D
David Samuel Barr
Although I used to put together AT clones from scratch and have done a
lot of repair & upgrade work under the hood over the years for many PCs,
this will be my first full build in about 20 years.
I've done a ton of research (including lurking on a.c.h.pc-homebuilt
for well over a year, which is almost enough to discourage anyone from
ever attempting this [
] ) and I think I've come up with my system,
but I'd like to toss it out for comments from any of the experts out
there with the patience to read this.
First, what I'm using it for:
1) Word processing (WordPerfect)
2) Multiple large complex spreadsheets (QuattroPro)
3) Filling in and printing PDF forms (Acrobat Reader)
4) Internet use
a) e-mail and Usenet (Thunderbird)
b) Web research & browsing (Firefox [or IE when needed])
c) File transfers
5) a) Creating & editing MIDI files and printed scores (Finale),
sometimes with input from an outboard digital piano;
b) Transferring vinyl to CD-R(W) or MP3; maybe some editing
c) Capturing various audio/video sources and editing sound bites
6) a) Some PVR use with some possible edits/transfers to DVD
b) Some VHS-to-DVD conversion and some editing thereof
c) Some editing of clips from DVR/PVR sources
NO GAMING (except FreeCell), NO OVERCLOCKING but a LOT of multitasking
of the above processes.
I'm currently on a 10-year-old Gateway P166 which still works very well
for much of what I do but simply is being outgrown by some of my
software's expanding demands. I'm looking to put together a system
which should last a comparable amount of time rather than having to be
replaced or refurbished every couple of years; also looking ahead to the
probable inevitability of Vista and its successors (although I'm still
happily running Win95).
I'm not as concerned about a silent PC as most reviewers seem to be; I
generally don't notice the minimal noise most computers I've used make,
so unless this build really will sound like the Wabash Cannonball coming
through the living room, that's far less of an issue than is good
cooling.
Given that, here's the hardware I've picked so far. First, the basic
list, then the comments/questions on each component.
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (Toledo ADV)
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Memory: Crucial 2x1Gb Kit, DDR400 PC3200
Video Card: Leadtek WinFast PX7900GT TDH
TV Tuner/Capture Card: [TBD]
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD2500KS 250Mb or WD3200KS 320Mb
Optical Drive 1: Plextor PX-716A DVD/CD combo burner
Optical Drive 2: Plextor PX-230A/SW-BL CD burner
Floppy Disk: [TBD]
Modem: US Robotics USR5610b
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 or 750
Case: [TBD]
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Although a longtime Intel diehard, the mountains of lab test reviews in
recent years claiming AMD is better finally won me over. I picked the
4400+ based on CNET's March 2006 "CPU Showdown" between the Athlon and
Pentium dual-core chips which gave it the "sweet spot" among the X2
line, way ahead of all the pre-Conroe Intels.
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Despite the one persistent naysayer on a.c.h.pc-h, everything I've read
has pointed to Asus as the board to go with. I had thought about their
highly rated A8N32-SLI Deluxe, but after some negative user reviews of
its heat dispersion (supposedly the copper tubes look cool but the board
still runs hot) and some comments from white-box builders that it's
major overkill for my purposes, I'd likely go with the A8N-SLI Premium
instead. As you'll see, I'm using only one video card and not using
SLI, so that too may be more than I need and I might even be able to
drop down to the Deluxe, SE, or standard version, especially since
Asus's peculiar comparison chart on its website shows no real difference
(besides Firewire and a second LAN connector, neither of which I need)
between any of these nForce4 chipset boards; anyone know otherwise?.
[Note to those wondering why I'm not using Socket AM2 instead of 939:
1) The 4400+ Windsor apparently is no longer being made, and what few
stray units are left are being sold for more than twice the price of the
other Windsors available (and while I would not be averse to going to
the 4600+ Windsor, it still has only half the cache of the lower-priced
4400+ Toledo).
2) With an AM2 CPU I'd likely want to go with the Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe,
presumably the equivalent of its A8N namesake. However, their only AM2
board that has a parallel port, which I still need for my printer, is
the low-end M2N4-SLI, about which I have some reservations, especially
re: its cooling. It's also built on the same nForce4 chipset as the 939
boards, without whatever advantages may be found in the newer nForce5
chipset used on all the other M2N boards.]
Memory: Crucial 2x1Gb Kit, DDR400 PC3200
To me, Crucial seems a no-brainer choice. I probably could get by with
just 1Gb, but again, I'm both thinking ahead and allowing for the high
needs of PVR/DVD use. (Although their high-performance Ballistix DDR500
PC4000 is just $8 more and Crucial guarantees its compatibility with the
A6N boards, since the published board specs top out at DDR400 PC3200
there doesn't seem much point in springing for it, despite the extra
heat spreaders.)
Video Card: Leadtek WinFast PX7900GT TDH
Once I had finally decided on the nVidia 7900GT over the other current
nVidia and ATI options, the fact that they only farm out their designs
to other companies complicated matters. I couldn't find any info on the
general reputations of video card manufacturers, and of the cards for
which I found specific reviews, the Leadtek seemed to be as good as or
better than the others. Points in its favour, to me, are that it isn't
factory overclocked as the others all seem to be and Leadtek reportedly
gets "cherry-picked" pre-tested cores from nVidia.
TV Tuner/Capture Card: [TBD]
Since it doesn't seem that there is any 7900GT card equivalent to
ATI's All-In-Wonder options, I'm going to have to use a PCI slot for a
separate tuner/capture card. I'm open to suggestions, since I don't see
a clear leader here; I don't need a remote control as part of the
package, since I don't expect to use the PC for live viewing, just for
timed recording and for playback of hard drive or DVD content controlled
from the keyboard.
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
The one true no-brainer in this build; I'd go with the basic card, but
it seems the only way to get MIDI ports on this machine is to step up to
the Platinum just to get the I/O box (which I'll put in a bay between
the two optical drives to give them all better air circulation).
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD2500KS 250Mb or WD3200KS 320Mb
I've had good experience with WD to date and it's generally highly
regarded. I don't need the Raptor (more RPM but fewer GBs for more
money), and I don't think I need RAID. While some people recommend a
drive for OS and applications and another drive for data, I've found
that more say that a properly set up single large drive is as good or
better, even if a bit more risky in terms of loss from drive failure.
(Although my current computer has an internal tape drive, I'll probably
end up getting a matching external hard drive for major backups and
using CD-RWs or DVD-RWs for incrementals.) I'll pick whichever of the
two drives listed are the better buy at the time of purchase.
Optical Drive 1: Plextor PX-716A [DVD±R DL/RW & CD-R/RW]
Based on consistent rave reviews for the IDE version of this burner
(although highly negative ones for the SATA), this was an early choice,
although subsequent discovery that it is not officially deemed
compatible with the selected motherboard (a truly puzzling state of
affairs) raises questions. Anyone have any experience with this
combination? Any other drive recommendations in case this isn't
workable?
Optical Drive 2: Plextor PX-230A/SW(-BL)
Various guides recommend using a CD burner over a combo burner for
better CD writing, and since I expect I'll be burning more CD's than
DVDs (and doing little if any DVD-to-DVD copying) it seems to make sense
to go that route for the second drive. I picked the Plextor for its
general reputation and likely compatibility with the combo drive, though
I've seen some negative user comments; anyone have a better idea?
Modem: US Robotics USR5610b
Yes, I'm still on a dial-up connection, and more to the point, my boss
insists on using faxes instead of e-mail, so I want to be able to send &
receive them directly rather than having to use my outboard fax machine,
which is not possible with DSL or cable broadband even if I had it.
US Robotics seems to be the no-brainer choice as it has been for many
years; anyone disagree?
Floppy Disk: [TBD]
Yes, I've still got lots of old stuff on floppies (though I did transfer
my 5" ones to 3.5" several years ago), and it's a useful option to have
for emergencies. My original plan was to use either the Mitsumi 404 or
Adaptec 7500 combo floppy disk/media card reader so that I could do
CD/MP3-to-SD card transfers for my sweetie, but since she dumped me in
July that's no longer a priority and I can go with a plain vanilla disk
drive (and add a media card reader later if she ever comes back). Any
favourites or ones to avoid?
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 or 750
Early on in this process I had decided on PCP&C's Turbo-Cool 510, even
though I later found a configuration guide on their website which
instead recommended their Silencer 470. The newer motherboard-specific
Power Supply Selector currently on the site, though, says that I need
either the Silencer 610 or Silencer 750 for this rig; however, if one
uses their Power Usage Table it looks like I need something pushing over
800 watts. Meantime, some "truth about power supplies" sites I've read
that say that my setup will rarely draw much over 250 watts even at full
blast. There's also the odd situation practically no retailers carry
this line (although Newegg seems to have just added the Silencer 610),
somewhat peculiar for what is supposedly one of the top brands in this
area. I know the importance of the PS in the system and don't plan to
skimp on it, although the discounted price of around $200 for these
Silencers still gives one pause, so I'm open to other suggestions.
Case: [TBD]
Who would have imagined this would be the hardest part of the project??
I'm just looking for a good sturdy basic mid-tower case with enough room
and excellent cooling for the components and ready access to the power &
reset buttons and drive openings in normal use (also a BIOS speaker [for
startup and error beeps], since apparently the motherboard doesn't have
one). No plastic doors or flaps to break off, no internal light shows,
no dragon or flame decals, etc.; it's just going to sit by my desk.
I like the Antec Sonata II, except I don't want the power supply that
comes with it (see above) and could do without the door. Their P180
sounds good but various users warn that it doesn't work with the Asus
motherboard and most power supplies' cords. Word is that Antec is just
rebadged Chenming but among the latter's own available choices there
isn't really anything worthwhile. Aluminum cases are better for heat
dispersion but often flimsy and/or expensive; still, I'm kind of liking
Thermaltake's Matrix VX although it's gotten some mixed reviews (mostly
for the thinness of the metal), and while Lian-Li is generally
overpriced, I might consider the PC-61. Just PC has a few interesting
cases (e.g. D410), but there are no reviews of their products and their
website is astoundingly uninformative. CoolerMaster had some candidates
in the Centurion and Praetorian lines but reports are that you need a
first aid kit to work on these.
Again, many thanks in advance to all who have taken the time & effort
to read & comment. It's much appreciated.
lot of repair & upgrade work under the hood over the years for many PCs,
this will be my first full build in about 20 years.
I've done a ton of research (including lurking on a.c.h.pc-homebuilt
for well over a year, which is almost enough to discourage anyone from
ever attempting this [
![Smile :) :)](/styles/default/custom/smilies/smile.gif)
but I'd like to toss it out for comments from any of the experts out
there with the patience to read this.
First, what I'm using it for:
1) Word processing (WordPerfect)
2) Multiple large complex spreadsheets (QuattroPro)
3) Filling in and printing PDF forms (Acrobat Reader)
4) Internet use
a) e-mail and Usenet (Thunderbird)
b) Web research & browsing (Firefox [or IE when needed])
c) File transfers
5) a) Creating & editing MIDI files and printed scores (Finale),
sometimes with input from an outboard digital piano;
b) Transferring vinyl to CD-R(W) or MP3; maybe some editing
c) Capturing various audio/video sources and editing sound bites
6) a) Some PVR use with some possible edits/transfers to DVD
b) Some VHS-to-DVD conversion and some editing thereof
c) Some editing of clips from DVR/PVR sources
NO GAMING (except FreeCell), NO OVERCLOCKING but a LOT of multitasking
of the above processes.
I'm currently on a 10-year-old Gateway P166 which still works very well
for much of what I do but simply is being outgrown by some of my
software's expanding demands. I'm looking to put together a system
which should last a comparable amount of time rather than having to be
replaced or refurbished every couple of years; also looking ahead to the
probable inevitability of Vista and its successors (although I'm still
happily running Win95).
I'm not as concerned about a silent PC as most reviewers seem to be; I
generally don't notice the minimal noise most computers I've used make,
so unless this build really will sound like the Wabash Cannonball coming
through the living room, that's far less of an issue than is good
cooling.
Given that, here's the hardware I've picked so far. First, the basic
list, then the comments/questions on each component.
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (Toledo ADV)
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Memory: Crucial 2x1Gb Kit, DDR400 PC3200
Video Card: Leadtek WinFast PX7900GT TDH
TV Tuner/Capture Card: [TBD]
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD2500KS 250Mb or WD3200KS 320Mb
Optical Drive 1: Plextor PX-716A DVD/CD combo burner
Optical Drive 2: Plextor PX-230A/SW-BL CD burner
Floppy Disk: [TBD]
Modem: US Robotics USR5610b
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 or 750
Case: [TBD]
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Although a longtime Intel diehard, the mountains of lab test reviews in
recent years claiming AMD is better finally won me over. I picked the
4400+ based on CNET's March 2006 "CPU Showdown" between the Athlon and
Pentium dual-core chips which gave it the "sweet spot" among the X2
line, way ahead of all the pre-Conroe Intels.
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Despite the one persistent naysayer on a.c.h.pc-h, everything I've read
has pointed to Asus as the board to go with. I had thought about their
highly rated A8N32-SLI Deluxe, but after some negative user reviews of
its heat dispersion (supposedly the copper tubes look cool but the board
still runs hot) and some comments from white-box builders that it's
major overkill for my purposes, I'd likely go with the A8N-SLI Premium
instead. As you'll see, I'm using only one video card and not using
SLI, so that too may be more than I need and I might even be able to
drop down to the Deluxe, SE, or standard version, especially since
Asus's peculiar comparison chart on its website shows no real difference
(besides Firewire and a second LAN connector, neither of which I need)
between any of these nForce4 chipset boards; anyone know otherwise?.
[Note to those wondering why I'm not using Socket AM2 instead of 939:
1) The 4400+ Windsor apparently is no longer being made, and what few
stray units are left are being sold for more than twice the price of the
other Windsors available (and while I would not be averse to going to
the 4600+ Windsor, it still has only half the cache of the lower-priced
4400+ Toledo).
2) With an AM2 CPU I'd likely want to go with the Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe,
presumably the equivalent of its A8N namesake. However, their only AM2
board that has a parallel port, which I still need for my printer, is
the low-end M2N4-SLI, about which I have some reservations, especially
re: its cooling. It's also built on the same nForce4 chipset as the 939
boards, without whatever advantages may be found in the newer nForce5
chipset used on all the other M2N boards.]
Memory: Crucial 2x1Gb Kit, DDR400 PC3200
To me, Crucial seems a no-brainer choice. I probably could get by with
just 1Gb, but again, I'm both thinking ahead and allowing for the high
needs of PVR/DVD use. (Although their high-performance Ballistix DDR500
PC4000 is just $8 more and Crucial guarantees its compatibility with the
A6N boards, since the published board specs top out at DDR400 PC3200
there doesn't seem much point in springing for it, despite the extra
heat spreaders.)
Video Card: Leadtek WinFast PX7900GT TDH
Once I had finally decided on the nVidia 7900GT over the other current
nVidia and ATI options, the fact that they only farm out their designs
to other companies complicated matters. I couldn't find any info on the
general reputations of video card manufacturers, and of the cards for
which I found specific reviews, the Leadtek seemed to be as good as or
better than the others. Points in its favour, to me, are that it isn't
factory overclocked as the others all seem to be and Leadtek reportedly
gets "cherry-picked" pre-tested cores from nVidia.
TV Tuner/Capture Card: [TBD]
Since it doesn't seem that there is any 7900GT card equivalent to
ATI's All-In-Wonder options, I'm going to have to use a PCI slot for a
separate tuner/capture card. I'm open to suggestions, since I don't see
a clear leader here; I don't need a remote control as part of the
package, since I don't expect to use the PC for live viewing, just for
timed recording and for playback of hard drive or DVD content controlled
from the keyboard.
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
The one true no-brainer in this build; I'd go with the basic card, but
it seems the only way to get MIDI ports on this machine is to step up to
the Platinum just to get the I/O box (which I'll put in a bay between
the two optical drives to give them all better air circulation).
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD2500KS 250Mb or WD3200KS 320Mb
I've had good experience with WD to date and it's generally highly
regarded. I don't need the Raptor (more RPM but fewer GBs for more
money), and I don't think I need RAID. While some people recommend a
drive for OS and applications and another drive for data, I've found
that more say that a properly set up single large drive is as good or
better, even if a bit more risky in terms of loss from drive failure.
(Although my current computer has an internal tape drive, I'll probably
end up getting a matching external hard drive for major backups and
using CD-RWs or DVD-RWs for incrementals.) I'll pick whichever of the
two drives listed are the better buy at the time of purchase.
Optical Drive 1: Plextor PX-716A [DVD±R DL/RW & CD-R/RW]
Based on consistent rave reviews for the IDE version of this burner
(although highly negative ones for the SATA), this was an early choice,
although subsequent discovery that it is not officially deemed
compatible with the selected motherboard (a truly puzzling state of
affairs) raises questions. Anyone have any experience with this
combination? Any other drive recommendations in case this isn't
workable?
Optical Drive 2: Plextor PX-230A/SW(-BL)
Various guides recommend using a CD burner over a combo burner for
better CD writing, and since I expect I'll be burning more CD's than
DVDs (and doing little if any DVD-to-DVD copying) it seems to make sense
to go that route for the second drive. I picked the Plextor for its
general reputation and likely compatibility with the combo drive, though
I've seen some negative user comments; anyone have a better idea?
Modem: US Robotics USR5610b
Yes, I'm still on a dial-up connection, and more to the point, my boss
insists on using faxes instead of e-mail, so I want to be able to send &
receive them directly rather than having to use my outboard fax machine,
which is not possible with DSL or cable broadband even if I had it.
US Robotics seems to be the no-brainer choice as it has been for many
years; anyone disagree?
Floppy Disk: [TBD]
Yes, I've still got lots of old stuff on floppies (though I did transfer
my 5" ones to 3.5" several years ago), and it's a useful option to have
for emergencies. My original plan was to use either the Mitsumi 404 or
Adaptec 7500 combo floppy disk/media card reader so that I could do
CD/MP3-to-SD card transfers for my sweetie, but since she dumped me in
July that's no longer a priority and I can go with a plain vanilla disk
drive (and add a media card reader later if she ever comes back). Any
favourites or ones to avoid?
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 or 750
Early on in this process I had decided on PCP&C's Turbo-Cool 510, even
though I later found a configuration guide on their website which
instead recommended their Silencer 470. The newer motherboard-specific
Power Supply Selector currently on the site, though, says that I need
either the Silencer 610 or Silencer 750 for this rig; however, if one
uses their Power Usage Table it looks like I need something pushing over
800 watts. Meantime, some "truth about power supplies" sites I've read
that say that my setup will rarely draw much over 250 watts even at full
blast. There's also the odd situation practically no retailers carry
this line (although Newegg seems to have just added the Silencer 610),
somewhat peculiar for what is supposedly one of the top brands in this
area. I know the importance of the PS in the system and don't plan to
skimp on it, although the discounted price of around $200 for these
Silencers still gives one pause, so I'm open to other suggestions.
Case: [TBD]
Who would have imagined this would be the hardest part of the project??
I'm just looking for a good sturdy basic mid-tower case with enough room
and excellent cooling for the components and ready access to the power &
reset buttons and drive openings in normal use (also a BIOS speaker [for
startup and error beeps], since apparently the motherboard doesn't have
one). No plastic doors or flaps to break off, no internal light shows,
no dragon or flame decals, etc.; it's just going to sit by my desk.
I like the Antec Sonata II, except I don't want the power supply that
comes with it (see above) and could do without the door. Their P180
sounds good but various users warn that it doesn't work with the Asus
motherboard and most power supplies' cords. Word is that Antec is just
rebadged Chenming but among the latter's own available choices there
isn't really anything worthwhile. Aluminum cases are better for heat
dispersion but often flimsy and/or expensive; still, I'm kind of liking
Thermaltake's Matrix VX although it's gotten some mixed reviews (mostly
for the thinness of the metal), and while Lian-Li is generally
overpriced, I might consider the PC-61. Just PC has a few interesting
cases (e.g. D410), but there are no reviews of their products and their
website is astoundingly uninformative. CoolerMaster had some candidates
in the Centurion and Praetorian lines but reports are that you need a
first aid kit to work on these.
Again, many thanks in advance to all who have taken the time & effort
to read & comment. It's much appreciated.