CPU/MB/Ram Question

[Buhatma]

Hi,
I'm about to build a new pc for my friend and all hes asked is that it last him a good 2-3 years. Here are the two options that I have come up with. I just need some help on which Cpu/Mb/Ram option would last him throught the 2-3 years. Main uses for this system with be Gaming, Photo/Video work. System will be overclocked.

1. P4 2.8c/Abit IC7-G/2x256mb OCZ pc4000
or
2. AMD 2500+/Asus A7N8X Dlx/2x256mb Mushkin pc3200 lvl2 Black

Rest of the system will be as follows.
Windows XP Pro
80GB WD 800JB
Thermaltake Purepower 480watt
Antec 10 bay server case
Lite-On 48x24x48x16 cdrw/dvd drive
Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb

I know this is some what of a long post but any and all info is helpful. Last thing is his budget is around $1,750 and he already has a nice Viewsonic 21" moniter. Thanks in advance.

2.8C @ 3.5 w/ slk-800u and smart fan 2, Abit IC7-G, 2 x 256mb Geil Platinum pc4000, Radeon 9700 Pro 375/335, 2 x WD Raptor in Raid 0

 

[twofruitz]

you cant compare these two systems. they performance difference is absolutly massive. the P4 system would perform 10x better. what you said is an excellent system so i would recommend it

P4 2.8c/Abit IC7-G/2x256mb OCZ pc4000

there really is no other choice

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6973142" target="_new">3dmark2001</A>

2.4C @ 3.0G
Asus P4C800
Corsair 2x512 3200
Sapphire 9600pro @ 500/700
80G Seagate S-ATA150

 

[ChipDeath]

a few points...

You may as well get the Abit IS-7 as the performance difference is virtually non-existent and it's cheaper.
If you're planning to overclock I'd suggest the P4 2.6C rather than the 2.8.

A 10-bay server case is severe overkill for a home system. a nice 'normal' tower case will be fine, and won't be the size of a small house.

I would buy a seperate DVD drive and a CDRW, so 'on-the-fly' CD copying can be done.

I assume that's US$? If I've got the time to spare I'll have a look at what fits neatly in that budget a bit later...

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<font color=red>The preceding text is assembled from information stored in an unreliable organic storage medium. As such it may be innacurate, incomplete, or completely wrong</font color=red>

 

[mrwhipper]

I agree twofruitz. The Intel unit will be MUCH more powerful. A closer comp to the 2.8 would be a 3000+. $1700.00? You should be able to build one heck of a unit with that much $$$$. Good luck. Take care.

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[HardWareBoss]

Between those two Intel. What vid card? 9800Pro?

 

[o1die]

The 9800se is about $150. You can update the bios and get the same performance as the pro.

 

[Crashman]

Yeh right. Most SE cards use a 128-bit RAM bus. And over half of them won't accept the soft mod to enable the other 4 pipelines. And many are using 3.3ns or slower RAM.

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[Buhatma]

Hi,
Yes it's going to be a BBA 9800 Pro clocked @ 425/385 which I have already modded from a different computer with some AS3, ZM80c-HP, a TT Smart Fan 2.

2.8C @ 3.5 w/ slk-800u and smart fan 2, Abit IC7-G, 2 x 256mb Geil Platinum pc4000, Radeon 9700 Pro 375/335, 2 x WD Raptor in Raid 0

 

[HardWareBoss]

Good choice on the Vid card.

 

[shadus]

Another vote for the intel, but drop it to a 2.6c (better multiplyer for oc). Then later on if he needs a quicky upgrade have him pick up the best chip the board will support and bing instant cheapy upgrade.

My only serious concern is the 512mb of ram, go with a gig. For both gaming and video work ram is damn important and in 2-3 years 512 ain't gonna cut it for sure.

I'll go against what someone else said here, keep the ic7-g.

Shadus

 

[Buhatma]

Hi,
Thanks for the info. I've already changed the cpu to a 2.6c intel, have upgraded the ram to 1 gig and prices are still under budget. The only reason I was considering the 2.8c is because I currently have one and it OCed pretty good. So I left the choice up to my friend and he said go for the 2.6c. I the words he used were "Why the %#@! do I need to OC to 3.5 right now." So I quess that's it for now. As far as the video card goes he's getting a nice deal seeing as I'm selling it to him for a nice price, and seeing as I've done all the work on it already and it's running strong he can't complain.

2.8C @ 3.5 w/ slk-800u and smart fan 2, Abit IC7-G, 2 x 256mb Geil Platinum pc4000, Radeon 9700 Pro 375/335, 2 x WD Raptor in Raid 0

 

[HardWareBoss]

Did you ask him what year does he want to OC his Cpu?