Please rate this system

[livedistortion]

I'm relatively new to computer hardware and am thinking of building a system. My questions are:

-Will this system be fast enough for photoshop, audio production (multitracking, etc.), encoding movies to VCD, and some games

-Will it run cool enough if I overclock to 400mhz FSB and maybe a few other things (I don't know much about overclocking)

System:

Athlon XP2600+ w/333FSB
Abit or Asus nForce2 MB
Corsair or OCZ DDR400
WD 128GB HD w/8MB cache
High end video card
Swiftech, Alpha, or Cooler Master HSF (need help picking a fan for one of those)
Chieftech Aluminum tower w/2 front and 2 rear fans or maybe the model that has a fan on the side too

And if this system is overkill, how about an Athlon w/ a 266mhz FSB overclocked to 333, which Athlons overclock the best?

Thanks!

 

[halkebul]

I would shuffle things up just a tad if you're going to overclock:

Athlon XP2400+ w/266FSB OEM
Asus A7N8X deluxe motherboard
Two <A HREF="http://www.coldconcept.com/default.php/cPath/39_42/osCsid/bacb71282522ff2370ab505db85302d5" target="_new">OCZ 256MB PC3500 Enhanced Latency (EL) memory modules $220</A>
Western Digital 120GB Special Edition Hard Drive w/8MB cache
High end video card
Thermalright SLK-800 heatsink
Panasonic Panaflo Axial Fan 80x80x25.5mm to be used with the thermalright to cool the cpu.
Chieftech Aluminum tower w/2 front and 2 rear fans or maybe the model that has a fan on the side too.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[livedistortion]

just curious as to the 2400+, is it better for overclocking? can i get it up to a 333FSB to run in sync. and what would you recommend for my needs if i don't decide to overclock?

Thanks

 

[livedistortion]

That Thermalright looks like a good one too, but in one review they were saying it's a little hard to position correctly and use those little pads. Is this what you use and is it that much better than the competition?

Thanks again!

 

[livedistortion]

If I don't overclock is there a big speed increase when you jump the the 2600+ w/333FSB, or is the 2400+ or maybe even 2200+ pretty close, I don't really want to spend the 300 to get the 2600+

Thanks

 

[halkebul]

just curious as to the 2400+, is it better for overclocking?

Yes, it is the best Athlon for overclocking IMO.

can i get it up to a 333FSB to run in sync.

Yes, may even be able to get it around 380Mhz to 400MHz DDR FSB as you should be able to lower the cpu multiplier.

and what would you recommend for my needs if i don't decide to overclock?

I would still recommend it because you may change your mind about overclocking in the future.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[livedistortion]

Thanks!

 

[halkebul]

That Thermalright looks like a good one too...

At the overclocking sites it's usually rated at the top or near the top.

, but in one review they were saying it's a little hard to position correctly and use those little pads.

If you search long enough, you'll find a negative comment with just about every product. That comment wouldn't keep me from buying it.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[halkebul]

If I don't overclock is there a big speed increase when you jump the the 2600+ w/333FSB, or is the 2400+ or maybe even 2200+ pretty close, I don't really want to spend the 300 to get the 2600+

Pick the 2400+. It's plenty fast. Now you can start focusing on what games to get. Cheers!


<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>