New Rig - Advice/Comments

[supaflyz]

Hello all,
I'm building a new system and would appreciate your (1337) advice and comments about this setup! I haven't been into the hardware scene for a long time because of schoolings, but i've done my homework when speccing this out

the bounty
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu
Mobo: DFI LP UT-nF4 Ultra-D
PSU: OCZ Modstream 450W
RAM: Geil Value Dual Channel 1GB(512MBX2) PC3200 400MHz DDR Kit (GE1GB3200BDC)
Video Card: ATI Radeon x800xl
HDD: Seagate 200GB(8MB CACHE) Serial-ATA 150
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami
Monitor(s): Hyundai L90D+

Total cost (1 monitor) = ~$2130 CAD after taxes (taxes suck :disgust: )

Now, I'm going to be ordering/building this stuff in May, so I was wondering when the Venice core would show up ( I live in Canada, so things may be a little slower to the shelves? ). I am planning to overclock the system for what it's worth

What do you guys think about the cooler? Should i go for the XP-90 or the 7000A-Cu?

I have read some good things about the Geil Value ram, any personal experiences?

I'm planning to get one of the L90D+'s first, and grab another one for a dual lcd setup later in the year. Hopefully its cheaper than it is now ($469 CAD + taxes)!

Pls post your comments and questions! I appreciate any feedback

Cheers! :beer:

 

[leedog2007]

First, welcome to the forums, and how does that cost 2,000+? Where are you getting this stuff from? Other than that, it looks great.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Welcome to AT.

Parts look excellent.

The only thing I'd change myself is I'd get a Seasonic Powersupply for more silence and efficiency.... and I'd get a retail A64 to get the 3 year warranty instead of the 30 days.

Oh, and I wouldn't pick that case, but that's just a matter of style

Total cost looks scary but the choices look great. $1750 American for those of us who want a $ amount .

A little quick estimate in my head puts it at about $1450 or so to build it in the US?

For Canadian prices that's probably pretty good though .

 

[supaflyz]

Thanks guys! I've been meaning to join these forums for a while now

I'm getting this stuff from various small retailers in and around Toronto. (not online, we dont have a diverse online computer tech shop up here )

how about this power supply? Seasonic S12 430watts Active PFC Power Supply - $131 CAD ($108 USD) shipped (anyone know where in Toronto i can get this? this one is from BC) .. I dont think many US online retailers ship to Canada, and the brokerage and customs fees are killer (25%?)

I like the styling of the Tsunami Dream.. Good change from the flat front faces

You guys down there get all the good deals! =P $1450 = $1759 CAD.. WOW i would like that price!!

The price breakdown is:

Hyundai L90D+ $469.00 ($386.51 USD)
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu AMD Athlon XP/64, Intel P4 $45.00 ($37 USD)
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ $225.00 ($185.46 USD)
DFI LP UT-nF4 Ultra-D NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Chipset $177.00 ($146 USD)
Geil Value Dual Channel 1GB(512MBX2) PC3200 400MHz DDR Kit (GE1GB3200BDC) $139.00 ($114 USD)
ATI Radeon x800XL $379.00 ($312 USD)
Thermaltake Tsunami $137.00 ($112 USD)
OCZ MODSTEAM 450Watt $98.00 ($81 USD)
Seagate 200GB(8MB CACHE) Serial-ATA 150 Hard Disk (OEM) $138.00 ($113 USD)

+ some DVD-RW drive ... total cost = $2130 CAD ($1755 USD)

How do the prices look? Darnit why is it so much more expensive in Canada :|

If anyone knows of any cheaper prices in Canada/Toronto, give me a shout! These prices were the best i could come up with.

And would the Venice core be more expensive than the current Winchesters? I'd like to grab a Venice if it is THAT much better at o/c than a winchy =) Availability might suck for us up here though ..

Cheers! :beer:

 

[Mrvile]

Ooook now the prices look a bit better (damn Canadians ). The setup looks great.

Venice cores should cost about 20 usd more than Winchesters when released, just like the Winchesters were slightly more expensive than the Newcastles when they came out.

That PSU is fine, but it's a little pricey for its power (idk, Canadian thing?). See if you could get your hands on an Enermax or Tagan or Fortron PSU for a little cheaper. I got my Enermax 460w for about 70 usd, but maybe it's just a Canadian thing.

Finally, about the HSF. The Zalman cools very well, and best of all it's QUIET. I would stick with the Zalman if I were you. See if you could get your hands on the 7700, but make sure it fits your motherboard first.

You did your homework well, which is something many of us n00b computer builders tend to slack off in. We wanna jump right into the fray, build the damn thing and OC it to teh macks. Well, there's a lot more to it than that

I'm surprised at what your little Canadian tech shops have to offer, I wish American retailers had such variety, I have to order everything online :mad;

 

[imported_Kensai]

Grab a 7700Cu. Nice and silent.

 

[Machine350]

Your setup looks great, lots of fun.

 

[Peter D]

Since you're in Toronto, here's a great online retailer that's fairly close to you I'd assume.

Genitech. They have nice prices, and a very high ResellerRating.

Anyways, I configured something similar with a DFI SLI board (Just in case ), 3200+ Winnie, Zalman 7700, 1GB DDR400, NEC 3250 burner, Modstream 520W etc, etc for ~$1700.

You could probably knock off some by getting a cheaper board or lower wattage PSU, too.

Hope that link helps.

 

[supaflyz]

Thanks a lot for the site Vegetto! Just noticed Enermax 485W NoiseTaker Power Supply ATX 12V 2.0 for $89.99 CAD. I think I'm gonna get that one, seems like a pretty solid performer. What do you guys think?

hm.. I'll pick up the 7700 Al-Cu instead of the 7000 then. The bigger the better i suppose

There are a ton of small tech shops out in Markham where I live. Good selection for us living up there But i wish i could order everything online and not have to drive around sometimes.. but thats just me being lazy

The x800xl seems to be pretty rare up here.. ATI wont even let me pre-order it from them ! The other retailers are charging quite a premium for them too (~$425 for OEM).. hopefully in one month it will change, and hopefuly they have the Venice in stock.

Thanks all! This round is on me :beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

 

[Peter D]

PC Canada is also another good one in Ontario, and they usually have access to some "rare" stuff

There's also a link down on the left on the PCC site for Toronto PC Stores, so that could be helpful too.