New build system for music/office purposes, MB/case/compatibility advice needed

N

n000b

New Member
Hi everybody, since my old system dated 2000 finally travelled to the better world I decided to build a new one. It's gonna be only my third computer for 10 years, so it must be something reliable. I'm not planning on couples upgrades every year and not a hardcore gamer in anyway. Mostly I'm using system for music (listening and mixing (Ableton, Traktor), reading, working on web-desing and stuff like that. For games may be some Football Manager (FM 2007), HoMM, nothing that demands a really good videocard. So, I read some reviews and here's what I came up to:

1. Processor - AMD Athlon X2 4600+

2. Video - Sapphire Radeon x1650 XT 256 Mb

3. Memory - Corsair XMS2C4 (2X1Gb) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 240 pin 4-4-4-12

4. Power Supply - SeaSonic S12 SS-500GB ATX12V/EPS12V, 80Plus, Active PFC, RoHS, PCI-E(6Pin), PCI-E(6+2Pin), 500W Power Supply - Retail

5. Case - Spire SP-6190U™ BlueFin ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case, w/ 2x 80mm & 1x 120mm Fan Duct, 2x USB 2.0 Blue/Silver (not sure about this one, want something that will fit everything, so may use a good advice on a case as well)

6. Motherboard - here's the main question, what to choose...
I came up to 4 variants:

1) Asus M2N32 WS Professional Socket AM2/nForce 590 SLI/DDR2/SLI/PCIX/A&2GbE/ATX Motherboard very reliable, used for servers + it does have 2 IDE's, so I don't have to buy an extra controller to take my HDD+DVD burner from old system, it's not critical, since I can buy a new one SATA for 30+ bucks, but still, I'm more ready to overpay some money for extra reliable motherboard, than for controller.

2) ASUS CROSSHAIR AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - everyone knows that's piece of cake MB, quick and has lots of features + it' will definetely fit my Radeon x1650XT, also as the WS PRO it does have High Definition Sound built in, so I don't have to spend on audio for couple months, at least till Christmas shopping.

3) ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - kinda good one for it's price, also it does have WI-FI, which I always wanted to have... I wish Crossfire or WS PRO has it, then I knew which MB I'll be buying already..

4) MSI K9N Diamond Socket AM2/ nForce 590 SLI/ DDR2/ A&2GbE/ ATX Motherboard - good MB, same price category as the previous one + it comes with Creative SB Audigy SE built in, it's not a HD, but still something.

So, the question is, which motherboard out of this 4, besides Crossfire will fit the video card I've chosen (Radeon x1650XT)?

Also I'm not sure if I need an extra cooler, the processor has one one it and video card too, but I've seen some tests and it shows that this videocard not the best one on energy consumption, should I buy one or it will be fine?

Since I'm taking pretty good power supply from Seasonic, I not gonna pay a lot for the case, so far I din't found any good reviews for the cases, if anybody can advice me something spacy, simple design less than 100$.

Also if anybody have concerns about whole system compatibility feel free to say it, I'm not the specialist in hardware area..

Thank you for help, folks!

P.S. I have 700 $ to play with.
 
chupacabra said:
I'd rather go with this Power Supply
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-520w-sli-certified-modular-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/203270716.html

And this video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
Click to expand...

Power supply looks decent, especially after newegg rised prices on Seasonics, but I'm not sure about nVidia 7600, I've seen the tests and it was little behind Radeon x1650XT. Still, I would like to know if which videocard will work on which motherboard, 'cause folks in computershop told me that for ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe I need ATI video and GeForce won't fit. Is it true?
 
Those folks doesn't know a shit about computers that video card fits perfectly and the psu is one hell of beast you won't find a better psu with modular and 5 years
 
Wow, when I read your needs, I felt like... this guy is like me :)

For time spent with the same system, for the needs, hell even with HoMM, leave aside the fact my cd-rom drive died so I can't play it no more.

To answer a few of your questions, well no... boards can use any brand video card unless its an AGP and your board only has PCI-e.

I was thinking, someone please confirm what I will say cuz I might be wrong... Why not get an Intel E4400 for 126 along with an Asus P5K for 135 or P5B for 110. Of course, that means you could get the E4500 for 146 or even the E6320 which costs 174.

You could then get some Corsair XMS2 2x 1gb PC2 5400 as this is cheaper (75$), if you don't factor in the mail in rebate and 60 with it. And you'd see no decrease in performance specially with the Intel based system since I doubt you would overclock your system.

Besides that, I agree with the PSU and video card changes...
 
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Kilauea said:
Wow, when I read your needs, I felt like... this guy is like me :)

For time spent with the same system, for the needs, hell even with HoMM, leave aside the fact my cd-rom drive died so I can't play it no more.

To answer a few of your questions, well no... boards can use any brand video card unless its an AGP and your board only has PCI-e.

I was thinking, someone please confirm what I will say cuz I might be wrong... Why not get an Intel E4400 for 126 along with an Asus P5K for 135 or P5B for 110. Of course, that means you could get the E4500 for 146 or even the E6320 which costs 174.

You could then get some Corsair XMS2 2x 1gb PC2 5400 as this is cheaper (75$), if you don't factor in the mail in rebate and 60 with it. And you'd see no decrease in performance specially with the Intel based system since I doubt you would overclock your system.

Besides that, I agree with the PSU and video card changes...
Click to expand...
Hmm, interesting, I never thought of Intel, because don't know much about their processors and MBs, but it makes sense now. Gone to do a research, thx guys!
 
Or if you into saving cash get an E2140 and overclock it with an good motherboard. People have gotten it to 2.5+ GHz on stock voltage :D
 
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