College Gaming PC

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Stokes
I never knew the ultra-d can't use three sticks of ram? Or did I misunderstand that statement

Quote from DFI NF4 Ultra manual:

Q: Why will the board fail to boot when 3 Dimms re used?

A: The integrated memory controller in AMD's 64-bit socket 939 series CPU supports dula channel however the controller is not capable of accurately distinguishing detween dual and single channels resulting to boot up problem. If you have luckily booted the system, the total memory size detected is from 2 Dimms only, not 3. Therefore we do not suggest using 3 Dimms.

Going to be the same for any S939 board. You have to use 1,2 or 4 sticks.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: aka1nas

Originally posted by: Excelsior
1GB is correct..2GB is overkill at the moment.

I don't know about that. For me, 1GB is not enough and 2GB is comfortable. Some new games are exceeding 1GB so 2GB will be comfy for another year or two. Also if you multitask even moderately you can use up 1GB pretty easily.

Really? I was unaware that some games already exceed 1GB. If you look at what he intends on using this system for, it just doens't seem that 2GB is necessary. Of course anyone can multitask enough to make use of 2GB of ram, but i consider myself a fairly heavy multitasker (a good bit more than average) and so far 1GB has easily been enough.

As some of the other posters have now mentioned, 1.5GB would also probably fine(So far I have only broke 1.5GB playing Vampire: bloodlines). However, due to socket 939 being dual channel that means you are either using 2 or 4 sticks so its usually either 1GB or 2GB to choose from.

 

[Ewat]

The PSU looks good, but I'd personally buy the OCZ Powerstream 420W (same price) because it has adjustable rails.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104150

 

[Stokes]

Originally posted by: Ewat
The PSU looks good, but I'd personally buy the OCZ Powerstream 420W (same price) because it has adjustable rails.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104150

The reason I choose my S12 is for quietness. My current setup I listed my PSU is the loudest thing in the system and is known to be one of the louder components. So I'm still aiming for quietness.

What exactly would the adjustable rails do for me?

 

[DanDaMan315]

Originally posted by: Stokes
The reason I choose this RAM is because I read all these posts on www.dfi-street.com about people having RAM troubles, and they seem to say that any value ram, the motherboard does not like and can limit performance. Thats why I chose the Gold.

I thought about getting 5.1, except I don't know how much room I would have in my dorm room to get that setup and everything, i know most people usually have stands and stuff, and that is extra money right there.

Why recommend the XP-90 over the XP-120? and what about the copper version of the 90.

As far as spending more money, should I upgrade to the 6800GT? allowing SLI in the future? (after a new motherboard), or should I stick with the x800xl and keep things as is.

SLI is a horrible upgrade path, don't bother, but a 6800gt is a solid card on it's own. Go for the gt.

Get some Klipsch 2.1's, they will sound amazing without taking up room.

I would personally get the XP120, just because you are bound to get better cooling, and the added silence is an added bonus.


You COULD get a 754 system and keep your 9700 pro. A DFI Lanparty UT and a 3700 would be a nice combo. People will probably rip this suggestion apart, but my friend just did this because he didn't want to upgrade his video card. And theres more power in 754 chips for less money.

Some might say there is no CPU upgrade path, but in all honesty not many of us get a new CPU without a new mobo to accompany it. This is a very viable solution that will end up saving you some money. (You can keep the crappy ram too, A64's couldn't care less that your ram sucks ass.)

754
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ ClawHammer - $290
DFI LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb - $106
Total: $396 (and you don't NEED anything else)
This would smoke that 3200, even OCed.
AGP video cards will continue to be released for a long while.

 

[Stokes]

Dan - you brought up a very interesting idea.

What do others think about it? How well could I overclock that clawhammer 3700+ on air?

And is my video card worth keeping still? I definately could get a 6800GT AGP for a lot cheaper, but am I taking a performance hit? More performance for less money does not make sense. Unless you look at it as I'm running myself into a brickwall when upgrade comes. But just as I am doing now. I'm probably putting together an entire new system.

Dan I really like your idea, as far as the whole build I still would like to get new parts. Including new ram maybe even 1GB +. What ram would you suggest on that board and are there any strong competitors for that board as far as overclocking ability and ease?

Is there really any performance difference in a 754 vs 939?

Please go on Dan

 

[kleinwl]

Stokes,

I've looked at the 754 as an upgrade option myself. From what I've read, there is an approx 10% penalty using a 754 vs. a 939 MB (clock for clock or 3000 A64 vs 3000 A64). You also loose out on using an Venice chip (which is much easier to OC and is 0-5% faster than previous A64s). Another option is use Sempron and OC it.

If you are not willing to OC, I would be resist the 754. Stay with the 939 and take the performance increase.

 

[Stokes]

The price of the overall system probably would be the same if not less, when you consider the price difference estimated here:

DFI NF3: $103
DFI Ultra-D: $132
Difference: $29

Venice 3200+ : $197
3700+ ClawHammer: 290
Difference: $93

Total Difference: $64

$64 worth the performance increase?

PCI-E x800xl: $269
AGP x800xl: $316
Difference: $47

PCI-E 6800GT: $350 (Estimate)
AGP 6800GT: $290 (Estimate)
Difference: $60

PCI-E x800xl versus AGP 6800GT
roughly $10 difference

What are the overall thoughts here?

 

[Snakexor]

ive been researching the same thing, and i suggest that you go with the 939 upgrade path if you are willing to o/c (venice chip)....if not, go 754, get a better stock performer, 3700+, and grab a 6800gt in agp...

im gonna be o/cing, so im grabbin the ultrad w/ a 3000+venice and a pci-e x800xl

just my .02

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
I agree. It's time to start considering 2 GB's of RAM.
1.5 Gb would actually be plenty, but they don't make 750 MB sticks, and it won't boot with 3 sticks, so 2 GB's it is.

yea i can creep my commit charge past 1gb after a few daysof use and leaving stuff open. i'd get 1.5gb but i can't so yea, more ram is good. having to close stuff to play games is lousy. 1gb used to be enough where u never had to think about running out. its not that anymore. thats the 2gb point now.

 

[SNM]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Ike0069
I agree. It's time to start considering 2 GB's of RAM.
1.5 Gb would actually be plenty, but they don't make 750 MB sticks, and it won't boot with 3 sticks, so 2 GB's it is.

yea i can creep my commit charge past 1gb after a few daysof use and leaving stuff open. i'd get 1.5gb but i can't so yea, more ram is good. having to close stuff to play games is lousy. 1gb used to be enough where u never had to think about running out. its not that anymore. thats the 2gb point now.

A simple restart would help that situation, and if you do it while you're in the bathroom you'll never notice your comp's down.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: Stokes
I thought about waitting, but I really don't think one of the next gen video cards will be in my range. Right now I am using an ATI 9700PRO, i could keep that and put it in the new system except it's AGP, that won't work with PCI-E will it? If i did that, I could wait longer on the video card. But my system right now is struggling a little.

As far as ram... 2 GB seems like overkill from what I have heard.

Another thing I could do is wait maybe another month and just get a 6800GT at that point. I've heard that those next gen cards will be out late summer as in late august. And by that time I want to have this thing done for sure.

Rosewill is suppose to be a good one, I'm already planning on replacing the heatsink on that with a ATI silencer, other then that, the card is no different then an ATI one. I am though thinking of the Gigabyte card that has heatpipes and suppose to be incredibly quiet and then just forget about the silencer.

More RAM is NEVER overkill. You can always use the extra RAM to smooth performance over and reduce hard drive access

 

[Stokes]

I understand the RAM part

I'm now almost leaning towards a s754 3700+ and overclock it a little bit.

I'm not a hardcore overclocker, just a gamer. I tend to buy brand new machines every 3 years or so and put them together. I never really overclocked as i didn't know how. But I do have a good idea now and not looking to push my chip to its max.

If i went with the s754 3700 Newcastle, what ram should I get since it's not dual channel correct? I do understand though there is a performance difference of roughly 1-5% between a s754 and s939. But I would be spending $50 more on the chip alone for a 3700+ San Diego. And as noted above, saving money on the motherboard as well.

I'm at a loss right now with what to do

Mwave seems to have the 3700 at $265

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA03152

Making that option even more desirable. Now I know this chip clocks in at 2.4 ghz and overclocking is not the easiest, while the venice 3200+ is suppose to hit speeds of 2.6-2.8 ghz on air.

 

[Icopoli]

My rig runs GW fine at max details + 1600x1200. I was thinking about a 3700 too, but when I can OC my 3000 to about the same speed, I figured I would save the 400$ CDN.

 

[Stokes]

If i went s754, for the same price I could get the 3700, dfi nf3, 6800GT.

Everyone seems to say to get the 939 for upgrade, but I probably will upgrade in 2-3 years as mentioned and just buy everything new. or reuse mouse, speakers, monitor, but not hardware inside most likely.

 

[ProviaFan]

Not to mention that in two or three years, there may well be a new socket out for Athlon 64 processors with DDR2 memory support. Just something else to keep in mind.

 

[Ike0069]

The S754 is a good option if ou're not palnning to OC and don't plan to upgrade anytime soon.
The .13 um cores don't OC much, and you won't get much past 2.4 GHz. So if you go S754 you can stay with the stock HSF, so there is more money saved.

 

[Stokes]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
The S754 is a good option if ou're not palnning to OC and don't plan to upgrade anytime soon.
The .13 um cores don't OC much, and you won't get much past 2.4 GHz. So if you go S754 you can stay with the stock HSF, so there is more money saved.

I am doing one of the two, not upgrading anytime soon, but I do want to overclock.

 

[Ike0069]

If you want to OC, then a 3200+ Venice is what you want. It should easily exceed 2.4 GHz, so you will get much more performance for the price.

 

[Stokes]

Well, I would really like to fit a 6800GT into the build if I can and keeping the price down. The thing with s754 that appealed was AGP is cheaper for the 6800GT and everything was cheaper allowing the 6800GT to come into play here. Maybe there are things in the build that have an alternative counterpart that is cheaper but just as good? Things like the PSU? (Please keep in mind noise)

Maybe a cheaper LCD that still is a good gamer, or different RAM?

It surprises me that the 3700 can't be overclocked that much....

 

[Stokes]

BTW, i thought I saw that AGP is faster then PCI-E cards?

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Stokes
BTW, i thought I saw that AGP is faster then PCI-E cards?

I don't know where you got that... The AGP interface is not as fast as even the limited 4x PCI-E found as secondary on SLI boards, but that doesn't matter anyway as video cards haven't come near to exceeding the bandwidth on either interface.

 

[BakedPhish]

I'm also building comp for collge, and this is what i ahve come up with, i wanted to see if you guys think this goin gto be good. The games i want to play are WoW, Half-Life2. Also i wanted to see if i down grade to 3700+ instead of the 3800+ will effect it much. Also i want to get as much bang for my buck as i can.

AMD Athlon 64 3800+
or
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego
Plextor PX-716SA / 16x8x16x DVD+RW / 16x4x16x DVD-RW / 48x24x48x CD-RW
Maxtor / 160GB / 7200 / 8MB / ATA-133 / EIDE / OEM / Hard
Sapphire Radeon X800 Pro
or
Diamond Radeon X800 XL
or

eVGA GeForce 6800 GT
Corsair Value Select 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Gamer PCI Sound Card
Enermax / 420-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / 20/24-Pin / P
MSI K8N Neo4-F NVIDIA Socket 939 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express

 

[Mrvile]

Baked, you're better off getting the 3700+ and saving the money for a better cideo card. Basic knowledge in the computer world is that games are much more effected by video cards than CPUs. Hell, you could get a 3200+ Venice and get the same performance as the 3700 or 3800. Those two CPUs are a few generations ahead of the video cards you mentioned. If you're going to get a 3700 or 3800, might as well get a X850XT.

 

[shud]

The 3700+ San Diego also has a 1MB L2 cache, although I doubt you'd be able to OC it as much as a Venice.