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May attempt System Build, a little frightened...

Started by Rookie Builder , Jul 05 2006 02:08 PM

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#1
Rookie Builder

Posted 05 July 2006 - 02:08 PM

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28 posts

I am considering trying to build a new system, I have made upgrades in the past but never a new build... I'm especially scared of making sure coponents are compatible and dealing with BIOS. My main use for the system is gaming, specifically BF2. Could someone check these components for me to insure compatibility (in my novice view they are but...) Also, how scary is dealing with the bios? Thanks.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119068

MB: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131013

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103631

CPU Heatsink: ASUS X-Mars Heat Pipes CPU Light Cooler for Socket 754/939/940
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835193002

HD: Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136010

Video Card: ASUS EN7900GT/2DHT/256M Geforce 7900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121003

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102178

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102062

I don't have any RAM because I was having trouble finding something compatible, the few I found said they either didnt work with this MB or they required some power adjustment to make it work... any suggestions (price 200-250 for the RAM)

Edited by Rookie Builder, 05 July 2006 - 02:19 PM.

#2
jrm20

Posted 05 July 2006 - 02:42 PM

System building expert

Retired Staff
2,394 posts

I am considering trying to build a new system, I have made upgrades in the past but never a new build... I'm especially scared of making sure coponents are compatible and dealing with BIOS. My main use for the system is gaming, specifically BF2. Could someone check these components for me to insure compatibility (in my novice view they are but...) Also, how scary is dealing with the bios? Thanks.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119068

MB: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131013

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103631

CPU Heatsink: ASUS X-Mars Heat Pipes CPU Light Cooler for Socket 754/939/940
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835193002

HD: Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136010

Video Card: ASUS EN7900GT/2DHT/256M Geforce 7900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121003

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102178

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102062

I don't have any RAM because I was having trouble finding something compatible, the few I found said they either didnt work with this MB or they required some power adjustment to make it work... any suggestions (price 200-250 for the RAM)

Looks good, but I would change to a different motherboard than asus. That cpu cooler will not work or fit on the new am2 processors.. Newegg has only 2 that will fit the am2 processors.. The cpu already comes with a stock fan/heatsink also..

go here and choose your cpu fan.. The zalman is the best one. http://www.newegg.co........x=0&Go.y=0

for memory look at the corsair xms series ram or either ocz platinum or gold series.

#3
jrm20

Posted 05 July 2006 - 02:48 PM

System building expert

Retired Staff
2,394 posts

You dont have to worry about the bios at all if any very little... It automatically auto detects everything pretty much and its so simple.. If you choose a higher speed ddr2 memory then thats when you have to automatically set the memory speed and such.. If you stick with the standard ddr2 800 you shouldnt have to worry about setting anything up for the memory.. Even if you did its pretty simple..

Id stay away from ASUS thats just me and other techs on here think the same about it.. Yeah there nice when they work but they had a high rate of failure awhile back that just turned me totally off from them..

Look for msi,Dfi,Gigabyte or Abit.

Id rather get this motherboard than any asus.. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813127236

its alittle cheaper also about $13 less..

If you do decide to get the ASUS mobo dont get OCZ memory they have problems with compatibility with asus.

Go for the Abit socket am2 motherboard you will have a less painful experience and be thankful..lol

In final words if you want stability go with the ABIT motherboard I linked.

Edited by jrm20, 05 July 2006 - 02:55 PM.

#4
Rookie Builder

Posted 05 July 2006 - 06:23 PM

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28 posts

Ok, I'm switching to the Abit MB
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813127236

I can't decide between these 4 RAM sets, which is compatible and best bet?
http://www.newegg.co...SubCategory=147

#5
jrm20

Posted 05 July 2006 - 08:21 PM

System building expert

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2,394 posts

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145566

I would rather go with the corsair xms series ddr2 800 memory..

Its cheaper and better.

#6
Rookie Builder

Posted 05 July 2006 - 09:01 PM

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Topic Starter
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28 posts

This memory is only 1G, I want to go with 2G... what about:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034

Also, thanks A TON for the help!!! You Rock!

Considering the system is for gaming, do you see any tweaks/changes I could make to improve performance?

Edited by Rookie Builder, 05 July 2006 - 09:25 PM.

#7
jrm20

Posted 06 July 2006 - 07:48 AM

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2,394 posts

This memory is only 1G, I want to go with 2G... what about:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034

Also, thanks A TON for the help!!! You Rock!

Considering the system is for gaming, do you see any tweaks/changes I could make to improve performance?

Get this 7900gt by evga, its cheaper and it outperforms it but quite abit.. Look at the core clock and memory clock speed.. Alot better than asus.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130015

that memory is fine.

#8
Rookie Builder

Posted 06 July 2006 - 11:02 PM

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28 posts

Alright, after much back and forth I am going to do this thing... my biggest fear was dealing with the BIOS but from what I have read it does it itself so what the [bleep]. Heres my final parts list:

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119068

MB: ABIT KN9 SLI Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813127236

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103631

HeatSink: ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball Green LED Light CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835118004

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034

HD: Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136010

Vid. Card: ASUS EN7900GT/2DHT/256M Geforce 7900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121003

PS: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Sound: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102178

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102062

The vid card you suggested JRM had better speeds and was cheaper but it wasn't SLI, down the road I figure I'm better off adding a second card than replacing this one. Thanks a ton for the help man, you rock!!! :blink:

I'll be posting on here again in a few weeks either asking for help or cheering my first successful build!!! Heres to the latter! :whistling:

#9
GeekMan

Posted 06 July 2006 - 11:56 PM

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112 posts

Ahhh...Ok,

If it was me, i'd go with this setup, it is cheap and high quality. First off, never go off with 1 expensive gpu, get slightly older cheaper gpu's and get 2 of em and make it a sli. I also rec. a 939 socket because its supported by most processors now adays and is too popular to be routed out anytime soon. The heatsink should be copper because copper draws heat better than aluminum. Below is my rec. of a great system build.

Case:
OOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119068

Motherboard:
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131517

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103531

Heatsink:
ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan with Heatsink
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835118223

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145575

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136010

(2x) Video Card:
eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130017

PS:
Sunbeam NUUO SUNNU550-US-SV ATX12V/ EPS12V 550W Power Supply 100-120V CE, UL (CUL), TUV, CB, FCC, FIMKO, SEMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817709003

Sound:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102178

OS:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102062

If you have any questions on my selections, let me know.

Edited by GeekMan, 06 July 2006 - 11:59 PM.

#10
Rookie Builder

Posted 07 July 2006 - 07:39 AM

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Topic Starter
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28 posts

Heres some questions...

first, why the 939? Someone else recommended the 939, they said that there was talk of some memory issue with the new AM2's. My rationale in getting the AM2 is that 2 years from now I will still be able to upgrade. Someone making this same decision 2 years ago and went with the 754 is now pretty much SOL in terms of upgrading.

second, is the performance from 2 7600's that much better than the one 7900? Again, an upgrade issue... a year from now if I wanted to increase graphics performance I would have to get a whole new card as opposed to the 7900 where I could buy a second card.

Lastly, the cost difference comes out to only about $100 less for the 939 system vs. the AM2. My main concern is what I heard about the AM2 memory issue, anyone know about it?

I appreciate the feedback, I am trying to learn this stuff as I go!

Edited by Rookie Builder, 07 July 2006 - 08:11 AM.

#11
GeekMan

Posted 07 July 2006 - 09:12 AM

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Member
112 posts

Ok, regarding the socket 939, unless you to one of highest 3 CPUs, AM2 is actually worse than 939 because of the high latecy in DDR2 RAM.

Next, the video cards:
The reason why 2 7600's is because you should take advantage of the SLI I showed you in this motherboard I choose. The one 7900 that was showen to you was rated at core clock at 500 and memory clock at 1500 for the one card. For about $40 more, you can have 2 7600's rated at core clock 580 and memory clock 1500 per card.

Regards,
GeekMan

#12
jrm20

Posted 07 July 2006 - 09:15 AM

System building expert

Retired Staff
2,394 posts

Alright, after much back and forth I am going to do this thing... my biggest fear was dealing with the BIOS but from what I have read it does it itself so what the [bleep]. Heres my final parts list:

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119068

MB: ABIT KN9 SLI Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813127236

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103631

HeatSink: ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball Green LED Light CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835118004

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034

HD: Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136010

Vid. Card: ASUS EN7900GT/2DHT/256M Geforce 7900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121003

PS: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Sound: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102178

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102062

The vid card you suggested JRM had better speeds and was cheaper but it wasn't SLI, down the road I figure I'm better off adding a second card than replacing this one. Thanks a ton for the help man, you rock!!! I'll be posting on here again in a few weeks either asking for help or cheering my first successful build!!! Heres to the latter!

The evga video card I suggested is indeed sli supported, look again it even says sli supported.. Even if they dont say sli supported they still are because they still have the connector on the video card to connect to video cards together using a small bridge.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130015

You can get 2 7600gt's in sli if you want to its up to you.

I wouldnt get a socket 939 system that geekman is suggesting at all, asus is not a great company anymore in my book. Dont get an asus mobo or video card period. Sunbeam powersupplies are not a well known brand and I would not recommend them when you have all theses other high reputable companies like antec,thermaltake,OCZ,Ultra,forton force,nzxt.. I would not get the socket 939 right now at all.. Stick with am2 so when you ever want to upgrade the processor you can upgrade it to an up to date cpu. Amd is coming out with newer am2 cpu's soon so its a given to buy am2 if you buy a pc right now.. If you wait a month or 2 go for the Intel conroe cpu that owns all amd cpu's even the fx-62.. This Doesnt include the opteron/xeon server line of processors.

#13
jrm20

Posted 07 July 2006 - 09:26 AM

System building expert

Retired Staff
2,394 posts

Ok, regarding the socket 939, unless you to one of highest 3 CPUs, AM2 is actually worse than 939 because of the high latecy in DDR2 RAM.

Next, the video cards:
The reason why 2 7600's is because you should take advantage of the SLI I showed you in this motherboard I choose. The one 7900 that was showen to you was rated at core clock at 500 and memory clock at 1500 for the one card. For about $40 more, you can have 2 7600's rated at core clock 580 and memory clock 1500 per card.

Regards,
GeekMan

About the only thing you said that would be questionable would be the 2 7600gt's. If Rookie builder wants to get two 7600gt's that would be fine nothing wrong with that at all but I would not get a socket 939 pc right now.. Conroe is coming out and it blows away all of the socket 939's and am2's out of the water. If you buy today the am2 is fine but dont buy the socket 939 it has a lack of upgradability..

Just because the 7600gt has 580 core clock and 1500 memory clock it doesnt mean its faster or equal to the speed of one 7900gt, it doesnt work that way.. The 7600gt has a slower gpu all together and less pipelines on the video card.. On some benchmarks yes I have seen Two 7600gt's come on top vs one 7900gt..

If you want to pass all of this debate then wait a month or so and get an intel conroe, it owns and beats the amd fx-62 cpu's at every test and below and you only pay 1/4 of the price...

#14
GeekMan

Posted 07 July 2006 - 09:40 AM

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Member
112 posts

Since this computer is for gaming, i'd go with AMD because they are scheduled to release in mid 2007 a dual core running somewhere between 2.7 and 3.2 Ghz (My friend works at AMD as head of research). AMD is better at mathematical things and Intel is good at streaming etc. The pipelines of intel are longer and amd is shorter. Longer pipelines does mean that there may be some lag. Even though AMD processors have shorter pipelines meaning lower speeds, they can transfer more data faster than intel. Think og it this way, you have 2 conveyer belts. One that is longer is intel and one that is shorter is AMD. Now, packages loaded onto intels conveyr take longer to reach the end as supposed to AMD with the shorter conveyr. AMD's packages are also closer together making it a packed data so it may take some time on the other end to sort it out. All in all, AMD and Intel are very close to eachother. It just comes down to preferance.

#15
jrm20

Posted 07 July 2006 - 10:03 AM

System building expert

Retired Staff
2,394 posts

Since this computer is for gaming, i'd go with AMD because they are scheduled to release in mid 2007 a dual core running somewhere between 2.7 and 3.2 Ghz (My friend works at AMD as head of research). AMD is better at mathematical things and Intel is good at streaming etc. The pipelines of intel are longer and amd is shorter. Longer pipelines does mean that there may be some lag. Even though AMD processors have shorter pipelines meaning lower speeds, they can transfer more data faster than intel. Think og it this way, you have 2 conveyer belts. One that is longer is intel and one that is shorter is AMD. Now, packages loaded onto intels conveyr take longer to reach the end as supposed to AMD with the shorter conveyr. AMD's packages are also closer together making it a packed data so it may take some time on the other end to sort it out. All in all, AMD and Intel are very close to eachother. It just comes down to preferance.

LOL you havnt herd of the new intel chip that is coming out soon.. Look it up on google.. Its even posted on this site a few times..

The intel conroe beats the amd fx-60 and amd fx-62 at all benchmarks and even gaming... Im not just saying this you need to look it up.. I know in the past amd has been the better gaming chip but not for long..
If your a computer geek you should of already read about the Intel conroe processors. They own all of amd's chips not counting the server chip line like opterons.. The NEW to come Intel conroe is better at gaming than the fx-60,fx-62 and everything below.. Intel is getting rid of intel "PENTIUM 4" and all of their current processor technology.. The intel conroe is completely redesigned.

You did not hear me say the "CURRENT" intel processors are better than amd as a whole.. "SOON" meaning end of this month or next month this will all change.. Intel conroe will be the better chip for gaming and pretty much everything...

here is a few links to this..

http://www.hexus.net...m.php?item=5692

http://www.hothardwa...p...d=794&cid=1

http://techreport.co...oe/index.x?pg=2

The price is 1/4 and still beats amd at pretty much every test even gaming yes gaming..

even the 2.40 ghz version of the conroe still beats the fx 60 and fx 62 at all tests... The 2.40 ghz version will probably run around $300-$315, 4mb cache. The intel conroe e6700 is 2.67ghz and the e6600 has 2.40 ghz.. Those two have the 4mb cache. The other conroes below those have 2mbcache..

Edited by jrm20, 09 July 2006 - 11:51 AM.