Need advice on new AMD system!

[matmike2]

Hey! Do you have any suggestions on the following build? I'm looking to upgrade a really old system (4yrs old). I want a system thats biased towards gaming... I'm especially interested in running Oblivion. Are all the following components compatible? I live in the UK so any prices quoted are in GBP (English pounds)

1. CPU: AMD AM2 Athlon 64 4600+ Windsor Core, Dual Core 2.4GHz, 512KB x 2 Cache, Retail
(need some suggestions here, dunno whether to go with this one or downgrade to the 4200+ and save 30 pounds or even the 3800+ and save 60 pounds)

2. ASUS M2N32-SLi Deluxe NF590 SLI, Socket AM2, PCI-E(x16), DDR2 800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX, Wireless
(Need help again! Whats the advantage of a NF590 board over a NF570? Im really confused here... Wanted this board for future compatibility and the opportunity to double up the graphics card)

3. 512Mb Gainward 7900GT, PCI-E (x16), Mem 1400 MHz, GPU 550 MHz, 24 Pipes, Dual DVI-I/S-Video
(Wanted to spend a good chunk of budget on graphics card... is this a good option? Will this provide me with the possibility of doubling up in the future?)

4. 1GB Corsair XMS2, DDR2 PC6400 (800), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-12
(Dont think i can afford 2GB with current specs... Is this ram compatible? Is it alright to have only one RAM chip? Might save up and buy a further 1gb in future... Is this ram compatible with motherboard?)

From now on i was trying to go for cheap options... Dunno if they are any good...
5. 80 Gb Samsung HD080HJ SpinPoint P80, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 8MB Cache, NCQ, 8.9 ms
(Dont really use that much HD space)

6. 550W Xclio X14S4P3 Modular SLi U-Quiet 14cm Fan 87%+ Efficiency Trio+12v EPS 4SATA PCI-E
(Dont really know that much about PSUs... will this provide enough power and be silent enough???)

Also... a few more questions....
i've been reading about 65nm processors being released in December... Will this system be compatible with them?
Sorry to bombard you guys with so many questions!
I'm not extremely computer literate so need all the help i can get!
Thanks!
Mike

 

[Manson_666]

I would also like to know if that motherboard (or well all the AM2 motherboards) support the next line of AMD processors.

 

[donco]

hey, lets go through it step by step

1. You should downgrade it to a x2 3800 and save some money for better ram. and theres the 65nm coming this december so dont spend to much on a cpu now

2. i you dont think you should go SLI now since new GPUs are supposed to come out soon and they will bust anything out now. I would buy M2N-E and save up some cash.

3. Like i said before theres new card coming out soon so i woulnt spend too much on gpu cuz it will be outdated in few months from now. the 7600gt has goof performance and will last you until the new cards arrive

4. With what we saved i think you can afford 2x1gb. i would go with Corsair 2048 with at least cas 4

5. You need more storage place than that i can assure you, with all those games and movie it wont last for too long. I would suggest you a WD 250gb 16mb cache. i dont remember the price but i should easily fit your budget.

6. I dont now this brand and i think you should go with the Antec TT550 and if you really want modular go with NeoHe 500

hope that helps

 

[matmike2]

Thanks for the reply! Just a few questions... Will this m/b your recommending be compatible with 65nm CPUs?

Also, about ram... I have found a few more options:


1. 2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC5400 (667), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12 ------125pounds------

2. 2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC6400 (800), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-12 ------145pounds------

3. 2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC6400 (800), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12, EPP ------195pounds-------

what do you think is the best option taking price into consideration?

 

[shadowduck]

Thanks for the reply! Just a few questions... Will this m/b your recommending be compatible with 65nm CPUs?

Also, about ram... I have found a few more options:


1. 2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC5400 (667), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12 ------125pounds------

2. 2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC6400 (800), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-12 ------145pounds------

3. 2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC6400 (800), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12, EPP ------195pounds-------

what do you think is the best option taking price into consideration?

1- No 667 is bad with AM2

2- No- CAS 5 is bad with AM2

3- BINGO

I agree with pretty much everything Donco says too. There is no reason to get a 4600+ now, and SLI is totally worthless unless you can get 2 video card within 90 days.

 

[SR71]

Here's some great RAM:

Mushkin eXtreme Performance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146108 153 GBP

Don't skimp on the PSU - perhaps the most important item in your rig:

SILVERSTONE SST-ST60F
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817163109 82 GBP

If your mobo is a 940pin AM2 then you should be okay when AMD issues their 65nm CPU's.

 

[weilin]

I hate to agree with shadow Duck (i like saving money too), but he's right. AM2 likes fast tightly timed ram. DDR2 800 + cas of 4 is almost required for the cpu to show improvement over socket 939 chips.

 

[matmike2]

ive also been recommended the MSI K9N SLI PLatinum as a m/b.... what do you guys think ???

 

[weilin]

srry no exp with that board, cant say anything either way.