600.00 and what too build..

600.00 and what too build..*Scores are boing posted*

ok folks, new build... I'm considering..
I'm asking for ADVICE, yet again.
Upgradeing from Socket 939, AMD 4200 X2 (venice)
Too socket AM2...
I've got My "old" Gameing box, Mid-Tower
Keeping DVD burner

It WILL need a new Power supply..
What I would like is..
AM2 Mobo
Black box AMD
4 gigs ddr2, (G-skill?)
SLI/ OR ATI crossfire, must have DX 10 (2 cards)
My OS'es on hand are my choices.
Windows XP Pro SP2
XP Pro X64 Edition
Vista Business (32 bit)..
Come in under 600.00..

I can't really comment on an AMD system but I think you would be better off going with a ATI 3870x1 instead of Crossfire. It is better to do one higher card than 2 lower cards.

AMD 5000+ - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819103194

Asus M2N-SLI - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813131246

G.Skill 2x2gb PC6400 $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820231122

Corsair 550VX PSU - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817139004

ATI 3870 - $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814102719

That takes you to $594.95 before shipping. For about the same amount you could get the Intel E2160 and Abit IP35-E and OC it like a beast to run circles around the AMD system.

Intel E2160 - $73.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036

Abit IP35-E - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127031

This with the other stuff above would cost you about $570

AMD is pretty much sucking this generation of chips. I would also go with Intel, I think tigerdirect has a deal going for a $50 e2180. Also, I'd get a 8800gt over a 3870, since they're about $200 now and still better.

Thanks for the replies...
Purchased.....
1-ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard

OF COURSE! and A

1-AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail

2- SAPPHIRE 100218L Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
(yes went too ATI store, purchased the "bridges")

2-A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

1- HITACHI Deskstar 7K160 HDS721616PLA380 (0A32728) 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

I came in at 551.00, well wife wanted a new Digi camera...So...
comments?

Just to let you know you made a good choice with the CPU. The 13x multi will come in handy. The board is limited to about 280-290MHz HTT.

What kind of scores will 2 2600XT's get?

Well Folks well see this weekend as everything is currently "shipping", as I type, though ATI Shop is dragging thier feet, and My crossfire bridges haven't shipped yet..
I'll take some pics as I build/go along...
Nothing Fancy, though I'll have a few *Surprizes* along the way, just too keep you the dear OC'er interested enough too help guide Me and/or Give Tips too Improve this build...
I wish too Dual Boot
Vista 32 Bit Business edition + XP Pro X64 edition for camparision scores...
For those interested in Benchies...

BTW, Quick question..
For those that got VISTA through the Partnership Together Programme, are those people still able through a link too upgrade? buy the 64 bit edition for something like 9 bucks?
Is the Link still around here on the site?

I kinda won a Lottery ticket, thus My able too convince the Wifey, PLEASE! Let Me build something Semi-sweet that I can upgrade/plus have around a couple years before the next big thing comes out.. Quantum Computing?
Other wize I'm a poor old disabled guy, 45, with Wife/3 kids into computers..
Yeah, been around here awhile, since 02? Lurking reading...
K++ too everyone here that provides a wealth of information, easy too understand instructions/advice/Information, from Basic, too High Tech, High End computing.. In EZ too understand Laymans terms... =)
Plus, I admittedly
DROOL ALOT Envy peeps rigs on here, As I'm always a Socket behind or a Series Graphics card behind... LOL
Like I said I'm a disabled poor guy whom won a Lottery ticket, (Instant ticket), I don't get much every month, like 800.. so, this is really My first *killer* rig =) buying everything at once instead of a piece here and there, taking a year and a Half...

So Help this ole feller out, getting this right, it's going too have too last Me awhile, so the wife says, PLUS a LOT of Honeydo's....i OWE her... LOL!
Pics coming soon!
Peace out
Leaddraft

UPDATE

Got ALL the parts in today...
Don't know If I feel like putting/posting pics as I go..At Least right now I gotta a good BUZZ, (prescribed Meds for back pain)..
I WILL post the finished Product..

Folks.... Full Discloser Notice here...
I committed a **CARDNIAL SIN**
So, Go ahead, fuss, moan and groan all Ya want at Me, I'll *fix-it* just as soon, as I get more Cash..
I *Skimped* on the Power Supply..
My *case* I'll post a link too.. Just so you can get a general Idea of what I'm working with..
Case Picture Link.. http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/directron_1989_1009315295
A Raid Max: Black Raidmax Scorpio-868W Mid-tower ATX P4 Computer Case w/ 420W PSU and Side Window..
The original PS died taking out My ASUS AN78X delux v2.0 board and a unlocked 2500 Barton XP and a 9800 Pro with it...

OK, so I saw that recommended vender disussed in the vendors forum, and checked it out,,, Jab-Tech.com ......
Pretty cool pplace, so I picked up another Power Supply, and this is where I *skimpped*.. I sa the Manufactor, so I'm thinking it's a pretty good product with some extra goodies along with it..
It's a Thermaltake 410w Polo 12 silent plus heatsink and fan W0031R

Heres the Link..
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermaltake-410w-Polo-12-silent-plus-heatsink-and-fan-W0031R-pr-2333.html
Only 65.00,,,

I KNOW, I KNOW ONLY 410 watts... BUT, I powered up My 939 board/rig in My sig, No problems...
Plus couldn't resist getting a set of cool Cathode Light sticks.. They were only like 6 bucks, Lordy just a 6-Pack, PLUS My Wifey got very Jealous over them, SHHHEEESSH!
Here's the Light stcks...
Sunbeam 12" DUAL BLUE Cold cathode
6.00
Linky--> http://www.jab-tech.com/Sunbeam-12-DUAL-BLUE-Cold-cathode-pr-2694.html

OPINIONS?

OK Next up Purchased the Infamous *Black Box* AMD 5000
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition
94.99
Linky---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194

Up Next, the MOBO...

ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail 116.99
Linky---> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813131095

Graphics Cards
1 Pair *CROSSFIRE*
SAPPHIRE 100218L Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
189.98 for both

Linky---> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814102703

(still think it's a ****RIPOFF**** that the bridges are not includued when you buy a pair..)

Next
4 Gigabytes o4 DDR2 Ram 4 X 1
A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (2 Kits)
91.98 for both,

Linky---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

Got one of these LIL guys here also..
MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive Model FA404M BLK - OEM
20.00
Linky--> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16821104104

This also
Pioneer Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 5X DVD-RAM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI DVD Burner - OEM
29.00
Linky--> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129001
Of course a Hard drive...

One of these...
EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8160S 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive
46.00
Linky--> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822210004
Of course Not Least, but last....
A Pair of CrossFire™ Bridge Interconnect's
25.00 for the pair, (S&H)

Linky--> http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=3186855

And a Fairly nice LCD Display too play NASCAR 2003 Season, FEAR etc...

An ACERAcer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - Retail
Windows Vista Certified
219.99
Linky--> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094

A "El Cheapo" Cobo 5.1 300 watt Digital Home theater system I picked at Rose's Stors..
Like 40.00 bucks, cheap AWSOME sound!

Windoze VISTA 64-bit Ultimate Edition.

The last 4 Items, (Monitor/DVD/3 in 1 card reader) have been packed until today, as I've now gotten everything ready too go and put all this *JUNK* together..
Like I said, I'm disabled, saving, piecing, and Hit that Lottery Instant ticket,,

Noe ready too get Building this syatem,, I know your thinking...
WHY is this Stupid Igit typing here and not playing with His new hardware?.....


Friends, My doctor has Me on some really good Meds for My back pain, and well I'm NOT going too go *playing* until tomorrow morning... I took 2 this evening...
Just setting here typing is taking awhile.... Yeah, I feel real good.. LOL
I don't need too be messin with parts N' stuff and drop a screwdriver something, or a screw somewheres and well, have a expensive pile of Junk on My hands when I power this stuff up.....

I seen the poster above requesting "benchies", or scores.. On this Rig..
More than willing too do so...
Specificly, what Programs, (free/shareware) that ya'll would want too see, because If you notice, It IS a Budget type Gameing Rig, (mid-Range?), all AMD/ATI..
With the Rebate checks starting too come in I think More than a few will be interested in this thread...
For information, comparisions, and Pricing particulary AGAINST INTEL and NIVIDA..

Total comes to 1165.00 NOT including S & H.. ALL from the EGG except for the PSU.
Didn't include lighting OR OTHER goodies into the total price.
Like I said, buying parts since October, a piece here and there, kepted packed uNtil *READY*..

I'm not familiar with the 2600XT's but I think you will get a lot more performance going with one ATI 3870 for $189.99. Anyone else care to chime in about that?

Great idea there Lilbuddy.

Another option would be the 9600GT.

Here's a link from Anandtech:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3235&p=2

Looks like he bought everything

imo single card and intel would of been better.

Everything has already been PURCHASED, Just waiting on tomorrow too put everything together...

Again I'm asking what shareware.freeware would ya'll like too seen run on this for comparisions/scores etc?

NO NIVIDA in this RIG..

3dMark06 from Futuremark and download the Crysis demo and then download the Crysis benchmark program.

Good luck with the build!

ok almost done, Switched out DVD drives though, with a brand new GSA-H60L, (Compaq)/with lightscribe tech, etc...
Got a post, drives etc. getting close too loading Windoze..
Need to beg the wife for 2.00 and go to Harbor Frieght around the corner and Let Me get a package of Colored Zip *Ties* for cableing, and tucking everything up, nice and neatly.
Just taking a break, I'm hurting, (back) and going slow at this...
Post more in a bit..
Peace,
LD

Be strong LD!

Lordy! Were Now up and running.
Installed all the hardware ready for the cold boot..
Took Everything back out, then painted the whole inside of the case Fire Engine RED...
Reinstalled, booted winders, got a Cable issue buggin Me, installing a couple of Cathode Lights..
Looking pretty sharp..
I'm finding out this ASUS Board is VERY picky ATM..
Had too install the DDR sticks one at a time, in order for the board too "see" all 4 gigs..
As I said, have a couple cable routing issues..

Running everything @ Stock clocks..
Hope too post a couple benchies tomorrow for everyone..

Post pics too!

Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but you made a bad decision with those graphics cards. That is equivalent to SLI 7600GS'....





Other than that though, everything is perfecto!!

Hope you enjoy your new rig!

I still got that pesky cable routing issue..
My Wife dropped the camera, RMA'ed/Repaired, Pics coming with-in a day or so...
Using 3DMARK (advanced version 1.0.2)..

I didn't quite Make out what was happening, I thought that CrossFire wasn't working...
At least it really doesn't show, or give indiction that it is in CCC or in any other Software... Besides *Enabling C-Fire* in CCC Manager...

I read across several Forums that the ASUS M2R32-MVP just happens not too work in cross Fire/W VISTA, that yes it did, no it don't..
You need the "Dongle" or cannot use the bridges..
Plus the fact, been busy with My daughters since My last post...
I ran 3dmark twice..
One with My cross fire bridges attached, one test without...

Test's without the Bridges.. were 4619

Tests WITH Crossfire bridges in place.... 8032
So I'm going too say, yeah, it Crossfire IS Working with this board and Vista Ulimate X64 Flavor
A'lil OC on AIR, 15.5 Multi runnin...
3107 Mhz...
Pics comin soon
LD

Small OC on the cards.. 3Dmark score 8404