New computer system

[Higgs]

Hello, I am putting together this system for playing BF1942 and Call of Duty omline. I am also using it for small business. Is the dual hard drives in a Raid 0 the way to go ot is a raptor drive for OS and 2nd drive for apps better? Or does oit reallly make a difference for what I am doing? Thanks, Paul.

Monarch GT64 Custom PC/WS (Athlon 64) $49.00 $49.00
Cases: 100159 - NO PS - Antec Performance One P160 ATX Mi $136.00 $136.00
Power Supply: 100920 - Enermax EG475P SFMA Noisetaker 475 Watt $99.00 $99.00
Case Fan: None
Motherboards: 110177 - MSI K8T NEO-FIS2R K8T800 SATA/R/A/GBE/139 $139.00 $139.00
Processor: 120749 - AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (Retail Box-w-Fan) $423.00 $423.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease $12.00 $12.00
Heat Sink Fan: None
Memory: 140242 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) Mushkin $275.00 $275.00
2nd Memory: None
Hard Drive: 150623 - Seagate 80 GB Barracuda 7200RPM 8MB Cache $83.00 $83.00
2nd Hard Drive: 152623 - Seagate 80 GB Barracuda 7200RPM 8MB Cache $83.00 $83.00
RAID Setup: 80011 - RAID 0 (Zero) $10.00 $10.00
CD/DVD-ROM: 160808 - Lite-On 16x40x Black DVD $49.00 $49.00
CD-RW/DVD-RW: 160827 - Lite-On 52x32x52 (Black) CD-RW $69.00 $69.00
Floppy Drive: 170110 - Mitsumi 3.5 (Black) Floppy Drive $19.00 $19.00
More Storage: None
Sound Card: 180329 - Creative Audigy 2 ZS 24BIT Advanced HD So $96.00 $96.00
Video Card: 190459 - XFX NVidia Geforce FX 5900XT 128MB DDR 8x $198.00 $198.00
Modem: None
Operating System: 210111 - Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/CD an $152.00 $152.00
Network Card: None
Add On Card: None
Case Function Add-On: None
Warranty: 800007 - 1 Year - Parts & Labor - Barebone (No Sof
Hot Rush: None - Standard Order ( ships within 8-13 business
Noise Killer: None
Monarch Logo Stickers: 800029 - Plain Monarch Logo
Antivirus: 310505 - Norton 2004 AntiVirus (OEM) $29.00 $29.00
Round Cables: None

 

[Dman877]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 5900XT a value card? You could spend another 20 or so and grab a 9800 Pro.

 

[DiverDave]

at Monarch the 9800Pro 128 Meg is 299 IIRC

 

[Higgs]

yes 299.00 for the 9800 pro, a bit high in price comparison wise. What does value card mean?

 

[Swanny]

Originally posted by: Higgs
yes 299.00 for the 9800 pro, a bit high in price comparison wise. What does value card mean?

Value card means that it's more in the low end. Not so good for gaming.

Also, keep in mind the need to backup your small biz data. Running drives in RAID 0 doubles you chances of HD failure and data loss.

 

[Higgs]

What hard drive set up and video card do you suggest for this system based on what I use it for?

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Higgs
What hard drive set up and video card do you suggest for this system based on what I use it for?

Hard drive setup: either of your suggested setups is fine. The Raptor for OS, and big drive for the other is my favorite. Video card, 9800pro as many have suggested is what I would go for (no surprise there, huh?)

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

Originally posted by: Higgs
What hard drive set up and video card do you suggest for this system based on what I use it for?

Hard drive setup: either of your suggested setups is fine. The Raptor for OS, and big drive for the other is my favorite. Video card, 9800pro as many have suggested is what I would go for (no surprise there, huh?)

I favor a raptor for OS and Raid 0 for apps, lol.

 

[Higgs]

How does this look? See any problems besides prices. Thanks, Paul

Monarch GT64 Custom PC/WS (Athlon 64) $49.00 $49.00
Cases: 100159 - NO PS - Antec Performance One P160 ATX Mi $136.00 $136.00
Power Supply: 100920 - Enermax EG475P SFMA Noisetaker 475 Watt $99.00 $99.00
Case Fan: None
Motherboards: 110177 - MSI K8T NEO-FIS2R K8T800 SATA/R/A/GBE/139 $139.00 $139.00
Processor: 120749 - AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (Retail Box-w-Fan) $423.00 $423.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease $12.00 $12.00
Heat Sink Fan: None
Memory: 140242 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) Mushkin $275.00 $275.00
2nd Memory: None
Hard Drive: 150237 - Western Digial 36 GB 360GD Raptor SATA 10 $115.00 $115.00
2nd Hard Drive: 152117 - Western Digital 120GB SATA 8 MB Cache 720 $99.00 $99.00
RAID Setup: None
CD/DVD-ROM: 160808 - Lite-On 16x40x Black DVD $49.00 $49.00
CD-RW/DVD-RW: 160827 - Lite-On 52x32x52 (Black) CD-RW $69.00 $69.00
Floppy Drive: 170110 - Mitsumi 3.5 (Black) Floppy Drive $19.00 $19.00
More Storage: None
Sound Card: 180329 - Creative Audigy 2 ZS 24BIT Advanced HD So $96.00 $96.00
Video Card: 190631 - ATI 9800 Pro 128 MB AGP 8X DVI/TV $299.00 $299.00
Modem: None
Operating System: 210111 - Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/CD an $152.00 $152.00
Network Card: None
Add On Card: None
Case Function Add-On: None
Warranty: 800007 - 1 Year - Parts & Labor - Barebone (No Sof
Hot Rush: None - Standard Order ( ships within 8-13 business
Noise Killer: None
Monarch Logo Stickers: 800029 - Plain Monarch Logo
Antivirus: 310505 - Norton 2004 AntiVirus (OEM) $29.00 $29.00
Round Cables: None

 

[DiverDave]

Based on the review done on Video cards recently on this site I didnt see that much difference between the 9800pro and the 5900xt, certainly not enough to justify $100 more.

Why do others think that it does?

Inquiring minds and all that

I plan to go with the 5900xt due to the main game I play has had reported problems with ATI cards...potential problems and an extra $100...sounds like a red flag to me

 

[Higgs]

It is a bit confusing on how many different opinions there are on the video card subject. Some say 9800 Pro is the way to go and others say wait for the new cards coming out and again others suggest the 5900 is ok. I am thinking the 5900 might be a good choice for $200.00 and replace it in a year with the new stuff. They also list a FX 5700 ULTRA 128 for $199.00. Is the FX 5700 ULTRA better than the 5900XT ?

 

[MichaelZ]

no.

despite the 5900XT being the value card in the 5900 series, it still out performs a lot of other cards out there at a very respectable price. also if you were to grab the 5900 card there's likely to be any un-wanted game incompatibility supprises due to drivers. refer here for AT poll in video forum.

not to mention all the threads telling you not to buy 5700 Ultra or 9600XT in the video forum look around for all your video needs.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

go get a 9800 pro at Compusa for $200.

 

[DiverDave]

Did you get your system?

What was the service like at Monarch if you did. I'm looking at them to get a new system as well. They have reasonable prices and selection and a generally good rating on resellerrating. I'm also looking at KC computers that has higher prices (~15%), less selection but a stellar rating.

Having never bought anything over the internet of this magnitude I am naturally cautious.

Thanks

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Higgs
It is a bit confusing on how many different opinions there are on the video card subject. Some say 9800 Pro is the way to go and others say wait for the new cards coming out and again others suggest the 5900 is ok. I am thinking the 5900 might be a good choice for $200.00 and replace it in a year with the new stuff. They also list a FX 5700 ULTRA 128 for $199.00. Is the FX 5700 ULTRA better than the 5900XT ?

The 9800pro is $212 right now on newegg.

 

[nick1985]

BARF @ the msi mobo

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Higgs
It is a bit confusing on how many different opinions there are on the video card subject. Some say 9800 Pro is the way to go and others say wait for the new cards coming out and again others suggest the 5900 is ok. I am thinking the 5900 might be a good choice for $200.00 and replace it in a year with the new stuff. They also list a FX 5700 ULTRA 128 for $199.00. Is the FX 5700 ULTRA better than the 5900XT ?

The FX 5900 128MB (non-XT) and the Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB are probably the best cards to get in terms of price/performance. They are the "sweet spot" right now. Anything more expensive, and your price/performance raito goes down considerably. Then again, you are willing to spend $423.00 on the Athlon 64 3400+, when you can get the 3200+ for $288.00 (at monarch). In my opinion, your potential system looks a bit unbalanced. If you are going to splurge on the Athlon 64 3400+ you might at well get an ATI 9800 XT or GeForce FX 5950 Ultra and have the top of the line. Otherwise, go for the Athlon 64 3200+ and get the FX 5900 or Radeon 9800 Pro. This will give you a well balanced, high performance system at a reasonable price.

 

[Higgs]

Thank you. I think I am going with P4 3.2 and Asus P4C800-E Deluxe mobo. 1GB 3200 Ram. 5950 ULTRA Video card. Its the same price as the 3400+ system.

 

[Higgs]

Diver Dave, Did you get your system from Monarch yet? I am trying to decide between abspc and monarch.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: Higgs
Thank you. I think I am going with P4 3.2 and Asus P4C800-E Deluxe mobo. 1GB 3200 Ram. 5950 ULTRA Video card. Its the same price as the 3400+ system.

And it will perform worse, especially in games, get the 3400+

 

[Higgs]

Yo jdogg707, I forgot to mention I am going with the 3200+ with Gigabyte K8NPro nForce 150 mobo. Just trying to pick best vendor now.

 

[dds14u]

I still don't think there's really a need for an Athlon 64...being 64bit doesn't give much performance (remember nearly all applications are running on 32-bit..., and like nitromullet said, it's probably better to scale down the processor and vid card...Can anyone tell me what exactly RAID does?

 

[DiverDave]

Originally posted by: Higgs
Diver Dave, Did you get your system from Monarch yet? I am trying to decide between abspc and monarch.

No I haven't and I'm not sure if I will get one now. I had a fairly major car repair last week (~$500) and then our dog blew out her ACL. Now she needs surgury which will be over 2 grand. With taxes coming I'm not yet sure if I will have to pay or will get money back so I may just wait until after April 15th

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: Higgs
Yo jdogg707, I forgot to mention I am going with the 3200+ with Gigabyte K8NPro nForce 150 mobo. Just trying to pick best vendor now.

I wouldn't get a Nforce3 Pro 150 Motherboard, they dpn't preform as well as the Via chipset boards do, and the Via chipsets include things like native SATA support from the Southbridge. If you're overclocking, there' still no reason because Anand's article proved there is no working AGP/PCI lock on any A64 board. I have the MSI board and have not really had any trouble with it and have been able to overclock my 3200+ to 2.22GHZ without a hitch.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: dds14u
I still don't think there's really a need for an Athlon 64...being 64bit doesn't give much performance (remember nearly all applications are running on 32-bit..., and like nitromullet said, it's probably better to scale down the processor and vid card...Can anyone tell me what exactly RAID does?

The point is not whether 64 bit is really important, it's the fact that the A64 outperforms other 32-Bit chips in 32-Bit Apps in a 32-Bit enviornment. Being able to go 64-Bit will just be an added bonus down the line.