Building/Buying a new pc tommrow - please help with some questions

[lokodezine]

This pc will be mainly used for media (watching tv listining to music) and gaming.

Case: No PS - Cooler Master TAC-T01-E1C WaveMas
Power Supply: ?? -- SEE BELOW
Motherboard: ?? -- SEE BELOW
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1MB 90nm Rev. E San D
Memory: ?? -- SEE BELOW
Hard Drive: SATA - Seagate (ST3200826AS) 200 GB/7200-
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: DVD±RW - NEC ND-3520A-KIT-BG 16X Dual Lay
CD-RW/DVD-RW: Lite On 16x CD/RW
Floppy Drive: Mitsumi 1.44 MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
Sound Card: Creative Audigy 2 ZS 24BIT/5.1/IEEE/MIDI/
Video Card: eVGA 6800 GT 256MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 (O


1) I am not really caring for getting SLI capabilities, but if I can get the mobo and PSU for almost the same price as good non SLI ones I might as well since my video card is SLI capabale.

Here my questions
-- PSU: Is this a good power supply? And is it good/reliable for SLI Purposes
535W - Enermax EG565P-FMA REV.2.0 ATX 2.0 w/ SLI Support - $ 80

or would one of these (NON-SLI CAPABALE ONES) be better[For me needs]:
500W - Ultra X Connect - ULT31556 ATX 12V w/ 2-80mm fans - $69
480W - Thermaltake - W0022 ATX 12v - $70

-- MOBO: Is this a good SLI MOBO?
MSI - K8N NEO4 SLI (939) - $126

or would one of these (NON SLI CAP. ONES) be better[For my needs]:
ASUS - A8N-En Force 4 (939) - $114
Gigabyte - GA-K8N ULTRA 9 NForce 4 (939) - $119

(or would it be worth it to spend 139 for the ASUS SLI A8N? Again I am not worried about SLI)


2) Memory
Which memeory would you recommend? I would get the Corsair Value Select but Monarch does not offer them as a couple (2x512)
Heres some choices I haveI dont need the best, just one thats good and reliable - works for what I need)

* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ CL2 Platinum (OCZ4001024ELDCPE-K)
* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024ELDC-K)
* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Dual Channel GoldVX (OCZ4001024ELDCGEVX-K
* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Value (OCZ4001024V25DC-K)
* 1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) PC-3200 Corsair (TWINX1024-3200PT)
* 1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) PC-3200 Corsair XMS (TwinX1024-3200C2PT)
* THIS ONE DOES NOT WORK WITH GIGABYTE MOBOS - SO MAYBE THATS A MINUS ALREADY 1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) PC-3200 Corsair w/LED Display (TWINX1024-3200C2PRO)

3) PROCESSOR
Is it worth it to spend 60 dollars more for the 3700+ or should I save the money and get the 3500+... is there a noticeable difference between the 2?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

[Johnnyboy0056]

1. i would go with the 535w power supply. this way when gaming and such u arent maxing out the power supply at all, which can result in other probs. the 500 w power supply will work fine though. personally, the neo4 mobo is not a very good one i feel. for ur purposes, i would get a non sli mobo, but make sure it has an agp slot since ur not worried about the sli but dont want to be limited by having to get a pci graphics card.

2. the 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024ELDC-K) should work good for what ur doing.

3. yes, there is a noticiable difference and yes its worth the 60 dollars, plus your saving money by not getting the sli motherboard, so i say go for it.

post back and let us know what u did.

 

[Rick G]

Here are 2 mobo that I think would more suit you purpose. Don't go with an inexpensive SLI board, I love MSI but not that SLI board.

OCZ is currently the top dog but don't get anybodies "value" RAM.

Get the fastest cpu you can fit into the budget. You can always o/c a 3500 to 3700 specs and save a few bucks.

I just finished a build using the Abit AV8 board and an Ultra x-connect 500 and it works great. I have Ultra's in my own computers and have never had a problem. Plus you get better air flow using the wrapped wiring.



http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110480&Category_Code=AMD939

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110261&Category_Code=AMD939

 

[lokodezine]

Hmm...
I know for sure the mobo cant be VIA Chipset b/c my tv tuner (Hauppauge 500 MCE) seems to have trouble with those...

I guess I will get the 3700+

Why do I need an AGP SLOT? The graphics card I am getting is PCI - its the 6800 GT (what cards are AGP?)

I like that Abit (non SLI) mobo that you posted but if I get the SLI Capable PSU would it be better to get a SLI Mobo and spend a few extra bucks since I am getting the SLI CARD as well or not really?

Will the ULTRA X CONNECT 500W Supply hold up well for gaming?

 

[Trizoy]

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: DVD±RW - NEC ND-3520A-KIT-BG 16X Dual Lay
CD-RW/DVD-RW: Lite On 16x CD/RW

Why both? The top one does both... plays/burns dvd's and play/burns cd's...

 

[lokodezine]

what about these mobos?

DFI Lan Party UT NForce4 Ultra-D Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
Asus A8N-E nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATA/DDR/ATX 939

compared to the Abit AN8 Ultra nF4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/RAID/DDR/ATX 64 939

or should I consider these SLI ones
Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 939
Asus A8N-E SLI nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939

And also would I be better to get the 535 W Enermax or the Ultra connect 500 W?

 

[Johnnyboy0056]

if u go sli, go with the 535...non sli go with 500.

and wait, ur getting a sli card? the sli card is a lot lot lot more expensive than an agp or pci card.

 

[lokodezine]

I am getting a 6800 GT... isnt that SLI capable?

 

[34erd]

Yes.

 

[lokodezine]

so what mobo? thats all i cant decide on...

what about these mobos?

DFI Lan Party UT NForce4 Ultra-D Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
Asus A8N-E nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATA/DDR/ATX 939

compared to the Abit AN8 Ultra nF4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/RAID/DDR/ATX 64 939

or should I consider these SLI ones
Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 939
Asus A8N-E SLI nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939

 

[lokodezine]

please can anyone help with the mobo selection

Here are the mobos Im considering if I go non SLI along with "Abit AN8 Ultra nF4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/RAID/DDR/ATX 64 (939)":

DFI Lan Party UT NForce4 Ultra-D Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
Asus A8N-E nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939
Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATA/DDR/ATX 939


or should I consider paying about 15-35 more for an SLI one like these:
Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/IEEE/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 939
Asus A8N-E SLI nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E/SATAII/DDR/ATX 64 939

Or do you feel I would benefit more fom getting one fo the non-SLI ones as I cant afford hihg expensive SLI ones

 

[Johnnyboy0056]

if u dont plan on getting an sli vid card, then dont bother paying the extra for the sli mobo. those sli cards are very expensive. that first board u mention sounds pretty good for ur needs.

 

[Praetor]

Case: No PS - Cooler Master TAC-T01-E1C WaveMas
Power Supply: ?? -- SEE BELOW
Motherboard: ?? -- SEE BELOW
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1MB 90nm Rev. E San D
Memory: ?? -- SEE BELOW
Hard Drive: SATA - Seagate (ST3200826AS) 200 GB/7200-
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: DVD±RW - NEC ND-3520A-KIT-BG 16X Dual Lay
CD-RW/DVD-RW: Lite On 16x CD/RW
Floppy Drive: Mitsumi 1.44 MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
Sound Card: Creative Audigy 2 ZS 24BIT/5.1/IEEE/MIDI/
Video Card: eVGA 6800 GT 256MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 (O

1. For the tasks you've outlined there wont be a noticebale difference between the 3500 and the 3700 as you'll not be making or breaking it based on the L2
2. NEC has a 3540

-- PSU: Is this a good power supply? And is it good/reliable for SLI Purposes
535W - Enermax EG565P-FMA REV.2.0 ATX 2.0 w/ SLI Support - $ 80

Thats a pretty nice PSU

500W - Ultra X Connect - ULT31556 ATX 12V w/ 2-80mm fans - $69
480W - Thermaltake - W0022 ATX 12v - $70

The Ultra is a decent PSU but it's an ATX 1.03 spec one... if you're building a new system you might as well get the ATX 2.0+ PSU that you've got there. The Thermaltake PSU is a piece of crap.

MSI - K8N NEO4 SLI (939) - $126

Good mobo but for <$5 more you get the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum

or would one of these (NON SLI CAP. ONES) be better[For my needs]:
ASUS - A8N-En Force 4 (939) - $114
Gigabyte - GA-K8N ULTRA 9 NForce 4 (939) - $119

The board I suggested would be better than both of these and arguably better than the board you've selected.

I would get the Corsair Value Select but Monarch does not offer them as a couple (2x512)

You dont have to buy them as a pair....

* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ CL2 Platinum (OCZ4001024ELDCPE-K)
* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024ELDC-K)
* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Dual Channel GoldVX (OCZ4001024ELDCGEVX-K
* 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Value (OCZ4001024V25DC-K)
* 1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) PC-3200 Corsair (TWINX1024-3200PT)
* 1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) PC-3200 Corsair XMS (TwinX1024-3200C2PT)
* THIS ONE DOES NOT WORK WITH GIGABYTE MOBOS - SO MAYBE THATS A MINUS ALREADY 1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) PC-3200 Corsair w/LED Display (TWINX1024-3200C2PRO)

Well if you want to get the VX memory then you'll want to get a DFI Lanparty board (or buy a OCz DDRBooster), otherwise, the tried and true Corsair XMS is sufficient although really you wont notice anything

Is it worth it to spend 60 dollars more for the 3700+ or should I save the money and get the 3500+... is there a noticeable difference between the 2?

As i noted initially, you're not gonna notice

1. i would go with the 535w power supply. this way when gaming and such u arent maxing out the power supply at all, which can result in other probs. the 500 w power supply will work fine though. personally, the neo4 mobo is not a very good one i feel. for ur purposes, i would get a non sli mobo, but make sure it has an agp slot since ur not worried about the sli but dont want to be limited by having to get a pci graphics card.

Wattage doesnt mean crap. Case in point

2. the 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024ELDC-K) should work good for what ur doing.

They'll all work but whether they are appropriately suited is another thing entirely.

3. yes, there is a noticiable difference and yes its worth the 60 dollars, plus your saving money by not getting the sli motherboard, so i say go for it.

There is?

OCZ is currently the top dog but don't get anybodies "value" RAM.

They are? Whats wrong with ValueRAM? (yes these are loaded questions)

Get the fastest cpu you can fit into the budget. You can always o/c a 3500 to 3700 specs and save a few bucks.

The 3500 and 3700 are clocked the same

I just finished a build using the Abit AV8 board and an Ultra x-connect 500 and it works great.

No comment on the PSU as i addressed that above but there's not a damn comparison in the world between the K8T800Pro and the NF4

I know for sure the mobo cant be VIA Chipset b/c my tv tuner (Hauppauge 500 MCE) seems to have trouble with those...

Are you sure thats a chipset issue? Never seen that before with TV tuners ..... can u elaborate?

Why do I need an AGP SLOT? The graphics card I am getting is PCI - its the 6800 GT (what cards are AGP?)

It would be PCIE not PCI

I like that Abit (non SLI) mobo that you posted but if I get the SLI Capable PSU would it be better to get a SLI Mobo and spend a few extra bucks since I am getting the SLI CARD as well or not really?

Either the MSI board i noted above ot the DFI LanParty UT NF4Ultra-D will run circles around it.

Will the ULTRA X CONNECT 500W Supply hold up well for gaming?

It'll be fine although, as noted above, you'll prolly be more interested in a ATX2.0+ PSU

Why both? The top one does both... plays/burns dvd's and play/burns cd's...

The NEC cant do weak-sectors burning worth crap. The Litey will run circles around it (especially if you consider a reduced C2 error count)

if u go sli, go with the 535...non sli go with 500.
and wait, ur getting a sli card? the sli card is a lot lot lot more expensive than an agp or pci card.

1. Again, wattage means crap all.
2. 6800s do not come in PCI variety
3. All PCIE 6800GTs are SLI capable but that is not what makes them expensive

I am getting a 6800 GT... isnt that SLI capable?

Only if it's the PCIE version

if u dont plan on getting an sli vid card, then dont bother paying the extra for the sli mobo. those sli cards are very expensive. that first board u mention sounds pretty good for ur needs.

Any (reasonable) suggestion to get an AGP 6800GT onto a PCIE board?

 

[lokodezine]

ok Thankyou very much for that response.

1) The video card is PCI-E 6800 GT. So its SLI capable. Heres the link
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190670
--- ISnt it SLI READY??

2) As far as the mobo I limited it to these 5: (Again I just need a good mobo, sli is not a must just considering it since my psu and grpahics card are sli ready, realy doubt I will ever use it.)

1- MSI NEO4 Platinum
2- GIGABYTE GA-K8N Ultra-9 Socket nForce4 Ultra
3- Abit AN8 Ultra nF4
(These 2 below with SLI)
4- GIGABYTE GA-K8N PRO-SLI NF4 SLI AMD
5- Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI

--- Which out of the 5 should I go with?

3) As far as Memory goes of the following - I just want good reliable memory, dont care about anyother things or specialties of the ram.
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024ELDC-K)
or
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ (OCZ4001024PDC-K)
or
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ (OCZ4001024ELDCPE-K)
or
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024PFDC-K) -

 

[lokodezine]

updates my choices above - if anyone can help it would be much appreciated- sory about not makeing a choice yet just want this pc to be the best I can do/afford

 

[lokodezine]

heres the pc:

80311 Monarch Furia Custom Desktop (PCI-E) 1
$59.00 $59.00
Case: 100029 - No PS - Thermaltake Xaser III V1000A Towe
$125.00 $125.00
Power Supply: 100122 - PS 535W - Enermax EG565P-FMA
REV.2.0 ATX $80.00 $80.00
Case Fan: None
Motherboard: 110314 - Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI
Audio/GB-LAN/USB $139.00 $139.00
Processor: 120272 - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm Rev. E
Veni $219.00 $219.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease
(Cools CPU $14.00 $14.00
Heat Sink Fan: 800083 - None - Fan REQUIRED - except
with RETAIL
Memory: 140310 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512)
OCZ $118.00 $118.00
2nd Memory: None
Hard Drive: 150935 - SATA - Western Digital (WD800JD) 80
GB/72 $56.00 $56.00
2nd Hard Drive: 150322 - SATA - Seagate (ST3250823AS)
Barracuda 25 $109.00 $109.00
RAID Setup: None
RAID Controller: None
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: 160014 - DVD±RW - Lite-On
SOHW-1693S 16x8x16x-DVD- $48.00 $48.00
CD-RW/DVD-RW: 160021 - CD-RW - Lite-On SOHR-5239S
52X32X52 CD-RW $29.00 $29.00
CD-RW Software: None
DVD-ROM Software: None
Floppy Drive: 170108 - Mitsumi Floppy 7-in-1 USB Card
Reader/Sma $25.00 $25.00
More Storage: None
Sound Card: 180329 - Creative Audigy 2 ZS
24BIT/5.1/IEEE/MIDI/ $93.00 $93.00
Video Card: 190670 - eVGA 6800 GT 256MB
DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual $289.00 $289.00
Modem: None
Network Card: None
Wireless Network Card: None
Add-On Card: None
Case Function Add-On: None
Round Cables: None
Operating System: 210222 - Microsoft Windows XP Media
Center 2005 (O $121.00 $121.00
Additional Software: None
Antivirus: None
Warranty: 800072 - 24/7 Tech Support + Plus 3 Year
Onsite Wa $99.00 $99.00
Hot Rush: None - Standard Order ( ships within 8-13
business
Half Life 2 Promotion: 27F854 - FREE Half Life 2 Full
Version Coupon with
Molex Connector: None
Video Capture: None
TV Tuner: None
Lance Armstrong: 270447 - Lance Armstrong LIVE STRONG
wristband
Free Giveaway: 270251 - Patriot Pen Blue and Grey -
Free!
FREE Patriot SD USB Flash Kit: 14A502 - 128 MB Patriot
SD Fla
Shipping: Federal Express Ground - Five (5) to Seven
(7) Day: $45.50

Sales Tax: $0.00

 

[Praetor]

1) The video card is PCI-E 6800 GT. So its SLI capable. Heres the link
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...uct_Code=190670 --- ISnt it SLI READY??

Yes it in fact is

2) As far as the mobo I limited it to these 5: (Again I just need a good mobo, sli is not a must just considering it since my psu and grpahics card are sli ready, realy doubt I will ever use it.)

1- MSI NEO4 Platinum
2- GIGABYTE GA-K8N Ultra-9 Socket nForce4 Ultra
3- Abit AN8 Ultra nF4
(These 2 below with SLI)
4- GIGABYTE GA-K8N PRO-SLI NF4 SLI AMD
5- Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI

Any reason for that limitation? If the MSI board is an NForce4Ultra than by far thats my reccomendation. If not then either Gigabyte or Abit boards will suffice.

3) As far as Memory goes of the following - I just want good reliable memory, dont care about anyother things or specialties of the ram.
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024ELDC-K)
or
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ (OCZ4001024PDC-K)
or
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ (OCZ4001024ELDCPE-K)
or
1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Copper (OCZ4001024PFDC-K) -

In that case, get the cheapest.

80311 Monarch Furia Custom Desktop (PCI-E) 1
$59.00 $59.00

What the flying crap is this?

Motherboard: 110314 - Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI
Audio/GB-LAN/USB $139.00 $139.00

You can get a better motherboard or even better for that price

Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease
(Cools CPU $14.00 $14.00

Sin-Etsu is good stuff but thats way the hell overcharged

Lite-On SOHW-1693S

Not such a good drive. Competent. But not good.

Lite-On SOHR-5239S

Good drive

 

[lokodezine]

"Motherboard: 110314 - Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI
Audio/GB-LAN/USB $139.00 $139.00



You can get a better motherboard or even better for that price"

-- Why do you say that - when I look at the specs to me it seems the ASUS is better? anyone else care to voice opinions on those 3?

"Lite-On SOHW-1693S


Not such a good drive. Competent. But not good."

-- I got the Lite-On b/c it was retail and came with software... would the NEC 3540 be a better choice b/c I have till Saturday before they start production...

 

[Praetor]

Why do you say that

Because ive used all three boards

when I look at the specs to me it seems the ASUS is better

How so? lol ... for instance ASUS released the A8NSLI DLX Premium to fix issues with the A8NSLI DLX so even proponents of ASUS cant really claim the A8NSLI DLX is all that .... Lack of hardware audio is another one..... so how do you figure the ASUS board is superior?

I got the Lite-On b/c it was retail and came with software... would the NEC 3540 be a better choice b/c I have till Saturday before they start production...

1. The software sucks
2. I dont know what u mean by "production" but the 3540s have been in production for some time now....

 

[lokodezine]

Because ive used all three boards


How so? lol ... for instance ASUS released the A8NSLI DLX Premium to fix issues with the A8NSLI DLX so even proponents of ASUS cant really claim the A8NSLI DLX is all that .... Lack of hardware audio is another one..... so how do you figure the ASUS board is superior?


1. The software sucks
2. I dont know what u mean by "production" but the 3540s have been in production for some time now....

I mean monarchcomputer.com does nto start buidling my pc till SAT. so I can make changes till then... so would you recommend getting the NEC 3540 over the Lite On and buying the software?

Also the Asus offers a more PCI slots than the MSI though... but if you could inform me more why the MSI is better Id appreciate it because I though ASUS fixed all the probs with that board?