Building a AMD 64 PC

[Ed Coolidge]

I'm in the market for building a new PC to replace my aging 1.3GHz TBird. I
want something that's reasonably fast and performs well in games and 3D apps
without busting the bank. Here's what I'm looking at so far.

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra
512MB DDR 400
Thermaltake TR2 W0070

I'm still somewhat undecided about the video card, but I'm considering a X800XL.
It competes rather well in benchmarks without being insanely expensive.

I already have a case and I'll rip the 16x dual layer DVD burner from the
current rig. I also plan to add another 512MB ram and an Audigy 2 ZS later.
Another option I'm considering is a HDTV tuner, but the only one I've seen on
the market lately is the ATI HDTV Wonder. (In case you're wondering I have 21"
monitor and 13" TV)

 

[semi_charm]

Any recommendations or suggestions?

 

[KC Computers]

Any recommendations or suggestions?

What will it be used for? Gaming? Video editing? etc?
What sort of budget?

 

[Ed Coolidge]

What will it be used for? Gaming? Video editing? etc?
Yes.

What sort of budget?

Right now I would like it keep it under $1000.

 

[KC Computers]

Right now I would like it keep it under $1000.

What sort of games? Good gaming cards can cost over $300 and break the
budget.

Will you be using Photoshop, etc? If so, then 1GB of RAM is optimal.
For a CPU, an Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+ S939 are good choice for
the $$$.

E-mail us for more info if you would like.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

KC Computers wrote:

What sort of games? Good gaming cards can cost over $300 and break the
budget.

What kind of games? FPS such as FarCry. I figure that I can spend up to $300
on a video card without breaking the budget. From what I've seen, most cards
above that price mark cost alot more while only giving marginally better
benchmark scores.

Will you be using Photoshop, etc? If so, then 1GB of RAM is optimal.
For a CPU, an Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+ S939 are good choice for
the $$$.

I already said that I was looking at a AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz (sorry, I
had to use another address for the second post). I know 1GB for RAM would be
best but I'll get another 512MB later.

 

[KC Computers]

What kind of games? FPS such as FarCry. I figure that I can spend up to
$300 on a video card without breaking the budget. From what I've seen,
most cards above that price mark cost alot more while only giving
marginally better benchmark scores.

That's true. The Nvidia 6600GT is a great 3D gaming performer
and I use one myself.

I already said that I was looking at a AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz
(sorry, I had to use another address for the second post). I know 1GB for
RAM would be best but I'll get another 512MB later.

We are a dealer and have had much success with ASUS motherboards.
The ASUS A8N PCI Express board is a good choice. If you want
something less expensive, then the MSI K8N NEO4-F is decent.
For RAM, I recommend CAS 2.5 modules which aren't much more
than CAS 3 ones but slightly faster.

Let us know if you would like more info.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

We are a dealer and have had much success with ASUS motherboards.
The ASUS A8N PCI Express board is a good choice. If you want
something less expensive, then the MSI K8N NEO4-F is decent.
For RAM, I recommend CAS 2.5 modules which aren't much more
than CAS 3 ones but slightly faster.

Let us know if you would like more info.

I was considering the A8N, but I've seen a lot of comments about the chipset fan
being unusually loud and I'm trying to get a system that quieter that my current
setup. The MSI K8N NEO4-F looks good, but I'll probably have the main board for
awhile and I was looking for something with SATA2 support.

 

[KC Computers]

We are a dealer and have had much success with ASUS motherboards.

I was considering the A8N, but I've seen a lot of comments about the
chipset fan being unusually loud and I'm trying to get a system that
quieter that my current setup. The MSI K8N NEO4-F looks good, but I'll
probably have the main board for awhile and I was looking for something
with SATA2 support.

We have sold a number of systems using the ASUS A8N-E and have not
had any reports of a louder than normal chipset fan. SATA2 is
pretty overrated for the average user and it will probably be
like that for some time. Many boards usinng the Nforce4 Ultra chipset
will have support for SATA2. Another such board is the GIGABYTE GA-K8N
Ultra-9.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

We have sold a number of systems using the ASUS A8N-E and have not
had any reports of a louder than normal chipset fan.

Perhaps not. I just found it somewhat odd that 90% of the reviews I've read for
that board either commented or complained about it and I'm sure they've had more
comparative experience with mainboards than your customers have. BTW, do you
have any experience with the EP-9NPA+Ultra that I was asking about?

SATA2 is pretty overrated for the average user and it will probably be
like that for some time. Many boards usinng the Nforce4 Ultra chipset
will have support for SATA2. Another such board is the GIGABYTE GA-K8N
Ultra-9.

As I said, I probably will have the board for some time and rather have the
feature now than have to buy an controller card later, even if it won't be of
much use now. And yes I'm aware that the NF4 ultra chips have SATA2.

 

[KC Computers]

comparative experience with mainboards than your customers have. BTW, do

you have any experience with the EP-9NPA+Ultra that I was asking about?


As I said, I probably will have the board for some time and rather have
the feature now than have to buy an controller card later, even if it
won't be of much use now. And yes I'm aware that the NF4 ultra chips have
SATA2.

We don't have any experience selling the Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra
but it has received favorable reviews. We do have access to
those boards if a customer requests.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

We don't have any experience selling the Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra
but it has received favorable reviews. We do have access to
those boards if a customer requests.

Thanks for being honest. I was looking over the Asus A8N again and the only
thing it has over on the Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra is the x4 slot. Since there are
practically no PCI-E boards other than video on the market right now, I'm not
really sure what would use a x4 slot and what advantage does it have over the
x1, aside from having 4 times the bandwidth of course.

Also, what size (wattage) PSU would be recommended?

 

[KC Computers]

Thanks for being honest. I was looking over the Asus A8N again and the
only thing it has over on the Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra is the x4 slot. Since
there are practically no PCI-E boards other than video on the market right
now, I'm not really sure what would use a x4 slot and what advantage does
it have over the x1, aside from having 4 times the bandwidth of course.

We don't know what PCI-E cards will take advantage of those slots
in the future. ASUS has a reputation for making some of the best
quality motherboards and they are our #1 seller. We have sold
a few Epox boards with no problems in the past.

Also, what size (wattage) PSU would be recommended?

That really depends on what you plan on using the system for but a 400W
ATX12V ver 2.0 one should be a good choice.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

That really depends on what you plan on using the system for but a 400W
ATX12V ver 2.0 one should be a good choice.

Ya, I noticed that the PSU I was looking at wasn't ATX 2.0. I'll keep looking I
guess. I don't know if 400W would be enough for an Athlon 64, X800XL (or
equivalent), 250GB HD, 2 16X DVD drives and potentially up to 2GB DDR.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

Ya, I noticed that the PSU I was looking at wasn't ATX 2.0. I'll keep
looking I guess. I don't know if 400W would be enough for an Athlon 64,
X800XL (or equivalent), 250GB HD, 2 16X DVD drives and potentially up to
2GB DDR.

Which do you think is better, PSU with 2 80mm fans or 1 120mm fan? The case
I'll be using already has 120mm intake and exhaust fans. I'm more concerned
about noise so I have no plans to overclock it.

 

[dawg]

Antec 550W or PC Power and Cooling 500W.ATX 2.0 w/Sata power connectors.
Only problem is the cost. But if you're gonna have SLI you'll need it.
About SATA2. There are only a few higher end boards that support it right
now and I don't think their are even any SAT 2 drives on the market yet.
Current hard drives can't max out the bandwiidth of SATA 1 yet either.

 

[Ed Coolidge]

Antec 550W or PC Power and Cooling 500W.ATX 2.0 w/Sata power connectors.
Only problem is the cost. But if you're gonna have SLI you'll need it.

I don't plan on using SLI.

About SATA2. There are only a few higher end boards that support it right
now and I don't think their are even any SAT 2 drives on the market yet.
Current hard drives can't max out the bandwiidth of SATA 1 yet either.

Well, NF4 ultra boards support SATA2. There's more than a few on the market
right now and some are far from high end. There are a few SATA2 drives out, but
their transfer rate probably would even max out ATA.