Building a new comp...any suggestions or revisions?

[invazn]

Hey, I've been wanting to build computer for some time now and now I can finally start...I just want to run through the checklist again to make sure I didn't miss anything and everything is compatible. Any help will be appreciated...

Well to start off:
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+

2x SAPPHIRE Radeon X1600XT Running Crossfire Mode

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB)

Western Digital Caviar 250GB 7200 RPM

ASPIRE X-Infinity ATX Mid-Tower

SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache E-IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive

Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2

Zalman VF900 VGA Cooler

Asus X-Mars CPU Cooler

That's it, If there's anything else that I should get or if a piece of hardware is incompatible with another, please tell me. Thanks in advance...

 

[shadowduck]

First of all, why socket 939? I would recommend Intel Core 2 Duo, or at least go with AM2.

Second, why are two crappy X1600s needed? Single X1800XT will wipe the floor with X1600s.

Agreed. Crossfire sucks to start with, but X1600s? Thats really bad.

 

[The_Prophecy]

Suggested Changes:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3

RAM: OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800

Video: Forget Crossfire altogether. Crossfire and SLI are both completely pointless unless you are going to be gaming at resolutions over 1600 x 1200. Go for an eVGA Geforce 7900GT KO Superclocked

Optical Drives: Drop the Liteon drive. The Samsung does everything the Liteon does and more. There is no reason for anyone to ever have more than one optical drive anymore.

CPU Cooler: If you actually do get a Core 2 E6300 chip, drop the aftermarket CPU cooler altogether. You won't need it unless you're going to be doing A LOT of overclocking.

 

[invazn]

Can I do....
Gigabyte mobo
Core Duo E6300
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB)
and Sapphire Radeon X1800XT?

well sorry if I didn't know that 1600's were so bad..the reviews looked good and I have never got to use one personally

 

[The_Prophecy]

Yes, but a 7900GT beats an X1800XT. If you're looking for an ATI card because of HDR and AA both enabled in games, go for an X1900XT.

 

[invazn]

Is the difference between the 7900GT and the x1800xt worth 30$? Sorry if I'm nagging here but since I've switched from Nvidia to Ati, I don't want to turn back...the differences I see are 8 piplines more and 80mHz betwen the two, but you definitely know more about these cards than me, so what do you think is my best bet?

 

[The_Prophecy]

If you don't care about HDR and AA both being enabled, then go for the 7900GT. The extra 8 pixel pipes where you'll really see the difference. TBH, at this point I would either consider the 7900GT, or the X1900XT. If you're set on sticking with ATI, save up a little bit more money and get the X1900XT.

 

[invazn]

Yeah I guess that rules out the x1800xt..I think I'll give Nvidia another shot and ill go for the 7900GT. Thanks alot the the help proph .

 

[The_Prophecy]

No problem.... have fun with your new system.

 

[invazn]

1 more question..when will be the arrival of the Conroe?

 

[chewbenator]

... Tomarrow.