Critique my computer-to-be

[fake]

Okay, I'm going for a $2000 budget. I went a little over here, but I think I will get cheaper memory, see below.

Things I already have / don't need to purchase:


* Monitors (I have two 21" dell monitors.)
* Speakers (I like headphones.)
* Leadtek Winfast 2000XP Tv Tuner (w00t)



Here's what I'm planning to get:


* Intel Pentium 4 3.06ghz ($532)
* Asus P4G8X Deluxe Motherboard ($210)
* CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 1GB(2 x 512MB) 2x(64MX64) PC-3200LL With Black Heat Spreader. ($338)
* Western Digital 160GB WD1600JB 7200 RPM 8MB Hard Drive OEM ($189)
* Lite On 52x24x52 Black CDRW Model LTR-52246 OEM ($50)
* PIONEER INTERNAL ATAPI (Black Bezel) DVD-RECORDABLE MODEL DVR-105WB-OEM ($248)
* Lian-Li PC-61 USB B2( 1 Ball-Bearing Fan on the Top), 12-Bay, Aluminum Cases. Color: Black. ($135)
* ATI Radeon 9800 Pro ($400)
* Antec 430W Power Supply TRUE430 ($82)



Total: $2184. All prices from Newegg except the 9800 which is from CompUSA preorder.

My concerns:


* Memory -- is it too good? I don't plan to overclock right now but I want to leave the option open.
* Motherboard? I'm not really sure about it ..
* Will this thing be loud as hell?
* Will CompUSA really start shipping 9800's on April 1st?
* Will onboard sound be okay for mp3's and tv? I'm no audiophile and I hate Creative.



Thanks, any help would be much appreciated..

 

[nolovenohope]

If you use stock Intel heatsink and fan, it will not be loud at all.

Nice setup by the way.

 

[GnomeCop]

the onboard sound should be OK...it may be a resource hog though.. not sure.

its just weird that such a nice system doesnt have a nice sound cad in it. Maybe you can try to get an M-Audio revolution, I hear they are pretty nice.

 

[nolovenohope]

Originally posted by: GnomeCop
the onboard sound should be OK...it may be a resource hog though.. not sure.

its just weird that such a nice system doesnt have a nice sound cad in it. Maybe you can try to get an M-Audio revolution, I hear they are pretty nice.

If he isn't an audophile, no need for him to dish out $100 for an M Audio Revolution.

 

[Tol]

Originally posted by: nolovenohope

Originally posted by: GnomeCop
the onboard sound should be OK...it may be a resource hog though.. not sure.

its just weird that such a nice system doesnt have a nice sound cad in it. Maybe you can try to get an M-Audio revolution, I hear they are pretty nice.

If he isn't an audophile, no need for him to dish out $100 for an M Audio Revolution.

I think the point was that a $3000+ system should probably have a good soundcard. My experience has been that onboard audio is pretty good with only 2 speakers or headphones as long as it has no quirks with the games you play, though.

 

[fake]

bump?

 

[nwfsnake]

Its nice, but that last 10% of performance is costing you a lot. Drop back to a 2.4 or 2.53 pentium, a $200 video card, and only 2x256 Corsair and still kick it while saving $600!

 

[Macro2]

I'd rather see you get an Asus A7N8X deluxe and an AthonXP. Maybe even the Barton core. 2500+ or 2700+ should do it. You'll get great sound and save money to boot.

 

[fkloster]

Somehow, I don't think this guy is about saving 'money' ....maybe I'm wrong?

 

[psy44]

Nice Setup. At this point I'd get a 9700 pro, I know it's cool having the latest graphics card, but from what I've heard, there isn't that much difference between the two. I think the memory is overdoing it a little, 512 will be okay.

 

[PCMarine]

Yea, nice setup, seems bleeding edge.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: psy44
Nice Setup. At this point I'd get a 9700 pro, I know it's cool having the latest graphics card, but from what I've heard, there isn't that much difference between the two. I think the memory is overdoing it a little, 512 will be okay.

Yeah but once you start to crank the settings up that is when you see the 9800pro pull away as shown in Anandtech's preview.

As for the setup that is pretty cool (though I'm a AMD man myself) and I would stick with your setup rather than lower your stuff- it doesn't seem that you care too much for cash and if cash isn't an option and that extar 600 dollars isn't a big deal at all (I wish I could say the same ) Then I'd definitely get what you have

 

[fake]

Well, I'm definately going down to a 9700 b/c it seems they won't be shipping for another 2-3 weeks. Plus, I never really needed it in the first place.

Thanks for the input guys. I'm still considering the intel/amd thing ..