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The Official PC building thread!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 08:20 |
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MSI have a good reputation for making motherboards, and while you don't find them in top end gaming systems, they're often found in OEM systems from big manufacturers due to their reliability. However, an even better motherboard is this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530 This is one of the best PCI express motherboards out there for reasonable money.
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boxwrench
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26. April 2006 @ 08:41 |
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Hi Sam and thanks for the reply,I have thought about Windows Vista Quite a bit lately and I don't see myself jumping on that band wagon...too many issues with DRM and what not,But thats a debate for another time.My main problem is the new 6600gt going to waste as I just bought it about a month ago.If I had known then that I was doing this up-grade I would have never bought it.Perhaps the extra money would be spent on getting the 4200 x2 processor instead. I am not a big time gamer though I have played the demos of COD-2 and Halo(both very cool games btw) @1280x1024 with refresh rate at 75 hz.on my present system without even a hicup.
Do you think there would be a noticable between the 3800x2 and the 4200 x2?
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 08:46 |
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Quote: Hi Sam and thanks for the reply,I have thought about Windows Vista Quite a bit lately and I don't see myself jumping on that band wagon
Just so you know I very much doubt I will be jumping on it until christmas 2007, probably later still. You need a year's time for M$ to get windows reliable after it's release.
Quote: y main problem is the new 6600gt going to waste as I just bought it about a month ago.
I wouldn't worry too much, Graphics cards go for surprisingly much on ebay.
Quote: Do you think there would be a noticable between the 3800x2 and the 4200 x2?
There won't be much of one now, but when all is said and done with dual core 64-bit programs, the end result will be that one's about 15% faster than the other, so that's fair bit. The 4200's my pick of the bunch, powerful but not overpriced.
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boxwrench
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26. April 2006 @ 09:15 |
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Ok, I think I will go for the board you suggested,keep the 3800x2 and get the Nvidia 7600GS(as you might have noticed I'm an Nvidia fan.)If I go with these choices my old 6600Gt can Migrate to my wife's computer(she needs a new card anyway) this will keep me at the $550.00 budget I have and should kick some serious back-side! What do you think?
My employer is financing this project for me and I should be getting the cash on Friday so I've got to make my final descission by then.
So many choices and so little time!
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 09:22 |
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The 7600GS is alright, but I'd recommend something like an X1600XT if you can stretch to it, the GS isn't the fastest of chips and won't see much over you're 6600GT.
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boxwrench
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26. April 2006 @ 09:40 |
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Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 09:44 |
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Sapphire are regarded as one of the best ATI card manufacturers, so you're in a good place. The X1600XT, unlike the pro, is a worthy replacement of the X6 and X7 series, and will do all what the X800 series does, with the addition of Pixel Shader 3 for later games (which ATi cards have previously lacked - not though they needed it up to now). At $150, it's a lot better value at newegg than where I am (in literal translation one would cost me around $220!). It will compete with the X850 series of cards which are more expensive and don't feature PS3.0
Overall, it's a very good card. I try not to be an ATi only man, but for the most part, they're cards seem slightly better to me. But enough of that. Your nVidia option that would do as well as this card is the 7600GT should you want it, but I recommend this.
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boxwrench
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26. April 2006 @ 09:59 |
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I see your point.As much as I hate to say it the Ati cards appear to be the better value.That said the wife has informed me that she expects to get a "cut" of this money for herself therefore leaving my video card budgit at around $100.00! It would appear that I am now back to square one.Hmmmm...
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
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boxwrench
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26. April 2006 @ 10:32 |
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This is what I've found X800GTO and 6600GT both under $100.00 which is the better performer?
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 26. April 2006 @ 11:16
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 11:43 |
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The X800GTO is a bit better, and welcome to ATi!
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26. April 2006 @ 18:22 |
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BENQ 1620 / 1650
Pioneer 111L
Vobblanker/DVDRebuilder
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boxwrench
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26. April 2006 @ 21:59 |
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Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 26. April 2006 @ 23:15
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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27. April 2006 @ 03:20 |
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I'd recommend The X800 over it, personally, but the XL not the GTO, else you're not really i the same league. However, if you're a silent ut, I must say the 7600GS is available passively cooled.
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boxwrench
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27. April 2006 @ 09:01 |
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Ok sam How about the x1600pro?
Nevermind,It appears that there are issues between some ATI Video cards and some Nforce 4 chipset mother boards...with that said here is what I'll be ordering today.
Asus A8N-E
AMD 3800X2
Geforce 7600GS
Like I said I am not a big time gamer and I think that when it's all together I should have one nice computer.
And Sam if by some chance you do hear me complain about my graghics card,you have the sole rights to say "I TOLD YOU SO!" LOL!
Now for the real hard part...the waiting!
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 27. April 2006 @ 09:38
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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27. April 2006 @ 09:33 |
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Nah, the X1600 Pro is a self-admitted ATi weak link, it underperforms for its price, and you may as well have an X800GTO or X800XL.
If I remember rightly, an X1600XT is yours for $149 at newegg.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 27. April 2006 @ 09:34
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boxwrench
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27. April 2006 @ 09:46 |
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Heres the one I will be ordering,it's got great reviews and is probably more card than I'll ever need...It also falls right into the budget.Total spent-$521.00 OOPS almost forgot,I get $20.00 rebate too.
Card link http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130011
Btw. Thanks for the help, if nothing else it was fun and informative!
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 27. April 2006 @ 09:49
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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27. April 2006 @ 09:49 |
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Lol fair enough!
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boxwrench
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27. April 2006 @ 10:00 |
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Sam,Give yourself some credit,you did manage to talk me into a pci-e board! Now I can't wait to do some benchmarking and overclocking. he he!
Next project-system #1 Upgrade the Prescott's board and video,I've already got the case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156175
(when cash allows)
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 27. April 2006 @ 10:16
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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27. April 2006 @ 12:40 |
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Oooh, tasty!
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27. April 2006 @ 18:30 |
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This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 27. April 2006 @ 18:33
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Member
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28. April 2006 @ 04:30 |
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BENQ 1620 / 1650
Pioneer 111L
Vobblanker/DVDRebuilder
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Moderator
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28. April 2006 @ 10:47 |
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My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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28. April 2006 @ 11:22 |
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Quote: Another HSF you might consider would be the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro
I here nowt but good about the Freezer 64, so I'd recommend that too. I'd also agree about the DVD-ROM, very few people need two writers.
As for the mobo, while DFI are good, I wonder whether you might look at the Asus A8R32-MVP. $45 cheaper, and every bit as powerful and high quality. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131004
No argument with CPU or RAM, very good choices. Case is good if that's the sort of thing you're after, very quiet I hear.
Very fast Hard disks, though Samsung Drives would be quieter - 16MB cache is a positive boon though!
DVD burner's pretty good, but as said, DVD-ROM not combo, makes more sense, less power and less money.
Monitor, as ever is good. GPU is OK, and excellent for Video capture, but only the X1800 version would game as well. (The 2006 will play Generals fine though)
Keyboard looks fantastic.
Check you've bought IDE cables and S-ATA cables if drives are OEM, and you'll need a Power Supply, floppy disk and if you want, Card reader but other than that you've got everything.
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28. April 2006 @ 11:46 |
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For what it's worth here's the motherboard I picked up with my new processor,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130484
I like MSI boards and this one fit the bill perfectly for me since I wasn't interested in SLI. I'd read that this board (and other makes too) didn't recognize both cores of the X2 and needed a BIOS flash to fix it but mine recognized both right away. I'm real happy with and the price was a steal.
When it comes to PSU's I'm an ardent believer that this is where you lay down the money for quality because if you don't get clean, stable juice you can run into all kinds of problems and the cheap ones like to pop, fizzle and burn - sometimes taking components with it. I recommend buying more wattage than you think you'll need so the PSU doesn't have to work as hard and you'll have plenty of spare juice if you end up adding more components later on. A good PSU is so worth the money :)
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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28. April 2006 @ 13:03 |
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Absolutely. A £24.99 Qtec can cost in my case £250 plus 220GB of data.
It's worthwhile adding a fair chunk onto what your system will draw for power-on surges and capacitor aging.
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