New System (Finally! =)

xXIspiralDownXx · Jul 28, 2003

Hi! First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you, who over the years have taught me everything I know about computers....moving on.

I finally scrapped enough money to replace my old and beaten up Compaq Presario 350Mhz AMD w/ a 4meg built in video card, but I have a few questions that im hoping you guys can help me with. here's what I've decided on so far:

2500+ AMD Barton 333fsb (I'll OC when I get bored)=)
2x CAS-2 128 PC2700 Kingston HyperX or Corsair
(not sure witch ones better)
Antec true 430watt PSU
Lian Li 60USB or 65USB (about $20 diffrence)
Round IDE cables
Canon I850
Windows XP pro.
Im swapping my 40GIG WD HD as well as my 16x lite-on burner

I want a MB with a Nvidia/Soundstorm chip set but im not sure which one. Im also planning on using the stock HS&F until I OC (what should I replace it with when I do?). Should scrape off that thermal pad right away and use arctic silver or just leave it on for now? Should I go with a RADEON 9600 pro ($143) or a RADEON 9500 pro ($181)?

I pretty much just want to get the damn thing up and running and then add more things when I can afford them (LCD monitor, 5.1 speakers ect.) My budget is around $700 w/o the printer. Ive gutted my old PC a few times but have never built one from scratch, any tips or advice for a first timer would be greatly appreciated, as well as any alterations you might think are better.

-Thank you all for your time

Edited by xXIspiralDownXx on 07/28/03 04:25 AM.

ChipDeath · Jul 28, 2003

Not bad specs..

If you're planning to OC that barton, I would suggest PC3200 RAM instead, and also to get 2x256 at least rather than 2x128, as 256Mb isn't much these days, for an XP system.

Gfx Card: I believe that the only difference between a Radeon 9500Pro and a 9700Pro is the 9500 has lower clocked mem/GPU, so you could get the 9500 and OC it into a 9700Pro. I could be wrong, but I think I read this somewhere.

mobo: Lots of people seem to like the Abit NF7 boards, especially for Overclocking. I myself have built 2 systems with the Epox 8RDA+ mobo - I would not hesitate to recommend this one, it's good for overclocking, and cheaper than most similarly specced boards...

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$hit Happens. I just wish it would happen to someone else for a change.

xXIspiralDownXx · Jul 28, 2003

thanks ChipDeath
-Ill be sure to go with a pair of CAS-2 Kingston HyperX PC3200 256megs since theyre only $60 each on pricewatch
as well as the Radeon 9500 pro.

ChipDeath · Jul 28, 2003

just checked up, and a 9500Pro is indeed basically an underclocked 9700Pro. as long as you're sure it's a PRO model, and not just a plain 9500, then I would definitely go for that one.

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$hit Happens. I just wish it would happen to someone else for a change.

NateKingCole · Jul 28, 2003

The 9500pro's are a bitch to overclock. From what I've read and heard it's an experienced overclocker task. On the contrary the 9600pro is relatively easy.

smitbret · Jul 28, 2003

$700, huh? Ok, here we go. All prices are from NewEgg and include shipping:

Abit NF7-S $121.00
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ Barton (Retail) $91.00
OCZ DDR PC-3200 Performance Series 256MB $124.00
ANTEC Model PLUS1080AMG Case with TRUE 430W PS $122.00
ATI RADEON 9700 PRO 128MB (refurbished) $231.00

Total $689.00

That is if you're not afraid of refurbs. Since it's purchased at NewEgg, it'll be relatively risk free. I've bought many refurb pieces and never had trouble, yet. Just enough left over to pick up some Arctic Silver 3 while you're at it. It's worth it. What you'll be left with is a highly overclockable and upgradeable system, although you won't need to. It's a pretty nice system as is. You won't need the Round IDE cables with this case (it's roomy). You'll probably be upgrading your HDD next and when that happens go with the serial connector. Board's ready for it. Good Luck.
-Brett

slvr_phoenix · Jul 28, 2003

The Canon I850 is a great choice. I have one myself and the print quality is just excellent.

It even beats the quality of the HP Color Laserjet 5m printer that I have here at work. And having four seperate color carts, refills are cheap.

"Let's see what Paragraph 84-B has to say about it." - Thief from <A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=030724" target="_new">8-Bit Theater</A>

xXIspiralDownXx · Jul 28, 2003

-thanks for the help
Im thinking of going with an Asus A7N8X Deluxe can someone who owns one tell me how they perform.
I cant decide whether to ge the OCZ or HyperX ram they both cost the same.
I think in the end I just might go for the refurbished Radeon 9700Pro

...

Crashman · Jul 29, 2003

9700 series has 256-bit memory. 9500 series has 128-bit memory. This refers to both Pros and Non-Pros. The 9700 Series and 9500 Pro have 8 rendering pipes, the 9500 standard has 4.

But there are certain 9500 NON pros that are built using the 9700 Pro PCB, and the 128MB versions of these therfore have a 256-bit memory pathway. Enabling the other 4 pipelines through a software hack turns these inexpensive cards into a 9700. That can't be done with a 9500 Pro, becuase it's unique PCB allows for only a 128-bit memory pathway.

Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!
Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!

Carnecerro · Jul 29, 2003

I have an A7N8X Deluxe and have had no problems whatsoever. I am running a 3000+ at 13X and 200Mhz FSB. I does run a little hot (about 52C). I will admit though if you want to O/C the Abit NF7-S is probably the best out there. My buddy is running a 2500+ at 211Mhz FSB (I think).

pIII_Man · Jul 29, 2003

don't forget the 8rda+ from epox...that is a great overclocker

So easy to fry yet tastes so good...
Silicon: The other, other, other white meat :evil:

smitbret · Jul 29, 2003

The Epox doesn't have Soundstorm, does it?
-Brett

pIII_Man · Jul 29, 2003

woops i skipped over that part of your post...no it does not...most boards do not...the nf-7 is one of the few good overclockers that do have soundstorm...

So easy to fry yet tastes so good...
Silicon: The other, other, other white meat :evil:

xXIspiralDownXx · Jul 29, 2003

thank you all for your advice.
Here is my new list based upon your advice and research.

2500+ barton ($91)
lian li 60usb ($108) [I have a soft spot for them]
Antec true 430 ($70)
Kingston HyperX 2x 256 CAS-2 ($120 for the pair)
-Refurbished Radeon 9700pro ($231 if its ever in stock at Newegg)
asus A7N8X Deluxe ($130)

I went with the asus because its packed full of built in features. Im just crossing my fingers that I dont get one thats DOA and will post w/o too much of a hassle. it adds up to around $750...a little more than I wanted to spend, but should be worth it in the long run
-what do you guys think???

...

NateKingCole · Jul 29, 2003

Looking good, kinda like the system I just ordered. 1GB of mem would help your preformance in windows XP but not your wallet.

smitbret · Jul 29, 2003

Looks good. The video card was in stock yesterday at NewEgg. Are they gone already.
-Brett

lhgpoobaa · Jul 30, 2003

Shame... R9700/9700pro's are really good value now, but are dissapearing damn quickly!

Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.

ChipDeath · Jul 30, 2003

The Epox doesn't have Soundstorm, does it?

Yes, it does - 8RDA+ has mcp-t southbridge, plain vanilla 8RDA[non +] does not however...

---
$hit Happens. I just wish it would happen to someone else for a change.

pIII_Man · Jul 30, 2003

well it is not soundstorm certified...but nor is the A7N8X and it supposidly has great sound quality so that is no reason not to buy it

3 386DX-25's...12 volts...glue some ln2 and a wicked amount of overclocking and you get a willamantee minus 36 pins, 33.75 million transistors and a couple hundred mhz... 😎

smitbret · Jul 30, 2003

I don't think the MCP-T guarantees the Soundstorm feature on a the board. They (nVidia and board manufacturers) sure haven't been making it easy to decipher this.
-Brett

slvr_phoenix · Jul 30, 2003

I don't think the MCP-T guarantees the Soundstorm feature on a the board. They (nVidia and board manufacturers) sure haven't been making it easy to decipher this.

My understanding is that the 'Soundstorm' feature is the audio logic that's built into the nForce southbridge. However 3D and effect logic itself isn't enough to make sound come out of your PC. You also need a digital to analog converter(audio out) and an analog to digital converter(audio on), which nVidia didn't supply in their southbridge. So you have to use a third party chip to do this part of the audio or else you simply won't have any way to get sound to your speakers or from your microphone.

The actual sound quality itself is, of course, completely dependant on the quality of this converter. So most mobo makers will if anything advertise the converter, not the Soundstorm logic.

So when shopping you want to make sure that it has the proper southbridge (instead of some rip-off cheap VIA replacement) for the Soundstorm logic, but you also want to make sure that the sound converter itself is good too, or else all of the great 3D logic in the world won't make it sound any better.

I could be wrong, but that was my understanding. I'd imagine (hope anyway) that there are folks in the Sound Card section that could give better info as I'm not much of an audiophile.

"Let's see what Paragraph 84-B has to say about it." - Thief from <A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=030724" target="_new">8-Bit Theater</A>

New System (Finally! =)

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