Please Critique this Budget AMD System & recommend RAM

[DSebring]

Ok

In addition to the Conroe system I am building for me (thanks for all the tips on that one BTW), now the Teenager needs a new machine.

Please check this over for compatibility and recommend Good 1 GB RAM so I won't have any problems

Also could use a recommend on the PSU.

Cost IS a factor (tyring to stay close to $500) but can squeeze a little to keep stability good.


ABIT KN9S Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 550 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813127007

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Orleans 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3500CNBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103633

eVGA 256-P2-N541-TX Geforce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130020

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160811AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148149

NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model ND-3550A - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152055

I already have a case to use and Soundcard if needed.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[Newf]

The trick with getting GOOD Reliable RAM is to go to the OEM websites and ask for what works given your motherboard.
Here's 2 examples I found:
Corsair:
Twin2X1024-6400C4 (2x512MB kit) $154+0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145040
This is high quality XMS ram.

Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/1G (2x512MB kit) $140 but out of stock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820134116
This is standard Kingston value-ram.

Both choices should work just fine.
Other OEM sites also have this "configuration" option for their products, so if you prefer OCZ, Crucial, Mushkin, etc then go to their site.

Powersupply:
FSP AX450-PN 450watt 12v:2x18a PSU 20+4pin $52+8 8/18/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
A good solid no-bling choice. Twin 18amp 12volt rails is more than you need. You can't beat this value, but you can pay more for a truly lousy unit.

 

[DSebring]

Thank You!


Very good choices, I appreciate the input!

 

[phreejak]

COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W ($50)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817159040
Great buy for the price because it has dual 12v rails with strong amps (18 per rail). It has the added bonus most in this price range do not with Active PFC. PFC protects against things like voltage fluctuations and electrical irregularities that can affect the efficiency of your power supply.

There are three types of PFC: active, passive, and non-PFC. Active PFC provides the best protection, while non-PFC provides the worst. With a more efficient PSU there is less waste and, therefore, less heat produced by the PSU. This, in turn, means a reduction in it's contribution to overall system heat.

 

[aj6065]

The advice Newf gave about finding RAM was good, and I liked the Kingston RAM, but I would recommend the CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 instead of his C4 version. It's $35 cheaper, and your kid will never notice the difference.

As for the PSU, I would recommend the Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W for $40, the FSP Group AX400-PN 400W for $41.50, or the COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS-430-PMSR/P 400W for $34 before a $15 rebate, and it is the only one that has free shipping, saving you around $7.

 

[DSebring]

Rats, that does look like a much better PSU..... I already punched the button, but I think I will try and call Egg on Mon and see if they will switch it for me?


Thanks

 

[DSebring]

The advice Newf gave about finding RAM was good, and I liked the Kingston RAM, but I would recommend the CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 instead of his C4 version. It's $35 cheaper, and your kid will never notice the difference.

As for the PSU, I would recommend the Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W for $40, the FSP Group AX400-PN 400W for $41.50, or the COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS-430-PMSR/P 400W for $34 before a $15 rebate, and it is the only one that has free shipping, saving you around $7.

I agree on the Corsair, seems to be the only RAM that always works in everything, I decided to go with Corsair DDR2 667 as it was $118 for 1gb 2x512

I am regreeting my choice of PSU, I will have to call Egg on Mon to see if they will change that for me.

Thanks

 

[Newf]

You should still be able to cancel your Newegg order on-line and then replace with a new order today.
The CL5 memory should also work fine and I agree that you will probably never notice the difference.
The 667 memory is another matter though. Please go with 800, either the CL4 I chose or the CL5 aj6065 mentioned.

I am not familiar with Coolmax power supplies. The power listed is similar to the FSP reference I gave you.
Active PFC is a good thing but costs $.
FSP makes units with active PFC:
FSP FSP550-60PLN 12v:2x18a PSU 24pin Active PFC $95+6 8/20/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104973

FSP FSP550-80GLC-R 550w 12v:4x15a 20+4pin Active PFC $113+8 8/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104018

FSP FX600-GLN 600watt SLI 12v:4x15a PSU Active PFC $140+10 6/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104014

I know this is not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but do you notice a cost trend here? FSP units are not advertised (that I know of), and offer high quality build for the lowest pricing. I would be suspicious of retail branded units with active PFC in your price range. I highly recommend that you spend a little time browsing the power supply section of this forum.

 

[INeedCache]

I know this might ire some, but I'd stay away from the Kingston. We used to sell a lot of Kingston RAM, then about a year or so ago we started having failures and problems. Since then we have stopped selling Kingston. Also do some warranty work for Dell, and we have had to replace some bad Kingston RAM for them, too. I'm not sure what's up with them, but I'd opt for something else, Corsair, OCZ, Geil, Patriot, etc.

 

[ikjadoon]

Ahhh! HUGE MISTAKE!!!!

WAIT! WAIT!

Don't get DDR2-800, as single-cores can only use 667Mhz! Unless you are overclocking...But, remember, SINGLE-CORE AM2 CPU's CAN ONLY "OFFICIALLY" SUPPORT 667MHz. It is like buying 1066Mhz memory for a X2 3800+ = Only good for overclocking.

And, even if it did support DDR2-800, which it doesn't, 667Mhz is nearly as fast and OCs great. On the topic of memory, AM2 hardly uses single-channel. There are NO real increases from two sticks of 512MB versus one stick of 1GB in AM2. The increases are worthless, nothing. And that way, you don't crowd the memory slots later on when Vista comes along and you need another 1GB. And then another. And then another. It is better to a 1GB stick now. OCZ is great.

Do try to get a 7600GT, even if you have to spend $30 more. It'll be worth it.

FSP owns in their PSU line. A good 400W should be more than sufficient. Hell, their 350W has more amps on the 12V+ (the most important rail!) than some 500W PSUs I've seen.

I would like to throw in a motherboard in the fix, which is undoubtley the best overclocker that has ever been made for AMD:

DFI Infinity NF UltraII-M2

Shame it uses nForce 4. Otherwise = Perfect for a guy on a budget who wants FX-57 performance. If you ever get into OC'ing, the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro is a great budget cooler, Corsair/OCZ 667Mhz RAM OCs very well, and Zalman makes the best TIM paste, ever!

Otherwise = Nice.

~Ibrahim~

 

[shadowduck]

Ahhh! HUGE MISTAKE!!!!

WAIT! WAIT!

Don't get DDR2-800, as single-cores can only use 667Mhz! Unless you are overclocking...But, remember, SINGLE-CORE AM2 CPU's CAN ONLY "OFFICIALLY" SUPPORT 667MHz. It is like buying 1066Mhz memory for a X2 3800+ = Only good for overclocking.

What if he follows our suggestions made on this board and upgrades to AM2 65nm CPU in December? Then he needs to DDR2-800 memory. Mind as well pick it up now. 667 is not that much cheaper anyway.

OP: If upgrading to a dual-core is not in your plans anytime soon, then 667 is fine, unless you plan to o/c as ikjadoon said.

 

[ikjadoon]

Well, yeah. Then it would be better, but if he is on a budget, which is of a tight $500, 667Mhz is nearly just as good. You are on a tight budget or $50 either way is OK?

And you get tighter timings with 667Mhz and you can sometimes keep them for DDR2-800...

Cheapest DDR2-667Mhz is like $80 for 1GB at CAS4, PQI, I think..Extra $12 will get you OCZ with a nice gold heatsink (Purpose? I have no idea, but it adds bling-bling to the case.) OCZ OC's rather well, possibly better than the PQI. For all purposes, the OCZ is our choice, for $92. OCZ DDR2-800 1GB DDR2-800 sells for $104, slightly more, but at CAS5 and another .1V to the voltage....

I'm just saying, DDR2-667Mhz is just as fast and if you need to shave some bucks, but if you can afford it, DDR2-800 is your best bet, but I was mentioning it because it seemed he was on a tight budget and the extra cash could be better spent on upgrading to the GT, instead of the GS.

~Ibrahim~

 

[DSebring]

Ahhh! HUGE MISTAKE!!!!

WAIT! WAIT!

Don't get DDR2-800, as single-cores can only use 667Mhz! Unless you are overclocking...But, remember, SINGLE-CORE AM2 CPU's CAN ONLY "OFFICIALLY" SUPPORT 667MHz. It is like buying 1066Mhz memory for a X2 3800+ = Only good for overclocking.

And, even if it did support DDR2-800, which it doesn't, 667Mhz is nearly as fast and OCs great. On the topic of memory, AM2 hardly uses single-channel. There are NO real increases from two sticks of 512MB versus one stick of 1GB in AM2. The increases are worthless, nothing. And that way, you don't crowd the memory slots later on when Vista comes along and you need another 1GB. And then another. And then another. It is better to a 1GB stick now. OCZ is great.

Do try to get a 7600GT, even if you have to spend $30 more. It'll be worth it.

FSP owns in their PSU line. A good 400W should be more than sufficient. Hell, their 350W has more amps on the 12V+ (the most important rail!) than some 500W PSUs I've seen.

I would like to throw in a motherboard in the fix, which is undoubtley the best overclocker that has ever been made for AMD:

DFI Infinity NF UltraII-M2

Shame it uses nForce 4. Otherwise = Perfect for a guy on a budget who wants FX-57 performance. If you ever get into OC'ing, the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro is a great budget cooler, Corsair/OCZ 667Mhz RAM OCs very well, and Zalman makes the best TIM paste, ever!

Otherwise = Nice.

~Ibrahim~

My thoughts exactly on the 667, thanks for the reassurance.

Also thanks for the reassurance on the PSU I will let my order ride I was REALLY worried about this one.

Don't worry about the Video card, I pulled a switch and will have an extra X1800 GTO to put in this box which should be more than enough.

Thanks everyone for the input I really appreciate it.