New computer build - your input needed

[Daneel]

I'm about to built a new computer and wanted to check if I am making any mistakes before spending all my cash. I used to know this stuff like the back of my hand but haven't kept up to date

Current computer is:

Enermax 350W Manual Fan Control EG365AX-VE
APC Back-UPS CS500
Coolermaster 201C ATX case
Asus A7V333-RAID Motherboard
AMD XP1800 (Running at 11.5 x 139)
1GB RAM (2 x Crucial PC2100 256MB, 1 x Crucial PC3200 512MB)
Alpha 8045 Cooler with YS-Tech Silent 1850RPM Fan
80GB Maxtor D740X HD 7200RPM
120GB Maxtor D540X HD 5400RPM
120GB Western Digital 1200BB HD 7200RPM
120GB Western Digital 1200JB HD 7200RPM
Sapphire 9500 Pro 128MB
Mitsubishi 2060u 22" Monitor running @ 1600x1200@85Hz
M-Audio Revolution 7.1 Soundcard
Videologic Sirocco Crossfire Speakers (4 satelights, 1 Sub, 1 Amplifier)
Pioneer 106S DVD (16xDVD, 40xCD) Multi-region (IDE)
Lite-on 40x12x48 CDRW (IDE)
DLink 530TX Network Card


I should have two boxes at the end of this and so intend to buy:

eVGA 6800 GT (already bought)
Crucial 512MB DDR400, PC3200 (take one out of the old box to give 1GB total)
160GB SATA (Maxtor/WD/Hitachi haven't decided yet, boot drive)
120GB x 3 ATA drives from the old box
Thermaltake Tsunami BNA
AMD 64 3000 Retail
Asus K8N-E Deluxe NF3 250 GB
Tagan 480W
DVD-RW (Pioneer 108 or NEC 3500) (this will take up the last of my IDE channels and probably slow down an HD)
Black Floppy
Keyboard + wrist rest
CPU Cooler (do I need one or will the retail fan be ok?)

I'm hoping to apply a mild OC of about 10% to the CPU and get the 6800 GT up to Ultra levels.

Any potential problems? Alternate suggestions?

All input appreciated.

Thanks!

[MAS]

Looks fine to me. Cant really fault any of the parts you're buying.

[mike_w]

All looks pretty good - Geforce GT and Socket 939 Athlon 64. The only minor niggle is the RAM - you might want to consider upgrading it to something a little faster, perhaps with tighter timings/lower CAS latencies. Crucial Ballistix is supposed to pretty fast, and is at an alright price considering what it is.

[Daneel]

All looks pretty good - Geforce GT and Socket 939 Athlon 64. The only minor niggle is the RAM - you might want to consider upgrading it to something a little faster, perhaps with tighter timings/lower CAS latencies. Crucial Ballistix is supposed to pretty fast, and is at an alright price considering what it is.

Thanks for the replies

It's a 754 socket. The 939 chips are too expensive for the extra performance gain. The upgradability option could be argued but having built my own PC 4 times now (every 18-24 months) I have yet to do so without upgrading the mobo at the same time so I don't see the point. The next upgrade will probably be PCI-E, DDR2 and who knows maybe dual core CPU.

The point about RAM is noted but I have no need for 1GB in my 2nd PC and would need to buy 2 x 512MB of performance RAM for about £160(?). Am I really going to see £100 of benefit from that (160-60 for another stick of Crucial)?

[mike_w]

Thanks for the replies

It's a 754 socket. The 939 chips are too expensive for the extra performance gain. The upgradability option could be argued but having built my own PC 4 times now (every 18-24 months) I have yet to do so without upgrading the mobo at the same time so I don't see the point. The next upgrade will probably be PCI-E, DDR2 and who knows maybe dual core CPU.

The point about RAM is noted but I have no need for 1GB in my 2nd PC and would need to buy 2 x 512MB of performance RAM for about £160(?). Am I really going to see £100 of benefit from that (160-60 for another stick of Crucial)?

Whoops, didn't realise it was Socket 754! Still should be pretty fast, but I'd still recommend Socket 939. Of course, you could argue that you should wait for PCI Express - after all, think about how long AGP existed for.

As for the RAM, the £100 would probably be better spent on the CPU seeing as it isn't Socket 939! But no, it probably wouldn't make enough difference to be justified, especially if you're not going to be overclocking much.

All looks good, but the CPU might be a bit of a bottleneck for your shiny new card, but I'm not sure how much (if at all) it will impact performance. But it will still comfortable beat anything from the previous generation!