New gaming/multitask computer

**Modulok** · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 13:00:55 Post Subject: New gaming/multitask computer

So I figured it's time for a computer makeover...

currently I have an ASUS A7V333-x MB, Athlon XP 2200+, 512mb Corsair 2700c2, two Maxtor 60gb uata133 hard drives, VisionTek xtasy geforce4 ti4400 (128 agp), with burner and floppy.

I've had the pc for about 3.5years. Treated me well for the time being. I want to have a PC that will be 'future proof' for a few years for upcoming games/windows vista.

Here is what I have so far, not set in stone and willing to listen to ideas/suggestions.

ABIT Fatal1ty AN8-SLI: $202.00 @ newegg.com
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core: $332.00 @ monarchcomputer.com
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB 7200 16MB SATA-150: $135-$45rebate @ tigerdirect.com
Antec true power 550w: $89 @ united-micro.com
Corsair TWINX2048-3200C2 2GB Kit DDR400: $276.80 @ zipzoomfly.com
OR
Corsair TWINX1024-3200XLPRO 1GB Kit DDR400: $217.00 @ zipzoomfly.com

I'm going to get two hard drives in raid, and Im not sure about Ram, not that much more for extra GB in my case. I still haven't decided on video card yet, probably will just go with one...for now.

So anyone have this new ABIT Motherboard? It is supposed to be very overclockable which isnt a necessity but still fun.

Thx in advance for replies.

Spire · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 13:16:33 Post Subject:

I have no information on the Abit board, but a few of us on this board SWEAR by our DFI NF4 SLI boards.

If you can, go for the SATA II drives like this one.

The NF4 chipset supports SATA II, why not use the speed.

Also, make sure your PSU has SLI support, active PFC and a ton of power. Try this one.

The rest of your list looks very good. Be very critical of your ram if you plan on overclocking, and dont scrimp on the PSU, this generation of motherboards DEMAND tons of clean power for stability.

BeerCheeze · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 13:17:56 Post Subject:

Setup looks good, and if you can afford the extra money get 2GB's of RAM knowing it won't do much good right now (unless you do a lot of multi-tasking).

One piece of advice though, I personally wouldn't buy from all those different places. Normally by the time you start figuring out shipping and such it generally works out better to buy it all (or most) form Newegg or ZipZoomFly. (Of course Monarch is supposed to have good service too)

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 13:19:26 Post Subject:

How about the video card (or cards)? Do you plan on using SLI? What kind of budget for them? Two 7800 series cards would be awesome, but would kill any budget... Two 6600's would be really nice and a lot less expensive.

**Modulok** · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 13:41:53 Post Subject:

thx for fast replies...

Fatal1ty MB
there is the MB info, it looks very good. look at the μGuru, the fan setup (one by cpu and ram), and it comes with a sound card and the guru panel (lcd screen/cmos reset/ usb/firewire that fits in one bay)

IDK about SATA II, i know its twice as fast with read speed, but other options really didnt sell me on it. I would also lose 100gb of storage and about $70.

with the 2gb, its only like $60 more than 1gb. with vista in the future, who knows what that will require.

with video cards I am looking for advice, im looking at cards around $250-$300...for now, just one card using pci-express.

EDIT: also would like the PS and CPU fans to be quiet as possible
Sapphire X800GTO2 easily unlock/overclockable to XT speeds??

Spire · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 14:37:48 Post Subject:

I have dealt with uGURU before and was not impressed, the DFI has the same kind of Sound solution as the Karajan module, The SLI-DR also has a front bay device.

Other than that, there looks to be some additional attention to cooling, thats very cool.

I'm sure the Fatality will be a fine board. Lots of Bling. THe DFI is the king of NF4 overclocking.

The GTO card is a great buy and I have heard that the additional pipelines can be flashed making it a true 850XT. However, if you go with an ATI card, SLI is out of the question, unless you get yourself a Crossfire board.

LaTech · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 14:54:50 Post Subject:

NewEgg or the new ClubIT would be your best bet. As already said, don't buy from 10 places...shipping nightmare.

**Modulok** · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 15:06:49 Post Subject:

with the different stores i listed it was just for best pricing, i will figure shipping once i get final setup and ready to order.

with the DFI board, it will support the x2 3800, right? they dont have it listed on their site, just AMD Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 / Sempron.
But I assume the x2 will be ok, since its a socket 939.

anyone have the DFI board? idk how much i will overclock, i really dont have any experience with it.

Spire · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 16:33:12 Post Subject:

Asylum and I are taking PC3200 TCCD ram to 300 FSB without effort.

My Venice core 3200+ (2000MHz stock) has seen 2700 MHz (300x9) but I don't use it at that speed everyday.

Read my review for all the gory details of the Ultra and the SLI-D!!!

The Review

Asylum · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 16:49:48 Post Subject: