potential setup (newbie)

[rawls31]

Hello,
I am going to attempt to build my own this time around. Below is the potential parts list. I would appreciate any feedback on my choices. This list is similar to the setup on Rob's homepage with a few differences. Am i missing anything? I would like to get it all ordered at once.

Thanks,
Rawls



Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142&ATT=13-131-142&CMP=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131142

1GB, Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-8500 X 2
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=bl12864aa1065&pid=862686

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136074&ATT=22-136-074&CMP=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Hard+Drives-_-Western+Digital-_-22136074

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106045&ATT=27-106-045&CMP=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-CD/DVD+Burners+(RW+Drives)-_-Lite-On-_-27106045

Antec Sonata III 500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024&Tpk=Antec%2bSonata%2bIII%2b500

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118003&ATT=35-118-003&CMP=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-CPU+Cooling-_-Zalman+Tech+Co.++Ltd-_-35118003

[medchemistMA]

rawls31,

To maximize performance with DDR2, you need to have your memory in sets of 2 chips . This is because DDR2 has the ability to access both chips at the same time (someone correct me if I am straying from the path). You want 2 or 4, ideally of the exact same chip (a 2GB or 4GB memory kit is helpful).

You can get 2GB of PC-8500 for ~$100, you can get 2GB of PC-6400 for ~$50 or 4GB of PC-6400 for ~$100.

This is a newegg search for PC-6400 and PC-8500 that has some of the options that are out there. You probably have looked at much of this already, but I put the ink in in case someone else wants to check it out.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=147&Description=&Type=&N=2010170147+1052308477+1052416064&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A28912&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A15794&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A7859&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A8477&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A16064&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A20643

I think that you will get better performance out of 2GB PC-6400 than 1GB PC-8500. Unless you are overclocking, you are going to hit 1:1 on your bus with the PC-6400 anyway, so going to the 1066MHz memory won't give much more punch. I am fairly sure that having two chips to access is much more important to your performance with DDR2 than having one slightly faster chip. Someone should speak up if I am wrong about this.

Hope that helps a little,

MedchemistMA

[RickyTick]

As prevously posted, you would be better served by installing 2x1gb of ram.

If you can swing it, go for the 8800GTS 512 card. It's a good bit more expensive, but worth it if you like to play newer games.

Also, the P35 motherboards might be a better choice instead of the 650i.

You listed the meat of the system, but you didn't list an Operating System, Monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

[chunkylover53]

I have the Antec Sonata III, and I'm quite pleased with it. I chose it because it's a little less flashy than the 900, but there are times I wish I had gone with the "bling" :p . I had read a few too many mixed reviews on the power supply, so I went with a Corsair 520HX. Now I have an extra 500W power supply, but I guess it's nice to have a spare just in case. Unfortunately I couldn't find the case only without PSU.

I also have a Zalman fan (the 9700), and mine fits in the case with plenty of room. I used Arctic Silver 5, but it does come with it's own thermal grease. The 9700 was tricky to install, so make sure you do it PRIOR to mounting the MOBO to the case. It's HUGE! :eek:

I think your "X2" at the end of your memory description above meant that you were going with 2GB, but if not I agree with the other posts that you need two. I also have Crucial memory, but if I had it to do over I would go with the Corsair. The deals on it are just too good to pass up.

[rawls31]

Thank you for the replies,

chunky is right i had the X 2, meaning (2 x 1GB) sorry that wasn't very clear.

Ricky, i assume that you suggest the p35, like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131188
due to the fact that they support ddr3 memory?

The 8800gts like this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325
is almost an extra hundred... i will have to think about it.

the rest of the system will be
windows xp sp2
my 10 year old dell trinitron monitor
current dell oem keyboard
current dell oem ball mouse (old skool)

[RickyTick]

That P5KC board is fine, although I've been reading here about problems with it and the E8400 processor. Might want to do a little research.

If you want to game with the newer, graphically intensive games, that 8800GTS is the way to go. If you're a moderate/casual gamer than don't sweat it. Get something within your budget. Its all good.

[iiiprimeiii]

what power supply you going with???? also the gts is only 284.99 right now on newegg after rebate only 40 bucks more.

[rawls31]

iiiprimeiii,

I was just gonna use the power supply that comes with the antec...
good idea or no?

Yep your right about the mail in rebate, didnt see that.

I wanna run cod4 super fast so i guess i should go with the gts.

Thanks,

rawls31

[Jamie Nixx]

CoD4 is not very demanding on the system, i have run it on med settings at 1440x900 on a 6600GT LMAO :D

Me and the Wise Monkey have both had trouble the Antec Eartwatts PSU (the one that comes with your case)

One of them actually burnt out my computer last year when it caught fire so i now hate them with a passion.

If you want to get the 8800GTS i would go for a Corsair HX520w.

By the way DO NOT get the LITE ON DVD/RW.

[shyster]

By the way DO NOT get the LITE ON DVD/RW.


Could you please expand on that caps lock Jamie? I trust your judgment but hearing a reason for something caps locked is always good.

[Jamie Nixx]

Okie doke.

Right, the drive is very loud, whether its reading or writing.

These drives also seem to have a habit of not being able to read the Crysis disk, Google for more info.

The disk tray warps after about a days use, quite badly.

Put quite simply one of the worst DVDRW i have EVER bought and it cost me £30 which if you convert to US currency is about $55.

[bighoo93]

I have the Antec Sonata III, and I'm quite pleased with it. I chose it because it's a little less flashy than the 900, but there are times I wish I had gone with the "bling" :p . I had read a few too many mixed reviews on the power supply, so I went with a Corsair 520HX. Now I have an extra 500W power supply, but I guess it's nice to have a spare just in case. Unfortunately I couldn't find the case only without PSU.



I thought the Antec power supply was pretty good? I know from reading here that the Corsair you bought is outstanding, but I wouldn't have thought it was as useful to replace a power supply that is already considered very good. Or am I incorrect in overrating the one that comes with the Sonata III?

[chunkylover53]

From what I could see the reviews were mixed, but I can't say from experience whether it is good or bad. Jamie had trouble with it in the past, and I looked up the power supply on it's own just to read through the reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

I'm sure that even the best piece of equipment will have some bad reviews on newegg, but I usually look for consistency in the reviews that are bad. If the bad feedback is inconsistent, then it's probably isolated incidences. If the bad feedback all seems to mention the same thing (like a high pitched noise), then I might think twice.

Again, you might do well to go with the advice of someone that has used it and has experience with it.

[Jamie Nixx]

Not ''it''.

The third one is the one that caught fire, the first two failed.