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"Decisions Decisions... Help..."

Going shopping soon for parts to build a new system (thanks to landing a new contract yaterday which is going to leave me totally loaded for a few months), but as I've never done this before, would like some advice on components.

Basic requirements are 64bit AMD, shed loads of high end RAM, SATA and sound.

Looking at choosing between:


Processor Options
AMD FX53 64bit
AMD Athlon 64 3500 (Newcastle)


Mobo Options:
Gigabyte GA-K8NSN-XP nForce3 939 Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-K8NS Pro nforce3 Motherboard (socket 754)

Using AGP GFX atm, but does anyone know if the newer PCI-E boards still have an AGP slot?


Ram
2 x 512 DDR400 Ram (Corsair XMS or OCZ Performance series) May be even DDR2. Am i on the right track, never built from scratch before and want to get it right first time. Is DDR2 worth the jump?


Sound Options
Creative Audigy2 ZS 7.1 Soundcard with breakout box
Terratec DMX 6Fire 24/96 Sound


HDD
120GB SATA Hard Drive (Maxtor or Western Digital) or 2 x 80GB SATA's. Was possibly going to go for 2x250GB SATA?


Optical Storage Options
LG GSA-4120BB Dual Layer 12x DVD±RW ReWriter
NEC ND3500 16x DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter

Case options
CoolerMaster Stacker STC-T01

More than likely sticking with the Savrow SR-71 Blackbird case unless something else takes my fancy.

PSU option
X-Connect Ultra modular Powersuppy 400w
Antec Neopower modular cable management PSU 480w

GFX already handled with my OC's X800 Pro VIVO (16 pipes @ 550/1200).

Would also appreciate reccomendations for processor/case/vga cooling.

Not to worried about cost here as I'm paying Trade price + vat through work so no over bloated retail pricing here.

I thought he was trying to be sarcastic.

Miserableman wrote:
> Notorious Biggles wrote:
> only 59 dB!
>
> 59dB is about as loud as 10 jumbo-jets packed full of brass
> orchestras and subwoofers all taking off at once, crashing in
> mid-air, with a nuclear bomb being dropped on the top. Perhaps this
> is a minor exaggeration, but I still wouldn't class it as quiet!
>

59dB is loud. Hell, I even found my watercooled PC to be loud, the universal fan at 36dB.

Just for info for those not in the know:
RAID - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks

RAID5 = the best option, but usually costs the most...

Lose a disk and you keep running - but you obviously have to replace the HDD ASAP !

Notorious Biggles wrote:
> only 59 dB!

59dB is about as loud as 10 jumbo-jets packed full of brass orchestras and subwoofers all taking off at once, crashing in mid-air, with a nuclear bomb being dropped on the top. Perhaps this is a minor exaggeration, but I still wouldn't class it as quiet!

Also, don't go RAID unless you're willing to spend £300+ on a RAID5 controller. RAID0 delivers no performance increase, and it at least doubles your risk of data loss due to disk failure. Plus it's another layer of faffery.

You should offer to buy bits and pieces for us lot and add a percentage on for your services. We would save money, you would get a cut and everyone would be happy.

:D

gamesfreak wrote:
> Tyla, thats the kind of PC I dream of.
>
> Sounds pretty nice!

Same here. Cost wise.. Reatil through OcUk (not including the OS & Networking kit) I'm looking at £1189.00 + delivery. Through work, I'm looking at about £600!! £750 with the OS and networking bits.

Tyla, thats the kind of PC I dream of.

Sounds pretty nice!

cookie monster wrote:
> How cheaply can you get that win xp pro for tyla?

I've been quoted about £35

Notorious Biggles wrote:
> Tyla wrote:
>
> Crucial 1GB (2x512MB) DDR PC3200 Ballistix Dual Channel Kit
>
> I don't know where you are buying from

Through work, so only paying trade + vat on the lot.

Overclocking on that DFI board also seems to be boosted if only one stick is used.