Advice on new components

[Silent Shark]

Right, I'm replacing the heart of my PC (CPU, Mobo, GFX Card), after some bizzare problems with gfx cards. Here are the exact items I've got on my list. If you think of any better options, or any old hardware that needs replacing, please let me know. (All of it is going in a nice new GByte Aurora case )

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA K8NF-9 Ultra
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=299635

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 32/64Bit CPU S939 "San Diego" 90nm Retail
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=323580

Video: 256MB ScanFX PCI-E *Extreme Edition* GF7800GT *450 Core 1.05Ghz Mem* (256bit) ViVo 2xDVI
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=323750


Old hardware to go in:

CPU Fan: Akasa Evo33 (VERY good!)
RAM: 1024MB Crucial DDR400 RAM (2x512)
Sound: Creative SB Audigy LS
TV: Compro Videomate DVB-T300
DVD: NEC 2510A DVD+-RW Dual Layer
HDD: Maxtor Diamondmax 9 120GB SATA Maxtor Diamondmax 10 200GB SATA
Other: 7-in-1 Internal USB Card Reader

[Noni]

Go for this motherboard if your not going to overclock-

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=298780

For a couple of quid more you can get a 3700+ from here

http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/...A-6E9DB9746A47

You can also get a Leadtek 7800GT for £211 from here-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...0__Series.html

Or a X850XT for £146!!

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...CI_Series.html

[Noni]

Oh and what PSU do you have?

[Silent Shark]

Oh yeah, forgot PSU

Hiper Type-R 480W.

A good PSU, but it doesn't have any PCI-E connectors, so I'll have to get an adaptor.

I looked at the Leadtek card, but the ScanFX one is clocked higher (plus the higher clocked Leadtek one is more expensive than the ScanFX one).

I also looked at the two mobos in comparison, and the Asus seems to have a couple of things less than the Gigabyte. What made you recommend it?

Thanks so far, keep 'em coming!

P.S. I'd like to save on postage if I can, so unless the savings or performance increase is drastic, I'm gonna stick to Scan thanks ).

[Noni]

You could go for the gigabyte, but I do hear alot of good things about the Asus.

Get the Gigabyte if it has more features.

If you wish to have the Scan one go for it.

I highly reccomend the Bigtyphoon cooler though.

Good luck.

[NightshadowUK]

For a couple of quid more you can get a 3700+ from here

http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/...A-6E9DB9746A47

Why did you link him to an OEM of the same CPU, but for more money... ?

[Silent Shark]

Changed processor for a 3700, and I'm investigating the BigTyphoon.

@NightshadowUK. I've just changed the CPU to a 3700, it used to be a 3500, so he linked me to the better proc.

[sawyen]

Heard plenty praises for the mighty bigT.. but personally its just a little too heavy for me..

If ur worried about the size and weight.. CNPS9500 should provide similar performance at a much more acceptable weight.

(3700+) CABBAGE* chips generally clocks lower than CABNE chips.. Why not save a couple of dollars for an Opty 146 CABNE, still 10x multi and most of them clock to 2.8Ghz easily using either stock volts or a tad more..

The best I've seen cabbage chips do is 2.7Ghz on 1.5Vish

[Silent Shark]

Not doing any overclocking. Bad experiences, and now I leave it well alone.

I've heard many people mention Opterons, but is that mostly 'coz they overclock well?

And with the cooler, is my Evo33 not going to do the job? It's fantastic for the 3200 i'm using atm.

(Sorry if it seems that I'm asking for advice, then rejecting everything :S . I'm just trying to be cautious).

[sawyen]

EVo33 will work fine, but the last time I heard one operating... well.. lets just say my ear goo keeps pouring out..

Opterons 939 are just basically better hand-picked batches of A64.. they genereally clocks higher and runs cooler at higher MHz.. They also come with 1MB core just like them Cabbage San Diego cores..

If ur familiar with overclocking a A64, its almost criminal not trying to get one.. I'm guilty and almost sent myself to the electric chair for not having enuf cash for one...

[Silent Shark]

Yeah the Evo is noisy if you have it on any other setting other than the lowest. I can just change the fan though if needed.

Might get the Evo120 then. It's quiet and gets good reviews.

What's the difference between the San Diego core and the Venice core in the processor I've got listed?

EDIT: Just noticed that the 3700 has a San Diego core. I thought it had a Venice core. Still, what's the difference?

[NightshadowUK]

EDIT: Just noticed that the 3700 has a San Diego core. I thought it had a Venice core. Still, what's the difference?

San Diego ~ 1MB L2 Cache

Venice ~ 512K L2 Cache

[Smokey21]

Looks good.Id change the mobo, for the Asus A8N-E NF4 Ultra though!