The best System for the $$$

[marro255]

OK I have around $3000 +/- $200

What is the best system for this amount. Heres what I've pieced together, please give me some feedback.

Motherboard - DFI LanParty SLI-DR instead of just SLI-D model $199 (is there much of a difference between these?)
Processor - AMD Atholon 64 X2 4200+ - $545
Memory - 2 x 1GB OCZ Dual Channel DDR400 - $264
PSU - OCZ Powerstream 520W PSU - $135
Video Card - 256MB BFG GeForce 7800GTX - $569
HDDs - 1 10,000 RPM 74GB Raptor + 1 250GB Seagate Barracuda $186 + $137
Case - Lian Li PC-7B Plus Case $95
Sound - Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum - $173
DVDROM - Lite-On 16x DVD - $25
DVD Burner - Lite-On 16x +R 16x -R - $48
OS - Windows x64 - $140
Monitor - Viewsonic 8ms 19" LCD - $320
Speakers - Logitech THX 5.1 280 Watts - $138
+ mouse, keyboard - $86

All prices from newegg

Total w/ shipping $3130

Feedback?

[1cem4n]

What are you going to use this computer for?

-1cem4n

[m3x1c4nj3w]

The tsunami sucks majorly IMO. Get a Lian Li v1000B or something. Also get a better powersupply. OCZ Powerstream 520W will suffice. Get the LG burner instead of the Lite-On one, forgot the model number. Instead of 4x512 mb sticks, get two Crucial Ballistix 1gb sticks.

The rest look pretty good to me.

[maxio098ui]

you dont need 2 raptors its better to get one rap and a storage drive
also consider getting a better case 3o$ can make a very big difference
and ther are sometime compattability probs wit corsair and dfi boards so to avoid risk look in to different ram maybe mushkin or soo and remember heatsink if your overclocking

[m3x1c4nj3w]

Also, are you sure that you need a dual core? You can get a nice 3700+ San Diego with a 1337 watercooling setup.

[1cem4n]

As for the soundcard, the only difference between the 2 ZS and the 2 ZS Platinum Pro, is that you get a couple inputs on the Platinum. I think some OCZ ram would do nicely too.

-1cem4n

[marro255]

Thanks for the input on the case, I wasnt sure about it, would the Shark case be better or should I look at a Lian Li, I dont like the Lian Li because it looks plain. I will be using this thing for gaming and everyday use. I would like to get the dual core because its new, yes I could go with a San Diego 4000+ instead but isnt 4200+ faster? I'm not getting the platinum pro audigy, just the platinum because I want the faceplate on the front in a 5.25 bay. Right now I have 2 Raptors 36GB RAID 0 and they are super fast when RAIDed so thats why I was looking at the 2 74GB ones. Thanks for the tip on the Corsair RAM, I will look into OCZ RAM instead because I hear its pretty good. Im not too worried about teh DVD drives, whatevers cheapest works for me. As far as the PSU I thought Antec made the best, so what would be the advantage of going with the OCZ one over the Antec?

[m3x1c4nj3w]

The OCZ one is one of the best PSU's out there right now. The 3700+ and 4000+ will OC about the same, and you'll save about $100 or so in the process. I personally would never buy anything from Thermaltake, as they just copy the designs from other companies. Lian Li cases are the most beautiful cases you can buy. I like the classy look of them; I absolutely hate the plastic looking cases with dragon heads or soemthing.

[marro255]

Made some changes and updated the cart,

2 x 1GB OCZ Dual Channel DDR400 - $264
OCZ Powerstream 520W PSU - $135
DFI LanParty SLI-DR instead of just SLI-D model $199 (is there much of a difference between these?)

only 1 10,000 RPM Raptor + 1 320GB WD Caviar $186 + $162
Lian Li PC-7B Plus Case $95

Total after changes $3170

Feedback?

[m3x1c4nj3w]

Don't get teh Caviar. Any Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 SATS drive will whoop them.

As for case, I'd get the V1000. If yoiu don't want to spend that much, look into the PC-65 and PC-65B, the difference being the color.

[marro255]

Yeah Im a Seagate man myself so Ill probably go that dirsection on HDD #2, I think the case I have chosen is pretty good for the $$$ cause I dont want to drop another $100 on the V1000. I dont like the PC-65s as much because im not a big fan of the window on the side.

[m3x1c4nj3w]

As for the motherboard, I think the only difference is that yoiu get a bunch of accessories, like a casre carryign ctrap, a front 5.25" bay and some othe stuff that I can't remember.


If you need any more help, hit me up on AIM.

[Vulcan]

Motherboard - DFI LanParty UT NF4 SLI-D - $168
Processor - AMD Atholon 64 X2 4200+ - $545 <x2 3800+ will be here soon, might want to hold off and see how they overclock. Might not be worth the extra money for the 4200+.>
Memory - 4 x 512MB Corsair XMS DDR400 Twin-X - $370 <get some 1gb sticks istead. See this thread: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=395335>
PSU - Antec TRUEPOWER II 550W - $112 <I'd get a Seasonic S12>
Video Card - 256MB BFG GeForce 7800GTX - $569 <Monarch has the EVGA for 500.00 See here: http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190416
>
HDDs - 2 10,000 RPM SATA 150 74GB WD Raptors - $372
Case - Thermaltake Tsunami ATX MidTower - $100 <This case really isn't worth what they charge for it... Get a P180 or something.>
Sound - Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum - $173 <I'd hold off on this. The Creative X-Fi should be coming soon. That will cause prices to drop probably.>
DVDROM - Lite-On 16x DVD - $25
DVD Burner - Lite-On 16x +R 16x -R - $48<Get a Benq or a NEC.>
OS - Windows x64 - $140 <Try the 6 month trial before you buy it.>
Monitor - Viewsonic 8ms 19" LCD - $320 <I'd probably try to get one of those 20" dell widescreens instead.>


EDIT: just saw your update, might want to edit your original post ;)

[1cem4n]

Thermaltake pretty much blows and what will you need the front panel for from the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum? Unless you use it, it won't alter the sound quality. Lian-li's totally rock and they look pretty damn nice. Will you be overclocking at all and what games will you be playing? 2gb of ram is kind of overkill unless you're playing a lot of BF2 or MMO.

-1cem4n

[marro255]

Mostly CS source and other strong 3D games. I like the front plate for the ZS platinum because it gives more input options and it looks nice. I figure the 2 GBs would be nice for the X2 and its relatively cheap for performance RAM.

[m3x1c4nj3w]

What keyboard/mouse are you planning on getting?

[marro255]

Mouse - Razer Plasma Diamondback (best gaming mouse out there)
Keyboard - Microsoft Natural Keyboard (I cant use anything else now that Ive used naturals for so long)

[m3x1c4nj3w]

I have the red Diamondback and I love it. Also, yoiu might want to get a good mousepad too. Steelpad S&S and fUnc 1030 are both great pads.

[1cem4n]

If you're not using it for anything except for gaming, there is no point in getting the front panel. Unless you ABSOLUTELY need it, there isn't any point.

-1cem4n

[trueplaya4ever8]

Well if you are gonna go dual core, get a 4400+ Toledo, extra cache would help. If you dont need a dual core, a 3700+ would be my pick. Vulcan does make some pretty good points in his post, dont overlook them :D

[darksparkz]

I would say not to get the x64 Windows. It only benchmarks a few points better then Windows XP Pro. It's not worth it considering the amount of trouble you'll have with the drivers and such.

I personally like raptors, they may not be at a great price, but if you have enough leftover money, raptors work great.

The Sound Audigy ZS is more then enough, but if you like the front plate thing, then it's up to you. It's about a $100 save if you just get a regular Sound Audigy ZS.

Look at the 16mb buffer HDDs, they'll run a bit faster.

The RAM is great, maybe a bit too good considering your not OCing. If your only aiming for games and other internet browsing things, then may I recommend getting 1GBx2? It's a lot more future-proof, and will run faster on games. I recommend the Mushkin Redlines, since your already spending a decent amount on ram.

May I recommend you stay away from the DFIs? Their great if your OCing, but since your not, an ASUS or Epox board will work more stable with less problems and maybe even better gaming performance. You wouldn't need an SLI board, unless you really plan on buying another video card in the near near future.

With all the money you might've saved, you could go up to the 4400+, I know they both OC about the same, but he's not OCing, so he'll want the best stock speeds possible.

You could cut another $100 by buying just one DVD/CD drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131351&ATT=CD+DVD+Burners+RW+Dr&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r That has all the CD/DVD burning/writing/reading needs you would ever want.

Depending on the money you MIGHT have left over. I'd spend it either on an upgrade to the 4400+, if possible, the 4800+. Or maybe the extra Raptor or the best ram you can buy at 1x2GB.

[marro255]

Good Feedback, thanks darkspaz. I may be doing some overclocking in the future but not immediately so I want a good overclocking board. Still havent decided on 2 or 1 Raptors yet. Probably will go down on the sound to the Audigy Gamer ZS and go up to the 4400+ Toledo. As for RAM, considering the MB has 4 slots I dont think it would make too much difference going with 2 x 1GB instead of 1 x 2GB cause I think the max for the board is 4GB anyways. I want 2 DVD ROms so I can copy CDs quickly. As for x64 I think most of the drivers are straightening out and should be a little more compatible than a few months ago.

[Nebulous]

If you plan on ocing, don't expect a whole lot from the dual cores. I did'nt see any difference from the single core vs dual core in gaming. Other than the fact that dual cores heat up fast and teh sux at ocing.

I would'nt throw my money away on a dual core just for gaming, unless of course you just want bragging rights, it's a waste.

[the adam]

I would go with the NF4 SLI-D... or the NF4 ultra-D (do the mod and make it the SLI-DR just without the extra 4xsata150 ports and without the bridge chip)

Someone else can probally answer what the difference is between the boards. I know the ultra-D isn't sli till you do the mod and it only has 4 sata ports (but who needs 8 sata ports) Well after a looking at newegg the boards are almost the same... SLI-DR has 4xsataII and 4xsata150 ports... the SLI-D has 8xsata150 ports (this can be modded to have the exact same specs of the SLI-DR)... the Ultra-D has 4xsataII ports and doesn't have SLI until you mod it and it doesn't have the SLI bridge chip (I think the bridge chip can be bought for around $10)... the NF4 board has 4xsata150 and no SLI and only has 1 lan port (can be modded to have SLI and sataII and it doesn't have the SLI bridge chip)

And right now newegg is having a sale on the SLI-DR (the $175 one is the same as the $200)

If you look around you can probably save some money if you order things from other sites (newegg isn't always the cheapest)

[rashal]

Dual core CPUs work best only with games and programs which are optimized to work with these sort of CPUs. And since you wont lose preformance on games that arent optimized for X2, you wont lose anything, just gain in the very near future.

Buying a X2 is an investment which will probably pay off in the near future, much like the 64bit CPUs were when they came out.

[the adam]

Motherboard - DFI LanParty SLI-DR $175 (from newegg)
Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ - $525 (from zipzoomfly w/free 2-day shipping)
Memory - 2 x 1GB OCZ Dual Channel DDR400 - $264 (from newegg)
PSU - OCZ Powerstream 520W PSU - $126.70 (from monarchcomputer but thats w/ground shipping)
Video Card - eVGA GeForce 7800 GTX Video Card - $507.70 (from monarchcomputer w/ground shipping)
HDDs - 1 10,000 RPM 74GB Raptor + 1 250GB Seagate Barracuda $186 + $124 (Raptor from newegg and Barracuda from ZipzoomFly)
Case - Lian Li PC-7B Plus Case $110.99 (from newegg w/shipping)
Sound - Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum - $158 (from ZipZoomFly )
DVDROM - Lite-On 16x DVD - $25 (from newegg)
DVD Burner - Lite-On 16x +R 16x -R - $48 (from newegg)
OS - Windows x64 - $140 (from newegg)
Monitor - Viewsonic 8ms 19" LCD - $320 (from newegg)
Speakers - Logitech THX 5.1 280 Watts - $138 (from newegg)
+ mouse, keyboard - $86 (from newegg)

TOTAL: $2934.39 (Around $195 saved :))

This is an around how much you will spend but I didn't bother to check shipping on some of the stuff that you picked from newegg.

I didn't change some of the things as I am lazy and didn't feel like searching for some stuff but I did change the video card because the BFG that is already OC'd is nice but I wouldn't pay the premium for those extra mhz that I could overclock by myself.

[marro255]

Thanks Adam, the only reason I was going to go exclusively from newegg was because if everything is together shipping is cheaper, but I will definately check out those other sites and price it together. I heard the X2s stay incredibly cool for what they do compared to the Intels which burn like fire, a good fan should keep it pretty cool for OCing.

[darksparkz]

Yeah, some of the drivers for x64 are sorted out, but it's still not worth it. The x64 is a tad more exensive then the Windows XP Pro, right? The x64 doesn't run any better then the XP Pro, it's a bit too risky to get it, you'll have a lot of problems. Sucka posted a thread somewhere around here comparing personal results between XP Pro and x64, take a look at it.

If you get the Sound Audigy ZS instead of the Platinum, you'll have enough for the 4400+.

I somewhat agree with Nebulous, I think the FX-55/57 series work better for gaming and such. Yes the dual cores may be great and new and all that, but I think it'll work best only when all the 64-bit applications are released. http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050627/athlon_fx57-06.html

[marro255]

Well I dont think I can afford a FX-55/57 and windows x64 is only $5 more, I dropped down from the Audigy Plat to the Audigy Gamer and Upgraded to the 4400+ OEM with a Zalman fan/heatsink

[Janus67]

I wouldn't get the dual-core processor, I would either get the 4000+ SD or 3700+ SD and save a bit more money. Also did you decide to stick with the SLI-DR (even though you aren't buying two graphics cards)? I would save another $75 and get the Ultra-D. With that money you can go through and get an OCZ Powerstream 600W and be set for all of your power needs. Also, don't forget to get some Arctic Silver 5, case fans if you need them, and I would get the NEC3540A dvd burner (it is one of the best on the market for about $50).

Nice choice btw on the keyboard (I too have grown too used to it over the years).

[marro255]

Any reason for not getting the Dual-Core? I for one am interested in Playing around with the Dual Core and seeing how much I can actually get from it. I think I am going to go with the SLI-DR, Im just hoping the drivers work for the SATA RAID in windows x64.

[marro255]

Thanks for the help everyone!!! Pending Feedback I will order this system...

CPU - AMD 64 X2 4400+ Toledo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103542
+ Zalman Cooling Fan + Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835118115
MB - DFI LanParty UT nF4 SLI-DR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813136157
PSU - 520W OCZ Powerstream
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100117&Category_Code=ps-500
Video - eVGA 7800GTX
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190416&Category_Code=nvidia-PCI-E
HDDs - 2 10,000 RPM 74GB Raptors
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101222
Case - Lian Li PC-7B Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811112212
ViewSonic VE910b Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16824116358
Sound - Audigy 2 ZS Gamer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102171
Speakers - Logitech 5.1 THX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16836121121
Memory - OCZ 2 x 1GB Dual Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227210
OS - Windows x64

$3162

[darksparkz]

Perfect.

Only two changes, why not get the DFI LANPARTY UT? You wouldn't need SLI because your not using two video cards atm. Here it is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152

I think you shouldn't get the Zalman, you can get a X-90C for the same price but better performance and higher ratings. Or you can go with the Thermaltake Sonic Tower.

[marro255]

Ill look into the Cooling Fan, I want a board that supports SLI for future use.

[marro255]

Im definatly going with the SOnic Tower after reading up on it, NO FAN???!!! SWEET!!!

[ajrettke]

I'd say everything looks good except your LCD...
that 19" is only 1280x1024 resolution, you can get a dell widescreen for 400 which is 1600x1050. On top of being bigger, it has a 16:10 aspect ratio as opposed to 5:4. If you think it's not a big deal, look at these CS:S screenshots I took:
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=375461&highlight=widescreen

[marro255]

I dont know where you can find that for 400, the lowest Ive seen it is 486

[trueplaya4ever8]

I dont know where you can find that for 400, the lowest Ive seen it is 486
Of course you find it at dell.com

see cyber deals section : http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=401340

[marro255]

Well I ordered everything including the widescreen monitor but I had to pay $450 out the door w/ tax so I excluded Win x64 and will get the 6 month trial and I also own a copy of WinXP Pro corporate so I might use that as well. THANKS FOR THE HELP EVERYONE!!!

[trueplaya4ever8]

Good luck, we of course will want to hear how your build goes.

[1cem4n]

Better show some results lol.

-1cem4n

[ajrettke]

I think you made some wise decisions, your rig should be nothing short of awesome! Be sure to post some pics!

[gastro54]

Nice setup, post results!

[Deathknight]

Personally I am waiting on the 64 bit version of windows. I don't see a mad rush for hardware vendors to give good driver support for a what will be a niche product at first.

[marro255]

Omg, Awesome Tip On The Monitor, I Just Recieved It Today And Hooked It Up, This Thing Is The Sweetest Monitor Ever!!! Great Recomendation I Am So Glad I Went With This.

[marro255]

Here's what you've all been waiting for.

3dmark score - 8506

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=1086818

CPU was getting hot so I put the fan on the sonic tower as well, no problems with the build at all, went real smooth, I should have pics shortly.

[ajrettke]

Excellent! Nice score and glad to hear you like the LCD...what's great is you'll still probably have the same monitor long after your setup is obsolete!

[marro255]

I saw the same system specs as mine with over 10,000 3dmarks, any ideas on how to pump up mine another 1500 points?

[ajrettke]

incease your FSB and overclock your video card!

[trueplaya4ever8]

I want pics, lol.