New PC, Help Needed Please

[Vampiricos]

Hi Everyone!

Ok here's the deal, I am going to by a new PC as my upgrade path for my Pentium ( Yes I know sad choice.

) is very well ended. I am finally going to upgrade to AMD AM2. I am going to build the PC in 3 stages.

The 1st stage will be worth $2500 AUD, It will be the base setup of the CPU, Mother Board, RAM, Graphics

Card & Maybe the HDD (Depending on choices made ).

Here is what I'm thinking of getting:

CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 X2 (AM2) 5000+ $449.90 AUD
M/B: Asus M2N32-SLI-DELUXE $348.70 AUD

RAM: Corsair DDR2 2GB PC-6400 PRO (2x XMS2 1GB) TWIN2X2048-6400PRO RAM $449.90

AGP: XFX GF7900GTX 512MB DDR3 PCI-E 650MHz/1.6GHz $843.00

Sub-Total: $2,117.90 AUD

Now this is one problem that's getting to me, the HDD

I want to buy the WD Raptor 150Gb (16mb) 10,000RPM SATA HDD
priced at $413.60, which will bring the Sub-Total to: $2,531.50 AUD

It just feels like a lot of money for a HDD, but I am one that wants to get the best out of my PC, the WD

Raptor 74Gb 10,000RPM SATA HDD is only
$236.50 & the WD Raptor 36Gb is $170.50. See I only want what ever HDD I get to be my C drive, it will

not be used for long term storage. I do however want it to be very good at running programs and anything

of a short term nature, like video editing and crap like that, oh and great for gaming.

How much of a difference will the 16mb buffer make?

If it is worth the performance boost I will not mind, but if I am looking at less than 10% id rather get

it down the track later. Is there a regular SATA or SATA 2 drive that's cheaper & almost as good that I

can use to start and then at my 2nd stage upgrade buy the 150g Rap

Any Ideas?

Another thing that worries me is the multiplier on the 5000+ I hear that it runs at less than optimal, is

that a huge problem? and is it possible to overcome?

Also any other opinions on the parts listed or if I can get better for the same money or less please

advise. I will be planning to put more money into the PC after the 1st $2500, looking at about $250
every 2 weeks. Any opinions on alternatives is also welcome ( Not Intel This time I'm sorry. ). Anyone

who is using any of these parts please let me know if u are happy with the items.

Any input I can get would be very helpful, thank-you

 

[HookeyStreet]

Why not get the 36GB WD 10'000rpm for use as your master HDD and have just Windows installed on it (and maybe your other porgrams ie Nero, Word etc) as this will increase your OS's speed and program loading times. Then get a 7200rpm 200GB SATA-II HDD (which will be alot cheaper than the Raptor) and just install your games on this (and other stuff like music, video etc)

PS: the rest of your system sounds great to me (have you accounted for a case and a good PSU?)

 

[Daveburt]

Hey Vamp, Not sure how the currency conversion works $USD to $AUD... But if I was going to build a new system from SCRATCH right now, I would go with an Intel Core2Duo E6600...

I really can't believe I'm saying this! I've been an AMD guy since I first moved from an Amiga to a PC format. But If I was going to buy all new stuff, including DDR2 and a new Mobo the C2D is the way to go...............

As for the Raptor, I have a 74Gb Raptor as my C: drive and SiSoft Sandra actually shows my cheap SATA2 Samsung drive keeping up with it ($99/250Gig), the seek times are faster on the Raptor, but the throughput of the SATA2 pretty much makes up for it..

I have a New AMD (89w) 4400x2 on the way, but I really only went that route because I don't have to change anything but the Processor, and from what I've been hearing 2.8Ghz is a pretty standard OC on those chips...

Hope this helps Bud.... If nothing else, you may want to do a little more research before ya spend your hard earned cash!

 

[Vampiricos]

Re Daveburt

Hey Daveburt

Yeah look, I was going to have a look at Core Duo, but when you look at a par for par chip from intel Im looking at paying $850 rather then $450 for the same performance. The other thing is Ive been a Intel user till now & The Fact that AMD chips are selling for almost 50% cheaper is incentive enough for me to give AMD a go. What Core Duo chip would you say matches up par for par with the 5000+? That way Ill have a better look at the going AUD prices.

Thanks for the tip on the HDD!

 

[Vampiricos]

Re: HookeyStreet

Hey HookeyStreet

Yeah I am going to use my existing Case, an Antec Lanboy & throw in a good silent PSU, looking to spend about $150 AUD on my PSU. As for the 36 & 74Gb Raptors, I know they are fantasic for my main drive, but I wanna know how much of a performance boost the 16mb buffer makes with the new Raptor X 150Gb, is it worth paying the extra $200 odd dollars? My main concern is the C drive here, my long term storage needs I'll be looking into using 2 X Seagate Barracuda 750Gb 7200 16Mb cache SATA 2 Hard Disks or WD 500Gb 7200 16Mb Cache SATA 2 Hard Disks.

 

[Ketxxx]

Hi Everyone!
Here is what I'm thinking of getting:

CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 X2 (AM2) 5000+ $449.90 AUD
M/B: Asus M2N32-SLI-DELUXE $348.70 AUD

RAM: Corsair DDR2 2GB PC-6400 PRO (2x XMS2 1GB) TWIN2X2048-6400PRO RAM $449.90

AGP: XFX GF7900GTX 512MB DDR3 PCI-E 650MHz/1.6GHz $843.00

Sub-Total: $2,117.90 AUD

right lets sort you out here.

CPU: get a 4600+ X2, theres only 200MHz difference between it and the 5000+ (which you can easily make up for with a minor OC) and you save yourself quite a chunk of change.

Mobo: the M2N32 SLI Deluxe is a fine choice for a mobo, however if you really want to OC and be on a level only an elite few choose, check out the Asus Crosshair that sucker has so many tweaking options it makes the M2N look basic and sub-par in comparison.

Graphics: dont go spending a shedload on a VC right now, DX10 is practically knocking on the door so you dont want something thats just going to be an expensive paperweight. A 7900GT or X1800XT are still two of the finest cards you can buy and will last perfectly until DX10 cards arrive.

RAM: for DDR2 probably about the best stuff you can buy is Mushkin PC6400, it has timings of 4-4-3-10, which anyone will tell you, for DDR2-800 thats some crazy tight timings. You can get a look at them Here along with some reviews to go with em.

HDD: I'll be blunt, dont waste your time or money on those raptor drives, instead invest in some nice Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache drives, you'll be hard pushed to notice any performance differences in the kind of tasks your system will be used for, or any tasks for that matter really.

PSU: unless I missed it, you didnt mention one. Now with a PSU the important thing to pay attention to is the amps on the +12v line, the higher the better, and for the way your system is shaping up, dont got for a PSU with a +12v amperage below 34A.

 

[Freqhog]

I've got the M2N-SLI Deluxe mobo...

Its a good board

 

[Daveburt]

Hey Vamp, here is some good reading if you want to know how C2D and the AMD stack up against each other.

http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q3/core2/index.x?pg=1

Looks like the 5000 and the E6600 are fairly close performance wise with the 6600 having the edge in most applications. Lets not forget the 6600 is known to be a great overclocker compared to the 5000 (If your into that sort of thing)

As for price, in the US the E6600 sells for $369 (thats if you can get one, availabiliy has been a problem). While the AMD 5000 sells for $599. Believe me, I'm NOT an Intel fanboy!!
If anything I'm much closer to an AMD fanboy.

If you really want to buy AMD I say go for it (I love my X2!). I would be willing to bet the price of the 5000 will fall more inline with the 6600's once they become easier to get ahold of...

Good Luck with your new Rig!!

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

Why not get the 36GB WD 10'000rpm for use as your master HDD and have just Windows installed on it (and maybe your other porgrams ie Nero, Word etc) as this will increase your OS's speed and program loading times. Then get a 7200rpm 200GB SATA-II HDD (which will be alot cheaper than the Raptor) and just install your games on this (and other stuff like music, video etc)

PS: the rest of your system sounds great to me (have you accounted for a case and a good PSU?)

The 16mb cache maxtor high density will smoke a 10k raptor 36gb.

 

[Vampiricos]

Ok fill me in

Ok, I realise Core Duo is a good choice right now & yes Ive seen the benchmarks. To cut a long story short, Up untill now I have been a Intel user. Its time for a change, Im not worried too much as I buy a new system every 3 years max, so If in 2 to 3 years Intel proves they can keep the lead, ill go back to intel.

Ketxxx, thankyou so much on the info man, VERY helpfull indeed. About the 4600, I realy am not one that likes to have to worry to much about overclocking, if I can get away with not overclocking I'd much rather pay abit more. The only thing that has me alittle worried about the 5000+ is the multiplier. As for the Mobo, It looks great, but yet again, dont wanna havto worry about tweaking, I just want the bloody thing to work & work well. Asus have however given me some great Mobos, I will surely have a good look at it.

VC DX10? Help me out here, not sure what that is. DirectX 10? whats VC?

That RAM sounds perfect! And thanks for the tip on the HDD, thats the stuff I need to hear. I dont mind paying good money, but it realy does seem alit of money for a Raptor X, the other older Raptors are cheap now. But I had a feeling SATA2 had something to offer.

Can you give me some names of PSUs that will sute my needs? Thanks so much man.

Dippyskoodlez, thanks for the tips man, just the info I need. Options Options! hehe thankyou all

BTW Tax return just came in!!!! stage 1 is now only days away.

More Info please!! Opinions!! Anything Helps.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

Can you give me some names of PSUs that will sute my needs? Thanks so much man.

Dippyskoodlez, thanks for the tips man, just the info I need. Options Options! hehe thankyou all

Mushkin, OCZ, Pc power and cooling, Antec, etc all rated ~600w or more will last you a long time for a PSU.

Just look for ~20a on 2x 12v lines.

 

[Ketxxx]

DX10 is indeed directx 10, and VC is just short for videocard

As for some decent PSUs, its hard to really name any until a final spec decision is made, otherwise you could end up with a PSU thats simply overkill for what you have. As a rule of thumb though, a PSU with 34A+ on the 12v rail in the 550w range is going to be a good choice, though 600-650w with 40-44A is probably a better choice as it will ensure the PSU wont run out of steam with any potential future upgrades you may choose to do.

 

[Vampiricos]

Thankyou

Guys thankyou so much, you are all being very helpfull, its refreshing. I have posted on other forums & half the time all i get is debate over Core Duo being better & why am I waisting my money. Its all very depressing. Anyway, I'm not saying no to an intel system again, but If I get an intel i wanna know its gonna do better for the same money. Plus I feel I wanna give AMD a go, I get a new system every 2 years max, so what ever choice I make its not going to be a choice Im stuck with for too long. Im quite sure AMD is going to give me more value for money, so it going to take alot to talk me into going Intel again. I also think that no Core Duo Mobos have SLI, I dont like the idea of crossfire as alot of my friends say that have Crossfire say that the wish they got SLI.

Guys Im thinking about going for the 4600+, as I was told that the 5000+ only has 512 cache per core * the 4600 has 1000 per core. Is that true? and if so becouse of that bigger caches on the 4600+ & the better multiplier meaning optimum memory useage, would the 4600+ be a better choice? maybe that way I can get better ram & or a better HDD. Also guys any tips on the best ram to use with the chips would be realy great. Im looking at getting 2gig 2 x 1gig chips. looking at spending around $450 AUD. Any advice on the graphics card i want?

Oh and yeah, Im useing a SAMSUNG SyncMaster 172N LCD, how much differance will I notice playing games with the new rig useing a 8ms LCD? its it worth spending an extra $350+ AUD?

Or could I make do with the LCD I have for a month or so?

Anthing Im overlooking guys?

 

[Vampiricos]

Some guys posted me this

I think this would be better use of your money ...

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 - $393.80

MOBO: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe - $436.70

RAM: Corsair DDR2 2GB PC-6400 PRO (2x XMS2 1GB) TWIN2X2048-6400PRO RAM $449.90

VIDEO: Get a used 7900GT and wait it out for DX10 (429.00 new so like 350 used)

Western Digital WD1500ADFD $471.90

Zalman CNPS9500LED $78.10

Total: $2177

Optinions?

If one was to go with a Core Duo E6600, what ram would they use?

 

[Ketxxx]

I think cache size is the same, but im too lazy to double check I do know the 4400+ X2 for 939 has 1MB cache tho.

For memory THIS stuff absolutely rocks.

Graphics? 7900GT or X1800XT are the two best choices, dont waste anymore money than what these cost with DX10 almost here.

As for the 8ms LCD, you probably will notice a diff, but that largely depends on how acute your eyes are at noticing differences.

ed- thats an expensive system you posted for what you get.

 

[Vampiricos]

whats the deal with these DX10 cards people are talking about? how soon are they comming?

 

[Ketxxx]

most likely earlyish next year.

 

[Vampiricos]

Sick of it

People are telling me not to waist my money on a 7900GTX, but I feel its a bigger waist getting the GT. I could always sell off the card when DX10 comes out.

Please note ppl, Im NOT going to buy a Intel chip, so please dont tell me to do so.

I realy need sugestions on the parts I listed & or how I may Improve it.

Thanks.

 

[Vampiricos]

Great thanks guys for the ideas, any ideas as to a PSU? I realy need a good one & silent. ALso any tips on RAM, better performance for the same money or less if possible. Or just Ideas on better RAM. Over all is the system ok? anything Im missing? Any sugestions at all on any of the parts listed? Please keep in mind the $2500 is stage 1 of a 3 stage Rig build.

Stage 2 will be long term storage needs & tv tuner.

2 x Seagate Barracuda 750Gb 7200 16Mb cache SATA 2 Hard Disks

Not sure what TV tuner to get

Stage 3 is:

A 8 or 4ms 19" LCD or Widescrean 20"
2nd 7900GTX to SLI

Stage 1 will take place in 1 week roughly
Stage 2 in 3 weeks
Stage 3 in 1.5 Months

Again, please note, I WILL NOT BUY INTEL!!!! so dont even bother saying so. I dont care to read another benchmark groupy tell me Conroe is better. (BTW Its actualy got a name now! dont havto use its code name anymore.)

Also If I had to wait for the next best Chip, Card or anything PC related object to come out b4 I buy, id be waiting forever.

Thanks

 

[Vampiricos]

For those who are going to tell me to go Intel please note, Intel chips are more expensive than AM2 here in Australia & unlike you lucky guys in the USA, we pay premium $s here for our hardware. The E6600 that people are telling me to get is $100+ more expensive & so are Core 2 Duo Mobos. Oh and tommorow I am going to buy my Am2 5000 & shit.

 

[Vampiricos]

Ok let me say this 1 last time, INTEL....NO, AMD GO! for the simple ppl out there. I buy the PC tommorow so its gonna be too late anyways. Just so you all know Core Duo is more expensive here and the e6600 is $100+ more expensive then the 5000+ & they are very hard to get your hands on, Im not waiting as you can see. As for the graphics card, I have money to burn & Ill burn it well, I get a new Graphics card 2 times per year. Anyways Thanks for your posts, I'll let you all know how I go

 

[Ketxxx]

its up to you dude. all we can do is suggest the wisest choices based on the platform you want, ultimately the decision is yours