Is it worth the wait?

[dwono]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a new computer for gaming purposes. However, I realized that the AMD system does not have PCI express yet...I heard the nforce 4 will have PCI-E support but will not be released just yet. Would you recommend waiting for it?

Also, what do you think of this setup for game play as well as overclocking? or what would be a great setup that you could recommend for a price under 1400. Thank you.

Aluminum X-Navigator CASE 500W & Window (SILVER)
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 530 w/ HT Technology 3.0GHz 1MB CACHE
Abit AG8 I915 CHIPSET SOCKET775 PCI EXPRESS MB W/ SATA, IEEE, GIGABITE LAN & 7.1 SOUND
1GB (512MBx2) PC3200 DDR400 Memory (Corsair_XMS)
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM Serial ATA 150 8MB Cache WD740GD
nVidia GeForce PCX 5750 128MB 16X PCI EXPRESS VIDEO CARD
SONY 16X DVD-ROM (BLACK)
12X DVDRW/CDRW DRIVE (BEIGE)
Creative Labs SB AUDIGY 2 VALUE 7.1

This is an AMD setup:

Aluminum X-Navigator CASE 500W & Window (SILVER)
(754-pin) AMD ATHLON64 3200+ Processor
(754-pin Socket) GigaByte GA-K8NS Pro nForce3 250 Chipset AGP8X w/LAN,USB2,IEEE,
1024 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR MEMORY (Corsair_XMS_PRO)
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM Serial ATA 150 8MB Cache WD740GD
nVidia GeForce FX 5700 256MB 8x AGP w/ TVO, & DVI
SONY 16X DVD-ROM (BEIGE)
12X DVDRW/CDRW DRIVE (BEIGE)
Creative Labs SB AUDIGY 2 VALUE 7.1

 

[Scooter]

I can't give you an opinion of unreleased products, but peruse this article. I'm personally waiting for dual x16 support for two 6800 GT's.

 

[Markfw]

From what I have read, currently PCI Express is not faster than AGP, so I wouldn;t even bother waiting OR getting the Intel setup now. Just get the AMD setup for gaming, but change the video card to AT LEAST a 9800pro, if not a 6800GT.

 

[dwono]

Oh ok thanks, would u recommend changing it to a 939 pin ABIT mobo and a 3500+ 939? I wanted to get PCI-E because i read in those computer magazines that producers of mobos and graphics cards wont be making AGPs anymore in the near future, but i mean computers get outdated pretty fast no matter what u got so yep.

 

[Markfw]

Depends on your budget. The 754 will only go to 3700+, but as you said, by the time you need a new CPU, there will be better 939 boards out there. If its in the budget, go for it, but you won;t see that much of a difference. I would just get a 3400+ newcastle (I think they run at 2.4 ghz) on 754 myself.

 

[dwono]

Sorry, Im really not the brightest guy when it comes to computers, but is there a point in getting a 500 watt case compared to a 420 watt?

 

[Markfw]

I missed that. You need to get a case with a QUALITY PSU, like an Antec. even a good quality anything(my personal favorite is Antec, there are others) 350 watt would be enough for your system.

 

[Porter21]

yeah, probably.

 

[Zebo]

I would wait. Not for DDR2 or BTX or other such BS, but PCIe and NF4 audio solutions are highly important.

 

[dwono]

Oh ok thanks. I was actually going to purchase this from cyberpower cuz they have those custom configurators since I don't know how to put a computer together myself. I mean I could try but I would need serious help in deciding which mobo would work with which chip etc etc, and im not very familiar with heatsinks. I also heard installing SATA drives mine be a little difficult.

If i was going to build a computer similar to the AMD system up there, how would u do your set up? Or if there is another thread similar to this, please let me know.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

get a nf4 if you want to upgrade the video card before the whole system. i'd just wait anyway if you don't need it now.

if you wait till mid november i think you can get nf4 and a socket 939 3200 on 90 nm and by then they6 should be better overclockers.

 

[flexy]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I would wait. Not for DDR2 or BTX or other such BS, but PCIe and NF4 audio solutions are highly important.

agree

 

[flexy]

Originally posted by: iwantanewcomputer
get a nf4 if you want to upgrade the video card before the whole system. i'd just wait anyway if you don't need it now.

if you wait till mid november i think you can get nf4 and a socket 939 3200 on 90 nm and by then they6 should be better overclockers.

there are still socket 939 0.13 processors ! Why not take these, eg/ socket 939 A64 3500+ ?

 

[Lyfer]

For under $1400 ditch that crappo generic PSU and get a real man's PSU like an Antec/OCZ/TT/Fortron/Enermax. Also that video card is prehistoric by today's standards. You'll need atleast a Radeon 9700/9800 Pro card to push todays DX9 games at "playable" frame rates. I would recommend a Geforce 6800GT (which occaisionally can be found for $350 on hotdeals).

 

[dwono]

Ahhh i see. Thanks. When you guyys build a new computer, how many fans do u usually have?

If you were to build another computer, which parts specifically would u get or would u recommend any brand? Since i am not very computer literate in terms of buildinga new computer, I looked at Anandtech System Buyers Guide. However, I don't particularly like the cases that they mentioned. I want a clear or windowed casing which I intend to put LED Fans and Neon cathode lights in. you know what i mean Thanks again.

Any other good online stores besides newegg?

 

[Kocur]

Hi dwono,

If I were you (unless you are in a hurry), I would definitely wait for about a month in order to get NF4 board and 90 nm AMD 64 part.

My recommendations:

A64 3200 (939, 90 nm) - about 200$ - should overclock quite nicely,
NF4 mobo - it should be at least as good as NF3 250 + you get PCI Express + good quality audio (at least that is what I am expecting from Nvidia) - 120$,
6800GT - 380$, if it is too much for you, just buy Gainward's 6800 (around 300$) and try to unlock pixel pipelines and a vertex unit (Riva Tuner should do the trick).

When it comes to other things, like memory, hard disk, etcetera, I cannot help you.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: dwono
Ahhh i see. Thanks. When you guyys build a new computer, how many fans do u usually have?

If you were to build another computer, which parts specifically would u get or would u recommend any brand? Since i am not very computer literate in terms of buildinga new computer, I looked at Anandtech System Buyers Guide. However, I don't particularly like the cases that they mentioned. I want a clear or windowed casing which I intend to put LED Fans and Neon cathode lights in. you know what i mean Thanks again.

Any other good online stores besides newegg?

I have 2 120mm case fans. The exhaust is stronger than the intake. Intake is only for hdd cooling.
Check out places like:

www.newegg.com
www.frozencpu.com
www.excaliberpc.com
www.case-mod.com
www.directron.com
www.compuplus.com

are all places i have had luck with.

For cases, you are better off paying for a nice case that will last through 3 + computers, rather than buying a cheapo case that falls apart when you remove the crappy power supply it comes with. Check out brands like Lian-Li, Coolermaster, Antec.

Power supplies companies I have had good luck with: Antec, Enermax.
Other good companies include: Seasonic, fortron, PC power and cooling.

I am on a quiet computer thing right now so if I were to build a new computer, it would be something like:
Brand name case with 2x 120mm fans.
Seasonic Super Tornado 400
A64 3500+
MSI nforce3 board
Thermalright XP-90 or XP-120 heatsink
92mm panaflo L1A or 120mm Globe fan for cpu fan.
2x 512MB Crucial Ballistix PC3200
1x 74GB Raptor
1x Big quiet harddrive
Graphics card with aftermarket cooling like Arctic cooling. (nVidea 6600GT or ATI X700XT)
Audigy2 ZS or other good sound card.
Pioneer 16x16 DVD burner
Some sort of fan controller like Sunbeam or what have you.

 

[dwono]

Thanks a lot guys! Yeah i guess I could wait it out. Sounds like a good idea. I better save this thread for future reference!

The case in my listing is an Aspire. Like Tiamat said, would this case be bad for upgrading etc. Here's the link to that case on Newegg.

Aspire Link[/L]

Is there also a site that can help me with what cables I need to get etc?

 

[Markfw]

The case looks OK, but has a crap PSU. Find an Antec or thermaltake case. Or one without a PSU and then get an Antec.

 

[dwono]

Cool, I was thinking about the Antec Lanboy

or the Thermaltake v1000d

Any other specific case recommendations. I really like the fan controls and temp display

 

[Markfw]

I vote for the lanboy, and then an Antec True Power 430 PSU. Or just get a sonata (not as nice, but great fuctionality and has a 380 already in it)

 

[dwono]

Hi,

So after some thinking, I decided to go ahead and try to put a system I like together. How does this sound? I would like some recommendations/suggestions before i purchase the parts. Oh let me know if im missing something Thank you.

AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor (socket 754) - $204 (Prices include shipping)
or
AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor Socket 754 - $282
or
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor 939 Pin

Going to get some sort of DFI Lanparty Nf3 250 or the ASUS a8v for the 939


Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - $158
or this low latency ram
CORSAIR XMS Xtreme Memory Speed Series, Xtra-Low Latency 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 w/ Platinum Heat Spreader, Model TWINX1024-3200XLPT - $276
or
OCZ Enhanced Latency Dual Channel Gold 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-4000

ANTEC ALUMINUM SERIES SUPER LAN BOY MINI TOWER CASE with Clear Side Acrylic Window and FREE Case Carrying Strap - $91

Antec TrueBlue 480W - $94

EVGA GEFORCE 6800 GT 256MB DDR 256-bit AGP8X W/ CRT, TVO, & DVI - $389

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS GAMER Limited Edition PCI Sound Card - $119

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only - $151.99

LG Electronics Beige 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive, Model GCE-8526B - $30

LG Electronics 16X DVD-ROM, Model GDR-8163B - $28

NEC 1.44MB Floppy Drive, Model FD1231H - $10



Well I think thats all I need...am I missing something crucial?

 

[Markfw]

Go with the 3200+ or the 3400+ newcaslt socket 754, and you can be under you $1400. But you are getting close !!!

 

[dwono]

Hmm the price doesnt seem to be very different..which one is a better performer? a 3200+/3400+ newcastle socket754 or a socket 939 3500+. Thanks

btw, what is the difference between dual channel ram and normal ram? i mean whch would u recommend I get?

 

[dwono]

Some comments please on the 754 or 939. Thanks. Sorry, im not too good with this computer stuff.