AMD system for $1000. Suggestions please.

[ctucker]

Hi, I'm looking to build an AMD system sometime soon for around $1000. I already have a nice monitor (Sony G420S ) and some nice speakers, so this is just for the box.

Currently, I have an XP1700+ system with 512MB of PC133 RAM and a GeForce2 GTS 32MB that I built about 2 years ago (It used to be 1GHz, but I popped in one of those $50 newegg XP1700's ). I'm looking for another system that will last me another good 2 years. This sytem has treated me well, but it just can't keep up with the newer games. I've been trying to decide whether I should just pop in a Radeon 9500Pro to extend the life some more, but I've pretty much decided to build a new system (I'll probably throw linux on the old box to play around with).

This is roughly what I'm looking for:

AMD XP 2400+ cpu
Some nForce2 board with *good* onboard sound and lan (dual lan would be nice)
512MB to 1024MB of RAM (this'll float depending on how much is left after other parts)
80GB to 120GB HD
Radeon 9500 Pro (no need to spend $100 more to get a 9700)
Cheap sturdy case (I don't care for anything fancy)
Sparkle 350w P/S
DVD Drive (prolly lite-on)
CD-RW Drive (lite-on as well)

I mostly have my mind made up on this stuff, but I have a few questions about the CPU/Mobo/RAM:

I noticed that the 2400 doesn't have a version that runs at 333fsb. What's my best option with this? I'm not really sure what kind of memory I should get to go along with this: ddr2700, 3200, 3500? Would this depend on if I got a CPU that ran at 266fsb vs 333fsb?

Thanks

 

[mechBgon]

The nForce2 board is going to pay the most dividends if run at DDR333 or higher. With a 2400+, you can go into the BIOS of some nForce2 boards and reduce its multipler, lock the AGP bus to 66MHz, boost the CPU and memory to a synchronous DDR333 speed, and get a 5% to 7% boost in most gaming situations per MHz. Plus you can overclock, of course

The Thoroughbred-B 2100+ overclocks pretty well, might be worth trying (see the CPU/OC forum).

 

[chizow]

Yah as mech said, the 2100+ T-bred B's OC pretty well You can check out this thread for some results 2100+ OC'ing results. You could obtain 2400+ speeds by merely raisng your FSB, and considering there's good info that these cores are identical to the ones being used on the 2400+ and perhaps higher, I wouldn't consider it too much of an overclock. Nearly everyone who has bought one of these chips has been able to simply raise their FSB from 133mhz to 166mhz at stock voltages for ~400mhz increase on stock voltage.

Again, as mech said, the 133mhz vs 166mhz T-bred doesn't really offer any real benefit with an Nforce2 board given the freedom of multiplier and FSB options enabled through the Nforce2. The only difference is that the 166mhz versions are "hard-coded" through the L1/L3 bridges to run at 166mhz FSB (333mhz effective), but they are otherwise no different than a 133mhz version. With PCI and AGP locks, you won't run into divider issues common with previous boards and chipsets.

I would also look into maybe a different PSU. Sparkle makes good PSUs, but lately it seems that 400+ is the way to go. Also, recent deals on Antec's (including a current one in hot deals forum through Amazon) makes an otherwise expensive PSU accessible to the masses. When running a powerful rig, the PSU can cause the most problems and time troubleshooting, b/c its the most difficult part of your system to diagnose. With more components drawing more power, erring on the side of caution and buying a buffer PSU would be a good idea. Also, the 9500/9700/FX all use external power connectors that draw off the 12V rail, and extra fans will as well. The Antec TruePower line have grown increasingly popular due to their low noise as well as delivering consistent and clean power individually to each of the 3.3V, 5V and 12V rails. The 430W is going for $66 shipped at Amazon after $10 coupon (from F@twallet). I purchased the 480W TrueBlue a few weeks ago and its been excellent.

As for RAM, reports are that prices will be dropping in the next few weeks. If you don't plan on OC'ing any PC2700 should be fine, just might want to look at the rated timings. Again, as mech said, a higher FSB can increase performance in games and overall system performance. With the Nforce2 you could easily increase your FSB and drop your multi and still not be "OCing" since your effective speed, PCI and AGP bus will still all be within spec. With RAM rated to run at that FSB speed, you won't be OCing that either. 2 sticks are required for dual-channel DDR on the Nforce2, which provides some performance benefits in a few applications.

If you want a sturdy case for cheap w/out PSU, you should loook at the Chieftec's that Newegg sells. Big, roomy, sturdy with lots of case mountings. I think they're only ~$40-$50 at Newegg.


Chiz

 

[ctucker]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's been very helpful!

edit: OC'ing the xp2100+ looks like it might be as sure of a thing as the old celeron 300a@450mhz back in the day. I'm not too big into OC'ing, but if it's an almost sure thing, then that's what i'll probably do. That 300a@450 on an abit bh6 treated me well.

 

[Shockwave]

Just a heads up on those 133 FSB CPU's.
I have a XP2200. Up'd it to 166 (333) FSB. Runs great. Loves it. Passes Memtest86, 3D Mark passes all supported tests. Absolutely everything checks out fine. However, Comanche 4 crashes to desktop. Runs very unstable. When I drop the FSB back to 133, it runs fine. All my other apps are seem to run fine.

So, jsut a heads up on those 166 settings, it may appear stable but if you do get funny problems, drop it back down and see what happens. Note, that was ONLY upping the FSB. No voltage increase, and memory timings were set pretty loose (Which shouldnt be a problem as I'm using Corsair DDR3200 XMS) Thus, I wouldnt say 166 is a assured OC, YMMV