How about this one? You guys should love this...

[buzznut]

Since you guys all love me so much, I thought I would give you the opportunity to bash my choices for my new build. Just got my student loans, so I am about to pull the trigger on this one tomorrow. List includes parts I have been gathering for 6 months now.

Please don't hesitate to tell me how much I don't know about the hardware, I seem to be a glutton for punishment!

AMD FX-62 +2 games http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=003142214&SRCCODE=TOMSHWAMD07&CMP=BAC-TOMSMWAMD07

Apevia x-navigator http://www.apevia.com/product.php?pid=66
HIPER ATX12V v2.2 580W Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128001
Crosshair MOBO http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148233
2X 7600gt http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130062
Will step up to 8800gts 320mb, this allows me to at least have one vid card while stepping up

Acer 22" LCD Monitor http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824009094
Crucial Ballistix http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820148144
Western Digital Raptor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136012
Floppy http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16821152005
Lite on DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106073
Sony Black 16X DVD-ROM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827101131
mx 518 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826104178
Ultra 120 + fan http://www.xoxide.com/thermalright-ultra-120-cpu-cooler.html
Fan controller http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5316/bus-94/AeroCool_GateWatch2_Fan_Controller_LCD_Display_Port_Replicator_-_Black.html?tl=g34c17s286&id=MVP6wZr4&mv_pc=561

Current speakers http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121121
External hard drive http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148233
Plus lights, fans, bells and whistles too numerous to mention.

Yeah I like my case to have lots o bling cuz that's just how I roll, yo.

Let the bashing commence...NOW!

 

[Madrox]

I would just say prioritize what you need and what you don't.

Do you need a "Pretty" or kinda ok looking case. or do you need a better GFX card?

If you cut some of the cost or up your budget you could skip the 1 GTS 320mb and get a GTX if you lost some of the things you don't need.

 

[phraun]

^^^ That's what I was thinkin'

I'd rather have an OK case and a balls-to-the-wall PC, but hey...

 

[buzznut]

good advice. I made my decision to work on my case first, so I have most of the bling already. Saved the expensive parts for last as I knew I would be in a postion to buy them all at once.
So I will be getting the ram, mobo, proc, hard drive, and monitor tomorrow, got the ultra 120 today. Already have one 7600 gt.

I knew that wouldn't be a popular choice, but with a 2nd 7600 it will be fine until I can afford to step up to the 8800. I don't play a lot of fps games, and could care less about dx10. I won't migrate to vista until I have no choice. I play a lot of rpgs and strategy games. MOstly looking forward to playing oblivion, a system hog I know. Perhaps money will rain down from heaven and I can get a gtx. But from a practical standpoint, I can;t see myself spending 500-600 dollars on one video card. It's just excessive, I don't want these companies to think that its ok to charge that much for a video card at ANY performance level.

Anyhow, thanks for your input. I am definately excited to see what AMD can bring to the table with phenom, btw. It looks like their immediate goals are to gain as much of the server market as they can. Too bad, they've always been good to the enthusiast community. Hope they can become competetive again!

 

[buzznut]

oh, I am hearing rumblings that phenom will be unable to reach its full potential on am2. What's the story on that?

 

[Madrox]

Dunno about that but here are Asus AM2+ compatible motherboards.

http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=8305

 

[Ilander]

Will you be sleeping in the same room as this computer? If so, get fewer lights. Does your new place have air conditioning? If not, you'll need more case fans.

If you're not doing RAID 0 as your system drive, you don't need a floppy.

 

[WR2]

I see that AMD FX-62 comes with the Dark Messiah of Might and Magic game!
2x 7600GT SLI @ 1600x1200 resolution = 12fps for your $150 worth of video cards.
For $130 after rebate you could get HIS X1950PRO 256MB and play Dark Messiah 16x10 ws @ 25fps
But can only use 1 of the 7600GTs to qualify for the StepUp and used 7600GTs are going for about $30 on eBay.

On the other hand that $130-$150 is already 50% of the cost of the 8800GTS = 45fps in Dark Messiah at 16x10.

Assuming you can get $45 for each 7600GT on ebay that means the 8800GTS StepUp is going to cost you $300 minus $75 step up credit for 1 7600GT plus the $150 cost of 2 7600GT minus the $90 you might get selling 2 7600GTs on ebay. I make that out to be about $285 (plus shipping and handling and any tax TWICE!)

From the EVGA FAQs:
Q: How much is Step-Up?

A: The Step-Up%u2122 Program is free; you
are required to pay the difference between
your original invoice price, less any applicable
rebates, and the price of the new card, plus any applicable tax and
shipping.


:edit - after all that I see you already own 1 7600GT - be sure to check and confirm you'll be able to SLI the older card with the new card.

 

[ira176]

First off, I agree with the other post. I would get a different video card. 2 7600 GT's in SLI would be beat in terms of performance by a single 8800 gts 320 mb. If you can spare the expense you would be better off with an 8800 GTS, even if you don't play dx 10 yet (or ever) it'll be more powerful in dx 9 games.
Here's an XFX 8800 gts 320 mb at newegg for $279 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150173

# 2. I think you are spending too much on the Crosshair mobo, there's got to be other options that still perform and have vast features, but cost less. Check this one out as an alternative: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013

#3. Why get one Raptor drive? Why get any at all, since you are playing mostly RPG's??? You can find a seagate 7200.10 drive with way more capacity, and it'll be about the same or less cost and perform well with RPG's. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136

#4. Why get a floppy drive, planning on RAID?

#5. Are you aware that the Lite on drive is SATA?, just keep it in mind.

#6. I would probably swap out the PSU to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151041
even though it has a lower rated wattage, it has Active PFC and efficency as high as 80% which means that it is loosing less of the energy during ac to dc conversion to heat. It also has 3 +12V rails with a total of 42 Amps versus Hiper 38 Amps.

I hope this helps you.

 

[Madrox]

I agree with ira, you should get a less expensive motherboard. I have the Crosshair and i game. I push my system and it doesn't really reach its limits lol... but i would say the M2N boards are more for what you need.

 

[buzznut]

I have researched the crosshair motherboard and I realize I am paying a premium but it has exactly all the features I need. the lcd poster, el etc are all good things. Its what I want, the best amd mobo available. I already have my hiper power supply, I submit when I bought it in January it was an excellent value for the features at that time. Think I got it for 80 with rebate. Efficiency ratings and active pfc have come more into vogue over the last 8 months or so, at least in my humble opinion.
Yeah, sli no problem, same card. You bring up some excellent points about the eventual cost of the 8800 gts I want to get to. I will think on that, but as you say I have already committed to the one 7600gt already. I think it will be enough to get me going. I didn't include the extra 200 for the 8800 in my budget, and my wife needs a little money right now too. Just wouldn't feel right if I didn't give her a little fun money as well.
I must admit, I didn't realize the steep requirements of the Dark Messiah game. So it won't be all that much fun til I get my 8800. I don't mind playing at lower resolutions for the time being though. I've been playing might and magic since V came out, and the Heroes series I've been playing since the first. So the online game is one I will definitely want to check out. I'm scared of WoW, if its as addictive as people say (Like evercrack was!)

Thanks for the link Madrox, looks like with a bios update I can do am2+ with the crosshair. Even more reason to go with that.

And I was planning on getting a second raptor when I can afford it and do a raid 0. I have also been thinking about spending a bit less and getting a storage drive such as the Seagate 320 perpendicular, than adding the raid array later.

Besides I still have about 100 floppies, a lot of stuff I can still use. Yes, I know the general consensus is we don't need them anymore. Call me an old fart, but I still use my floppy often enough to warrant a $10 purchase, w/ shipping.

Anyway, great comments and you have given me a lot to think about. I think I'll start filling up my cart and estimate whether I've got enough to do the raptor or hold off for now. Thanks for your input.

 

[buzznut]

ok, so I got most o the things I talked about, minus the raptor and 2nd 7600gt. I went with the 320Gb seagate barracuda 7200.10 perpendicular for 80 bucks at new egg. I think its a great value. I also like to leave plenny o expansion potential with my builds because I can only afford to build one every 2 years or so, like to have one to continually play with.
Would have stuck with my current monitor (acer 19in widescreen lcd) but my monstrous 19in gateway crt the wifey has been stuck with is finally giving up the ghost. She is quite broken hearted, oh wait no- thrilled to be getting my acer 19!
So I spent more than I intended, and yet I still want more...

I knew I shoulda married a rich woman

 

[buzznut]

oh btw someone asked about my fans. I have 2 80 mm intake fans, one in front and one on side (if I can fit it with the Ultra 120, doesn't sound likely right now)
I have a 80mm blowhole out the top, and a thermaltake 120 smart fan for exhaust out the back. I have 2 fans on my power supply, including a 120mm on the bottom.
I'll have a 120mm for my ultra 120, one fan with my video card, and possibly a slot fan for extra video cooling (backside of vid card).

So between 6 and 8 fans total.

I'm planning on getting some frozen cpu dampening material to cover the inside of the case, but I think it will prolly be loud as a small cessna.

 

[runswindows95]

I have to agree with everything wiht ira176 said. If you drop the price of the mobo, you can easily get a 8800GTS. The ONLY time SLI helps performance is at higher resolutions, like 2560X1600.

 

[sirrobin4ever]

Ditch AMD. Please. Core 2 will OC higher, and at higher performance. Ditch the 7600's too. Buy one single card instead. 8800 is preferable, but if the cost is too much, an ATI X1950 pro/XT would suit you well. Also, Hiper PSU's aren't rated all that great, I suggest something else.

 

[buzznut]

[]

Ditch AMD. Please. Core 2 will OC higher, and at higher performance. Ditch the 7600's too. Buy one single card instead. 8800 is preferable, but if the cost is too much, an ATI X1950 pro/XT would suit you well. Also, Hiper PSU's aren't rated all that great, I suggest something else.

[/]


More good posts. I agree, if I hadn't already bought the 7600gt I would recommend a 8800 gts to myself. But I already have it. I bought the Hiper PS back in January like I mentioned previously, I still maintain at that time for 80 bucks it was a good value.

I have this weird thing where I base some of my buying decisions on moral stances. I have a problem enriching companies whose policies I don't agree with. So, I know intel beats amd right now, I know I can overclock a c2d more, I know Intel has quad and amd doesn't (yet).
Right now, Intel is in trouble with the SEC, and in Korea, for unfair business practices. In Korea, they face charges of monopoly, which I could provide details of if anyone is interested. I would rather do my business with AMD, as a sort of checks and balances thing and to keep Intel honest. No AMD, Intel gets to rake everyone over the coals. Bad for you, me, and everyone else.

So regardless of performance considerations, popular opinion, and logical choices, I have been buying AMD for 15 years and will continue to do so. ok, stepping off my soapbox now.

Besides, everyone is busy overclocking their core 2 duos right now. I think it will be fun to see just what I can do with my fx-62, esp. for $180.

By the way, it may not be clear in my previous post but I bought all my stuff yesterday. Should be arriving by Tuesday of next week, so even though I enjoy your suggestions- its a done deal. I am very excited and can't wait to get started! SHould have her up and running by the weekend, probably install software Saturday and run minor benchmarks Sunday of next week.

 

[buzznut]

BTW, heres the link again to my Hiper PS.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128001

Still rated at 5 eggs 8 months later, 157 total reviews.

Sure, there are probably better choices now. But I believe for $80, it was a great deal at the time. Not a lot of choices back then for modular PSUs.

 

[buzznut]

Admit it, the aviator molex connectors are COOL.

 

[sirrobin4ever]

I agree with the stuff you said about AMD. I am a bit of an AMD fanboi myself, but not to the extreme. (I could fool anybody as my desktop is an AMD/ATI box, and my laptop is an Intel/Nvidia rig) However, even though I really like rooting for the underdog, Intel is just the better deal on all fronts, except on the low end. Thought I should point that out. Your FX62 on the other hand, should run everything well and should give you a few years of happy computing. I would bet that with the Ultra120, you should hit 3.0 to 3.2 with some tweaks. Mediocre, I know, but thats what you get with an old architecture.

On a bright note:
Congrats on your buy!

 

[mad-dog]

One drawback to the Crosshair board is the 570 chipset..
the M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wi-Fi uses the 590 chipset which supports EPP function on select RAM.
I'm also a ole AMD fan and love it, but i wont hesitate to advise anyone that Intel is a smarter choice, at least for the time being.
Now is/was a bad-time to build a AM2 system especially with the Phenom and it's upgraded motherboards around the corner,
AM2+ is here and AM3 is coming soon.
These new sockets will unlock the phenom's true potential,
with a Gigabytye P-35 series board and E6750 you would have a system that would have smoked your AMD build and had the potential to upgrade to a quad-core later down the road...
your FX will run @ 2.8GHz, the 6000+ runs @ 3GHz and costs $4 less.............but you got free games outta the deal.
Well then , i guess it was worth it to build a dead-end system.

 

[tlmck]

One drawback to the Crosshair board is the 570 chipset..
the M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wi-Fi uses the 590 chipset which supports EPP function on select RAM.
I'm also a ole AMD fan and love it, but i wont hesitate to advise anyone that Intel is a smarter choice, at least for the time being.
Now is/was a bad-time to build a AM2 system especially with the Phenom and it's upgraded motherboards around the corner,
AM2+ is here and AM3 is coming soon.
These new sockets will unlock the phenom's true potential,
with a Gigabytye P-35 series board and E6750 you would have a system that would have smoked your AMD build and had the potential to upgrade to a quad-core later down the road...
your FX will run @ 2.8GHz, the 6000+ runs @ 3GHz and costs $4 less.............but you got free games outta the deal.
Well then , i guess it was worth it to build a dead-end system.

Crosshair board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131593

 

[mad-dog]

oops, my bad.....i guess the crosshair supports EPP.

 

[buzznut]

yeah, and with the link provided by madrox it appears I can do am2+ with this motherboard, leaving an upgrade path available to phenom.
I also agree that amd's chipset juggling leaves a lot to be desired. It would be nice if amd listened to their fans about what sort of things we're looking for in upcoming products. New motherboards every 6 months can get prohibitively expensive, especially when laying down the coin for a gaming platform like the crosshair.
Well, ya can't have everything. I also agree from a recommendation standpoint that prolly a lower cost c2d that can be oc'd by over 50% safely is the better choice for a new build right now. I would be happy to give that recommendation to any noob. How about that pentium dual core with an 80% overclock?? wtf! Can't really beat that with a sharp stick.