New System Build, Critique

[Mantle]

After a very long time since my last build, I have finally decided to take the plunge and go A64 .. Before I do, was looking for some comments/suggestions . . The rig will be used for general applications (word, excel, email.. etc.), gaming, and a little video editing. . Not really looking to overclock . . My current budget sits at around $1300 ..

Case: Thermaltake Tsunami Silver $120
PSU: ENERMAX Noisetaker Series 420W Power Supply $73
MB: ASUS K8N-E Deluxe $142
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache $214
Mem: Corsair Value Select 1gig (2x512MB) DDR PC-3200 $164
CDRW: Plextor Black 52x24x52 CD-RW Drive $46
DVD: Asus 16X DVD-ROM Drive $31
Mouse: MSIntelliMouse Explorer 4.0 $28
Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard $16
VC: Leadtek ti4200 128mb . . waiting for the 6600 GT or the 6800 prices to come down..
SC: Audigy 2 .. already have
HD: 2x120gb WD 8mb cache HD .. already have
Monitor : Samsung 997DF $200

total: $1034

The only questions I really have is that is the PSU good enough ? I read that you need 20 A on the +12V rail for the Athlon 64.. Also, been debating the memory a bit, whether I should go with some better stuff or not . . I will probably be grabbing the motherboard, cpu, and memory from monarch to get the board tested (seems to be a fair amount of dead boards shipping) . . Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated . .

 

[Dufrane]

Welcome to Anand. I think that value memory will be good enough especially since you don't plan on overclocking

 

[bplamondon]

Hey... It looks pretty cool...

Just my opinion, but the case costs a lot... (and in just my opinion isnt great looking) Im getting this... Antec Performance Plus /w 430W PSU

Its a bit bigger, but is antec and they make great PSUs and cases... Plus its only 130, and you are spending almost 200 on case and PSU... so think about it. A case is usually a personal choice, but thought Id point out some good potential savings for you. Plus more money saved means you got more to spend on other pieces.

 

[caz67]

I think you would be better off with an Antec 480W PSU. Very reliable and issue free. Get better RAM also.

 

[Mantle]

I considered going with an Antec case, but decided to step it up and get a nicer case this time.. I should be able to hang onto it for a while, as BTX doesn't seem to be catching on quite readily . .

I figured the Enermax PSU would be better than an Antec in having the the dual 12V rails.. So you have one for the cpu and the other for the graphics card ..

What RAM would be suggested to replace the corsair value stuff ?

 

[Delorian]

I say stick with the ram, it's a good price, reliable and even OCs a bit if you want it to.

 

[trexpesto]

I like - love- my enermax It kix ax. 33 Amps on the 12V rail.

 

[Illissius]

Stick with the RAM, more expensive stuff is only negligibly faster and not worth the money (unless you already have an FX53 and don't have a faster processor to spend it on instead ).
And I don't think 6800/GT prices will come down much, not lower than $250 and $350 respectively, and the wisdom of waiting several months for a possible $50 difference is questionable.

 

[Mantle]

Looks like the RAM is sticking . .

About the graphics card, more or less I am waiting to see what the nv43 (6600) can do, and if doesn't seem quite up to snuff I would pick up a 6800, which hopefully will be easier to find and at least closer to the msrp . .

 

[Mantle]

bump

 

[ShaunyR]

When I ordered my Thermaltake Tsunami I had doubts because of the cost, but when I got mine, I just fell in love.

 

[Mantle]

bump

 

[JBT]

Keep the RAM, The PSU is good too. it has two 12v rails so use one to power a high end Video card if you get a 6800 or above and the others to power your HDD's, Optical drives, ect. GL I'm sure you will like it. Everything else looks great.

 

[dmw16]

Yeah, keep the RAM, that guy didnt know what he was saying. As for the case, get whatever you want, but you cant beat Antec for power supplies.