Recommend me some new parts!

[planetgong]

Hi.

I've just ordered a new case(Antec Sonata) and I am thinking of sticking some new bits in it. I will be keeping my CPU(AMD64 3500 winnie - hopefully soon to be an Opteron146), my RAM(2gb Corsair TwinX), graphics card(x800xt) and PSU(Tagan 480w). Now what I need is recommendations of what to go with it!! Would like a new motherboard, as the K8NF-9 I have isn't the best for overclocking. Am also thinking of trying a RAID setup as I've never given this a go. I think I will also need two 120mm case fans(as quiet as possible) and maybe a new CPU cooler if I want to try and seriously overclock!

Advice please!

[planetgong]

Anyone? Come on guys!!

[iranu]

Give us some indication of what parts you need and how much cash you are prepared to spend

[planetgong]

Well I reckon :

a motherboard
a hard drive setup
a cpu cooler
some case fans(2x120mm)

[davethechamp]

Asrock 939DUAL-SATA2 S939 PCI-E/AGP £46.17
Provides a path to PCI-E, while you keep your AGP card
Akasa Evo 33 (AK913) HeatPipe Cooler £21.14
120mm Akasa Amber Case Fan £8.10 each
(nice and quiet)

Hard drives, so long as you get two identical (size and manufacturer) should be ok. Hitachi and samsung I think are generally good.

Hope this helps

Dave

[planetgong]

Case fans look good. Don't need AGP slot on the motherboard as my graphics card is PCI-E already. Is that board good for overclocking and does it have RAID support? Is that cooler nice and quiet as well? I want to try and seriously overclock my CPU, so need something that is going to run it really cool, and also not make a sound!! Willing to spend a bit really!

[sawyen]

the ULI board will have RAID 0,1,0+1 support.. 2 drives max + 1 SataII on a separate controller.

They are fairly overclockable.. I'd be suprised it 290 HTT is not reached.

Evo33 is fairly noisy, unless u swap the fan for something quieter. If u're willing to go the distance, Thermalright SI-120 + a Akasa Amber 120mm or the new Zalman should be on ur list.. they are both very quiet.. and very powerful.

[planetgong]

Ok. The Zalman cooler and 2xAkasa Amber 120mm I am sold on! Motherboard I am not 100% for some reason. I have never had an ASRock board before so don't know what they're like I guess.

[davethechamp]

If you really want to push your CPU, I'd go for a DFI Mobo. They can be a bit of a handfull with all the options on them, but when you get it wright they are excellent, if not a bit pricey.

The Ultra-D is probably the one you'll want to look at because the others are for SLI setups.

Dave

[planetgong]

The one that is £100? That is expensive!!

[davethechamp]

that may be so.. its still the cheapest DFI.
Generally its worth it, and I've enjoyed mine.
ASUS and ABIT produce good boards, and the ASROCK is basically a buget ASUS AFAIK.


Dave

[planetgong]

OK cheers. I have been looking at the Abit boards. Does anyone know what the difference is between the an8 & kn8?

[user1453]

you could go for dfi's new motherboarrd, this is based on an ati chipset and supports ati's crossfire, allowing you to use your current x800 with an x800 master card for better performance, only problem is this board is pricey

http://www.cpucityshop.co.uk/product...17c7ec9a1a9117

[davethechamp]

Holy smelly stuff, thats really expensive!!!!

Have a look here for comparison of abit mobo:

http://www.abit.com.tw/page/uk/mothe...YPE=Socket+939

dave

Edit
Looks like not much differance; slightly differant sound and the an8 has the OTES, fans for cooling around the poweer and processor. think thats mostly it!

Dave

[user1453]

the arctic cooling freezer 64 is a very good cooler and very quiet

[planetgong]

i have an arctic cooler at the moment and have found it pretty good. Didn't know if it was worth spending the cash to upgrade it or not. I have the non pro version.