Need help building a computer

[DJExoddus]

it's time for another computer upgrade and that means a lot of different decisions. i've narrowed down my choices to two setups.

setup #1
mobo: s754 Abit KV8 Pro
cpu: 3400+ newcastle
ram: 512 corsair value select
video card: BFG 6800 OC

setup #2
mobo: s939 MSI K8N NEO4-F
cpu: 3700+ san diego
ram: 512 corsair value select
video card: XFX 6600 GT

I had had my mind made up but something didn't feel right. i have a budget of about $675 for all 4 things. I won't be overclocking at all so there is no need to suggest that. I just want a comp that will be able to play games well for the next 1 to 2 years. That being said if you have a recommendation, tell me.

 

[Appledrop]

you need 1gb ram then, 512 doesnt cut it on todays latest games, and certainly cannot handle smoothly upcoming games. I can do a bit of searching on newegg to optimise your budget, but dont know if you need case, hdd, dvd, etc.

 

[DJExoddus]

I don't need the case or anything else like that. I'm taking that from my now dead computer. I'm buying at least the motherboard and processor from monarchcomputer.com, but the ram and graphics card can come from anywhere else.

 

[Appledrop]

ok, hold on, im pricing them up. Wait a few mins,

 

[Appledrop]

EPoX EP-9NPAJ Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: EP-9NPAJ
$90.50 $90.50

Memory - SystemQty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT400

$80.00 $80.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3200BPBOX
$199.00

ATI 100-435500 Radeon X800XL 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - OEM
Model #: 100-435500
$295.00 $295.00
Subtotal: $664.50


Total(before tax): $664.50



edit: prices from newegg.

 

[Appledrop]

Alternatively, from monarchcomputer, choose the DFI NF4 board -$99, 3200+ Venice -$199, 2x512mb patriot -$84, and buy an x800xl off newegg

 

[imported_Otter]

Originally posted by: DJExoddus
I don't need the case or anything else like that. I'm taking that from my now dead computer.

Be sure your old power supply has enough juice for your new hardware. These days, a true 400W PSU (as opposed to one that says 400W on it but will only put out 200W in a real system at typical operating temps) is often recommended. A good 350W will probably do if you're not overclocking or running a high end graphics card, but if your PSU is rated for less than that, you might have stability problems with the new system.

Also, do you know why your old machine died? A flakey power supply can be very hard on the other components. I'd hate to see your shiney new system blow up too.

 

[sangyup81]

are you going to overclock?

 

[coomar]

doesn't monarch has the 3dconnect x800xl for 269 (OEM)

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190527

but yeah your probably going to need a new psu

 

[Frown66]

EPoX EP-9NPAJ Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: EP-9NPAJ
$90.50 $90.50

Memory - SystemQty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT400

$80.00 $80.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3200BPBOX
$199.00

ATI 100-435500 Radeon X800XL 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - OEM
Model #: 100-435500
$295.00 $295.00
Subtotal: $664.50


Total(before tax): $664.50

Azzy64's recommendation for that price range is pretty solid.

If you want a slightly beefier cpu (in case you decide to upgrade the vidcard later), I would recommend that San Diego 3700+ you selected earlier and put in a 6600GT, and you can still use the other parts selected by Azzy64. If you go this route, Azzy's setup will be faster for games now, but getting the san diego will be better for near future upgrades as vidcards will scale better with a more powerful cpu.

 

[DJExoddus]

Originally posted by: Azzy64
EPoX EP-9NPAJ Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: EP-9NPAJ
$90.50 $90.50

Memory - SystemQty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT400

$80.00 $80.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3200BPBOX
$199.00

ATI 100-435500 Radeon X800XL 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - OEM
Model #: 100-435500
$295.00 $295.00
Subtotal: $664.50


Total(before tax): $664.50



edit: prices from newegg.

If i buy the connect3d X800XL from monarch for 269 then I could buy the 3500+ venice. However between the 3200+, the 3500+, and the 3700+ would I see any noticable difference ingame if I picked one over the other(using the same video card)


I have a PSU that is powerful enough btw.

 

[Aenslead]

You're best with a Skt939, not because of performance, but because upgradeability.

 

[DJExoddus]

Originally posted by: Aenslead
You're best with a Skt939, not because of performance, but because upgradeability.

I'm not really as interested in upgradeability because this computer has to last 1 or 2 years. So, if I can get better performance, now and in the future, from s754, then that is what I would buy.

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

If u want Venice or Winchester u need S939. DFI board plus 3500+ Venice or 3200+ Venice and a X800XL Ultimate from Sapphire or a X800XL with passive cooling from Gigabyte.

 

[Chode Messiah]

u see that card with liquid metal cooling?

 

[Zebo]

setup #3
mobo: s939 MSI K8N NEO4-F $80
cpu: 3000+ venice Box $150
ram: 1024MB value ram $80
video card: x800xl $280

total = $590 = more ram

 

[Zebo]

IMHO You are not overclcoking until you clock higher than stock voltage allows for. AMD has crippled 3000's 3200's and 3500's on purpose Such a shame really. These chips are meant to run ~2400mhz instead of 1800-2200Mhz like AMD castrates them to run.

 

[DJExoddus]

gaming is starting to be an expensive hobby.

decided to go with
cpu: 3500+ venice or 3700+ san diego
mobo: MSI K8T NEO4-F
ram: 1gig patriot
video card: BFG 6800 OC

I'm going to unlock the pipes on the 6800 if I can. I still don't know what cpu to go with since I'm not sure if the 3700+ will be much of an improvment over the 3500+

 

[Chode Messiah]

go for the 3700+. It has a better core.

 

[Appledrop]

Originally posted by: DJExoddus
gaming is starting to be an expensive hobby.

decided to go with
cpu: 3500+ venice or 3700+ san diego
mobo: MSI K8T NEO4-F
ram: 1gig patriot
video card: BFG 6800 OC

I'm going to unlock the pipes on the 6800 if I can. I still don't know what cpu to go with since I'm not sure if the 3700+ will be much of an improvment over the 3500+

you will get much bigger performance increase if you drop cpu to 3200+ and buy an x800xl (if still that does not fit in budget, a 3000+ would too.) Given that you can EASILY and totally safely overclock these cpus to at LEAST the speed of a 3600+ (being v modest here) it is a better idea.

**and since you are willing to unlock pipes on a graphics card - which is more dangerous than increasing a cpus frequency imo, there is no reason why you wouldnt take this route and overclock cpu and use a faster graphics card =)

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

yes, imo chances are better to oc the cpu than to unlock the pipes. x800xl + 3200+ Venice, DFI and decent Ram...that would be my choice for a price/performance winning rig at the moment.

 

[DJExoddus]

Originally posted by: Azzy64
**and since you are willing to unlock pipes on a graphics card - which is more dangerous than increasing a cpus frequency imo, there is no reason why you wouldnt take this route and overclock cpu and use a faster graphics card =)

imo unlocking pipes is a little bit less dangerous because there are more ways to lock them again. My logic behind that set up was that the processor was better and the graphics card was not as good as the x800xl but close.


The only concern I have about getting a 3200+ instead is how it will do with future games whether or not I overclock. I feel a bit wierd buying a cpu and knowing that I need to oc it(even if it is safe) to keep up with a different setup that I could have bought. The only influence in my choice is how well the setup can handle games for the next year or two.

 

[Appledrop]

seriously, take my word for it.. the x800xl will be about 30%+? faster maybe more than the 6800nu, OTOH, getting a 3500 over a 3200 will perhaps yield 10% if you're lucky (unless you play at 640x480, then by all means buy fast cpu and slower graphics card :disgust:. )

Even with unlocked 6800nu and a 3700+ vs a 3200+ with x800xl, id wager the latter the faster gamer.

 

[DJExoddus]

Thanks Azzy, I looked at more benches and read more articles and it seems like you are correct. Thank god you talked me out of spending a ton of money.

anyway, being 15 with no job stinks

 

[Aenslead]

Originally posted by: DJExoddus

Originally posted by: Aenslead
You're best with a Skt939, not because of performance, but because upgradeability.

I'm not really as interested in upgradeability because this computer has to last 1 or 2 years. So, if I can get better performance, now and in the future, from s754, then that is what I would buy.

Uhm... no. Technicaly, performance is almost identical in both plataforms, but you can manage much better deals with skt754 plataform. In the future you'll be better off with a skt939, because you will just be able to change processors to increase performance within a year or so. Also, X2 will only come for skt939...