, i have heard from a couple of members here, i think it was either HAL or PR that the Samsung 19" line wasn't as good as their 17" line and they've been having a couple of problems with the quality of their monitors.

[HAL9000]

I mentioned about the 19" Samsungs. They've been nothing but problems and I don't sell them anymore. Their 17" lineup is still good though.

[PCBrandon]

This PSU is a great one. Very stable and pretty quiet at low speeds. Even if you crank it up all the way, the sound is a low pitch, not too annoying like most other PSU's.

I just recently was messing around in my case, had my 2nd HDD unplugged from the PSU, and I went to plug it back in (computer was on), and a huge spark and flash came and the whole system shut down. Do you know how much that freaked me out?! About two minutes later when I tried to boot it up, it came up fine, no problems, still stable.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by PCBrandon I just recently was messing around in my case, had my 2nd HDD unplugged from the PSU, and I went to plug it back in (computer was on), and a huge spark and flash came and the whole system shut down. Do you know how much that freaked me out?! About two minutes later when I tried to boot it up, it came up fine, no problems, still stable.

Was the computer running when you did this? If it was, you're very lucky that your computer still works. Never ever work inside the computer if it's running.

Cricket

[mountainking]

Heres a recomendation... GET AMD!! j/k haha. Actually I would recomend going with a thermaltake or enlight psu. I'd prolly pick a 480w because your putting a lot of stuff into the system... and when you do decide to make a new pc, you will have sufficient wattage to keep that psu and not have to buy a new one.

[fedz]

What's wrong with the RAM I suggested Moose?
Cheap, within budget and very good performer. On top of that it's 1GB, and from a reliable make.
That Xaser is very good. I recommend it.

Yuanji: 915's overclock perfectly well within the 3-4.5 GHz range, enough for most, if not all. The first motherboard I suggested should be good.

fedz

[PCBrandon]

Originally Posted by Cricket Was the computer running when you did this? If it was, you're very lucky that your computer still works. Never ever work inside the computer if it's running. Cricket

As a matter of fact, it was on. That experience plus hitting my hand on my Ungarded fan on my ThermalTake Volcano 12+ heatsink, (comes ungarded), is making me think I really shouldn't work on it while it is on. (I normally don't though).

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 I mentioned about the 19" Samsungs. They've been nothing but problems and I don't sell them anymore. Their 17" lineup is still good though.

Agreed - 17inch Samsung monitiors, though are pretty dimm, are pretty nice. Built a system with a CRT 17inch and ran with very nice image quality.

kram

[Yuanji]

the thermaltake and enlight PSUs don't provide enough Amps on the 12V line for sufficient OCing. you should shoot for at LEAST 24A on the 12V line. the Neopower is good. Another good PSU is the 420W OCZ Powerstream. i would try to get a 470W Powerstream if you could since OCZ stopped manufacturing them and if you RMA, they will probably send you a 520 as a replacement

[digitalfreedom64]

Here's somemore ram to consider
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...220-033&depa=1

[kevinf]

Originally Posted by fedz Links not working... 1. I'd recommend this motherboard over the one you suggested: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-503&depa=0 DDR2 does not perform any better than normal DDR at the moment, as DDR tends to run at lower latencies. Your DDR2 would run on a divider. However, if you want to be future-proof get this motherboard (has both DDR2 and DDR slots): http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-519&depa=1 2. As for RAM, you'd want some good, low latency DDR: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-450&depa=1 3. Case: The one you suggested is overpriced IMO. A good, well cooled case is the coolermaster centurion 5 (available in silver and blue schemes, and with/without side window). My personal preference is this one: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...119-057&depa=1 coupled with this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...153-006&depa=1 You might also want to consider Antec's Sonata case. Silent, good cooling, and its PSU will run your rig without problems, so no worries there. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-127&depa=1 4. Video card: For $3 less, you get the same card from MSI with a much nicer software bundle: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-147&depa=1 Those 'improvements' should bring your cost down and performance up. The rest of the rig looks good to me. fedz edit: Your rig is, indeed, suited to overclocking. The video card overclocks by itself (with nvidia coolbits), and the CPU is a LGA775 prescott - 'nuff said. When you finally want to overclock, all you need to do is get a new HSF combo, as the retail one is in most cases inadequate. You can try with the retail one, and I'm sure you can get above 3.6GHz with it (up to 3.8GHz in fact). However, I suggest you wait until your rig is getting obsolete and you need a little extra performance. In that case, get a thermalright XP-120 if you want to seriously overclock, or this little cooler from Gigabyte: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...128-003&depa=1

why that motherboard, whats wrong with the mobo he picked just wanted to know

[fedz]

It was a DDR2 mobo. If you'd read my post, I said that DDR2 doesn't offer a performance increase, and it's expensive. The motherboard is also expensive, so i suggested a cheaper mobo which supports DDR.

I'd also recommend Corsair over Patriot/PDP tbh.

fedz

[digitalfreedom64]

Originally Posted by fedz I'd also recommend Corsair over Patriot/PDP tbh.

Whatever, doesn't really matter, they are both great fo OCing. I'm just trying to give options, PR reccomended Patriot/PDP to me. I wouldn't go with value ram, this corsair value ram i have hates to OC.

[fedz]

How about the XMS stuff I recommended? Anyone used it?
PDP RAM just has problems stiking to rated speeds, whereas bigger brands tend to have more leeway, that's all. It's not that the RAM won't work, it'll just work at lower speeds than its rated at

fedz

[Moose on the Loose]

The G.Skill RAM or PDP/Patriot RAM will overclock better than the corsair RAM because it uses Samsung TCCD chips.

[fedz]

It would be better to wait until better makes release TCCD based RAM. Again, that patriot stuff has difficulty sticking to the rated speeds.

fedz

[Moose on the Loose]

Both G.skill and PDP/Patriot RAM is being used by thousands of overclocker enthusiasts, if they were so shoddy I doubt so many people would buy them.

Moose

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=132949
http://www.hardcoreware.net/forum/ar...p/t-21100.html
http://www.ocforums.com/archive/index.php/t-349610.html

[fedz]

Originally Posted by fedz that patriot stuff has difficulty sticking to the rated speeds.

I never said they were shoddy, just they don't extract maximum performance from the TCCD chips yet.

fedz

[Moose on the Loose]

I edited with some lecture

[Soundwave]

Whoops, looks like I screwed up the links on my first post, and now it's too late to edit. These should work:

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Motherboard: ASUS "P5GD2 Deluxe" 915P Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-506&depa=1

Processor: Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 540 3.2 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache w/ Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...116-183&depa=1

System RAM: CORSAIR VALUESELECT Kit 240-Pin 1GB(2 x 512MB) DDR2 PC2-4200, Model VS1GBKIT533D2 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...145-526&depa=1

Video Card: Chaintech nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB DDR3, 128-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, PCI-Express, Model "SE6600G" - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-098&depa=1

Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value Sound Card, Model "SB0400" - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-175&depa=1

Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM Drive Only

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-200&depa=1

Hard Drive 2: Maxtor 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model 6B250S0, OEM Drive Only

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...144-358&depa=1

Case: ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with Swiveling Front Control Panel features
LED Display, Model "P160"

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-141&depa=1

Power Supply: Antec 480 watt 120mm fan ATX 12V v2.0 power supply, Active PFC, Model "NeoPower"

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...103-924&depa=1

Extra Case Fan: Antec All Clear 120mm SmartCool Thermally Controlled Case fan, Model "75012"

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-033&depa=1

DVD/CD Burner: NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3520A, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-040&depa=1

Mouse: Logitech Laser Cordless Mouse (Blue/Black), Model "MX1000" -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...104-158&depa=1

Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite PS/2 104keys

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...109-126&depa=1

Speakers: Creative Inspire T5400 5.1 Speakers -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...116-137&depa=1

Monitor: SAMSUNG SyncMaster 997DF-T/T 19" DynaFlat CRT Monitor -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...001-166&depa=1

Floppy Drive: SONY Beige 1.44MB 3.5Inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-109&depa=1

Printer: CANON PIXMA IP4000 Photo Printer, 25PPM, 4800 x 1200 DPI, Color/B& W

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-154&depa=1

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[Soundwave]

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice! I was working the past few days and unable to get home and post. I have several more questions regarding your suggestions.

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1) RAM / MOTHERBOARD: One of the reasons I chose to go with a DDR2 setup is because I felt like... if socket 775 was the future for Intel (and would become more widely accepted in, say, the next 2 years) I wouldn't mind spending the extra $75 or so for the more expensive motherboard + RAM (thus making room for adding more DDR2 RAM in a few years, as opposed to having to buy the older DDR). Now that's assuming equal performance between DDR + DDR2. However, after thinking about it a bit more, I realize that there really is no performance gain with buying the Corsair "valueselect" DDR2 for $217 from Newegg (that includes sales tax + shipping), as opposed to getting an equivalent DDR setup (which will actually have lower latencies).

Bearing that in mind, I think I might want to make a change to the "ASUS P5GDC Deluxe" motherboard ($173, with shipping and tax) instead of the "Asus P5GD2 Deluxe" ($201, with shipping and tax). The P5GDC lacks a few features of the P5GD2, specifically a wireless LAN port and the four extra SATA connecters from the Silicon 3114R controller. However, it has support for both DDR AND DDR2, which would allow me to go with DDR and at the same time have room for a possible upgrade to DDR2 (if it ever became more realistic).

Here's a link to the motherboard:

ASUS "P5GDC Deluxe" i915P Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-519&depa=1


If I were to make this change, I would look to get this RAM, which would cost the same as the DDR2 that I was looking at ($219 for the XMS DDR, as opposed to $217 for the ValueSelect DDR2) while offering lower latency.

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-450&depa=1

What do you guys think of this? Also, what would be the overclocking ramnifications of the XMS DDR PC-3200 versus the ValueSelect DDR2?

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2) Hard-drive: Is the WD Raptor 360 overrated? At $123 (with shipping and sales tax) and only 37 GB of storage, I was planning on using this drive only to install my OS and Progams/Games. I prefer to isolate my actual storage of data files on a seperate hard drive from my OS, to protect the data from possible problems on the OS drive as well as make re-formatting much easier.

My question is.... what actual real performance gain will I see from running my OS/Programs/Games off of the Raptor, as opposed to running off of a good 7200 RPM drive? Would I be better served by taking the $100-125 for the Raptor and either A) buying something cheaper or B) spending more on, say, the graphics card and/or processor?

I'm still planning on buying the Maxtor 250 GB drive.

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3) Case / Power Supply: I am actually pretty happy with my choice of the Antec Performance One case, and that's what I'll be buying.

As far as the power-supply goes, I feel like the NeoPower is probably just a tad bit more than I need. I would like to learn how to overclock, but I think I'll probably wait a year or so after I buy the system to do so. Keeping that in mind, I still feel like the NeoPower wouldn't be a bad investment... first of all because it's obviously a sweet power supply that can handle this system, but also because it seems of the quality that I can probably use it in my next system as well, and it will still be great.

If I were to buy a different one, I would probably get this:

Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...153-007&depa=0

Which would cost me $68 (with shipping and tax) as opposed to $136 for the NeoPower from Newegg. So I could save myself $68 and still have a pretty good PSU. Hmm... gonna have to think about this some more What do you think?

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4) Monitor: Could you tell me, specifically, what problems there were with the Samsung 997's? Because I've owned a 19" Samsung Syncmaster 955 DF for three years now, and it has been very high quality with no problems. Please let me know if there's anything, specifically, I should know about.

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I recognize the benefits of the AMD platform, but I'm going to be building and Intel system this time.

Thanks for all of your advice!

-Soundwave

[shadowbreaker513]

2) That particular raptor is overpriced. For around $50 more, you can get the 74gb version, which should hold all of you stuff.

3) Neopower is right now more than any system needs. Also, if you want to overclock, good luck doing it with ValueRam.

[digitalfreedom64]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 2) Also, if you want to overclock, good luck doing it with ValueRam.

As I pointed out earlier, but the valure ram keeps getting brought back up.

[HAL9000]

Originally Posted by Soundwave 4) Monitor: Could you tell me, specifically, what problems there were with the Samsung 997's? Because I've owned a 19" Samsung Syncmaster 955 DF for three years now, and it has been very high quality with no problems. Please let me know if there's anything, specifically, I should know about.

I've been selling Samsung for several years now and their 19" have always been problematic. You were fortunate enuf to get one that has been running well. It's always seemed to have been the same problem... blurry display, especially around the edges. I would say I've had to send in over 50% of the Samsung 19" monitors I've sold within the first 6 months. In 4 years, I've returned less than 1% of 17" Samsungs that I've sold.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by fedz How about the XMS stuff I recommended? Anyone used it? PDP RAM just has problems stiking to rated speeds, whereas bigger brands tend to have more leeway, that's all. It's not that the RAM won't work, it'll just work at lower speeds than its rated at fedz

I can only use my own experience with the PDP Patriot ram. The ratings on the label affixed to a PDP memory module says "PC3200/DDR400 2-2-2-5 PC4200/DDR533 3-4-4-8". This is for a Dual Channel kit of 2 x 256 XBL memory modules. I've run one kit in two different machines, my AMD oc toy and my P4P800 Deluxe Intel system. With the Intel system I was able to oc to 285fsb with my 2.4c with the memory at 2.5-4-4-8. It tested without error on Memtest86+. The AMD machine has performed comparably. I'm currently running 4 x 256 (1Gb) of this ram at 2-2-2-5 on the same P4 system at stock settings. In my opinion, this memory offers the best performance for the money spent. I think it was Tin Canary that first pointed out an article describing the different memory pcb's that memory makes were using. The article indicated that OCZ and PDP Systems were the two using a special pc board that improved the TCCD performance. I'll continue to recommend this memory to anyone looking for quality high speed memory at reasonable prices.