rig check

[hybird]

hi,

building my first ever gaming rig and Its a huge performance change from my current specs . Im sure that the cpu im getting is fine for what I want to do but some parts Im not to sure about, so I ask for you opinions...

CPU - amd 64 3200 venice skt 939

MOBO - Abit AN8 SLi Fatal1ty nForce4 SLi (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard

RAM - OCZ 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC3200 Dual Channel Gold Series BH5 EL-DDR CAS2.0

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Plus 200GB ST3200822AS SATA 8MB Cache - OEM

Plextor PX-716A Dual Layer 16x4x DVD±RW ReWriter - Retail

BFG GeForce PCX6600 GT OC 128MB DDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Thanks,

 

[dunklegend]

Are you really planning on buying another video card, if not I suggest on getting a motherboard with nforce 4 ultra and a better video card.
Sometimes you plan your rig for future upgrades, but by the time you buy that second card there's a better single card alternative with no much difference in price.

<font color=blue>If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on</font color=blue>

 

[Starfishy]

I would question whether or not to go SLI. I am not saying you shouldn't... I am just saying that you should make sure you are ready to make that investment. You are purchasing a more expensive board right now assuming that in the future you will buy another vid card and upgrade. Just try to remember how little time it takes things to go out of date. If you are thinking of buying the other 6600GT in a month or two, or even within a year then it might be worth your while to go SLi. But if you think that you will purchase your card a few years down the road then this is not a great upgrade path. Remember how fast things in this industry are outdated. In a year or two the SLi 6600GTs will no longer be a "top of the line" type upgrade. It will be a low end, and you will find yourself wanting to buy something else.

I'm just letting you know that you might want to save the money on the SLi and go for a 6800GT or something? Or possibly just pocket the money.

 

[Starfishy]

Wow, it looks like I took too long writing my post. I got scooped again.

 

[hybird]

Im really looking for a card and a mobo that is reliable and good performance, im not looking to build this rig for future updating, once this system is "out-of-date" then i will be of age to be able to get what ever I want. But as of now, just a card that will play cod,jo-ops and a few other multi games, nothing like hl-2 etc as I dont like em.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by hybird on 06/21/05 12:58 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[dunklegend]

Don't worry it happens.

<font color=blue>If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on</font color=blue>

 

[fishmahn]

Another one checking in on the "are you sure you need SLI"...

Put the money you save into a better video card - like an X800XL or a 6800. That will give you more longevity without an upgrade than the option of adding another 6600GT later.

Or, get a 6<b>8</b>00GT now, and then I can almost (I still wouldn't do it, but...) understand SLI if you really intend to get another 6800gt in the next 6-9mos.

Also, in most cases the 7200.8 is the same price as the 7200.7, so get a .8 if you can, and check into the NEC 3520 (I think that's the number - maybe it's 2530?) - As good as or better than the Plexor and usually lower cost.

Mike.

 

[dunklegend]

I agree with the NEC 3520. I've never used a Plextor writer, but I have used 3 NECs 2 of those the 3520 and the other was an earlier model maybe 3510.
I can tell you the NEC is great. How great? In newegg it has a five star rating from 400+ reviewers and it costs about $45.
My other DVD burner is a lightscribe BenQ, it's really cool to laser burn the label in the DVD writer. The BenQ was $62.
So you can buy both with almost the same money that you'll spend on the Plextor.

<font color=blue>If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on</font color=blue>

 

[hybird]

Good point, I dont really need sli at this time... think Ill just wait abit and get the 6800gt.

I was looking at the nec, but im not sure.. might go for the nec

thanks all for your opinions

 

[Starfishy]

Yep I like all of these suggestions...

Only one that I will offer is that if you don't go SLi (which seems to be the most recommended route) you should consider getting the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D NF4 board. That and the Epox NF4 are both good, but the DFI owns all in overclocking.

 

[Starfishy]

You don't need to wait to get a 6800GT they are available now. I bought one a few months ago. Someone else suggested that you buy one now, and another one later if you still want to go SLi... but that's kinda silly cause you would have to buy another mobo (or else buy the SLi mobo now, which I wouldn't do).

 

[dunklegend]

Yes the DFI and Epox nForce 4 ultra are both great boards, the DFI is probably the best but it's also more expensive.
Here's a <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16813123236,N82E16813136152&SubCategory=22" target="_new">comparison</A>
note the different number of slots between the Epox and the DFI, decide which features you need, and you could also read reviews for both mobos, so you know the pros and cons of each board.

<font color=blue>If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on</font color=blue>

 

[apesoccer]

If you're changing to a nforce ultra chipset (non-sli chipset) and are considering a 6800 gt...wait a little while longer and the prices should drop 'a bit' when both the new nvidia and ati cards are mass produced. If one drops, the other will follow, and there is almost always a drop in price after a new line of cards shows up.

F@H:
AMD: [64 3000+][2500+][2400+][2000+][1.3][366]
Intel: [X 3.0x3][P4 3.0x2][P4 2.4x5 down][P4 1.4]

"...and i'm not gay" RX8 -Greatest Quote of ALL Time

 

[dunklegend]

What apesoccer said it's true, but if you can't wait the nf4 ultra with the 6800 is a good option.

<font color=blue>If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on</font color=blue>

 

[hybird]

Ok, I went and thought about what yous said and Ill go and get the DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard, one question, will the OCZ 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC3200 Dual Channel Gold Series BH5 EL-DDR CAS2.0 run fine on that board?

 

[dunklegend]

According to <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=575904#575904" target="_new">wusy</A> yes.


<font color=blue>If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on</font color=blue>

 

[okietex]

hybrid -

have you considered running a WD Raptor 73GB hdd/10K rpm?
I really like mine so far ... just a thought. Then stick a 120/160/200 on the 2nd sata and use for storage if you need it.

 

[Starfishy]

Yep, that RAM will work with that board. I have already used that combo myself on a rig that I built. I haven't heard anything bad from the end user, but when I had it that thing was purring like a tiger.

 

[Starfishy]

The raptors are great... nobody will question this.

The thing is they are expensive, and loud. If you can live with that then go for it.