Last review before ordering

[Davek]

Originally I was going to build with a Gigabyte GA-8KNXP
with a Intel P4 2.4 MB/processor but I'm hoping to buy the
Asus A7n8X and 2500+ Barton for 1/3 the price of the
Intel/Gigabyte combo and then overclock (I've never tried
overclocking before though). I'm not anti-Intel, I just
want to save considerable money here and still get decent
performance. Also, if you can recommend a better RAM for
overclocking this processor please let me know. Here's what
I'm looking to buy. TIA:

Motherboard: Asus Motherboard Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail

Processor: AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR

HSF: Zalman CNPS7000-Cu Pure Copper CPU Cooler

RAM: CORSAIR XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack)
1GB(2 x 512MB) 2x(64MX64) PC-3200C2PT With Platinum - Silver
Heat Spreaders. Retail

Video: SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800 128MB Non Pro DVI/TV 8X

Sound: VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ - OEM

NEC/Mitsubishi 22" CRT VGA Monitor Model FE2111SB-BK Black

HDD's: 2 - Western Digital 120GB SATA WD1200JD 7,200 RPM 8MB
Hard Drive OEM

FDD: SAMSUNG 1.44MB BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE Model# SFD321B/LBL - OEM

Power Supply: Antec 480W Power Supply TRUE480

CDRW: PLEXTOR Black PX-W4824TA/SW-BL/ 48x24x48 CD-RW - RETAIL

DVD & CD-ROM: PLEXTOR DVD & CD-Rom Drive Model PX-116A OEM

Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 213 Amplified
Multimedia/Computer Speaker System.

Laser Printer: Samsung ML-1710 Laser Printer
Photo Printer: Canon i850 Bubble Jet Photo Printer - RETAIL
Scanner: Canon CanoScan 5000F USB Flatbed Scanner - RETAIL
Camera: CANON PowerShot S400 4.0MP Digital Camera Retail

Memory card reader: USB-2 FLASH 6-1 RDR IWILL Model CR620
Retail 6-in-1 Memory Card Reader/Writer

Compact flash card: Dane-Elec 256MB COMPACT FLASH
COMPACTFLASH MEMORY CARD TYPE I - RETAIL

UPS: Belkin 1200VA UPS

Router: Linksys BEFSX41 Broadband EtherFast Cable/DSL
Firewall Router with 4-Port Switch/VPN - RETAIL

TIA
- Dave Kistner

 

[Artur Butryn]

I have Asus A7n8X and 2500+ Barton, works great! With cheap air cooling I
can get to 2800+ with no problems. With water cooling it would probably hit
3200+ or more so it's definitely better idea to get AMD over Intel

Artur

 

[Frank Weston]

Dave, your list comes across as a fantasy, did you just come into money?
But, I digress. Let's assume you're serious.

Before I go any farther, let me state that I am a long time AMD fan and this
is the AMD overclocking group, so I'm hesitant to say it, but I will. You
will get better performance from an Intel 2.8 FSB 800 processor and an ASUS
P4P motherboard. The cost will be about $180 more, but in my estimation
it's worth it. I just built such a system to replace my AMD setup and I
couldn't be more pleased with the performance, overclockability and
stability. You are apparently intending to spend a lot of money on a
top-end system. Why worry about a measly $180 for the parts that make the
most difference?

Other comments:

I'm not sure the Zalman CNSP7000 is compatible with the AMD processor and
mobo you have chosen.

You have specified a pretty expensive Computer Speaker/Multimedia system.
Why are you scrimping on a sound card?

A 22" CRT is huge and relatively expensive. Since we're fantisizing, why
not consider this:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=213t
Once you try LCD, you'll never go back.

The only real advantage to the SATA drives you have chosen is cleaner cables
and slightly simpler installation. If you want speed, go with the WD
Raptors, if you want capacity go with IDE and save about $80.

The remainder of the components you have chosen are all nice, and given that
I don't know how you intend to use them, it's hard to comment except to say
that I will never ever again own any Linksys product.

 

[Wayne Youngman]

Camera: CANON PowerShot S400 4.0MP Digital Camera Retail

Hi,

The Canon Powershot A70 (£268 inc vat) is supposed to be a better camera!

Wayne ][

 

[Martin Franke]

go the intel is much more faster and stable...

 

[Davek]

Frank, thanks for the info. I'm retiring in 10 days and my wife is
letting me buy this system as a retirement gift to myself. I'm just
trying to make the most of the opportunity

I checked out the LCD and it looks great, but more money than I can
afford. The 191T might be possible though. Regarding the Turtle
Beach card, the Newegg reviews for the Turtle Beach sound card are
really VERY good, and I noticed there were enough "bad" reviews on the
Creative cards to make me uneasy about buying one (this particular
choice was not driven by money). I know it's not a "high end" card
but it seems to be very good all the same.

One reason I'm putting more money into the other peripherals rather
than the motherboard/CPU is that I find I can use high quality
peripherals over the life span of 2 or 3 CPU/motherboards.........I
can afford to upgrade my CPU/motherboard more often if I stick with
something like the AMD 2500+. This is still a nice jump from what I
have now (an AMD Thunderbird). I figure the $200 or so that I save on
the AMD/Asus I can spend a bit more on something else. Anyway, thanks
again for the advise.

- Dave Kistner

 

[Never anonymous Bud]

Anybody correct me if I'm wrong but i don't think the santa cruz is
superior enough(if at all) to the onboard soundstorm the mobo offers.

The TB isn't nearly as good as the on-board sound,
but it's his choice, not mine.

Since these speakers cost so much i would consider it a separate purchase
and explore more non-computer options. Go to a dedicated audio
dealership and see what they offer by way of an amplifier/speaker/sub
combo.

No need to go that high, a basic surround-sound receiver with midrange
speakers can be had for about $300, maybe less, and will sound MUCH
better than any 'computer' speaker package. AND be way more useful!





To reply by email, remove the XYZ.

Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.

It's your SIG, say what you want to say....

 

[Joe]

Hey,

why's everyone bagging the Santa Cruz... probably not the best card
for gaming.. but the sound is FANTASTIC! I've got one in my system,
and am very pleased with it.. I've heard problems with soundstorm,
tho' that's more with analog output (the DAC sucks!).. and I have to
praise Dave for not turning to the evil side... (sounds of Darth
Vader) yech, Creative...

My 2 cents

Nobodies bagging the Santa Cruz. it's just that onboard sound has come a
long way in quality and the soundstorm is equal if not superior to the
santa cruz. Soundstorm is Audigy class in terms of clarity and noise. As
for the analog output, these would change from mobo manufacturer as i'm
sure they do not implement the same quality of DACs. Further more, Nforce2
has many flavours of audio, soundstorm being the brandname of the best
quality. This is the one on the A7N8X Deluxe Retail

Santa Cruz is NOT the best card for gaming. That is definitive not
subjective.

 

[AD C]

Originally I was going to build with a Gigabyte GA-8KNXP
with a Intel P4 2.4 MB/processor but I'm hoping to buy the
Asus A7n8X and 2500+ Barton for 1/3 the price of the
Intel/Gigabyte combo and then overclock (I've never tried
overclocking before though). I'm not anti-Intel, I just
want to save considerable money here and still get decent
performance. Also, if you can recommend a better RAM for
overclocking this processor please let me know. Here's what
I'm looking to buy. TIA:

Very nice system it will be, think you be happy with the AMD.
I am not sure why you are getting the Turtlebeach as the Asus have got
pretty good sound, unless of cause you are doing semi pro stuff.
Turtle beach made very good cards a few years back,my mate got a old ISA
one which still knocks spots of the sound blasters. Only problem is no
wave table.

I do not know about the cooler, never used it.

Corsair memory seem to be liked by everyone, just a little pricey.

The radion is a nice card, I do not t5hink i could cope with a 22 inch
monitor. I would like to go TFT, but they still do not seem to have the
brightness and quality of CRT.


As for the hard drive, you may find you be better staying with EIDE if
you want to save money, you may not notice much difference with SATA.

do you need a floppy drive? they seem to be more trouble than they are
worth these days, maybe a zip drive will do you better.
Power supply is big enough, but I know someone who got a 420 watt supply
and had trouble with the +5 volts not giveing enough power.

All the rest of it seems normal ebnough

 

[AD C]

I had a TB Santa Cruz. It's a good card, far less driver problems
than with Creative, but the SBLive series has more controls than the TB.

Prices are about the same.

Creative cards are ok, but the drivers are awfull, I will never have
another creative card, come to think of it, I do not remember myself
having one.

I installed them in friends computers, but not my own.

 

[AD C]

go the intel is much more faster and stable...

Stable? yes the Intel is stable, but so is AMD.
The price of Intel chips is way too high,anyway, I would never buy an
Intel chip. I do not like the way they do business.

 

[AD C]

Considering how much those speakers cost have you considered a better
soundcard. such as anything m-audio offers?

Have you ever heard a santa cruz in action? it is a very good card and
will suit the speakers well.
M-audio is good, but they more for pros.

http://www.techspot.com/reviews/hardware/revolution71/index.shtml

Anybody correct me if I'm wrong but i don't think the santa cruz is
superior enough(if at all) to the onboard soundstorm the mobo offers.

The santa crus got a better signal to noise ratio, but I think depending
on what he is doing with the sound, the built in sound should do fine.

Since these speakers cost so much i would consider it a separate purchase
and explore more non-computer options. Go to a dedicated audio
dealership and see what they offer by way of an amplifier/speaker/sub
combo. I would also consider musician monitors. They are self powered,
designed for near field listening and already have a tremendous selection
availible.

How much do these speakers cost anyway?

 

[AD C]

The TB isn't nearly as good as the on-board sound,
but it's his choice, not mine.

The TB is better than the onboard sound, the midi is certainly better,
but it dpends what you are doing with it.

 

[Davek]

Nobodies bagging the Santa Cruz. it's just that onboard sound has come a
long way in quality and the soundstorm is equal if not superior to the
santa cruz. Soundstorm is Audigy class in terms of clarity and noise. As
for the analog output, these would change from mobo manufacturer as i'm
sure they do not implement the same quality of DACs. Further more, Nforce2
has many flavours of audio, soundstorm being the brandname of the best
quality. This is the one on the A7N8X Deluxe Retail

Santa Cruz is NOT the best card for gaming. That is definitive not
subjective.

I didn't realize on board sound had improved so much. Maybe
I should wait and try the speakers with the on-board before
I buy anything. I'm glad I posted in the NG before buying
anything. Thanks.

- Dave Kistner

 

[Davek]

Davek wrote:





Very nice system it will be, think you be happy with the AMD.
I am not sure why you are getting the Turtlebeach as the Asus have got
pretty good sound, unless of cause you are doing semi pro stuff.
Turtle beach made very good cards a few years back,my mate got a old ISA
one which still knocks spots of the sound blasters. Only problem is no
wave table.

I do not know about the cooler, never used it.

Corsair memory seem to be liked by everyone, just a little pricey.

The radion is a nice card, I do not t5hink i could cope with a 22 inch
monitor. I would like to go TFT, but they still do not seem to have the
brightness and quality of CRT.


As for the hard drive, you may find you be better staying with EIDE if
you want to save money, you may not notice much difference with SATA.

do you need a floppy drive? they seem to be more trouble than they are
worth these days, maybe a zip drive will do you better.
Power supply is big enough, but I know someone who got a 420 watt supply
and had trouble with the +5 volts not giveing enough power.

All the rest of it seems normal ebnough

I'm going to keep a floppy drive because I take computer
classes at the local college and we're required to submit
some work on floppies. They're dirt cheap so I don't mind
keeping one for now. Thank you for the helpful advice.

- Dave Kistner

 

[AD C]

Hey,
why's everyone bagging the Santa Cruz... probably not the best card for
gaming.. but the sound is FANTASTIC! I've got one in my system, and am very

I have heard the santa cruz, not that it is called that in the U.K, I do
not think it is anyway. it is a nice card and sounds good.

pleased with it.. I've heard problems with soundstorm, tho' that's more with

No problem with the sound storm on my Abit, apart from the Midi wave
table. It not really up to standard, which is why I also put my Yamaha
card in.

analog output (the DAC sucks!).. and I have to praise Dave for not turning
to the evil side... (sounds of Darth Vader) yech, Creative...

Creative are not bad, it is just their software that is a pain.

My 2 cents

My two pennies Hoping we never have to say cents.

 

[AD C]

Davek wrote:

I'm going to keep a floppy drive because I take computer
classes at the local college and we're required to submit
some work on floppies. They're dirt cheap so I don't mind
keeping one for now. Thank you for the helpful advice.

Why is it , I have so many problems with floppy drives? I had my amiga
for 8 years and never ever replaced the floppy, I used a P.C for 6 years
and had 6 replacement floppy drives. I given up now and taken mine out.

 

[mike]

I didn't realize on board sound had improved so much. Maybe
I should wait and try the speakers with the on-board before
I buy anything. I'm glad I posted in the NG before buying
anything. Thanks.

- Dave Kistner

I have a Shuttle AN35N with soundstorm built-in and it sounds every
bit as good as the audigy soundcard in my last system. I'm using
Logitech Z-560 speakers so they aren't the top of the line but they
sound every bit as good on the soundstorm as the Audigy.

 

[Joe]

Davek wrote:




Why is it , I have so many problems with floppy drives? I had my amiga
for 8 years and never ever replaced the floppy, I used a P.C for 6 years
and had 6 replacement floppy drives. I given up now and taken mine out.

I'm still using a 3.5 drive from a 486 dx-33. i think that makes it 14
years old. the 5.25 floppy is in a box somewhere. Despite it's novelty i
hate using floppies. hooray for remote ftp and compact flash.

 

[Joe]

How much do these speakers cost anyway?

hifi.com says they are 500 USD. I have a friend who's a musician that
bought some (audio) monitors for 700 CAD which is about the same price.
They aren't shielded, nor are they desk real estate friendly, but i'ld bet
they sound superior to the cambridge offerings.