Second build, comments welcome

Nivram

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Jan 31, 2006
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Long time lurker, first time poster. This is my second build and would like to know if the following is ok for browsing and light/moderate gaming. Trying to keep it around $1000.

Here’s what I already have:

Mushkin Enhanced 1 gb (512 x 2) PC3200
Seagate 250 GB ATA133
Logisys Case 51W
Logisys POWER LAB 450watts power supply

The rest I plan to buy within the week:

AMD 64 3200 Venice
Asrock 939 Dual motherboard
Sony CRX320EB CD-RW/DVD
XFX GF 6200 PCI-E 256mb
Viewsonic widescreen 19” VA1912wb LCD monitor

I appreciate any feedback.
 

maxxum

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Jan 30, 2006
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For the price difference, I would go with a 6600GT. Why did you choose that monitor – its nice mind you, but it has an odd aspect ratio imo.
 

TurdBurglar

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If I were going to do light to moderate gaming, I would opt for more of a video card. One can easily build a $1000 rig that includes a $150-200 video card. I, too, find the monitor to be an odd choice. I would pick a different monitor and save some $. Just my opinions...Good luck.
 

Vascular

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Mushkin Enhanced 1 gb (512 x 2) PC3200
Seagate 250 GB ATA133
Logisys Case 51W
Logisys POWER LAB 450watts power supply

The rest I plan to buy within the week:

AMD 64 3200 Venice (decent for the money)
Asrock 939 Dual motherboard (why get if you are buying a video card: get an NF4 board)
Sony CRX320EB CD-RW/DVD
XFX GF 6200 PCI-E 256mb (get atleast a 6600gt if you are gaming at all)
Viewsonic widescreen 19” VA1912wb LCD monitor (better video card than the 6200 if you are planning to buy a nice monitor)

I appreciate any feedback.
 

maxxum

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For a monitor I would go with the ViewSonic 19” VX924.

For a MB I would go with a BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 Socket 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard if you want to go really inexpensive or a DFI LanParty UT nF4-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard if you want a little more out of your motherboard.
 

bourgeoisdude

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Dec 15, 2005
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Why the Asrock board if you're going to use a PCIe graphics card?

Price and reliability. That and it is the only board I'm aware of that has a future expansion slot to support Socket AM2...that's a wise choice. I agree though definately get a different video card maybe a GeForce 6800GS or GeForce 6600GT.
 

maxxum

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Why the Asrock board if you're going to use a PCIe graphics card?

Price and reliability. That and it is the only board I'm aware of that has a future expansion slot to support Socket AM2...that's a wise choice. I agree though definately get a different video card maybe a GeForce 6800GS or GeForce 6600GT.

Has there been a release from Asrock about an upgrade path to the newer AM2 verses the M2? And with ULi being retooled how will that affect things? Personally, of all the similar upgrade paths similar to this (aka Pentium Pro) in a couple of years who knows what will happen. Maybe they will all of a sudden break the 4Gb barrier and AM2 gets dropped like a hot potato in 2007 with only a few processors with a tiny manufacturing window.

Besides, this adapter is going to have to be HUGE if its going to support DDR2 memory which will increase the already cramped confines this board already squeezes into. I say most people are just going to upgrade motherboards verses buying a 40-50 buck expansion card with a questionable performance capabilities and an unsure lifetime.
 

FlyGuy

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http://www.asrock.com/product/939Dual-SATA2.htm

I had to email ASRock to actually know if it was refering to 'AM2' socket specifically, but the guy there did confirm that.

Not that I'm doubting you, I'm just curious. I don't see the AM2 information there. Do you need an adapter or something?

I have a friend who is thinking about updating his comp now and I told him to think about this board since he currenlty has a 6800GT. He then said he's probably going to wait for the new processor, which supports DDR2 and this board doesn't.
 

bourgeoisdude

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And that's the catch. There's an "AGP looking" slot that is designed to have a riser board that will house the new socket as well as RAM slots. Unfortunately to acquire this information I had to email ASRock. The Manual only lists it as a riser slot for "Future processor socket upgrades". The new 939NF4G-SATA2 board has it too, and it supports SLi but its a more expensive board. Worth it though you may want that one.

Yes the expansion riser probably costs as much as a new board would. They gave me no pricing info but I'm sure they will be on par with a new mobo. If not though I have another option, and that's what I care for--more options. I'm beginning to believe it may become more of a pain than it's worth...
 

FlyGuy

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Ah, yes! I see the sticker covering the extra slot on the pic at newegg. I remember reading something about a board that had an expansion slot for p4 or AMD, must have been the other one you mentioned.

You never know though, perhaps you will have an easy upgrade and won't have to spring for a new board with the new socket. Just have to wait and see and keep your fingers crossed!