1st Build...AMD

[preAARP]

This will be my first build (say NOOB)...I'm excited and a bit nervous but we're going to get it done! I am waiting (like many others) on more socket 754 mobo's to hit the streets (Neo...where are you?)...and for good results to be posted before I get the all important mobo...I also don't want to wait until September!

Here is what I have planned...parts on hand or incoming (ordered) are noted with an asterisk...

AMD Athlon 3400+ *
MSI K8N Neo Platinum Mobo *

Memory

Antec True 550 *
Radeon X800 XT Platinum *
XP Pro OS *
WD 74GB Raptor HD (2) *
3Ware 8006 Escalade - 2LP SATA RAID Controller *
Hitachi 250GB HD *
Mitsumi 7-in-1 floppy *
Plextor 712A DVDR/RW *
Plextor Premium 52x/32x/52x CD-RW *
Logitech MX 510 Gaming Mouse *
Thermalright 948U HSink *
Thermalright NB1 Chipset HS/fan *
Artic Ceramique *
DLink Xtreme-G Router/Card *
DLink DP 300U Print Server *
Pro HS Mouse Pad *


I've spent the kitchen sink on this already so I don't want to screw it up now...so I welcome your ideas/comments.

I don't O/C but I am nterested in sme of the positive gains I've seen posted...

Edit 5/22. Added new components.

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

Nice

 

[Vette73]

Everything looks good, but for the board look at the Albatron K8X800 ProII

Goes for $116 at newegg.com and has 2 SATA, firewire, giga-ethernet, TRUE hardware Via Envy sound card, etc...

I use this board with a 3000+ chip and like it alot. It does not have a AGP/PCI lock but you said you did not want to do any overclocking so that would not matter to you.

 

[mechBgon]

Don't get the Registered memory, because it won't work on those motherboards. You can use either ECC or non-ECC but it needs to be unbuffered (most people would pick non-ECC unbuffered).

I don't see a monitor listed. Are you re-using your existing one? You might also consider a $54 Leadtek TV-tuner card to widen your options.

 

[mrwxyz]

i dont think u need another cdrw since u already have a dvd burner...use that money to get a better/quieter hsf for the A64 and the xt pe

 

[preAARP]

Thanks for the ideas...

OK...will look at the Albatron board...

Corsairs site only lists a guide for the X600 Pro...I can check other memory types...

If you don't think I'll need the Cd-RW I can still return it ($85) and reinvest in a HSF (Zalman 6000 Cu?)...

My monitor was a NEC FE2111SB...I never had a TV Tuner Card so I'll have to research...

 

[preAARP]

re: the Albatron K8X800 Pro II:

"...The K8X800 Pro II performs well in our disk controller tests, though the CPU utilization of its Serial ATA controller is a little troubling. "

http://www.techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/albatron-k8x800proii/index.x?pg=6

I was planning on using RAID 0 for the (2) WD Raptors...

 

[preAARP]

Would the Kingston KHX3700K2/2G 2GB 466MHz DDR Non-ECC CL3 DIMM (Kit of 2 - 1GB ) be OK...or should I just wait until I decide fully on what Motherboard first?

 

[travanx]

I have the gigabyte board and 3000+. SO far so good. Needs a little more info on how to overclock it exactly. But its stable.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: preAARP
re: the Albatron K8X800 Pro II:

"...The K8X800 Pro II performs well in our disk controller tests, though the CPU utilization of its Serial ATA controller is a little troubling. "

http://www.techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/albatron-k8x800proii/index.x?pg=6

I was planning on using RAID 0 for the (2) WD Raptors...

They used a OLD HD Tach, that did not support the VIA SATA. I dl the new one and my CPU usage is like single % now. So don;t worry about that.

 

[preAARP]

I decided to preorder the MSI K8n Neo Platinum. I don't know this online retailer, but they were allowing pre-orders for this mobo ($167), and the ASUS K8N-E Deluxe ($232)...I haven't read any reviews on the Deluxe...I hope these guys are reputable...

http://www.eastluna.com/hardware/details.php?ProductID=0000252

http://www.eastluna.com/hardware/details.php?ProductID=0000432