New System-Getting Close to Buy Time

[NateKingCole]

I'm picking this baby up sometime next week I think. So critisism at this point is critical. Shoot me down on anything.

AMD Barton 2500+ 333FSB
Asus A7N8x-DX nForce2-ST, AGP8x, A133, S-ATA, i1394,Dual-DDR400, Audio,Dual-Lan, 6USB2
Radeon 9600 Pro 128M DDR, VGA, DVI, TV-O, AGP8x
Kingston DDR-PC3200: 400mhz (256MB x2 & 512MB x1)
Western Digital WD1200JB: 120GB 7200rpm, ATA100, 9ms, Caviar, 8M
Viewsonic P95F+ /-B 19" 0.25mm Flat-CRT 2048x1536 / BLACK
Lite-On DVD 16x eide BLACK
Lite-ON 52x24x52x IDE Internal w/ Burn Proof (BLACK)
Creative Inspire 6.1 6600 6 Speakers w/subwoofer
Logitech Codeless MX DUO BLACK keyboard and Optical Mouse
Antec SX1040 File Server Tower case W/400W, 10 BAYS
Volcano-7+: for Intel S370 & AMD S462, w/temp Sensor
Case Fan (8025A): for case, 80x80x25, 2ball
ACT-LABS EagleMAX Joystick
1.44 FD with Black face

I'm oc'ing the cpu atleast and maybe the vid card. Slowly however since this will be my first oc.
I'm still a little undecided on the vid card however. I'm into gaming but would it be worth twice the cash to get a 9800 pro, considering that I'm going with a mid range CPU?
Or the mobo, I'm not set on Asus but I am pretty set on the 6USB's

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by NateKingCole on 07/28/03 02:35 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[slvr_phoenix]

Judging by the picture, the Asus A7N8X Deluxe has the holes on the mobo for screwing down a large heatsink straight to the mobo instead of using the dinky socket clips. Not only does this allow you to use a much heavier heat sink, but it also makes sure that the heatsink won't budge no matter how much you shake, rattle, and roll that case.

I'd double-check since I don't feel like researching any more than the picture, but if so then why not get a nice heatsink like a Thermalright SLK-900 and a good 92mm fan? It'd allow you to OC a heck of a lot better than using a Volcano 7+, and with the right fan it could also be quieter.

"<i>Yeah, if you treat them like equals, it'll only encourage them to think they <b>ARE</b> your equals.</i>" - Thief from <A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=030603" target="_new">8-Bit Theater</A>

 

[HardWareBoss]

Very nice looking system you have their. Vid card 9800 Pro is the top card for ATI. Thats if you have the money to burn!!! 9600 Pro should do well . Now the new Vid cards from Ati and Nvidia are do Oct or whenever I don't have release dates. Also for $100 plus 9700 Pro may work for you.

 

[Prof133]

* For overclocking, I'd choose Abit NF7-S.

* Get two 512MB memory modules instead of 2x256MB+512MB.

<b><font color=blue>Logic over all.</font color=blue></b>

 

[addiarmadar]

Great setup there but may wanna just get a pair of 512mb dual channel ddr from GEIL. For the CPU cooler, get the thermalright slk800u with a descent 80mm fan like the thermaltake smartcase fan. Since you chosen that MB, also get a Baracuda SATA hard drive. The Radeon 9600 pro is a good enough AGP that will process the upcomming dx9 games just fine and plus it can be oced like a mother. Great Mobo choice, just make sure you get rev 2 of that model.

 

[addiarmadar]

Unfortunately the slk900 will not fit on this mobo, the transistors are too close and would require too much bending for they will break off. The slk800u will fit this one however.

 

[NateKingCole]

Cool, thanks for the tips keep them coming.

Like I said, I like the 6 Usb's on the asus, since I use alot of usb devices. I don't believe the NF7-S does. But if you think it would be worth it anyway, please tell me.

As far as the ram goes. I don't think in the next 2 years I'll need anymore than 1GB (in two years I need faster ram anyways) and I read <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=84465#84465" target="_new"> here</A> that this would be the best set up for my board.

I'll look into the slk800. However I havn't found a supplier in the area yet.

The 9600p will do me until I think I need more, and then I'll sell it cut my loses and get something better.

Anymore opinions? Does anyone have this monitor, keyboard? Anything will help, even if you just tell me that you've got that joystick and you like it (help me reaffirm my choice).

 

[NateKingCole]

Oh I forgot, does anyone like the lite-on DVD reader over the sony's? I could get a sony for about 2$ more.

And about that slk-800... the only place I can find it is selling it for about twice that of the 7+. Is it worth it? That's just the heat sync. I still need a fan.

 

[pIII_Man]

i have not had good luck with sony drives...plus lite on is a very good brand and contracts drives for major companies such as TDK.

There is no smell better than fried silicon

 

[NateKingCole]

thanks i'll stick with the lite-on.

And on reflection I think the 7+ will suit my needs and if not maybe I go with the <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=667626#667626" target="_new"> Ultimate Cooling Solution </A> or the <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=668197#668197" target="_new"> cheap chiller </A> hehe. Maybe not. haha

 

[ChipDeath]

I would also say Get 2x512s instead of your setup. you can have faster timings with less sticks - there's no need to fill all three slots.

---
$hit Happens. I just wish it would happen to someone else for a change.

 

[NateKingCole]

has everyone read <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=84465#84465" target="_new">this</A>?
Do people dissagree. Using only Dual Channel is better than using Dual Channel and Twinbank? Because TKH told me that:
Dual & Twin > Dual > Twin > One Stick

Does anyone know better than this?

 

[Jake_Barnes]

Maybe Crashman and/or Svol can answer that question.


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

 

[Guest]

For your HD id suggest the seagate over the WD. Only thing im not sure they do it in ATA100 maybe only SATA

 

[NateKingCole]

Seagate 120G 7200rpm ATA100 8M ST3120024A with HydraulicBaring ?

Or is it worth an extra 15$ to go
Seagate 120G 7200rpm Serial-ATA150 8M ST3120026AS 8.5ms?

 

[NateKingCole]

?

 

[KingMdM]

1 small suggestion. Newegg has Combo CD-RW/DVD drives for about $50-60. The max burn speed on these drives are 48x, but you can play DVD's with them

 

[pIII_Man]

it means it is a very quiet drive...performance will be close to if not better than the sata unit

There is no smell better than fried silicon

 

[Jake_Barnes]

What drive - brand?


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

 

[NateKingCole]

Seagate 120G 7200rpm ATA100 8M ST3120024A with HydraulicBaring ?
OR
Seagate 120G 7200rpm Serial-ATA150 8M ST3120026AS 8.5ms?

Which one is better or are normal ATA drives from WD or Maxtor better choices? They're all the same price.

As for the DVD reader, I use it for DVD watching as well as burning regular cd's (cd-to-cd is easier). I do that often enough that it's worth it.

As always, I'm very grateful for the comments, keep them coming please

 

[pIII_Man]

i would go for wd 8mb cache special edition drive (PATA not SATA)...although maxtor has some good offerings too...you just need to see the benchmarks to find out which suits you best

So easy to fry yet tastes so good...
Silicon: The other, other, other white meat

 

[NateKingCole]

Alright. Sound isn't an issue. So really shouldn't I just go with the cheapest 120GB 8MB drive?

Edit: Due to the very small preformance boost. Or is it really noticable boost?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by NateKingCole on 07/23/03 03:37 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[pIII_Man]

ya...cheepest 120gb 8mb cache 7200rpm drive...made by a good brand

So easy to fry yet tastes so good...
Silicon: The other, other, other white meat

 

[NateKingCole]

Cool thanks. So here's the update.
<b>
AMD Barton 2500+ 333FSB
Asus A7N8x-DX nForce2-ST, AGP8x, A133, S-ATA, i1394,Dual-DDR400, Audio,Dual-Lan, 6USB2
Radeon 9500 Pro 128M DDR, VGA, DVI, TV-O, AGP8x
Samsung DDR-PC3200: 400mhz (512MB x2)
Western Digital 120G 8M 7200RPM ATA100 OEM (3 yrs Mfr. warranty)
Viewsonic P95F+ /-B 19" 0.25mm Flat-CRT 2048x1536 / BLACK
Lite-On DVD 16x eide BLACK
Lite-ON 52x32x52x IDE Internal w/ Burn Proof (BLACK)
Creative Inspire 6.1 6600 6 Speakers w/subwoofer
Logitech Codeless MX DUO BLACK keyboard and Optical Mouse
Antec SX1040B File Server Tower case W/400W, 10 BAYS
Volcano-7+: for Intel S370 & AMD S462, w/temp Sensor
Case Fan (8025A): for case, 80x80x25, 2ball
ACT-LABS EagleMAX Joystick
1.44 FD with Black face</b>

I still can't decide to go with 9800pro or not. I'll have to wait until I'm at the store with checkbook in hand. Are there any opinions on this? Will I still be able to play Doom III at high rez with my 2500+??

 

[TheMASK]

i have not had good luck with sony drives

I have a Sony DVD-ROM and it doesnt play some DVDs sometimes; the DVDs which run smooth on DVD players. Its such a pain in the butt. what were ur problems with Sony drives?

<b>Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.</b><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by TheMask on 07/24/03 02:22 AM.</EM></FONT></P>