Newb ? About Setup. Esp. the MB

[the eephus]

I'm currently running a self-built (with help) P4 3.0 Prescott with 1GB of memory, a FX5900XT, 2 ZS, ECS MB, etc.

None of this is important except for the fact that as of this week, I've officially hit a gaming wall. I'm not a huge gamer, but I do like driving simulations, and after purchasing GT Legends, I've found that it's unplayable at native resolution on my Dell 2405 even with the lowest settings.

It's time.

My main needs are web surfing a text-based simulation game I play, and the racing sims, including GT Legends, GTR, and eventually rFactor.

So here what I was thinking of doing:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz
ASUS A8N5X
eVGA 256-P2-N516 Geforce 7800GT CO SE
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150
NEC IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3550A

I'd be keeping my sound card, the 2 ZS, which is still great, speakers, monitor, keyboard/mouse, case, and PSU (450w, I believe, but unsure of the brand - A Fry's purchase).

My main questions concern whether I can use a couple of Corsair Value select 512MB mem sticks alongside the new memory without a problem, and whether that MB is the best value for my money for this setup and my needs. I can spend a little more, but I don't THINK I need the highest of high end. I just want to run all my games at 1920x1200 (where applicable) with moderate settings and no glitches.

Lastly, do I need to purchase another copy of windows. My current one is OE.

My intention is to keep my current drive, back it up, clear it, install Windows on the Raptor, and use my WD 250GB for file storage of saved games, music, pics, etc.

How my doin'? And thanks for any help anyone can offer. I appreciate it.

And remember, I'm a newb!!

-the e

 

[kenrippy]

looks pretty good. i've read great things about the asus A8N-E so you might wanna try it, up to you.

i would leave the extra ram out of your system. not needed, and could cause some sort of issues with timings.

you will most likely have to purchase a new XP (home or pro) since OEM is not supposed to be carried over from it's original machine. not that you couldn't try though (i would)

you'll love the raptor. i have 2x 74gb flavors in RAID 0 and it screams!

 

[drum]

corsair xms really isn't necessary and you could save a few bones by going with the value ram

 

[the eephus]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it, and I'll check out the A8N-E and see if my untrained eye/brain can decipher the benefits of one over the other.

I'll ditch the old memory, and look into saving a little coin with the new mem.

Thanks again, and I'm all ears for anything else anyone can throw at me.

Cheers,

-the e

 

[the eephus]

Okay, I've found this thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1792385&enterthread=y

That indicates that the A8N-E has 'Ultra' functionality and SATA2, IIRC. Now here's where I'm truly showing my neophyte colors. I haven't the slightest what that means for me and my applications. Perhaps nothing, but I'm not sure.

On the flipside, there are still reviews popping up at the Egg that indicate there is still a fan problem with the A8N-E. Is that true? Or even verifiable one way or another?

-the e

 

[alimoalem]

you've done your research. i'm sure a 7800gt isn't needed but it will help last you a couple years down the road.

i agree with the previous posters about the ram. stick with 2x1gig value ram.

gl with your build

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: the eephus
Okay, I've found this thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1792385&enterthread=y

That indicates that the A8N-E has 'Ultra' functionality and SATA2, IIRC. Now here's where I'm truly showing my neophyte colors. I haven't the slightest what that means for me and my applications. Perhaps nothing, but I'm not sure.

On the flipside, there are still reviews popping up at the Egg that indicate there is still a fan problem with the A8N-E. Is that true? Or even verifiable one way or another?

-the e

chipset fans are prone to early death. that's actually one of the reasons i went with the a8n-sli premium. if you're really worried about it, just buy an aftermarket cooler...preferably a passive (fanless) cooler.
http://www.frozencpu.com/vid-22.html

 

[the eephus]

Thanks, guys. I hope I'm now armed with all I need.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

go with the a8n-e for the motherboard

 

[the eephus]

I lied. One last question.

I'm worried about my PSU being sufficient. I'm thinking it's a 420w unit, not 450.

If you were to recommend one for my setup above, factoring in the soundcard, two case fans and another (as yet unmentioned) DVD drive, what PSU would you suggest?

At the Egg I see 550-600w PSUs with good ratings that have prices all over the place, so I'm once again confounded.

TIA again,

-the e

 

[the eephus]

Originally posted by: LiquidImpulse
go with the a8n-e for the motherboard

Any particular reason, given my setup? Not being facetious, just curious. You gotta spell it out for the newb!!

 

[kenrippy]

look into the 2 versions of the antec TP 550w psu's. one has dual 80mm fans, the other has a single 120mm fan, which is more of a silent option. i have the 120mm fan model and am very happy with it.

 

[the eephus]

Originally posted by: kenrippy
look into the 2 versions of the antec TP 550w psu's. one has dual 80mm fans, the other has a single 120mm fan, which is more of a silent option. i have the 120mm fan model and am very happy with it.

Thanks!