How about this AMD X2 S939 build?

[mwiz79]

Hi,

Sometime back I posted for a E6300 based build and was informed that that was spending too much for a NON-gaming, mainly multimedia system that won't be oc'ed at all. The other option I have is to go with AMD X2 S939. Am apprehensive about AM2 as I was unable to find any stable non-SLi mobos for it. At the same time am not too bothered about upgradability (except for RAM and HDD) as long as the system runs ok for 3 years, after which it'll be replaced with whatever is available then. Stability is important as the user is non DIYer. So hows this:

1)AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core - $152

2)DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra - $100

3) CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWINX1024-3200C2PT - Retail - $121

4) SAPPHIRE 100141L Radeon X1300 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express - $66

5) NEC - 3550A DVD writer - $35

How good is this build for the kind of use I already mentioned? Any changes needed?

Other stuff I already have and will be using stock HSF. But would appreciate recommnedations for power supply.

Regards,
M

 

[The_Prophecy]

If the system won't be OC'ed, don't bother with a DFI motherboard. Swap it for the Asus A8N5X. Then swap the RAM for this 1GB Set of OCZ DDR400. Slightly lower timings (2-3-2-6 vs. 2-3-3-6) and $6 cheaper.

 

[mwiz79]

Thanks Prophecy! But I am apprehensive about using OCZ with ASUS! (btw the Mobo you recommended is out of stock at Newegg as of now )

The other option I am considering is this C2D based system:
Again not much gaming as such, so don't want to spend much on GPU and as the user is not really a DIYer a stable build is the major requirement (minimal bios updates/crashes/BSODd) . How good is this one (for about $100 more):

1)Intel E6300 Core 2 Duo Intel E6300 Core 2 Duo - $193

2)Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express - $153 (Or should I go for ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX - $160)

3)CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) - $116

4)PNY VCG66256XPB Geforce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $59 ( how good is this one? Any other circa $50 graphic card that I should consider?)

5)NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Beige IDE Model ND-3550A - $35

Others:
a) Stock HSF
b) One UDMA HDD 120GB (from previous system) - Might buy a SATA HDD little later
c) Creative Audigy 2 ZS Platinum (from previous system)

Is this better than than E6300 and worth the $100 bump?

What would be the power requirement of this rig and which power supply should I buy?

Would really appreciate any help in deciding...need to place order tomorrow!!!

TIA,
M

 

[NaDa]

For multimedia you dont need a oc mobo like DFI you can get a cheap gigabyte they are also very good I have 2.

Maybe for the HDD requirements you would like RAID 5 then I would suggest ASUS MVP it's a ok priced board with xpress 200 chipset it does even oc great and has RAID 5.

RAID 5 is great if your into multimedia and/or video editing and you need backup.

If you dont oc then dont buy any expensive stuff.. like mobos or ram. You can really save here and the performance is the same.

You could get by with an integrated graphic on the mobo it's even cheaper! Or maybe you need good video out and in??

One more thing I think you should read a bit more about ocing. I have OCed of a while now and keep my x2 3800 at 2.5GHz perfectly stable no chashes whatsoever! You just need to know how to oc and make you sistem stable. ASUS MVP is a great ocer if you change your mind and is cheap I think its the best board for the money around.

 

[NaDa]

MVP has RAID 5 and the HT goes to 1500MHz. How about your nForce 4 chipset ???

 

[NaDa]

Yup I would rather work on an OCed system that has been oced by an expert than a noob system thats kept at stock.
Just cos you keep your system at stock doesnt mean its stable!

 

[NaDa]

I wasnt talking about the 32x MVP but the regular one its about half priced. Who needs a 32x lanes pciexpress mobo that doesnt overclock ??

Yes I saw the DFI CFX3200 hit 512MHz fsb but so what if you aint ocing then its a waste of money.

ASUS MVP (XPRESS 200 - NOT 3200) is CHEAP, and has RAID 5 and clocks very well.

Just a while back I saw a guy using Conroe X6800 clocked at 3.5 and quad SLI just to watch some movies and listen to music? What is this industry doing to us??? :?

 

[Fox_granit]

go with the MVP and if you'd like you could take that extra 100$ and throw in a good size SATA HD with that. 160gig WD or Samsung are less than 90$ on ZipZoomFly.com and come with a full warrenty. Or take and invest that 100$ into a better video card, like a 7600gt would be a much better card.

 

[mwiz79]

Hi All,

Thanks for the input. So am going with S939 AMD instead of E6300. As per the recommendation have changed the config to:

1)AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core - $152

2)ASUS A8R-MVP Socket 939 ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 CrossFire ATX AMD CrossFire Motherboard - Retail - $85 (is this the one or 3200 needs to be ordered?)

3) CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWINX1024-3200C2PT - Retail - $121 - (Is this OK or some other brand/speed is needed?)

4) PNY VCG66256XPB Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $59 (have changed to this from Sapphire Radeon X1300 - btw would an nVidia video card work well with an ATI based mobo)
5) NEC - 3550A DVD writer - $35

Please let me know if its alright for the purpose or any further changes are needed? I plan to go ahead and order? (butterflies in my stomach - if its a right decision to go with AMD X2 939 or should I go for E6300????)

TIA,
M

 

[angry_ducky]

2)ASUS A8R-MVP Socket 939 ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 CrossFire ATX AMD CrossFire Motherboard - Retail - $85 (is this the one or 3200 needs to be ordered?)

I'd stick with that mobo; the 3200 chipset isn't worth the price difference.

4)PNY VCG66256XPB Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $59 (have changed to this from Sapphire Radeon X1300 - btw would an nVidia video card work well with an ATI based mobo)

An nVidia card will work fine with an ATI chipset.

 

[chenBrazil]

Regarding power ...any 500 W from enermax , OCZ , even coolermaster or Thermaltake will work fine for you...
I would go for cheaper memory as corsair value select or patriot but go for 2 GB (2x1GB) intead 1GB as this will help a lot when encoding video or music...
Nvidia cards works fine on ATI chipset...
6600 is fine..maybe you can find in a compusa stores close to you one of those pick up remaining PNY 6600GT for same price...check their website...

 

[mwiz79]

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for the advice. Finally took the plunge and ordered the following stuff:

1)AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core - $152

2)ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - $86 (ordered this one; A8N5X was unavailable. Hope it is OK)

3) CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWINX1024-3200C2PT - Retail - $121

4) PNY VCG66256XPB Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $59

5) NEC - 3550A DVD writer - $35

Hope I didn't make many blunders, did I? :roll:

Have Audigy2ZS Platinum and Powersupply/case/HDD shall buy a little later (after going back home

Thanks,
M

 

[NaDa]

You will be happy using that comp for multimedia it will be able to game to.