Any comments/suggestions? This computer is going to be used for gaming and work related stuff. CPU: Athlon64 3500+ BOX (2.2Ghz) Processor with Hyper Transport Technology (Socket 939) Motherboard: A8N-SLI - 939, NFORCE4 SLI, 2PCI-EX16 Graphics Card: EN6600/TD/256M PCIE GF6600 TVO DVI Ram: 512MB DDR400 PC3200 ***ELIXER*** 512MB DDR400 PC3200 ***ELIXER*** Hard Drive:MAXTOR 6B200M0 200GB 8MB 7200RPM SATA150 MAXTOR 6B200M0 200GB 8MB 7200RPM SATA150 Sound Card: ACSB0350 SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum 7.1 Case/PSU: ThermalTake VA3000BWA Tsunami+PSU Black Alu WIN DVD ROM: ASUS 16X DVD ROM RETAIL PACK ASUS DRW-1608P - Black 16x8x/32x24x40x/16x (Dual Layer) Monitor: ViewSonic G90f+ 19"CRT Display Speakers: ACSP2500 Inspire 2500 2.1 speakers Keyboard/Mouse: Microsoft CA9-00018 Black Value Pack Keyboard Mice USB P.S. The good audio card is for recording not for gaming or watching movies. Also is there any guides that will give me in detail information with pictures on how to put together a machine like this, as I have not built a computer for a long time and I need some refreshing and guidance just in case things have changed etc. -Thank you
I'd up the graphics card to at least a 6600GT if you are going to be gaming much at all. If necessary take the hit on the CPU and go down to a 3200+. I suggest your make sure you get a venice cored processor to gain the benefit from the newest revision core with slightly more features and the better memory controller on it.
Yeah, just like tank rider said get a 6600gt if you can and if not just take the cpu down to 3200 with a venice core but youu may want to consider some OCZ ram
Yes, make sure the CPU is a Venice core (3000+ to 3500+) or San Diego (3700+ +). I hate thermaltake cases with a passion, but other than that, nothing seems inherantly wrong. Although it seems a little silly to get an SLI board with a single 6600 series card, but I'll assume you'll use it as an upgrade path instead of going spend-crazy right now. Actually... the dvd drive seems rather odd, maybe I'm reading the specs wrong though. You can get a 16xW/8(?)xRW/16xR/4xDL 48xW/32xRW/48xR drive for about $50 (mine are all Lite On). Make sure the PSU is well-made... generic units just bring problems. As for a guide... everything really only fits in one place, and if it can fit in more than one place it doesn't matter which one you choose. The only thing to know for that setup is you want the graphics card in the blue PCIEx16 slot (primary), and I'd suggest putting PCI cards in the slot farthest from the CPU socket first. For dual channel memory, put the ram in slots 1 and 3 (double-check the manual for everything, I think you match colors) and put the drives on SATA1 and SATA2 first obviously, and if the drives have SATA and legacy molex power slots, ONLY USE ONE OF THEM!
Ok, thanks for the advice! The only problem is I'm new to AMD as this will be the first time I will use one. So what is a "Venice core"? These are the only 2 AMD chips I can get that are 939 socket and the 3200+ is only $100 cheaper for me. Athlon64 3200+ BOX (2.0Ghz)Processor with HyperTransport Technology (socket 939) Athlon64 3500+ BOX (2.2Ghz) Processor with Hyper Transport Technology (Socket 939) I haven't been looking at hardware, for such a long time, but since I have the money now I have done a bit researh. But I'm still very noob at this stuff, so what kind of motherboard do you suggest? But there is only one stipulation it has to to be an ASUS. These are the motherboards I can get (I want to use a PCIE graphics card) SK8N - NFORCE3 PRO150 4DD AGP8X SKT940 A8N-SLI DELUXE A8N-SLI - 939, NFORCE4 SLI, 2PCI-EX16 A8N-E - S939, NF4ULTRA, 4D, PCIE, GBLAN A8V DELUXE/WIFI-G K8T800PRO 4D 5P ASUS A8V-E DELUXE A8V DELUXE A8V - K8 K8T800PRO 4DD 5P AGP8X GBL K8N-E DELUXE - NF3 250GB 3DD GBL F SATA K8N - NV NF3 250, AGP8X, 8CH AUDIO K8V_SE_DELUXE - K8T800 3DD AGP8X 5P SA F K8V-X K8T800 3DD AGP8X 5P SA SATA K8S-MX - SiS760GX, 2D, AGP8X, L, SATA A7V600-X - K7 VKT600 AGP8X LAN_SATA A7V400-MX-SE - VKM400A 2DD 3P AGP8X L SATA A7V400-MX - K7 VKM400A 2DD 3P L SA U2 Firehed, about the DVD I don't know what you mean, I'll I can say is it's this DVD burner DRW-1608P Ok so I will get a new PSU, I need about a 500w PSU? Any one suggest something that isn't expensive, since I have to change some stuff now and add some stuff, i'll most likely be over budget running over budget. Thanks once again for all your help!
well nearly all of them boards have narrowed it down to the a8n-e or a8n sli any reason why it needs to be asus (i know they make reliable mobos but why?) * get the a8n sli * ditch the 'cool' 256M PCIE GF6600 for a 6600GT at mid range price double the ram for more money makes no performance difference... as it's ususally slower and especially since it's only a 6600, 6600GT's are better maxtor has had some bad press about failing and 'stuff' so you might want to go for another make although the one iv'e had hasn't been a problem
Oh by the way I'm not looking to overclock this machine. EDIT: Because my budget is only $2500AUD, and I can get all the ASUS parts at warehouse prices. So is it necessary for the Vcore? Also the SLI board is just about the same price as the A8N-E, juat a couple a couple bucks more The other hard drives I can get are Seagate and Western Digital.
Alright, Seagate makes the best hard drives, the A8NSLI Deluxe is preferable, and you should spend your money on a 3500+ Venice; you know its a venice because it has SSE 3 and is 90nm; just ask for it, and the store people should be able to get it for you. Make sure you get a 6600 GT, not just a vanilla 6600; theres a huge performance difference, and as has been said before, 256 megs of RAM makes no difference whatsoever on the 6600 cards.
seagate is 5 year warranty - great drives. venice core is the way to go as well. Just ask for it the same way that Roto put it and you shouldnt have any problems. Obviously other chips will do just fine for you but for the best bang for you buck grab a venice first. I dont even think there is hardly a price difference between that core and others. If you have a link to the one you are getting we can sure find out for ya quickly.
Man this community is great! So helpful and fast! I'll try get all the links to what I am getting, here goes; I have to ring up the dealer to find out if it is a Venice Core CPU: Athlon64 3500+ BOX (2.2Ghz) Processor with Hyper Transport Technology (Socket 939) Motherboard: A8N-SLI - 939, NFORCE4 SLI, 2PCI-EX16 I made the switch here Graphics Card: EN6600GT/TD/128M/A PCIE GF6600GT TVO DVI Can't find a website for Ram: 512MB DDR400 PC3200 ***ELIXER*** I made the switch here Hard Drive:ST3200826AS Seagate SATA NCQ 200G 8MB 7200.8 Sound Card: ACSB0350 SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum 7.1 Case/PSU: ThermalTake VA3000BWA Tsunami+PSU Black Alu WIN DVD ROM: ASUS DRW-1608P - Black Monitor: ViewSonic G90f+ 19"CRT Display Speakers: ACSP2500 Inspire 2500 2.1 speakers Between these 2 cards there is a hughe price difference, what makes the doom card soo much better? They both come under the same serries as Nvidia 6600GT EN6600GT/DOOM3/TD/128M EN6600GT/TD/128M/A PCIE GF6600GT TVO DVI
The Doom 3 one has ramsinks on it, making it more capable in overclocking and more stable. There is an issue with the 6600 series though-they dont like it when you run with less than a gigabyte of memory for some reason.
Well I'm running a gig of memory so lucky me! LOL Mmmmm I wasn't able to find out about the CPU today, didn't get a chance to ring the dealer. I'll probably be able to tell you guys tomorrow! EDIT: Just thinking and also looking up stuff, am I buying this computer too fast? What I mean by that is, like AMD have the Dual-Core processor. Should I wait for these to come down in price? I know that there is never a right time to buy computer equipment as new things are always being release. I currently have an 800mhz computer for about 4 or 5 years now. Soon after I bought this computer the 1ghz Intel chips were released gradually going up to the 2ghz mark. Right from the 2ghz to 3ghz it has been fairly slow. Nothing that major has been released. And that is the time I think I want to buy, now what do you all think I should do. Wait for these Dual-Core processors to come down in price? As, if I buy what I currently have decided, I will not be able to upgrade to the Dual-Core processor without having to splash out the money for a new motherboard etc.
Well what is this computer going to be used for. IF your going to multitask gaming and encoding mp3's all the time then save for the X2. Im thinking since your running on a 800mhz now i dont think you will need an X2. So my suggestion is get a 3200 venice core now. Then in a couple years when X2's come down in price look into getting one. Also why elixer ram. ITs not bad ram just not the greatest. IF you can go for some ocz, kingston, or corsair. Good choice on the seagate HD i have 2 and love them quiet and everything.
Why I am getting Elixer ram? Because I am trying to build this computer as cheap as possible and if I can get parts for cheap I am going to get it. But some of my friends have bought Elixer before and they said it's fine and since I'm noting going to overclock this computer, I find no need for the better ram.
onggie, I understand you don't want to overclock, but you may be missing out on some nice performance increases. Personally, I'd drop down to a 3200+ processor, get a decent cooler for it, and use the other part of the $100 on getting a much better PSU. Then I'd overclock it, because almost all venice cores do 2.6ghz pretty easily, and I've seen them get to 2.8 stable on air cooling. 500+ watt PSUs are not necessary. What IS necessary is good efficiency. For instance, I run a system similar to what you're building (only a little more power-hungry, cause it's an intel processor) with a 430w Seasonic S12 power supply. Great efficiency and REALLY helps keep temps down, and is more power than I'll need for a long time. Plus, it has dual, separate rails (very useful in the future for you, since you have an SLI board). With its efficiency, it not only saves more on the electric bill and cuts down system heat, but it also puts out better and more stable power than most 500-550w power supplies. And may I recommend a possible brand change for your graphics card to XFX or BFG. I've heard a LOT of good things about BFG, and I love my XFX 6600GT. Oh, and if you can, splurge on slightly better ram. You want the lowest latencies (timings) that you can get with an AMD system.
You want to get a 3500+ cpu from amd and a 6600 gt to go with that. That seems kinda wrong. Better gfcard and a 3200+ amd if the budget can't handel it. 3500+ isn't worth it i think and the 3200+ will do fine. Get a 6800 Gt/ultra, x800 xt/xt pe or a 7800 gtx. Memory is 1GB must have. 512 won't cut it for games.
I would avoid the x800 for the time being. I love ATI, but NVidia is just where it's at for this current generation...unless you want to wait for the R520 chips, which will be hitting the market supposedly in september. And cc ras, there's nothing wrong with a 3500+ and a 6600gt...the 6600 has a lot of power behind it. Though I do recommend the consideration of a 3200+ and a 6800gt as you mention. If price is an issue, though, a 6600gt is a great mid-line card.
The thing is that the 3500+ is high priced and the 6600gt is the best priced. It's just odd to spend a hole lot of money on a cpu like the 3500+ when you could get a very good cpu for less, the 3200+ will be more then enough. But the diffrence between the 6600gt and 6800 gt is quite big. I just think that better get a better gfcard and a 3200+ cus you really don't need the 3500+ i think. But that's just me and the best is to get 3500+ and a good gfcard.
Thanks for the info, but $200AUD power supply is about out of my reach :S. Any other suggestions that would fall at the $100AUD mark ($70USD)? The Thermaltake case does come with a 400w PSU, do you reckon that is efficent? If not here is a list of wesites that I might be able to buy off for a PSU. http://www.cworld.com.au/classes/assembler.php?PROD_CAT=Power supply&PROD_SORT=NO http://www.itzcomputers.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=27_60&osCsid=83d084be8832cdd0fd619bfc7247cdfe http://www.pc-express.com.au/category79_1.htm http://www.netplus.com.au/Specials/body_specials.asp#PW20 http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/default.php?cPath=93_74 http://www.itwarehouse.com.au/warehouse/browse1.htm Yeah but see if I do cut back and get a 3200+ instead of a 3500+ I save $100 which is about $70USD. Where as the difference between the 6600GT and the 6800GT is $500 which is about $375USD.
When I went to the Aussie site for the motherboard I wanted (this one is the delux one) it says Socket 939 for AMD Athlon 64FX/[/b]Athlon 64 X2[/b]/Athlon 64. Does this mean it can handle the Dual-Core processor. I highly doubt it can, though. but then it says this Can you guys check it out and tell me please! Thanks http://au.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=15&l3=0&model=375&modelmenu=1
