ASUS M2N-E

[StevenNevets]

Ok I don't realy know what to do. There are so many people who say the M2N-E is horrible. I've head many differnt storys but ya, what else could I buy then

Below are my specs (which is always like getting opinions on) and that'll let you know what I'm trying to build
And I'll change to DDR2 800 is I have to

Now I'm wondering... what else is there?
Is there anything else non SLI, some what cheap, and can overclock

___
______

Ram: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590 ($179.00 after $40.00 Mail-In Rebate)

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2000MHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103735
$149.00

Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022
$94.99
________

Video Card: eVGA 256-P2-N584-AR Geforce 7900GT KO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130033 ($244.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)

Operating System: Windows Xp home with SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059
$89.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701
($69.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate)

Power Supply: Rosewill RP550-2 ATX 2.01 550W Power Supply 115/230 V CSA, CB, TUV, FCC, UL http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182017
$66.99

Case: Rosewill R6A34-BK 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147041 $39.99


CD/DVD Burner: NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
28.99

DVD Drive: SONY Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101131
19.99

 

[acegazda]

I'm planning on an MSI k9n platinum. Not as many problems as the m2n-e and the ones is does have are more subtle.

PS. A smartpower psu? Just go with a 430w seasonic, 400w enhance 5140gh, or enermax 420w.

 

[StevenNevets]

Originally posted by: acegazda
I'm planning on an MSI k9n platinum. Not as many problems as the m2n-e and the ones is does have are more subtle.

PS. A smartpower psu? Just go with a 430w seasonic, 400w enhance 5140gh, or enermax 420w.

that is the one of the few that may be a better choice

sorry, I need a strong PSU for my video card, especialy if I do overclock + those are expensive

 

[acegazda]

You're system will not consume more than 348w with your cpu oc'ed to 3.1ghz. That means you need 26amps combined on the 12 rails. Any and all of the ones I mentioned will be of higher qaulity, and meet the the power requirments of your rig easily. The seasonic will also run very quiet. It is also the most expensive, at $89 shipped from zzf. Though $20 more than your origional, it is a worthwhile investement. The other two are cheaper than your smartpower. Guess it's not so "smart" anymore...

 

[StevenNevets]

I deffintly don't know much about power
but I understand my psu is overkill

but would think be ok?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

 

[opmike]

Well, the XMS2 RAM may reduce the change of memory issues (especially if you go with 800), but overclocking and the other little quirks on this board are a different matter entirely.

As far as the power goes; I'd seriously just invest in a Seasonic or Enermax. You will probably change out the GPU, CPU, and other stuff as you do new builds; but your PSU will always carry-over no matter what. Why skimp? Especially with your interest in overclocking...

But then again, the Antec might not give you any issues; but I was just giving my opinion and I don't claim to be a PSU guru.

 

[StevenNevets]

Well, this is my first computer build for me, and the last for the next 4+ years
Although if this works out I may build a few computer for my family

You know what, I may not even overclock - it's a 19" monitor...
that meens I wouldn't need much to max out Battlefield

 

[StevenNevets]

Which of these is better quality?
- all should be able to power the system

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182017

 

[acegazda]

DO NOT get a rosewill. Out of those 3 the fortron is the best, but te "ax" series of fortrons are not the best. You can get a fsp400-60thn for the same $$$ and it's better quality wise. What is your hesitation in spending a little more on a much better psu?

PS. roswill's cases are hunks of useless metal. Check out inwin cases. Their psu's that come with them aren't terrible either...

 

[StevenNevets]

Originally posted by: acegazda
DO NOT get a rosewill. Out of those 3 the fortron is the best, but te "ax" series of fortrons are not the best. You can get a fsp400-60thn for the same $$$ and it's better quality wise. What is your hesitation in spending a little more on a much better psu?

PS. roswill's cases are hunks of useless metal. Check out inwin cases. Their psu's that come with them aren't terrible either...

I'll go with the forton 450W then
Don't know I just don't like spending money if it's plenty good enough, which the Forton appears to be

Is there anything wrong with this particular case or are you just saying they generaly suck.

Because I realy like that case

 

[Skott]

Definetely dont skimp on the psu. You can have all the highest quality components in the world inside your case but if the psu wont hold up then all you have is a 50lb paper weight. The thing I have found out about PSUs is that higher quality doesnt always mean more expensive. You gotta look at the amperage on those rails. Thats key especially in systems where you go dual cards or plan to do any kind of overclocking.

As far as that case goes I dont like it simply because it only has one fan. Thats poor air design flow IMHO. At the very very least get a case that has a intake and a exhaust fan. 90mm at least but 120mm fans are better and not alot more expensive. Ideally I would suggest a case with three or four fans in it but that does mean more money. If you are going to overclock I suggest a better case that has more aircooling. Look for something that has a front intake fan, rear exhaust a side fan intake and possibly a top exhaust. I look for for performance over looks but thats just me. I also look for cases that i can use over and over again when upgrading. This usually means a case that can house big PSUs and has quite a few fans in it.

Edit:
Forgot to mention the mobo. As much as i like ASUS (and I like them alot) that M2N-E has alot of problems with it. Especially when overclocking. Its very RAM picky too. Might want to consider a different brand unless you want to step up to the more expensive ASUS mobos that have SLI like the M2N32-Deluxe. Thats an extra $100 or so though so if you want to stay cheap better choose a different brand mobo. Foxconn, MSI, and AsRock all have some good mobos in this category I hear. DFI too but its SLI I think.

 

[patrick409]

I have:

MSI K9N Platinum
AMD X2 4600
1GB Corsair ddr800
forton ax450
evga 7600GT KO
1 pata 120 seagate
1 sata 300 seagate
old lite on dvdrw
antec slk 3000b


Pretty much plugged it all in and turned it on. I dont overclock, I dont tweak, and I haven't run any extensive benchmark programs, but so far it's been rock solid.

 

[StevenNevets]

Originally posted by: patrick409
I have:

MSI K9N Platinum
AMD X2 4600
1GB Corsair ddr800
forton ax450
evga 7600GT KO
1 pata 120 seagate
1 sata 300 seagate
old lite on dvdrw
antec slk 3000b


Pretty much plugged it all in and turned it on. I dont overclock, I dont tweak, and I haven't run any extensive benchmark programs, but so far it's been rock solid.

ah, how many IDE drives?

 

[drum]

Originally posted by: StevenNevets

Originally posted by: patrick409
I have:

MSI K9N Platinum
AMD X2 4600
1GB Corsair ddr800
forton ax450
evga 7600GT KO
1 pata 120 seagate
1 sata 300 seagate
old lite on dvdrw
antec slk 3000b


Pretty much plugged it all in and turned it on. I dont overclock, I dont tweak, and I haven't run any extensive benchmark programs, but so far it's been rock solid.

ah, how many IDE drives?

looks like 2.
120 GB seagate and the liteon DVDrw

 

[StevenNevets]

nice guess that meens I could use a sata HD + DVD burner + dvd drive

Which motherboard overclocks better, incanse I decide to do that

 

[Skott]

Not sure which overclocks higher but the ASUS M2N-E seems to have more issues than the MSI especially when it comes to overclocking. Neither are without their problems though. Until ASUS gets a fix for the M2N-E I wouldnt reccomend it to anyone. Either step up to a better and more expensive ASUS model or choose another brand like the MSI.

 

[StevenNevets]

Ok I'm leaning on the MSI mobo right now
I'm going to do one final check up in 2 weeks before the final purcahse

 

[corsa]

DFI Infinity NF UltraII-M2 @ PC Modding Malaysia

 

[patrick409]

Originally posted by: drum

Originally posted by: StevenNevets

Originally posted by: patrick409
I have:

MSI K9N Platinum
AMD X2 4600
1GB Corsair ddr800
forton ax450
evga 7600GT KO
1 pata 120 seagate
1 sata 300 seagate
old lite on dvdrw
antec slk 3000b


Pretty much plugged it all in and turned it on. I dont overclock, I dont tweak, and I haven't run any extensive benchmark programs, but so far it's been rock solid.

ah, how many IDE drives?

looks like 2.
120 GB seagate and the liteon DVDrw

righto, 2 ide devices.

Not sure about the overclocking though. I dont intend on overclocking, but I think there's another thread on the mobo forums right now where someone was having trouble overclocking the K9N the way he wants. Might want to look at that.

 

[corsa]

Heres some good reading for you...

AMD "What To Buy" Guide 2006