New PC config....looking for opinions before I click "Complete Order"

[Zero]

Here is my current config-

Being replaced:
____________
Abit KT7A Raid
Duron 700 @ 911
256mb pc133 mushkin
ATI Radeon 64mb DDR VIVO
2x WD 26.2gb 7200rpm Raid 0
Enlight 7237
____________

Keeping:
____________
LiteOn DVDRW
Soundblaster Live Platinum 5.1 w/ Live Drive
Creative 3500 5.1 speakers

------------------------------------------------------
Here's what's sitting in my cart at Newegg:

Asus 865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU, Model "P4P800 Deluxe" -RETAIL
Intel Pentium 4/ 2.4C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200C2PT - OEM
GAINWARD GeForce FX 5900 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/VIVO, 8X AGP, Model "FX Ultra/1200 XP" -RETAIL
2x Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM
ANTEC Black Solution Series ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply, Model SLK3700-BQE
Vantec AeroFlow VP4-C7040

All for a little over $1000 after tax and shipping.

I was planning on oc'ing the p4 2.4 to 3+ and oc'ing the 5900 to 5900 ultra speeds. It seems like a decent deal for the overall performance. I was thinking about how to make this a little cheaper by not getting the raptor(-250) and keeping my 26.2 WD 7200rpm in a raid 0 config and maybe save $150 by going with an AMD 2500+ Barton and Abit NF7 mobo. If I were to do this, do you think it's worth saving $400 and sacrifice a performance loss with standard IDE drives and a slightly less performing cpu? I've been reading that the raptors in a raid 0 config is phenomenal....I'm drooling as we speak. You also may be wondering why only 70gb in hard drive space? I won't be using this PC for storage....I have other PCs on the network.
I extremely value my fellow anandtech'rs opinions. Thanks in advance!

Zero

 

[DaveSimmons]

You forgot to tell us what you want to use it for -- Raptors are worthless for something CPU-limited like divx encoding, and the wrong way to spend moeny to optimize something memory-limited like editing huge PhotoShop images.

For gaming, P4 2.4C @ 3.0 is not a bad choice, and the dual raptors might be worth it though spending the money for an AMD A64 3200+ is probably a better choice (especially now it's at $299).

Finally, remember the intel price cuts are coming next month. If you can wait, you'll be able to buy a real 3.2C at today's 3.0C price, and hopefully the A64 3200+ will drop to under $250 as well.

 

[Markfw]

Or even a 3000+ That will beat even the 3.2c at anything except rendering 3d.

 

[Zero]

You're right...I did forget mention what I would be using it for....well.....it's just gonna sit on my desk and I'm gonna use it to point at when people come over and I can say, "Look what I got". LoL...ok...that wasn't funny...sorry.

Seriously though, proly gonna use it to surf the internet. ok ok....enuf with the corny jokes:

Mostly gaming and some home movie editing and dvd burning!

You make some good observations Dave......especially about price cuts. BUT, it always seems I'll be waiting for some price cut. I mean, I'm tired of upgrading a little here and a little there to wait for something cheaper or newer. I've been doing it for years....buying a vid card here, 2 months later buying hard drives, 2 months later, cpu....it just goes on and on. I just want to buy it all at once this time so I have a computer that is kicka$$ until it's outdated in 3 months..lol.

Thanks!

Zero

 

[rickon66]

Just a little heads up-I just bought a P4 2.4c and it will not do 3.0 with any stability in 3d applications. It is one of the "mo" steppings. I got sucked into the hype that virtually all the 2.4c's will go 3.0+. If I could do it over I would go with a 2.8C or maybe an AMD.

 

[Lyfer]

Wait for the new Sis 755 boards to show up and get an Athlon 64 +3000 instead.

 

[jdogg707]

I would get two sticks of memory to use in dual channel, that will give you a huge performance boost.

 

[Ionizer86]

In terms of waiting, when there's definite advantage and a set-in-stone price cut around the corner, waiting would be a good idea. If it's waiting for something that is sketchy, you might as well as move ahead.

I'd like ot ask, why a 2.4c? The 2.6c costs the same amount, and after the price cut, the 2.8c will cost the same too. On the other hand, the 3000+ is much much faster for just a bit more. And since you'll only need single channel on the 3000+, you can save the money you spend on the CPU by getting, for instance, a single stick of 512MB ram.

Oh, and how much are you paying for the 5900? If it's around 200, you'd be better off getting a 9700 Pro or 9800 instead.

 

[Amused]

Double your RAM to take advantage of dual channel speeds.

And I'd strongly suggest the Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu HSF over the Vantec.

 

[Regs]

You know, I sometimes love reading threads like this. That's one hell of an upgrade for 1,000k! Buying a new Dell like that would cost ... 2-3K at least.


And I agree - go with the A64 3000. I just built mine and it's fantastic. The via kt800 motherboard , alone, is a great performance increase. Easy to build(socket heat sink is a piece of cake now), great for gaming and applications, budget in-mind, best value, runs 15-20c cooler then the XP's, what else can I say? It's a great combo. "64-bit" is just a gimmick right now, but even so, the new architecture of these CPUs are better than the Barton's and even Intel's Northwood's.

 

[dnuggett]

If I were to do this, do you think it's worth saving $400 and sacrifice a performance loss with standard IDE drives and a slightly less performing cpu?

If you are able to oc that 2500+ to 3200+ speeds you no longer have a slightly less performing cpu.

 

[Metron]

Zero,

I would go for an Athlon 64 3000+, and I own an O/C'd P4 C (check my sig). My loyalty is with the best VALUE.

Given the price/performance of the 3000, that will be my next system build.

Metron

 

[Zero]

Awesome....thanks for all the feedback. I didn't really look at the Athlon 64 as an option before, but after reading reviews and seeing benchmarks.....I don't see why I shouldn't go with the athlon 64. Here's my new "shopping cart":

ANTEC Black Solution Series ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply, Model SLK3700-BQE
Thermaltake SILENT BOOST For AMD Opteron and Athlon 64 (All Copper)
SAMSUNG SFD321B/LBL1 Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive
2x Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD
Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
GIGABYTE K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "GA-K8VT800" -RETAIL
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor
POWERCOLOR RADEON 9700PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP

All this for about $1100 after tax and shipping. Would there be any benefit in spending an extra 40 for PC3500 memory for oc'ing purposes? Or would the 3200 oc just fine. How bout another $40 for the ati 9800? From what I've been reading, this new setup should be just fine.

Can I get an approval to "Complete Order" yet? LOL

Zero

 

[Markfw]

Don't skimp on the memory. Somebody here had problems. I like my Kingston Hyperx PC3500 C2 for $112 (unless the price went up).

 

[nippyjun]

If you are already spending 1100 i would go ahead and spend the extra 80 for the 9800 and the memory. If you are like me, you will regret not spending the 80 bucks.

 

[poppyq]

I personally would just get a single raptor and not bother with RAID, maybe the 74GB one if you really want the space, I use a single on my system and I'm more than happy with it.

 

[Zero]

Mark, nipp...you guys are right. I'm still just under 1200 after t/s with the 3500 ram and 9800. Good call. I was trying to keep under my 1G budget...but at that point, i'm still only at 1100 before t/s. heh. So i'm close.

Pop, you make a good point as well. I can scratch the sata drives and use my current ide wd drives in a raid config in this new pc. It would save me $250. Or I can spend about $100 on one sata drive and not stripe.

What do you guys think? I love my current raid setup and I definately notice a difference with my current pc. Will I experience noticable performance increases with the the new pc if I go sata raptor raid? I'm guessing I will...and if that's the case, i think the 250 is worth it. I wanna have a pc for the first time where I can say, "ya know, it just don't get any better than this.............at this price". lol

Zero

 

[Zero]

OK...here's my final list of hardware:

ANTEC Black Solution Series ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply -- $77

Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Pure Copper CPU -- $43

SAMSUNG SFD321B/LBL1 Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive -- $6

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit -- $211

SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -- $268

Kingston HyperX KHX3500/512 512MB DDR433 PC3500 -- $130

Asus K8V Deluxe Via K8T800 -- $140

Western Digital Raptor WD360GD 36.7GB Serial ATA 10,000RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer -- $246

Sub total = $1121
T/S = $100 (approx)

Total Cost = $1230

I think that'll do it. Thanks All!!!!!

Zero