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Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:44 pm

Hey all, I'm going to pull the trigger a little after midnight tonight on a new build and I figured I would run the specs by everyone to see what the general consensus was. It's no big deal if I don't get a lot of responses. I know I'm not leaving a lot of time between this post and my order going out but I feel pretty comfortable with the build thus far, so this is just sort of a final run-down to see if I'm missing anything. Also, I already bought the case, so that's a part that's locked in as of now.

Case: Aerocool Magic 3D (Black in color, not Silver)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... nnerCata=7

Mainboard: DFI Infinity SLI
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6813136164

Processsor: AMD 3000+ Venice Core
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6819103568

Graphics Card: XFX 7800GT
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6814150108

Memory: OCZ Titanium Edition 2x512MB DDR400
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6820227055

HDD: Hitatchi Dekstar 160GB 7200 SATA2
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6822145088

DVD-R: Lite-On Black 16x DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6827106989

So that's the list. If there's anything I'm missing or you all think I should change out, feel free to say so. I'll let you know how the build goes.

Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:48 pm

Get less video card, put it into the CPU.

I'd go Western Digital or Seagate over that Hitachi.

That case come with a PSU? If so, is it any good?

Good mobo choice.

Good RAM brand, though if you're paying any extra for the Titanium Edition, it may not be worth the small gains in performance.

I prefer NEC over Lite-on, but I'm haunted by cheap lite-on's. The newegg OEM lite-ons seem to be better than the Dell/Compaq OEM lite-ons.

mc_866 · Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:55 pm

I agree ^, maybe look at a better cpu, and pick up a 6800GT for cheaper. Your processor is what will be holding you back. Also down the road it will be cheaper to run two 6800GT's in SLI but still get good performance out of them.

Pretty sure I have that DVD-R drive, haven't had any problems yet, works great.

Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:02 pm

Oh yeah, forgot the PSU. It's an Antec SmartPower 500W http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6817103937

I plan on overclocking the 3000+ as much as I can with the stock cooling, elsewise I would definitely agree with you about wanting a better processor.

I'll look into a different HDD, but the Dekstar is the best price for that capacity that I have found on Newegg. The DVD-R is really a toss-up, too. There are quite a few brands for right around $40. I can probably find an NEC for that same price.

Thanks for the feedback, thus far. Keep it coming if you're so inclined.

Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:11 pm

PerfectCr wrote:
emkubed wrote:
Get less video card, put it into the CPU.

Disagree. I like it, he can always get a better CPU later but the 7800GT will last a long time.

The argument goes both ways, but he'd get more immediate performance gains from a CPU faster than a 3000, than blowing his wad on a 7800. Looking at a bang-for-the-buck standpoint, it's a waste. It's like he went too low on the CPU and too high on the vid. Get a vanilla 6800 and a 3500+ and call it good, IMO.

Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:17 pm

Alrighty, switched the HDD to a Western Dig 160GB: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6822144415
and the DVD-R to an NEC: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6827152047

I would have looked at the Sonata, but I already bought the Aerocool (Mmmm... glowy lights) and, having it here, it looks excellent.

As far as the RAM goes, I'm cool with the slower RAM. I realized in thinking about it just now that I wouldn't really see a difference in what I can do with memory that's only that much slower.

About the processor... I'm thinking now that since the Memory is going to save me some $$, I'll take the difference there, tack on $30 and get the 3500+. Less OC'ing needed to get it faster anyway. :wink:

Looks good.

Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:18 pm

The argument goes both ways, but he'd get more immediate performance gains from a CPU faster than a 3000, than blowing his wad on a 7800. Looking at a bang-for-the-buck standpoint, it's a waste. It's like he went too low on the CPU and too high on the vid. Get a vanilla 6800 and a 3500+ and call it good, IMO.

Not quite so budget-constrained as I thought I was, so I'm going to take the best of both of your suggestions.

See above.

EDIT: I wanted to toss up a quick thanks to everyone who has posted so far. I knew there was a reason that I love the TR Forums. Okay, there are a ton of reasons, but this is one of them: an incredibly supportive and helpful community. Gratzi, all, once more.

Ragnar Dan · Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:39 pm

I don't keep up with the latest and greatest in video cards, so maybe others will be able to correct me, but I've had the impression for some time that XFX had at least occasional quality control problems with their cards. I recall Usacomp2k3 had a problem with one of their cards, and perhaps others had similar results.

Looking at newegg's 7800GT line-up, it looks like you can get cards with similar or even faster GPU and memory clock speeds for less money (with rebates) for the time being... one of the lower prices expires sometime today according to the listing.

Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:00 pm

I checked through the reviews of the card on Newegg and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. My roommate has had no problems with his either. Plus, the game bundle with that card is one of the best you can find. Unless something else really jumps out at me, I'll be going with XFX. Maybe Usacomp2k3 can shed some light here later today.

Ragnar Dan · Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:20 pm

Even if their quality is fine, are the included games really worth the extra money to you?

You might want to PM Usacomp2k3 if he doesn't recount his experience in this thread. You could search for it here, though, and maybe others.

Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:26 pm

I just ran a search for Usacomp's problem and it looks like it was a decnetly common problem with the HSI bridge on the 6000 series cards. Just happened to be that he had an XFX card. The last post on the thread was in April, so I think it's safe to assume that XFX will do fine for me with the 7800GT.

Thanks for the continued information. Even if I don't change certain components that people have questions about, it's good to look into them.

Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:47 pm

Do you have a power supply?
$46.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817104953
Edit: Nevermind. That Antec SmartPower2 PSU will work, although it is more expensive than the Fortron Source PSU.

Before overclocking, the Athlon64 3500+ Venice looks like a good value.
$219.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103533
$146.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103537

If you're going to overclock, have you considered a monster heatsink like the Thermalright XP-90c?
$51.72 http://www.svc.com/thermalright-cpu.html

I'm still not completely sold on OCZ memory. I might also give some consideration to 2x1GB rather than 2x512MB.

Definitely stick with the GeForce 7800GT video card.

LicketySplit · Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:06 pm

Lookin better all the time :wink:

Ill second the notion of the NEC over the LITEON...in my experience they are quieter and last longer.

tehmaster · Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:19 pm

The best burner is the Benq1640, it will beat all others mentioned(for a good price).

Hint: It is what Plextor bought and rebadged as a 740

Rolling20s · Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:25 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
If you're going to overclock, have you considered a monster heatsink like the Thermalright XP-90c?
$51.72 http://www.svc.com/thermalright-cpu.html

I'm not looking for any huge overclocks or anything. The results I've seen people have with the stock cooler will be more than anough for me. Even if I can only get another 200-300Mhz out of it, that will be plenty. Most Venice cores will do much more than that with just stock. I should be able to pull 2.6Ghz without too much trouble... and save the $51.72. :wink:

Now I'm just waiting for midnight to pass (ah, don't you just love direct deposit?) and then the trigger shall be officially pulled. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Rolling20s · Thu Oct 06, 2005 12:45 am

Locked, stocked and ready to rock. Order sent, awaiting verification. Thanks again for everyone's help. It was very much appreciated. I'll keep you all posted as to how the build goes once the parts come.

Usacomp2k3 · Thu Oct 06, 2005 1:27 am

Looks like a great setup. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

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