Building new high-end PC - opinions/advice wanted

[Chris]

Hi,

I'm about to build a new PC from scratch, and wanted to get some opinions -
anything I should do differently?

Case: Antec Plus1080AMG w/ Antec 430w PSU
Mobo: Abit IC7-MAX3
Proc: Intel P4 3Ghz w/ stock fan/heatsink
Mem: Corsair TWINX1024-3200C2PRO (2x512)
Video: MSI N5900U-256 (nVidia geForce FX 5900 Ultra based)
DVD-RW: Plextor PX-708A
CD-RW: Plextor PlexWriter 52/24/52A
HDD: 4x Western Digital 120Gb SATA 8Mb cache 7200RPM (non-RAID
configuration)
FDD: generic
Sound: SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum
Monitor: Viewsonic VP191B LCD (I already have a 21" CRT that I will be using
as 2nd screen)
Speakers: Logitech Z-680
KB/Mouse: Logitech MX Cordless duo
Modem: US Robotics V.92 PCI Pro

This will be running WinXP Pro.

A couple of concerns:
- mobo: will this support the upcoming Prescott proc? I'm reading
conflicting reports. The IC7-MAX3 manual says it will, but no sign or
mention of it on Abit's website.
- will the Video card fit on the mobo? The MSI card is thicker on the bottom
than the stock nVidia design. Should I go with the PNY version instead?
- HDD: should I go with 2x 250 or 4x120? I'm not planning on going with
RAID0. I'd go with 4x120 because that would allow me to put the pagefile.sys
on a separate drive together with backup data, and I'd have a couple of
discs left for video streaming
- HDD: any better alternatives to Western Digital?
- memory: should I go with 3700 or 4000 memory instead of 3200? I have
overclocking in mind.

Any input appreciated!!!
Thx,
Chris.

 

[O |V| 3 G A]

see below

Hi,

I'm about to build a new PC from scratch, and wanted to get some opinions -
anything I should do differently?

Case: Antec Plus1080AMG w/ Antec 430w PSU
Mobo: Abit IC7-MAX3
Proc: Intel P4 3Ghz w/ stock fan/heatsink
Mem: Corsair TWINX1024-3200C2PRO (2x512)
Video: MSI N5900U-256 (nVidia geForce FX 5900 Ultra based)

you not seen many benchmarks for the 5900U? yes, it is faster than my
ti4200, and i`m somewhat jealous, but thats the reason i dont have the 5900U
now (or preferably the ATI9800pro). if you MUST have it, go ahead, but if
your not too bothered, get a gf4 mx440/ti4200 atm and wait till the
nv40/nv45 come out between now and march '04 ish. else wait for ati's
rv400's

halflife2 fps's around 60-70 at mid resolution. not what i`d expect from a
£400 card.

DVD-RW: Plextor PX-708A
CD-RW: Plextor PlexWriter 52/24/52A
HDD: 4x Western Digital 120Gb SATA 8Mb cache 7200RPM (non-RAID
configuration)

that or a maxtor. got maxtor 40gb ATA133 now, getting 2x WD raptor 10k SATA
in RAID1 shortly.
never had problems with this maxtor.

FDD: generic
Sound: SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum
Monitor: Viewsonic VP191B LCD (I already have a 21" CRT that I will be using
as 2nd screen)
Speakers: Logitech Z-680
KB/Mouse: Logitech MX Cordless duo
Modem: US Robotics V.92 PCI Pro

This will be running WinXP Pro.

A couple of concerns:
- mobo: will this support the upcoming Prescott proc? I'm reading
conflicting reports. The IC7-MAX3 manual says it will, but no sign or
mention of it on Abit's website.
- will the Video card fit on the mobo? The MSI card is thicker on the bottom
than the stock nVidia design. Should I go with the PNY version instead?
- HDD: should I go with 2x 250 or 4x120? I'm not planning on going with
RAID0. I'd go with 4x120 because that would allow me to put the pagefile.sys
on a separate drive together with backup data, and I'd have a couple of
discs left for video streaming

why not (if possible) setup 2x raid1 configs - striping. get 4x 120gb's so
you`ll have 2x raid1 240gb arrays? or raid0,1

- HDD: any better alternatives to Western Digital?
- memory: should I go with 3700 or 4000 memory instead of 3200? I have
overclocking in mind.

bear in mind that there is still no hard rules for over pc3200 ram. they
will act as a pc3700/4000 as the rules stand now, but they can always
change. they will however help with overlocking, if your underclocking the
ram. ie, running at 220fsb (DDR440), then the pc4000 will be under spec, and
should help with more agressive timings. i beleive corsair do this with
their low-lag modules (suffixed LL) they use pc3500 spec chips, for a module
rated at pc3200 for memory timings

 

[WooduCoodu]

875p board is a waste of money unless you plan to use ECC RAM. 865pe boards
have everything the 875p boards have except ECC.

Lite On makes a better CD-RW for less than the Plextor.

Then new Samsung 8mb cache hard drives are just as fast as the WD but much
quieter.

Unless you want to be constantly replacing mouse batteries, get the
rechargeable Logitech cordless mouse instead of the one that's part of the
cordless duo.