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

[Praetor]

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?

Get the NEC and dont buy the software. You can get free software that does the same stuff anyways.

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?

1. If by "that board" you mean the A8NSLI DLX then obviously not .. that board (the DLX) is the one with the problems (ie. fan noise and cooling effectiveness) and the board with the fix is the DLX Premium (which is, AFAIK, not the one you're getting)
2. More PCI slots ... whopee
3. As I said before, MSI board has onboard audio, a quick look would also reveal dual SATA/II connections rather than SATA/II+SATA (granted theres not a difference in the world IMO there but thats not the issue).
4. Get the ASUS if you want. It dont matter to me. It's not like you'll be horribly dissapointed or anything. Ive ran (in chronological order) ASUS, ABit, ASUS, MSI, and now DFI so... *shrug*

 

[lokodezine]

ok I will try the NEC.

As far as mobos, Im not talking bout the deluxe or prem... its the regular ASUS a8n SLI -- Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI

I am getting the Sound card Audigy 2 Z, if I got the MSI would I not need the sound card?

Which MSI the Plat. or the SLI?

 

[Praetor]

As far as mobos, Im not talking bout the deluxe or prem... its the regular ASUS a8n SLI -- Asus A8N-SLI NForce4 SLI

Well if the DLX model has problems and the "normal" model is a step down from the DLX then....

I am getting the Sound card Audigy 2 Z, if I got the MSI would I not need the sound card?

The MSI board has onboard hardware audio...

Which MSI the Plat. or the SLI?

That depends on your budget and future intention

 

[lokodezine]

Well if the DLX model has problems and the "normal" model is a step down from the DLX then....


The MSI board has onboard hardware audio...


That depends on your budget and future intention

The Asus has onboard audio as well... I see the MSI sli is soundblaster but the msi plat. is the same as ASUS...
--- So are you saying that this sound on board is ok to not get the Audigy 2z? Or is the Audigy 2z that much better?

Also as far as wanting sli, well its not that its my intention to use, but I already have a sli video card and sli PSU so I was just thinking why not spend a few extra on the board in case I want to in the future... what you think?

Also is the MSI SLI worth it? It costs less than the MSI Plat. and both are less than the ASUS, so its in budget...

What you recommed?
Also Thanks for the help

 

[Praetor]

The Asus has onboard audio as well... I see the MSI sli is soundblaster but the msi plat. is the same as ASUS...

Read my comment again.

The MSI board has onboard hardware audio...

Also as far as wanting sli, well its not that its my intention to use, but I already have a sli video card and sli PSU so I was just thinking why not spend a few extra on the board in case I want to in the future... what you think?

I think it's your money. If you think you have a good chance of spending a 400+ for a videocard again then go for it. Me, I'd settle for a 7800 class card and run circles around a 6800-class SLI rig

Also is the MSI SLI worth it? It costs less than the MSI Plat. and both are less than the ASUS, so its in budget...

Im not a big fan of the MSI K8N Neo4/SLI. My reasons for why are too long to fit in this margin.

 

[lokodezine]

ok well Im confused... you say your not a big fan of the MSI SLI NEO 4 but then you recommended it to me over my other mobo, the ASUS?

Which mobo do you feel I should go with? The Asus, the msi neo 4 plat. or the msi SLI Neo 4?

 

[lokodezine]

or are there other mobos from Gigabyte that I Should look at because monarch offers some of those as well...

 

[Praetor]

ok well Im confused... you say your not a big fan of the MSI SLI NEO 4 but then you recommended it to me over my other mobo, the ASUS?

1. No such thing as MSI SLI NEO 4. I will assume you mean the MSI K8N Neo4/SLI at which point i ask, where did i reccomend the MSI K8N Neo4/SLI?
2. Even tho i'm not a fan of it ... i'd quite possibly reccoemdn it over the ASUS board (definitively if it was either of the Platinum boards i did reccomend)

Which mobo do you feel I should go with? The Asus, the msi neo 4 plat. or the msi SLI Neo 4?

Neither of those MSI boards exist (yes i am being nitpicky but the names are very specific and lead to confusion). I would reccomend the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum (as i noted above numerous times)

or are there other mobos from Gigabyte that I Should look at because monarch offers some of those as well...

None that particularly stand out to me

 

[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"
-- First link leads to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130484 ( which is the MSI K8N Platinum)
-- Second links leads to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130492 (which is the MSI K8N Neo4/SLI)

^^ Thats where you mentioned the MSI K8N NEO/4 SLI -- but your saying that was a mistake and it would be better to go with the Plat. than the Asus? What mobo did you mean to put in that link?

 

[thereckerdbraikr]

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

u meant pci express right......

 

[Praetor]

^^ Thats where you mentioned the MSI K8N NEO/4 SLI -- but your saying that was a mistake and it would be better to go with the Plat. than the Asus? What mobo did you mean to put in that link?

My bad, the 2nd link should have been for the MSI K8N Neo4 SLI Platinum Regardless any of the boards ive mentioned be it the DFI, or the 3 MSI boards; i would reccmend before the ASUS (considering i believe all are roughly equal in price or less)

 

[lokodezine]

well the sli plat. version of the msi is about 30 more than the asus and 35 more than the non sli version...

Which DFI version are you referring too?


If I am going to keep the 6800 GT video card since I am not a hard core gamer would you recommend going with the Asus Sli or the MSI Plat. non/sli version?

 

[Praetor]

well the sli plat. version of the msi is about 30 more than the asus and 35 more than the non sli version...

Yeah hence i didnt usually reccomend that (even tho it shouldnt be that expensive). Just look over my posts ive made above.

If I am going to keep the 6800 GT video card since I am not a hard core gamer would you recommend going with the Asus Sli or the MSI Plat. non/sli version?

Well obviously no SLI but why the 6800GT to start with?

 

[lokodezine]

is the MSI PLAT. non sli version the one of the best mobos out right now?

Also the 6800 GT b/c I am not that hardcore of a gamer and thats a pretty good card? Why what do you recommend for some who is not a hardcore gaming, just does occasionally... uses his pc for watching tv/dvds, listining to music and designing on photoshop/Dreamweaver?
-- Like a 7800 GT or a Radeon X800 XT?

Also if I get the MSI PLAT. do I need the Audigy 2z sound or is the onboard good enough?

 

[Praetor]

is the MSI PLAT. non sli version the one of the best mobos out right now?

Yes it's up there.

Also the 6800 GT b/c I am not that hardcore of a gamer and thats a pretty good card? Why what do you recommend for some who is not a hardcore gaming, just does occasionally... uses his pc for watching tv/dvds, listining to music and designing on photoshop/Dreamweaver?
-- Like a 7800 GT or a Radeon X800 XT?

Id reccomend chopping the videocard budget to 150 bucks and getting a 6600GT

Also if I get the MSI PLAT. do I need the Audigy 2z sound or is the onboard good enough?

Ive answered this repeatedly: the mobo has onboard hardware audio so you dont need a soundcard.

 

[lokodezine]

Yes it's up there.


Id reccomend chopping the videocard budget to 150 bucks and getting a 6600GT


Ive answered this repeatedly: the mobo has onboard hardware audio so you dont need a soundcard.

Why get the 6600 GT and not the 6800 GT... if I get the 6600 wont I have to up my video card in the near future as one of my fav games, battlefield 2, is already almost requesting better...

Also I know the mobo has onboard audio, so did the ASUS I was going to get - they have the same onboard Realtec stuff (16 bit) , but Im asking is should I get a sound card for better quality... like the 2z or soundblaster 7.1? AS I do play games and watch alot of movies/tv and listen to music (ie. i use my pc for my stereo rather than my actual stereo). but if I want notice a difference than I guess I should save the money.


-* Also if you could chekc out my post on "which PSU" - http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=23206 - and inform me if I should keep the enermax sli one or change to one of the others here.

 

[lokodezine]

also could you comment on my http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=23208 - sound card post

 

[lokodezine]

Here is the latest on my computer build on monarchcomputer.com - I am hopinh to order tonight --

I can spend up to 1550 (so I have abut anther 100 to spend) but if I dont need to than Id rather save the money

Let me know of any changes or upgrades I should change like PSU, HD, MOBO, RAM, etc

Case: 100178 - No PS - Lian-Li PC-60B Plus Aluminum Case $135.00 $135.00
Power Supply: 100120 - PS 550W - Enermax EG651P-VE-24P ATX-EPS/S $102.00 $102.00
Case Fan: None
Motherboard: 110480 - MSI K8N NEO4 Platinum Audio/GB-LAN/PCI-E/ $125.00 $125.00
Processor: 120272 - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm Rev. E Veni $219.00 $219.00
Thermal Grease: None
Heat Sink Fan: 800083 - None - Fan REQUIRED - except with RETAIL
Memory: 140310 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB DDR (2 pcs 512) OCZ $113.00 $113.00
2nd Memory: None
Hard Drive: 150322 - SATA - Seagate (ST3250823AS) Barracuda 25 $109.00 $109.00
2nd Hard Drive: None
RAID Setup: None
RAID Controller: None
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: 160860 - Combo - Lite-On SOHC-5236K 52x32x52x16 DV $41.00 $41.00
CD-RW/DVD-RW: 160236 - DVD±RW - NEC ND-3540A 16X Dual Layer DVD± $46.00 $46.00
CD-RW Software: None
DVD-ROM Software: None
Floppy Drive: 170104 - Sony 1.44MB 3.5" (Black) Floppy Drive $19.00 $19.00
More Storage: None
Sound Card: None
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 10-15 busines
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
Subtotal for 80311 with your selected options: $1,477.00

 

[Praetor]

why get the 6600 gt and not the 6800 gt... if i get the 6600 wont i have to up my video card in the near future as one of my fav games, battlefield 2, is already almost requesting better...

1. i didnt say 6600. i said 6600GT
2. so you dont consider bf2 a hardcore game... ok so what exactly entails as hardcore as far as requirements go? renderman as a game?

also i know the mobo has onboard audio, so did the ASUS i was going to get - they have the same onboard realtec stuff (16 bit), but im asking is should i get a sound card for better quality... like the 2z or Soundblaster 7.1? as i do play games and watch alot of movies/tv and listen to music (ie. i use my pc for my stereo rather than my actual stereo). but if i want notice a difference than i guess i should save the money.

ive been over this repeatedly: the MSI board has hardware audio and is the only board so far listed on this page that has such.

-* also if you could chekc out my post on "which PSU" - <http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=23206> - and inform me if i should keep the Enermax sli one or change to one of the others here.

i'll get to it when i get to it. i made a PSU 101 so that people could determine things on their own if need be

also could you comment on my <http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=23208> - sound card post

ditto.

Operating system: 210222 - Microsoft Windows XP media center 2005 (o $121.00 $121.00

any reason you're getting mce? especially considering you dont have a tvtuner in there...

 

[lokodezine]

im buying the haugpaugge 500 tv tuner.

Also the MSI plat has the same onboard audio as the asus, but thats not the question i was wasking... is the MSI plat. Neo 4 onboard audio good enugh for my needs?