I need a decent pc!What config.?

[heertzy]

Hi everybody!

I want to build my first pc and i'm not sure which is better :AMD or Intel?

First af all, I can't spent more than 1000$
Second,I can't wait for Conroe and I need something steady and easy to install.
Third, I'm outside US and here I can't find AM2 mobos yet.

For an AMD config I was thinking that the following is a right one:

Athlon 64 3200+ Venice
Epox 9NPA+Ultra or ASRock 939Dual-Sata2
Corsair VS 1GB PC3200
WD Caviar SE 16 250GB
BFG geForce 7600GT OC 256MB
NEC ND 3550A
Antec P150 or Antec SLK3000B/Tagan TG 480-U22

For the Intel instead, what about Pentium D 930?But the problem is the mobo for it.
Asus P5LD2 support it?Some people said didn't!Or better ASRock 775XFire-ESata2?My BFG is compatible with it?

Please help me to choose an alternative.I need suggestions.:confused:
I don't care about SLI or Crossfire features ,and I'm not an expert at OCing.
I need a solid rock sistem.

Thanks.

[gygabite]

Do you want to use it for gaming, multimedia or office apps?

[heertzy]

Do you want to use it for gaming, multimedia or office apps?


In equal shares for gaming,office,some Macromedia and Adobe app. but not hi-end professional use, maybe a little more gaming :)

I need a resonable pc for at least 2 year.Conroe will be an expensive config. this year, I supose,and I had't money for Athlon 64 X2 3800+ yet...
Intel D 930 had a good price now...

Help me!!!:confused:

thanks

[gygabite]

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black $34.99

ASPIRE X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply $59.99

Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6V250F0 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $71.00

MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard $71.99

SAPPHIRE 100106SR-RD Radeon X850XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card $169.00

LITE-ON Beige IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-16P9S $19.99

GIGABYTE GH-ED821-LC 94 mm Ball Blue LED Light CPU Cooling Fan with Heatsink $14.99

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 Dual Channel Kit $79.99

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice Socket 939 Processor $118.99
Total: $640.93
How about this?

[heertzy]

Interesting;
in your opinion is better AMD's way!

Why?Can you explain me?

About the case,must choose between the two previously indicated, because yours I can't find it here.
The videocard was already buyed (the BFG )
Did you think that MSI is better than Epox? MSI is cheaper,at a bargain...is good for me.

Thanks :)

[_33]

Hi everybody!

I want to build my first pc and i'm not sure which is better :AMD or Intel?

First af all, I can't spent more than 1000$
Second,I can't wait for Conroe and I need something steady and easy to install.
Third, I'm outside US and here I can't find AM2 mobos yet.

For an AMD config I was thinking that the following is a right one:

Athlon 64 3200+ Venice
Epox 9NPA+Ultra or ASRock 939Dual-Sata2
Corsair VS 1GB PC3200
WD Caviar SE 16 250GB
BFG geForce 7600GT OC 256MB
NEC ND 3550A
Antec P150 or Antec SLK3000B/Tagan TG 480-U22

For the Intel instead, what about Pentium D 930?But the problem is the mobo for it.
Asus P5LD2 support it?Some people said didn't!Or better ASRock 775XFire-ESata2?My BFG is compatible with it?

Please help me to choose an alternative.I need suggestions.:confused:
I don't care about SLI or Crossfire features ,and I'm not an expert at OCing.
I need a solid rock sistem.

Thanks.

Suggestions:
- AMD 64 3500+ is now quite cheap. The 3800+ X2 will be 150$ very soon.
- Do not use Value Select from Corsair with AMD rig, it is incompatible!
- ASUS AN8 is also a good mobo
- 500 to 600 watts PSU suggested. Antec must be good.

[Scheich]

I would suggest to wait a month at least to see how the prices are evolving. There´s alot of changes right now everywhere. If you really need to buy NOW you should compare how easily
you can overclock Pentium D and the Amd X2. In this repect, the Intel looks much easier, you
simply raise the FSB without overclocking anything. Cooling will be an Issue, as always with
Intel. I am pretty sure they lied in their review. Just find someone who did it already :-)

Upcoming games will be very demanding soon, there will be more, even major changes over this, i think. Stay low, save your money for next year.

[gygabite]

Interesting;
in your opinion is better AMD's way!

Why?Can you explain me?

In games AMD processors score a bit better than Intel's P4 processors.
if you play games like BF2, an AMD processor would be the better choice.

[heertzy]

Suggestions:

- Do not use Value Select from Corsair with AMD rig, it is incompatible!

Recommend me some other compatible DDR from corsair,geil,pqi,G.skill...

- ASUS AN8 is also a good mobo
- 500 to 600 watts PSU suggested. Antec must be good.
Antec P150 don't work with Asus's mobos.It's about Smartpower antec's psu .But you are sure it's Asus AN8? Or is Abit AN8 SLI? or Asus A8N-E...Be more specific please.

thanks:)

[markkleb]

There is a more technical explanination for why AMD is better than Intel but I think even at a lower speed the AMD is faster. Especially in games.(this may change with Conroe)

The MSI and Epox are both very good mobos.(no AS Rock)

If you use the X850 or the 7600 you do not need a powerful PS(over 400 watts) especially with only 1 HDD.

If you dont OC value ram is fine but try to get a ram that has a CAS of 2 or 2.5

[heertzy]

I would suggest to wait a month at least to see how the prices are evolving. There´s alot of changes right now everywhere. If you really need to buy NOW you should compare how easily
you can overclock Pentium D and the Amd X2. In this repect, the Intel looks much easier, you
simply raise the FSB without overclocking anything. Cooling will be an Issue, as always with
Intel. I am pretty sure they lied in their review. Just find someone who did it already :-)

Upcoming games will be very demanding soon, there will be more, even major changes over this, i think. Stay low, save your money for next year.

Quit correct!But my old rig is an old Pentium III 733MHz,i can't wait no more for the next year!!!:banghead:
The question is: NOW! Intel or AMD?

Help me please :(

[heertzy]

If you dont OC value ram is fine but try to get a ram that has a CAS of 2 or 2.5

If is not corsair?what about G.skill(512x2 ) pc3200 400MHz 2-3-3-6-2T?Tell me more about DDR compatibility.

Thanks

[gygabite]

Try this ram:
CL 2.5
pqi TURBO (2 x 512MB) DDR SDRAM DDR 400 $89.99
OCZ Value Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR SDRAM DDR 400 $83.49
CL 2
CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR SDRAM DDR 400 $102.00
Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR SDRAM DDR 400 $92.50
But a 400W PSU is enough i think

[gygabite]

If you want an intel:
Intel Pentium D 940 $244.99
ASUS P5LD2 Socket T LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX $119.99

[markkleb]

Gskill, Mushkin,Corsair,Geil,OCZ,PQI,Crucial all are good memories.
Some say there is compatability issues with some memory but I have never seen it.
The lower CAS is a little faster (better quality) CAS 3 is the value ram and while they work fine the CAS 2 and 2.5 are a little faster and higher quailty. And since the prices now are so close get the better stuff.

You listed 2-3-3-6-2T and that is fine but try for 2-2-2-5-1T if you can.
The 2T and 1T usually has to be changed in the bios but makes a difference in how fast the memory runs (1T is better)

[markkleb]

And if ur not confused enough dont forget there is AM2 also (for about the same price)

[_33]

Recommend me some other compatible DDR from corsair,geil,pqi,G.skill...

Antec P150 don't work with Asus's mobos.It's about Smartpower antec's psu .But you are sure it's Asus AN8? Or is Abit AN8 SLI? or Asus A8N-E...Be more specific please.

thanks:)

http://resources.vr-zone.com/Shamino/dfiivenus/venus/5.jpg

Forget the Asus, get a DFI Lanparty Venus (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/293), or wait a month or two for the newer DFI boards, and by that time the cpus will be cheaper and DDR2 will be more affordable at 2GB DDR800.

*** NOW is not a good time to buy ***

[heertzy]

If you want an intel:
Intel Pentium D 940 $244.99
ASUS P5LD2 Socket T LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX $119.99


For a little bit more I can grab an Athlon 64 X2 3800+
It could be a better choice?
Some guys told me that this mobo don't support pentium D 930,D 940...is true?

[heertzy]

And if ur not confused enough dont forget there is AM2 also (for about the same price)

:laugh:

Fortunately a'm outside US and here it's impossible find AM2 mobos yet.

The problem is that i can't wait no more.Intel Pentium D 9xx Or AMD Athlon 64 skt 939 , this is the question!
Not Conroe or AM2

Thanks :)

[_33]

:laugh:

Fortunately a'm outside US and here it's impossible find AM2 mobos yet.

The problem is that i can't wait no more.Intel Pentium D 9xx Or AMD Athlon 64 skt 939 , this is the question!
Not Conroe or AM2

Thanks :)

OK, if you're an advanced user, get a DFI Lanparty UT NF4-Ultra (not the SLI model), and get a Athlon A64 3200+. For memory, Kingston KVR 2GB kit works perfect, ignore KVR 1GB kits, some are not compatible. Or go for OCZ value ram, they are perfect and overclock nicely.

[heertzy]

http://resources.vr-zone.com/Shamino/dfiivenus/venus/5.jpg

Forget the Asus, get a DFI Lanparty Venus (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/293), or wait a month or two for the newer DFI boards, and by that time the cpus will be cheaper and DDR2 will be more affordable at 2GB DDR800.

*** NOW is not a good time to buy ***

WOW! Great mobo!The price is great too!:)
I know ,is not a good time to buy,but my rig is very old :banghead:
And I must be under 1000$.

[heertzy]

OK, if you're an advanced user,......

And if i'm not?

Thanks :)

[gygabite]

ok, if you can afford it, use the X2 3800+, its better

[_33]

And if i'm not?

Thanks :)

Markkleb stated Epox (http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NzQ4) earlier :D . The board isn't expensive, btu has a great bios for tweaking and you'll have a lot of fun with that as well.

[heertzy]

ok, if you can afford it, use the X2 3800+, its better


And if I grab now 3200+ venice at a bargain price and after 3 month a'll upgrade to the X2 3800+ ?
Now i'v a restricted budget so...:banghead:

[_33]

And if I grab now 3200+ venice at a bargain price and after 3 month a'll upgrade to the X2 3800+ ?
Now i'v a restricted budget so...:banghead:

The X2 3800+ will be 150$ very soon. The 3200+ is around 100$ now. YOu will be able to sell that 3200+ later on anyway. I regularly sell used parts from my older rig. You can sell your old P3 system too. And the 3200+ Venice with a 10X multiplier is a great combo with the Epox mobo as the FSB limit is 280mhz, you'll be able to reach 2.8Ghz (10 x 280) with good cooling if you overclock.

[heertzy]

let's see...AMD win out!
Now the problem is the mobo.It must be a great buy.

Epox is one of them ,right?
And is DFI LP UT NF4 ultra-D too ,but cost more.

tell me more please!

[markkleb]

The Epox has a very high review. Its about $135. The DFI is probably one of the BEST mobos EVERMADE. But $185-200.
I just bought a DFI SLI Expert mobo (refurbished at Newegg) for $112. That has to be one of the best deals ever.
But you take your chances, it may be missing parts.

I dont like Asus too much (they are good for Intel)

BUT! basically any mobo will work if you do not OC.

IF YOU OC GET THE DFI!(and Better memory)

[heertzy]

Wow ! If DFI is so great I'll pay the price.Can you give me some link for it?Recommended DDR,
pros and cons ....

Thanks1

[markkleb]

They tested the new AM2(w/ DDR2) against the DDR and it was close. But they used regular DDR 400 memory. My DDR400 memory runs at 600. Thats a LOT faster than the DDR2 and AM2.

Origionally you said you did not want to OC. If you do than you need a GOOD mobo(DFI,Epox) and VERY good memory.(no value stuff)
The BEST memory is the hand picked TCCD chips like mine(Geil ONE) It makes OCing very easy.
But any memory with the TCCD chips is good.

http://home.wanadoo.nl/r.vannoort/RAM_List.htm

As for the mobo Newegg is pretty hard to beat.
Here is the Epox
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123246

Here is the DFI(just 1 Videocard)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152

DFI SLI Expert(2 Video cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136166

[heertzy]

They tested the new AM2(w/ DDR2) against the DDR and it was close. But they used regular DDR 400 memory. My DDR400 memory runs at 600. Thats a LOT faster than the DDR2 and AM2.
What's your mobo ?

As for the mobo Newegg is pretty hard to beat.
Here is the Epox
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123246

This is the 9NPA+ SLI mobo and has the same price like DFI. Which is better?
My first choice was EP 9NPA+ Ultra! Is Cheaper and hasn't SLI. Is SLI a valuable feature?
A good choice for a future upgrade?Does it matter?2 VGA are better than a newer video card?

DFI SLI Expert(2 Video cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136166

Is more than I can afford!Great mobo, but my budget is lower...:(

I need to draw a conclusion.Help me please!

[SIMP]

Maybe this will help you out. http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/12/your_diy_gaming_rig_for_720/

[markkleb]

heertzy, Will you OC?
Do you think games will be important to you?

SLi is only a few dollars more than a reg mobo. But if you do not use a Nvidia video card than it does not matter.(only Nvidia video cards can be SLI)(ATI video Cards use Crossfire for 2 video cards)

The Epox SLi was rated very high for OCing. The 9npa+ Ultra should OC very well too.

I bought the DFI Expert from Newegg(refurbished) for only $112.(reg price was about $180)
It just got here and is ONLY the mobo (no Accessories)

Can you get a Jetway GT4 SLI? at Newegg they are $78 and they are a very nice mobo too.
I used one for this build and it works very nice

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=11774

[heertzy]

heertzy, Will you OC?
Do you think games will be important to you?

SLi is only a few dollars more than a reg mobo. But if you do not use a Nvidia video card than it does not matter.(only Nvidia video cards can be SLI)(ATI video Cards use Crossfire for 2 video cards)

:) I enjoy playing games like Oblivion,BF2 ...! SLi is faster than a new hi-end video card?Could be better spend money for another one in a SLI sistem or buy a new top vga and sell the oldness ?I have a BFG geForce 7600GT OC !

The Epox SLi was rated very high for OCing. The 9npa+ Ultra should OC very well too.

I bought the DFI Expert from Newegg(refurbished) for only $112.(reg price was about $180)
It just got here and is ONLY the mobo (no Accessories)

Can you get a Jetway GT4 SLI? at Newegg they are $78 and they are a very nice mobo too.
I used one for this build and it works very nice

No OCing ,but epox has a good price.The SLI version is more expensive but if you say that it's a great mobo,I'll buy it!
I need a good mobo for a future upgrade to an X2 3800+!
What do you think about?

Thanks :)

[_33]

:) I enjoy playing games like Oblivion,BF2 ...! SLi is faster than a new hi-end video card?Could be better spend money for another one in a SLI sistem or buy a new top vga and sell the oldness ?I have a BFG geForce 7600GT OC !



No OCing ,but epox has a good price.The SLI version is more expensive but if you say that it's a great mobo,I'll buy it!
I need a good mobo for a future upgrade to an X2 3800+!
What do you think about?

Thanks :)

I've got a Radeon X800GTO2 and it plays all recent games with all effects on except pixel shader 3.0 and vertex shader 3.0. But Almost no games use those features yet, but they will use them soon enough. Some games like Far Cry do have significant enhancements with those new technology, thoe. A Radeon X1600 isn't a bad card. The X1800GTO might be a much better deal thoe. The reason I prefer ATI is because they usually have good performance when you put all the quality features ON, and now they added a new high quality antialiasing mode for all their recent cards which really looks awesome!

BTW, I truely suggest for you to overclock the processor if you do get an AMD, it's a very interesting performance gain. I'd suggest that all X2 3800+ can overclock easily to X2 4800+ performance (2.4Ghz) and even more. The X2 has a very nice cooling solution from Evercool stock (I think with 4 heatpipes, correct me if I'm wrong).

[heertzy]

I've got a Radeon X800GTO2 and it plays all recent games with all effects on except pixel shader 3.0 and vertex shader 3.0. But Almost no games use those features yet, but they will use them soon enough. Some games like Far Cry do have significant enhancements with those new technology, thoe. A Radeon X1600 isn't a bad card. The X1800GTO might be a much better deal thoe. The reason I prefer ATI is because they usually have good performance when you put all the quality features ON, and now they added a new high quality antialiasing mode for all their recent cards which really looks awesome!

BTW, I truely suggest for you to overclock the processor if you do get an AMD, it's a very interesting performance gain. I'd suggest that all X2 3800+ can overclock easily to X2 4800+ performance (2.4Ghz) and even more. The X2 has a very nice cooling solution from Evercool stock (I think with 4 heatpipes, correct me if I'm wrong).

Just right !Pixel shader 3.0 was the reason to grab the BFG. At the beginning was an ATI X1800GTO, but a friend of mine told me that the BFG needs less juice and is less hot.:confused:

Now I'll grab 3200+ venice,later i'll change to X2 3800+(low budget now)
the problem is what mobo,DDR,Case/PSU.
I have some options like Epox ,Corsair XMS,Antec P150 or Antec slk 3000B/Tagan 480W,but a'm still hesitant.
Epox SLI or not?P150 or PSU Tagan 480?Which is better???2 of 12v rails or 3 of them?P150 has 3 rails.

thanks :)

[gygabite]

The Epox seems to be good, but if ypu upgrade to a dual core, you should try a better one than 3800+X2 (e.g. 4200+X2)

[markkleb]

I think the SLI is a better choice because later you can use it if you want. If you buy the Ultra mobo you can never be SLI.
For PS it matters if ur going SLI or not.

Case is up to you but check out the Centurion series from Coolermaster(VERY GOOD airflow and cheap)

[heertzy]

The Epox seems to be good, but if ypu upgrade to a dual core, you should try a better one than 3800+X2 (e.g. 4200+X2)

I'll se the future price cutting for AMD.Most important is that the mobo support future upgrades.This word "seems" worried me...:confused:

Thanks .

[gygabite]

This word "seems" worried me...:confused:
It doesnt have to! It has a good board layout and its rated very high by people who bought it

[heertzy]

I think the SLI is a better choice because later you can use it if you want. If you buy the Ultra mobo you can never be SLI.
For PS it matters if ur going SLI or not.

Case is up to you but check out the Centurion series from Coolermaster(VERY GOOD airflow and cheap)

WOW! I'v seen your great work!You are a God-man :respect: :respect: :respect:

I know but here I can't find Centurion series!:(

The best products here are Antec, (but not Sonata II),TermalTake ,,Enermax ,
Nexus Breeze 500 ,NZXT lexa,Arctic cooling,Akasa and a lot of no name chinese cases!
The best seems to be (after some investigation) the Antec P150 (especially for the case) and Antec SLK 3000 B because is without PSU and I want to grab Tagan 2 force TG480-U22.
Another one is Antec TX 1050B with PSU Antec SmartPower 500W a little less expensive than others.
The NZXT is great but expensive!!!

I'll grab the Epox 9NPA+SLI!

Thanks a lot :)

[markkleb]

Thanks,
cases are a matter of personal taste. I am starting to make my own now.(the others need too much modding)

the Centurion is much nicer in person than in picts. The whole front is preforated with filters.

Whatever case you get remember to remove the metal where you mount the fans (better air flow) both front and back.

I am not a big fan of Antec stuff. Dont scrimp on PS as it is the Backbone of your whole system. I really like Silverstone PS, my RedChrome used a 400watt.($45)

If you look at the insides the Silverstone are much better than the others.

[heertzy]

Silverstone Zeus ST52I ???Is more expensive than others,but I'll make a sacrifice.

[markkleb]

Its worth it. Ur gonna have so much fun...