Time to build a San Diego system.

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over_c

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May 27, 2003
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I can no longer hold off my purchase of an AMD64 San Diego core system. All the hype has me too excited.

What I have:
Fortron 500 W PSU
2x512MB Patriot PC3200 w/ XBL
Seagate 7200.7 120 GB HDD
Antec P-160WF case w/ 2 120mm case fans

What I want:
AMD64 3700+ <A HREF="http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120273&Category_Code=NA_2" target="_new">San Diego</A> core
DFI Lan Party UT <A HREF="http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110224&Category_Code=AMD939" target="_new">Nforce4</A> Ultra-D
ATI <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102509" target="_new">X800XL</A> OEM video card
ZALMAN CNPS7000B-AlCu LED 2 <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118118" target="_new">Heat Sink and Fan</A>

It is my intention to OC this CPU to 2.4 or 2.5 GHz. From what I have read that should not be difficult. Please evaluate my choices based on light overclocking. I have not OCed before.

Questions:

Will the motherboard come with the correct BIOS? I do not have any other AMD chips. I have no idea if it is possible to load a BIOS without booting up the mobo.

What is the warranty difference between an OEM and Retail video card and CPU?

Is the Zalman a sufficient cooling solution for my OC goals?

What are the odds of the GeForce 6800 GT approaching the X800XL in price in the next two weeks? I would prefer a 6800 GT, but I can't really justify the extra $100 for it.

Arctic Silver 5 or Ceramique?

Thanks for all your help.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Over_c on 05/10/05 04:15 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
The retail CPU has the stock heatsink and fan from AMD but if you're going to change it anyway you should see how much difference is it and maybe buy the OEM.
 
Bios:
You can load a new bios via a diskette, or some manufactures have software you can update the bios from Windows.

Mobo:
Greeat choice for OC'n. But...you should really consider buying my asus a8n-sli off of me instead =D, that would take care of lite oc'n. I'll sell you that for $110, then i can go buy a dfi ut sli board and OC my system from 1.8 to 2.4-2.5!!! YEA!!

F@H:
AMD: [64 3500+ down][64 3000+][2500+][2000+][1.3x2 down][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
 
Here is the same video card but cheaper with free shipping. When ordering parts I have found that many times ordering from a couple of different places is cheaper. I doubt that you will see any significant price flucuation in the short term. <A HREF="http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-141-118" target="_new">http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-141-118</A>

I like the all copper version of that heatsink. Some dont like it because of its weight but that doesnt bother me. Either one will be fine.

Is this the correct Mobo? If it is with shipping included its $131.00 <A HREF="http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Motherboards" target="_new">http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Motherboards</A>

Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix PC2 5300 2X256
TT 680W PSU
 
That zalman is a great hsf setup, and a total waste for you.
The stock hsf that comes with the retail chip is more than good enough for the minor OC you are going to do.
All the other choices are great.
 
Go by what the people from above suggested. Remember not to get too excited. The latest and greatest thing is always around the corner. The faster you built it, the more time you have to enjoy it.

<font color=red> Live long, Live to the fullest and be Bless </font color=red> :wink:
<font color=blue> ____________</font color=blue>
Aspire X-Alien / Antec SX1040B
P4 3.2E OC to 3.6 / AXP 1.67 OC to 1.9
Abit IC7 / Abit KR7A
 
Also don't get too excited and piss on yourself. You do not want to stain your new equipment and ruin it. Don't be a boy, be a man and hold on to your ball and don't let it drip.

<font color=red> Live long, Live to the fullest and be Bless </font color=red> :wink:
<font color=blue> ____________</font color=blue>
Aspire X-Alien / Antec SX1040B
P4 3.2E OC to 3.6 / AXP 1.67 OC to 1.9
Abit IC7 / Abit KR7A
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think I'll still get the Zalman and see if I can push the system a little more, just for kicks. I have read the cooling difference between the AlCu and the all-Cu Zalman heatsink are negligible. Thanks for the links to cheaper sites.
 
Sorry about the double post but I have one more question...

The DFI board you linked to is the correct board, but it is an OEM version. I can't tell from newegg's site if it comes with cables and a manual and such. I assume it does not due to it being an OEM. Do OEM motherboards come with manuals, cables and driver CDs?
 
Depends on the product, and im not sure about Mobos. Ill check again. The manualwouldnt bother me because its online. The warranty would be a concern. Ill get back to you.


Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix PC2 5300 2X256
TT 680W PSU
 
Im glad you caught that. Stay away from this one, it looks like its just the board.

Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix PC2 5300 2X256
TT 680W PSU
 
After looking around I think I'll be going with zipzoomfly.com for the motherboard, CPU, and HSF. Once you factor in their free shipping they have the cheapest prices for all three that I have seen. In fact, their 3700+ retail San Diego ($329) is cheaper than monarch's OEM one ($334 + shipping).
 
They have good prices. I buy from there all the time. Certain things I get from Newegg because they dont ask questions if you need to return something. Most of the time im looking for the cheapest deal.

Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix PC2 5300 2X256
TT 680W PSU
 
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