New Game Machine

[stano]

I'm going to build a new system and just want to run it past this forum for review. This will be a gaming computer.

Mobo Asus A7N8X
CPU xp 2700 333 FSB
Mem Carsair pc 3200 2x256MB
Vidio Radeon 9700 Pro..the Hercules
HS Vantec N87 Aeroflow VA4-C7040
PS Enermax EG365P-VE FC
Modem U.S.Robotics USR5610B 56k V.92
Floppy Alps3:5 Inch FDD
HD WD"Special Edition" 80GB 7200 8MB Catch
Sound Voyetra Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
Speak Logitech Z-680 5.1
Mice Logitech MX700 Cordless Optical
KBord Microsoft Natural PS2 KB Elite
Case Lian-Li PC_60 USB B
CD Drive will probably be a 48x Lite-On

Well how does this look?
Do you think I'll have any compatabilty issues...I want "easy"
Am I spending my money wisely???
I guess I'll use WindowsXP Home Edition as a OS.

18r
StanO

No Cats or Geese where actually harmed in the making of Might & Majic IX<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by stano on 02/21/03 08:08 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

If you buy ASUS A7N8X Deluxe, then you don't have to buy Voyetra Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. It's onboard audio is better than Santa Cruz and Audigy.

Other components are OK

<b> "You can put lipstick on a pig, but hey, it's still a pig!" - RobD </b>

 

[RCPilot]

Yea, I agree.

If it ain't broke, take it apart & see why not!

 

[bonesdad1]

Looks good...you getting a CD drive or CDRW???

my sig left me for an Honorary Guru...

 

[perik57]

The cordless mouse I would be hesitant on for gaming... I've never used one but can't imagine getting the same responsiveness as a corded one .. just a thought

Location..., Location...,Location !!!!

 

[Teq]

As has already been pointed out, the cordless mouse may be less than adequate for rapid moves in gaming. Save a few bucks and get the standard optical mouse.


<b>(</b>It ain't better if it don't work.<b>)</b>

 

[Quetzacoatl]

I would avoid the A7N8X, if you just look around, there are a lot of threads out there that people have had problems with that board. Not reccomended.

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...

 

[stano]

OK I'll go with the A7N8X Deluxe, if the sound chip has improved this much, thats great. Not only will this save me $30;bring the total cost to $1800, it will elimiate a address on the IP,or where ever they are. One less conflict!

I thought I read somewhere that the mobo didn't have the hook-ups for the center or bass speakers but I'm sure I am mistaken if this is 6 channel sound chip..??.

How about EAX,sound effects, that different games use. Does the sound chip offer this....just wondering.

18r
StanO

No Cats or Geese where actually harmed in the making of Might & Majic IX

 

[fiask0]

Most people's problems from the a7n8x i have to believe evolve from their lack of knowledge with the board, or with the products their putting into the board. I haven't had any problems with mine whatsoever. Get good quality memory, get a good quality power supply, don't put cheap stuff in the motherboard, and be careful when you install everything. There's several people on here that are happy with their motherboard.

 

[stano]

What is a good CDRW to get....??
48x12x48....or 48x24x48 I want a burner that will be able to play CDs on a home system.

18r
StanO

No Cats or Geese where actually harmed in the making of Might & Majic IX

 

[4Ryan6]

For gaming go with a large size ball, Trackball Mouse, Man I'll never go back to a regular mouse, Trackballs are ten times better.




Details, Details, Its all in the Details, If you need help, Don't leave out the Details.

 

[stano]

HE HE I was smiling when I added the mouse...cordless.....
This is the MX700
From what Logitech has to say the reporting ratio is the same as any corded USB mouse......five times larger than any other cordless mouse.

"All three technical advances,increases reports per second, fast data-transmission rate and reduced preparation time, work togeather as a unique system to provide a superior user experience."

The 700 comes with a fast-charge base....maybe I'l be able to stop buying AAA batteries..!!.

Gaggetgeek here......

18r
StanO

No Cats or Geese where actually harmed in the making of Might & Majic IX

 

[stano]

Thats what I"m thinking fiaskO.

And if I run into any "sheep" while doing the assembly, I got U guys....????.

still looking for the "hurry-up" key
StanO

No Cats or Geese where actually harmed in the making of Might & Majic IX

 

[fiask0]

Newegg has a lite-on cd-rw 48-24-48 i think, might even be 54-24-54 for something like 60 dollars. People seem to be very happy with it. Im sticking with my plextor 12-10-32 eheh

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Get LiteOn 48x/24x/48x CD-RW or LiteOn 52x/24x/52x CD-RW. Since they cost almost equal now, get any of these two. You won't notice the performance increase in 52x CD-RW, just get the "cool" 52x/24x/52x speed tag on your drive

<b> "You can put lipstick on a pig, but hey, it's still a pig!" - RobD </b>

 

[LumberJack]

That's a pricy processor. I think AMD has lost it's edge right now. I am upgrading and I say Intel offers better preformance for same price. The XP2700 is selling about the same as the 2.8 Ghz P4 so I would say go with an Intel. You can still overclock it descently dispite a locked mulitplier. Good call on the ram, cheap stuff is not seriously reliable.

Everything else looks fine. Just make sure you partition that drive and let XP have it's own partition. Will increase your speed and descrease your seek time. Guaranteed. Especially if you do a lot of file swapping.

To err is human... to really screw things up you need a computer!

 

[stano]

Once I get this system up and running I am going to try a trackball. I'll have to look up Crashman's review on them...!?!

18r
StanO

No Cats or Geese where actually harmed in the making of Might & Majic IX

 

[4Ryan6]

I use the Microsoft Trackball Explorer, its superb with first person shooters, when turning around too slow, could cost you the game.



Details, Details, Its all in the Details, If you need help, Don't leave out the Details.

 

[KWPLunchbox]

I've been using a Logitech Trackman in one form or another for over 10 years now. Best ever. Thumb action and no extra desk space needed. The A7N8X Deluxe rocks. I've got one and have no problems.

<font color=purple>AMD XP 2200+, A7N8X, 512mb PC3200 Corsair XMS DDR, Geforce3 Ti-500, Audigy Platinum, TDK 48x CDRW, Lite-On 16x DVD, XP Pro, and more neon than a ghetto sled </font color=purple>