new system build - comments please (am2)

[xJedix]

alright, this is what I have in mind... Trying to keep everything under $1k.

Case + psu - ($37.50)
LOGISYS Computer Area 51 CS51WBK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case With 24pin, SATA connector 450W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811148030

450w should be plenty right?

motherboard - ($96.99)
ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

Cpu - ($358.99)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2000MHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103747

Ram
this is one place I got questions, for cash reasons... i'm sticking with 1gig
which choice should I go? or something else then these?

Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory (timing 4-4-4-12) - ($117.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220143&ATT=20-220-143&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me

or

OCZ Dual Channel Gold XTC 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 512MB) (timing 5-5-5-12) - ($117.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:2261|c:2264|&Sort=0

or

OCZ Gold 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel KIt System Memory (timing 5-5-5-10) - ($111.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227029

video card - ($99.99)
XFX GeForce 6800 Xtreme / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1828833&Sku=P450-8576

dvd burner - ($38.99)
SAMSUNG Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATA/ATAPI DVD Burner With LightScribe - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151118

sata hdd - ($50)
Seagate / 160GB / 7200 / 8MB / SATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1639147&CatId=0

total is about $800

I need to get an os, I need xp right? to work with the amd x2? so thats another $140.

total $940.

keyboard, mouse, and monitor I have.

Basically, could you look to make sure everything works? that everything is compatable with eachother. My main question is with the ram, which one should i get? I have done some reading and some people say that the ocz ram doesn't work with the m2n-e motherboard. is that true? do I need to worry about that? and also, will the dvd burner work with my motherboard?

also, what other things might I need to fully build and run this computer? I will be getting a few more fans for the case and a fan controller. Does the cpu come with a heatsink+fan? or do I need to get one? and any suggestions?

Thanks a lot..... xJedix

 

[ArbY]

I don't see why the OCZ memory wouldn't work with the mobo. I know it was developed when AM2 was still under the knife, so initial reviews and benchmarks show that particular memory being stuck in an Intel board.
If it doesn't work then my friend is screwed because I picked him out OCZ Gold Series 2GB (2 X 1GB), 5-5-5-10.

Based on a February article where 16 different versions of DDR2 RAM were tested by Toms Hardware, the Corsair XMS2 DDR2-1000 came out on top while the Patriot DDR2-1000 memory came in second. The OCZ Platinum series RAM took third place out of the 16 contenders.
You can read the article for yourself: here
It's 34 pages and not the clearest thing you'll ever pick through, but the info's there ... you just have to look.

What PSU have you picked out? Oh wait, it comes with the $37 tower. I'd seriously consider getting a name brand PSU to complement that system.
How much would you be willing to spend?
- Enermax Liberty, 500W ($99.99) - link
- Antec TruePower 2.0, 550W ($89.99) - link
- Enermax Liberty, 400W ($79.99) - link
Regarding the Enermax Liberty 400W:

that 400w PSU is rated to produce 40amps total (two 20amp +12v 'rails'...which are more important than watts) it makes more than enough power for just about any system, as even a dual video cards computer might only be using 250watts or so at full load....it really can provide 420 true watts as it is conservatively rated, you can read this review on it

All of those are good PSU choices. I'd highly recommend any of them.

I'd also recommend a sturdier tower.
- The Thermaltake Armor is a very popular choice ($154.99 or 134.99 w/ Mail-in Rebate) - link
- Antec PlusView II ($94.81) - link
- Cooler Master Centurion 5 ($55.99) - link
The Cooler Master case would be a budget case as well. So, if you're tight
on cash that's my recommendation.

You'll want a reliable PSU to last you, and a sturdy tower to ensure everything stays together and you have room to upgrade in the future. PSU, you definitely don't want to skimp on. A cheap tower, you might get away with, but it'll probably lead to more headaches down the road.

EDIT - if you're buying a retail CPU (that comes in the original Manufacturer's box) it does come with a heatsink/fan pair. It should also say that bit of information on the Newegg page.

Good luck.

 

[shadowduck]

***CHEAP PSU ALERT***

Agree with the other poster. Get a real PSU. It if comes with a $37 case, its prolly about $21 PSU, which will totally suck.

 

[xJedix]

would this be better?
ASPIRE X-Navigator ATXA9NW-AL/500 Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144125

I don't quite want to pay that much for a case and psu

 

[margag_]

Please note that the psu is a critical component in a system when you want to overclock and for video card.

1. The wattage rating is the total of watts for the diff rails in the psu 12v 5v 3.3v rail it is important to check the amps for the 12v rail
Some psu have a 'split' 12v rail(not 2 as stated) like the antec true power 2.0 wich is very good.

2. psu is a major part in cooling the computer

3. efficency varies a lot from brand to brand. (means a 500w rated psu when loaded produce more heat and less amps so watts are wasted as much as 40% FOR CHEAP PSU)

4. LISTEN TO THE PROS and d'ont wreck 1000$ computer to save couple of bucks on a cheap psu !

 

[andyzzdae38]

I have just built an AM2 system myself. I have the m2n-e motherboard and the patriot 2x512mb ram and it works perfectly. I also have the thermaltake 430w psu seen here. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

It only has 2 sata power dongles but a good case will come with some splitters. As for the DVD burner, the board has 1 ide slot for you to use. It also has a floppy slot if you have one of those. Overall nice system.

 

[xJedix]

Okay, you have convinced me I should get something better.

Antec TruePower 2.0, 550W sounds pretty good, I will just have to look for a case and see what I actually want for one.

any other comments? I will probably wait till after intel conroe comes out to see if the x2's drop in price like they said they would. That would be nice

 

[clue69less]

I need to get an os, I need xp right? to work with the amd x2? so thats another $140.

You can find XP Home for ~mid-80 buck range. If you don't need XP Pro, Hoime will do fine. You could take the $55 saved there and add it to the case + PS allocation to get a quality power supply.