[SecretMaster]

After many months of researching, I've finally put together a build for a new computer at last. Thanks to all who have posted in this particular forum with suggestions for other people, as it in turn helped me make a decision. A special thanks to WarriorScot for a little clarification.

But most importantly, I have a few questions to ask with this build. And I'd also like some input as well.

Motherboard
Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe
-I know many of you aren't Asus fans on this forum. For one reason, I really don't know why. But the motherboard has to be Asus (or else the very fabric of this universe will tear apart). So if there is a better Asus board for AM2, please tell me.

Processor
AMD X2 5000+

RAM
This is where I'm stuck. With AM2 boards and all these DDR2 types, I really don't know which one to choose. I've heard that DDR2 with AM2 boards at this point in time is actually slower than 939 boards/RAM pairings? Is this true. I'm stuck between this
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220064

and this

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220144

Please, input here would be greatly appreciated.

Hard-drive
Western Digital 320GB 8MB Cache 7200RPM
(I highly doubt I will ever fill up all 320GB. This 120gb HD still has 50% space left after 4 years)

Video Card
ATI X1900XT (Manufacturer=HIS)

PSU
Antec SP-450 SmartPower 2.0 (450 Watts. I think that should be enough, if I worked the Xtreme Wattage calculator correctly)

Thats pretty much what I wanted you guys to look at. The case/dvd/cd drives and all that crap I know I have down. But its all this stuff I really want to make sure I have right, and if there are better options out there (granting of course, not a major price difference)

[Advertisements]

Judging by the fact that your going with the x1900 vid. card, I'm assuming that gaming is a consideration? If so, I would say you need a better power source than 450W... how about:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Plus, your MB is SLI ready, but the PS isn't... if down the road you want to go SLI you'd be SOL... again, only really important if your into gaming.

Edited by Rookie Builder, 26 July 2006 - 12:08 AM.

[Rookie Builder]

Judging by the fact that your going with the x1900 vid. card, I'm assuming that gaming is a consideration? If so, I would say you need a better power source than 450W... how about:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Plus, your MB is SLI ready, but the PS isn't... if down the road you want to go SLI you'd be SOL... again, only really important if your into gaming.

Edited by Rookie Builder, 26 July 2006 - 12:08 AM.

[warriorscot]

I wouldnt bother about the SLI you wont be using it on that vid card and SLI isnt to be reccomended anyway and thees days its harder to get them without SLI than with. 450W should be enough most systems still dont need even 400W so 450W should be more than adequate.

The reason i dont like ASUS, bad reputation and the fact is that we are the people that help the poor souls that buy the things try to fix them and the ASUS 939 boards we saw more of those than any other board also added on from previous bad reputation from there older AMD boards, Asus make great intel boards they just made a mess of alot of AMD boards, THAT is why i dont lke them and prefer more reliable brands that have been more succesful in the long term and have better quality like ABIT and MSI, MSI i think is the biggest manufacturer of AMD motherboards as it supplies the OEM builder market as well, ABIT is know for performance with the FATALITY range. I would say get a DFI but they havent made any am2 boards yet. So those are my reasons for not liking Asus and they are pretty similar to the other guys that dont like Asus bad collective experience and i usually wont get something if previous generations didnt work. Besides Asus ws never big in AMD liek i said MSI and ABIT and Gigabyte were always the companies that specialised in good AMD boards where Asus has always made intel boards well, Im sure that board will probably be fine hardly anyone has one so they havent had a chance to see if it goes wrong but it would be hard to imagine if they replicated similar problems onto a whole new chipset.

The bottom memory is the stuff you want its faster and a good brand.

[SecretMaster]

Judging by the fact that your going with the x1900 vid. card, I'm assuming that gaming is a consideration? If so, I would say you need a better power source than 450W... how about:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103931

Plus, your MB is SLI ready, but the PS isn't... if down the road you want to go SLI you'd be SOL... again, only really important if your into gaming.

Of course I am into gaming. But I will not, and will never go with SLI. Even Quad SLI. I don't care what anyone says, its a total waste of money.

The bottom memory is the stuff you want its faster and a good brand.

Thankyou good sir.

I'll also see what I can do about the mobo manufacturer, but I'm pretty sure regardless of what I want I have to go with Asus. Woofreakinhoo.

[warriorscot]

Lol, if you arent bulding yourself youll be fine with an Asus AS LONG AS they test the system before you get it, Asus boards are good when they work they just have problems working sometimes but as long as they do you find out why they have such good reviews for something thats so problem prone.