Advice on CPU / Build

I know most of us here love to OC and I just have my trusty mobile on a nf7. I have a buddy that wants to update his rig and have it last for several years.

He is looking at around 7-800 $$ and has a case PSU and I have plenty of fans but what are you thoughts on CPU?

I am thinking of leading him to an Opty 165 with a DFi ultraD board. He will not take the time to OC this system and I will prob help him set it up and do some minor tweaking.

What is a solid setup that doesnt need a pro to look through the forums to tweak. if you where to build with the above cash what would you do...

CPU -
Mobo -
Ram -
VC -
(2) HDD -

His research has him looking at the following - x2 3800 manchester - AN8 - Patriot Ram 1 gb - 6800 GS eVGA pcix - WD 160GB uata HDD (2)

many improvements could be had I am sure.

Please help an old ocer that doesn't dabble much in the last two years here.

i like my 3800...i think if i could have another chance to buy stuff i'd go with a comparable dual core opty for the extra L2. but the 3800 i got was rather cheap, and runs 100% stable all day every day @ 2.5ghz...it has lots more in it i think, but for a "set it and forget it" overclock i think it works perfectly

bump cause this is about to drop of page one.

The Opteron 165 is certainly a better choice than the X2, but if he can get a really good deal on an X2 it will also serve him well. An Epox board would be cheaper than the DFI and easier to over clock.

Well imo with the 165 and the 9x multi, things can get abit messey but in the long run worth it.

Also don't dobut the x2's new steppings they're been pretty promising

Heres what i would do with ~800 bucks:

HDDs x2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144010 $110

CPU: http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...ode=M&Product_Code=120339&Category_Code=amddc $335

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152 $123

VC: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130249 $294

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220033&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=20-220-033 $160

Actually i think that goes over the budget a bit but meh, thats what i would buy (maybe sub some Gskill TCCD for that patriot TCCD )

Yes, I'd say you went over budget. Some small savings can be realized by getting the N516 version of the same video card. I just got one for $245 AMR. Also, the Epox board is about 20 to 25 dollars cheaper. The TCCD ram is terrific, but hardly a necessity with an A64 based system.

What is his PSU?

I don't know what PSU he has but I anticipate he will have to upgrade. I will check with him.

Well, here's my 2 cent.

Since you are helping your friend to make a computer, then build it to his needs, not yours. just make sure to tell him that he will get what he pays for. My experience is that in order to build a system to overclock my CPU, I have to pay between $400-$500 extra. These extras comes from the mobo, memory, heatsink, and psu. In order to overclock, you need good components to do that. If I have a choice, I probably won't do it again, because it is just too expensive. that $500 extra I spend could have went to the FX53 CPU during that time.

Your friend is not interested in overclocking, then just help him build a stable system. Then I believe he can even build his system under his budget.

This is what I am thinking now after consideration for his needs...
Motherboard: DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra D $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152

CPU: AMD 64 3200+ Venice $166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

RAM: Corsair XMS 1gb Twins 3200 $97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145450

HDD: WD Caviar 80G SATA 150 $55 ($110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

VC: EVGA 6800GS $169
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130271

PSU: Aspire 520W $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148008

Total: $733

I suggest waiting a year or so to buy an opty 165 but if he realy wants a dual core...
Optional CPU: AMD Opteron 165 $328 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

Total with Opty: $895

Thoughts>?