New PC - help with memory and graphics card

[muttley]

I am about to buy a new PC and have decided to go for a MSI K8N NEO Platinum with either an Athlon 64 3200+ 2.2 GHz or 3400+ 2.4 GHz. Is it worth paying the extra for the 3400+ ?

My main problem is what kind of memory to get for this system. Should I go for 2x Crucial PC3200 DDR-DIMM 512MB CL3 5ns Unbuffered or Corsair twin 1024-3200 ?? In fact I have no idea what would be good for this kind of system! Are there any problems with 2x512 or should this be OK?

I have no experience with overclocking so I am looking for a system that will work well from the beginning.

Then there is the graphics card. Any recommendations for something that will work well with the above. I will have a mix of gaming and video processing.

Are there any compatability problems with 64bit systems and other hardware? For example I will get a DVD burner (NEC or Plextor) and a Hauppauge TV card.

Are there any other things to consider?

I would appreciate any help as I have now spent a while trying to sort this out.

 

[xeenrecoil]

heya Muttley;

The answer comes down to budget more then anything else, what can you afford?

If the answer is, I have tons of money to spend, well then the answer to your questions become alot easier, however if the answer is, I am on a somewhat more limited budget, then trade offs may be necessary.

if it were me, for CPU i would go with the 3400+. For ram 2x512MB of either manufacture is fine, although you may want to consider Samsung as well, which ever is the least expensive of the three. For Graphics card I would buy a R9800 Pro/XT, and if you need video in then pick up the All In Wonder version. There are no compatability problems with any combination of the hardware you have selected that i am aware of.

One thing you may want to consider is Power Supply, i recommend a Fortron Source, or antec True Power 400W+
you will need the extra wattage for all the powerfull hardware you want to run, whatever you do dont underestimate the importance of your power supply, you need a true power PSU that can handle a continuous 400W load.

Hopefully this will help make your decisions alot easier.

 

[Obtuse]

Personally, I think the 3200+ is the sweet spot, I wouldn't pay $120 more for 512 extra cache (the newer 3200 runs at 2.2, just like the 3400). As for mem, you shouldn't have any probs, twin just means the modules are matched so they can run in dual channel, but they also run fine in single. Graphics card is really a budget issue. If you want the best, x800 pro or 6800GT are both around $400 right now. If that's too much, a 9800 pro 128mb for around $200 is probably your best bet. As for 64 bit incompatibilities, none that I know of with that gear.

"It's too late now anyway. That song is stuck in my head and the only way to get rid of it is to blow it out. With a bullet!! - Carl

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Get 2.2 GHz A64 3200+

------------
<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A>

<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig</A> & <A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/benchmark.html" target="_new">3DMark score</A>

 

[muttley]

OK Thanks for the help.

I will go for the MSI K8N NEO Platinum
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.2GHz
TwinMOS PC3200 DDR-DIMM 1024MB Dual Pack Kit w/two matched PC3200 CL2.5 DDRs
PowerColour Radeon 9800PRO 128MB
Fortron Soucee 400W Power Supply

Any thoughts on that?

 

[Coyote]

I don't hear a lot of good things about the Powercolor brand. Try to find a built by ATI card or Saphire

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X200)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win98SE

 

[HardWareBoss]

How much can you spend on vid card? Intel better for video work you want to do.

 

[muttley]

I want to pay no more than $300. I live in Norway and things are expensive here.
I have found a Sapphire Radeon 9800 Atlantis Pro 128MB "Ultimate Edition" for $300 which I will take instead of the PowerColor. Thanks for the tip. Is this card OK?

I have decided on balanace that the AMD will suit my needs better than than the Intel.

 

[endyen]

If the Atlantis is 128 Mb with 128 bit bus, it is not good.

 

[reactin6]

i recently aquired an ATI radeon 9800 pro 256 bit 128 mb for 180 $ (OEM), its the same but without drivers and pretty box... it includes cables

 

[blah]

where if no secret?

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...

 

[muttley]

According to the sapphire tech site, for this card

http://www.sapphiretech.com/vga/9800proult.asp

"the 256-bit memory interface removes hardware performance bottleneck and provides end users with faster 3D graphics"

Is this what you mean?