Confused on what to build

[QMaze]

I have not built a new computer in 2 years and I'm really confused with what to buy, cpu, everything. I have selected the case, ThermalTake Tsunami , ThermalTake 480 PSU, EluminX keyboard/mouse. I was going to get the Chaintech ZNF3-250 and maybe Athlon 64 2800+ with 1 GB DDR. Now I have always been a big Intel fan so this would be a leap to build on another product since I have no experience with AMD. I don't have to have the baddest best system so would like to capatilize on purchase gains by not choosing the latest.

This is what I want the machine to be able to do well. Games, games and more games. Satellite digital media and dvd media.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ts3433]

Budget?

(Without that I can probably make only one comment: The DFI Lanparty NF3 250Gb board is regarded as the best for S754 and $30 less than the ZNF3-250.)

 

[QMaze]

Oh so sorry, well I would like to stay under $2000 and that would include a new monitor and speakers if possible but not necessary. I would be comfortable spending all $2000 on just the system, I know its not a lot. But if I can build a really decent system for cheaper, thats always a plus too.

Would at least like to double my current P3 800 system, it currently does not handle my Twinhan SAtellite too well.

Thank you

 

[ts3433]

Decide how fancy you want your monitor and speakers (factor in an Audigy 2 or something if need be, though if your speakers aren't too fancy, onboard sound should be fine), and go from there in determining your budget.

You should be able to get very good performance with a gig of RAM (PC3200, higher if you're going to OC more than a little bit; a single 1 GB DIMM if you're going to run S754 (you'll OC better this way), 2x512 for S939 dual channel), a 6800 GT (most OC to Ultra speeds and beyond), and an A64 with an NF3 mobo. (Decide what kind of A64 and mobo you'll get based on your upgrade plans, if you want to OC, etc. The new Winchesters for S939 are quite appealing right now, so check them out. You're practically guaranteed at least 2.5 GHz on any of them.) For a hard drive, you'll be fine sticking with PATA 7200RPM/8MB drives. SATA isn't quite worth it right now ('cept for Raptors), and using it is known to limit overclocking ability on the A64 platform.

 

[jpeyton]

Here's a quick parts list you should check out:

EpoX 8KDA3J Motherboard $73
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ OEM S754 Newcastle $150
BFG Nvidia 6800 OC $270
1GB Corsair Value Select $160
Creative Labs Audigy 2 PCI $75
160GB 7200RPM 8MB Hard Drive $90
NEC 16X DVDRW $75

Should easily be twice as fast (and much faster if you overclock).

 

[tjaisv]

cpu - Athlon 64 3000+ (Socket 754) ($151)

mobo - MSI K8N NEO-FSR (Socket 754, nForce3-250gb chipset) ($97)

hsf - Zalman CNPS7000-Aluminum/Copper (CNPS7000-AlCu) Socket754-compatible ($31)

memory - Corsair DDR400 512MB CAS2 (1 DIMM) ($105)

video - Radeon 9600XT ($150) or Radeon 9800 Pro ($200) or Radeon X800 XT ($455)

hard drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 (200GB / 8MB cache / 8.5ms seek / SATA or UltraATA-100) ($120)

audio (optional) - Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS OEM ($85)

DVD - Pioneer DVR-108D Multi-format (4xDL/16x+-R) DVD Writer OEM ($83)

CRT monitor - NEC/Mitsubishi FP2141SB 22" Diamondtron ($608)

speakers - Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 ($335) or Altec Lansing MX-5021 2.1 ($144)

*prices are from pricewatch.com and pricegrabber.com, and include shipping (for my area code)

.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Here's a quick parts list you should check out:

EpoX 8KDA3J Motherboard $73
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ OEM S754 Newcastle $150
BFG Nvidia 6800 OC $270
1GB Corsair Value Select $160
Creative Labs Audigy 2 PCI $75
160GB 7200RPM 8MB Hard Drive $90
NEC 16X DVDRW $75

Should easily be twice as fast (and much faster if you overclock).

 

[QMaze]

Gees, thanks for everyone going out of the way to post let alone give prices. Thanks everyone.

 

[Sonic587]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Here's a quick parts list you should check out:

EpoX 8KDA3J Motherboard $73
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ OEM S754 Newcastle $150
BFG Nvidia 6800 OC $270
1GB Corsair Value Select $160
Creative Labs Audigy 2 PCI $75
160GB 7200RPM 8MB Hard Drive $90
NEC 16X DVDRW $75

Should easily be twice as fast (and much faster if you overclock).

Only changes to is I'd suggest that you look at a Seagate HDD. 5 year warranty. And maybe throw in a Chaintech AV-710 if you want a better source for your music (Yes, you can have 2 soundcards installed at once).

EDIT: Check out http://www.head-fi.com for more detailed info on the headphone thing.

 

[QMaze]

Man everyone is helpful. I have another twist I am going on. I want use all the fanless cooling products ThermalTake has to offer, CPU, Video, Memory and PSU. I want to make this computer dead silent or close to it.

The Tsunami Dream case should be a good start since it has 2 120mm fans to help with noise and think Antecs new 400W fanless PSU will be great or Thermaltakes fanless PSU. PLus I am going with Seagates Barracuda 160G SATA 8MB cache 7200 drive. The only other case contender I am considering is the Chenbro Gaming Bomb 2.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[newParadigm]

GET PATA, SATA is annoying as hell when you are OCing.