New Project...Opinions?

[tireman]

Well, getting ready to start tinkering with the system in my sig and pushing it much farther than where it is now. Haven't done much with it yet because I wasn't ready to chance damaging it without a backup system. The other pc's in the house aren't good for gaming so I do not consider them backups. This is my initial list of parts. Most of these, I have never used before so I am looking for opinions and advice from anyone who has. Here's the list:

ASUS A8N-E Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester Proc

1 gig (2 x 512) Corsair XMS PC3200 Ram

LiteOn Dual Layer DVD Burner

LiteOn 16X DVD-Rom Drive

ATI X800XL PCI-e Video Card

Asus Vento ATX Case

Antec NeoPower 480W PSU

WD Raptor 74g Hard Drive (OS and Apps)

Seagate 300g Barracuda SATA HD (Storage)

Creative Labs 7.1 Audigy 2 ZS Sound Card

This rig will be used mainly for gaming and video editing. Total comes to around 1700.00 with shipping. My budget puts me in the range of about 2100.00. I already have another copy of XP pro, monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse. I have extra left in the budget and would like opinions on what else I might want to add or change as this will be my first AMD 64 build.

TIA
tireman

[doubledragon5]

Parts look good,but I think for a case a little over kill. You can get a decent case from Antec with a power supply for under $100.

[TheJackal]

I have to agree with doubledragon5, the case is a bit expensive, and you could get a case with more expansion for far less.

[tireman]

Originally Posted by doubledragon5 Parts look good,but I think for a case a little over kill. You can get a decent case from Antec with a power supply for under $100.

The case is something that I am pretty set on. Built a new system for my brother-in-law using that case last week and I fell in love with it.

tireman

[Panama Red]

Just some thoughts. I use the Liteon DVD roms quite a bit and have had no problems but many here claim them to be too noisy. Since your mobo comes with an outstanding onboard sound, why not forego the sound card for now and instead go with a 3500 Newcastle processor? I can't find them at Newegg but here's a retail package at ZZF.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...ctCode=80717-R

[tireman]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Since your mobo comes with an outstanding onboard sound, why not forego the sound card for now and instead go with a 3500 Newcastle processor?

After looking around a little more, that's probably not a bad idea (leaning that direction). Could try the onboard audio and see how I like it and add sound card later if it's not what I like. I'm thinking about using some of the extra in my budget to purchase another LCD so I can run duals.

[CaptainMoustache]

Look into some better cooling options, if you've got that much left in your budget you can go with some nice and very effective heatsink/fan upgrades. If it's your choosing, even put in a water cooling system, or some led's. All those parts look good so with that much left in your budget, looks like you're gonna spend it on cosmetic stuff

[tireman]

Originally Posted by CaptainMoustache Look into some better cooling options, if you've got that much left in your budget you can go with some nice and very effective heatsink/fan upgrades. If it's your choosing, even put in a water cooling system, or some led's. All those parts look good so with that much left in your budget, looks like you're gonna spend it on cosmetic stuff

Not much into cosmetics (the case itself is enough). The way this case is made, not really any place to put a much lighting. I have always replace stock HSF's right off the bat, just not sure what I want at the moment nor have I looked at that aspect yet. Any suggestions on the HSF? I'm not really keen on the water cooling for this one. My other system, however, is another story (for later though).

tireman

[LA22]

You said your going to OC your other computer right? Why not takle the sound card out of that one instead of buying a new one? Dont now if overclocking will ruin a sound card but if it does why waste it when you could just use it in your other system? and Like Panama Red said get a better processor. and maybe 2 gigs of ram?

[CaptainMoustache]

Originally Posted by tireman Not much into cosmetics (the case itself is enough). The way this case is made, not really any place to put a much lighting. I have always replace stock HSF's right off the bat, just not sure what I want at the moment nor have I looked at that aspect yet. Any suggestions on the HSF? I'm not really keen on the water cooling for this one. My other system, however, is another story (for later though). tireman

Niether am I, but I can't think of anything to spend that extra cash on, I've been looking into some pure copper HSF for my Video card and CPU by zalman

CPU

VGA

I'm going for a silent computer, but with this I can turn those fans up when I need to and turn them down when I want quiet.

[tireman]

Originally Posted by LA22 You said your going to OC your other computer right? Why not takle the sound card out of that one instead of buying a new one?

Yeah, it's already overclocked a little, just not as far as I think it will end up going. That sound card will probably stay though, I never did care for the onboard sound on that mobo.

Originally Posted by LA22 maybe 2 gigs of ram?

Also leaning that direction, not that I feel I need that much, but with all the newer software using so much more resources, might do it anyway. I don't plan on building another system for a while after this one.

tireman

[tireman]

Well, ordered everything today. Decided on the 3500 Newcastle proc, added a second 300gig storage drive, dropped the sound card for now, and stepped up to the X800XT by Sapphire. Still came in under budget. Should all be here by the end of the week. Thanks for the suggestions!

tireman

[Panama Red]

Nice, tireman! That thing is gonna rock!

[tireman]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Nice, tireman! That thing is gonna rock!

I hope so...Momma gonna string me up if it don't! I'm pretty excited, first new build for me in a long time. Gotten tired of building similar systems for customers and crying when they pick them up (granted they were all intel systems, haven't even sold an athlon 64 yet).

[tireman]

OK....the stuff made it here Friday. Got ready to put everything together, went though all kinds of problems. Having to RMA the video card, no big deal, but the case was severely damaged. Granted the box was in perfect shape, the whole front of the case was bashed in and cracked. So much for my weekend project.

tireman

[Panama Red]

Bummer tireman! Ya gotta file a freight claim for the case or deal with the supplier?

[tireman]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Bummer tireman! Ya gotta file a freight claim for the case or deal with the supplier?

Bought it from newegg, let them know what was going on. They are going to take care of it. From the looks of it, the case was damaged BEFORE it was packed, good QC there. Was told by newegg that this was the third Asus case that was shipped like that. Instead of taking another chance, just ordered my SECOND CHOICE CASE. I like the other case, but I have built a few rigs using the Thermaltake and really like it. That and the wife had a friend of hers build me a custom desk for an early anniversary gift. The desk has alot of glass and black anodized aluminum so that case will look really sharp.

So with nothing to do this weekend, I added some PC3200 to my overclocking rig, new HSF and such and am in the process of tinkering with it right now. Moved it all to an Antec SX835 case and did some wiring mods, cleaned everything up to get some better airflow. So now, I can start pushing that FSB. Got a wild hair during the NASCAR race today and modified one of the bay covers to accomodate a 2 line lcd display (just for kicks), that kept me busy.

tireman

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by tireman Got a wild hair during the NASCAR race today....

During the 45 minute red flag cleanup, eh?

[David M]

Nice rig! I don't know which HSF you purchased but I am happy with the Venus 12 in my first computer, an AMD FX-51. It's noisy at full speed but you can turn it down when your not doing full on overclocking or heavy graphics applications. Enjoy!

[tireman]

Originally Posted by David M Nice rig! I don't know which HSF you purchased..

Purchased the Thermalright XP90-C. Might be a little overkill, but the room that I run my computers in tends to be a little warm in the summer, so extra cooling helps.

[tireman]

Originally Posted by Panama Red During the 45 minute red flag cleanup, eh?

Exactly! That was crazy! I was just happy to see Stewart get a 2nd place finish....

Well, my case made it today, just waiting on the video card now. Newegg was very prompt, according to the tracking, should receive the card tomorrow. Plan to spend Thursday building the rig.

tireman

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by tireman Exactly! That was crazy! I was just happy to see Stewart get a 2nd place finish....

Yea, I was glad Tony got 2nd place too........I was (and always am) pullin' for Jeff! Go 24!!

[tireman]

Well, it's all together and posted fine. Everything looks good. Getting ready to load windows as we speak. Temps seemed a little high right off the bat, but took the HSF off, did some cleaning and polishing, reaseated it and all is well so far.

tireman